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Letters
Dear ER:
A double dose of kudos to not just the winners of Easy Reader’s
recent writing, etc. contest but also to the judges for their eclectic tastes
(Easy Reader 31st Anniversary Issue August 16, 2001).
I never thought I’d read, let alone cry over a fish story (no tears for "The Old Man and the Sea") but retired Captain Donald McArthur’s honorable mention, "A most magnificent fish" gave me a large unexpected twinge of insight into the reasoning of the usually foolish PETA folds. Drama, respect, poignancy, gratitude -— a magnificent fish story indeed.
Patti Garrity
Manhattan Beach
Devilish praise
Dear ER:
"Devilnitions" by JB Kennedy (ER 8/9/01)
is pure genius. This stuff is brilliant, funny and right-on. I’m sure a
lot of beach city residents will be outraged and personally offended by the
words.
Since the Easy Reader has probably heard from several Republicans from the South Bay, I sure hope you just ignore all of the Bushie rantings in defense of their inept leader. Everything, and I repeat, everything they have to say is "bushit."
Thanks for producing a first class weekly newspaper. If there is any better in the nation, I’ve never read it.
Dawn Clifton
Manhattan Beach
Green light for Green Line
Dear ER:
I am a longtime South Bay resident who is voluntarily using public transportation
and carpooling as my primary means of transportation. I have done without a
car for the past two years as a substitute teacher with Los Angeles Unified
School District. Many mornings, I do not know where I will be going before the
call which assigns me to a specific school.
I believe Easy Reader did little to encourage non-riders to take the Green Line. Information was inaccurate and the tenor of the article negative. The writer obviously does not choose to use the system regularly.
For instance, the Red Line does not directly connect with the Green Line as indicated. Passengers do not go "to" Norwalk to go downtown. They transfer to the Blue Line at the Rosa Parks Station near Wilmington Avenue, and then connect with the Red Line downtown.
Also, fares vary, depending on how you choose to pay. Reporter Stillman gave only the most expensive fare structure, with no mention of others. Bus passes and tokens are available to lower the cost of a fare. And, with a bus pass, the more you use it, the lower the fare. Thus, one-way fares can range from below 50 cents to the $1.60 mentioned in the article.
Expressions such as "alone they waited," "least popular," "not widely known," and "only 30,000 people," all contributed to an impression that riders may be isolated on an empty train with only 29,999 other passengers.
I would hope Easy Reader would do more to promote the use of alternative transportation modes. Or, at least try to get the facts straight when you report on them.
Sheila L. Troupe|
Redondo Beach
Top of the Green Line
Dear ER:
Geez, don't take the MTA at it's word. Ride the Green Line during rush hour.
You'll see you'll only be able to sit down if you ride outside, on the top.
Obviously the stats were padded so the rail could get funding.
Ken Clayton
Redondo Beach
Clearing the traffic
Dear ER:
I am writing in response to those who have recently criticized the city council’s
decision to further examine the Meadows traffic issue. For those residents who
did not attend the council meeting of August 7, several issues arose, not least
of which was the fundamental fairness — if any — of preventing some
of our residents from accessing one of our city’s public streets.
Before the August 7 meeting, we had asked for a traffic study on the issue. However, when the results of that study were made available, it became clear that there were some serious problems with both the methodology of the study and its conclusions. While it was frustrating to many who attended the meeting, a majority of the council believed that an accurate study was needed.
No doubt it would have been easier for us to have simply left things status quo. From a personal standpoint, it would have been much easier for me to walk away from the issue because I live on Meadows and stand to be affected by any increase in traffic. But important decisions should never be based upon flawed data, or by simply counting the number of signatures in a petition either for or against a proposal.
Since I have been on council, I have continuously pushed for a city-wide traffic mitigation approach which I believe would be the only fair way to deal with all of our city’s traffic concerns, without pitting neighbors against neighbor.
Ultimately, we must all be willing to work on these important issues. The frustration we all feel will not be cured by an "us versus them" attitude. None of our neighbors should get special treatment and none of our neighbors should be treated as second class citizens.
Joyce Fahey, City Council Member
Manhattan Beach
Monster writing
Dear ER:
Easy Reader has been a part of my life for more years than I like to admit. And I look forward to it every week. I want to tell you how much I enjoyed the Loch Ness monsters piece (July 7, 2001), not just because Pat Reardon (one of the monsters) is my brother, but because it is a wonderfully fun, informative creative piece of journalism.
Another highlight of late for me was Beverly Morse’s photo spread of South Bay alleyways (ER’s South Bay Homes, 7/19/01). Great to see her imagination come to fruition our way. And as for David Hunt — glad to see his by-line still, now and again. His review of Carousel (ER July 7, 2001) had depth and soul.
Thanks for all that you give us. Keep up the good work.
Linda Neal
Redondo Beach
Salad days
Dear ER:
The Orange Salad (Betty Evans’ Easy Recipe, ER August 8, 2001) was
cool, easy and perfect. Thanks.
Jean Swinn
Hermosa Beach
Traffic meddling
Dear ER:
At the August 7 Manhattan City Council meeting, I presented a petition with
201 signatures from Manhattan Beach residents urging that no through traffic
be allowed from Manhattan Village onto Meadows or Peck. We continue to add names.
