Letters to the Editor 11-17-22
Election engineering
Dear ER:
Although I agreed with the results of the Redondo Beach special election on October 19,, it left a bad taste in my mouth. Not just because our city spent over $100,000 to have a separate election from the midterms, which I consider to be a waste of taxpayer money, but also because I feel the low turnout is an indirect disenfranchising of voters. We already know fewer voters show up for our elections in March as opposed to November. Mayor Bill Brand and his supporters have built an active grassroots movement in our city, and good for them. They should feel confident in bringing their views on the issues to as many voters as possible, but this is not what happened. They have voted against aligning our elections with the November elections, as many other cities have done, in coordination with well-intentioned SB 415, and now have paid to move an election about cannabis. When a city has a turnout of 15,000 for a special election, as opposed to 40,000 two weeks later for the general election, the process is flawed. The Equal Protection Clause of our Constitution refers mostly to apportionment, but there may come a day a case will be made that equal protection could apply to the timing of elections. Our country has seen many examples of different sides trying to gain election advantage, whether it be from gerrymandering, suppression, and apportionment. Many of us want it to stop. I want all sides to play by the same rules, and when my side wins, I want to know that those who disagreed with me had every chance to be heard and considered. When that does not occur, the result becomes less credible and less defendable.
Michael Ian Sachs
Redondo Beach
Artificial intelligence
Dear ER:
As a landscape professional with over 40 years of experience in the world of flora I have seen the rising escalation of fake grass. Artificial turf is touted as a sort of “Fix-all” in the world of landscaping — after all, who doesn’t want to save water? Fake grass is made from tires. Do we actually want our children coming into contact with more forever chemicals? One huge downside of artificial turf during climate change is that it significantly raises soil and air temperatures, 40 to 70 degrees, which cooks the wildlife above and below the soil. According to the USDA, trees have the ability to provide an essential of life for all living things on our planet – oxygen, and the power to remove harmful gasses, such as carbon dioxide, making the air we breathe healthier. Do we really want to interfere with this? Plastic grass needs to be cleaned, stinks horribly if used as a place for dogs to relieve themselves, and begins to look terrible after so many years. It is not recyclable, which means it further adds to our trash problem.
There are alternatives to this horrible product. Consider some of the new native grasses being developed. They use much less water. How about a native garden? Please reconsider the installation of fake grass for the sake of future generations and the health of the planet.
Mike Garcia
Via Email
Trashy notice
Dear ER
I am guilty of barely reading the Notices of Public Hearing that we all receive from the City of Hermosa Beach throughout the year. They’re filled with confusing legal terms and verbiage that’s hard to understand. However, the most recent one concerns proposed changes in solid waste and recycling rates in Hermosa. Changes that would go into place quietly until you see your future bills. Athens Services, and the City are planning to increase trash rates over 45 percent for residents ,and 55 percent for businesses in an 18 month period, starting January 1st. We all realize the costs of living here are increasing, but jumping up 15 percent, and 18.33 percent respectively, every six months just seems greedy. Please email the City Council or come to the Public Hearing on December 13, 2022 to voice your opinions.
Rick Hankus
Hermosa Beach
Politics 101
Dear ER:
Lessons learned from last week’s local elections: 1. You can’t buy a council seat in Manhattan Breach, especially with out-of-town money. The top spender ($84,000) placed third, well behind the two winners. 2. Manhattan voters depend on candidate track records. The two new councilmembers have both served multiple prior terms, as had the two top vote-getters two years ago. The new school board members have years of hands-on experience with school funding and administration. 3. Be careful who you throw your support to. Late-breaking information about two school board candidates revealed troubling pasts incompatible with positions in education leadership. It pays to dig a little deeper before endorsing newcomers. 4. Most importantly, it’s clear that the far-right agenda has no place in Manhattan Beach. Moderates prevailed. Thank you, Manhattan voters for rejecting partisanship and choosing candidates who will lead our town and schools with decorum and common sense.
Faith B. Lyons
Manhattan Beach
Ed Foundation’s role
Dear ER:
Last week, Manhattan Beach Councilmember Suzanne Hadley was quoted as questioning the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation Board and MBEF’s support of Measure A, a proposed parcel tax on the ballot last June (“Troubled Trifecta,” ER November 10, 2022). Measure A was a unique opportunity to fix the persistent funding deficit that has plagued our community’s schools. Such a measure is consistent with MBEF’s mission to ensure that Manhattan Beach public schools have the financial resources needed to provide our children with an excellent education. Supporting a parcel tax measure is common among education foundations throughout the state and is allowed under the Internal Revenue Code. Furthermore, the expenditures in question were less than one percent of the annual budget, well within the MBEF Board’s own policy limiting to two percent the use of Foundation resources for advocacy. We are proud to stand with our community’s students and remain focused on providing high-quality and well-funded programs in our community schools. We will always support strong schools and a strong community.
