INSIDE SCOOP
OPINION
PARENTING
MENCIA BENEFIT CANCELLED PAGE 3 SEX, DRUGS AND BANKROLL PAGE 4 MOMS TELL IT LIKE IT IS PAGE 6
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2009
Visit us online at smdp.com
Volume 7 Issue 363
Santa Monica Daily Press LOOK WHO’S IN CHARGE NOW SEE PAGE 3
Since 2001: A news odyssey
THE WE’LL MISS YOU HERB ISSUE
California experiencing losing streak BY MICHAEL R. BLOOD Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES Mike Reilly spent his lifetime chasing the California dream. This year he’s going to look for it in Colorado. With a house purchase near Denver in the works, the 38-yearold engineering contractor plans to move his family 1,200 miles away from his home state’s lemon groves, sunshine and beaches. For him, years of rising taxes, dead-end schools, unchecked illegal immigration and clogged traffic have robbed the Golden State of its allure. Is there something left of the California dream? “If you are a Hollywood actor,” Reilly says, “but not for us.” Since the days of the Gold Rush, California has represented the Promised Land, an image celebrated in the songs of the Beach Boys and embodied by Silicon Valley’s instant millionaires and the young men and women who achieve stardom in Hollywood. But for many California families last year, tomorrow started somewhere else. The number of people leaving California for another state outstripped the number movSEE MOVING PAGE 9
City Hall expected to pass on red light camera program BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer
CITY HALL More than a year after the City Council authorized a pilot program to test new red light cameras at key intersections, officials now say there might not be a need for such an enforcement procedure. As part of its consent agenda, which includes more than $430,000 in spending items, the council is expected to receive a city staff report that recommends the red light photo enforcement program not move SEE CONSENT PAGE 9
Byron Kennerly news@smdp.com
MOMENT OF SILENCE: (Left) Fire Chief Jim Hone, police Chief Tim Jackman, Mayor Ken Genser, City Councilmembers Kevin McKeown, Bob Holbrook and Richard Bloom, and Planning Commissioner Terry O’Day pay respects on Monday to the late Herb Katz during a memorial service at St. Monica Catholic Church. Hundreds attended the memorial for Katz, a public servant for three decades who died last week at the age of 78 after a long battle with cancer.
Community honors Katz BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer
ST. MONICA It is what those closest to Herb Katz said he would have wanted — a celebration of life. With heavy-hearts and at times wavering voices, long-time friends and colleagues one-by-one spoke fondly of the late councilmember and former mayor, sharing anecdotes and paying their final respects to a man who was known for his unconditional love of Santa Monica. “Herb would take exception to anyone mourning him today,” City Manager Lamont Ewell said. Hundreds of people packed St. Monica Catholic Church on Monday morning for a public service honoring the 78-year-old Sunset Park resident who died on Jan. 7 after a long battle with cancer. They came from all walks of Katz’ life, from the City Hall employees he worked
FABULOUS DINNER SPECIALS SERVED 4PM - 10PM COMPLETE DINNERS $11.95
1433 Wilshire Boulevard, at 15th Street 310-394-1131
OPEN 24 HOURS
Byron Kennerly news@smdp.com
CONSOLE: Katz’ widow, Brenda Katz, with Mayor Ken Genser (left) and Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson.
with during his time on the City Council, to the architects he called colleagues throughout his more than 40-year-career, to the residents he represented in his three decades of
public service to the special education parents whom he most recently backed in their SEE MEMORIAL PAGE 8
GABY SCHKUD (310) 586-0308
Promote your business here!
EXPERIENCE DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Call 310-458-7737 for details.
www.17thstreethome.com
Yes, in this very spot!