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Former Santa Monica Mayor and City Councilmember Michael Feinstein was named this week to The Capitol's 100 Best, Brightest & Most Indispensable People in California Politics List.
According to CalNewsroom, an independent news website focused on California politics and state government:
"Feinstein understands politics and knows how to win. A co-founder of the Green Party of California, Feinstein has an ability to persuade voters of all political stripes and build a broad-based coalition — while staying true to his principles."
As CalNewsroom publisher John Hrabe explains, the purpose of the list is "to draw attention to the professionals – at every level – who consistently do a good job and contribute to the Capitol community but don’t seem to get enough credit for their hard work."
"I am honored to be on this list", responded Michael Feinstein. "Since my time as Mayor and City Councilmember, I've put in a great deal of time across the state to improve our democracy, and to increase representation and the voice of citizens in their government. I see this as recognition of those efforts."
CalNewsroom's full list of the Capitol's 100 Best, Brightest & Most Indispensable People in California Politics is found here: www.calnewsroom.com/2014/09/16/calnewsroom-com-the-capitols-100-best-brightest
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On Monday, September 8 the Santa Monica Trades & Maintenance Teamsters Local 911 announced their endorsement of Michael Feinstein for Santa Monica City Council. We are endorsing Michael Feinstein due to his "experience, commitment, and dedication to the issues that are important for Santa Monica as well as an apt alignment and understanding of the issues that impact Trades & Maintenance Teamsters,” said Carlos Rubio, Spokesperson for Teamsters Local 911.
"I am proud and honored to be endorsed by Santa Monica Trades & Maintenance Teamsters Local 911," said Feinstein.
"Santa Monica provides more services and functions than most municipalities. Who helps make that happen? Our City employees - and Local 911 represents approximately 400 of them - from those who maintain our beaches, parks, Pier and Promenade; to resource recovery and recycling; to our award-winning Big Blue Bus and more."
"Surveys consistently show Santa Monica residents are generally happy with their city government and our local quality of life. When I hear arguments in Washington, D.C. politics about how government can’t do anything, I bristle, because it doesn’t ring true locally."
"I believe in an employment model where treat workers with dignity, create a positive work environment, and pay good wages and benefits. In exchange, we should expect high quality work and a commitment to our community. In Santa Monica, that's exactly what we get."
"Investing in our employees is actually an investment in ourselves, because we can better attract, retain and inspire employees who will provide the quality service that helps make our community great."
"Its also important to recognize that in an age of austerity, outsourcing and union-busting, Santa Monica can retain a AAA bond rating while providing good wages and benefits to its workers. In other words, an economy that respects our humanity is also one that leads us to prosperity."
The Teamsters* have become the second Santa Monica city employee union to endorse Feinstein's 2014 City Council candidacy, following the Coalition of Santa Monica City Employees.
In 2000, Feinstein was endorsed by the Santa Monica Police Officers Association, the Santa Monica Firefighters Association and the Santa Monica Municipal Employees Association (the predecessor to the Coalition of Santa Monica City Employees), as well as the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. The Santa Monica Police and Firefighters and the AFL-CIO have yet to make their 2014 endorsement and Feinstein is actively seeking their support.
See here for more on Feinstein's record on labor issues while on the City Council.
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* As of September 2013, Teamsters Local 911, chartered since 1975 represents approximately 400 employees working in the newly created Trades and Maintenance Bargaining Unit in the City of Santa Monica, California. We are proud to represent employees working in the Big Blue Bus and Public Works Departments. Our members serve in Street Maintenance, Street Signs and Markings, Parking Meter Repairs, Resource Recovery and Recycling, Custodial Services, Facilities Services, Pier Maintenance, Airport Maintenance, Fleet Management, Beach House Maintenance, Park Maintenance, Urban Forest, Promenade Maintenance, Beach Maintenance, Civic Auditorium, Cemetery, Transit Maintenance, Transit Facilities, and Water Resources. Teamsters Local 911 represents approximately 9,000 members throughout Southern California. Teamsters Local 911 is affiliated to the Coalition of Santa Monica City Employees, Teamsters Joint Council 42 and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
NEWS ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Los Angeles City Council member Mike Bonin announced his endorsement today of former Michael Feinstein for Santa Monica City Council.
