Make up class
Dear ER:
In my role as Superintendent of Hermosa Beach Schools, it is my responsibility to ensure that residents have current information regarding the facilities initiative, Measure S, which is being placed before the voters on June 7. Information regarding Measure S can be found at hbcsd.org. Our schools are overcrowded, out of date and underfunded. Measure S is a $59 million bond, all-district (three school solution) with a $29.50 per $100,000 assessed value tax rate.
Despite the ranking of HBCSD as the 11th lowest funded district in the state, HBCSD has demonstrated its financial diligence through a AA rating, historical annual positive budget certification and a 10 percent increase in the district reserve. The district’s award winning schools have continued the tradition of academic excellence during difficult state economic times.
How will the district address the loss of revenue at North school and the operating costs of opening North school as a third site? The cost of the 10 temporary classrooms at View and Valley would be eliminated and replaced by 10 of 17 permanent classrooms at North. Plus the return of full day kindergarten, increased enrollment and a second district Extended Day program will al be revenue generating. The additional district enrollment of approximately forty three students would offset the loss of revenue from the current North School leases.
Learn about Measure S.
Patricia Escalante
Superintendent of Schools
Parking rebel
Dear ER:
I was driving through the Redondo Riviera Village yesterday with my wife when I saw an
open patio structure in front of the Rebel Republic restaurant, in the street parking area. It seemed to pop up overnight. I am a regular patron of the Riviera Village and familiar with the limited public parking available to patrons. This structure not only reduces the number of parking spaces, but detracts from the appeal
of the Riviera Village and increases congestion in the already busy little village. In addition, there is virtually no buffer zone between the car traffic and the sitting area of the deck, creating a public safety hazard
for drivers and dining guests on the patio.
Guy Brydon
Via email
Tucker up on S
Dear ER:
Hermosa Schools are recognized statewide for their academic excellence. This reputation, along with the high quality of life Hermosa encourages families to locate in Hermosa Beach. The schools went through a cycle of low enrollment, but now with higher enrollment additional classrooms are needed. The district needs to renovate its two schools and reopen North School.
The city and school district ares working together to address traffic and open space needs that will benefit the entire city. Hermosa has a goal of being a Sustainable City. These improvements, and the reopening of North School will reduce traffic, allow students to walk and reestablish “neighborhood schools.”
My two children were fortunate enough to receive kindergarten through 8th grade educations at North and Valley schools, which gave them a foundation for successful careers as adults. The school district has placed Measure S on the June ballot to fund improvements at the current schools and reopen North School. The district understands that these improvements and reopening North School are needed for future generations. Vote Yes on Measure S.
Peter Tucker
Hermosa Beach City Council
2003 to 2015
Measure up
Dear ER:
Hermosa Beach schools are in trouble and need our help. California’s economic reality, with school funding at a fraction of what it used to be, calls for local school boards and local residents to make funding decisions for their own schools. Hermosa currently houses students in 15 temporary and permanent portable classrooms at Hermosa View School and three portable classrooms at Hermosa Valley, and that is simply unacceptable.
As a business professional, I am well aware of the impact that under-funding schools has on the local economy. Working folks and business owners in general are very sensitive to where they locate their families and quality education is a very significant factor.
The last time the $54 million school bond measure was put up for a vote, it failed by just 32 votes. Let’s not repeat that same mistake. The schools need this; the community needs this. Vote yes on the Measure S School Board Facilities Bond on June 7.
Andre Sharp
Hermosa Beach
The 10-70 bike rule
Dear ER:
As senior citizens, my husband and I are very appreciative of fellow cyclists like Jim Hannon who are peddling influence in favor of bicycle transportation (“Usurping the Throne,” Easy Reader April 21, 2016.). Before there were any bike lane markings 20 years ago, my husband Chuck and I began riding our beach cruisers. My husband had leg problems so we had joined a gym, but the stationary bikes were boring. He got a beach cruiser and peddled around each day for hours taking care of errands. Then I got a beach cruiser. We agreed to use our bikes for any transportation needs within a 10 mile range and less than a 70 pound load limit.
