No Place for Smart Tourists and Council’s Turn to Ante Up

June 10, 2003

Dear Editor,

Before entering in on the familiar refrain that homeless and a weak economy are damaging hotel occupancy rates, why don't hotels examine their customer service practices as having a possible effect on their occupancy rates? (“Reservations About Summer,” June 9)

As a Santa Monica resident who was recently displaced from her apartment for a week due to repairs, I had an opportunity to sample some of Santa Monica's hotel offerings. I must say the results were dismal. Customer service and amenities were lacking in all but one of the hotels I stayed in.

Santa Monica hotel owners need to recognize that location is no longer enough to attract customers. What good is a gorgeous sunset if you're staying in a room with over-bleached towels and a lumpy bed, in a hotel staffed by apathetic workers?

These days, customer service is what distinguishes one business from another. After my week at large in Santa Monica, I can truly say that when my family comes to stay this December, they will either be staying at the Ambrose (which is wonderful!) or in Hollywood.

Until hotel owners/mangers/staff wake up and stop blaming everyone but themselves for their occupancy problems, Santa Monica hotels are no place for smart tourists to stay.

Libby Kozaczek
Santa Monica

June 9, 2003

Dear Editor,

Thanks to the support of many in our community, that critical source of funding provided by Measure S has been secured for the next six years. So, a heartfelt thank you is due to all Santa Monica residents who voted “yes” on S!

Having committed via Measure S to restoring about half of the $13 million the district was forced to cut, many are now wondering how we “find” the remaining 50 percent of lost education dollars.

Now is the time for the Santa Monica City Council to step up to the plate. The electorate of Santa Monica has spoken with their collective votes – and their pocketbooks! There could be no clearer mandate from the people of this community that WE DO SUPPORT public education, even when it costs us. Even when federal and state governments abandon us. Even when we are forced to reach deeper into our own pockets.

Sure, it’s a tough budget year for all local communities and Santa Monica is no exception. But this isn’t a “special interest” budget item and it isn’t about “frills.” Can this city allow the very foundation of its community go to seed, with potentially far-reaching implications for our children, their development, their futures and yes, the community at large? All for the sake of saving $6 million out of a $350 million plus city budget? (Penny-wise and pound-foolish?)

We once called upon our neighbors to vote YES on Measure S to preserve the future of this wonderful community. And the people anted up.

We now call on the City Council of Santa Monica to dedicate $6 million of the city’s budget for the same objective. City Council, it’s your turn to ante up.

Sincerely,

Karen and Lindsay Gardner
Santa Monica residents