Kind old King of Swats
Dear ER:
I was fascinated with Pete Whalon’s story “King of Swats” (ER/Beach August 26, 2010). Irv Glushenko, “most feared” of all the swatters? That can’t possibly be the same sweet man who lives near my parents in Port Townsend. I was visiting last week when he shared the article with me. He gave me a sly grin when I asked him about it. Something tells me there are many more stories behind it.
Beth Langeslay
Redondo Beach
Wrong fire to fight
Dear ER:
I read with sadness, dismay and pity the article containing retired Hermosa Beach fire fighter Paul Hawkins’ accusations that Councilman Kit Bobko does not reside in Hermosa Beach. I have always had the highest respect for our firefighters and police officers and commend them for the jobs they perform in our city, especially in this challenging economic climate.
This time they have crossed the line into unprofessional and inappropriate behavior. If Hawkins’ objective was not political or to attack Bobko, then why didn’t he wait for the results of the city’s and D.A.’s investigation, one that they themselves requested? Why take it to the papers with such spite and venom? Paul Hawkins. Is he Hermosa’s new Roger Bacon?
I have always supported the firefighter’s association fundraisers and events, but won’t in the future, now that I know these funds are spent to harass our elected officials and file lawsuits against our city.
Hawkins claims Bobko has besmirched the firemen and policemen. As a resident and business owner in the city, I have never heard Bobko demean or smear these officers. He is simply in favor of a change to the pension program for future hires — a change supported by hundreds of residents and one that would have no effect on current retirees or those working on the force now. This would impact firemen, names and faces unknown, to be hired in the future. The change that would save the City of Hermosa Beach significant dollars that could be spent to address other needs and projects or fill vacancies in the police and fire department.
Hawkins himself has demonstrated in print an outrageous, mean-spirited smirching of Bobko. His arrogance and sense of superiority at describing the Councilman’s residence was petty and childish, especially his reference to it as a shack. I do not believe Bobko was elected because of his living situation, but rather his principals, beliefs and values. Values that include serving our country for 5 years in the United States Air Force.
It’s very sad that Hawkins, a recipient of the Sustained Superiority Award allowed himself to be manipulated by the union in this issue. I can’t wait to see the spin they put on the proof that Councilman Bobko does indeed live in Hermosa, when the proof comes from God, via his servants, St. Cross by the Sea, the owners of the property and Bobko’s landlords.
Carol Russell
Hermosa Beach
Ruling’s bottom line
Dear ER:
It is apparent that Ken Strouse (ER Letters, 26 August 2010) did not understand Judge Robert O’Brien’s ruling in the Build A Better Redondo lawsuit, or did not read the ruling reported by the various news media. The bottom line is that the City of Redondo Beach did not obey the law(s). Yes, I know that Redondo Beach has appealed Judge O’Brien’s ruling so we have to wait until the outcome of the appeal.
But this is not the first time that Redondo Beach did not adhere to the law. Remember the 2008 ruling by Judge Dzintra Janavs that a Redondo Beach ordinance clearly absolved AES/Williams from paying the utility user taxes. In the BBR lawsuit, Redondo Beach spent over $1.3 million. I may be wrong, but I do not recall Strouse objecting to the $1.3 million expended by Redondo Beach on the ill-fated lawsuit.
Redondo Beach needs more public servants like Councilman Band who would uphold the law rather than try to circumvent it. Apparently, Strouse is in agreement with City Hall that one should do anything possible to achieve the end goal even if means breaking the law.
George Ikeda
Redondo Beach
Same goal, different approach
Dear ER:
I agree with Shane Michael (ER Letters, September 2, 2010) that Redondo residents should send a message that we want to do something positive in and around our harbor. But I disagree that the Measure G zoning is that answer. Measure G zoning means the overdevelopment of our quaint harbor. And I think we can revitalize our harbor without further overdevelopment. Measure G caps harbor development at over 1,300,000 square feet, – 35 percent bigger than the Galleria Mall. By comparison, Dana Point Harbor (which is 66 percent larger than King Harbor) caps total development at just 375,000 square feet.
Measure G allows timeshares. Who wants timeshares in our harbor? The zoning allows three story developments in front of the Seaside Lagoon all the way north to Hermosa Beach. It allows two stories on the south end of the harbor. The zoning does nothing to protect views. It doesn’t even define what a view corridor is. We will lose our views of the harbor from Harbor Drive under Measure G. The zoning only requires a measly 10 percent open space. And the City’s own traffic studies show that this will create gridlock on all South Redondo traffic arteries — PCH, 190th, Torrance Blvd., and Catalina Ave. Marina del Rey’s harbor zoning requires 20 percent open views to the harbor, and it establishes a firm traffic cap to prevent gridlock.
When Marina del Rey’s harbor zoning is more restrictive than Redondo’s, I know our zoning is bad. Our harbor’s focus should be on boating, public recreation and open space -not waterfront malls and timeshares. Measure G represents more overdevelopment and gridlock not the vision I have for our harbor. Residents should vote “no” on G. Send the message to the Council to redo this zoning so that it is more balanced.
Robynn McCall
Redondo Beach
$50 ticket out of town
Dear ER:
I read with interest that the City of Hermosa Beach will extend parking meter enforcement hours until midnight every day (in the ER September 2, 2010). Recently my wife and children stopped in at Java Man in Hermosa on a Friday afternoon to buy a $2 cup of coffee and forgot to put money in the parking meter. When they came back to the car, there was a $50 parking ticket on the windshield, which seems a disproportionately severe punishment for the “crime.” For a city that purports to support the growth of its downtown businesses, the parking enforcement practices are extreme. From now on, I will be doing my local shopping exclusively where free parking is provided, not in downtown Hermosa.
Name withheld by request
Redondo Beach
It’s the beach
Dear ER:
All I can say to Joan Smith’s comment about Hermosa Beach’s concerts on the beach is, Pretentious much? (ER Letters August 26, 2010). Newsflash, Joan: you live in Hermosa Beach. This is a fun, young, beach city. People live here specifically because of that. There are plenty of other places to live where there are no beach concerts, traffic, or homeless people: move there. Until then stop complaining, get off your high horse, and let the energetic, diverse people who make this city what it is have a fun summer event without having to hear the griping and moaning from people like you.
Name withheld by request
Redondo Beach
