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Letters
Correction:
West Basin Municipal Water District board member Carol Kwan was misidentified in a caption to the photograph that accompanied an article about the district’s new water recycling plant. Easy Reader regrets the error.
Letter from Washington
Dear ER:
I would like to respond to a Letter to the Editor from Ira Wallis that questions
whether I have a position on LAX expansion or the energy crisis. I do.
I believe asking LAX and its neighbors to bear all of the burdens of growth is wrong. We need a regional plan that builds out other airports — or possibly develops new sites. Last week, I led a bipartisan coalition of Members of Congress from across Southern California in writing a letter to Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta supporting a regional air and ground transportation plan. Our statement is on my website at www.house.gov/harman.
I believe the answer to our energy problem is a combination of conservation, investment in renewable sources, and bringing more power on line. As a short-term measure to stabilize the energy market, I support cost-based rates for wholesale electricity. I oppose drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). But even if it were approved, it would not provide relief to Californians this summer or any time soon.
As you well know, these are tough issues. I stand ready to provide leadership and hope you will help me.
Jane Harman
Member of Congress
36th Congressional District
Not so witty
Dear ER:
Your "On the Waterfront" column suggested that we skirted the gay issue by substituting
the word "bright" for "gay" when I sang "I Feel Pretty" in the Redondo High
production of "West Side Story." You make us sound homophobic, which we are
not. The song in the movie version of "West Side Story," uses the word gay.
But we were performing the stage version, where the lyric goes, "I feel pretty
and witty and bright and I pity any girl who isn’t me tonight." We are
not allowed to change the lyric.
Otherwise, thank you for the great review.
Chole (Maria) Corcovelos
Redondo Union High School
Who decides?
Dear ER:
The Redondo Beach City Council and Planning Department, in the style of their
predecessors, will not rest until every inch of our waterfront is cemented,
commercialized and populated to its maximum capacity. They will be happy with
nothing less than a junior version of Marina Del Rey, and a number of them stand
to personally profit handsomely along the way.
To understand the motivation of the Council, it helps to realize that the mayor has professional ties to the real estate industry, that three Councilmen are Realtors in the South Bay, and that one is an attorney who, in the words of his law firm's website, has handled real estate litigation of "substantial size and complexity." Does this make them uniquely qualified to guide the Heart of the City project, or are they uniquely positioned to realize personal gain? You decide.
About two months ago, I had a conversation with Mayor Greg Hill during which I expressed my concern over the high density of the proposed residential units; a number I had heard was 1,100 units. Mayor Hill said, "Whoever told you that was way off-base. There's no way we're looking at 1,100 residential units." I checked with the Planning Department and was told essentially the same thing. When exactly that number was reported by Easy Reader, I again spoke with Hill and his response was to demand where I'd heard that figure. He then told me, "Well, as the Council, we're taking a hands-off approach with staff on this project."
Was I being lied to by the mayor? Was the mayor being lied to by his staff? Is the whole gang incompetent? Again, you decide.
In a recent letter to Easy Reader, Carol Somoes asks why the City hires D.C. and San Francisco consultants rather than any number of highly qualified Southern California land-use experts. Ask City Manager Lou Garcia. In addition to not being from around here himself, he has very close personal ties to the consultants he's hired. In fact, he was at one time employed by one of them. Could this be "pay-back?" You decide.
And finally, why is it that not one aspect of the entire Heart of the City project will ever be put before the voters in a referendum? Could it be because the Council knows it will not do a single thing to improve the quality of life for those of us who live in the city but have jobs and businesses outside the City? And they think we just might be smart enough to figure that out? Why won't the Council let US decide?
Steve Switzer
Redondo Beach
The playing fields of Redondo
Dear ER:
The recent Redondo Recreation Department’s free "FamilyFest" makes the
seemingly innocuous claim that "Kids of all ages are guaranteed winners." This
is because all of the games and activities are run according to the noncompetitive
"new games" principal, which removes the concept of winning and losing from
games. I have two questions for the Redondo Beach Recreation Department. "Did
they have dollies and a tea-set for the little boys to play with? Did they serve
the kids vegan roll-ups and couscous? Recreational programs should provide vigorous
exercise and challenge to our youth. Character, self-respect, sportsmanship
and teamwork are best learned in the caldron of athletic competition. Recreation
director Dave Bacon proudly boasts that "this event promotes inclusion and a
win-win atmosphere." Life is not a win-win game. Winning and losing is a part
of life. One could even argue that we learn more from losing than from winning.
One learns to get up, dust off and try again. This event really promotes the
idea that there are no consequences to one’s actions, so why try to make
a difference. The Redondo Beach Recreation Department clearly wants to breed
a generation of passive, hypersensitive doormats. These kids will be in for
the shock of their lives when they have to function in the workforce. I cannot
believe that my tax dollars are being used for this repudiation of core American
values. I want my money back.
