City council silence
Dear ER:
The Hermosa City Council’s refusal to research, discuss & articulate a position prior to the culmination of a new final environmental impact report is a disservice to the community. City council members have access to staff, city managers, government regulatory agencies, city related documents and prior studies in order to render opinions and represent their constituents early in a complicated matter. Clearly, they are taking the less controversial, less proactive approach to the largest most dangerous project ever attempted by E&B Oil Drilling, a shell company in the form of an LLC with no assets and one million dollars worth of liability insurance. The principals of E&B have a long history of bankrupt companies on their resume as well. The Council is hiding behind this self-serving position of “no position, neutrality ” and waiting for a revised new Environmental Impact Report; they think a slick talking oil driller will get rid of the known and factual risks. In 1998, these same risks were thoroughly reviewed by the city council and this project was found to have too many health & safety risks to residents. The technology changes in oil drilling still remain basic and the risks have not changed, diminished, or gone away. E & B’s PR campaign would have you think otherwise.
The big difference now (versus 1998) is we have 5 city council members who want to put off positions and opinions so that the oil company can spend millions of dollars prior to the culmination of the EIR to hoodwink the public on public safety. The city council’s silence is an endorsement of the oil driller’s plans. Their waiting and lack of leadership hurts the community. Hermosa needs strong, opinionated, concerned residents to represent their interests on the City Council. I call upon all current Council members to tell us where they stand on oil drilling in our city now.
Michael Keegan, former Mayor
Hermosa Beach
Common sense and drilling
Dear ER:
A friend of mine suggested that I watch the city council meeting last week. He told me that, if we don’t pay attention, our city’s oil drilling ban in our little Green City may be reversed. WHAT? I thought this friend was scaring me into getting more involved in civic issues. I had read about the settlement and have seen the E&B Oil “Did You Know?” ads. Didn’t take it too seriously because people here value our city and wouldn’t risk it on something as crazy as this. Or would they?
I watched the city council meeting and was distressed by what I heard from some of our city council, especially from Mr. DiVirgilio. I hate to single him out — he has seemed like a nice guy in the past-but his rambling comments defending the City Council’s stance on neutrality on this issue made no sense. He negated that position by talking about “the project”, “best possible project”?? Hello, where’s the neutrality? Here’s the best project: NO PROJECT! The most horrifying part of this, to me, and my friends was his apparent ignorance of the project itself. He did not appear to know anything about it, but felt free to belittle those “who could have already found enough information to make up their mind.” (When referencing the size of the oil drilling rigs he seemed utterly confused.) Apparently he is waiting to get spoon fed some additional facts from E&B and for a completed EIR to “MITIGATE” the dangers.
I’ve spent the last week reading up on the project, the history of oil drilling in Hermosa, past projects, etc. Just getting my feet wet on this. There are volumes of factual materials that can be referenced if someone needs to venture beyond common sense in taking a position on this monster project. Common sense (NO Oil Drilling under our homes, our beach, our ocean) should seize the day!
M. Miller
Hermosa Beach
School board transparency
Dear ER:
At the joint Hermosa Beach City and School District meeting last week City Council members were given a presentation on the current state of district overcrowding and facility options. After the presentation, City Council member, Peter Tucker, gave his opinion regarding taxpayers voting down a bond offering in 2006. He, like many others, attributed the failure of the bond to taxpayers who are against improving the schools. This is an example of the type of misinformation that has been propagated and highlights a difference of opinion between those community members who require transparency and accountability from our School Board and those who do not.
These are some reasons why taxpayers may have voted against the last bond measure:
When spending previous bond Measure ‘J’ monies the district decided to make the 24th item, the gymnasium, from a list of 27 items on the ballot text, the priority over building classrooms (3rd and 17th items on the ballot) and acquiring property adjacent to school to expand existing facilities (23rd item on the ballot) among other items. Second, the district had just finished spending $13.6 million and was now asking for an additional $13.1 million more. No accounting was given as to how the additional request had been calculated. The description of the bond included two and one-half pages of “needs,” most of which were supposed to have been completed with the last bond, without priorities or costs associated with them.
I encourage everyone to pressure current School Board members to create the next bond request through a transparent and thorough decision-making process and include priorities and itemized cost estimates on items.
Miyo Prassas
Hermosa Beach
Concerned Redondo resident
Dear ER:
In reviewing Dawn Esser’s qualifications, I am concerned that she is not qualified to be our city’s treasurer. Is anyone else concerned?
She says she’s the most qualified candidate, yet her finance and city government experience seems weak. Her profile on Linked In states that she is currently a Traveling Notary Public and a Real Estate Property Manager / Investor. She states that she was the CFO of IMG Outdoors LLC for 11 years, but the records show that IMG is a home-based business with revenues of less than $300,000. Prior to that, she was a Loan Officer and an Assistant Vice President of a bank. (Isn’t every entry-level position in banking an Assistant Vice President?)
I want to elect a Treasurer for our City who is experienced in all the financial aspects of business (treasury, budgetary management, cost controls, internal financial controls, etc.), someone who is able to work with the City Manager and his staff, and who knows how to relate to City Council, the Mayor, City Attorney, and most of all, the voters.
I’m concerned that Dawn Esser does not have those qualifications. Who else shares my concerns?
Larry Rosolowski
CFO, Razor USA LLC
Redondo Beach
Fiesta Hermosa complaints
Dear ER:
How ironic that your Memorial Day Weekend photo collage includes a cute picture of Angele Golson with two cute dogs, one being held and another one in a chair on the beach in Hermosa. Dogs are not allowed on the beach! (Picture taken by Lukas Golson). Could some official contact them and let them know No Dogs on the Beach, so they can leave them at home the next time they visit?
Also, it was in extremely bad taste that the Chamber of Commerce rented a prime Fiesta Space at Hermosa and Pier Avenues to the adult business of the Hustler Casino in Gardena. This was inappropriate for the family-oriented Fiesta, which includes many children’s rides and a petting zoo nearby. Really sends the wrong message, especially with those red couches. Just like the St. Patty’s Day Parade with the adult pole dancers. This will not stop unless a bunch of people complain to the elected Council Members to make the Chamber stop.
Kathleen Midstokke
Hermosa Beach
Beef about Bobko
Dear ER:
At last week’s city council meeting in Hermosa Beach, Mayor/Councilman Bobko made a short speech about the meaning of Memorial Day. He stated that the public was confused about its meaning. Mr. Bobko is never shy about reminding residents of his service in the Air Force. Mr. Bobko stated that we should thank veterans like himself and those currently in uniform on this holiday in person with a hello and acknowledgment of their service. His speech was insulting to the real American heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their countrymen–their lives.
According to Wikipedia, “Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day; Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.” Memorial Day began as “Decoration Day.” In 1866, the city of Waterloo, New York held the first Decoration Day ceremony. In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a presidential proclamation naming Waterloo as the birthplace of Memorial Day. Flag pole owners should also observe proper flag etiquette on Memorial Day by hoisting and showing the flag at half-staff until noon.
I can only conclude Mr. Bobko’s speech was made in hopes to curry favor for his fall re-election campaign. Next time he proclaims that the public is confused, misguided and stupid, I hope he gets his facts straight. Mr. Bobko should apologize to the families of the fallen and the public for boasting about his vast knowledge of Memorial Day.
Frank Ogden
Manhattan Beach