The petition has signatures from Marine to Artesia and Cedar to Aviation. I am convinced we could have doubled the number of signatures if people hadn’t been so eager to spend time talking about the traffic -— drivers running stop signs, near misses, animals killed, parents afraid to let their kids play in their front yards, etc. -— and their opposition to adding to the already overwhelming volume by allowing through traffic from Manhattan Village
The council had the petitions in advance of the meeting and heard factual, well-reasoned arguments for reinstating the diversion (mandated by the EIR) around Meadows, which they had removed for the "study," conducted in May. However, by a four to one vote (Councilmember Aldinger was the lone holdout), the council elected to ignore the facts, and the wishes of more than 200 citizens directly affected by the additional traffic from the village, and return the matter to the PPIC for another study. In the meantime, the traffic volume, speed and noise, much of it from the Village, continue to pollute Meadows and surrounding residential streets.
Councilmembers have stated interest in resolving citywide traffic issues, yet they back off when there’s a clear opportunity to prevent further intrusion in one area. Could it be (gasp!) politics?
Anne Estes
Manhattan Beach
Moonstone returned
Dear ER:
Thank God sanity is restored and the universe is in balance again. It was a
pleasure reading the winning story, "Moonstone" by Steve Switzer (ER’s
Anniversary Issue 8/16/01). It was sad, charming and well told.
I couldn’t help but smile when I read the letters in the same issue, "Ol’ Manhattan" and "Dark and Stormy." I too entered the Manhattan Beach contest and at first really dreamed of living in that house. Then reality smacked like a ton of bricks and I realized I would not be able to make it safe for my autistic son to live there. He would be in constant desire to get to the beach and the traffic is dangerous there.
Then reality smacked even harder. My woman’s intuition told me that owner Ben Waldrep was in trouble and had regrets. It wouldn’t be fun to win the house. It would be bad karma to take advantage of old age, bad judgment.
At first I wanted to win because I love the beach. Then I wanted to win and be reasonable, sell the house and set up a fund to take care of my autistic son when I am no longer able. Then I wanted to win to give the house back to Ben. I tell you, that contest put me through, as James Marshall Hendrex used to say, "some changes." I showed the Easy Reader clippings regarding the contest plus the winning essay to a variety of literary editors, professors and even a respected psychologist and the word that came up over and over was…you guessed it…"bizarre."
"Moonstone" was a sweet and sad tale and it was healing to read. I feel restored, ready to move on to the next thing. I admit I did have the urge to hang myself a few times (over the MB House contest, not ER’s), but it is not time for me to return my stone to the sea…not when I can still feel love, not when there is still an ounce of strength (however shaky it may be), not when my son still needs me, not when there is still work to do, not when I’ve learned that every tiny little thing you do matters…every mean word, every kind word, everything matters. It was a pleasure to lose to "Moonstone" and I no longer have the desire to hang myself. I hope Ben is finding a balance and peace now too. If you wait and look you will see it.
J.E. Siu
Palos Verdes Estates
Parking ticket king
Dear ER:
I can safely say I have a small reputation as an agitant and cynic and rarely
have anything complimentary to say about local government. However, I like to
give praise where it’s deserved. Reading about the ludicrous ramped-up
predatory parking ticketing practices of the Manhattan Beach Police, which I
find disturbing, as I’ve otherwise always had excellent run-ins and service
from them and think highly of them, was chagrinning. Police preying on their
own people is not good by anyone’s lights. When I read Sgt. Harrod’s
letter (ER August 8, 2001) I was greatly heartened. In 18 years, I’ve only
once had a ticket in Manhattan Beach wrongly given. For two months, I went the
rounds with police bureaucracy…until Harrod entered the process. His manner
was 100 percent friendly, completely centered on facts, and breathtakingly expedient.
Within days of speaking with me and investigating the incident, he called, apologized
for the error, informed me of the clearing of the charge, and followed with
a mailed notice of it. A perfect execution of duty in the midst of what was
becoming a tangled mess. Had we a bunch more public servants like this guy,
we wouldn’t have enough room for the people who’d want to move to
Manhattan Beach. I strongly recommend those aggrieved in this mess to take Sgt.
Harrod’s offer of help: he’s a no-nonsense guy; you can’t do
better.
I’ll go now. I have to repair my rep as a S.O.B.Marc S.
Tucker
Manhattan Beach
International good will
Dear ER:
On August 8-10, 16 AFS foreign exchange students arrived from 12 different countries
around the world to spend their year in the United States. Their first day orientation
was held in Hermosa Beach. Of course, the students loved the beach and our wonderful
community. For lunch on Friday, we took the students to Pedone's on Hermosa
Avenue. When we went to pay the bill, we found to our astonishment that a lady
sitting near us prepaid our bill when she paid her own. The cashier said she
had enjoyed overhearing our conversation and the first impressions the students
had of the United States. What a wonderful, kind thing to do. Since we don't
know who you are, we felt like the only way to thank you is to write this note.
We'd love to invite you or anyone else interested in exchange students to our
upcoming events; please call us at 376-9451.
