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

The Luck of the Irish?

We at Santa Monica Confidential would like to send our warmest St. Patrick's Day greetings to our Irish friends on the Santa Monica City Council -- Kevin McKeown and Pam O'Connor.

Except we can't. O'Connor isn't even Irish! She's Croatian. O'Connor is her married name. But, she is quick to point out, she grew up with lots of Irish people on the South Side of Chicago.

While we're at it, we'd like to wish an early happy Easter to Councilman Paul Rosenstein and Mike Feinstein.

Movin' on up

Once again, Councilman Michael Feinstein has opted to pass on the luxurious digs provided city officials, this time at an annual convention of local cities in Yosemite last weekend. And this time, two other council members are joining him.

Seems that while Mayor Pam O'Connor and Mayor pro-tem Ken Genser stayed at the swank $264.28-a-night Ahwahnee, Feinstein and fellow council members Kevin McKeown and Paul Rosensein have chosen the $117.30-a-night lodge. Rosenstein has stayed at the Lodge on six previous trips.

The last time Feinstein went away on government-related business, he didn't feel right staying at the expensive Santa Barbara Hotel with the other council members. After finding out the rates, the councilman opted to stay in his vintage Volkswagen van.

And speaking of hotel rooms… we can't help but question where Rosenstein, a labor union champion, tied the knot last December. The wedding was held at The Shutters on the Beach, a non-union hotel. So what was wrong with the Miramar, Paul?

Guns and Roses

The long-standing feud between Santa Monica Police Chief James T. Butts Jr. and police union president Steve Brackett may be coming to an end. After being "promoted" to Animal Control Supervisor by Butts, Brackett may be leaving Santa Monica for a bigger job elsewhere.

P.S. And by the way, if you didn't know, the chief is engaged to be married.