Drinking ups crime
Dear ER:
The Hermosa City Council made an unfortunate decision to liberalize our alcohol permit process. Drinking establishments automatically receive “Alcohol by Right” permits without public hearing and without obtaining a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) if they close by 10 p.m.
The “alcohol-related crimes” report (www.lapublichealth.org/epi/) issued this year by the County Department of Public Health simply confirmed what Hermosans know and regret.
Higher densities of alcohol outlets make cities 9 to 10 times more likely to suffer increased crime rates. Hermosa has an on-premise alcohol outlet density 400% greater than the LA County average and ranks 1st among South Bay cities in per capita violent crimes.
The Council’s decision made selling more alcohol easier, then they reduced the size of our police force.
Our police tell us over-serving in bars over-crowded with under-aged drinkers plagues our downtown. But the indulgent “Alcohol by Right” policy deprives them of the robust enforcement actions available only through the CUP process.
During the recent Hermosa Beach Neighborhood Debate only Councilman DiVirgilio attempted to defend his flawed “Alcohol by Right” policy.
I seriously question burdening a shrinking police force with a permissive alcohol policy lacking the robust penalties available exclusively through Conditional Use Permits.
Our town has fewer cops. Let’s back them with better laws.
Anne Sullivan
Hermosa Beach
Candidate thanks HB club
Dear ER:
I want to thank the many folks that I talked to at the Hermosa Beach Women’s Club Pancake Breakfast on Sunday. It was wonderful to see so many attend such a worthwhile event. I commend the many community leaders who attended including Planning Commissioner Ron Pizer, Councilmembers Pete Tucker, Michael DiVirgilio, Kit Bobko, Jeff Duclos, Howard Fishman, and my opponent, Treasurer John Workman. I look forward to meeting many more Hermosa Beach residents during the next three weeks until Election Day.
David Cohn
Candidate for Hermosa Beach
Treasurer
Glaring mistake
Dear ER:
On October 13th a “free column from Mr. Longacre” contained a glaring mistake. He either knew the mistake and hoped it wouldn’t be challenged or goofed. Once again, this master of misinformation and false impressions tripped and stumbled.
His statement, “CD’s are guaranteed by the FDIC with ‘Full Faith and Credit of the United States Treasury” IS NOT TRUE. He also coached my opponent into making this misinformed statement at the Leadership Hermosa Debate. The FDIC became insolvent last August 23rd and is a government agency having only implied support from our government. It is accruing almost $3 billion in UNRESOLVED CLAIMS from bank failures! At a California Treasury Workshop in 2001, I shared a table with another treasurer from Northern California and spoke about CD’s. He had a couple million dollars in CD’s and the bank failed. He filed a claim with FDIC and the process began. Even after one year, they had to verify his claim and investigate before he saw ANY money returned. When the FDIC finally settled his claim, the money from the original deposit was returned without any yield. The investment took over one year to return with no yield? Does anyone wonder why I don’t use CD’s?
If he does not know this, please question everything else is he saying. Only U.S. Treasury bills and Treasury notes have the “Full Faith and Credit of our Treasury.” Expect another statement of misinformation that will justify his “expert” position.
John Workman
Hermosa Beach Treasurer
Bike plan suggestions
Dear ER:
On Tuesday October 25 the Hermosa Beach City Council will review and, consider for approval, the South Bay Bicycle Master Plan. The plan addresses safety, environmental, and connectivity issues. I urge that the City approve the Master Plan.
I write to call attention to problems caused by the stairway at the north end of the Hermosa Beach Strand/Bike Path. The Master Plan notes that the stairway presents an impediment to the flow of both bicycle and pedestrian traffic from the Strand/Bike Path to the Manhattan Beach bike path and separate pedestrian walkway. It further observes that the State of California “operates” the stairway and that maintenance of the stairway is the responsibility of the County of Los Angeles. The Plan suggests that an incline could be built bypassing the stairway.
The Plan also suggests that bicycle traffic could be diverted to the Hermosa Avenue bike path. Diversion of additional bicycle traffic to the Hermosa Avenue bike path can only make the now unsafe conditions worse. A portion of the bidirectional bike path on the west side of Hermosa Avenue is both illegal and unsafe. North bound bicycle traffic is immediately adjacent to the south bound automobile traffic. (See photograph of children riding next to auto traffic.)
