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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2002
Volume 1, Issue 286
Santa Monica Daily Press A newspaper with issues
City council approves laws aimed at homeless
A lucky toss
Officials take action to curb food lines, sleeping in commercial doorways BY ANDREW H. FIXMER Daily Press Staff Writer
With the aim of limiting the numbers of homeless people downtown, the Santa Monica City Council enacted two controversial laws Tuesday that will make life more difficult for those living on the city’s streets. The first ordinance forces charitable organizations running free meal programs in city parks to apply for a permit if the gathering is over 150 people. Each organization must also receive a permit from the Los Angeles County Health Department, verifying their programs follow health codes and are not conducted more than three times in a 90-day period. “This would not make distributing food illegal,” Moutrie said. “It does recognize
Del Pastrana/Daily Press
Frank Fernandez enjoys playing a solo game of horseshoes at Reed Park Wednesday afternoon.
Where’s the next computer revolution? You’re wearing it hooked to his glasses, a cell phoneAssociated Press Writer shaped keyboard he straps to the back of his hand and a small black bag that holds SEATTLE — Say you’re so hooked to a 1 1/2-pound computer more powerful your mouse, keyboard and computer monthan many desktop models. itor you can hardly tear your“We’re going through self away from your terminal. another computer revoluYou don’t have to. You tion,” said Starner, who, as can wear your computer. a student, founded the Dr. Thad Starner, a Santa Massachusetts Institute of Monica businessman, has Technology’s Wearable been walking around with Computing Project in 1993 his for nearly 10 years. and is now part owner “Most people who stand in of Charmed Technology line at the airport are just waitWireless Eyewear, located ing there, bored. I’m writing Dr. Thad Starner in Santa Monica on Ocean the next chapter of my book or Avenue. He also is a comreading e-mail,” Starner said Tuesday at the puter science professor at Georgia Tech International Symposium on Wearable University. “Just like the change from the mainComputers at the University of Washington. Starner’s gear, which costs about $4,500, includes a micro-optical monitor See COMPUTER, page 6 BY ELIZABETH M. GILLESPIE
there is a state law that requires a permit.” Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McKeown, who voted against the measure along with Mayor Mike Feinstein, said the new law misplaces blame for rowdy, unsociable behavior on the homeless, and it would not address the root causes of the problem. “I haven’t heard about people who had too much to eat,” he said. “What I’ve been hearing about are people that have had too much to drink.” Joel Schwartz, the city’s homeless services director, said the ordinance would make it more difficult for some to distribute food in the city’s parks, leaving a void the city may have to address. “We may find that without the food programs there will be more dumpsterdiving and that (homeless) people will still come to Santa Monica.” Additionally, the council unanimously enacted an ordinance allowing businesses to post signs prohibiting sleeping in doorSee LAWS, page 5
Luxury hotels raise nearly $250K to fight living wage Measure’s opponents fork over more money by 10-1 BY ANDREW H. FIXMER
“Those are examples of small businesses giving what it takes to protect their businesses,” said FAIR spokesman Seth Jacobsen. “They are willing to go out and spend what little they can offer to defeat
Daily Press Staff Writer
Foes of Santa Monica’s living wage law raised nearly $250,000 over the past three months for their campaign to torpedo the controversial ballot measure. Campaign fundraising reports released Tuesday show that a coalition of local businesses, luxury hotels and residents calling themselves Santa Monicans Fighting Against Irresponsible Regulation, or FAIR, raised more money than their rivals by nearly 10-1. Since July, FAIR raised $258,955.20, mostly from luxury hotels located along Santa Monica’s beaches. The company that owns Casa del Mar and Shutters on the Beach was the single largest donor with $75,000. The Radisson Hotel, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel each contributed $50,000. Hotel Oceana and P.F. Changs Restaurant each gave $10,000, while the Lobster and Gotham Hall donated $3,500 and $2,500 respectively.
“We believe that voters will see through this big money campaign to deny hotel workers a fair wage.” — VIVIAN ROTHSTEIN Director of SMART
this dangerous measure.” “If you look at the report, the businesses that would be affected have contributed money,” he added. “And there’s nothing wrong with that.” Supporters of the living wage say the campaign disclosure form illustrates just how important defeating the measure means to businesses. See HOTELS, page 6