Tilting the table
Dear ER:
I am very much in favor of the new California law (Senate Bill 415) that would encourage more voter participation in elections and save the cost of the spring elections. The poor turnout in March elections in Manhattan Beach is really sad. This strange election date was implemented by former City Council persons and mayors because they knew the low turnout favored incumbents. Now former councilmembers again are seeking to control the elections by endorsing an option to shorten terms (“Past mayors urge council to shorten, not extend terms,” Letters to the Editor, ER July 7, 2016). Term reductions and an election in November 2016 would give incumbents an unfair advantage and discourage new candidates. The new law allows either term extensions or reductions. Term extensions make the most sense. Voters elected current council members to serve full terms and complete pending matters on the docket. It does not make sense to toss aside their knowledge and experience.
Janet Murphy
Manhattan Beach
Principal responsibility
Dear ER:
Some folks were disappointed with the principal reassignments in the Manhattan Beach school system for next year (“Manhattan Beach principal rotation put on hold,” ER June 16, 2016). Some advocated withholding pledges to the education foundation because of the impending reassignments. Having been a principal for 34 years and now a school leader coach, I know superintendents change principals because they believe they possess, as written by Gary Bloom in “Blended Coaching,” the necessary “interpersonal and communication skills, cultural proficiency, and emotional intelligence in effective school leadership” to meet the needs of another school. Furthermore, staff reassignments are personnel matters and are, therefore, confidential, regardless of what’s heard on the streets.
Tom Kaminski
Redondo Beach
Power perpetuates
Dear ER:
Why is Redondo Beach Mayor Steve Aspel the only person to decide who can serve on city commissions? The current system limits the city council to voting on members from a short list of candidates prepared by the mayor. The problem is he typically picks his friends from the Chamber of Commerce. These people are then appointed to the Planning, Budget, Harbor and Parks Commissions. So it’s no surprise they all just voted for the Waterfront CenterCal mall project. It’s the first thing listed on the Chamber website as a “top priority.”
This is a clear conflict of interest. The chamber funnels thousands of dollars from its PAC (and CenterCal) to Mayor Aspel and council members Horvath and Emdee.
When asked why Aspel won’t change this process he made up a reason that implies only people from the chamber care about the city. That almost sounds like a religious test for office. We have an inherently biased process. It only selects people who favor special interest, and not the best interest of the majority of the citizens of Redondo Beach. It’s time to change that.
Wayne Craig
Redondo Beach
Don’t litigate, mediate
Dear ER:
Thank you for your article about the mediation services provided by the South Bay Center for Dispute Resolution to our South Bay communities (“South Bay mediation clinic takes tiffs out of the courts to save time, money,” ER June 9, 2016). The Center provides trained mediators who work with people involved in disputes with neighbors, landlords, tenants, businesses and HOAs. The Center has contracts with Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance and Lawndale. There is no charge for the parties in these cities to use the Center’s services. The cost are covered by those contracts. Dispute resolution through mediation represents a far more efficient process at virtually no cost to residents and businesses in these contracting cities. It is far more convenient and confidential than litigation in the courts. If you have questions or concerns please call the Center at (310) 376-7007, visit the Center’s website at sbcdr.net, or check out the websites of the contracting cities.
Lance Widman
Executive Director
South Bay Center for Dispute Resolution
Mystical pier
Dear ER:
As a resident of Redondo Beach for 28 years, I am passionate about this beautiful city. I love our glorious waterfront and our charming beach community. In that spirit I opened a gift shop, Mystical Joy, on the International Boardwalk over five years ago. Being on the waterfront daily, I am keenly aware of its ongoing deterioration. The infrastructure needs more than a mere band-aid. I wholeheartedly welcome the CenterCal project. I believe this venture is not overbuilt, and is the correct formula for “getting it right,” as CenterCal CEO Fred Bruning has stated. This project is inspired both, aesthetically and commercially. I find it puzzling that the same folks who protest and speculate about the rising rents of the small businesses don’t patronize us now. The majority of locals don’t venture down to the Waterfront or the Boardwalk because of the run-down, dilapidated ambience. In contrast, the new public Marketplace, the boutique hotel, the specialty movie theater, along with the other attractions will upgrade the waterfront and keep it thriving, not only in the summer, but also in the off-season and on rainy days for generations to come. In addition, the 11 acres of open-space with water sculptures and landscaped parks will beautify the area. The enhancement of the natural Seaside Lagoon will bring year-round enjoyment to the residents of Redondo Beach and its visitors.Kindest regards,
Joy Corradetti
Redondo Beach
Skeptic sold
Dear ER:
When I first heard about the proposed waterfront project, I understood why some were skeptical. Redondo Beach is my home and the last thing I wanted was for some big company to change everything. But then I saw the care that is being taken by CenterCal. Through countless meetings with community members, they have put together a comprehensive plan to overhaul the waterfront area and create a refreshed destination for locals and visitors to enjoy. Community input is the most important aspect of this project to me and CenterCal has done a great job with it. In addition, the care CenterCal is putting into the environmental aspect is inspiring. This project will greatly reduce the parking footprint – freeing up a parking lot currently taking up precious waterfront opportunity – and open up the coastline to 100 percent accessibility. We need to ensure this project comes to fruition. I know it is going to bring a new era to our amazing town.
Steve Goldstein
Redondo Beach
Waterfront attraction
Dear ER:
I have been living in Redondo Beach for 49 years. One of the features that attracted me to Redondo was the waterfront, but unfortunately I don’t visit it as much as I’d like to, and I know my neighbors don’t either. It’s in need of a facelift — not just to improve the crumbling infrastructure, but to make it a destination again for Redondo residents. I truly believe that CenterCal’s proposed project is the answer. CenterCal is planning to invest $300 million to improve the pier area with Tony’s, rebuild the parking structure that is falling apart and redo the sportfishing pier. And on top of that. adding nearly 1,000 feet of accessible shoreline, creating 11 acres of open space to replace blacktop parking lots and making the coast 100 percent accessible. I truly look forward to how much time I’ll be spending at the Redondo waterfront area once the project is completed.
Claudine Garcia
Redondo Beach
