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Letters
Hermosa heart attack
Dear ER:
We are extremely concerned about Redondo Beach's proposed Heart of the City project. We feel that the impact of such an extensive development on our border will impact us in many ways-all of them negative.
We are worried about the traffic, the noise, and the crowds, which will tax our resources, and possibly change the climate and character of our city.
All citizens of Hermosa Beach should be very concerned about this project and let their feelings be known. We have nothing to gain and everything to lose.
Please get involved and protect our city. Passivity will not work. We would like to see more involvement from our city government.
Carol and Michael Fleischer
Hermosa Beach
Heart transplant
Dear ER:
After reading the Redondo Beach Heart of the City EIR and reviewing the various
proposed plans for the marina area, it appears that one of the requirements
of redevelopment is a very high level of density. It is true, successful retail
establishments and occupied residential space generate city revenue, but all
new development is a risk with no guarantee of success. There is a strong possibility
the retail/restaurant portion of the proposed development may not be successful,
as evidenced by the vacant movie theaters in Hermosa Beach or the sad-looking
buildings at the foot of the Redondo pier. I contend that lower density and
more open space will increase existing property values. Careful consideration
should be given to a moderate development that would take maximum advantage
of the ocean side location, a project that benefits all Redondo Beach residents,
not just the builders and developers.
One location for the "Heart of the City" might be the Artesia Blvd. corridor, which is already a commercial zone. It could be redeveloped (west from the Galleria), in a manner similar to that Rosecrans Blvd. in Manhattan Beach, which has proven to be extremely successful.
Diane Granville
Redondo Beach
Heart of the story
Dear ER:
I wanted to say I think Quentin Haigh's article concerning the Mira Costa football
team's loss to Hart High School was very well written. My nephew Nick Haley
plays for Mira Costa, so I followed his team's football season very closely.
I always looked forward to Thursdays so I could read what Easy Reader and Hermosawave.net
had to say about the previous week's game. I think your website is wonderful.
Keep up the great work. I look forward to next year's coverage of the Bay League's
football season.
Joseph Merfalen
New York spirit
Dear ER:
I just got back from Ground Zero. I hadn't planned to go Ð I didn't even want
to go. But we had to attend a funeral in New York, and it seemed we should see
this spot to pay our respect to the people of New York City. I had anticipated
a terrible feeling of horror and evil and grief, and to my surprise, it was
the opposite. This spot, and this city, communicates a sense of strength and
courage that is infectious. Don't misunderstand Ð the wreckage itself and the
memorials that have sprung up around the site are very moving. But the New Yorkers
are doing what they have to do. The police and fire fighters and construction
workers smile at you and wave. People with briefcases and shopping bags hurry
by, with things to do, places to go. And you start to realize that if they can
return to their normal routines and get the job done, after what they have suffered,
then you certainly can do the same. I left the site feeling better than I have
at any time since the 9/11 attacks Ð we will endure.
If you want to know what you can do to help, you can go to New York. It will help them, and it will help you.
Kathy Tibone
Hermosa Beach
Orwellian attack
Dear ER:
As I wait for hours at LAX, being warned prior to search that any objects with
a sharp edge will be confiscated, "including tweezers," I can only
conclude that America is home of the wimps. Surely, travelers by now realize
the problems with docile acquiescence of their aircraft by thugs wielding knives,
(let alone tweezers). But judging by the absurd quest of airport security "to
make traveling absolutely safe," the American public has devolved into
spineless wonders. It's no wonder. The national hysteria about 17 cases of anthrax
is more a testament to the yuppie fear of germs than a credible threat. The
constant barrage of politicians warning of future terrorist activity has created
a run on parachutes, gas masks and other paranoid paraphernalia, even though
one is more likely to meet his or her fate on the freeway. The Post Master General
was recently lambasted by a generation of coddled Americans for suggesting that
"life has its risks."
The latest pronouncement by George W, "enemies will use liberty to attack liberty," to justify the erosion of certain rights suggests that Orwell was off by 17 years. If as polls suggest, Americans are willing to sacrifice liberties for the sake of safety, then despite what happens in Afghanistan, the terrorists have won. Thomas Jefferson warned, "Those who trade liberty for safety will eventually lose both."
Robert Benz
Hermosa Beach
LAX noise ongoing
Dear ER:
I am writing about the increased air traffic over homes in Manhattan and North
Hermosa. Since September 11, 2001 there are more, lower, and noisier planes
flying at all hours. On Oct. 29, the planes began at 5 a.m. and continued at
6:30, 6:35, 6:44, 6:47, 6:51, 6:53, 6:55, 6:59 (all before 7 a.m.). It didn't
stop there, it continued that morning at 7:17, 7:23, 7:26, 7:32, 7:37, 7:42,
7:46, 7:53, 7:57, etc. Now we come to Dec. 2: 11:23 p.m. and 11:54 p.m. December
3 flights continued in the morning at 12:02, 12:09, 12:11, 12:17, 12:34, 12:43
and continued all day. From 10:45-10:57 a.m., seven planes flew over our home
and yours.