The MBEF Board of Directors
Hilary Mahan, MBEF Executive Director
Manhattan Beach
Poll dancers
Dear ER:
On behalf of the 19 poll workers at the Manhattan Beach Joslyn Center I’d like to thank the citizens of Manhattan Beach, as well as the few others who cast their ballots with us, for a very pleasant polling place experience. Everyone was polite, kind and most of all patient. We appreciate your support very much. Not to go unnoticed, the City of Manhattan Beach’s Maintenance Department did a quick and phenomenal job drying out the early morning flood. The support of the Parks and Recreation Department is also much appreciated!
Jackie May
Manhattan Beach
Taken for a ride
Dear ER:
The Beach Cities Health District is asking for permits to spend about $2 million of taxpayer money on a bike path from Flagler and Beryl avenues to Diamond and Prospect. What could go wrong with a health district with no construction or traffic experience altering roads in two cities that the District doesn’t own? Why would Redondo Beach and Torrance cede property to BCHD to get into the road construction business? Why does it look like BCHD’s private developer (PMB) of the proposed 107.5 foot tall, 275,000 square foot is kicking in money when the project is clearly not on the site? These are questions that will never be answered if BCHD has its way working in the shadows. BCHD is not a Torrance agency. The majority of the project is in Torrance and should be denied. If BCHD wants bike lanes, then give the money to the cities and let them do the work. We the taxpayers will have to maintain, repair and defend against liability lawsuits on every inch of the work. We should be protected by having the cities own plan, and construct any changes to our streets. BCHD should have no easements or rights-of-way to public roads. Stop the power grab by BCHD. Email StopBCHD@gmail.com or visit StopBCHD.com for more information.
Mark Nelson
Redondo Beach
Spectrum news
Dear ER:
Thank you for printing a spectrum of letters to the editor, advocating for different candidates, different causes and especially for printing disagreements over your coverage of an issue (ER “Letters to the Editor,” November 10, 2022). And thank you for modeling professionalism with your measured, fact-based election issue. Please continue to inform your readers about the outcome of the current elections, propositions and county measures.
Sarah Ferris
Manhattan Beach
Classy candidates
Dear ER:
Congratulations to all the winning candidates. My faith in the tone of the message gives me so much pride as a Manhattan Beach citizen. This town sets the tone for the adaptation of class and distinction. For those of you who have moved here because you thought that was paramount in the soul of our town, I hope you realize you made the right choice. This town is like no other American city. We welcome the east coast, mid-west, southern, northern pacific, and all the world’s cultural values. All we ask is that you give elasticity to your values as we share our beach culture, which makes it all work. This town listens and allows for the expression and experiences of all equally, then moves on. God bless Manhattan Beach. It was wonderful meeting all of you on the campaign trail.
Stewart Fournier
Manhattan Beach
Election engineering
Dear ER:
Although I agreed with the results of the Redondo Beach special election on October 19,, it left a bad taste in my mouth. Not just because our city spent over $100,000 to have a separate election from the midterms, which I consider to be a waste of taxpayer money, but also because I feel the low turnout is an indirect disenfranchising of voters. We already know fewer voters show up for our elections in March as opposed to November. Mayor Bill Brand and his supporters have built an active grassroots movement in our city, and good for them. They should feel confident in bringing their views on the issues to as many voters as possible, but this is not what happened. They have voted against aligning our elections with the November elections, as many other cities have done, in coordination with well-intentioned SB 415, and now have paid to move an election about cannabis. When a city has a turnout of 15,000 for a special election, as opposed to 40,000 two weeks later for the general election, the process is flawed. The Equal Protection Clause of our Constitution refers mostly to apportionment, but there may come a day a case will be made that equal protection could apply to the timing of elections. Our country has seen many examples of different sides trying to gain election advantage, whether it be from gerrymandering, suppression, and apportionment. Many of us want it to stop. I want all sides to play by the same rules, and when my side wins, I want to know that those who disagreed with me had every chance to be heard and considered. When that does not occur, the result becomes less credible and less defendable.
Michael Ian Sachs
Redondo Beach