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West LA Times

Saturday, February 22, 2025

Local Government News

Local Government

Trump on California wildfires: 'For the sake of the smelt, they have no water'

President Donald Trump has criticized Governor Gavin Newsom for allegedly neglecting the people of California in favor of environmental regulations during the recent wildfire disaster.

By West LA Times | Jan 31, 2025

Local Government

HBO Host Bill Maher: 'You didn't exceed my expectations, which was that the whole city wouldn't burn down'

Comedian and Los Angeles resident Bill Maher criticized LA Mayor Karen Bass for prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives over qualifications when hiring a California Fire Chief.

By West LA Times | Jan 29, 2025

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Local Government

Political commentator Steve Hilton: 'Get rid of the regulations'

By West LA Times | Jan 29, 2025

Political commentator and Fox News contributor Steve Hilton said that Governor Gavin Newsom's environmental regulations were the reason behind the California wildfire disaster.

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Local Government

Megyn Kelly on L.A. fire management: 'This was foreseeable' and 'largely preventable'

By West LA Times | Jan 29, 2025

Megyn Kelly has attributed the recent California wildfires to preventable causes, suggesting that state politicians prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives over wildfire prevention plans.

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Local Government

Actress Sara Foster: 'Your far left policies ruined our state'

By West LA Times | Jan 29, 2025

Actress Sara Foster has criticized Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom, attributing the state's issues to their policies.

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Local Government

Michael Rapaport on California Governor Gavin Newsom: 'There's no more mistakes for you, you're done!'

By West LA Times | Jan 29, 2025

Michael Rapaport has called for California Governor Gavin Newsom to resign, citing alleged mismanagement of funds intended for fire prevention.

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Local Government

Actor Mel Gibson on California wildfires: 'Monumental mismanagement by our elected officials'

By West LA Times | Jan 29, 2025

American actor Mel Gibson criticized California politicians Karen Bass and Gavin Newsom, stating they "do not care about the state's citizens" and were "insensitive in their management of the wildfire disaster."

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Local Government

Actress Justine Bateman on California politicians: They 'must be removed'

By West LA Times | Jan 29, 2025

Actress Justine Bateman has attributed the recent wildfire disaster in California to the state's politicians, Karen Bass and Gavin Newsom.

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Local Government

Former senator Melissa Melendez on Gavin Newsom: 'He Merits No Praise'

By West LA Times | Jan 29, 2025

Former California Senator Melissa Melendez has criticized Governor Gavin Newsom, attributing the red tape that hindered effective management and funding during the California wildfire disaster to his administration.

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Local Government

Actress Elizabeth Chambers on L.A. wildfire response: 'Absolute mismanagement by the city'

By West LA Times | Jan 28, 2025

Actress Elizabeth Chambers has criticized the city of Los Angeles for its handling of recent wildfires, attributing the devastation to mismanagement by elected officials in California.

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Comedian Adam Carolla on the L.A. fires: ‘The state is run by a handful of environmental lunatics’

By West LA Times | Jan 15, 2025

Podcaster and comedian Adam Carolla attributed the fires in Los Angeles to decades of policies that have left forests dangerously dense and overgrown, with limited use of controlled burns to reduce fuel loads.

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Local Government

SMPD Bike/Pedestrian Safety Operation Planned for 5/3/2024

By West LA Times | Apr 29, 2024

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has announced plans to conduct a Bike & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation on May 3, 2024, with a focus on reducing collisions between motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The operation aims to address violations that commonly lead to accidents involving these road users.According to the SMPD, officers will be deployed to locations with high rates of pedestrian and bike collisions to enforce traffic laws and promote safety. The enforcement efforts will target violations such as speeding, illegal turns, failure to yield to...

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Local Government

Santa Monica Public Library Spotlights Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

By West LA Times | Apr 29, 2024

The Santa Monica Public Library is gearing up to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month throughout the month of May. The library will be showcasing the rich and diverse contributions of Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent through various displays, book lists, and special events.One of the highlighted events at the Main Library on Santa Monica Blvd. is on May 11 at 2 p.m. Filmmaker Brian Tadashi Maeda will screen his award-winning feature documentary, "We Said No! No!: A Story of Civil Disobedience," which tells the story of...

