Letters 09/10/15

Fountainhead in Redondo

Dear ER:

It’s is a harrowing time when man must be reminded of his duty to uphold tradition.  I noticed that at least one other person has spoken up about the danger of allowing modern architecture on Pacific Coast Highway and Palos Verdes Drive (“Legado Redondo mixed-use project faces its end,” ER August 28, 2015)).  You sir are a hero. These things start with one deviation, but end with unwed mothers being cast out onto the street to fend for their children by whatever means necessary.

At one time, I felt it would be okay to allow an architect to introduce modern architecture to my neighborhood. I experienced a moment of weakness when I commissioned him for the purpose of building my home. His brashness corrupted the process so thoroughly that it nearly ruined my personal and professional life.

The steps we make as a society are not taken by one individual architect alone. We must recognize the grand scheme of things before we act. No one building should be erected without paying respect to the nuances of the ones around it. If a Mediterranean or Renaissance style is expected, do not deviate from the course.  I implore you.  If you have any sanity left, band together as a common populace and resist this abominable edifice before it consumes our fair town.

Gail Wynand

Editor-in-chief, The Banner

Stop sniping

Dear ER:

This letter is in response to Mike Simpson’s letter accusing members of our group, Manhattan Beach Neighbors for Responsible Development, of stealing yard signs from the pro-Gelson’s project folks’ yards (“Sniping at Gelson’s,” Letters, ER September 3, 2015). We wholly sympathize with Simpson’s complaint as we have had numerous of our Stop Gelson’s yard signs stolen, damaged and defaced. However, we believe in respecting the opinions of others and we prefer not to point fingers at our fellow residents. We understand there are differences of opinion and do not wish to stifle healthy debate. We are fighting to ensure that whatever project is developed on the Paragon-owned site at Sepulveda in between 6th and 8th streets adheres to our city’s codes and undertakes the process for an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to properly measure the impact on the surrounding neighborhood. If a project cannot be developed without huge code variances or a reasonable EIR, that project should not be completed as it would set a bad precedence for future developments. This is an issue that affects all residents of Manhattan Beach.

Eileen Neill

Manhattan Beach

Unintended consequence

Dear ER:

A clarification is in order (“New valet parking suspended in Manhattan Beach,” ER September 3, 2015). The new valet expansion plan did not start until Saturday, Aug. 1. Resident Bill Victor filed his appeal on Friday, July 3, the day before the expansion started. Victor did not give the new program a chance to operate before he made his complaint. Close to 500 cars were parked over the three day period that the new program operated. That is many more cars than what could have parked at parking meters during the time of operation. The expansion clearly increased access to the coast for locals, visitors, shoppers and diners alike.

Manhattan Beach Downtown Association

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Next up, policy change

Dear ER:

The actions taken by the Hermosa Beach police chief in response to the March 3 incident at the Standing Room amounts to an abuse of power (“Apology to the Hermosa Beach Community,” Letters, ER September 3, 2015). The police chief could have defused this situation with a few discussions with the police officer and the citizens involved but instead she chose to flex her muscles and threaten anyone who got in her way, including the Chamber of Commerce and [oil opponent] Chris Miller. This is not the kind of place we want Hermosa Beach to be. We cannot move on until we admit mistakes were made, apologies are made with policy changes set in place to prevent this from happening again. The city council can make this happen by changing policy and directing the city manager to implement changes to prevent this in the future. It does not matter how green or carbon neutral we are if we are afraid be around our local police.

Jim Hausle

Hermosa Beach

Recuse or retreat

Dear ER:

Regarding the FPCC citing (Redondo council members may face development vote recusal,” ER September 3, 2015), I can understand the concern about commercial property holdings. But ruling that Redondo Councilman Jeff Ginsberg’s personal residence is within three miles of the Pier is a conflict of interest? What about other projects throughout the city that may be within three miles of a council member’s personal (or other) real estate holdings? I wonder how that would work in Hermosa which isn’t three miles long in any direction.

Howie Silverman

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Smells smelly

Dear ER:

AES didn’t think it was them (“Redondo City Council demands answers from AES following natural gas discharge,” ER September 10, 2015)? They thought maybe it was the bike rental shop across the street or perhaps the snow cone stand that was releasing toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.

David Keane

Hermosa Beach

Small steps, big thinking

Dear ER:

The article understates the CenterCal Mall overdevelopment (Redondo council members may face development vote recusal,” ER September 3, 2015). It is a whopping, 525,000 sq. ft. of mall and hotel, plus a 300,000 sq. ft., three story parking structure at Beryl and Portofino Way. Folks have complained about the new Shade Hotel blocking harbor views. The CenterCal Mall will obliterate harbor and ocean views blocking over 80 percent of the existing views from Harbor Drive and its bike path, from Beryl south to the end of Harbor Drive.

Most of us support revitalization, but we are opposed turning the harbor into Marina Del Rey or Santa Monica. We can revitalize without overdevelopment. Revitalization is happening today without the massive overdevelopment and the traffic it would take to make it successful.

Jim Light

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Tasty Danish

Dear ER:

The best ice cream I’ve ever had was in Copenhagen Danish couple to open ice cream shop on Hermosa Avenue,” ER September 3, 2015). If they get that taste, they’ll be a huge hit.

Mary Ann Stokes

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Bing, Bing, Bing

Dear ER:

I had a truly great day being around all these fellow Bing Copeland fans (“Bing’s Surfboard reunion at Dive N’ Surf, ER September 3, 2015). What a humble and approachable legend, just as cool as you could ever imagine and really funny. Thanks to Dive N Surf for hosting, Mike McIntire for the amazing pics, Tom Moss for such great boards and his passion for everything Bing.

Ken Compton

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Classic thanks

Dear ER:

Thank you everyone: paddlers, organizers, and especially my friend, Buddy Bohn, who was instrumental in the dedication of this event to my beloved brother Mike Eaton, who suffered a stroke in January (“Mann wins bumpy 2015 Catalina Classic on tiller-less paddleboard,” ER September 3, 2015). Mahalo nui loa

Anny “Eaton” Medve

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