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NWPC-LA Endorsement [2008]
Santa Monica, CA – The National Women’s Political Caucus-LA Westside (NWPC-LA Westside) announced its endorsement of Susan Hartley for Santa Monica City Council.
Hartley is not only a community activist but a 28 year employment law attorney and former teacher. Excited by the endorsement, Hartley responded, “I feel extremely honored to be endorsed by an organization of such high caliber as the NWPC-LA Westside. Coming of age in the early days of the Women’s Movement, I’m proud that my life’s work, including running for city council, parallels the causes of the NWPC-LA Westside. Santa Monica needs more women on the council.”
The purpose of the National Women’s Political Caucus is to increase women’s participation in the political process and to identify, recruit, train and support women for election and appointment to public office. While in pursuit of this goal, NWPC strives to win equality for all women; to ensure reproductive freedom; to achieve quality dependent care; to eradicate violence and poverty; and to eliminate discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, physical limitations or sexual orientation.
As an employment law attorney representing employees, Hartley fights for equal treatment in the workplace of women, minorities, seniors, gays, lesbians, and the disabled. She has devoted her professional life not only to equality in the workplace but also to combating sexual harassment and other forms of workplace harassment. Her work has included forming professional organizations for employment lawyers. She is the founder of LEFTJAW, a Los Angeles based employment lawyer group, and a founding board member of the California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA).
Hartley has also been endorsed by the Sierra Club, the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC), Concerned Residents Against Airport Pollution (CRAAP), Treesavers, and the Santa Monica Mirror.
Contact Info: Susan Hartley, 310/866-8102, susanhartleyforcitycouncil@gmail.com
Hartley is not only a community activist but a 28 year employment law attorney and former teacher. Excited by the endorsement, Hartley responded, “I feel extremely honored to be endorsed by an organization of such high caliber as the NWPC-LA Westside. Coming of age in the early days of the Women’s Movement, I’m proud that my life’s work, including running for city council, parallels the causes of the NWPC-LA Westside. Santa Monica needs more women on the council.”
The purpose of the National Women’s Political Caucus is to increase women’s participation in the political process and to identify, recruit, train and support women for election and appointment to public office. While in pursuit of this goal, NWPC strives to win equality for all women; to ensure reproductive freedom; to achieve quality dependent care; to eradicate violence and poverty; and to eliminate discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, physical limitations or sexual orientation.
As an employment law attorney representing employees, Hartley fights for equal treatment in the workplace of women, minorities, seniors, gays, lesbians, and the disabled. She has devoted her professional life not only to equality in the workplace but also to combating sexual harassment and other forms of workplace harassment. Her work has included forming professional organizations for employment lawyers. She is the founder of LEFTJAW, a Los Angeles based employment lawyer group, and a founding board member of the California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA).
Hartley has also been endorsed by the Sierra Club, the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC), Concerned Residents Against Airport Pollution (CRAAP), Treesavers, and the Santa Monica Mirror.
Contact Info: Susan Hartley, 310/866-8102, susanhartleyforcitycouncil@gmail.com
Sierra Club Endorsement [2008]
The Sierra Club Endorses Susan Hartley for Santa Monica City Council. Here's their release:Santa Monica, CA - The Sierra Club, one of the nation's oldest and most respected environmental organizations, is announcing our endorsements for the upcoming election on November 4th for the Santa Monica City Council.
After an extensive review of each of the candidates running in the election, the Sierra Club is proud to endorse Ted Winterer, Susan Hartley and Ken Genser. Ted Winterer and Susan Hartley are both community activists who are running for the first time and we believe that they will do an excellent job on the important environmental issues that will come before the City Council. Ken Genser is an incumbent who has shown by his record that he has a sensitivity for environmental concerns that make him worthy of re-election.
Some of the important issues that are likely to come before the City Council in the near future that these candidates could have an enormous impact on are: addressing Santa Monica's traffic problems, reigning in overdevelopment, working to solve the excessive air and noise pollution generated by the Santa Monica Airport and the impact that it has on the adjacent residential neighborhood, providing more open space and parks and working to determine the best way possible for Santa Monica to care for its urban forest.
The Sierra Club does not make endorsements in political elections lightly and we hope that you will consider the fact that we have endorsed Ted Winterer, Susan Hartley and Ken Genser when you make your decision on Election Day.