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Community Corporation of Santa Monica Breaks Ground on New Affordable Development in Santa Monica

By West LA Times | Apr 29, 2024

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 29, 2024) – Community Corporation of Santa Monica, a non-profit organization, and the city of Santa Monica have come together to commence the construction of Berkeley Station, a new affordable housing development. This project aims to provide 13 units of 100% affordable housing for low-income families and transition-aged youth in Santa Monica.Tara Barauskas, the executive director of Community Corporation, expressed her excitement about the project, stating, "Berkeley Station is an exciting, innovative project and represents two firsts for us –...

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Local Government

Justice, Equity & Diversity: Santa Monica Council Advances Social Equity in Adult-Use Cannabis Program

By West LA Times | Apr 26, 2024

At last week's meeting, the Santa Monica City Council made significant progress in the development of the city’s ordinance on adult-use cannabis, with a specific focus on advancing social equity within the industry.The council's decision was guided by the goal of ensuring that communities most impacted by cannabis enforcement policies have the opportunity to benefit from the newly legalized industry. As stated by an unidentified council member, "The goal of the cannabis social equity component is to develop a program that helps ensure that the communities most impacted by...

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Sustainable & Connected: City to require use of low-carbon concrete in new construction

By West LA Times | Apr 25, 2024

The City Council of Santa Monica, California, has approved an ordinance mandating the use of low-carbon concrete for all new construction projects, swimming pools, and spas. This move is part of the city's efforts to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce embodied carbon emissions.Chief Sustainability Officer Shannon Parry expressed her enthusiasm for the city's progress, stating, "I’m thrilled to see our city continue to advance towards the goal of carbon neutrality." She highlighted the readiness of the concrete industry to supply low-carbon alternatives and emphasized...

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Local Government

Santa Monica Introduces New Microforests in Honor of Earth Week

By West LA Times | Apr 24, 2024

In honor of Earth Week, Santa Monica is set to welcome two new microforests, described as "fast-growing, low maintenance, tiny preserves that mimic natural woodlands." The initiative is made possible through a collaboration involving the Malibu Foundation, Santa Monica College (SMC), and the city itself.The microforests, which are designed to capture stormwater, mitigate heat, sequester carbon, and improve biodiversity, are part of a sustainable effort to restore nature in urban areas. The partnership has brought these innovative ecosystems to life within the city,...

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Addressing Homelessness: Updates on the city’s housing efforts

By West LA Times | Apr 24, 2024

The city’s Housing and Human Services Department is making significant strides in addressing the housing crisis and providing support to the homeless population. In a recent update, a spokesperson for the department highlighted some of the positive changes and initiatives that have been implemented.One of the key priorities for the department is funding permanent supportive housing and partnering with nonprofits on affordable housing projects. According to the spokesperson, efforts are also being made to help residents stay housed through voucher programs and supportive...

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Local Government

Summer Recreation Registration Opens in Santa Monica

By West LA Times | Apr 23, 2024

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 23, 2024) — The city of Santa Monica is gearing up for its summer recreation programs as registration opens for residents and non-residents. According to the announcement, registration will commence on Wednesday, April 24, at 6 a.m. for Santa Monica residents, and a week later on Wednesday, May 1, at 6 a.m. for non-residents.The summer recreation programs offer a variety of indoor and outdoor classes for individuals of all ages. These activities are held at city parks, the Santa Monica Swim Center, and the Annenberg Community Beach House...

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Local Government

A Note from the City of Santa Monica’s New Director of Recreation and Arts

By West LA Times | Apr 23, 2024

The new director of Santa Monica's Recreation and Arts Department shared a heartfelt message with the community, expressing their love for the city and excitement to serve its residents. The director emphasized the importance of community engagement and collaboration in shaping the future of recreational and artistic offerings in Santa Monica.Reflecting on their newfound love for Santa Monica, the director stated, "Though I couldn’t tell you exactly when I fell in love with Santa Monica, I just knew it -- I was home." They expressed gratitude to the community for the warm...