Lowest Insurance Rates in Santa Monica! Call today to SAVE MONEY on your Auto Insurance Serving Santa Monica for 22 years! Call for a FREE Quote 3222 SANTA MONICA BLVD, SANTA MONICA, CA 90404
FRIDAY, JULY 2, 2010
310.453.5736
Volume 9 Issue 200
Santa Monica Daily Press
SHARING THE ROAD SEE PAGE 3
We have you covered
THE BOUND TO HAPPEN ISSUE
Plane out of SMO crashes in Venice THE ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES Authorities say a pilot has died in the crash of a small plane on a Los Angeles golf course. The plan had departed from Santa Monica Airport. Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Erik Scott says the man was the only person on board the plane, which slammed into some trees near the 8th hole of the Penmar Golf Course in the Venice neighborhood shortly before 6 p.m. Thursday. Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen says the singleengine Cessna 152 had just taken off from Santa Monica Airport when it crashed. She had no other details. No one on the ground was hurt. According to the FAA’s website, the plane was registered to Kim Davidson Aviation, Inc. in Santa Monica. The cause of the crash is under investigation. The Santa Monica Fire Department responded to the call, but deferred to LAFD.
Measures to boost sales tax considered
FIGHTING CITY HALL
Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com The Pico Youth and Family Center Youth Council rallies for equal rights and justice in front of City Hall on Thursday afternoon. The center is fighting to stop the future development of the Expo Light Rail Line maintenance yard in the Pico neighborhood.
BY NICK TABOREK Daily Press Staff Writer
CITY HALL With a projected budget gap as high as $53 million by 2015, City Hall officials are considering whether to ask residents to approve a half cent sales tax increase or a property transfer tax hike this November to boost revenue and avoid cuts to services. Santa Monica’s City Council would have to decide whether to place one or both of the possible “revenue enhancements” on the Nov. 2 ballot before Aug. 6, the deadline for filing ballot initiatives with Los Angeles County. If approved by voters, the sales tax increase could boost the rate in Santa Monica from 9.75 percent to 10.25 percent, one of the highest rates in the state. A statewide 1 percent sales tax increase the California legislature approved as a deficit reduction measure last year, though, is set to
Assistant city manager abruptly resigns
SEE TAXES PAGE 8
SEE RESIGNATION PAGE 9
BY NICK TABOREK Daily Press Staff Writer
CITY HALL Jennifer Phillips, the assistant city manager who oversaw Santa Monica’s planning, library, community and cultural services, economic development and public works departments, resigned on Wednesday after an 18-month tenure at City Hall. The announcement from City Manager Rod Gould came at 5 p.m. on Wednesday in an e-mail to department heads and members of the City Council that provided little explanation for Phillips’ abrupt departure. “She plans to continue her involvement in local government, and she wants the community to know that she has enjoyed
Five generations of family jewelers
the opportunity to be part of a team that is making substantial contributions to the city of Santa Monica and the community it serves,” Gould said in the message. Wednesday was Phillips’ last day on the job. Attempts to reach her on Thursday were not successful. Phillips was hired in January, 2009 by former City Manager Lamont Ewell. Gould was hired to replace Ewell, who retired, in December. City Hall declined to say whether Phillips would receive a severance package. Her starting annual salary was $180,000. City Attorney Marsha Moutrie said there were “no legal claims or issues” related to Phillips’ resignation.
Gary Limjap
POLACHECK
PHILLIPS
“She was nothing but supportive to us, and we’ll miss that support,” said Barbara Stinchfield, director of Community and
BACK OR UNFILED
(310) 586-0339 In today’s real estate climate ... Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm
331 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica 2 Hours Free Parking (Behind Store) 310.451.1349 • www.readersjewelers.com
Experience counts! garylimjap@gmail.com www.garylimjap.com
ALL FORMS • ALL TYPES • ALL STATES SAMUEL B. MOSES, CPA
(310) 395-9922
100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1800Santa Monica 90401