Calendar Items
10/15 - 5:30-7:30 Chamber of Commerce Future Leaders Mixer at Worcano, 1413 5th Street, Santa Monica
10/17 - 2:00 speaking at Emeritus College Current Events Class
10/22 - 6:00 Main Library, SMDP Squirm Night Candidates' Forum
10/27 - Apt. Owners Assn. Candidates' Forum - to be notified of location
Every day through 11/3--precinct walking.
Leafletting Farmers' Markets every Wednesday Downtown, Saturday Downtown and Virginia Park, and Sunday Main St.
10/17 - 2:00 speaking at Emeritus College Current Events Class
10/22 - 6:00 Main Library, SMDP Squirm Night Candidates' Forum
10/27 - Apt. Owners Assn. Candidates' Forum - to be notified of location
Every day through 11/3--precinct walking.
Leafletting Farmers' Markets every Wednesday Downtown, Saturday Downtown and Virginia Park, and Sunday Main St.
Paint the Town Pink!
Yard signs now available.
To arrange for a sign on your yard (or in your window) please email susanhartleyforcitycouncil@gmail.com
Interview with the Santa Monica Daily Press
Susan HartleyAge: 63.
Occupation: Employment law attorney.
Marital status/children: Single, daughter.
Your neighborhood? How long have you lived there? Sunset Park, seven years.
Own or rent? Own.
YOUR MODE OF TRANSPORTATION/MODEL, MAKE AND YEAR OF YOUR RIDE?
2005 PRIUS.
YOUR PASSION?
Organic gardening, cows (I’m a cow nut), the color blue, rescuing animals and politics.
WHAT ARE YOU READING?
“Cesar’s Way,” by Cesar Millan.
THE WATER AROUND THE SANTA MONICA PIER IS SOME OF THE MOST POLLUTED IN THE STATE AND POSES A SIGNIFICANT HEALTH RISK TO SWIMMERS. HOW DO WE CLEAN UP THE BEACH? HOW WOULD YOU SPEND MEASURE V FUNDS?
There is migrating fecal matter there. It’s the worst polluted beach on the western coastal U.S. Santa Monica cannot continue to ignore this health risk. Residents passed Measure V two years ago and City Council and staff have done nothing to clean up this disgrace. They don’t even have signs posted there warning swimmers and beachgoers. That’s outrageous and criminal. I want the area around the pier immediately closed for swimming. It needs to be cordoned off. There was discussion during a recent City Council meeting of broken sewer pipes there. Immediate, temporary action needs to be taken while expeditious permanent clean-up and repairs are done. I would demand that the city make this its top priority.
WHAT’S A HIDDEN GEM IN THE CITY?
A pocket park between 16th and 17th streets on Ashland Avenue. More parks like this are needed throughout the city.
HOMELESSNESS IS FAR AND AWAY OUR CITY’S MOST PRESSING ISSUE, ACCORDING TO DAILY PRESS READERS. WHAT NEW IDEAS DO YOU BRING TO THE TABLE? DO YOU BELIEVE CITY HALL IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK WITH ITS PLAN TO HOUSE THE MOST VULNERABLE WHILE STILL PROVIDING GRANTS TO SERVICE PROVIDERS?
We must eliminate homelessness in our city. We cannot have people living in alleys and parks. Working regionally needs to continue. Housing first is a good start. All feeding must be indoors and coupled with mandatory rehabilitation programs. Panhandling restrictions are a necessary deterrent. Tracking and evaluating the homeless needs to continue. Over 40 percent of the homeless are veterans. That’s a disgrace. Getting the VA to open up vacant buildings for homeless vets and their families can’t happen fast enough.
FAVORITE FILM AND RECORDING ARTIST?
“Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,” by Pedro Almodovar; Neil Young.
HOW DO YOU SPEND A DAY OFF IN SANTA MONICA?
Walking my dogs, gardening, volunteering at Arlington West.
DEVELOPMENT IS A TOPIC THAT HAS GAINED MORE ATTENTION IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, WITH MANY RESIDENTS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE INCREASE IN COMMERCIAL AND CONDO DEVELOPMENT, PARTICULARLY IN DOWNTOWN. DO YOU BELIEVE THE NEW LAND USE AND CIRCULATION ELEMENT (LUCE) PROPERLY ADDRESSES CONCERNS? DOES IT GO FAR ENOUGH TO PROTECT NEIGHBORHOODS OR DOES IT ALLOW DENSE DEVELOPMENT WITH BUILDINGS HEIGHTS THAT ARE TOO INTRUSIVE? WHAT IS YOUR STANCE ON PROP. T? DO YOU BELIEVE IT IS A PROPER RESPONSE TO TRAFFIC WOES?
