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This is the first formal entrance into the political arena for
Santa Monica community and neighborhood organizer Kevin McKeown,
who has been chairman of the Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Coalition
and assisted in the formation of the new North of Montana Neighborhood
Association.
Doris Sosin, chair of the North of Montana Association, has worked
with McKeown for the past year. "Kevin is strong on parks, concerned
about safety and traffic, and he wants to retain the historical
heritage of Santa Monica. I feel that he's earnest, capable...
dedicated to his community."
McKeown became involved with the Public Electronic Network nearly
a decade ago and was active in forming the SWASHLOCK Program,
which received a National Information Infrastructure Award. He's
a member of Santa Monica's Telecommunications Working Group, and
for six years has served on the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School
District Advisory Committee on Instructional Technology. "I live
and work in Santa Monica, with occasional trips to Malibu," he
said, "but my hours are flexible enough to devote the time necessary
for the council."
A native of New Haven, Conn., McKeown attended Yale with an eye
toward becoming an astrophysicist before he got sidetracked in
radio. "It was the Sixties, and I found radio very meaningful
at that time," said the 22 year-plus Santa Monica resident and
community activist. "And when I say it's not rocket science, I
really mean it," he said. Before long, his voice-over and radio
career were in full swing (he later managed radio station KROQ),
but his political leanings had already begun to take shape. "I've
voted in every election since I was old enough to vote, and I
think my background in communications will be of great value in
working with the city." McKeown's issues include city-wide neighborhood
concerns over the cumulative effect of planning on traffic, parking,
the environment and the quality of life. Of special concern are
safe crosswalks and an appropriate affordable housing policy.
He also feels that serving on the council will draw him even closer
to his community.
"It wasn't until I became active in community programs that I
realized there had been an empty space in my life," he said. "Now
I find I can fill both my needs and the needs of others at the
same time."
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