The situation has gone from bad to worse since September 11.
Has there been a noise pollution study in the last year? Sometimes there are planes every five minutes. That's 12 planes an hour x 10 hours = 120 planes a day.
If you've noticed an increase in plane pollution and no longer feel safe in your home, call the LAX hotline at 646-6473 (a real person answers), or the FAA at 725-3638 (a tape), or call or write your representatives.
Mary Jane Topek
Hermosa Beach
Educated thanks
Dear ER:
I'd like to thank all the people who helped me out on my campaign for the Hermosa
Beach school board. Many people contributed both financially and with their
time in getting the word out on the issues facing Hermosa Beach schools, handing
out flyers or signs and talking to voters. I could not have done it without
you. Although I was unsuccessful in winning a seat on the board, I am glad that
the campaign for the election gave all the candidates the opportunity to discuss
the issues in several public forums and involve parents and students in the
process. I know we achieved one of the goals I set when I attended the most
recent board meeting and saw the large number of new parents. It is important
to have parent involvement in the process and I hope to see that continue. I
want to personally thank outgoing board members Mary Lou Weiss, Greg Kelsey
and Betsy Rubino for all the dedication and time they have given in the past.
You have all done a great job and put our students and our schools in an excellent
position. I also wish the best of luck to the new members and yes, I'll still
be there on Wednesday night participating in the monthly school board meetings.
Jim Hausle
Hermosa Beach
Injustice articulated
Dear ER:
For at least the 100th time, John A. Jackson has taken my scattered thoughts
and beliefs and masterfully put them into eloquent words ("Injustice for
all," ER Nov. 29, 2001). His last paragraph, "If you want to protect
freedom for yourself you cannot begin by stealing it from others" cuts
straight through mounds of rhetorical Bushit. There are also no truer words
when he writes (referring to George W. Bush) "Does he know that in purporting
to defend liberty he is dealing liberty a mortal blow."
Not only is Jackson one of the finest writers of our time, he's also a great patriot. We in the South Bay are lucky to have Shadow Government as a voice of reason during these disturbing times.
Dawn Clifton
Manhattan Beach
Timely justice
Dear ER:
I strongly disagree with John A. Jackson's Shadow Government column that criticized
the new courts (ER Nov. 22, 2001). I believe the military tribunal terrorist
courts being set up are a necessary part of our fight against terrorism and
efforts to regain safety and security in our country. I don't think the examples
Jackson cites mean very much in this new age where religious extremists are
obtaining weapons of mass destruction.
Most of the terrorist suspects are foreigners who have entered this country illegally with the intent to commit crimes of terrorism. Why should we think they should have the same rights as US citizens? Thankfully, there are a large number of suspected terrorists now in custody throughout the world. They all need to be tried and punished if guilty to prevent additional terrorist attacks. The US criminal court system cannot handle this urgent task in a reasonable amount of time. The new terrorist court system will avoid the need to hold suspects in jail for many months awaiting trial, and prevent suspected terrorists from being released to carryout more attacks like those on September 11, 2001.
Steve Patrick
Redondo Beach
Hill's downfall
Dear ER,
Regarding the enlightening cover story "Hearts of the City" (ER Nov.
11, 2001), particularly Redondo Mayor Greg Hill's obnoxious and telling attitude
towards the gate attendant at the King Harbor Marina -- who is he to skirt simple
rules designed to protect private and public property and the little amount
of parking that we residents of King Harbor pay for? Who is he to get an attitude
when someone doesn't recognize this two-bit, small town mayor? Good thing he
isn't a member of the state assembly or Congress. He would really have a problem
as there are plenty of gates and blocks to go through to get to "public"
places like all those state and federal buildings.
Apparently Mayor Hill hasn't visited any of the marinas in Redondo, say, for his entire term? If he had, he would not have been so "shocked" and upset by a parking gate or an attendant asking a simple and well-intentioned question. If he had ever bothered to come down, walk around, spend some time and meet the people who work and live in the marinas, he would find them extremely friendly, nice, helpful and concerned -- including, maybe most of all, Millie, the "gate guard". He'd also know that the public does have easy access to Moonstone Park. I know many people who have no problem driving out to the park every day. In fact, the gate attendants spend a lot of time helping people who are trying to find the pier or beach and they make Redondo look good.
