June 3, 2022

Dear Editor,

I was sorry to learn of the death of Nicki Lewis ("Santa Monica Fitness Trailblazer Dead at 89," June 2, 2022).

During my tenure as City Attorney, Nicki was a staunch advocate on behalf of the homeless and would often provide me with insights about those living on Santa Monica streets.

In the mid-1980s, I accepted her invitation to see firsthand how the homeless were struggling to survive. We met in pre-dawn darkness on the steps of City Hall and headed out for a run through the nooks and crannies of downtown Santa Monica.

It was an eye-opening experience, one that for me suggested that any government response to homelessness must be guided by compassion. I will always remember Nicki as a champion for social justice.

Bob Myers
Santa Monica