Sarah Roggero (USA to Costa Rica), Leslie Alnes (USA to Italy), Dave Schrader (USA to Austria)
Loch Ness eels
Dear ER:
I was filled with awe reading of the crossing of the violent Irish Sea by our
local intrepid paddle-boaters ("Loch Ness and the water monsters"
ER July 26, 2001). I would have frankly thought such a feat impossible, knowing
as I do the horrendous wind and rough seas there, which have seen hundreds of
boats and ships founder.
Finn McCool must have smoothed the waters for them, as he did our forebears 1600 years ago when the Northern Irish crossed to Alba and renamed it Land of the Scots. Scotia is, of course, the original name for the island, which the Danes christened, Eire-Land, after their queen. Ir-land soon became Ireland.
So, once again: The Scots are the original Irish, and are a purer strain, due to less out-breeding with invaders from European countries. Despite nonsense over "foreign" planting, those settlers who went from Scotland to Ulster, were merely returning to their ancient homeland. The sea crossing by the paddlers is similar to that taken by hundreds of brave explorers from Ulster in the early centuries. King Kenneth McAlpin was the joint ruler of both northern settlements at one time.
While it is true that most towns, and Belfasat, are awash with pubs, the secret is that we Irish females had them all funded in order to get the males out of the homes every night. Get ‘em into a pub, and you know where they’re at. At least, the paddleboarders had the gumption to take "in" our famous, and very, very old (1600s) whisky, Bushmills; but they should have done it on site. Superb hospitality there, even if you can’t walk afterwards. The first man to "see" Nessie was a monk. Monks also invented whisky. And, as for monsters, yes, there is indeed a Nessie, as my oldest friends who live in Inverness told me when I visited them last. Since one was a detective chief inspector with the Glasgow C.I.D., I dared not question him when he said he had it on good authority that Nessie lived, and thrived, although they thought this was a giant Conger eel and her now many offspring. Watching Loch Ness on a stormy, dark night, I can well believe the tales, but the really scary ones were of the "ghost roads" to the north where errant strangers vanish when straying onto paths, which no longer exist in this world.
Frankly, had they not had photos, I would have been skeptical of the tall tale that a group of men from California paddled their way across the tumultuous waters of the Northern Irish sea. Of such things are legends made. Brave men, all.
Rosalyn Moran
Torrance
PREVIOUS LETTERS NOT PUBLISHED:
Dear ER:
True, Rachel Stillman's article on the underutilized Green Line trains (ER August
16, 2001) touches all the politically correct bases: saves gas, saves nerves,
saves the planet, etc. But had Stillman acquired even the slightest real-world
familiarity with the Green Line she would have double-checked the preposterous
itinerary laid out in the article for commuter Susie Wong. Wong supposedly rides
the Green Line to Norwalk and transfers there to the Red Line for her new job
in downtown LA.
Is this our anemic, truncated Red Line I'm reading about, or is it a transposed version of London's Circle Line? Miss your stop downtown and end up in Malibu by way of Sylmar, perhaps?
More unnerving is that commuter Wong's routing never smelled funny to Stillman's editors. A quick trip to the MTA's web site (www.mta.net) would have revealed the itinerary's nonsensicality, which is obvious to anybody who has ever used the Green Line to get downtown. But for the vast majority of your readers (and staff, apparently) who lead their lives utterly oblivious to the scope of mass transit in Los Angeles County: big deal, so what?
Burton J. Mitchell
Torrance
Dear ER:
I was pleased to see the article from Bob Pinzler regarding the swearing in
of the entire citizenry of Redondo Beach ("Sometimes a cigar is just a
cigar" ER 8/9/01). It’s uplifting to see that the very person who
required special dispensation at council meetings so he wouldn’t be subjected
to the pledge of allegiance or invocation, now believes that all people entering
the council chambers should raise their hand to their God and swear that anything
that they are about to say is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth so help they God. And further, I am proud to be represented by a council
member that wants to plug a potential legal hole in the council meeting process
rather than wasting his time on filling the sink holes on Artesia Blvd. Hey
Bob, I’ve got an idea, how ‘bout we start by requiring all council
members to be present for role.
Call and stand for the pledge, and then work from there.
Alex Bannerman
Redondo Beach
Dear ER:
Both my wife and I felt the article on women’s tennis by Paul Teetor ("I’m Too Sexy For My Skirt" ER 8/9/01) was one of the best tennis articles we’ve read in a long time. Paul has an interesting style of writing and an excellent knowledge of the game and the personalities.
Jim and Barbara White
Manhattan Beach
Dear ER:
I’d guess that nearly everyone in Hermosa would prefer to have more Sunday
evening beach concerts on the sand for locals and fewer schlock festivals for
the rest of Southern California. Why, even Howard Longacre must agree. (C’mon
Howard, I saw you stifling a smile behind that inflatable Bud bottle!)
Can we find three council candidates who will commit to this change beginning next spring?
Tim Ferguson
Hermosa Beach
Dear ER:
I was initially sad that the current city council spoiled Hermosa Beach, but
now I am glad for the plaza of bars and skate boarders. The council has brought
trouble to Hermosa, but has helped us maintain our nice family environments
in Redondo, Manhattan, Torrance, and Palos Verdes. With the plaza of bars in
downtown Hermosa and the congestion of all the fraternity activities on the
weekends, our cities remain peaceful, safe, and clean. We leave our troubled
teens in the Hermosa plaza while we go for a nice dinner in Manhattan or PV
and it is sure a lot closer for them than Venice.
