Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words

Articles written by Mike Hunt


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 4 of 4

  • Santa Monica's New Homeless Outreach Program Ignores Key Fact: The Unhoused Would Rather Live on the Street and Take Drugs

    Mike Hunt, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jun 10, 2025

    On June 3, 2025, the Santa Monica City Council approved a new homeless outreach program, allocating $2.5 million to fund a partnership with local nonprofits aimed at addressing the city’s homelessness crisis. However, it doesn't take into account what homeless people have told this author: They value their freedom. That means they would rather live on the street and use drugs such as methamphetamine (meth), then live in public housing for free. It's hard for those of us w...

  • As Santa Monica City Council Debates Racial Reparations, City Finances Approach Bankruptcy

    Mike Hunt, Observer Staff Writer|Updated May 11, 2025

    Santa Monica’s financial troubles mirror LA County’s in that legal settlements are a significant drain, but the city’s smaller scale and tourism-dependent economy make its challenges distinct. The $230 million in settlements is a heavy burden for a city of Santa Monica’s size, and the lack of progress on the voting rights case suggests ongoing legal exposure. Blaming settlements alone oversimplifies the issue—declining tourism revenue and high operational costs are equally c...

  • Dept. of Health Issue Ominous Warning: Don't Eat Shellfish from Santa Monia Bay, It May Be Poisoned

    Mike Hunt, Observer Staff Writer|Updated May 4, 2025

    Please don't eat recreationally harvested shellfish, including mussels, oysters, clams, and scallops, from Santa Monica Bay and other Southern California coastal areas due to toxic algae blooms. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued advisories indicating that dangerous levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins, caused by naturally occurring algae, have been detected in recreationally harvested shellfish from Santa Barbara to San Diego...

  • Those Who Hate Elon Musk Vandalize Teslas in California, Other States

    Mike Hunt, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Mar 14, 2025

    Tesla, and its CEO Elon Musk, have become increasingly politicized in 2025, particularly due to Musk’s alignment with right-wing politics and his role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This has led to widespread backlash, including vandalism of Tesla vehicles and dealerships across the U.S., as well as protests dubbed "Tesla Takedowns." Some Tesla owners have reported feeling targeted or harassed due to the brand’s association with...