"I am enthusiastically endorsing Michael Feinstein because he is a smart, passionate progressive and a champion of our neighborhoods," said Bonin, who represents the Westside of Los Angeles on the LA City Council. "When Mike served as mayor and on the City Council, he earned a reputation as a leader with uncommon vision and as an advocate of forward-looking, common-sense solutions.
"I have known and worked with Mike for nearly 20 years, and I am enthusiastic about having him back in elected office in my neighboring city of Santa Monica," Bonin continued. "Working together on regional solutions, we'll be able to do great things for the environment, for transportation and for the quality of life for residents of both of our cities."
"I am flattered and thankful for Mike Bonin's endorsement," said Feinstein, who served on a variety of regional, state and national intergovernmental committees when he was previously on the Santa Monica City Council. "I would greatly welcome the opportunity to work with Mike on common issues that affect our two cities - of which there are many, from regional transportation to the beach to closing Santa Monica Airport and turning it into a great park."
Councilman Bonin's Council District 11 surrounds Santa Monica on the north, east and south, and includes all or part of Brentwood, Mar Vista, Los Angeles, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Palms, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Venice, West Los Angeles, Westchester and the Los Angeles International Airport.
Bonin's endorsement of Michael Feinstein follows one from Bill Rosendahl, who was the Councilmember in the same district before Bonin, from 2005-2013.
Feinstein served on the following other governmental task forces and committees during his first two terms in office from 1996-2004:
Regional
• Southern California Regional Comprehensive Plan Task Force, Southern California Association of Governments, 2004-2006
• Growth Visioning Subcommittee/Southern California Compass, Southern California Association of Governments, 2001-2004
• Energy & Environment Committee, Southern California Association of Governments, 1997-2004
• Westside Council of Governments, Santa Monica representative as Mayor, 2000-2002
State
• Housing Committee, California League of Cities, 2001-2002
National
• U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2002
• Central Cities Committee, National League of Cities, 2002-2004
Feinstein is campaigning on promoting a healthy environment and more parks and open space, affordable housing and tenants rights, the arts and social services - all while addressing traffic, preventing over-development and achieving a responsive local government.
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NEWS ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Former Los Angeles City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl endorsed Michael Feinstein for Santa Monica City Council Wednesday evening, at Feinstein's Meet & Greet campaign event at ZJ Boarding House surf shop, on Main St. in Ocean Park.
"Michael Feinstein has a passion for the issues that are sensitive to all of us," said Rosendahl. "He is a true environmental leader, and we need that more than ever these days, facing climate change and historic drought."
"Michael also makes sure residents are heard on development, so we get projects we want - and not ones we don't. He also wants to close Santa Monica Airport and turn it into a great park, returning control of the land to Santa Monica's residents, who originally bought and paid for it with a park bond in 1926."
"I am proud to have Bill's endorsement," said Feinstein. "Between Bill's two terms in office and his 16 years doing public affairs programing on local cable TV, Bill has met hundreds and hundreds of elected officials, and others in public service. To receive his recognition is very gratifying."
Rosendahl served on the Los Angeles City Council between 2005 and 2013. Prior to that, he produced and hosted more than 3,000 public affairs programs over 16 years here on the Westside, including "Local Talk", "Week in Review" and "Beyond the Beltway" and also served as the president of the Los Angeles Press Club. Feinstein appeared several times over the years on Rosendahl's programs, both as a Santa Monica Mayor and City Councilmember, and as a spokesperson for the Green Party.
Feinstein is campaigning on promoting a healthy environment and more parks and open space, affordable housing and tenants rights, the arts and social services - all while addressing traffic, preventing over-development and achieving a responsive local government.
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NEWS ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Former Santa Monica Mayor and City Councilmember Michael Feinstein was the first candidate to arrive at City Hall today for the opening of the candidate filing period, and the first to file nomination papers for any office in the city's 2014 municipal elections.
"I am full of energy and enthusiasm to roll up my sleeves and work on behalf of this City" said Feinstein, who arrived at City Hall at 8am and attended the City's workshop for interested candidates at 8:30, after which he was the first candidate to file paperwork to take out nomination papers.