The LUCE is a disaster for Santa Monica. It calls for making Santa Monica what I call “Playa Vista North.” Residents have stated over and over they don’t want all the growth, height and density yet City Council and staff persist in their crusade to make Santa Monica less and less of the small, beach town community we love. LUCE calls for six- to nine-story buildings around the city. The community is being sacrificed for development. That’s a tragedy for Santa Monica. People in rent control apartments are being forced out for development. Neighborhoods will be walled in by the height and density proposed for the boulevards under LUCE. I worked for and support [Measure] T even though I don’t think it goes far enough. There is too much development in Santa Monica. [Measure] T is a start to fighting our traffic woes. You cannot have rampant development without more traffic. City Council and staff keep ignoring the residents. [Measure] T is the voice of the residents saying to City Council and staff, “Enough is enough!”
IF YOU COULD HAVE LUNCH WITH ANY THREE PEOPLE IN HISTORY, WHO WOULD THEY BE?
Rachel Carson, Susan B. Anthony, and Anne Morrow Lindbergh.
LOCAL BUSINESSES PROVIDE THE MAJORITY OF THE CITY’S GENERAL FUND REVENUES, YET SANTA MONICA HAS A REPUTATION FOR BEING A DIFFICULT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS. HOW WOULD YOU ENTICE MORE BUSINESSES, DIFFERENT BUSINESSES, TO OPEN UP SHOP?
Assure the many local, small businesses that they will not be displaced by the plans for rampant development along the boulevards under LUCE. We need to drop all the plans under LUCE to build up the boulevards. All those small business there are currently on the endangered business list. Those small business owners know that. We need to reverse the decision for mega-structure centers at Lincoln and Ocean Park boulevards and along Wilshire. Development needs to be sharply curtailed so that we can retain our existing small businesses and attract more.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST THREAT FACING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN SANTA MONICA?
Our current City Council and staff. They are hell-bent on growth, height and density that the residents don’t want. They are hell-bent on destroying the small beach town community we love. They are into making Santa Monica a “Playa Vista North” or Orange County. They are into tall buildings and no or small trees. They refuse to listen to the residents.
IZZY’S CORN BEEF SANDWICH OR A TOFU TURKEY SANDWICH FROM CO-OPPORTUNITY?
Neither. I prefer my sandwiches with vegetables from my organic garden.
DOES THE CITY NEED MORE PARKING SPACES, OR WILL THAT JUST ATTRACT MORE DRIVERS? WHAT INCENTIVES SHOULD THE CITY OFFER TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR CARS?
Certain parts of the city, Wilmont for example, need more parking spaces. People should be able to park safely near their residences. The city should offer residents free Big Blue Bus passes, or even have free bus days.
FREE FORM. WHAT’S PUTTING A BURR UNDER YOUR SADDLE?
The resistance of City Council and staff to listen to the residents. They actually ignore us. Santa Monica belongs to the residents. It’s not for staff and their expensive out-of-town consultants to tell the residents what their city should be like. We need to take back Santa Monica.
WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU ARE QUALIFIED TO RUN FOR OFFICE?
My experience and that I’m in touch with the residents of Santa Monica:13 year resident, as renter and homeowner (north and south Santa Monica); vice-chair Santa Monica Airport Commission; board member Friends of Sunset Park; co-founder Santa Monica Treesavers; board member Veterans for Peace-L.A.; 28 years as an employment law attorney, private practice in Santa Monica; teacher, five years; Girl Scout leader, 12 years; Santa Monica High PTSA officer; Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Strategic Plan Design Team member.
WHAT ROLE SHOULD THE CITY COUNCIL PLAY IN PUBLIC EDUCATION? DID THE COUNCIL OVERSTEP ITS BOUNDARIES BY DEMANDING CHANGES TO SPECIAL EDUCATION BEFORE RELEASING ROUGHLY $500,00 TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT? IF ELECTED, WOULD YOU DEDICATE MORE FUNDS TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, OR WOULD YOU REDUCE THE CONTRIBUTION? IF SO, BY HOW MUCH?