Conrad Schroeder
Redondo Beach
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 deals
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
Bingo
Dear ER
We Hermosans should be very proud of our theatrical productions at the Hermosa
Beach Playhouse. Having been a musical comedy performer in my youth in semi-professional
theatres, I know the amount of work that goes into putting on a first-class
production. "Bingo" was an outstanding example of great musical theatre: fabulous
music and lyrics, a hilarious story line, talented singers and superior direction.
At the performance I attended, I was fortunate to sit next to the parents of
one of the "Bingo" writers. They had traveled to our beach community from Chicago
to see their son's handiwork. And how very proud they were. So was I. After
all, it was my small town that provided the opportunity to produce this excellent
show. Kudos must also go to James Blackman, executive director, and Steven Ullman,
producing director, who have the vision to recognize great theatre. Let us continue
to support their efforts.
Move over, Broadway, here comes Hermosa Beach!
Sincerely,
Edna M. Tobias
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Essential dining
Dear ER:
Every week, the first thing I look for in Easy Reader is DebL’s Barfly
column. The wife and I enjoy dining out and it’s important to know what’s
opening and closing in our little part of the world. Keep up the good work.
Also, give our best to Captain Jack.
A loyal reader for over 15 years
Manhattan Beach
The government Redondo deserves
Dear ER:
At the May 1 Redondo Beach city council meeting a number of citizens addressed
the city council, mayor, and staff and questioned who the city government was
really representing. The accusation was that city officials acted to the benefit
of business, notables, and moneyed interests rather than for the citizens of
Redondo Beach. It was further stated that often these interests are not even
located in the city. Considering that 90 percent of the registered voters in
Redondo Beach did not vote in our last city election, the odds are that the
people making these accusations have no room to complain. The great majority
of voters have made it clear that they do not care what happens to the city.
How then can they complain when others do care, even if for their own benefit?
R.L. Nelson
Redondo Beach
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 Lakers’ 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 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
Women remembered
Dear ER:
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated the coverage of the South
Bay Woman’s Summit ("Women warned against loss of rights under Bush region,"
ER April 16, 2001).
This was an important program to cover as it served to remind us of how much we have evolved - in utilizing the skills and capabilities of a group that was previously dismissed - and of the work yet to be done.
In addition, I always look forward to the South Bay Homes insert. We have great architecture, gardens and interiors, and it’s very inspiring to see what others have done.
Seena Sharp
Hermosa Beach
Miamization of Redondo
Dear ER:
I read last week’s article concerning the City of Redondo’s plans
to renovate the pier area. Unfortunately, those plans included a multiplex theatre,
which will be the worst decision the city will have ever made. I applaud its
efforts to upgrade the run-down area that now exists. I have said for years
that the area was a "gold mine" waiting for the right developer. When you look
past the carnival and second-rate restaurants, it is actually one of the most
beautiful places in the South Bay. I would suggest that someone from the city
spend a few hundred bucks and fly to South Miami before they decide as to whether
they want a huge theatre complex in the shopping mall. South Miami use to be
a small, quaint town, similar to the South Bay. They redeveloped the downtown
area with a beautiful shopping mall. Unfortunately, they included a huge, multiplex
theatre complex. Now, instead of getting high-end shoppers, the place is constantly
over-run by derelict teenagers, who buy very little, hang around, smoke cigarettes,
and trouble those who do want to shop. Business is low, property values have
dropped and no one wants to go to the mall to shop, let alone go to the movies.
Heck, just look around the corner at the Pacific Cinemas. My wife and I hate
going there. It’s a madhouse and we are not elderly people. We just like
shopping and going to the movies in areas where we feel safe and hassle-free.
The Hermosa Pier area is fine. Yes, it attracts a lot of young partygoers. But
for the most part, it is civilized, there are police around, and it is not over-run
with teenagers. Bring in a movie theatre and that’s all you have. Don’t
say you haven’t been warned.
Phil Perri
Redondo Beach
State trickery
Dear ER:
At the current rate of spending by the state for electrical purchases, the state
surplus will be gone before June. The state is spending $50 million per day
to purchase electricity, or $1 billion every three weeks. All the rhetoric over
what to do with the state surplus was for naught. The power producers found
a way to take it for themselves. I wonder if any city leader has thought about
what will happen when the surplus is gone, and the state runs a huge deficit
instead.
I’ll tell you what will happen. The state will look to the city property taxes to cover their deficit. Maybe people remember eight or ten years ago when the state ran a deficit, and took a portion of the property taxes that went to city governments to subsidize the state deficit. They did it before, and they will do it again. For Redondo Beach, the result was the loss of enough money to give the city serious financial problems. The city secured a new city manager to solve the financial crisis.
City governments need to consider the possibility of a state seizure of city taxes to fund a deficit. If cutbacks on non-essential costs, and postponement, or slowdown, on future projects is started now, the individual cities may weather the financial storm. The kind of deficit the state could have this time may dwarf the last deficit. I have seen predictions of up to $70 billion to be spent on electrical power purchases. This kind of deficit spending will bankrupt California.
Garth E. McWhorter
Redondo Beach