The bounds of the Master Plan have not allowed consideration of problems caused by the Strand/Bike Path. Approval of the South Bay Bicycle Plan will lead to an extended implementation phase for elements of the plan. I urge that the Hermosa Beach City Council and the Planning Commission consider solutions to the problems of the stairway and the Hermosa Avenue bike path as part of implementation plans.
I suggest that citizens concerned about these issues attend the Hermosa Beach City Council meeting on Tuesday October 25th to express their opinions.
Richard L Pio
Hermosa Beach
Fangary on oil suit
Dear ER:
Hermosa Beach currently faces several problems of great importance. But the financial risk posed by a potential $700 million judgment against us in the Macpherson Oil lawsuit may render any discussion of solutions meaningless.
Both incumbents in the city council election concur that Macpherson represents the paramount threat to our city. I absolutely agree and invite you to review our track record over the past 4 years.
In February 2008 the court granted Macpherson’s motion for summary judgment on Hermosa’s liability. Our attorneys lost.
Two months later our attorneys appealed to the California Court of Appeals. And lost.
Three months later they appealed to the California Supreme Court. And lost.
In July of 2009, the Superior Court denied Hermosa’s second motion for summary judgment.
In February 2010, Hermosa’s lawyers petitioned the California Court of Appeals for relief. And lost.
In May 2010 our attorneys petitioned the California Supreme Court for review. And lost.
Both incumbents acknowledge Macpherson as the city’s most urgent threat. Yet, in 2011, our City Council took a six months break from Macpherson. Between Feb. 22 and Sept. 13 of 2011, our City Council did not discuss the status of the Macpherson litigation with the city attorney. Not even once in six months.
As an environmental attorney with extensive experience in complex litigation I understand the danger this represents to our City. We face a trial in January 2012. I intend to watch this closely and encourage you to share your thoughts with me at hfangary1@gmail.com.
Hany Fangary
Candidate for Hermosa Beach
City Council
Loss of innocence
Dear ER:
Pedophilia is evil. Investigate BishopAccountability.org, and the consciousness is there, undeniable.
Examine the secular world of teachers, administrators, student advisors and coaches, those of an evil avocation; then there are no “absolutions” to be given to dereliction of duty.
No accusations here with the exception of the crime of pedophilia; “it” happened on our watch, an inescapable disregard of duty, accountability and responsibility.
In the case of predators, evidence shows that generally, maybe always, somebody knew and did nothing. The results, in search of excellence in our national educational system, are less than stellar [while there is] an ever increasing demand for higher wages, benefits and legacy costs. This moral stewardship failure can be laid squarely at the feet of our parents, our educators, the system, and the lack of selfless leadership in unions, state and federal agencies.
Are the secular stewards within our schools consistently choosing the preservation of image over the care of souls entrusted to them?
Mea Culpa! Within the territorial imperative of public school authority, on or off of campus, let it be sacrosanct: “never two alone.” Start there!
Donald A Sellek
Manhattan Beach
Editor’s note: letter shortened due to space considerations
Getting it right
Dear ER:
The Easy Reader got it right; the City of Hermosa Beach’s effort to trim up to 10% of structural costs in salaries and inefficiencies is to reduce the cost of services — not the services themselves.
I’m not sure why it is historically more acceptable to lay off employees, thereby specifically reducing services, instead of making deliberate, reasonable and negotiated adjustments to the costs of those services. It is certainly my view that the latter protects jobs, service quality and our financial health.
In fact, it is my desire that cost savings be devoted to long-term improvements and targeted service increases such as fire prevention, traffic patrol, and repair of neglected infrastructure.
Although conversations about reducing salaries aren’t enjoyable, we must consider them now because, generally speaking, the City has made changes to every other area of operation over the past three years to continue the high quality of service that’s deservedly expected in our City. For instance, through freezes, consolidation and early retirement, the City reduced its full-time workforce by 12%, reduced new employee benefits, reduced numerous ancillary services in non-essential department budgets across the board, and discontinued its role in programs like the Sunset Concert Series while keeping the tradition of beach concerts.
Simultaneously, increases have been made to more than a hundred individual fees, and with voter approval in November, annual Business License Fee revenue will increase by $200K.
My commitment is to protect jobs and the long-term well being of our community.
Michael DiVirgilio
Hermosa Beach
Power of Art kudos
Dear ER:
Successfully, through the talented efforts of enthusiastic artists, the old Edison plant building provided its large unique interior structure to generously house the Power of Art’s very well-curated exhibition.
