Letters to the Editor 7-27-17

Creepy globalism

Dear ER:

This seems to be part of the process known as creeping globalism (“Hermosa Beach City Council digs into nitty-gritty of General Plan provisions,” ER July 13, 2017). Radical environmentalists trick a city into adopting the progressive agenda of sustainable development, one principle at a time.

Tracy Hopkins

Hermosa Beach

 

Life on a string

Dear ER:

“Alan Cook: A puppet collector’s Odyssey,” is a stunningly beautiful book with large, page-size photographs (Hermosa author recounts life of puppeteer Alan Cook,” ER July 13, 2017). It’s easy reading and tells how Cook began his interest in puppetry and made friends with major puppeteers of the Twentieth Century. It’s a book that puppet enthusiast must have in their collection. Once I brought my book home from Sunday’s book signing in Hermosa Beach, I couldn’t put it down until I read it cover to cover.

Charles Taylor

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Hometown home

Dear ER:

This was one of the most beautiful articles I have ever read (“Homeless in Manhattan,” ER July 20, 2017). I lived in Manhattan Beach for a few years in the ‘70s and have visited since many times. Something must have lead me to this story because Easy Reader is not something I often read. I am richer for whatever serendipity called to me. What a rich, soulful writer and heart and what a wonderful tribute to a wonderful father.

Laura Parmelee

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Empty chair leaves void

Dear ER:

I’m sorry that Friend’s Empty Chair Memorial Ceremony has been cancelled, going forward (“Friend’s ‘Empty Chair’ memorial ceremonies come to an end,” ER July 6, 2017). As a New Yorker, I lived through the horrific 9-11 tragedy in my amazing, diverse hometown. As a transplant to Redondo Beach, I was grateful to have a local spot where I might reflect on 9-11 during last year’s 15th anniversary. I’m apparently one of the people who caused the divisiveness at this event. I felt compelled to speak out that night against the hateful thoughts I heard expressed. Hatred is what caused 9-11 in the first place. It’s incredibly sad to see that horrible emotion continue its destructive trek across our world, our country, and our community.

Amy Josefek

Redondo Beach

 

Lawsuit litany

Dear ER:

Redondo beach residents Chris Voisey and Arnette Travis recently filed a personal lawsuit against several Redondo councilmen and members of the community (“Lawsuit accuses Brand and Nehrenheim of coordinating with PAC,” ER July 13, 2017). The lawsuit takes the unusual step of mirroring a Fair Political Practices Commission complaint earlier this year. The normal procedure is to let the investigation run its course. Not for these two. These two Ministers of Propaganda for Waterfront developer CenterCal and their affiliated organizations are attempting to undermine well enshrined institutions in our democracy.  A regulator taking too long to investigate claims? File a lawsuit personally against your neighbors. Lose 80 percent of the races run in the last election? File a lawsuit against your opponents. Blame the voters for falling for “false statements” made during the campaign despite your cohorts in the election spending tons of money but failing to sway votes. Have the Coastal Commission vacate permits and find Substantial Issues with your project? “That didn’t happen” More propaganda from the minions. Now this lawsuit and the lackluster attempts by Voisey and Travis to claim this is an independent act of community duty. Lord Haw Haw would be proud. This is an obvious attempt to remove opposition to the CenterCal project. Why do these Ministers of Propaganda feel these efforts are fooling anyone? Simply this, an erosion of our democracy in the form of a big developer and their surrogates putting financial pressure on neighbors who have the nerve to disagree with them. Can’t convince voters so sue? Very Machiavellian.

