MOVIE REVIEW
WEST DRESSED
‘MARGOT AT THE WEDDING’ HARD NOT TO LIKE PAGE 10 SLEEPLESS OVER SLEEP PAGE 13
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2007
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Volume 7 Issue 34
Santa Monica Daily Press OSCAR IS BETTER OFF SEE PAGE 10
Since 2001: A news odyssey
THE SORRY ABOUT YESTERDAY ISSUE
This time, the landlord pays Apartment complex owner to pay Rent Control $100,000 BY KEVIN HERRERA I Daily Press Staff Writer CITY HALL The owner of an apartment complex on Ocean Avenue has agreed to pay the Rent Control Board $100,000 after city attorneys discovered the landlord vio-
lated the Ellis Act, a state law that permits property owners to go out of the rental business, but puts restrictions on the future use of the property. Michaelyn Jones, general counsel for the Rent Control Board, said the lawsuit filed against S.M. Ocean Star, LLC was the first of its kind and lets landlords know that “the Rent Control Board is serious about pursuing landlords who abuse the Ellis Act.” The owner of the Ocean Apartments — located at 423-429 Ocean Ave. — has denied any wrongdoing, but
decided to settle the case rather than face litigation and the costs associated with it, according to the attorney representing Ocean Star. The attorney would not answer any other questions regarding the settlement. It was alleged that Ocean Star withdrew one of three apartment buildings from the rental market in July 2004, with tenants in the four units being evicted. The owner then re-rented some of the units within two years of withSEE RENT PAGE 9
BRAVING THE STORM
Brandon Wise news@smdp.com Members of the Santa Monica High School student clubs ‘Team Marine’ and ‘Heal the Bay’ take to the wet streets Thursday afternoon to raise awareness for the environmental dangers posed by plastic bags. The march coincided with the first ‘Day Without a Bag’ event throughout Los Angeles County. Government officials hope shoppers would make a switch to reusable bags.
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