Jon Louis Mann would like to close Santa Monica airport and grow industrial marijuana there, he’s running for a seat on the Santa Monica City Council, and if past performance is any indicator, he won’t win. But his position caters to public opposition to the airport, which has centered in recent years on noise and safety concerns. Mann’s position would merge those with a desire to fill city budget gaps in conjunction with California’s Proposition 19, which would legalize marijuana in the state if passed by voters in November. “We should close the airport down in 2015” (when obligations to the Federal government expire) Mann told local news, TheLookOut. “We can use the hangars and have the city go into medicinal marijuana. Instead of making $1 million in taxes, they’ll make $10 million,” he said. Concerned pilots may be encouraged by Mann’s previous record running for office, and his own expectations this time.
This effort marks Mann’s tenth run for City Council, following nine failed attempts. According to TheLookOut, Mann finished 19th in his first race and “usually finishes last.” Mann believes that showing is a result of his ideas and personality. “I make a lot of enemies because I speak my mind. I can afford to do that because I don’t expect to win. I’m too much of a radical. I’m too negative,” he told the news service. Santa Monica airport averages 452 operations each day, according to AirNav.com. It is bordered by populated coastal suburban neighborhoods and has recently survived attempts to ban certain business jets.
