All dogs bite
Dear ER:
I agree with Rhett Broderick [Letters, 3/1] that the fine for walking an off-leash dog inManhattan Beachshould be less than $400 if he will agree that all dog owners will always keep their dogs on leashes. I am a resident of the Sand Dune Park area, a few yards from where he was cited. I see many off-leash dogs, whose aggressiveness (or “friendliness,” as owners put it) threatens my frolicking grandchildren. You don’t have to believe, as I do, that all dogs bite (though some have not yet bitten) to support strong enforcement of laws controlling these potential menaces.
Bart Mills
Manhattan Beach
BP of Hermosa?
Dear ER:
Hermosa Beach may be facing the most critical public vote of our lifetime. It is now more important than ever for Hermosa residents to stand united and fight a big oil business proposal that could threaten the livelihood of everyone in the community.
Does Hermosa Beach want to take the risk of an oil company possibly destroying our beaches or jeopardizing the safety of our lives? E&B Oil has zero proof that their slant drilling will not change the landscape or natural ocean seepage already there. E&B Oil has zero proof that they can prevent dangerous gases from leaking or a British Petroleum-like explosion. All of these risks are on the table and it’s up to us to fight back and vote no. It’s not about money and we don’t need their pandering.
Do you remember the Hermosa Beach3.7 earthquakes we had in early June of 2010. Did you happen take notice of how much natural oil seepage came up out of from the ocean after these small earthquakes. Almost everyone in the paddling and surfing community noticed it. I won’t forget it because it was too coincidental to BP at the time. There was oil everywhere in the water and on the beach for weeks after the quake. It was disgusting to be in the water and there was tar all over the beaches. We all think the earthquakes are caused by natural causes, but let I remind you of something that happened just a few weeks before inTexasoffshore . . .
The South Bay earth quake map showed the quake in June of 2010 centered 2 miles off shore right where there is a huge natural oil seepage area. Every ocean paddler in theSouthBayknows exactly where this spot is. Right off the break wall 2 miles out and the oil is always there. This is the same oil that washes onto shore, occasionally forming tar that sticks to your feet. Oil naturally seeps from the ocean everyday at this spot and there is a huge slick of oil on the surface each time you paddle out to the area. Some days its larger than others and sometimes it’s a few football fields wide and other days it can cover most of the South Bay. The oil slick size is highly dependent on weather and, I think, on the small earthquakes in So Cal.
Even more coincidentally, the Hermosa 3.7 earthquake was just a few weeks after the BP oil explosion inTexasin May of 2010. The earthquake spot was right on top of the oil slick. I believe everything underground is interconnected and slant drilling will stir up much more earthquakes, tar and natural oil seepage in the South Bay. It’s not just about Hermosa Beach, so this should concern the entire South Bay, including Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes and Torrance.
E&B oil is going to try and spend $1M on a PR campaign by wining and dining the city in order to convinceHermosa Beach citizens that drilling is good for our pocketbooks. We don’t need their money or want their help. Stop the corruption of business into our local politics before it starts and before the vote.
I don’t want to breath it, hear it, or see more oil or tar on the beach. Most importantly, I don’t want to risk the health of my family and friends with a BP like explosion in my front yard.
All Hermosa citizens need to pack the house for the March 13 City Council meeting. I want to know which city council member is voting yes or no today. We need to know who is for or against the drilling today. War has been declared on the residents.
Jeff Cohn
Web comment
Power plant pollution
Dear ER:
With great sadness and concern I attended the opening of the multi-million dollar Sports Pavilion at Redondo Union High School. How can the Redondo Beach City Council and the Redondo Beach School District celebrate the completion of the new sports facility in a haze of air pollution? If AES is allowed to build the new power plant, the poor air quality will make it unhealthy for RUHS students, visiting athletes and theSouthBayswim teams to utilize this beautiful facility. The increase in air pollution will render the expensive new sports pavilion useless. Has our Bond money been wasted? The inconsistency in claiming to value a high quality of life in theRedondo Beachwhile silently supporting AES by lack of opposition is astounding! Citizens, please demand clean air by attending the April 10 City Council meeting.