Barbara Dye
Torrance
Dear ER:
Thank you to all who helped with the afternoon of art at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse
Thursday, August 2. Thanks to Maggie Moir, Steven Fisher and their cast and
crew who produced the play, "Storybook Theater." A special thank you
for the great performances of Megan Stieritz, vocalist, George Chen, pianist,
and the band "Sabotage." Everyone was thrilled with the fine art by:
Andra and Derek Janicks; Jessie and Ryan Koverman; Allison and Spencer Dettelbach;
Brent and Shane Bowen; Katie Costello; Annie, Sophie and Lisa Currin; Riley
O’Connell; Cameron and Lena Arnet; Austin and Alec Marchant; Keriann and
Collin Grant; Mellisa and Allison Kringen; Jennifer and Julia Freeman; Raegen
Allsbrook; Olivia, Sarah and Jared Terry; Anna Lee and Rose Graner; Halley and
Jory Hollander; Tyler and Grady Bell; Rachel, Samantha and Callie Collector;
Chris and Nick Gray; Stefanie Gelb; Ally Hills; Bailey Heuer; Carolyn Moser;
Kevin and Kelsey Reinhardt; Megan and Marrissa Stieritz; and Peter, Duncan and
Erica Lau. All of this was possible due to our sponsors: HB. Kiwanis Club, HB
Community Center Foundation, Aloha Days and Manhattan Bread Co. Biggest thanks
of all go to Susan Collector, Judy Gray, Shaunna Donahue and Dianne Lombardo.
Thanks for being the very best.
Jean Lombardo
Hermosa Beach
Dear ER:
Congratulations to MB Councilmember Jim Aldinger for staying true to his commitment
to the environment and managing traffic. Regrettably, his council colleagues
— led by Councilmember Joyce Fahey — decided to ignore environmental
laws and the City’s General Plan (and the evidence provided by city staff
and residents) when it comes to adding more traffic on Meadows Avenue.
The council voted to conduct a study in a few months about the impact of allowing traffic to cross Marine from Manhattan Village, which would make Meadows a more convenient alternative cross-town route. The General Plan designates Meadows a local street and encourages T-intersections to make local streets less convenient for cross-town travel. But the council majority ignored that.
The T-intersection is a 20-year-old condition imposed to mitigate traffic impacts from the relatively dense Manhattan Village. Council disregarded that fact. State environmental laws prohibit the city from changing such conditions of development or the traffic patterns without conducting environmental review. But the council decided to ignore the law, make the change now and justify it later.
Watch out Manhattan Beach — at its last meeting this city council demonstrated reckless disregard for enviromental laws, the General Plan, neighbors adversely affected by traffic and the protection of local streets.
Thank you Councilmember Aldinger — the residents of Manhattan Beach need two more like you.
Christi Hogin
Manhattan Beach
Dear ER:
Jazz friends, it’s me again trying to keep the Jazz Alumni together — but especially trying to keep our music in Hermosa Beach, especially at The Lighthouse. The past half-year we were able to enjoy 26 weeks of music at The Lighthouse (I promised ten concerts for $100). I’m not counting the same amount of concerts at Sangria. Wow, we were able to generate 52 programs of great jazz.
Did you know that Phil Norman was subsidizing his orchestra in part? The Lighthouse only paid him $250 last year and Phil paid his men $100 each. I’m pretty sure that we could get that band for $750 a night, but it’s up to you. We need all of you to be able to do this - couldn’t you afford $100 for your favorite past time.
Below are some of the expenses for presenting these great groups:
Phil Norman Tentet-$750; Super Sax-$750; Dave Pells Octet-$675; Conte Candoli Quartet-$425; Barbara Morrison-$425; Pete Jolly Trio-$600; Juggernaut-$1450; Bob Florence Band-$1450; Roger Newmanns Band-$1450; etc., etc…
Some of you made comments about how attentive our audiences are. Certainly, a real respecter of our music really enjoys great players and, and of course The Lighthouse is full of great memories. A membership check from you, for you, your spouse, a good friend or anyone you may know that isn’t doing that well. Yes, help Jazz, help yourself and help to provide work for many fine entertainers.
Do not fill in the name of the payee on your check. We will fill in the name of the appropriate artist when we pay them (and when your check is endorsed, you receive a memorable autograph!).
Thanks for your help. Please send all checks as soon as possible so that we can start booking bands for September to The Jazz Alumni, c/o Ozzie Cadena, P.O. Box 655, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. Yes, it’s up to you. I know that some of you members can’t attend every week, but coming to a local show sure beats getting on the freeway. True, the kids may take over after 9 p.m., but it’s our show until sunset.
Ozzie Cadena
Hermosa Beach
Dear ER:
Apparently, if you generate enough sales tax revenue in Hermosa Beach —
like Learned Lumber and Pacific Porsche — the city allows you to violate
codes, requirements, and/or traffic laws.
