Letters to the Editor 1-25-24
Ramp to nowhere
Dear ER:
Several years ago (yes years) LA County Harbor Commission closed and fenced off the ramp leading down to the bike path on Ave A in Redondo Beach for safety reasons. An announcement followed explaining that the new ramp will include the requirements established by the American Disabilities ACT (ADA). Efforts to get information from LA County, Redondo Beach, and other offices, as to the new start date were, either redirected, or not responded to. The unsightly fencing still stands while there are no accommodations for handicapped people. Most people, I believe, would believe that the ADA is a serious issue….what’s the delay?
Gennaro Pupa
Redondo Beach
Don’t ask again
Dear ER:
Hermosa residents spoke in the November 2022 election when they roundly rejected Measure T, the sales tax increase. They sent a message to the city to look at other options for revenue and propose a budget to live within its means. But what does city staff and a couple of council members bent on subverting the will of the people do. They try to put the rejected 2022 sales tax measure on the November 2024 ballot. They bring in highly paid consultants who tells us we need a new, showcase $50 million dollar city hall and big hotel to reinvigorate our downtown business district and, staff tells us we need to give our City Manager an unscheduled bonus or raise despite the fact that most city projects continue to come in late and way over budget. Take the park restroom project. It was way over budget, late and ended up with lawsuits. Think about the Clark building. This project has been going on nearly five years and is way late and over budget. Take the City Yard or even the purchase of police vehicles. Either late or over budget or both. Our city manager has had five years to correct the trend. And now the city council wants to give her an unscheduled raise and give her more money with a tax increase the people already rejected? For staff to bring this ballot measure back as the last item on the agenda for approval in the wee hours of the night speaks volumes about how manipulative and corrupt certain members of the city council and our city manager have become.
Anthony Higgins
Hermosa Beach
MBUSD does it right
Dear ER:
The Manhattan Beach Unified School District is to be commended not only for their ongoing high percentage of state CAASPP test scores, which meet or exceed minimum standards, but especially for their leadership in achieving those levels (“MBUSD test scores remain in upper echelon,” ER Nov. 9, 2023). Test scores are a key measure of the quality of education, and quality of education is dependent on quality of leadership. That quality of leadership is personified with the MBUSD Assistant Superintendent of Education Services stating “Our goal is – we need to be back where we were.” (Referencing the test scores of 2019 and prior). And further drilling down into the data to find other ways to improve student performance even more. Nowhere in the discussion were there any comments about accepting lower scores as a new baseline, nor were there any empty excuses claimed, such as changes in the testing (which applied to all schools). Specific action and a “be the best” mentality will always outpace placating generalizations and middle of the road thinking. Kudos to MBUSD for being set to outpace and achieve.
Rolf Strutzenberg
Redondo Beach
Pols do it wrong
Dear ER:
Accurate projections of the need for a new school parcel tax were established more than two years ago by school officials, and well-informed citizens who understood the gravity of potential funding deficiencies. These responsible leaders then proceeded to rightfully predict that a parcel tax amount necessary to prevent the dismissal of dozens and dozens of teachers over the next few years was approximately $1,000 per parcel. The result is they were attacked personally and extensively for their efforts. In the hostilities, opponents also claimed personal abuse and in turn the election morphed into those issues. Prop A, the parcel tax measure about the correct amount needed to keep adequate funding for our schools at the high-status quo levels was resoundingly defeated, partly, by those exempt from even paying the tax. During the election some Manhattan Beach public officials and political leaders helped to defeat the measure. As a result, the district is facing a possible $9 million dollar deficit instead of a $24 million gain. Now some of those leaders who opposed Prop A proudly sign their name to a parcel tax initiative that will result in only a $6 million deficit instead of a $9 million dollar deficit if it is successful with voters. Never mind their justification of their efforts to insure the loss of $24 million dollars in the last two years, which would have even lessened the need for private funding at a public school. For 40 years, education in Manhattan Beach has been the quintessential factor contributing to the incredible rise and prestige of the City and all its inhabitants, like no other City in America. It is time to find leaders who can be truthful about what might not be popular but necessary and communicate it effectively.
Stewart Fournier
Manhattan Beach
Clear Power not so clear
Dear ER:
Opt in or opt out of the Clean Power Alliance (CPA)? That is the question. Hermosa Beach Mayor Justine Massey sings high praises for all things “Green!” He lays waste to all those who would disagree with the simple; “Contrary to the disinformation” argument. Where have I heard that trope before? Ah! Yes, during the COVID-19 debacle. To date there are only 10 states that have adopted laws allowing for CCA’s [Community Choice Aggregation] programs like CPA, which are in direct competition with IOU’s (investor-owned-utilities) like So Cal Edison. There are some advantages and disadvantages, for each, which I’ll mention later. In 2001, Assembly Women Carol Migden, San Francisco, sponsored AB2117. She appears to be the lone person on the bill. It’s extremely long and very detailed. I didn’t read it and I doubt if she did. It wasn’t that long ago that Edison offered everyone the same choices that are being offered now by Clean Power Alliance and the prices then were either as cheap or better. Those choices are not available any longer. Edison will put you on a wait list until capacity can be increased. Seems rather coincidental that they have enough power to service CPA future customers, but not enough for long time customers.
Everyone interested please go to CleanPowerAlliance.org/HermosaBeach. You will see a list of very unhappy customers. CCA’s may not be able to offer rates as low as Edison because of economies of scale, nor the services required. They may not have credit worthiness, especially if new projects require financing. If the CCA makes poor decisions about what sources they get power from, it could cost more or worse. The opt out process can be confusing, and some may be enrolled without realizing it. And finally, Edison is still responsible for billing; reading meters; service to the lines; wild fire abatement, and a million other things. So hypothetically, if most people sign up for Clean Power Alliance, how does that affect Edison financially? How is this a win-win at all? How many Council Members have already signed up for a program that’s been available for years?
Gary Brown
Hermosa Beach
Health zone
Dear ER:
The New York Times recently featured a series on how families “die broke” trying to help aging parents. Recently my 90-year-old mother-in-law, who has paid a pretty penny to live in a lovely retirement community, was denied skilled nursing because there simply was no room available. It is also front-page news that loneliness is epidemic, and our teenagers are experiencing a mental health crisis. The Beach City Health District is working hard to address these issues in our community with much success. That is why it is astounding to me that an erroneous limitation on their zoning was snuck into the Redondo Beach’s General Plan updates. It seems the wants of a few are dominating the needs of the community. If the city of Redondo Beach cannot work with BCHD then they simply cannot work with anybody. Clearly being on the cover of the LA Times for “nasty” politics has not deterred the Redondo Council Majority from continuing to push for outdated, expensive, activism that doesn’t represent the majority of residents.
Marie Walsh Puterbaugh
Redondo Beach