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Letters
Backstage pass
Dear ER:
Alright, I just had to ask. How many "Chorus Line" tickets did Paul
Teetor receive for the fluff piece on Garrett Mendez?
Julian Deveroux
Hermosa Beach
From sauna to white elephant
Dear ER:
Regarding Peter Tucker's suggestion to move city hall functions to the white
elephant building on Pacific Coast Hwy. I say Hoorah! (ER Letters, 4/26/01).
What a great idea, and all the time it was there under our noses.
I don't know who the original architect was of that dreadful city hall building, but what an awful place it was to work in (I was there for a few years in the early seventies): no east-west windows, no air, absolutely stifling in the winter. The conference room was a sauna.
Maybe the council chamber could remain, but the other offices surely would benefit from enlarged quarters and ample parking. The police department could use the old building for whatever they need, and everyone might be happy, and at less expense than a total remodel.
Thank you, Mr. Tucker. I hope city staff thinks seriously about your suggestion.
Charlotte Cross
Hermosa Beach
Out with the tide
Dear ER:
Help Wanted: New Planning and Design Subcommittee for the Hermosa Beach Pier.
Applicants need common sense, fiscal responsibility, timeliness, steadfastness,
problem-solving ability, and a Hermosa heart. The current pier city council
subgroup, JR Reviczky and Julie Oakes, need not apply. These fine folks have
spent over 2_ years and $100,000 in design and consulting fees on a plan that
has received nothing but negative comment. This money and time is gone. Time
to start from scratch. Business as usual from our council.
Jon Minkoff
Hermosa Beach
Poor planning
Dear ER:
For the past 60 days the Hermosa Beach City Council has touted the fact that
they don’t need professional assistance with the upgrading and diversification
of their downtown retail district because a local resident, Joe Marks, "has
20 years of experience in retail development." Forgive me for questioning
the credentials of this self-proclaimed "expert," but as a retail
revitalization consultant who has placed over 1,500,000 square feet of retail
businesses in 32 cities within California, I have never heard of Joe Marks.
Intrigued, I contacted the two most successful retail real estate brokers in
California, Ted Lawson and Richard Rizika of CB Commercial. They too had never
heard of "retail expert Joe Marks."
If the Hermosa Beach City Council wishes to save money by letting a non-paid volunteer play at revitalizing downtown Hermosa, so be it. But they should also be aware that they’ll get what they pay for.
Jim Harrigan
Redondo Beach
Cost benefit philosophy
Dear ER:
Howard Longacre’s letter, in my opinion, was unfair to me and to all those
involved in the operation of our city (ER April 26, 2001). My desire to "enhance
downtown" does not mean to develop a "bar and cab zone." Enhance
downtown means to complete the renovation of our downtown using the RUDAT guidelines
that resulted in our completed downtown plans. Would Longacre like a downtown
in decay like it was ten years ago or does he wish our city were a 100 percent
bedroom community with no retail business? Our downtown is now a growing upscale
destination with restaurants and specialty retail businesses. The majority of
the residents and visitors now enjoy downtown.
The Pacific Coast Highway businesses provide the city with far more revenue than all of downtown and should receive more support. A cost benefit analysis is not a practical objective. How does one evaluate the benefit of a downtown being revitalized? Most of the funding for infrastructure improvements (storm drain, park improvements, public buildings and underground districts) will be for the benefit of the residents. The quality of life for most residents has improved over the past ten years.
It is better to have easy access to a cab than to drive under the influence. We do have a problem with some businesses not being responsible when serving alcohol. This should be addressed at public meetings to allow public consensus of possible solutions.
I have not yet met a big-shot Hermosa politician. My experience with our elected officials and public employees has been one of mutual respect.
A review of my voting record as Planning Commissioner will show that I have consistently voted for reducing the bulk of our residential buildings and limiting expansion of alcohol in our city.
Ron Pizer
Hermosa Beach
Behind the scenes
Dear ER:
The Broadway production of "A Chorus Line," performed by an exceptionally
talented cast of Mira Costa students, made its debut last weekend to a wildly
enthusiastic audience and two standing ovations. Thank you to all of the businesses
and individuals that supported the production with program ads. When all the
receipts and bills are paid, this show will cost $28,000. Without the support
of our community and the Drama Circle members, a show of this magnitude could
not be staged. Unfortunately, because of budget restraints, we were unable to
sufficiently advertise this amazing play. Please mark your calendars for this
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee Saturday at
2 p.m. This is one you don’t want to miss. Because of the mature subject
matter, this show is rated PG-13. If presale tickets are not available at Banners
or Strand Cleaners, there are plenty of tickets for sale one hour before each
show at the auditorium box office on the corner of Peck and Artesia avenues.