Eugene J Solomon

Redondo Beach

 

SLAPP across the waterfront

Dear ER:

The Chris Voisey and Arnette Travis (“Lawsuit accuses Brand and Nehrenheim of coordinating with PAC,” ER July 13, 2017) SLAPP suit (Strategic lawsuit against public participation) (let’s call it what it really is) only makes sense to people who: 1. Don’t understand the law, 2. Don’t understand FPPC requirements, 3. Cannot read and comprehend campaign filings, 4. Seek to overturn the law because they don’t agree with it, 5. Are extremely bitter and cannot accept defeat, 6. Desire to cause financial harm to people smarter and more credible than them, 7. Attempt to smear and denigrate their opposition, and 8. Support a deep-pockets mall developer despite the overwhelming majority of voters who don’t, and ousted elected officials who did.

Lezlie Campeggi

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Enough’s not enough

Dear ER:

Chris Voisey and Arnette Travis, the self-proclaimed voices of CenterCal, use CenterCal’s attorneys to file a lawsuit against individuals and claim the action is there own (“Lawsuit accuses Brand and Nehrenheim of coordinating with PAC,” ER July 13, 2017). The FPPC is already looking into the allegations. But that wasn’t enough. CenterCal wants to intimidate by escalating to directly suing individuals before the FPPC is even done. CenterCal has shown its true colors. They would rather intimidate and bully than compromise after its devastating and overwhelming loss in its fight against Measure C and the candidates who supported it during last March’s elections.

Jim Light

Redondo Beach

 

“Eddie” classics

Dear ER:

ET Surf Shop owner Eddie Talbot always made you feel like a best friend (“ET Surf Celebrates 45 years of Stoking So. Bay Surfers, Skaters,” EasyReaderNews.com). During the early years Eddie sold Greg Noll boards and earned a $3 commission for each sale. He surfed and walked the beach for clients and sales. Everyone knew him. There was a time when he was so broke, that he asked to rent my kids playhouse for $25 a month. My wife said, “No way.” Could not talk her out of it, so I made the playhouse into a shaping and glassing room for my early boards. Eddie was always there to give me the best deals on materials. He was tenacious. I knew he would become successful and love the man to this day for all he did for me and the surf industry. I spent hours in the water with Eddie and will never forget his hippity hop surfing style that kept me smiling. We need to continue sharing “Eddie” stories, of which there are many classic ones. Thanks Mike Purpus for your ET history and God bless Eddie for sticking to his dreams and doing it “his way.”

Doug Lafond

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The only one

Dear ER:

My mom and dad took me to E.T. Surf when I was 5-years-old (“ET Surf Celebrates 45 years of Stoking So. Bay Surfers, Skaters,” EasyReaderNews.com). It’s the only surf shop I have ever gone to. And now my kids only go to E.T. Surf.

Robert McCann

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Magic memories

Dear ER:

I bought my first surfboards at E.T. in the early ‘70s (“ET Surf Celebrates 45 years of Stoking So. Bay Surfers, Skaters,” EasyReaderNews.com). My first custom board was shaped by Pat “Gumby” Ryan. It turned out to be one of those magic boards you never forget. ET owner Eddie Talbot made a grom feel he was your best friend. And  maybe he was. Dennis Jarvis sold me resin in the early ‘80s and told me how to laminate. That shop was always bursting at the seams with genuine stoke. Even on days when the waves were small and shapeless, you walked into ET and knew you were damn lucky to be a surfer. Mahalo Eddie.

Eric Pederson

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PV style

Dear ER:

As a PV local I had Eddie Talbot and Pat Ryan make my boards with no decals (“ET Surf Celebrates 45 years of Stoking So. Bay Surfers, Skaters,” EasyReaderNews.com). Eddie was just awesome to work with. If you did not like the ride, Eddie would just make it right. Congrats to Eddie for being a good person and writer Mike Purpus for the back story.

Tracy Ann

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Legend by legend

Dear ER:

Great article by the legend Mike Purpus about the legendary ET Surf Shop (“ET Surf Celebrates 45 years of Stoking So. Bay Surfers, Skaters,” EasyReaderNews.com). My first store-bought skateboard was an ET Ripstick. ET has always taken great care of the soul of surfing in the South Bay

Marcus Fender

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