Embattled Neighborhood Group 'Forgives and Forgets'

The self-proclaimed "rebels" of the Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition are now its newest leaders.

The Santa Monica Outlook reports a faction group was reinstated to the neighborhood association and 10 of its members elected to the Board of Directors on Saturday. They had splintered off in part over opposition to the neighborhood coalition's endorsement of a major expansion of the Mirarmar Fairmont Hotel and were subsequently stripped of their memberships this summer.

Council Green-lights Miramar Development Talks

According to the Outlook:

The motion, which passed 39 to 3, stated “that we (Wilmont) forgive and forget all alleged misbehavior and reinstate all memberships in good standing” and applied to some 15 members who had received letters from the Wilmont board in July terminating their membership.

At Saturday's meeting, the coalition's membership also voted to rescind the Miramar endorsement, the Outlook reported.

Nicknamed "Wilmont," the coalition represents residents who live south of Montana Avenue, north of Wilshire Boulevard, west of 21st street and east of the beach. For months it's been locked in a power struggle with the "rebels."

When asked by the Outlook whether Saturday's meeting "spelled the end of Wilmont's troubles," former chairwoman and one of the newly elected members, Jeanne Dodson responded, "I certainly hope so."

For full coverage of Saturday's meeting, click over to the Santa Monica Outlook.

See also: City Councilman's Role in Heated Wilmont Elections?; The Apparently Never-Ending Wilmont Elections Saga

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