Year after year, I am amazed by how the talented people in charge of designing the show successfully accomplish the task of incorporating the aesthetic qualities of the [AES] power plant’s machinery with the work displayed — equal to a major customizing solution. They once again have made for the public a fantastic show of art.
Chuck and Dora Meyer
Torrance
Political fanfare
Dear ER:
Hermosa’s municipal election is near. Two incumbent-councilmen, Peter Tucker and Michael DiVirgilio, along with incumbent-treasurer John Workman, are being challenged by three highly-qualified resident-homeowner candidates, Hany Fangary, Steve Powers, and David Cohn respectively.
Peter Tucker more than well-deserves reelection. Seldom has there been a more fair-minded and strong council member representing both businesses and residents, and who also is so historically-knowledgeable of Hermosa’s people, infrastructure, and civic workings.
However, when it comes to incumbent DiVirgilio, his four year attempt to build himself political credibility has been a disappointment. DiVirgilio along with his fellow “empty-suit” on council, Patrick Bobko, have been little more than obstructionists and de facto council-filibusterers no matter what the subject. I personally cannot recall two on council who’ve so adeptly spieled out more useless drivel for their own personal political agendas than Democrat DiVirgilio and Republican Bobko.
With respect to Hermosa’s “there-too-long” treasurer, John Workman, a 6th-term gift for him would be tantamount to a civic travesty. Hermosa’s electorate finally has a viable challenger to Workman and that’s David Cohn, of whom Workman himself stated, “Mr. Cohn’s 40 years of banking experience is impressive.”
The reelection of Peter Tucker along with Hany Fangary or Steve Powers to the two open council seats, and the election of David Cohn to breathe new life and real transparency into the treasurer’s office, will represent a major improvement to Hermosa’s representative government.
Please participate in this important Hermosa Beach municipal election Tuesday, Nov. 8, by reelecting Peter Tucker to council and David Cohn for treasurer.
Howard Longacre
Hermosa Beach
Six-Man concerns
Dear ER:
“To be, or not to be, that is the question.” Not Hamlet but the Manhattan Beach City Council (MBCC) will answer that fateful question for the Six-Man Volleyball Tournament on Nov. 15. The “Six-Man Forever” option argues that maintaining tradition, acclaim, and revenue generation outweigh funding by the city covering deficits, criminal activity, lawlessness, the destruction of private property, and depravity rather than a sporting event being the stimulant of massive attendance, not by residents but by attendees drawn by the power of the social media.
The “Six-Man Revival” option suggests solutions similar to those bringing serenity to Sand Dune Park but still providing recreational and athletic opportunities for both residents and guests. Perhaps a Hometown Fair-like venue for beach volleyball [could be considered, one] that includes not only competitive events centered strictly for local athletes, including those of our neighboring beach cities, but also events to generate increased interest in the sport, sponsored by local training camps and sport equipment manufacturers; also other events generating greater attendance by residents and revenues for local businesses.
Any constructive option requires the best and brightest of creative ideas. Please make them known to the MBCC via email at CityCouncil@citymb.info.
Edward C. Caprielian
Manhattan Beach
Chicken Little?
Dear ER:
Hermosa Treasurer John Workman explains away his pitiful investment record to be the responsibility of the “ Oil Lawsuit,” causing the need to have 100% liquidity. While I served on city council never was such a request made. In recent conversations with the city manager and council members, [I learned] the course of the litigation has not changed. Never has a policy been put forth by council for the treasurer’s office to be 100% liquid in city investments. If any settlement or judgment funds for this litigation are needed, it will be at a minimum of three years from now after both sides exhaust appeals. The city council never asked him to have funds on hand with 100% liquidity. He chose an investment course without city council input. In the recent debate, Workman stated he was personally liable for the city’s funds and could lose his house and go to jail for putting any sums at risk. This is totally false and misleading. City treasurers are not personally liable for their investment returns. If they were, no one would want to hold office. Workman’s defenses for his investment performance show his lack of depth with regard to investments. He recently stated that FDIC insured bank accounts were too risky to put into the city’s portfolio. Workman resembles “chicken Little” when he discusses the future of Hermosa Beach.
Hermosa Beach needs strong leaders to face the coming financial municipal challenges. The Treasurer’s office needs an overhaul, so please vote on Nov. 8.
Michael Keegan
Hermosa Beach
