Shocker: Kevin McKeown Announces His Retirement as Santa Monica City Councilman, Effective June 11

At tonight's Santa Monica City Council meeting, longtime City Council member Kevin McKeown announced that he would retire as of June 11, 2021. He cited his advancing age. "I know I don't look it, but I'm well into my 70's" he said. He noted that it had been an honor and a privilege to serve the community. He has been a member of the 7 member Council for 25 years.

The other Council members expressed shock and surprise at McKeown's announcement, which came as the meeting was about to adjourn, at about 11 PM. Like other meetings for the last year, this one was conducted on Zoom. They will pick a new council member to serve out McKeown's term, which ends in January 2023.

"While this comes as a tremendous surprise," said newly elected city council member Phil Brock, "and while Kevin and I have sometimes disagreed, we will miss him. He served the people of Santa Monica with kindness and distinction."

Acting City Manger Lane Dilg has also announced she is leaving, as is the chief of the Santa Monica Fire Department.

Kevin McKeown, 72, has twice (2015 and 2020) been Mayor of Santa Monica, says Wikipedia. He has been elected to the Santa Monica City Council for six consecutive four-year terms. He is also a multi-term elected delegate to the Central Committee of the California Democratic Party.

McKeown has now been a Santa Monica renter for over 45 years. After leaving radio and advertising, he worked for 25 years as a Macintosh computer and educational technology consultant for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.

McKeown served on SMMUSD's technology advisory committee, the City of Santa Monica's Telecommunications Working Group, the steering committee of Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights, and as chair of the Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Coalition, before first being elected to City Council in 1998.

Speaking for myself, Kevin's a nice guy who always tries to do the right thing. He's approachable and at the same time, beyond reproach. I'll miss his steady, if progressive, voice on the council.