Being that Mayor Hill appears completely unfamiliar with the area, he likely didn't mention anything about the lack of maintenance of Moonstone Park or the fact that his "Heart of the City" plans would completely obliterate the park. He probably didn't mention the "temporary" eyesore of a building used to house the "fire station" and Harbor Patrol office, the one at the end of a parking lot filled with speed bumps and people -- of course, we don't want to know how effective that "fire station" would be in the next earthquake in view of what happened during the Northridge quake. I could go on and on about the incompetence Mayor Hill showed in that single encounter and how much it speaks of his and the entire city staff's "almighty" and confrontational attitude Ð they surely don't act like public servants. Mayor Hill ought to publicly and personally apologize for his improper attitude towards Ms. McMullin. He also should stop evaluating city real estate plans until he evaluates and corrects the pervasive poor attitude that keeps people away from our city. Remember, Mr. Hill, direction and attitude start at the top and that is you in this city.
Stefan McDonald
Resident, King Harbor Marina, Redondo Beach
A Corporate Campus education
Dear ER:
I am the Senior Vice President responsible for Thomas Properties Group's El
Segundo Corporate Campus and a South Bay resident. I wanted to personally respond
to some of the lies and misinformation about the Corporate Campus that have
appeared in various paid advertisements in The Easy Reader over the last several
weeks.
I am proud to have worked with the City of El Segundo and many of its residents to create a plan for the Corporate Campus that meets a whole host of needs: including accommodating much needed soccer fields and providing a site for a new fire station, plus paying millions of dollars for traffic mitigation. Concurrently, we are creating a corporate campus setting that revitalizes an important piece of property on the eastside of Sepulveda Boulevard.
I am grateful that the El Segundo Planning Commission recognized these efforts and the merits of the Corporate Campus last week when they voted 5-0 to unanimously approve the El Segundo Corporate Campus. This important approval followed over a year of extensive public input - including three Planning Commission hearings - and an equally lengthy and exhaustive Environmental Impact Report review process.
Regretfully, instead of an honest dialogue - like the one that took place at last week's Planning Commission meeting - there is a campaign of misinformation underway. Funding that campaign is a New York Stock Exchange listed real estate investment trust that is headquartered in El Segundo. This Trust is worried about competition and is running ads in Easy Reader designed to scare residents.
Our competitor's lies and distortions - about gridlock, traffic, Proposition 65 and air quality - were extensively considered and thoroughly refuted at the Planning Commission meeting last week. The consensus was unanimously clear: The Corporate Campus is a safe project that will be a positive addition to El Segundo.
Allow me to address just three of our competitor's most outrageous claims.
Our competitor is trying to scare the public about the size of the Corporate Campus. The truth is, the Corporate Campus is no more dense than the Grand Avenue Corporate Center, which was approved by the City a few years ago. In fact, the Corporate Campus is at a significantly lower density than what current City zoning would allow. That is on purpose and by design through compromise and discussions with the community and City officials.
Our competitor is trying to scare people with traffic generation numbers. The truth is this project mitigates traffic beyond its fair share in that it provides mitigation even beyond the impacts of the project that the Planning Commission approved. Additionally, we have proposed sub-regional traffic mitigation, which is intended to improve traffic conditions throughout the South Bay. This sub-regional mitigation is not required of our project, but we want to go beyond what is required and set a higher standard.
Finally, our competitor's most recent advertisements suggest that the soccer fields at the Campus will not be a safe place to play. Extensive scientific studies prove that the soccer fields at the Corporate Campus are safe. I have three children and would not build soccer fields on land that would make kids sick.
Our competitor is using the state's Proposition 65 law as a scare tactic. As the City of El Segundo's own Planning Commission staff report stated, some El Segundo facilities, including parks, have Proposition 65 notices. Northrop Grumman Corporation, whose operations are at the center of this discussion, has reduced its emissions and today they are below levels that State law would require Northrop to issue a Proposition 65 notice for its operations. In the final analysis, there is not a real health risk for children playing soccer at the Campus and that's backed-up by experts that have testified before the City's Planning Commission.
There is a real irony here. Our competitor has Proposition 65 notices on the walls of their own corporate headquarters - which is only a few blocks from our Campus site. Clearly, this is a double standard.
Our competitor funds our opponents. This is not about "let's play safe." It's about not letting competitors like us play at all.
The real factor fostering our competitor's funding of the campaign against the Corporate Campus is not connected with gridlock or environmental protection. The real factor is the fear of competition. Our competitor wants to delay or defeat the Corporate Campus so they can maintain their dominance over El Segundo and this real estate market. Our competitor sees our project as a threat to their bottom line.
We see our project much differently. We have taken land that was going to be used to support LAX's growth and turned it into land that will be used for El Segundo's responsible growth.
I appreciate and value the input many El Segundo residents have provided me over the last year. It is this input that has helped shape the Corporate Campus and made it a project worthy of the Planning Commission's support.
Thomas S. Ricci
Senior Vice President
Thomas Properties Group, LLC