THE LOW-DOWN ON THE TOWN Impudent, uncensored account By C. Castle

Cliques don't click for O'Connor

Seems like Santa Monica is full of people who want to be in. Hip.Trendy. Exclusive.

That's why a list of the city's supposed top 103 most influential people, compiled by a "local" newspaper, struck such a deep chord among the city's who's who.

Those who made the list gloated. Those who didn't... complained.

But a lunch held last week at the Miramar Sheraton Hotel for those who made the list, pushed things just a little too far for Mayor Pam O'Connor. A bit too clubby. A bit too exclusive.

And so she stayed home instead.

"Why do I need to be in a room full of influential people?" O'Connor asked. "The people who influence me the most are the people I run into in the store. I didn't see it as a club I joined."