By Jorge Casuso

January 9, 2010 -- Mayor Ken Genser -- the longest-serving City Council member in Santa Monica history -- is gravely ill and not expected to survive, according to a statement released Friday by close friends and family.

"Ken is very sick and not expected to survive," the statement said. "His family and friends appreciate the outpouring of support he has received.

"We request that we be allowed continued privacy as we deal with losing our beloved friend and mayor."

Genser -- who has served on the council since 1988 -- has been hospitalized for two and a half months after complaining of severe back pains and trouble breathing, those close to him said.

Mayor Pro Tem Pam O’Connor placed an item on Tuesday's agenda requesting that staff "provide information on the procedure specified by the City Charter for excusing absences by Council members and that, if required, Council vote on continuing to excuse or excusing Mayor Genser’s absence because he is ill."

Under the charter, if a council member is absent from all regular meetings for more than 60 consecutive days, the council either must officially excuse that member or declare the seat vacant.

The council has not taken an official vote to excuse Genser since he last attended a meeting October 27.

At his last council appearance colleagues said Genser appeared pale and complained that his heart hurt. Alarmed, they advised him to leave, but Genser refused.

Ken Genser (see larger)

I asked him how he felt, and he said he was having heart problems all day," said Council member Bob Holbrook. "I suggested he should be at the hospital or at home.

Close friends and colleagues said they were devastated by the realization that Genser would not survive.

"I am grief stricken and know that the entire community shares my feelings of immeasurable sorrow over this news about Ken," said Council member Richard Bloom, who is a close friend of the mayor.

"One of his most outstanding qualities is his endless compassion," Bloom said. "He needs that from us at this time of transition. I ask that every member of our community join together in keeping Ken in their thoughts and prayers."

"I feel like my heart's being ripped out," said Patricia Hoffman, a close friend of Genser and co-chair of Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR), which has backed the mayor in all his election bids. "Ken has had to face this devastating illness, and we've faced this with him every step of the way," said Hoffman, who has only been away from the hospital for four days during the past ten weeks.

The announcement that Genser would not survive comes one year after Council member Herb Katz died in office on January 9, 2008.

"Ken is very sick and not expected to survive."
Family and Friends

"I am grief stricken and know that the entire community shares my feelings of immeasurable sorrow over this news about Ken."
  Richard Bloom

Ken has had to face this devasta-ting illness, and we've faced this with him every step of the way."
  Patricia Hoffman