In exchange for voting to allow Learned Lumber to swap property to "improve" the lumber yard, Mike Learned made promises to the city and to his neighbors, specifically about parking and traffic flow. In the original plans, Learned promised ample parking for incoming patrons and deliveries in the lots on PCH and exit through his Sixth Street lot, with a "knuckle" to eliminate traffic turning west down Sixth Street, essentially forcing traffic onto PCH. Not only are the PCH parking lots full of lumber and other materials, but the knuckle was never built. Instead, Learned put up a "No Right Turn" sign at the outlet onto Sixth Street. This sign is ignored by contractors with loaded trucks and trailer trucks which deliver to Learned. To make matters worse, even fully loaded Learned Lumber trucks continue to rumble down Sixth Street.
Drive up Second Street any morning before 9 a.m. or any afternoon after about 4 p.m. and the sidewalk and eastbound lane next to Pacific Porsche is blocked by cars. This forces eastbound traffic into the westbound lane of traffic (on a hill) and pedestrians into a traffic lane. Note, too, that the eastbound side of Second Street is posted "No Parking."
And, part of our UUT dollars go to support police officers, parking control, and a code enforcement officer?
Scott Alden
Hermosa Beach
Dear ER:
I am amazed at the lengths the city of Hermosa Beach goes to, to harass local
residents. A new neighbor buys a home and moves into our neighborhood who happens
to own a boat. He parks in front of his home and someone in our quaint neighborhood
calls to have it towed. Mind you this person doesn’t knock on his door
to complain, but calls for a tow truck. Well the tow truck arrives and proceeds
to break into his truck illegally (no ticket or markings). Soon parking enforcement
and the police come because the tow truck driver finds something suspicious
in the vehicle. This is totally illegal search and seizure. And they continue
to harass my neighbor by driving by and constantly mark the vehicle, which moves
according to the law of Hermosa Beach parking codes. But South Bay BMW can illegally
park unlicensed vehicles going the wrong way on the street, in red zones to
boot, and everyone in the city looks the other way — Welcome to Hermosa
Beach.
Juanita Beall
Hermosa Beach
Dear ER:
To all poor little lost liberal journalists of South Bay beach rags: Have a
deadline coming up? Stressed out? Take heart. Check out John A. Jackson’s
websites: www.hogwashisus.com, or
www.whoneedsresearch.com. To
wit, Jackson’s "Bad timing" (ER 7/26/01) "…battalions
of scientists announce that the world is getting warmer…" (Gee, John,
must have been the same p.c. scientists who "confirmed" that the earth
was flat while refusing to look into Brother Galileo’s telescope.)
Oh well. We know. It’s those darn deadlines.
"Citizen Sane"Redondo Beach
Dear ER:
I understand that the Redondo Beach City Council is considering the need for
members of the public to swear an oath prior to taking part in a public hearing.
Does a liar really care if they swear falsely? Isn’t it easy enough to dissemble or camouflage the truth? How do we separate exaggeration from fact and fiction?
Mayor Hill indicates, "the intention is noble." I say it is neither moral or logical or intelligent. A ‘POX’ on any house that requires an oath before discussion. As Sam Goldwyn once said, "A verbal promise ain’t worth the paper it’s written on!"Please don’t do this piece of inane and objectionable legal legerdemain! The council is not so exalted and distinguished a body that requires sworn testimony by us ‘ordinary’ folk.
Monroe Weinstock
Redondo Beach
Dear ER:
I want to say how wonderful the Health Fair was this past weekend.
It was great to see all the young folks at the fair, all checking up on the scientific marvels of medicine.
Many thanks to the Beach Cities Health District, all the doctors, nurses, chiropractors, dentist, pharmacy, and to all the volunteers for taking a beautiful day off from their busy schedules.
Also many thanks to the Manhattan Beach Lions Club for coming out to help with the eye mobile check-ups.
The Beach Cities Health District has done so much for the South Bay Communities. So please keep in mind the next time you want to complain about this organization, think twice before you speak or write and be thankful they are here for us. Here’s a few reminders of what help we gain: grants, health care classes, free clinic and dentists, free testing of TB, etc., elderly care, share food program, and child care programs. I can go on and on, and oh don’t forget the senior program in our city. Jan Buike keep up the great work you do to help the seniors. Many thanks to Charlotte Lesser who stimulates the creativity of many of these programs. I am ever so grateful.
Susan Jones
Manhattan Beach
Dear ER:
I find it interesting that Hermosa just began massive work on two of its major
thoroughfares (Hermosa Avenue and Ardmore) this week, in the middle of the summer,
and the annual onslaught of summer traffic and parking problems.
I also find it interesting, as well as frustrating, that meridian parking spots are demarcated only on the passenger side of cars, and not the drivers’ sides, where they could be seen while parking. Very often I have to step outside my car to see if I am squarely within my allotted space. Couldn’t a simple little white line be extended from the passenger side to the driver’s side for safety and convenience?
Beverly Simons-Morse
Manhattan Beach
Dear ER:
I have read with interest the Manhattan Beach Contest news from the beginning.
Since I did not enter I feel free to comment on the contest. I am writing on
behalf of everyone who entered the contest as well as the owner with whom I
have some sympathy. The owner felt he was involved in a worthy cause and hoped
to get the value out of his house as well. He also hoped to give a worthy person
a home in which they could live. Since this had been his cherished home for
many years, I believe he was looking for a family to live in this home. Of course
all this was out of his hands once he turned it over to the contest committee
who also chose the judges. I believe that this was also done in good faith.
