REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT AGAINST
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA

Don't buy the cynical viewpoint offered by the opponent of Measure MM.  We need to have the right tools to reinforce our laws.  Violators need to know that their behavior carries real consequences.

The argument against Measure MM is wrong.

There is plenty of evidence that some fines need to be higher.  Residents surrounding our airport are clamoring for better enforcement of our noise laws.  Common sense shows that a higher fine would help enforce these laws.

Sensible penalties to enforce our laws are critical to the health of our residential neighborhoods AND businesses.

• Measure MM does not abolish current fines.  It does allow the city to make rational adjustments.

• The city cannot enact unreasonable fines because the law does not allow it.  This system of checks and balances will not be changed.

• The city CANNOT enact a fine without FULL PUBLIC participation.  Your city council is required to obtain public input and hold a full public hearing and debate before changing ANY fine.

The $500 fine limitation is nearly a century old.  With modest inflation, the $500 maximum will lose even more meaning, especially to the wealthy owners of noisy private jets.

We must have reasonable penalties to back up our laws.

For a better city and the peace of our neighborhoods, we urge you to vote "yes" on Measure MM.

Richard Bloom, Councilmember, City of Santa Monica
Pam O'Connor, Mayor Pro Temp
Robert Holbrook, Councilmember
David Kaplan

Impartial Analysis

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