Letters to the Editor 11-28-24

Too young

Dear ER:

Manhattan Beach school’s e-bike safety program is a great idea (“MBUSD launches e-bike safety program,” ER November 14, 2023). However fourth and fifth graders are too young to be riding e-bikes  in traffic with automobiles, and trucks. These bikes are nothing more than electric motorcycles. We license youths to drive cars. Why not e-bikes?

Roseanne Wegrich

Manhattan Beach

Fundamental gratitude

Dear ER:

The Redondo Beach Teachers Association extends its heartfelt gratitude to the 67.4% of voters who supported Measure S. Their generous support will provide much-needed funding for essential facility improvements in our schools. The projects that they have enabled are not glamorous or extravagant; they are fundamental repairs and safety enhancements. The State of California does not allocate funds for school facility improvements. Therefore, the voters’ commitment to our community and its youth is not only admirable but indispensable. Redondo Beach students are fortunate to grow up in a community that prioritizes their education by ensuring that their schools are well-maintained and safe.

The educators of Redondo Beach take great pride in working for a community that values and supports public education. Community backing for our schools is not just a professional concern for us; it is deeply personal. Learning that so many voted YES on Measure S has reassured us, lifted our spirits, renewed our sense of purpose, and filled us with profound gratitude. We pledge to dedicate our efforts to prepare the students of Redondo Beach for success in college and the workforce. Voters’ affirmative vote on November 5 demonstrated their partnership with us and their belief in the importance of public education. With sincere and humble appreciation,

The Redondo Beach Teachers Association

Community Thanksgiving 

Dear ER:

During this season of appreciation, I have much to be thankful for. Thank you to our incredible teachers and all the amazing staff that dedicate themselves to helping our students reach their full potential and thrive. Their passion and creativity inspires our students to reach  new heights and become lifelong learners. Thank you to our PTAs, Educational Foundation, BCHD, and other organizations that offer enrichment opportunities our students wouldn’t otherwise have access to. Thank you to our parents and community volunteers who give their time and energy to support our entire educational community. Their dedication leaves lasting impressions on our students.

Thank you to our students for their enthusiasm and curiosity. They are our why. Their educational journey will follow many different paths and we will continue expanding our support for all college and career options in a rapidly changing world. Thank you to the voters of Redondo Beach for their investment in our schools through Measure S. I understand the financial burden this places on our community and appreciate their support for preserving and enhancing our schools not just for this generation but all the generations to come. I will work diligently to ensure every dollar spent maximizes their investment in education. It is a privilege to be a part of and serve such an incredible community. I thank everyone who works so hard to make it this special.

Dan Elder

Board of Education

Redondo Beach

FAR up close

Dear ER

Redondo Beach Community Development Director Marc Wiener will make a presentation to the City Council at its December 3 meeting regarding the floor area ratio (FAR) limits for Public-Institutional (P-I) land uses. The Planning Commission recommended a 0.5 FAR for all P-I land uses. The Council increased the land use intensity for two City-owned, public safety sites. Police and fire are essential services. If public safety requires denser development then they should be granted the higher FAR. The fire and police don’t rent out their land or buildings. The fire and police provide the overwhelming majority of their services to the residents of the City.

Beach Cities Health District, however, is a non-essential, non-mandatory government entity. Over 95% of LA County has no health care districts, demonstrating the optionality of BCHD. BCHD currently seeks to be a real estate developer and lease out three acres of public land for private, for-profit development. According to BCHD’s studies by MDS, developers like PMB LLC will build $15,000 per month assisted living facilities for 80% non-residents of the District. To do that, BCHD wants a 1.25 (high density) FAR, even though it is not essential, like the fire and police departments.

Spot upzoning for BCHD is probably illegal, but BCHD plans to sue the City to get it. Over the past 5 years or so, BCHD has spent nearly $3 million of our tax funds on legal fees for real estate development, and a total of about $14 million on development consultants. Couple that with the $600,000 that taxpayers paid for BCHD’s failed Measure BC election and it’s clear that BCHD has lost interest in health care and moved on to spending on executive salaries, lawyers, and real estate development.

Mark Nelson

Redondo Beach

Constructive criticism

Dear ER:

It takes a few hours to demolish a building, but it takes several years to rebuild it. The same applies to a corporation – large or small, for-profit or nonprofit. For over a year, Redondo Beach resident Mark Nelson has been doing everything he can think of to destroy the Beach Cities Health District. He even created a website, BCHD.com to criticize BCHD management and its projects without offering an alternative or a workable solution.

