Terry O'Day

Terry O'Day was appointed to the Council in 2010 to fill the seat vacated after Ken Genser's death. He was elected in 2010 to a two-year term and to four-year terms in 2012 and 2016. O'Day is endorsed by Santa Monica Forward, the Coalition of Santa Monica City Employees (CSMCE), the Santa Monica Firefighters Political Activities Committee, the Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) and the Santa Monica Democratic Club, all of which are spending money to back candidates.

1. Should Santa Monica try to build the 8,874 new housing units by 2028 mandated by SCAG?

Yes. The state housing crisis imperils our economy, politics, environment and race relations. We should meet our responsibility with integrity.

2. The Plaza project should be
a) approved
b) changed
c) rejected

Changed. We are only in the negotiating phase.

3. The City needs more major developments to help balance the budget.

False

4. The Council should have delayed voting on the Miramar project until after the election.

False. The project has been developed in an active community process for ten years through four elections.

5. When it comes to hotel developments, the City Council has consistently sided with Unite HERE Local 11.

True. Hotel workers deserve safe working conditions and fair wages. Thus we are often aligned with UNITE HERE.

6. Is Santa Monica's City government racist?

No. Racism is endemic in our society and we must use our institutions to root it out.

7. Should the police budget be reduced?

Yes. Every department has been reduced and we are still using one-time funds to balance the budget.

8. If coronavirus cases spike, should the City order another economic shutdown?

No. Orders will come from the state and county public health experts. The city will follow them.

9. Santa Monica is one of the few Southern California cities to issue fines for not wearing a face mask. Do you support that policy?

Yes

10. The budget cutbacks forced by the coronavirus shutdown were the inevitable result of the City's decades' long spending spree.

False. This is nonsense. The city’s revenue cratered due to Covid and is well managed fiscally.

11. City workers are paid too much.

False. An independent study of compensation practices found the city is in line with comparable cities.

12. Unions wield too much power over the City Council.

False

13. Do you feel safe in Santa Monica when it comes to crime?

Yes. Crime dropped by 10 percent in 2020 versus 2019, which dropped 16 percent versus 2018.

14. The City Council is doing enough to make public parks safer for families.

False. Until every park is safe for every person at every time, we can’t do enough.

15. Santa Monica is doing a good job addressing homelessness.

True. We are investing in the best strategies and are getting results, but so much more to do.

16. Who is responsible for the Police Department's response to the May 31 riots?
a) The Police Chief
b) The City Manager
c) The City Council
d) All of the above

All of the above

17. The police used excessive force against protesters.

I am waiting for the independent report that council commissioned before passing judgment.

18. Should Santa Monica switch from an at-large election system to districts?

No. This would Balkanize the city and produce worse representative outcomes.

19. Despite caps on individual contributions, money remains the biggest factor in winning an election.

False. Walking precincts and learning to listen are the best ways to win.

20. Do you think Councilmembers are transparent when they disclose their personal and political finances?

Yes

21. Was the $77 million "uber-Green" City Hall annex a good investment?

Yes. It pays for itself with reduced rent payments at offices we lease and is an example to the world.

22. The City spends too much money fighting climate change.

False. We are aligning planned investments in a locally and globally responsible direction.