Adult tickets are $10 and student tickets are $8 at the door.
Linda Smalley
Manhattan Beach
Heart of the matter
Dear ER:
I read with interest your article about the proposals for Redondo’s grand
plan, "Heart of the City." Some questions occurred to me:
Why hire consultants from Washington D.C. and the San Francisco area? Were there no credible land-use experts in Southern California familiar with local issues? Why did they purpose such an extremely dense (55 units/acre) residential development?
Why the insistence on a 55,000 square-foot multiplex movie theater? Besides the obvious dissonance between area and activity, were the consultants aware that 11 major theater chains declared bankruptcy last year, and many large chains including AMC, Regal, UA and Loews have closed or in the process of closing hundreds of theaters due to "decreased turnouts at the box office" and a "massive industry overbuilding spree" (LA Times 1/26/01)? Did the consultants consider Hermosa Beach’s failed "upscale" shopping/theater complex on PCH near Pier Avenue?
How would new hotels and shopping areas affect the existing hotels and retail establishments in Redondo? Are the harbor-area hotels filled to bursting, so that more rooms are needed, or will new rooms draw customers away so that the older hotels become financially non-viable?
I can see what the moneylenders, developers, building trades and realtors will get out of this massive project, but I don’t understand how it will benefit Redondo residents. Will we just get more crowds, more traffic congestion, more tall buildings walling off the sea, as along Catalina and Esplanade farther south? More untenanted buildings?
The council seems to be drooling at the idea of increased income to the city, but how do we know that "Heart of the City" won’t become another White Elephant, like the one at the pier? Where did the impetus for this massive redevelopment come from? If there was a popular outcry for a "city center," I haven’t heard of it.
Carol Simoes
Redondo Beach
Courtroom theatrics
Dear ER:
Reading the responses of Kay Donald , Dana Clark and Al Bowman (ER Letters 4/12/01)
I had a thought: perhaps our judicial system isn't about truth or justice. Perhaps
our system is about great presentations by attorneys.
Do we get the truth out of our system? Or do we get a manipulation which may be nothing more that a fabrication of a story. Attorneys spin the information, attack the witnesses’ words and seem to be able to totally confuse anyone remaining awake throughout the ordeal.
Add to that the restrictions the judge places on what can be asked, and what can be presented to the jurists. Apparently judges don't feel that jurists are smart enough to sort through all of the information on their own. I find this most insulting since I have been a jurist several times in the past.
I recently sat through a court case and I came away from the courtroom still unsure of what the truth was. I was not involved in the incident that the case surrounded, and I don't know the truth. I only know the story of my honest son and the story of honest police officers. I am aware that unfortunately either one of those parties can be untruthful or for that matter "see" what occurred differently.
What I witnessed in the court is what I feel was an interesting twist of information and 12 poor jurists who just wanted to be adjourned to spend Thanksgiving dinner at home. Then I witnessed a judge respond with such vengeance that I truly doubt he could have passed the questions that were put to the jurists during their selection process. All truly interesting dynamics.
I haven't followed Vitti's case and I haven't any judgment of what that true story was. I am, however, positive that attorneys and our judicial system don't help us even get close to it.
Monica Griffin
Manhattan Beach
VOICE heard
Dear ER:
I would like to thank the City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Department
for being a long time sponsor of the Earth Day Celebration and Concert in Polliwog
Park. This year marked VOICE's tenth annual Earth Day event. I am thrilled that
this event has grown to include many South Bay and surrounding communities and
over 40 environmental non-profit organizations and earth-friendly vendors. Thanks
to our major sponsor's including the City of Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach
and Adelphia.
A special thanks to Mira Costa Ecology Club, Leuzinger Environmental Careers Academy, LA High School and California Academy of Math and Science High School student volunteers. Please join me in supporting and thanking the many businesses who contributed to this celebration including: Skechers, Boeing Satellite Systems, Waste Management, The Beach Reporter, Daily Breeze,.Beach Cities Health District, Aviation Cycle, West Basin Municipal Water District, Pacific Bell and The Gas Company.
