By Melonie Magruder
Lookout Staff

December 23, 2011 -- The New Year looms as a large one with a domestic presidential election, a rash of newborn democracies in the Middle East, and an Occupy movement that has moved from the town square to foreclosed homes.

Santa Monica, too, must negotiate its own economic, political and social challenges facing the beachside city 12 years into the new millennium. The Lookout checked in with several local leaders who will help influence how the upcoming year shapes up.

Here are what they have to say about 2012:

Mayor Richard Bloom: “We do have much to be grateful for! Looking back on this year, there have been so many incredible events in our rapidly changing world. We've witnessed the death of Bin Laden, Arab Spring and the troop withdrawal just completed in Iraq. Then again, we've had three continuous years of a bad economy that has had repercussions far and wide. The public's faith in its state and federal legislatures are at an all time low. It's hard to be optimistic.

Yet, here in Santa Monica, we are charging forward like never before. We've begun work on great projects that will enhance our lives, such as the Civic Center Park and Phase II of the Expo light rail. We've contributed an unprecedented $14 million to the SMMUSD this year and embarked on an ambitious program to make the City bike friendly. We retained our AAA bond rating and finally, after years of effort, even the beach by the Pier received an ‘A’ report card from Heal the Bay. Businesses are clamoring to locate in ‘Silicon Beach’ and our stores seem to be holding their own. We are creating jobs.

For 2012, I look forward to progress on our many initiatives and priorities and I hope to see Santa Monica-style success take hold throughout the state and country. I hope that 2012 will be a time of peace, health, happiness and prosperity for all.

City Manager Rod Gould sees a fairly clear path to a viable, if not prosperous, year:

I hope that the voters will see the need to stabilize the State’s finances with a tax increase in 2012 to reverse the trend of deeper cuts to education and services to the poor and disabled and to begin investing for a brighter future in the Golden State with better funding for education, infrastructure and technology.

While I’m wishing, I would like some semblance of redevelopment to be retained as a tool for local governments to spur economic development, replace decrepit infrastructure and provide affordable housing. A stronger and more stable State is essential for all communities in California.

Sarah Letts, executive director of the Community Corporation of America, which oversees affordable housing in the city, echoed Gould’s sentiment:

One hope for the new year is Redevelopment Agencies throughout California will not only survive, but will have an opportunity to reinvent themselves so they can continue to finance affordable housing and other important community development activities.

I also hope 2012 will mark a turning point in the decades-long trend of wealth being concentrated among an increasingly small percentage of the population. Finally, I hope for open hearts and open minds so people can find common ground.

Laurel Rosen, president of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, sounded cautiously optimistic:

The Santa Monica Chamber represents 900 businesses and thousands of employees, living and working in Santa Monica. We have been blessed with a strong local economy, but some of our businesses have been through a rough few years.

Many of our members are seeing some slow but steady economic growth, which is making them feel more hopeful. There has been great turmoil in California, in our nation and globally. Our wish for the New Year is to witness economic stability and a move toward peace and prosperity for all.

Liz Crosson, executive director of Santa Monica Baykeeper sees much to do in the future:

Santa Monica Baykeeper has its eyes on reducing urban runoff pollution in Los Angeles’ waterways and beaches in 2012. We hope to work with community members throughout Los Angeles County to identify sources of toxic pollution and stop them at the source. We all have a right to fishable, swimmable, and drinkable water!

Misti Kerns, CEO of the Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau, is confident tourists will continue to visit Santa Monica from across the globe:

The travel industry is vital to Santa Monica’s survival, having generated over $1 billion in citywide revenues this past year and directly supporting over 12,000 local jobs that cannot be exported. In 2010, international travelers generated 48 percent of tourism related spending in the destination.

International travelers spend more, stay longer, drive the least and visit year-round – providing a valuable revenue source during off-peak seasons. SMCVB remains drawn toward the lucrative international sphere and will continue to work towards growing business in our top producing markets while also investigating new opportunities in emerging markets.

We also have many new and exciting improvements to prepare for including the Expo light rail line, new hotel developments, two new parks, key infrastructure improvements, enhanced civic and cultural facility, amenities for pedestrians and bicyclists, and parking enhancements. SMCVB is confident that these future improvements will only enhance the Santa Monica experience, and we look forward to collaborating with various city departments and public private partnerships to ensure that our residents and visitors continue to feel welcomed during this exciting time.

And School Board member Oscar de la Torre kept it simple: “That peace, unity and social justice prevails within each of us, our families and our community.”