Lori Zaremski
Web comment
Healthy ideas
Dear Editor:
Surely all are applauding Hermosa Beach’s act to ban smoking in our clean town. Since the new city council is so concerned with the health of the residents, I have no choice but to point out an obvious recent error: the banning of parking on Valley near the Hermosa Valley School.
Since I live near the area, I am well aware of the traffic congestion that has grown in the last few years along this stretch of Valley. The exhaust fumes are horrendous; even my dogs hack up if I happen to take them towards the green belt during peak periods of the SUV’s jammed along Valley to drop a child off in the morning, or pick one up in the afternoon! I cannot tell you how many times, I have just turned around and gone back home when early dismal has surprised the dogs and when I was expecting a healthy walk!
In the interest of the health of residents who live near the schools, and especially for the children themselves, I propose the council ban gasoline-powered vehicles from dropping off and picking up children for school, except in inclement weather. As our town is noted for being one-square mile in size, no one will have a particularly long walk, and think of the wonderful health benefits to our children and the parent or nanny that walks them to and from school! [It’s] an invigorating lesson that can be carried into developing in these youngsters healthy adult habits. Children who already do walk to and from school will benefit the most.
I’m sure with your extreme concern for the health and general welfare of residents, you can realize how beneficial this would be, besides ending the school traffic jam. And, as the parking spots along Valley can be reopened as “new” spots, they can be a prime target for more parking meters and additional income for the city. Legislation such as I have proposed, would be nothing but a win-win for the city and our young residents.
And, because you are so concerned with health, we must really do something about the dress code along the beach. Exposure to the sun is the leading cause of skin cancer. Skin cancer is the cause of 75% of ALL cancer deaths! Over 2 million new cases are diagnosed each year. In the interest of general welfare, I can not see how the Hermosa City Council can continue to allow the mass exposure of skin exposed to the dangerous sun in our safe and healthy town. I was surprised this cancer issue was not the first addressed by the city council, as the sun is ten times more likely to kill residents over second-hand cigarette smoke!
Once you have addressed the more important above issues, I have many more ideas for howHermosa Beachgovernment can ensure the safety and health of its residents.
Laura See
Hermosa Beach
And then there’s one
Dear ER:
I have to wonder about the [2/16 Whom cares] letter. Mr. Hallahan has an issue with Who/Whom, and rightly so, and Mr. Gee writes a comment, and he doesn’t know that “there’s” is an improper use of “there is (singular) and “there are” (plural).
In defense of Mr. Gee, it seems that all TV anchors, all News networks, all Sportscasters are using the same expression, “there’s” as a plural. English teachers across the land must be screaming.
Dwight Lewis
Web comment
No-action express
Dear ER:
If you watched Redondo Council’s debate last month on the rebuilding of the AES power plant, you witnessed our elected officials making much ado about doing nothing.
Ten full months after AES submitted their written plan to replace the power plant, our City Council has refused to take a position or even hear from an independent power consultant who has confirmed what state report after report shows…that the Redondo power plant is no longer needed.
The Council feigns progress. After 10 months they just now voted to invite state agencies to an April meeting to finally educate our Council on the power permitting process. Meanwhile AES marches forward with its permitting and contract actions.
Whether inefficiency, ineptitude or malfeasance is the root of this City ruse of progress, the end result is the same. No action means we get a new power plant. The clock is ticking. It is now or never.
If the Council refuses to act, residents’ only recourse is a ballot rezoning initiative. Concerned residents can find out more information and donate at www.nopowerplant.com.
Jim Light
Redondo Beach
Up in smoke
Dear ER:
Kudos to Hermosa Beach City Council for protecting public health and going “smoke free outdoors.” Now only if Redondo would follow suit. And we’re supposed to be a “vitality city?” Well, most of us here are indeed into our health and don’t appreciate people smoking when we are trying to eat our breakfast outdoors in Riviera Village. Almost every weekend my husband and I take our little dog and walk down extraterritoriality breakfast. Sophie’s was our choice last Sunday. The entire time we were there, an older man right next to us was smoking. Yes, we were outdoors on the sidewalk. We still had to endure the smoke. I have chronic allergies and asthma (never leave home without the inhaler and Advair). Mind you, there were about 15 patrons outside dining and he was the only one smoking.