The need to demolish the former South Bay Hospital building is that it does not comply with the current building code and is likely to collapse when a major earthquake strikes. Nelson claims the taxpayers don’t want the building torn down. So what is the alternative? Wait until a powerful earthquake does the job for us and kills the people inside?

Thousands of volunteers contribute to public service through the BCHD and the Beach City residents are receiving enormous benefits from their service. What is gained by destroying this organization? BCHD does a good job of serving local residents, though there is always room for improvement. I hope the failure of Measure BC will be a wake-up call to BCHD’s leadership and will prompt an overhaul of its strategies, projects and budgets. It should lead to actions aimed at making it more nimble, efficient and responsive to residents’ needs.

Shutting it down without offering an alternative is not the right approach. In the interest of peace, prosperity, good life and spirit of camaraderie, I urge Nelson to offer a helping hand to the BCHD leadership and work to create something that local residents will enjoy, feel proud of and benefit from.

Vijay Jeste

Redondo Beach

Unhealthy politics

Dear ER:

While Measure BC failed, numerous residents supported BCHD by posting positive comments online (almost as many as we saw to keep RBFD local) and taking time to speak at city council meetings against a targeted FAR for BCHD. Even after BC failed, it is odd to me the same names keep pounding on BCHD. Where is this outrage when a new smoke shop opens up walking distance to elementary and middle schools? I don’t believe the South Bay wants BCHD to go away while we see smoke shops open up with abandon. With FP and S on the ballot, it is reasonable BC failed; even as a supporter, I knew it was a long shot. I will remind those dancing on Measure BC’s grave, BCHD CEO Tom Bakaly was named “Man of the Year” by the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce in 2022. Can any of the “Stop” people say the same? I know residents appreciate BCHD and I think BC failed because residents know that a public-private partnership could work to generate revenue and reduce the financial burden on residents.

Marie Puterbaugh

Redondo Beach

(Editor’s note: The following comments, in response to an Easy Reader Letter to the Editor, and a story in last week’s November 21 Easy Reader, were posted on the Hermosa Beach Resident’s Forum Facebook page).

Bring in the pie

Dear ER:

Small-town politics can feel like Thanksgiving dinner at a dysfunctional family’s house.  

Hermosa is like a family.  Maybe a loud, opinionated, slightly dysfunctional family, but a family nonetheless. I’ve been thinking a lot about this dynamic—especially after my recent letter to the editor (“Out of control local control,” ER Letters, November 21, 2024). To say it caused a stir would be an understatement. One group of readers was cheering, convinced I had finally said what needed to be said. Another group was fuming, upset that I had dared to voice such an opinion.  

What struck me most was how quickly the discussion turned into an “us versus them” debate. The letter seemed to deepen the divide between two already entrenched groups, each locked in their echo chambers. It got me wondering: What are we teaching the next generation about community and collaboration?  What kind of Hermosa do we want to leave for our kids? A place where people only engage with others who share their opinions? Or a town where young people grow up learning the value of compromise, empathy, and teamwork? The ability to work with people who see the world differently is one of the most important skills anyone can learn. 

The letter to the editor was a reminder for me—and maybe for all of us—that disagreement is not the enemy. When someone challenges your opinion, that’s a gift. It means they care enough to engage. Instead of getting defensive, why not lean in with curiosity?

Hermosa isn’t a battleground—it’s a sandbox. Let’s learn to play together again.  

The young Hermosans are watching us. They’re learning how to navigate their own futures based on what we show them. Let’s show them a family can work through its dysfunction. One that doesn’t take itself too seriously, knows how to laugh, and values every member—even the ones we disagree with.  

Because at the end of the day, this little beach town isn’t just a place—it’s a family. And families thrive when they learn to listen, forgive, and grow together.  

Now, who’s bringing the pie to this family meeting?  

Ed Hart

Hermosa Beach

Heartbreak Hermosa

Dear ER:

I was moved by Ed Hart’s letter in Easy Reader (“Out of control local control,” ER Letters, November 21, 2024). For those who wonder why the Becker building and other downtown properties have been vacant for so long, it’s worth reading and discussing to better understand the dynamics beneath the vacancies. I watched the Planning Commission meeting referenced in Hart’s letter. The property owner seemed quite emotional over the experience of trying to get a tenant in Hermosa. I am a downtown commercial property owner, resident, and lover of Hermosa. It breaks my heart to read stories like this.

Jonathan David

Hermosa Beach

Unmoved

Dear ER:

I wasn’t moved by Ed Hart’s letter (“Out of control local control,” ER Letters, November 21, 2024). It was based on the usual misinformation that puts total blame on the city of Hermosa Beach.

