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THURSDAY
03.24.16 Volume 15 Issue 110
@smdailypress
Orchestra trip canceled after Belgium bombings Samohi students hoping to organize benefit concert
WHAT’S UP WESTSIDE ..................PAGE 2 BICYCLE ENFORCEMENT ..............PAGE 3 CULTURE WATCH ............................PAGE 4 BASEBALL UPDATE ........................PAGE 9 MYSTERY PHOTO ..........................PAGE 13
Santa Monica Daily Press
smdp.com
Council approves airport leasing policy BY MATTHEW HALL Daily Press Editor
Approving a new leasing policy for the Santa Monica Airport left the council literally speechless Tuesday night. After months waiting and an hour of community input, the City Council unanimously approved a new leasing policy for the Santa Monica Airport without a word of debate or comment at their March 22 meeting. The unusually taciturn council accepted a new policy that uses six principles for evaluating leases, including harmony with airport neighbors, contributing to a sus-
tainable airport fund, being in compliance with the city’s legal rights and legal obligations, opportunities for arts/education/culture, providing procedures for administration/evaluation, and environmental sensitivity. The decision follows council’s decision last year to provide some 3year leases to non-aviation tenants, but at that time the council moved aviation businesses to month-tomonth leases and asked for more information regarding the master tenant/sublease contracts. There are a total of 629 leases at the airport. About half are direct leases with the city, but 323 tenants are subleases from one of six master
tenants. Leases can cover entire buildings, office space or just a “tiedown” location for a single aircraft. Leases account for about 67 percent of total airport revenue and the proposal calls for all tenants to move to market-rate leases to help the airport become self-sustaining and erase a $13.1 million debt it owes to the city’s general fund. The leasing policy was presented to council without the support of the Airport Commission. Commissioners deadlocked 2-2 on the proposal last week over concerns that vague wording could create more opportunities for lawSEE LEASE PAGE 5
Courtesy Photo
CANCELED: The Samohi orchestra have been forced to cancel their trip.
BY JEFFREY I. GOODMAN Daily Press Staff Writer
Members of Santa Monica High School’s orchestra were scheduled to convene on campus Tuesday for their final rehearsal before a spring-break trip to Europe. But what was supposed to be an exciting tune-up became a somber, emotional meeting as students absorbed the news of the terrorist attacks that rocked Belgium earlier that day.
As people around the world mourned following bombings in Brussels that left at least 30 people dead and scores more injured, the orchestra’s anticipated journey abroad was canceled due to safety concerns. The trip to France, Belgium and the Netherlands was nixed following discussions between orchestra director Joni Swenson, Samohi principal Eva Mayoral and Santa SEE MUSIC PAGE 3
Hop around town for holiday fun Easter events abound on the Westside BY JENNIFER MAAS Daily Press Staff Writer
Santa Monicans who are hunting for Easter activities this week need look no further than their own backyard, as the Westside is offering plenty of ways to celebrate this egg-cellent holiday. On Friday the Pico Branch
Library (2201 Pico Blvd.) will offer an egg hunt for ages 4 and up, with spring stories, a craft and, of course, a hunt for eggs. Space is limited, but free tickers are available for pick up 30 minutes before the program. The event goes from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Also on Friday is a special Good SEE EASTER PAGE 8
MARCH FOR MEALS
Matthew Hall
Meals on Wheels West recognized the nationwide March for Meals campaign with an open house on March 23. Meals on Wheels used the event to recognize the “Community Champions” that volunteer and support their efforts. In addition to visits by local dignitaries, Centinela Feed & Pet Supply presented a check for $9,830.