Why should all of us have to breathe his cigarette smoke when we’re dining? In this day and age, why is this still acceptable? Even when you’re inside Hennessey’s or Mickey Finnz and people are smoking outside, the smoke just blows right inside through the open windows. I was in Palm Springs Last month and there was a sign on the front of a restaurant that read, “No smoking within 25 feet of this building.” They clearly get it. So, sadly, until Redondo gets it, my husband and I will be taking our business, and our dog, to Hermosa Beach for smoke-free al fresco dining. Thank you, Hermosa.
Kelly Charles
Redondo Beach
AES Healthy forSouthBay?
Dear ER:
We all know the AES power plant in Redondo hurts our views and property values, but what about our health? While scientists and researchers continue to learn more about the harmful effects of power plant emissions, AES continues to move forward with plans to remodel their plant which will create even more toxic pollutants on a daily basis. Sure, shorter smoke stacks might improve aesthetics, but they will also decrease dispersion and increase the density of particulates spread over the local residents of Hermosa and Redondo. By how far and how much?
Our elected officials don’t want to answer those questions. Much like Beach Cities Health District, our local school boards and PTAs, local health clubs and employers, they all seem perfectly happy with the status quo. If you care about your health, or that of your parents or children who are most at risk, get more information at www. NoPower Plant.com. Then contact your mayor and local councilmember and ask them what they plan to do to protect your health and your investment in beach property. Apathy won’t cure asthma, cancer, heart nor lung disease, but your action can help prevent it.
Dan Buck
Web comment
Lenten diet
Dear ER:
February 22 marked the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period preceding Easter, a time when Christians would abstain from meat and dairy products in remembrance of Jesus’ 40 days of reflection before launching his ministry.
Devout Christians who still observe meatless Lent help reduce chronic diseases, environmental degradation, and animal abuse. In the past four decades, dozens of medical reports have linked consumption of animal products with elevated risk of heart failure, stroke, cancer, and other killer diseases. A 2007 U.N. report named meat production as the largest source of greenhouse gases and water pollution. Undercover investigations have documented animals being raised for food under abject conditions of caging, crowding, deprivation, drugging, mutilation, and manhandling.
Lent offers a superb opportunity to honor Jesus’ powerful message of compassion and love for all living beings. Also, to stop subsidizing disease, devastation, and cruelty, and to choose a wholesome, nonviolent diet of vegetables, fruits, and grains and a vast array of meat and dairy alternatives. It’s a diet mandated in Genesis and observed in the Garden of Eden.
Entering “vegetarian lent” in your favorite search engine provides ample tips and recipes.
Jack Matler
Hermosa Beach
Deja Vu
Dear ER:
Bondo’s journeys through space (Jan. 26 Vol. 42-No.26) was so descriptive, luring us to examine in person Catherine Tirrr’s work. Her abstract paintings are like walled documents announcing to the viewer nature’s orderly events, further encouraging the viewer to enter from a deja vu viewpoint, their own personal recall with nature. For myself, the precarious rush of an un-negotiable avalanche, its snow as endless as finely powdered gossamer bouquets bellowing with unfathomable force during an otherwise sunny afternoon, its rays softly skidding in with my body through millions of crystals reflecting fugitive shades of frozen color, while I think my last inevitable thought as the avalanche packs me into its unescapable snare — “is this it?”
This show of marvelous work will end March 8th, for those who have not yet seen these imaginative works.
Chuck Meyer
Torrance
Heart of Hermosa
Dear ER:
Regarding Brad Commiso’s assertions, I cannot disagree more. “Finding meaningful solutions” is nearly impossible when you have no real control of the conditions governing the situation. In the last 3 years the State ofCaliforniahas reduced its investment in K-12 education by $9 Billion (16%), yet we still believe education should function. We don’t have fewer kids, we have more. We don’t have less maintenance, we have more. And then there is government’s fixation with mandated programs, which it does not fund, that takes what $$’s we do have away from existing programs and increases costs in the process. What sense does that make? Education is not a self-sustaining business, as you seem to believe it should be. In fact, it is not a “Business” at all.