My dispute with the whole process is the value with which the judges selected
the winner. I feel they are the real losers because they could not see superficiality.
They valued the adjectives over the pouring out of soul of people who truly
wanted a home. One statement in the paper ("Home contest: the good, the
bad, and the ugly," ER 08/02/01) said the judges were looking for positive
aspects of the city rather than sad stories.
Real life is sad stories. We all have a sad story but that does not dismiss our desire for better and more beautiful. How righteous to say we were looking for positive aspects of the city. Of course it is nice to hear beautiful adjectives and to see how many you can get into 500 words. How much harder to pour your heart into 500 words. To all those sad stories who entered and lost may I say, "God bless you." I truly believe you wanted to live in that house and may some day your rewards be great. To the owner I say, "You tried to preserve your wife’s memory and still have enough money to live on and may God bless you." And to the judges may I say, "May you obtain a sense of reality somewhere along the way and not be influenced by the outer cloak of a superficial world who will use words to sway and disarm the unwary and may God bless you as you learn more about people and worry less about proper English."
I am withholding my name, as one of the judges may be my friend and since they are anonymous I also choose to be anonymous.
Dear ER:
As a 90 mile a week user of the bike path, I have been trying to follow the developments concerning the proposed Heart of the City bike path routing. I have read in the local press that some bikers are pressing to get the path routed on the water's edge through the Harbor. I can agree with much of what they want (get rid of the wall on the Strand at North end of Redondo, reroute off of Harbor Drive, provide a good view of the Harbor area). However, I don't think a path right on the water's edge is a good idea because of the conflicts with pedestrians.
The waters edge will attract hundreds of strolling pedestrians to view the marine life on the rocks, kids catching crabs, etc. On a waters edge path, you would have to walk your bike. It would not be a bike path at all, it would be an "everything path." Bikers must give way to pedestrians and there would probably be signs and red blinking lights telling bikers to dismount and walk your bike. Just look at the area at the foot of the Redondo Pier, and Hermosa Pier to get a preview of what such a routing would be like. From a biker’s point of view, I like stretches where I can ride my bike at about 10 to 15 miles per hour, where the rest of the traffic is going at similar speeds, and where I don't have to worry about pedestrians and boaters pushing dock carts wandering in front of me without looking.
The current plan as proposed by the "Heart of the City Specific Plan" looks good to me. The 90 degree blind turn at the Hermosa/Redondo border is gone, most of the path is off of Harbor Drive closer to the water, and the short two block section on Harbor Drive is protected with a barricade.
I say let’s use some common sense in the planning of this path. We have an opportunity to develop a world-class bike path that we can all be proud of.
Don Mueller
Torrance
Dear ER:
I am a former 40-year local citizen of the beach cities. Born and raised. As
local as it gets. The South Bay was once a great place to live, until a multitude
of carpetbaggers came to the area and turned the beach cities into their personal
haven for the sale of alcohol. These people have never cared about the interests
of the local citizens. The only thing that mattered to them was to enlist the
personal services of the city governments, loaded with pro-overdevelopment carpetbaggers
like themselves, to gain access to taxpayer funds to further their own selfish
interests. The city officials who conspired with the overdevelopers should be
ashamed to be associated with the alcoholic riff-raff that now dominates the
beach cities. That is their legacy.
The citizens of Hermosa Beach were told that this type of overdevelopment was crucial to the financial well being of the community. The sales taxes generated from the bars and restaurants would go a long way to provide money for schools, parks, and other worthwhile causes that would benefit the city as a whole. Nothing was further from the truth. The overdevelopment benefits only a select few businesses, mostly those that sell alcohol to the kind of people who probably should not be allowed to consume it in public.
How ironic it was for me to read that the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce recently held a dinner to honor the city's top 25 sales tax producers. Of the top sales tax producers, only three of them were located on "Vomit Plaza." The plaza has been a drain on the city treasury since its inception.
More taxpayer resources are wasted to clean and police the plaza than are generated by the businesses that ply the riff-raff with alcohol. The majority of the remaining 22 top sales tax producers are located on the PCH corridor, an area neglected by the city because the owners of those businesses are not as well politically connected as the bar owners. It is amazing to me that two shops that sell surfboards produce more revenue for the city than do the bars and restaurants that have benefited the most from the city's business welfare projects. Perhaps we should think of attracting more surfboard shops to the area, and to evict the type of businesses that do not generate enough revenue to cover the costs of the city services that they use. Either that, or conduct an audit of business sales to determine whether they are reporting all the revenue generated from the sale of alcohol. I look forward to next year’s list of the top 25 sales tax producers.
Colin Joseph
South Bay Native
Dear ER:
The Labor Day Fiesta is targeted by a ballot initiative, which creates a business
license tax to partially fund the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce. If approved,
this would give the city a reason to justify the fiesta's elimination.
Our first concern should always be for increased sensitivity to those who live in our city. Labor Day will attract large crowds as it has for many years. According to Hermosa Beach Police Chief Mike Lavin, there are less incidents with a planned event than there are without. Eliminating the fiesta won't stop people from coming to Hermosa. It will, however, give us better control.
