Letters to the Editor 11-23-23
Blue belt for men/women in blue
Dear ER
This is great (“Hermosa police train in martial arts,” ER November 16, 2023). Every law enforcement officer should be required to have at least a blue belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. I guarantee you will see a huge decline in excessive use of force complaints.
Kyle Thompson
FB comment
Beryl school brawl
Dear ER:
Redondo Beach has had a long standing reputation for having one of the best school districts in LA County. This is one of the main reasons my family and I decided to settle in the city eight years ago. Beryl Heights Elementary also once had a reputation for feeling like a private school in a public school district, but that has unfortunately changed. As a parent of children in this school, I am absolutely horrified to hear what our teachers and staff are dealing with on a daily basis — threats, groping, violence, biting, and verbal abuse from several students. On what planet is this behavior acceptable in a classroom? A large number of concerned parents and teachers voiced their concern at the November 14 school board meeting. Our teachers are begging for additional resources including classroom aids, safety protocols, more teachers to break up classrooms with 40 students, and clear and frequent communication to the parents so they know exactly what is happening on our campus. Our children are there to learn, not watch other children attack our teachers while no one does anything. The RBUSD needs to take action now. With the lowest test scores in the district, Beryl School children are already suffering. What else needs to happen before changes are made and we get some help?
S.D.
Redondo Beach
Data deniers
Dear ER
For months, I have been referred to as a political hack, sycophant, disingenuous, woke, and insensitive to crime because I pointed out, by simply accessing the Manhattan Beach Police Department website crime stats, that our town is not under a crime siege, as many continue to promote. Most recently, I was called pro-criminal. This spun my head 360 degrees since for 13 years, I held the hands of victims of crime on scene, and in the courts as a civilian employee volunteer for the Manhattan Beach Police Department. I also hosted a crime prevention show for all three Beach City police departments for 10 years. Yes, we are seeing acts of untold, unacceptable in-your-face “misdemeanor” criminal behavior never witnessed before. It warrants attention so the keys to change can evolve. My point is it’s important to pay close attention to the fear we create by lashing out at everything that contributes to our belief that criminals in Manhattan Beach have a beachhead they never had before. Do I dare mention that crime has reduced by 40 percent in the last year during the period in which I was accused of being all the above since I was highlighting what I thought was good news? Are we so callous that good news does not matter anymore? Not in my world. Walking my dog as I have for over 30 years on the Greenbelt has never felt safer, no matter the hour. Chief Johnson, thank you for the unwavering professionalism of the women and men of the Manhattan Beach Police Department.
Stewart Fournier
Manhattan Beach
Capture and recycle
Dear ER:
In California, we recognize our future water supply is stormwater capture and recycling. Yet, Manhattan Beach doesn’t have a single stormwater project that captures and recycles stormwater. In fact, City owned storm drains will continue to empty into the ocean for years to come. I just don’t think that’s acceptable. The West Basin Water District has been a leader in recycling water. In many parts of our City, the West Basin “purple pipes” supply recycled water. Why can’t Manhattan Beach explore sending storm water from City owned storm drains to West Basin for recycling? You should know that the main stormwater drain that is owned by the County will no longer empty into the ocean. When completed, the 28th Street Infiltration project will infiltrate LA County’s main storm drain, which covers 60 percent of our City. The result is no trash or toxic chemicals will be released into the ocean from that LA County owned storm drain. That’s real progress. With the passage of Measure W in 2018, LA County has an impressive Safe and Clean Water Program to capture and recycle stormwater. Measure W will generate over $7.5 billion in parcel taxes during a 30-year period of time, with our MB resident paying over $1 million per year. It is reasonable to expect more and more of that $7.4 billion will be spent in cities like ours, ones that have storm drains that empty directly into the ocean.
Mark Burton
Manhattan Beach
Looking back to the future
Dear ER:
Thank you to the visionaries who saw the ancient, historic, salt pond restored from underneath the AES Site (“State gives $5 million for AES parkland,” ER November 16, 2023). They envisioned and planned a beautiful, expansive parkland to support the pond for all of Redondo and visitors to access and enjoy. Thanks to Assemblyman Muratsuchi for his long-time support for this project. Also thanks South Bay Parkland Conservancy (SBPC) founders, Bill Brand, Jim Light, Dave Wiggins, and everyone else who contributed to the creation of this important conservation effort in the South Bay.
Barbara Epstein
Redondo Beach
Politicizing the city attorney
Dear ER:
During the current Redondo Beach City Attorney’s tenure, he ran unopposed twice. For eight years (40 percent of his tenure) the voters had zero power. Whether you voted for the incumbent or not, you were getting the incumbent. That is one of the biggest problems with an elected city attorney. How many active attorneys, with experience in Government law (CEQA, Coastal Act, land use regulations, government contracting, Brown Act, etc.) live in Redondo Beach and want to run for an elected office? And of course every election is political. An elected attorney has some bias toward those who helped him or her get in office. Not for all voters. Not for all residents. Those who helped him or her get in office. These are just two of the reasons the vast majority of Cities do not elect their city Attorneys. Out of 482 cities in California, only 10 elect their city attorneys. A far better solution is to have the city manager run a formal hiring process and have the Council vote for or against the city manager’s choice. This removes politics, removes the artificial constraint of having to live in Redondo, and ensures we get better qualified city attorneys.
Jim Light
Redondo Beach
Who’s politicizing the city attorney
Dear ER:
It is obvious that the good people of Redondo Beach are against Mayor Bill Brand’s and his sycophant’s attempt to take away our power to elect our City Attorney. Our beloved City Attorney is the only check on the power of the Mayor and Council. That is why Brand and his sycophants are trying to eliminate it. Redondo voters have voted five times to keep our elected City Attorney. The Council must stop all consideration of their scheme. The Council must stop wasting Redondo taxpayer money and staff time. A change election is coming. Time to throw the bums out.
Paul Moses
Redondo Beach
allcove anniversary
Dear ER:
On November 18, allcove Beach Cities held a birthday celebration to
commemorate the one-year anniversary of being able to provide preventive mental health
services to young people. Highlights included music performances by local youth, an art
competition featuring youth artists, and themed rooms, such as one with an affirmation
mirror. The vibrant atmosphere fostered connections among attendees and left many with
heartfelt memories. allcove Beach Cities has been a vital resource since its November 2022 inception. More than 4,100 young individuals have been welcomed, and nearly 500 young people have engaged in its services. Community members are encouraged to connect with our Instagram @allcoveBeachCities. Additionally, allcove will be hosting Sunset in the Cove with Senator Ben Allen on November 29, which is guaranteed to be an enriching experience.
allcove Beach Cities Youth Advisory Group
Shea Townley, Colin Chia, and Sean Halligan
COVID-19 lessons
Dear ER:
I urge our Congressional District 36 Representative Ted Lieu to advocate for the highest levels of funding for global childhood immunization during the appropriations period. While serving as an EMT during the pandemic, I grappled with the fear of contracting COVID-19, allowing me to empathize with the vulnerability that children who have not received their basic vaccinations experience every day. Shockingly, one in five children worldwide falls into this category, living with the constant dread of becoming one of the four million childhood vaccine-preventable deaths each year. Given our abundant resources for vaccination, it is crucial that we ensure these children have the same opportunity to grow up with assurance they will lead healthy lives. The resurgence of measles cases globally following the Covid-19 pandemic serves as a stark reminder that under-vaccination anywhere poses a threat everywhere. Throughout the pandemic, a staggering 67 million children did not receive their routine vaccinations, underscoring the urgency of restoring global vaccination levels to prevent such avoidable deaths.
Bohan Zang
Palos Verdes