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MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2014
Volume 13 Issue 50
Santa Monica Daily Press
BOX OFFICE CHAMP SEE PAGE 3
We have you covered
THE RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE ISSUE
Parking meter revenues way up BY DAVID MARK SIMPSON Daily Press Staff Writer
CITYWIDE Apparently, Santa Monicans
But authorities are hoping they can attract buyers for Bulger’s belongings so they can compensate his victims. Bulger’s possessions will be sold to the highest bidders during a criminal forfeiture auction expected to be held over the next
don’t like change. A year and a half after a total overhaul to City Hall’s parking meters — including increased rates, changed time limits, and the introduction of a credit card payment option — revenues are way up, with a majority of the revenue coming from credit purchases not quarters. In 2013, City Hall’s average monthly revenue from parking meters was $1,065,000 up from $625,000 before the changes were made, said Don Patterson, assistant director of finance. About 65 percent of the total revenue comes from credit cards, he said. The work, which was completed between July of 2011 and June of 2012, cost taxpayers about $4.5 million, Patterson said. Operating costs are up, too, from virtually nothing to just under a $1 million a year. It costs City Hall about 26 cents, plus a fee for the transfer of data, every time you pay with a credit card, Patterson said. The credit card fees are worth it for City Hall, with the average amount paid being $2 compared to the 60 cents that people spend when using change, Patterson said. “I always just put in just an hour if I use the card, but if I put in a quarter then I’ll run to where I’m going and try to run back,” Patterson said. Meter-related parking tickets are down slightly since the introduction of the new meters, he said. While the Finance Department does have some leeway to adjust rates, they haven’t made any changes since the initial increases,
SEE BULGER PAGE 9
SEE PARKING PAGE 9
SMOOTH MOVE
Paul Alvarez Jr. editor@smdp.com A member of ‘The Ghetto Hot Legends’ throws a Frisbee past a defender Saturday afternoon during the 15th annual Lei-Out Beach Ultimate contest.
State poised to implement school funding reform LISA LEFF Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO After months of sometimes angry debate, California education officials are set to take up rules this week
aimed at making good on Gov. Jerry Brown’s promise to invest in the state’s future by overhauling how public schools are funded and directing more money to the neediest students. The State Board of Education plans to vote Thursday on emergency regulations
that spell out how school districts may use the $18 billion in new funds expected to flow to them in coming years based on the number of students who are low-income, learning to speak English or living in foster SEE REFORM PAGE 6
Boston gangster’s belongings to be sold at auction DENISE LAVOIE AP Legal Affairs Writer
BOSTON When authorities searched the apartment of Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger, they found $822,000 in cash and a large collection of guns hidden in
PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Yes, in this very spot! Call for details (310) 458-7737
holes cut into the walls. Other than the cash, there were few valuables. Books, hats, sweatshirts and household items bought at discount stores filled the rent-controlled Santa Monica, Calif., apartment the notorious crime boss shared with his longtime girlfriend while he was on the run.
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