Letters to the Editor 7-20-17
Band marching on
Dear ER:
In response to the letter published July 6 issue from Redondo Beach resident James McLeod regarding the RUHS Marching Band, we would like to offer some facts to set the record straight (“Marching band, march,” ER Letters July 6, 2017). It’s likely that McLeod’s concern was initiated by two days of recent practice between 5 and 9 p.m. that occurred prior to our band’s appearance in the LAX Coastal Fourth of July Parade. McLeod contends that marching band practice occurs “almost every weekday night ‘till 9 p.m.” That is false. Moreover, our practices are well within the limits of the City of Redondo Beach Noise Ordinance, which dictates that any neighborhood noise should occur only between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Practice in the parking lot occurs only in preparation for the three to four parades our marching band participates in each year. We rehearse in the parking lot because it provides room to practice our parade maneuvers when the football stadium and neighboring fields are not available. During the fall, marching band season, most practices do take place in the football stadium, as McLeod suggested. However, the reason that the RUHS Marching Band cannot always use the stadium is due to the fact that other sports teams are using the football stadium or neighboring fields. Our fields are also rented out. The approved bond measure’s joint-use agreement requires our school to make the field available to the community. It is unfortunate that McLeod finds the award-winning RUHS Sea Hawk Marching Band “annoyingly loud.” Band practices and other school activities should be expected when you live near a large and active high school campus. The overwhelming feedback we get is that our band is a much-beloved source of pride for the RUHS and Redondo Beach communities. Our intention is never to annoy our neighbors, only to bring smiles to people’s faces when they see and hear the amazing things we’ve been working on.
Carly Stock, Noah Stodder and Alex Delperdang
RUHS Sea Hawk Marching Band Drum Majors
ROW clear of trouble
Dear ER:
As one of the two plaintiffs in the pending lawsuit against Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand, councilmember Nils Nehrenheim, Rescue Our Waterfront and others for violating the state’s Political Reform Act, it’s time to set the record straight (“Lawsuit accuses Brand and Nehrenheim of coordinating with PAC,” ER July 13, 2017). The lawsuit is not against the City of Redondo Beach, but instead is directed toward those who violated campaign laws and misled the voters during their campaigns for Mayor, City Council, and Measure C (which rezoned the harbor area). The lawsuit, known as a “private attorney general” lawsuit, is encouraged under the state’s campaign laws so that private parties (in this case, Arnette Travis and I) can assist the government and the public in exposing illegally-run political campaigns. Redondo citizens are entitled to make their voting decisions based on campaigns that comply with the political transparency laws. ROW, Brand, Nehrenheim and their fellow defendants hid the ball during their campaigns. Our lawsuit simply asks the court to order them to set the record straight about the funding and running of their deceptive campaigns. I am proud of our community, and I want to ensure that all Redondo residents can make choices based on accurate information and true facts. As for the law firm that Travis and I retained, they are not only one of the most well-regarded in the state when it comes to election law, but also are already familiar with Measure C and the cast of characters who backed it. It makes perfect sense that we would retain the attorneys who worked on the No on C effort, as they are able to hit the ground running and help us with our goal of seeking justice for the citizens of Redondo Beach.
Chris Voisey
Redondo Beach
Sunken suit
Dear ER:
The CenterCal mall is dead (“Lawsuit accuses Brand and Nehrenheim of coordinating with PAC,” ER July 13, 2017) . Redondo Beach Measure C won. CenterCal lost and blew over $500K in the process. CenterCal has proven they’d rather intimidate than cooperate. Time to move on.
Jim Light
Redondo Beach
Cast the first suit
Dear ER:
It is hilarious that Rescue our Waterfront and it’s supporters are incredulous because they have been sued. Before the election ROW bragged about lawyering up. They raised money for attorneys and they were the first to file a lawsuit. Measure C is not law, but it has achieved its goal of stagnation through litigation. It will be a decade before we see anything happen in the harbor. Cheap paint jobs and band aids is the future ROW has set for the harbor area.
Paul Moses
Redondo Beach
Vista del car
Dear ER:
There’s no reason to park on Vista Del Mar and there’s no reason for a bike lane. Park in the beach parking lot and use the beach bike path (“Lawsuit threat from Manhattan Beach looms over Vista del Mar lane closures,” ER July 17, 2017). Cyclists going south on Vista del Mar risk their lives now. Those angled parking spaces create more danger because the driver can’t see approaching bikes.
Ken Adams
Facebook page
Failed diet
Dear ER:
It’s time to scrap the failed Vista del Mar “road diet.” When you make a mistake as an elected official, you own up to it and rectify it. Haste (lack of appropriate stakeholder input) makes waste. The LA ‘Vision Zero’ plan has failed due to zero vision.
Wayne Powell
Manhattan Beach
Not LA’s problem
Dear ER:
Why does Manhattan Beach think Los Angeles council members should be putting Los Angeles’ concerns below that of Manhattan Beach’s? If Manhattan Beach wants to have a say in LA’s decisions they should petition to be annexed into the city.
Nevram Norman
Facebook comment
Tower of beach
Dear ER:
My wife and I have eaten at Tower 12 several times. We are Hermosa Beach locals and we appreciate the beachy, surf feel of the place and applaud its thoughtful design. On each visit, we have sat at a table on the bridge overlooking Pier Plaza. However, the rest of the place also has attractive seating areas that we are looking forward to trying. The food, drinks and service were all very good and we really enjoyed the ambiance. It would appear from the crowds that lots of other people also like Tower 12.
Bob Atkins
Hermosa Beach
Liftoff achieved
Dear ER:
Its nice to see such a well known landmark establishment re-opened (“Proud Bird flies again,” ER/Beach July 13, 2017). I applaud the passion and huge renovation investment that owner John Tallichet made. I’m looking forward to visiting soon. I wish him the best of success.
Bob Adkins
Facebook comment
Gilroy was here
Dear ER:
I was a coach at Mira Costa High School during Luke Gilroy’s years there on the “other side” of the track (the short-distance guys) (“Gilroy earned respect of coaches, co-workers…” ER July 13, 2017). You noticed when he was on the track, and it wasn’t just because of the red hair. He was a special kid, and it is evident that never changed. My thoughts are with his family, teammates, and friends.
Steve Singiser
Facebook comment
Chase on
Dear ER:
I would like to thank the Redondo Beach Police Department for keeping our community safe (“Theft suspect fleeing Redondo Beach police causes multi-car crash,” ER July 13, 2017). The suspect should have been pursued. Any consequences here are the fault of the suspect, not the officers who were doing their job.
Donna Matson Gunnar
Facebook Comment