Public education is one of the factors that makes Santa Monica so desirable. I chose to live here so that my daughter could attend SMMUSD schools. City Council did not overstep its boundaries. It was heartbreaking to hear the courageous parents of special education students plead for help from City Council. It was outrageous to hear what they were subjected to. Any money given to the school district needs to be coupled with requisite performance standards. I would dedicate more funds, properly monitored, to the school district to insure that our schools continue and improve their performance levels. Important programs, like the arts programs and the special education programs need to not be at risk. There needs to be equal educational opportunity in our schools. My daughter benefited greatly from our schools, especially our music programs. That benefit needs to be guaranteed for all our students.
Help Susan's Campaign. Let's Take Back Santa Monica!
Are you tired of traffic gridlock in Santa Monica?
Are you fed up with uncontrolled commercial development?
Are you disgusted by the migrating fecal matter on our beaches?
Are you nauseated by the fumes from the airport?
Are you distressed by the killing of our trees?
Are you frustrated that the Santa Monica City Council is out of touch and does not listen to residents’ concerns?
Enough is enough!
Help Susan Hartley get elected to City Council. Susan will listen to residents.
Can you help distribute flyers?
Can you put a campaign sign in your yard or window?
Can you host a reception?
Can you provide a donation?
See the website for more information.
http://hartleyforcouncil.com/support.htm
Thank you for your support.
Let’s take back Santa Monica!
Are you fed up with uncontrolled commercial development?
Are you disgusted by the migrating fecal matter on our beaches?
Are you nauseated by the fumes from the airport?
Are you distressed by the killing of our trees?
Are you frustrated that the Santa Monica City Council is out of touch and does not listen to residents’ concerns?
Enough is enough!
Help Susan Hartley get elected to City Council. Susan will listen to residents.
Can you help distribute flyers?
Can you put a campaign sign in your yard or window?
Can you host a reception?
Can you provide a donation?
See the website for more information.
http://hartleyforcouncil.com/support.htm
Thank you for your support.
Let’s take back Santa Monica!
Hartley Enters City Council Race
The Santa Monica Mirror writes:
Susan Hartley, Vice Chair of Santa Monica’s Airport Commission, has decided to run for a City Council seat because she is “fed up with the disconnect between City Hall and the residents of Santa Monica.” Her theme is “let’s take back Santa Monica” for the residents.
Hartley emphasized in an interview with Mirror that she “wants to do everything I can to see Santa Monica retain what’s left of its small beach town atmosphere. I’m opposed to the growth, density, and height being proposed by City Hall that resulted from the City’s LUCE [Land Use and Circulation Elements] process.” These changes, Hartley laments, include six 9-story buildings around the City, and building up Santa Monica’s downtown shopping area to compete with the Grove. That’s why she worked for and supports RIFT, and why she also supports rapid transit and making the City very bicycle friendly.
The LUCE proposals have been developed by City staff through an extensive community input process. RIFT (Residents’ Initiative to Fight Traffic) – now Proposition T – is a ballot initiative that if approved by voters in November could reduce traffic in Santa Monica by reducing future commercial development by half to 75,000 square feet annually.
Another area of disconnect to Hartley between City Hall and residents is the City’s “failure to preserve, protect, and enhance our urban forest despite the broad-based community support” (all the neighborhood associations and over 10,000 petition signatures) to save the ficus trees on 2nd and 4th Streets. Hartley co-founded Treesavers because of this issue and supports having the City develop a tree preservation and enhancement policy and a tree commission.
Hartley is also concerned about the “pollution the neighbors of Santa Monica Airport have to endure daily.” She worked hard for and still supports the ban of C and D aircraft from the Airport and “would like to see mandatory tug usage of aircraft instead of the current taxiing up and down the runway which results in more polluting fumes.” Lastly, she wants “to see the City support, instead of thwart, health risk studies of the air quality studies around the Santa Monica Airport.”
Immediate clean-up of our beaches, especially in the vicinity of the Pier (labeled the worst polluted beach on the continental west coast) is also one of Hartley’s priorities, as is retaining the City’s stock of rent control apartments so that the City can maintain an economically diverse population base. Hartley also supports the City efforts to provide housing for homeless veterans.
Hartley lives in Sunset Park and also works in Santa Monica. She has been an employment lawyer for 28 years and specializes in discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination. She is used to fighting for a living and hopes she can use those skills to accomplish “taking back Santa Monica” for the residents. Hartley feels Santa Monicans have two choices: let the City’s small beach town atmosphere disappear, or fight to stop over-development.
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