The Oceanographic Teaching Station (OTS) is a long-term contributor to this event, thank you for the enjoyable and educational Kid's Activity Walk which was enjoyed by kids of all ages. Thanks to Zeke Zeidler for sponsoring the T-shirt contest and all the kids who submitted designs, it was hard to pick just one.
The high point of this year was the Public Grand Opening of the Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden. Ann Barklow and Gretchen Renshaw Zweisler have created a miracle in "our backyard" along with Manhattan Beach Rotary, Chevron and many others. Thank you for this wonder slice of heaven in Polliwog Park, which provides a perfect setting for learning and renewal!
Most importantly thanks to everyone who attended Earth Day, took the Eco-challenge quiz and enjoyed the outstanding entertainment!
Kaye Sherbak
VOICE Board Member and Co-Founder
Staging ground
Dear ER:
The article by former Redondo Beach Councilman Bob Pinzler ("Yes, you can fight
City Hall", April 19, 2001) offered insight into ways to effectively work deal
with public officials. Projects, especially government related, are obviously
difficult to stop once started. A staging operation used for the Greenflag Storm
Drain City/County public works project is located at the corner of Beryl Street
and Flagler Lane in Redondo Beach. This staging operation offers a useful preview
to possible governmental behavior with respect to the proposed "Heart of the
City" harbor project in Redondo Beach.
The primary activity at this staging site is temporarily storing dirt. Noisy trucks deliver the dirt. Noisy tractors pile the dirt. Empty trucks come. Tractors load the trucks with most of the piled dirt -- that portion not removed by the wind. The procedure repeats. Dust prevails. Special effects such as jackhammering are occasionally offered. The activity began last year and the lengthening estimate is for it to continue the rest of this year. Residences and businesses near the location of this site were not notified in advance by government of this staging operation.
Government seemingly views the staging site as part of the Greenflag Storm Drain public works project, although the site is a number of blocks away from the actual construction. A Temporary Use Permit apparently was not issued to the private contractor for the staging operation at Beryl and Flagler. ("A temporary use permit was not issued with respect to the Greenflag public works project," Redondo Beach City Attorney’s Office, April 18, 2001.)
Due to the "Heart of the City" harbor project, there are potential construction related disruptions for areas of Redondo Beach that are remote from the harbor. The following will occur if government follows procedures similar to those taken with respect to the Beryl and Flagler staging operation, which is remote from but related to the Greenflag Storm Drain construction. First, permits will not be required for public works construction related disruptive operations that are related to the harbor project but are remote from the harbor. Second, advance notification of these disruptive operations remote from the harbor will not be provided to residences and businesses in the impacted areas. Obviously, effective protest against actions by government will be diminished if requirements for permits and notifications are missing.
Robert London
Redondo Beach
Art appreciated
Dear ER: My family and I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural reception and art exhibit celebrating the opening of the Manhattan Heights Art Center. It is indeed a credit to the vision of the city council, city manager and staff, and to the community that a facility for the education, appreciation and promoting of the arts now exists in Manhattan Beach. The current show featuring work of both prominent California artist and emerging artists is an impressive beginning for this new center. Thanks to the creativity and hard work of Homeira Goldstein, CEO of Arts Manhattan and the show’s curator, many of the artists attended the receptions. Homeira is a treasure of the Manhattan Beach community.
Art elevates our spirit and rounds out our lives. Congratulations City of Manhattan Beach.
Francine Tolkin Cooper
Tolkin Group
Two bits worth
Dear ER:
You guys are on a roll! I have been floored the last few weeks by two amazingly
written and fascinating Easy Reader cover stories. Last week's feature
on Mira Costa High School freshman Garrett Mendez's brave decision to play a
gay dancer in a school production of a "A Chorus Line," and the recent piece
about the Laker's trainer who may or not have been falsely accused of battery
were as good as anything you'd read in the mainstream media.
The article about Garrett brought tears to my eyes, and the one about the trainer -- which you got quite a few knocks for -- I found a compelling "other side of the story," about what its like to be the accused party.
I read the Easy Reader every Saturday afternoon over a rotisserie chicken lunch at the Malaga Cove Ranch Market. You don't even charge for the paper, and yet you get all the local news, find out which celebrities have been visiting (Brooke Shields! Michael Keaton!) learn about what's playing, who won, who lost and see the same people writing letters to complain about their elected officials every week.
If that's not worth 25 cents, I don't know what is.
Keep up the great work!
Jefferson Graham
Manhattan Beach