No business could survive under the conditions that our schools must operate under. Many of the regulations are arcane and ludicrous. You have no control of your income, yet you are expected to budget and plan your operation on projected funds you will not receive until the following year — maybe! And you are still expected to perform better than you did the year before.
And, let’s not forget what the school district means to the quality of life in Hermosa. In many ways it is the heart of Hermosa. Most of our citizens grew up and went to Hermosa schools. The vast majority of families who move here do so because of our schools. And, if you are a homeowner, on average, you can attribute $233,000 of your property’s value directly to our Hermosa schools (Project Forward Report). Think about it — no schools,
say goodbye more than a $¼ million — makes for an interesting trade off: $35 per year versus a $233,000 loss.
A parcel tax is the only long-term reliable source of income available to our schools.
But, I do agree that a $65K expenditure is a waste. I say put it to a vote of the people. Provide them with valid information and let them decide.
And, Mr. Commiso, “Education is never worthless.”
Joe Mark
Hermosa Beach
Wildly inaccurate
Dear ER:
Brad Commiso’s letter of Feb. 23 expresses what many inHermosa Beachprobably feel regarding the parcel tax proposed by the School Board, and his opinion should be taken seriously. However, his assessment and description of the process undertaken by the School Board as well as his understanding of the very nature of theSchool Districtitself is wildly inaccurate.
Commiso is upset that his voice was not heard during the School Board’s presentation on the parcel tax issue. What he seems to be unaware of is that the School Board set up a Strategic Planning Committee, which held several public meetings with much discussion and public comment on this and other issues. The committee undertook research on a number of possible solutions, including unification with another school district, charter school status, a parcel tax and, in an extreme case, letting the state board of education take over our school district. The committee members represented a broad range of Hermosa parents, former City Council members and former and current School Board members. They were easily accessible at these meetings as well as around town, and I, for one, found it quite easy to talk with several of them. They were receptive and interested in what I had to say.
Commiso also does not seem to be aware of the nature of the school district itself. The Hermosa Beach School District is not an extension of the City Hermosa Beach, nor is it a revenue generating business. Neither is the School District funded locally. It is funded on a state level. As such, the District is an extension of the State, and the School Board’s power regarding school funding lies in deciding how to spend the money it is allocated by the State. In other words, money management, a task that is made all the more challenging by the Byzantine and capricious nature of the process of funding schools that takes place in California. The State’s process makes the funding of our schools an ever moving target and a distressing prospect. In just one example, pink slips are issued to teachers not just in Hermosa but across the state every year because, every year, the school boards must wait months after they have submitted budgets (which they are required to do by law) to find out how much money the State is going to give them for that year. It’s a bit like grocery shopping and not knowing how much will be in your wallet when you reach the check-out. This is not because the School Board is irresponsible or lacks entrepreneurial vision; it is because education funding in the State of California, to put it mildly, a disaster.
In proposing the parcel tax, theSchool Districtis seeking a way to stabilize the district’s funding. They are seeking to create a reliable and predictable source of funds that can be used to cushion the instability of State funding. The parcel tax, while a tough pill to swallow, is truly the only realistic option to do that. What happens to Hermosa Beach and things like property values for everyone if the schools fail is a subject for another letter.
Commiso also wants to know why no one is talking about independence. In fact it has been talked about and while it may be desirable, it is not realistic. Independence would require either a change of property tax law in California or a massive business tax base thatHermosa Beachsimply does not have. It is not an unrealistic option — it is an option that is unrealistic in the same way thatHermosa Beachlaunching its own space program is unrealistic.
I whole-heartedly agree that we do not like paying into bottomless pits and ourSchool Districtshould be swimming in money. We do, however, choose to live inCaliforniaand while we do, those issues will not go away any time soon. The School Board is trying to do the best they can with a very difficult situation. Spirited debate is essential in this process, but this process is far too important to our children to do it without truly understanding the situation.
Matt Schaub
Web comment