Second, we should respect our businesses. While there is opposition from some, the majority appears to support the chamber. The fiesta provides a PR dividend that works year-round by introducing thousands to our beach, restaurants, and shops. The fiesta puts a family-friendly spin on Hermosa promoting the return of a wider array of visitors than unofficial holiday events such as the "Ironman."
Lastly, a conflict of interest may arise should the city have the power to finance the chamber. If the fiesta were eliminated, the chamber would become dependent on the city for its funding thereby threatening its ability to remain an independent voice.
While the council must be praised in trying to best represent the interests of our city, denying the chamber the ability to raise its own budget from the traditional family-friendly fiestas could work counter to its intent.
Art Yoon
Hermosa Beach
Dear ER:
Recently while shopping at Target I observed something rather disturbing regarding
a young man in a wheelchair. The young man was browsing in the electronics section
trying to figure out exactly what he wanted to purchase, another man came up
behind him and was actually waiting for the young man to move. Granted the wheelchair
was blocking the whole (small) aisle, I believe the young man had no choice
since his wheelchair was loaded with stuff for little things like breathing.
Soon the man was rolling his eyes in my direction, as if to say, "Can you
believe this guy won’t move?" First of all, he never realized the
man was behind him and secondly the man was perfectly capable of walking around
from the next aisle. Finally, the bully said: "Excuse me" and his
tone of voice was impatient. The young man sped off so fast and never returned.
I believe this man embarrassed him and that is why he took off without ever
selecting his items to purchase. I did say something to the bully, but I don’t
think he ever got it. I hope this is a reminder to us all to be kind to one
another.
Also, I recently asked another young man in a wheelchair if he liked it when people tried to help him with doors, etc. He said you can always ask if the disabled person needs a hand, if they are grumpy or rude about it, that is their problem, not yours.
Sharon Stienstra
Manhattan Beach
The price of safety
Dear ER:
Should anybody tell you (particularly if he has taken a tour of those facilities)
that Manhattan Beach does do not need new police and fire stations, you know
you are dealing with someone whose elevator doesn't stop at every floor. Those
buildings are probably a dangerous collection of patch and paste that given
a coming together of some unfortunate circumstances could cause serious problems
for staff and citizenry. Only someone deliberately blind to the problems of
those buildings, or a congenital contrarian could doubt that those fifty-year-old
buildings need to be replaced.
True, some may argue that what is planned is too large or to plush or to whatever for our basic needs, and those issues should be explored by both staff and members of the community. But let no one think that we can make do for another 25 or 50 years with what we now have. Or that what we now have can be upgraded and made sufficient for our needs. And, if that is the case, what better time than now to take care of business.
Sure it will cost us all some money. That's the way things are. But safety and peace of mind have a price and we need to be willing to pay it. Because some things are priceless.
David Wachtfogel
Manhattan Beach
Dear ER:
I love the Easy Reader and look forward to it, however today when I received
it, I was actually kind of shocked to see the picture of the man vomiting and
the light beer can in the background. We all who live here are aware of the
Ironman events…and the events, which may be questionable, are one’s
rightful choice. I do take exception to the photo though. It is over the top
and I like to think of the Easy Reader as a neighborhood paper. Whoever
gave authorization for that photo wasn’t looking at the big picture. The
picture was shocking, and I am not sure where you were going. You offended many
and while you may have got shock value you did it at the credibility of your
newspaper and I am surprised anyone would ok that. If you were the Star
or something then maybe…But, I love the Easy Reader for the news
of my small town, the restaurant information, family events, fairs, everything,
even information on the Ironman event, but the photo is too much. Someone knew
it when they published it…too much.
Lori Russell
Hermosa Beach
Dear ER:
Two things caught my attention in a recent Easy Reader.
Until reading Paul Whittle's letter (ER 06/28/01) about the BED event, I wasn't aware of Einstein's hosting this function. Unfortunately, I am very aware of the growing number of people that gather outside Einstein's and Besties's around closing time. The result is loud noise composed of yelling, whistling, singing, you name it and I have heard it around 2 a.m. coming in my bedroom window.
In a city that is so strict on parking it perplexes me why Hermosa Beach doesn't do more to control the noise problem. Meanwhile the quality of life in Hermosa Beach deteriorates but the city of Hermosa continues to make money from the liquor sales. It would be fine by me if Hermosa Beach started collecting additional revenues by issuing noise citations and public urination citations.
Unfortunately, the city council members aren't the ones being awakened so I am not expecting things to change anytime soon.
The other thing that caught my attention was another "Ironman" barf photo regarding the 4th of July weekend. It is bad enough that this tradition continues but do you really have to continue to show your readers pictures of "contestants" vomiting? Personally, this is too much visual information for me.
Michael Rigdon
Hermosa Beach
Dear ER:
While John Jackson (ER June 28, 2001) is correct that the Ralph M. Brown Act
is supposed to mandate that local city governments have no secret meetings,
no secret votes, and that any action it takes (apart from litigation and some
personnel matters) must be done in public, some agency needs to investigate.
