By Sebastian Lopez and Jennifer Eden
Despite heated debate in the lead up to the City of Santa Monica Election Council elections and ballot measures this year, aside from a couple of scuffles reported at various polling booths between dueling Measure LV sides, the status-quo remains.
The most contentious measure on the local ballot was Measure LV.
“The residents have spoken, and by a wide margin, said no to Measure LV,” Jason Islas, editor of Santa Monica Next said. “Now we need to start looking at real solutions to the issues that people in the city are concerned about like traffic.”
“When the signature gathering went around for LV, people were willing to sign to put it on the ballot, but clearly when they examined the initiative and its intent they rejected it,” commented re-elected City Councilmember Terry O’Day
All four City Councilmembers who won the vote are incumbents.
“Progress for Santa Monica means moving ahead with careful planning and oversight, innovative private and public sector programs, and addressing the needs of all residents, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds,” re-elected and current Mayor Tony Vazquez said.
“I am hoping that we can get people with differing opinions in a room and find common ground to find that civil discourse that needs to happen in the community,” added re-elected Councilmember Ted Winterer
Councilmember O’Day agreed, telling Santa Monica Mirror that he is hopeful that the community will be able to come together to develop plan for downtown that is sustainable and forward looking across housing, while protecting neighborhoods.
“Because of the national results… now more than any other time we really do need to be a model for our nation,” Councilmember O-Day said.
“A large portion of our population has concerns about development and we’ll have to factor that into our thinking going forward and make sure those voices feel they’ve been heard,” Councilmember Winterer added.
The elected Councilmembers will be sworn at City Hall during a Regular City Council meeting December 13, followed by the selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tempore for two-year terms. The elected Councilmembers will begin their four-year terms following the swearing-in.
