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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2002
Volume 1, Issue 305
Santa Monica Daily Press A newspaper with issues
Jerry Rubin drops out Cites poor mental health as reason for quitting campaign BY ANDREW H. FIXMER Daily Press Staff Writer
Jerry Rubin renounced his candidacy for the Santa Monica City Council Thursday, citing a recent downturn in his long and sometimes severe battle with depression. “This was a difficult decision for me to make,” he said to a gathering of reporters at his Ocean Park home. “I have to do my best now (to heal) and say ‘Thank you very
A plentiful Halloween
much, but don’t vote for Jerry Rubin.’” Rubin said he has struggled with depression since childhood, and during his lifetime he has attempted five suicides and has been hospitalized for his condition 18 times. Recently his condition had worsened to the point that Rubin said it affects him on a daily basis. “Sometimes it gets bad,” he said. “In the most extreme cases, I don’t want to get out of bed in the morning and I ask myself ‘What’s the use?’” See RUBIN, page 5
City council candidates answer tough questions BY ANDREW H. FIXMER Daily Press Staff Writer
For the first time during this year’s campaign, city council candidates were allowed to cross examine each other before voters head to the polls on Nov. 5. At a sparsely attended forum on Wednesday evening dubbed “Squirm Night,” which was sponsored by the Daily Press and held at the First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica, seven of the nine candidates sparred for the last time before next Tuesday’s election. But this time candidates were allowed to ask each other one question. Some took the opportunity to attack, such as Chuck Allord and Pro Se, while others chose not to participate or used it to explain their positions.
Allord asked candidate Matteo “Matt” Dinolfo, a newcomer to Santa Monica politics, why he felt qualified to serve on the city council despite not having participated in any neighborhood groups or attending city council meetings. Dinolfo stood his ground, explaining he had plenty of experience running large hospitals and medical programs with billion dollar budgets. He described his civic participation as taking a quieter tone than Allord, who is known for his fiery speeches before the city council. “I don’t think Chuck understands the concept of citizen politician,” Dinolfo said. “Just because you get up and speak at the dais doesn’t mean you have anything to say.” See SQUIRM NIGHT, page 4
Autopsy of woman deferred By Daily Press staff
The cause of death for the woman found below Palisades Park this week won’t be known for at least a month. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office has deferred the autopsy of the 42year-old, pending toxicology results, which takes four to eight weeks. The woman, who was possibly homeless, has been identified. However, authorities aren’t releasing her name until her family is notified. She was found between 20 to 30 feet below the bluffs by a person walking
along the path in Palisades Park near Idaho and Ocean avenues at about noon on Tuesday. Santa Monica firefighters removed the body from the area, which is mostly rugged terrain. The Santa Monica Police Department is investigating the incident and has not determined how the woman died. Anyone with information about the woman or the incident should call SMPD’s Robbery/Homicide Unit at (310) 458-8451 or the watch commander’s office, (310) 458-8426.
The Daily Press will make its endorsements on Santa Monica’s ballot measures and candidates in Monday’s paper.
Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press
Cinderellas Emma Fresco and Ivy Bragin, both 4, skip away from a home north of Montana Avenue after getting a treat from Spiderman’s house on Halloween. See photo on page 3 By Daily Press staff
Santa Monica was a city of pure weirdness and trickery Thursday night from one end to the other. Any kid knows north of Montana is the neighborhood to go for not only the full-size Baby Ruth candy bars but also to admire the ghastly decorated homes. This year was no exception. Hundreds flocked to the upscale neighborhood in search of the ultimate trick or treat. Neighbors have a friendly rivalry around the holidays, some spending thousands to decorate their manicured front lawns in hopes that they can out do the guy next door.
This year, fog machines, skulls, fullsize skeletons, bags of candy dished out in a single serving and even a moonwalk were the highlights. Just a few miles away, homeless people on the Third Street Promenade scraped up enough change to buy themselves masks for a night of Halloween panhandling. Those that were feeling more charitable and civic hit the Barker Hanger at the airport on the eastside of town for the Santa Monica Police Activities League. The Halloween Carnival, which is the city’s biggest bash, is supported by a host of non-profit and community organizations.