Jon Louis Mann Is Seeking A Seat On The Santa Monica City Council

A candidate for the Santa Monica City Council said he favors closing KSMO and using the land for commercial marijuana production.

KSMO File Photo

Jon Louis Mann told The Santa Monica Daily Press in a "Meet the Candidate" interview that the city should get into the "industrial marijuana" business, "hopefully at the Santa Monica Airport."

The airport has been closed this week for runway maintenance. Some people living in the neighborhood held a "peace and quiet vigil" as a protest against airport noise. A blog from the LA Weekly indicates that some say the airport was never intended to be used by the business jets that are currently based at KSMO.

In the interview with the paper, Mann said he was the first to suggest that the airport be closed in 2015. An issue brief prepared by AOPA indicates that the city of Santa Monica and the FAA agreed in 1984 that the city "must operate and maintain the airport as a viable functioning facility without derogation of its role as a general aviation reliever airport...or its capacity in terms of runway length and width, taxiway system, and runway weight bearing strength until July 1, 2015.” In return, the FAA allowed the city to restrict take offs and landings at night, and noise levels are restricted to 95 dB. The FAA determined in 2008 that federal AIP grants obligate the airport through 2023, and the Surplus Property Act obligates it into perpetuity. The FAA said in May of 2008 that it would seek to block all federal transportation funds to the city over the airport issue.

None of which has deterred Mann. He said growing medical marijuana on the property would bring more revenue to the city than the airport currently does.

Mann, who lists "Flight Attendant" as his occupation with the Santa Monica elections office, has run unsuccessfully for the city council nine times in the past.

FMI: http://www01.smgov.net/cityclerk/Election2008/QualifiedCityCouncil.htm