Letters February 18, 2010
Kenny’s view
Dear ER:
I live on a “view” walk street and count my blessings as I look at the skyline. There are no buildings out there for about 7,000 miles (give or take a few). As I look to the west I see beautiful skies and, weather permitting, sometimes thunderous waves crashing.
A second look might make another viewer aware that there are also poles draped with numerous lines that go to the residences below. I consider this part of my view. If property owners are going to petition to have everything objectionable (to them) removed – perhaps sometime in the future it will be their home that is objectionable.
I have a small oil painting that I have treasured for over 60 years. The artist is Kenny Draper, a resident of Manhattan Beach in the 1950s. Russ Hickson displayed Draper’s paintings in his gallery. The artists’ second floor studio was on Manhattan Avenue with a view of the horizon to the west.
I fell in love with the painting, bought it and was allowed to pay for it in weekly installments. My family treasures it and in my will it is a gift to my niece, a Manhattan Beach resident since her teens.
My painting is titled “Rooftops of Manhattan” and looking toward the ocean it is just that – a thing of beauty in “blues” – rooftops with wires draped from pole to buildings – a work of art!
Evelyn Frey
Manhattan Beach
Familiar ring
Dear ER,
Having lived through more than two thirds of the 20th Century, I can testify that Ray Devore’s anti-intellectual, anti-artist sentiments, (“Outta heah,” ER letters, Feb. 11, 2010), though expressed vehemently, were expressed even more indelibly by despots of all stripes – from Franco to Pol Pot, Mao to Pinochet to Robt. Mugabe, etc.
Here, a quote from Camus applies: “It is not surprising that artist and intellectuals should have been the first victims of modern tyrannies, whether of the Right or of the Left.”
Fortunately, Devore’s clownish claim to be speaking for the entire South Bay is as empty as his pathetic posturing. Of course, Devore’s candor in acknowledging a familiarity with “shit-holes” is refreshing. It illuminates both the source and the substance of his thought processes.
James B. Kennedy
Redondo Beach
The jewel in hand
Dear ER:
I find it ironic that that Shane Michaels touts developing a new community in the last open space in Redondo as going green (“Go green, Redondo, ER letters Feb. 11, 2010). How can perhaps 400,000 sq. feet of development possibly represent going green, versus residents enjoying the existing open space and last remaining unobstructed view of our beautiful harbor? Shane’s goes on to say, “The residents of Redondo should come together to createour shining jewel along the sunny California Coast. The “shining jewel” already exists. It doesn’t need to be created. No obstructed views of our harbor, no 45-foot tall buildings, no traffic, no blight. In this case, less is more. Protect our harbor site from over-development. The sky isn’t falling like some people will lead you to believe.
Kathy McLeod
Via email
A deal’s a deal
Dear ER:
How ironic that it took a letter from a foreigner (Mark Machuszek of Manhattan Beach) to compel me to action (“Appologize, then drill,” ER Letters Feb. 4, 2010). Maschusek is right on. Macpherson Oil must be allowed to carry out its contractual agreement. Where I came from, a contract was sacrosanct and couldn’t be breached unilaterally.
As a retired engineer in the oil and gas industry I can assure you that new technology with slant drilling has brought about precision results. I fished in the Gulf of Mexico and we found that the red snapper loved the drilling rigs as it gave them protection from the bigger fish.
Let Hermosa Beach be green and bring us some much needed green.
Robert R. Park
Hermosa Beach
Biblical interpretation
Dear Editor:
The 8th Commandment is as interesting for what it doesn’t say as what it does. Specifically, it doesn’t say, “Thou shall not steal from the poor.” Not allowed to steal from anybody, including the rich. And while I appreciate Daniel Matson’s antipathy to rich oil companies (“Manhattan oil drilling proposal,” ER Letters Feb. 11, 2010), neither scriptures nor the laws of the nation or the state of California allow him, or us, to steal from rich, oil companies anymore than from the bag-lady. So while the courts have held that the City of Hermosa Beach can both be a “willing and able” partner in a contract to drill oil, and a force for the will of the people of Hermosa insisting on outlawing such drilling, exercising the former function doesn’t absolve the city of it’s breach of contract, and subsequent damage to it’s partner, when exercising the latter.
I also appreciate that while for many voters in Hermosa Beach Upton Sinclair is the last word on oil, [anti oil activist] Rosamond Fogg, and her ilk, have left the city a legacy of potential debt in the amount of $27,000 for every man, woman and child in the city. For my little family that comes to about $50,000. My wife and I would much rather spend the money educating our daughter instead of paying damages to MacPherson. For those who disagree that we should settle I ask you to contemplate what your life will be like when you not only never see a street paved again, but also are forced to give up our own police and fire departments because some court appointed receiver says that bankrupt Hermosa can’t afford them.
Sam Foster
Hermosa Beach, CA
The American way
Dear ER:
Here’s to BBR and the American Way As a resident of Redondo Beach for 45 years, I have seen much development. As a teacher for 15 years and a caterer for 26 years, I feel I have seen a lot of changes. Little by little, there are fewer views to be had and more congestion of homes and traffic galore.
When I heard of Building a Better Redondo I jumped right in. I collected 250 petition signatures and donations from fellow neighbors who were most grateful that there is such a group. Obviously, for us to get this new measure voted in, Bill Brand is our (Guardian Angel) representative. I have always hoped that we would be heard and the council would not continue to allow all these large buildings. They do take away more public views, bring in more people (congestion) and traffic (smog). I used to believe that our city officials cared what we, the people, want. But sadly, we are all seeing that this is just not the case.
Hurray for you Councilman Pat Aust, I do hope you are on our side. I’ve also learned that talk is cheap and easy.
Reggie Lucero
Redondo Beach
Scenes move on
Dear ER:
They kicked out the Westside Burrito connection in Bremerton, WA, too (“Wild in the Streets, ER/Beach Feb. 11, 2010). The reason we had so many places to play music there was the town was a ghost town. The civic economy was completely destroyed with the arrival of the mall (another great Seattle export).
Music tends to be pretty viral, so don´t get in a huff when the town becomes yuppieville. The scene will move on and start eating fresh meat somewhere else just down the road where the rent is cheap and there´s burritos by the plenty. It will ache and people will bitch but that makes the tunes better in the end anyway. Ryan
Via website comment