Letters to the Editor 10/02/14

It takes a village

Dear Easy Reader:

While it is a bit overwhelming and for sure faltering to be recognized in such a large way

publically for the work one does for their community, it can also lead to some misimpressions (“Climate control,” ER Sept. 18, 2014). While I am proud of the work I did in the late 1990s to eliminate the use of pesticides in our open space greenbelt, it was not an overnight process and wouldn’t have happened without the leadership of then Mayor Julie Oaks in garnering a majority City Council vote, or president Kay Gagnon of VOICE lending her considerable leadership skills and organizational resources to the cause.

It also must be pointed out that, while I did play a role in effecting a ban on smoking in our public spaces and the use of polystyrene food containers, Hermosa Beach did not and has not enacted a ban on single use plastic bags. The real unsung hero in the South Bay, as well as

in the state in this effort remains Surfrider Foundation South Bay Chair Craig Cadwallader, an

environmental leader I greatly admire and who has my full support. I also want to thank those

people who contributed to this story for their thoughts and friendship and reporter Kelley Kim.

Jeff Duclos

Hermosa Beach

Noise level

Dear ER:

I found myself totally agreeing with the two men who had the misfortune of buying a house behind the Level 10 gym (“Neighborhood feud boils over in North Manhattan Beach,” ER Sept. 25, 2014). I drive down Highland Avenue every morning as part of my commute to work and I can hear the yelling and equipment in the gym from my car. Sometimes I have to close my car windows because of the noise. I can only imagine what is must sound like living next door to it.

I have seen a few businesses leave that area. It makes you wonder who yields the power. If there are noise ordinances, they should be enforced. If people look the other way because they are clients of the gym, then there is favoritism and that should be addressed.

Sorry these two men had to move because a business can not be more understanding. Hope they find a peaceful place to live with better neighbors.

Robin Ridenour

Redondo Beach

Markets without dogs

Dear ER:

I was very happy to read that the Hermosa Beach Farmers’ Market would remain on its current location on Fridays. For the past 18 years (since moving here), I have shopped at the market and I love its current location and selection. However, I notice more and more people ignoring the very clear No Dogs sign and strolling through the market with their dogs. When they are reminded that dogs are not permitted at the market, most of them remove the dogs more or less willingly. The current market is contained and easy to control, but how will this be controlled at the Pier Plaza Market? So many people walk their dogs on The Strand now. What will happen when they are told they cannot stroll through the market with their dogs? I believe this is a Board of Health violation and I would hate to see the markets get shut down.

Joan Arias

Hermosa Beach

Stop oil tax

Dear ER:

There is a way to estimate what each property owner’s share of the $17.5 million fine is if oil drilling is banned in Hermosa. The city website states the assessed value of all the properties in Hermosa is about $5.1 billion. This equates to about $300 for every $100,000 of assessed value. So if your home is assessed at $1 million dollars, your share of the fine is about $3,000. You should be willing to write a check for $3,000 the day you vote against oil drilling to pay your share of the fine.

I would like the city to send out a supplemental tax bill to every property owner billing them for their share of the $17.5 million fine. The tax bill should state if drilling is allowed you don’t have to pay it. But if drilling is banned, you have to pay it immediately so Hermosa can truly stay Hermosa.

Of course, this will never happen. But if it did, I think the oil opponents would have a landslide loss. And I think they know it also. I believe this is why they don’t want the city to address the issue of how the fine is going to be paid if drilling is banned. Would you buy a car without knowing its price? That, in essence, is what I believe the oil opponents want you to do.

John Szot

Hermosa Beach

Save the Riviera

Dear ER:

Have you heard the news that Legado Companies plans a mixed-use development at 1700 Pacific Coast Highway (corner of PCH and Palos Verdes Boulevard) in South Redondo Beach. The proposed project calls for 180 apartments (four stories), more commercial/retail space, a remodeled Palos Verdes Inn, a massive underground parking garage and a new access road at this already busy and dangerous intersection.

This over-sized and high density project will change the character of the neighborhood and raises many environmental and safety concerns. Pedestrians and bicyclists crossing this major intersection will be at greater risk because of the massive traffic increase. The size of this project will require two years or more of construction. Noise levels will be a major disturbance for the residences and businesses near the site. Removal of hazardous materials will be required when demolition of the existing structures take place. Many infrastructure changes will be required. Caltrans and the City of Torrance will also get involved as changes to the intersection will be made.

If you have had enough with over-development, traffic, noise and pollution and are concerned about the quality of life in this area, please join me and my neighbors at the Planning Commission’s Public Hearing on November 20 at 7 p.m.  at the Redondo Beach City Council Chambers.

Jane Abrams

Redondo Beach