1. The alleged 18 month process apparently was not 18 months.

2. The elevator requirement appears to be ADA’s, not Hermosa’s.

3. The Planning Commission removed the solar panel requirement.

4. To even consider that the City is “intentionally undermining the downtown” is an amazing assertion.

5. Stating that the community is disillusioned — what is his evidence of this? If this were the case, why did Councilmember Mike Detoy, the only incumbent, get the most votes on November 5.

6. There does not seem to be an unusual number of vacant spaces downtown. Most of those that have been vacant have new tenants in place or are lined up (Atta Girl, Derm Dude, The Ale House, Redwood Pie, new Tiki Bar on the Plaza, 3rd Tacos El Goloso location!, new Art Studio on Pier, etc.).

This is an example of continual city criticism without taking the time to research what really happened. The continual negative editorials from this long time business owner is disappointing.

Ira Ellman

Hermosa Beach

Lessons to be learned

Dear ER

There’s a teachable moment here (“Out of control local control,” ER Letters, November 21, 2024). Everyone involved in the process appears to have done their job properly. The property owner acknowledges the helpful work of city staff. But it’s taken 15 months to get to this point, and the landlord is at risk of losing tenants who seem viable and accretive in the long-term. Pay particular attention to the landlord’s comments about why they chose this particular change of use, and why they turned down other less viable short-term options. They are trying to reimagine an important (and highly visible) retail space, which has been in their family for 60 years.

We should be examining the process — especially the handoffs between city staff, planning commission, council and the connection to municipal code/zoning updates. And the role that PLAN Hermosa (Hermosa’s General Plan) plays in these sorts of outcomes. The solar issue was easily resolved with some common sense, and it appears that there may be a pragmatic solution to the ADA issue. It really should not take 15-18 months to get to this point. This is an example of unintended consequences. Nobody’s fault individually, but it’s time for a collective review to ensure that this doesn’t keep happening.

If these tenants walk away from the deal, everyone loses. The property owner, the city, the residents. Property owners and entrepreneurs will be less inclined to take risks in future if these hurdles are too high. Business needs better advocacy in Hermosa Beach, for everyone’s benefit.

John Burry

Hermosa Beach

Low hanging fruit

Dear ER:

Thank you Jon David for highlighting this for all of us. And thank you Ed Hart for starting what I hope will be meaningful dialog and real change. This is an example of why I opposed Measure HB. Among other improvements, our City needs to better learn how to get out of its own way and out of the way of progress in order to efficiently move properties back into tax  revenue-generating status. That is low hanging fruit when it comes to boosting City revenue, as opposed to a new sales tax measure. No, I am not reopening the debate that the majority of local voters already ended, thankfully. I am merely highlighting an example of what I was talking about during my own opposition to that measure.

Randy Balik

Hermosa Beach

Offer of advice

Dear ER: 

I am all for more efficient, streamlined processes that are clear and reduce the burden for everyone (“Out of control local control,” ER Letters, November 21, 2024). For the last 12 years, I have been helping developers and homeowners put solar on their properties and reduce the cost of their projects, on a pro-bono or quasi pro-bono basis. If I can be of service to any of my neighbors (including the businesses) please feel free to reach out. There are several things of concern on this project. One of them is the cost laid out for solar. Does anyone know why it is more than double what it should be? Also, it sounds like a roof replacement is being tagged as “energy efficient roofing.” Solar and energy efficient roofing are part of the state’s title 24 permitting process and when done properly means lower bills and a more comfortable building for the occupant – which means more value for the owner.

Again, I’m all for streamlining the process, but let’s make sure to get the facts right. 

Robert Fortunato

Hermosa Beach

What’s the real problem

Dear ER:

I have yet to hear a single person articulate what it is the city has done wrong in this case. What I do see a hyperbolic letter to the editor placing blame to the point of conspiracy, theorizing that’s light on facts and includes harmful misinformation (“Out of control local control,” ER Letters, November 21, 2024). Pretty much every time I’ve ever decided to deep dive into a city issue, I find nothing but city employees doing everything they can to solve problems by working within systems as they exist, many of which are outside their control. Every time I’ve ever needed to get something done from the city I’ve also found nothing but well meaning, helpful people. The tactic of just making vague accusations and placing blame on people you don’t like is effective in causing chaos and undermining those in charge, but it’s markedly less helpful in actually solving problems or improving things. Perhaps we ought to try a different approach.

Russ Gilbert

Hermosa Beach