We still use our bikes much more than our auto, so bicycle lanes are greatly appreciated.
Dora Perez-Meyer
Torrance
Interest in parking
Dear ER:
Redondo Beach is a great example of the needs for cities to have updated general plans. The “Pier Parking Rehabilitation Fund” gained $831in interest last year. And that’s up since 2008 when the fund had $740 in interest (the furthest year back I could find). Redondo’s solution? Public/Private partnership with a massive corporation.
CenterCal proposes to rebuild Redondo the pier parking structure. But they will own the heart and soul of our publicly owned harbor, in trade. They will determine everything, including who gets to rent a storefront. No taxes will be raised, unless the development fails and residents are stuck holding the bill of goods. Rescue Our Waterfront is writing an initiative and massive corporations are developing plans for the AES site. These are all the outcome of a failed general plan and failed zoning ordinances, which should have been updated years ago.
Update the general plan, plan for the future. Rescue Our Waterfront.
Nils Nehrenheim
Redondo Beach
Manhattan’s new motto
Dear ER:
Manhattan Beach City Council mission – “preserving our small beach town character” has been replaced by “California’s safest beach community.” Tell that to Manhattan Beach neighbors who live next to the proposed Gelson’s Market at Sepulveda and 8th St.
Recent Sepulveda Boulevard accidents between 2nd Street and 8th Street: A grandmother was killed by a motorcycle. Woman on motorcycle was killed by automobile. Two auto accidents, 15 minutes and few blocks apart on Sepulveda Boulevard. A Manhattan Beach police officer collided with an SUV. A contractor doing street repairs was hit by a car. A 27-year-old female was allegedly grabbed by two men at Sepulveda and 8th Street in an attempted kidnapping.
Traffic and parking problems: 6th Street and 8th Street will be feeder streets and injuries and deaths will spill over to the neighborhood from Sepulveda Boulevard
Increased crime: Manhattan Beach Buffet – criminals steal from unlocked homes and cars.
City Council rejects Short-Term Rentals because they are commercial projects encroaching on residential areas. Gelson’s Market and the proposed bank will encroach on the Sepulveda Boulevard and 8th S neighborhood
Manhattan Beach neighbors’ problems with Gelson’s resembles the problem Porter Ranch neighbors have with Southern California Gas Co. Both affect the health, lives and property values of the neighborhood adjacent to the project.
Gelson’s developer Paragon has added 20 parking spaces in the former U.S. Post Office parking lot on 10th Street. This adds insult to injury because this area was already dangerous for the customers of the Post Office.
Robert Bush
Manhattan Beach
Asleep in the park
Dear ER:
For the past three months a man has been occupying Noble Park, spending at least one half of the daylight hours there and virtually every night, sitting and sleeping on a bench directly in the middle of the park. People avoid that part of the park when he is there. On at least three occasions the police were called and rousted him at night, only for him to circle back and resume residence in the park. I spoke with a policeman about this and he said there is not much more they can do except ask him to leave. Really? After 3 months. The policeman told me they are very familiar with him and have been dealing with him for a long time. While I, and most people, have compassion for homeless people, this is ridiculous not to have some form of deterrent to prevent this from happening. If nothing else can be done, what will prevent another person taking up residence, or many people? We would like all of our park back
The Hermosa Police Department does a wonderful job, and we all hope they will take whatever actions are appropriate.
Name Withheld Upon Request.
Sidewalk shuffle
Dear ER:
Sidewalks are forcing mothers and babysitters with strollers, dog walkers, seniors and children at play into the streets, which are overrun by silent electric cars with drivers swigging coffee, texting, emailing, answering calls and blowing through stop signs. There are three laws to keep the sidewalks safe and available, but everywhere I walk my dog I see mothers and babies forced into the streets. I barely escaped death just recently. If you walk in the Beach Cities, you know I speak the ugly truth.
Photos after photos, calls after calls, visits after visits mean nothing to Redondo code enforcement. They won’t even return an email or respond.
David Saber
Redondo Beach
