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Measure 2001A arguments in, more to come
by Dan Bialek
Ballot arguments for the 2001-A Manhattan Beach Coastal Conservation Act were turned in last week, but the arguing has just begun.
On June 6, an initiative petition for Measure 2001A was delivered by resident Bill Eisen to the city clerk’s office along with 3,562 signatures. This was well over the 10 percent of the 24,601 Manhattan Beach voters’ signatures needed to place it on the March 6, 2001 ballot.
The initiative, somewhat imposing, if not confusing, was filed as a five-page, three-column document in small, eight-point type under the title, The City of Manhattan Beach Coastal Conservation Act.
The first page outlines proposed new requirements for ocean water-quality testing, commercial advertising limitations on the beach, and a proposed "Coastal Conservation Fund" to pay for the initiative’s conservation measures. The next four pages deal mostly with the regulations of events at and around the city’s beaches.
The deadline for ballot arguments of no more than 300 word was Friday, Dec. 1, at 5 p.m., and both sides filed their arguments within a half-hour of that deadline.
The argument in favor of the initiative was delivered by resident Viet Ngo, and was drafted and signed by fellow resident Mark S. Tucker. The proponents contend that the initiative would protect residents, including seniors and children, from polluted water.
"Yes on 2001A will result in the diversion of storm drains away from the beach," stated the ballot argument.
"Yes on 2001A protects our businesses and vibrant economy from unexpected pollution outbreaks."
The argument against 2001A was drafted and signed by city council member Steve Napolitano. Ii was also signed by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, Manhattan Beach Mayor Tim Lilligren, MB 10K Run Committee Chairman Russ Lesser, and MB Old Hometown Fair Committee President Susan Sweeny.
The opponents contend that the initiative would not improve water quality but would only require that the city conduct costly additional water testing. It also maintains that 2001A would not help clean the beach, and points out that the city organizes cleanup days such as the summer long Beach Litter Patrol Program.
Napolitano said that if 2001A passes, the Old Hometown Fair and 10K run could not be held on the same day under the initiative’s strict guidelines.
"It doesn’t achieve what it claims its goal are. It will limit and probably eliminate a lot of our longtime events and traditions in Manhattan Beach."
"Under 2001A, you couldn’t have the 10k run at all because of beach access. The Richstone Foundation has a walk-a-thon each year for abused children. It would make this event cost-prohibitive. It could wrap events like this up in red tape," Napolitano said.
He also questioned the motives of the people behind this ballot measure.
"It’s just a smokescreen. I think couching it with an environmental disguise is disingenuous to what it really is," Napolitano said.
"Basically the people who have been involved so far are the people who are involved with the Manhattan Open. It’s a smokescreen to saying that they don’t want the Manhattan Beach Open," he said.
Mark S. Tucker, the man who drafted and signed the pro-2001A argument, said that although he has spoken before the city council against the AVP hosting its volleyball tournaments in the city, the ballot initiative is about clean water and conserving the environment.
"2001A isn’t against the AVP, it’s against pollution," Tucker said.
"We want to conserve the sand for the public to enjoy without corporate intrusions like planes flying overhead and advertisements," Tucker said in regard to why the initiative would ban advertising, such as the ads found on trashcans at the beach.
Tucker said that he was both a member and not a member of the group in favor of 2001A.
"I’m a member of the group, but I’m not a member of the group. I don’t like being a part of groups," Tucker said. "I’m not a spokesman for them."
Tucker said he agreed to draft the initiative’s argument and sign his name to it because he likes to be involved in efforts to change his community.
"I’m always into people who are doing more populist-type work," Tucker said. "They approached me as kind of a gun for hire and asked me to write something up for them, so I did."
Both sides have 10 days to file 250-word rebuttal arguments. ER