2009 Blue Ribbon Small Business Award U.S. Chamber of Commerce
310-444-4444
20th Anniversary
Hybrid • Mercedes-Benz
not valid from hotels or with other offers • SM residents only • Expires 8/31/10
THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2011
SM to LAX $30
SantaMonicaTaxi.com
Volume 10 Issue 155
Santa Monica Daily Press
TASTE OF SAVANNAH SEE PAGE 5
We have you covered
THE TALKING IT UP ISSUE
City officials contemplate going own way on homeless BY ASHLEY ARCHIBALD Daily Press Staff Writer
CITY HALL The City Council got more than it bargained for in a study session on homelessness Tuesday when Human Services officials suggested it might be time to end a long-standing relationship with a coalition of homeless service providers in Los Angeles County. Santa Monica belongs to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Administration, a jointpowers authority between the county and 85 SEE HOMELESS PAGE 9
Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com
ON THE GO: Big Blue Bus officials were considering eliminating line 2 service heading into Venice because line 1 covered much of the same territory, however, seniors complained and a compromise was made, with service continuing to Hill Street instead of cutting off at Pico Boulevard.
Big Blue Bus routes to change BY ASHLEY ARCHIBALD Daily Press Staff Writer
CITY HALL Big Blue Bus officials revealed the first of three rounds of proposed changes to remove inefficiencies and get the system ready for the arrival of light rail and the thousands of new passengers it expects within the next three years. On Tuesday, City Council members were asked to vote only on changes to service, which focused on increasing the Rapid 7 route in the Pico corridor, decreasing the Local 7 route and reducing the overlap between routes 1 and 2. The proposal also includes changing two services outside the city limits by cutting in half the service hours on route 13, which runs to Cheviot Hills, and reducing the number of stops on route 10, which goes to
Seamus D. McDonald Helping small businesses become big businesses PRE-PAID LEGAL | IDENTITY THEFT SHIELD Pre-Paid Legal Independent Associate
(310) 245-1925
| Lic #0G41725 smcdonald@newsinsurance.com OFFICE: 949-791-1300 x1315
Downtown Los Angeles. BBB officials came to these conclusions after several public meetings and a public survey process. One of the many challenges was to incorporate community feedback, while at the same time holding the line on cost increases, said Director of Transit Services Stephanie Negriff. “We don’t want to improve anything that would impact the ability to balance the budget,” she cautioned. All told, the changes equate to a 7,619hour increase in service, and a $419,000 additional cost to the system. Of that, $200,000 will be covered by the BBB portion of transit tax funds from Proposition A. The remaining $219,000 will be absorbed by the bus system’s $55 million
Educators press lawmakers to avoid budget cuts DON THOMPSON Associated Press
budget, said spokesman Dan Dawson. The changes are a far cry from the original proposal put forward by consultant Transportation Management and Design, Inc., which completed the survey and study of the lines. In its report, TMD identified 16,935 bus hours that could be cut for a savings of $931,000. Those changes would include axing line 13 altogether and never implementing the proposed Downtown Ride service, as well as reducing all other lines except Route 1 and Rapid 7. The Downtown Ride service is one that would connect Civic Center parking to Downtown businesses while other parking structures are upgraded or replaced. “They were directed to do everything
SACRAMENTO State schools Superintendent
SEE BBB PAGE 8
SEE CUTS PAGE 9
Tom Torlakson joined dozens of teachers, nurses and firefighters at a state Capitol rally Wednesday, the latest in a weeklong series of actions designed to pressure California lawmakers into raising taxes to avoid deep spending cuts to education. Schools have experienced a cumulative $18 billion in budget cuts the past three years, lowering California’s per-pupil spending below most other states, according to Torlakson’s office. He said more budget cuts would lead to larger class sizes, more dropouts, possibly a shorter school year, and a less-educated work force, which would hurt California’s economy. The statewide week of demonstrations was organized by the California Teachers
WE LOVE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT HEADACHES
IZZY'S DELI DOES TURKEY! Fresh Roasted Turkey
Robert Kronovet 2010 REALTOR OF THE YEAR Contact:
TURKEY MEATLOAF • TURKEY BURGERS • TURKEY CHILI TURKEY SALAD • TURKEY SAUSAGE • TURKEY BACON TURKEY GUMBO SOUP • TURKEY DINNERS TURKEY SANDWICHES
310-829-9303
1433 Wilshire Boulevard, at 15th Street
310-394-1131 | OPEN 24 HOURS
Robert Kronovet is a California Association of Realtors Director. DRE # 01128992
rent@Kronovet.com