By Nancy Greenstein, SMRR Co-Chair
& Roger Thornton, SMRR Treasurer
Home. SMRR was founded to protect our homes. Twenty-three years later affordable housing is still an issue. Linda Sullivan examines affordable housing in Santa Monica today. Affordable Housing
The focus of the first SMRR membership meeting this year will be housing. On March 4 Assemblywoman Fran Pavley and State Senator Sheila James Kuehl will report on the view from Sacramento. In addition there will be a panel discussion of the state of rent control.
Head. SMRR has had a long-term commitment to public education that is the focus of Patricia Hoffman’s article. SMRR is also committed to the concept of Lifelong Learning. An important Lifelong Learning Conference will take place on March 31.
Heart. Our volunteers represent the heart of SMRR. Michael Tarbet looks at the “hearts” behind the SMRR Hotline.
SMRR represents the unity of home, head and heart. We believe that active community members working together with a progressive majority on the Council offer the greatest hope for meeting the challenges we face.
SMRR is strong because our members care about our community. We are a volunteer organization that is making a positive difference in the quality of life in Santa Monica.
Our achievements over the past 23 years are significant in areas such as strong rent control laws, neighborhood preservation, environmental protection, schools, and social services.
However, there are always new challenges. Some come from success – traffic and development; others from the state – vacancy decontrol and loss of school funding.
The challenges never stop. Our volunteers and activists are busy organizing, outreaching, answering the SMRR Hotline and studying issues.
SMRR’s strength is dependent on the commitment of our members. Therefore, you have a critical role to play as no effort is too small and every contribution significant.
Please renew your membership for 2001 and if you are able, increase your donation. We are still recovering from the 2000 election where big hotel interests spent over $1,000,000 to attack a real living wage proposal and challenge our candidates.
You can also assist by:
Attending the membership meeting on March 4,
Getting involved in one or more of the SMRR issue committees,
Volunteering to participate in our Outreach program,
Recruiting new members.
SMRR is a volunteer organization and we must count on each other to meet the challenges facing our city.