Every voter in Santa Monica should read this:
Letter: New PACs Aren't the Problem With Elections
Ivan Perkins of "Santa Monicans for Responsible Growth" is simply telling it like it is. Developers have too much influence in our city and too much influence on some of the people who run it.
The two incumbents and other candidates who issued that call for "transparency" several weeks ago should start with their own campaigns. I said the same thing when they issued that so-called "transparency pledge."
I signed it in the true spirit of transparency, because I'm a journalist and took them at their word. Big mistake. Some people misinterpreted that and lumped me in with them. I don't and won't take developer money. Ever.
Bottom line: As that flood of slick, full-color glossy brochures start filling up your mailbox, I hope you voters will ask yourself two questions: Who paid for all those pretty mailers, and what favors will be asked in return?
If a candidate needs to rake in piles of development money to win a seat on the City Council, maybe that candidate shouldn't be on the Council. Period.
