Planning family, need schools
Dear ER:
Born and raised in Manhattan Beach, I always knew I wanted to settle down in the South Bay. After attending college back East, that is exactly what I did. My husband and I bought a house in Hermosa Beach as soon as we got married and this is where I decided to establish my private practice.
Growing up with a mom who was a teacher and a dad who was a principal, education has always been a core value in our family. Looking back I realize how fortunate I was to grow up in a community where the public schools were some of the best in the area. My parents didn’t have to think twice about the quality of education that I was getting.
Now that my husband and I are about to start our own family, we want to ensure that our children, too, can get a good education. The only way to do that is to invest in our school system. By funding our schools, we are investing in our children’s lives. That is why we support Measure S. We don’t want to have to send our kids to private school in another city. We want them to have the opportunity to thrive academically in the same community in which they live.
Not only as a parent but also as a therapist, I know how critical good schools are for children’s healthy development. By supporting Measure S we are supporting the future well-being of the youth in our community.
Kelly Mothner
Hermosa Beach
Gossard a godsend as principal
Dear ER:
I recently learned of the passing of the beloved, former principal of Aviation High School Ted Gossard. He passed away on March 31. I attended Aviation High from 1964-1968. Gossard exemplified humility and class. He was not only a principal, he was a mentor, a confidant and friend who set an example for all the students he served. Even when you were sent to his office for disciplinary measures he was not derogatory. In fact, you came out feeling better about yourself, which made you improve yourself. It was not by coercion, but through kindness that Gossard got positive behavior from students. He was firm, but extremely fair. Gossard’s pedagogy resulted in students not wanting to disappoint him.
Gossard was extremely respected by students and faculty alike. He was always dressed as if he was going to appear in a fashion magazine. (I had a pair of banana yellow pants that I use to refer to as my Gossard pants.) In the 1960s, a Beatles haircut on guys was all the rage. He could persuade most of us to get a trim.
When I get to heaven, I am sure Gossard will be there suggesting that I get a trim in order to be presentable.
Louie Pastor
Aviation High School, Class of 1968
Manhattan
Hahn gave a hand
Dear ER:
I’m strongly endorsing Janice Hahn for County Supervisor in the June election. Why? Because as our Congresswoman in 2012, she was the first elected official in higher office to oppose a new power plant in Redondo Beach. That may seem like a no-brainer in 2016, but in 2012 it was anything but, and after giving the same pitch to many elected officials, Congresswoman Hahn was the only one who got it and was willing to go out on a limb to support us.
Not only was she able to correctly analyze the technical aspects of this issue and come to the right conclusion — that a new plant was not needed here — she had the guts and moral character to stare down her strongest political and financial supporters in industry and labor that had helped her win elections for years. She didn’t just say she would help when she was running, she actually did when she had the chance, and went against her supporters on our behalf. She put the health and welfare of the South Bay residents ahead of politics. That’s the kind of leader I want representing me.
As for her opponent in this important election, Steve Napolitano, he would not arrange an appointment with his boss, Supervisor Don Knabe, to simply discuss the prospects of another 50 years of smokestacks and pollution from a power plant in Redondo Beach. Neither of them ever weighed-in on one of the most important issues in our area.
If you want to support a candidate that walks the talk, vote for Janice Hahn for County Supervisor in the June primary.
Bill Brand
District 2 Council Member
Redondo Beach
Take to the field
Dear ER:
I have been sitting on the sidelines for a while now considering the arguments for and against the Redondo waterfront plans. I certainly understand the emotions on both sides. There are residents who want to keep things like they always have been and those who want a fresh start. Considering a generation or more has gone by without any improvements to the aging waterfront, I have come to the conclusion that we need to swiftly move ahead with the CenterCal plan.
Crumbling infrastructure: The pier parking structure is about at the end of its useful life and all you need to do is walk around it and you will see why. The $50 million dollar price tag to replace it is just the start. Other improvements bring the total to over $100 million. Refurbishment is not the answer. It’s crumbling before our eyes and needs to come down. The public/private partnership with CenterCal will solve most of this for Redondo Beach.
It’s not a mall, period: It’s being called a “Mall by the Sea.” With only 20 percent retail this is simply not true. In fact, the economic consultant hired by the city of Redondo Beach (John Robinett) confirmed this when he presented his findings to the City Council.
The time has come to act and act we must. Please show your support for this project and let’s embrace the fantastic revitalization of the historic Redondo Beach Waterfront.
Sincerely,
Bill Oberholzer
Best kind of partner
Dear ER:
I’m not ready to pay higher taxes. Multiple infrastructure surveys that have been conducted on our city clearly state that Redondo needs to undergo millions of dollars’ worth of waterfront infrastructure repair in the next few years. This means that if left to our own devices, we citizens of Redondo would need to pay for these extensive repair costs – through taxes, most likely.
This is why CenterCal’s Waterfront project is so crucial, not just for revitalizing our beloved waterfront, but for our pockets as well. This public-private partnership is the answer to the prayers that we never realized we had, until now. CenterCal will be financially responsible and our city will bear no financial burden from this project.
In addition to the future tax savings we will receive, our city is expected to gain $3 million in tax revenue, more than 2,500 jobs, and over $70 million in investment that will go towards the much-needed infrastructure repair. The Waterfront project is coming to the right place at the right time and I’m excited to see where it will take our beautiful city.
Autumn Brown
