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Santa Monica Daily Press MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2015
Volume 14 Issue 196
SMMEF FUNDRAISER SEE PAGE 3
SMMUSD worker charged in $40K equipment heist BY JEFFREY I. GOODMAN Daily Press Staff Writer
CITYWIDE A former Santa MonicaMalibu schools employee is accused of stealing about $40,000 worth of district technology equipment, according to district and law enforcement officials. The suspect, Jorge Lopez-Paredes, was arrested on burglary charges and terminated by the district after security video showed the suspect taking valuable electronics from SMMUSD
headquarters in the 1600 block of 16th Street, officials said. Police detectives serving a search warrant at Lopez-Paredes’ residence in Los Angeles on April 29 found evidence as well as previously unreported stolen property that was later identified as belonging to the school district, Sgt. Rudy Camarena said. Lopez-Paredes, 27, has been charged with grand theft by the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office, according to Camarena. A court hearing is pending.
The school district has cooperated with authorities on the investigation, which comes as new equipment is being installed across the district with funding from voter-backed bond measures to upgrade school facilities and classrooms. “This is disappointing to all of us who work so hard to provide exemplary programs and services to our students on a limited budget,” district spokeswoman Gail Pinsker said.
BY DAVID MARK SIMPSON CITY HALL Santa Monica’s come along way environmentally since 1990, city environmental officials told the Planning Commission last week, but future changes will be harder. Santa Monica cut greenhouse gas emissions about 15 percent since 1990, Director of the Office of
Sustainability and the Environment Dean Kubani told the commission during a study session requested by Commissioner Richard McKinnon. About 3 percent of the city’s electricity demands are met by solar power. City Hall diverts about 50 percent of its solid waste. More than 50 percent of city vehicles run on alternative fuels. The urban forest has grown by about 20 percent. City
BY DAVID MARK SIMPSON Daily Press Staff Writer
CITY HALL Fireworks were on
Hall has virtually eliminated its use of pesticides. There are about 100 green certified businesses in the city. And yet there’s still so much to do. There’s a goal of 95 percent trash diversion by 2030. The aim is to have residents using 3.6 pounds of trash per day by 2022 and down to one
display during debate over the biennial budget and the appointment of Planning Commissioners, but arguably the most significant long-range decision made by City Council last week was a procedural one: The adoption of the Zoning Ordinance. The ordinance, which will dictate land-use throughout the city for years to come, goes into effect 30 days from June 24, the day after its adoption, assuming no one pulls a referendum. On top of setting height and density standards, which were at the center of the debate, the ordinance will allow two medical marijuana dispensaries to operate within the city limit. Elected and appointed officials spent years hashing out
SEE ENVIRONMENT PAGE 5
SEE ZONING PAGE 6
SEE THEFT PAGE 5
Planning Commission discussion focuses on environmental victories and challenges Daily Press Staff Writer
Zoning Ordinance adopted
WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT
Matthew Hall editor@smdp.com
It was a busy weekend in Santa Monica with multiple entertainment options on both days.Options included fireworks, classic cars, a Bloody Mary battle and the Main St. Soulstice concerts.
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