Letters to the Editor 10-13-2016
Where was Muratsuchi
Dear ER:
George Orwell wrote “He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.” I was recently reminded of this quote when I got a piece of campaign mail from former Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi and Hermosa Beach City Council member Stacey Armato suggesting that Muratsuchi’s opponent, Assemblymember David Hadley, was a responsible for the prospect of oil drilling in Hermosa Beach. This assertion is 100 percent false. Murastuschi, not Hadley, was a member of the state’s legislative majority when our city was facing the prospect of an adverse judgment at trial and inevitable bankruptcy (and possible city-hood disincorporation?). Muratsuchi, not Hadley, was our representative in Sacramento when the trial against Macpherson and its $750 million damages claim was coming to a head in March 2012. One would think the financial extinguishment of a constituent city would be enough to move an elected official to action, particularly when the injury would come at the hands of (gasp) an oil company. But it wasn’t. Muratsuchi didn’t sponsor any last-minute bills to protect Hermosa Beach. He didn’t do anything at all. If he was so gravely concerned about oil drilling in Hermosa Beach, this would have been the time to help. I know this because I was on City Council and we asked.Muratsuchi left Hermosa Beach to fend for itself.
Miraculously, the City Council was able to settle the case, and in 2015 Hermosa’s voters decided to pay off the $17.5 million settlement instead of allowing oil drilling in our community.
Which brings us to the present, and Muratsuchi and Armato’s mail piece, which would have you believe David Hadley is the real life incarnation of Daniel Day Lewis’ character from “There Will Be Blood.” Hadley had nothing to do with the Macpherson settlement or the oil vote in 2015. The truth is Hadley had as much influence over oil drilling in Hermosa Beach as my mailman. Maybe less.
Understandably, it is politically expedient for Armato and Muratsuchi to revise the history of the oil issue, now comfortably (and rightly) in our city’s past, and claim credit for a victory neither had any hand in winning. But it’s unfair and untruthful to accuse Hadley of something he didn’t do. Don’t be fooled by their mail. And don’t let the people who are in control of the present rewrite the past to control our future.
Kit Bobko
Muratsuchi was there
Dear ER:
I have been at the forefront of two major campaigns in Hermosa Beach. Then Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi was the first elected official to step forward and offer his support. He has worked boldly to help create a better future for Hermosa Beach. When this community came together to protect herself from the threat of an oil drilling project (Measure O), Al Muratsuchi put his political career on the line and stood up to the deep pockets of the oil and gas industry. He stood with us from the first days of the fight and was standing alongside this community as we celebrated victory. His current political opponent refused to help this community in that battle.
Most recently, this community was asked to pass a school bond to help ease overcrowding in our school district. Muratsuchi stepped forward to lend both his name and tangible support toward our effort to pass this bond. He stood with us at the beginning, and was there as we celebrated victory. His current political opponent refused to endorse or help with the school bond campaign.
When we have worked to protect or improve our community, Muratsuchi has been there to offer support. He is bold, thoughtful, and a true friend and advocate for Hermosa Beach. He has always had our back, which is why I am standing up and voting for Muratsuchi this November.
Mike Collins
Hermosa Beach
