Letters to the Editor 1-22-26

On course

Dear ER:

I guess I just have to say it. Hermosa Beach has finally defined City Yard milestones and signed a consultant contract that makes sense. Yes, it’s just a high level boilerplate but it is enough  to put some accountability into the process. Clearly it’s City Manager Steve Napolitano, Councilman Michael Keegan’s involvement and Public Works Director Joe SanClemente and staff who were finally given the City Manager and Council support and direction needed to get this project off the dime. After seven years of fumbling around, after seven years of Council gum-flapping and jawboning, the City finally made substantial progress on the City Yard project at the January 13 City Council Meeting. For all the naysayers (including me), after seven years of poor leadership the City Yard project seems to finally be on course and there is reason for hope. 

Tony Higgins

Hermosa Beach

Feeling good

Dear ER:

Mayor Rob Saemann’s State of the City address last Thursday, January 15, was a memorable event. The newly renovated Clark Building was packed with hundreds of Hermosa residents, including nine former mayors, city staff and elected guests from neighboring cities. All were there to celebrate our “Little Beach Town.” I ran into city council members Dean Francois and Michael Keegan and chatted with our new city manager Steve Napolitano. I kept looking for council members Ray Jackson and Mike Detoy, but they were nowhere to be found. Why weren’t they there? Surely they could have made time to celebrate this important occasion, especially during Hermosa’s 119th birthday week. Active engagement from all council members strengthens our community and fosters civic pride. I left that gathering feeling good about the city, its past, present and future. Thank you Mayor Saemann for your presentation and continued leadership.

Michele Hampton

Hermosa Beach

Thankful toy drive

Dear ER: 

On behalf of the Beach Cities Toy Drive Committee, I want to thank everyone who helped at our December 20 wrapping party.  Our yearly wrapping party — which alternates annually between Hermosa and Manhattan – was in Manhattan Beach this year – with an amazing turnout. We wrapped a significant number of gifts for underprivileged children in LA County. The partnerships we’ve maintained with the respective cities’ fire and police departments allowed us to collect over 4,000 toys this year, an all time record. Another growing source of toys: Jeremy Buck’s “Rock for Tots” concert – donating all proceeds for this event, an amazing feat. The Hermosa Cyclery donated 30 or so new bicycles. This amazing bike shop down by the Pier Plaza is extraordinarily generous every year. Greg Tucker generously sent us toys from his packaging company. A wonderful lunch was also bestowed upon the hard working wrappers from local participating restaurants. Big shout out to: Baja Sharkeez, Palmilla, Tower 12, Frito Misto, Paisanos, American Junkie, Patrick Molloy’s, Eat at Joes, Tiki Kai, Hennesey’s Tavern, Café Bonaparte, Gum Tree, and Good Stuff. Sponsoring organizations for this event include Lanakila Outrigger Canoe Club, Jol Design, The Hanger, South Bay Boardriders Club, 11 Bars of Christmas, Athens Services, and the Bay Cities Container. We are so appreciative of all donations. The victory of our success is only measured by your charitable donations. Next year our wrapping party rotates back to Hermosa Beach for another great day of giving. See you there   

Sam Y. Edgerton

Hermosa Beach

100 years of community

Dear ER:

Thank you to everyone who attended last weekend’s unveiling of the new and revised Hermosa Beach Centennial Mural. After keeping this project under wraps for the past year, we are extremely thankful to the City of Hermosa Beach and the residents and visitors who inspired the effort to bring this new version to life. A special thank you goes to the amazing artist, Dawn Whitney-Hall, who brought this vision into reality for the public to enjoy. Navigating the challenges of completing this project was a true testament to what we can achieve through a shared commitment. Over 20 years ago, with permission from the former owner of the Mermaid property, Quentin “Boots” Thelen, the first Centennial mural was added to one of the oldest brick buildings in town. It was originally painted on panels so the art could be preserved if the building is ever lost. After 18 years of weathering, we decided to repaint the mural, which provided a wonderful opportunity to include several elements overlooked in the 2007 original.

We also want to recognize the countless community members who over the last 119 years have made Hermosa Beach the beautiful place it is today. We are forever grateful to share in the legacy of this one-square-mile beach community. Please be patient with us over the next few months as we develop our website, hermosamural.com, to share the backstories of our history represented in the mural.

May our future be as bright as our past.

Chris Miller

Hermosa Beach