The Long View is Santa Monica City Manager Rick Cole’s blog. It’s a place to share his thoughts on the future of Santa Monica. It explores the complexities of our times and promotes the wellbeing of this remarkable community.

Santa Monica Takes Regional Leadership on Action to Curb Climate Change

October 14, 2019
by Rick Cole in Blog

Wellbeing Summit: Santa Monica’s vision to define what matters most

October 4, 2019
by Rick Cole in Blog

Santa Monica’s annual open streets event continues to evolve, showcasing...

September 24, 2019
by Rick Cole in Blog

A transformation of Reed Park is underway in Santa Monica

September 10, 2019
by Rick Cole in Blog

Recycling woes make path to zero waste harder

August 22, 2019
by Rick Cole in Blog

Santa Monica to Assemble Task Force to Advise on Budget

August 5, 2019
by Rick Cole in Blog

Santa Monica Recognizes Employees with The Elaine Award

July 30, 2019
by Rick Cole in Blog

Santa Monica’s Homelessness Strategy is Showing Results

June 17, 2019
by Rick Cole in Blog

Santa Monica Inaugurates First Celebration of PRIDE Month

June 1, 2019
by Rick Cole in Blog

An Inside Look At What It Takes to Be a Motor Coach Operator

May 31, 2019
by Rick Cole in Blog

Santa Monica’s proposed FY 2019-21 Biennial Budget

May 23, 2019
by Rick Cole in Blog

Santa Monica Looks to the Future to Build Upon a Strong Financial Legacy...

May 3, 2019
by Rick Cole in Blog

Remembering Santa Monica Police Officer Rashad Riley

April 19, 2019
by Rick Cole in Blog

Envisioning the Future of the Third Street Promenade

December 17, 2018
by Rick Cole in Blog

A Letter From City Manager Rick Cole

November 19, 2018
by Rick Cole in Blog

Not Waiting for Sacramento to Tackle Pension Liability

September 13, 2018
by Rick Cole in Blog

The Scooter Saga Continues

August 15, 2018
by Rick Cole in Blog

Santa Monica is ground zero for scooter controversy

July 27, 2018
by Rick Cole in Blog

Santa Monica Recognizes Employees with The Elaine Award

July 25, 2018
by Rick Cole in Blog

Grappling with the scooter phenomena

July 13, 2018
by Rick Cole in Blog

Remembering Pioneering Urbanist Hank Dittmar

April 16, 2018
by Rick Cole in Blog

Selecting a New Police Chief

March 16, 2018
by Rick Cole in Blog

Letter from City Manager Rick Cole on Crime

March 12, 2018
by Rick Cole in Blog

Santa Monica Employees Recognized with The Elaine Award

March 1, 2018
by Rick Cole in Blog

Draft Independent Review of City Compensation

February 27, 2018
by Rick Cole in Blog

Rick Cole's Speech on Economic Sustainability at 2018 State of the...

February 6, 2018
by Rick Cole in Blog

Santa Monica Fire Crews: Fighting the Thomas Fire

January 2, 2018
by Rick Cole in Blog

Meet the New City Manager's Office

December 13, 2017
by Rick Cole in Blog

Santa Monica Recognize Employees with The Elaine Award

November 9, 2017
by Rick Cole in Blog

Letter from City Manager Rick Cole on Domestic Violence

October 19, 2017
by Rick Cole in Blog

What Makes Santa Monica’s Downtown a Great Place

October 4, 2017
by Rick Cole in Blog

Understanding our Community Better to Serve our Community Better

September 14, 2017
by Rick Cole in Blog

Santa Monica Launches the Elaine Award to Recognize Employees

September 8, 2017
by Rick Cole in Blog

Never Take Success for Granted

September 5, 2017
by Rick Cole in Blog

Houston is a Wake-up Call for Santa Monica

August 30, 2017
by Rick Cole in Blog

Looking Back on my First Two Years as City Manager

July 12, 2017
by Rick Cole in Blog

Compensation Study Advisory Committee Appointed to Join in Review of...

July 6, 2017
by Rick Cole in Blog

AB 1250: A Bad Idea on the Verge of Becoming Law

May 30, 2017
by Rick Cole in Blog

A Budget with Accountability for Wellbeing

May 25, 2017
by Rick Cole in Blog

All In For Youth Programming

May 11, 2017
by Rick Cole in Blog

California Coastal Commission’s New Leadership: Fresh Breeze Promising...

April 4, 2017
by Rick Cole in Blog

Focus on fixing government, not bashing it

March 9, 2017
by Rick Cole in Blog

The Real Challenge for Santa Monica’s Public Employee Pay Scales

January 13, 2017
by Rick Cole in Blog

A Memorable 2016

December 30, 2016
by Rick Cole in Blog

Healthy Scrutiny of Public Pay

December 2, 2016
by Rick Cole in Blog

The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow

November 7, 2016
by Rick Cole in Blog

Santa Monica Is The Best Place To Be

October 19, 2016
by Rick Cole in Blog

Solving Traffic One #CarFreeFriday at a Time

October 7, 2016
by Rick Cole in Blog

Drowning in Data

September 15, 2016
by Rick Cole in Blog

Do Not Stifle Innovation

September 9, 2016
by Rick Cole in Blog

Taking Action Now on Traffic

August 18, 2016
by Rick Cole in Blog

Books have Changed the World

July 29, 2016
by Rick Cole in Blog

Interesting Times

July 5, 2016
by Rick Cole in Blog

Introducing the Long View

June 29, 2016
by Rick Cole in Blog