1 David Yakobson
From: Marc Verville <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 11:17 AM
To: Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: OPPOSE Item 11.A, - Approval of the City of Santa Monica 2027 Tournament of Roses Parade
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis and Councilmembers,
I strongly oppose Item 11.A., the approval of $650,000 for a 2027 Tournament of Roses float entry.
I find it incredulous that in a Ɵme of worsening financial crisis with the city operaƟng in a structural deficit (with future promises of balanced or surplus general fund budgets unpersuasive), to the point that direct taxaƟon of the residents via parcel taxes is viewed as an acceptable stopgap measure, the Council would be considering siphoning $650,000 it does not have out of the General Fund on, of all things, a parade float!! This is key part of the Council’s strategy to camouflage the City’s acceleraƟng decline through aggressive public relaƟons acƟviƟes rather than actually addressing the fundamental economic issues. In fact, by spending money it does not have, it is making the City’s financial issues even worse.
As a Santa Monica naƟve, I cannot recall a similar Ɵme in the City’s history where there has been such a glaring and widening disconnect between municipally-managed image and reality.
This request should be denied and the Council’s aƩenƟon squarely focused on real economic recovery.
Respecƞully,
Marc L. Verville
Sunset Park
Former Chair, Santa Monica Audit SubcommiƩee
Item 11-A
June 9, 2026
Item 11-A
June 9, 2026