"I'm very excited for the community dialogue of this campaign. Over the next few weeks, I will be at local farmers markets and other community gatherings, talking to residents and gathering the needed 100 nomination signatures from residents in order to qualify for the November 2014 ballot."
Feinstein's next campaign event is an open to the public and press "Meet and Greet", this Wednesday July 16, 7-9 pm, at ZJ Boarding House, 2619 Main St. Feinstein will be introduced there by former Los Angeles City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, who has endorsed Feinstein's bid for City Council.
"In choosing locations for my campaign events, I seek to symbolize my policy goals and honor values this community holds dearly," said Feinstein.
"I chose ZJ Boarding House surf shop on Main St. because I support local community-serving small businesses, and because Main St. is a great example of a low-scaled, local historic commercial district that is in scale with and embraced by the surrounding neighborhood." Adds Feinstein, "I choose ZJ Boarding House itself because we must protect the feeling of being a beach side community and because I deeply respect the local surfer community and culture."
Feinstein kicked off his campaign on June 17th in Santa Monica's Tongva Park, in order to recall his integral role as a Councilmember in the city's historic purchase of the RAND land in 1999; as well as to symbolize his campaign goal of significantly increasing the amount of parks and open space in the city; and to emphasize the importance of more public spaces overall and a healthy environment in our dense community.
Later that night Feinstein held his 'after party' at Chez Jay's restaurant on Ocean Ave., to reflect his appreciation of community character by recognizing Chez Jay's official city landmark status and its role as a iconic and historic cultural institution.
Feinstein is also campaigning upon supporting affordable housing and tenants rights, and the arts and social services, while addressing traffic, preventing over-development and achieving a responsive local government.
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Press Advisory: Michael Feinstein City Council Campaign Announcement and Kickoff, Tuesday, June 17 in Tongva Park
Former Santa Monica Mayor and City Councilmember Michael Feinstein will announce his 2014 City Council campaign Tuesday, June 17th. Feinstein served two terms on the Santa Monica City Council from 1996 to 2004 and served as Mayor from 2000-2002.
The location and schedule of the announcement and kickoff is meant to recall achievements from Feinstein's first two terms in office, and reflect values and goals of his campaign this year:
5:00pm Gather @ City Hall, in Ken Genser Square
5:30pm Walk to Tongva Park
5:45pm Press Conference in Tongva Park
6:15pm Free Community Dinner in Tongva Park
8:00pm After party @ Chez Jays
The choice of Tongva Park is meant to recall Feinstein's integral role in the city's historic purchase of the RAND land in 1999, that was scheduled to contain 305,000 sq. feet of office space up to 84' high, and the decision to build Tongva Park there instead. It also recognizes the Tonva people after whom the park was named, who have lived in this area for centuries.
Tongva Park also represents Feinstein's 2014 campaign goal of significantly increasing the amount of parks and open space in the city, and the importance of more public space overall and a healthy environment in our dense community.
Hosting an organic community dinner in the park (and an after-party nearby) reflects Feinstein's hope that his campaign can help bring together a community that is deeply divided over development issues, and that despite our differences on the issues, we can socialize and break bread and listen to and learn from each other.
The choice of Chez Jay's for the 'after party' reflects Feinstein's appreciation of community character, by recognizing Chez Jay's official city landmark status, and its role as a iconic and historic cultural institution.
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A recent decision by federal regulators to allow Internet providers to charge companies higher rates for access to faster Internet service has been roundly criticized as http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2014/April-2014/04_29_2014_Santa_Monicas_Alternative_to_Big_Business_Internet_Providers.html
Santa Monica’s powerful tenants’ rights group voted Saturday to oppose an effort that would put the future of the bayside city’s century-old airport on the ballot in November.http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2014/April-2014/04_17_2014_Santa_Monicans_for_Renters_Rights_Says_No_to_Airport_Ballot_Initiative.html
City Hall may appeal a decision by a federal judge in February to throw out a lawsuit that officials had hoped would settle a long-standing feud with the http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2014/April-2014/04_10_2014_Santa_Monica_Keeps_Options_Open_in_Lawsuit_against_the_FAA.html
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