However, investigations over the last decade have shown that numerous city councils ignore this law. An example would be where not one member of a city council speaks to any other members during a meeting, and all vote as a bloc on a given topic, evincing no surprise at members votes. I maintain that it is almost impossible for council members to never discuss items at a meeting with each other, unless they know beforehand how that other member plans on voting. Having watched the bickering and chatter back and forth from the supervisors meetings, the L.A. School Board’s meetings, and such, these come through as normal and fully compliant with the Ralph M. Brown Act.
When council members vote as a bloc on vital topics over and over, despite massive antagonism from the public and even petitions signed by up to 4,000 residents reflecting strong opposition, something is radically wrong. The gist of the Ralph M. Brown Act is to give the public the necessary input needed when councils debate on matters affecting the public. A lack of interaction between council members is highly suspect during meetings, but here in Torrance of course, the mayor runs and controls all such meetings, does all the debating with residents, handles all the agenda topics one by one, discusses all the city’s problems with staff members, interacts with the manager and legal teams on all legal matters, traffic and police matters, and so forth.
Unlike other cities, the city council in Torrance has very little input on any topic but merely says "Yes" or "No" when asked to vote by the mayor. Thus, one cannot tell if the Ralph M. Brown Act is indeed being followed. Thus, one cannot tell if the Ralph M. Brown Act is indeed being followed. Without inter-discussion, nor questioning by the residents, no one here ever knows why any member has voted the way they do, or if they even care about the topic. One hopes that Redondo, Manhattan, Hermosa councils are permitted to be vocal and interactive, and allow the residents as much discussion as merited. The voice of the people should be paramount.
Rosalyn Moran
Torrance
Dear ER:
To Daniel Marquez, Facility Manager, Ampco System Parking:
I am writing you out of disbelief with the way you are currently operating the Ampco parking lot at the Howard Hughes Center. On May 28, 2001 I visited the shopping center of which the above-referred parking lot is a part. I was shocked to find that I was expected to pay for the opportunity to park there while I shopped.
I went to this facility with the intent to spend money. I could have chosen a number of other shopping centers. The Redondo Beach Galleria, the Del Amo Mall, the Beverly Center, the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, the Century City Center, the Culver Center, the Manhattan Village, the Sherman Oaks Galleria, the Shops at Palos Verdes and the Valley Plaza are all alternatives to your shopping center. And they do not charge for parking! I did not notice anything special about your shops such as substantially lower prices or services unique to this center. Had I seen qualities such as those listed, I might see a point to your charge for parking. You could justify your charge by saying you had increased security compared to centers with free parking or that the shops have lower prices because they are not paying for the maintenance of the parking lot, but this is not the case. I encountered no more security or any lower prices. I see no justification for this charge outside of an opportunist’s attempt to cash in.
While these prices are not substantial (only a $1 flat fee), it is what this charge symbolizes that outrages me. The shops located within (Nordstrom’s Rack, Johnny Rocket, Border’s Bookstore, Island’s, etc.) all benefit financially from having a parking area. This is obvious from the fact that you can’t point out a shopping center that does not have parking services. They normally do shoulder the cost and with good reason. You know that most people would not stand for this kind of scheme so you minimize your price to a nominal cost that you think consumers will swallow. If you claim that you are concerned with employees from nearby offices using your parking, require customers to get their tickets validated. You have options, but keeping your abusive parking price is not one of them.
I demand that you remove the cost of your parking services. I am forwarding this letter to all groups that I think will benefit from this information. I suggest you speak to your supervisors and come to an agreement that will result in free parking. Until then, I will urge everyone I know to shop at any of the other nearby shopping centers until you do. You offer nothing more than they do, so why should you require anything more either?
Frank R. Dunnick, Esq.
Hawthorne
Dear ER:
Regarding the June 5, 2001 Los Angeles Times story by Tony Perry, "Bush
adds funds to clean up toxic slag heap," I think that it’s pathetically
ironic that the radioactive and highly toxic dump that’s threatening the
health of over 25 million Americans was originally created by efforts in the
1950’s to provide nuclear weapons. Now almost 50 years later only Americans
are going to be the innocent victims of that ill-conceived scheme.
History has proven that those types of weapons of mass destruction were never needed. All that saber rattling and predictions of great gloom never materialized. All that Republican posturing of the 1950’s has a created a truly terrifying by product that’s now dangerously leaching into the Colorado River. Today our very water supply is being polluted by the toxic mound. Toxic levels have risen almost 25% in Lake Mead, Nevada.
Yet there is no alarm being sounded by the EPA. The Secretary of the Department of Interior isn’t expressing outright indignation over the toxic dumps very existence. I wonder why? If the dangerous radioactive levels get much higher in Lake Mead, I believe we will begin to see a dramatic increase in birth defects among all living things that depend upon the Colorado River as its source of water, i.e., life. I’ve always thought that uranium poisoning is a truly horrific thing to have to suffer from.
The stupid nuclear buildup of the 1950’s is alive and well today. Five decades of haunting has not diminished the dread of reproductive waste nor its continued threat to innocent future generations.
Our nation’s most disgraceful slag heap needs to be contained and moved immediately away from the river bank of the Colorado River in Moab, Utah. Anything less is pre-meditated murder.
Dawn Clifton
Manhattan Beach