Letters to the Editor 2-29-24
Jazz All Stars
Dear ER:
Wowza! Amaaazing. National recognition for the extraordinarily talented Mira Costa Jazz Band (“Mira Costa High Jazz Band wins National Jazz Festival,” ER February 22, 2024). Congratulations to each of the hard working and incredibly committed students, and, of course, to Band Director Joel Carlson in helping these aspiring musicians be the very best they can be. And thanks to writer Hibah Samad and Easy Reader for bringing us this great story.
Gerry O’Connor
Manhattan Beach
Overhead, or underground vote
Dear ER:
I have lived in Hermosa Beach for over 40 years and the proposal to spend over $100 million to build a new Civic Center is a poor one (“Measure twice, pay once’ at center of Hermosa Council debate,” ER Feb. 22, 2024). Like most locals, I rarely visit City Hall. However, I walk by it several days a week and it looks fine to me. What doesn’t look fine to me are the numerous power lines that clutter our view. They are very noticeable from almost every street in the city. If anything deflates our property values, it’s the power lines, not city hall. The view from our street is so obstructed that our neighbor called to protest when we hired somebody to trim the tree in front of our office. She said our tree blocked the power lines and she begged us not to trim it. Yes, the power lines are that bad. I suggest we use the $100 million to underground the power lines. I recognize that a bond measure or sales tax might be needed to help cover the full expense. I recommend that. In November, I suggest we have a ballot measure asking residents to express their preference — a new Civic Center or undergrounding the utilities.
Larry Heyert
Hermosa Beach
Staff measure
Dear ER:
The most disturbing part of the Hermosa Civic Center plan is that “staff” (City Manager Suja Lowenthal) will appoint the citizen advisory council (“Measure twice, pay once’ at center of Hermosa Council debate,” ER Feb. 22, 2024). This assures her ability to continue to push this project through without opposition, or significant oversight. No decent will be tolerated.
Robert Aronoff
Hermosa Beach
Snappy choice
Dear ER:
The choice of Jim Light as interim mayor makes perfect sense (“Council appoints Jim Light new Redondo Beach mayor,” Feb. 22, 2024). Light is a person of analytical intelligence and highest character. He is thoroughly knowledgeable and experienced in all Redondo Beach government issues. His acceptance of Mayor Bill Brand’s wish for him to take over was the natural extension of his dedication to the city over more than 20 years. There is nothing self-serving or treacherous about advocating for parkland, restoration of our wetland, and doing the best for the people of Redondo. Light never engages in ugly attacks, but always uses facts to engage the truth. If it sounds like I admire and respect Jim Light, the reader is right. For the two councilmembers who had any doubts about this choice, I am here to reassure them. If you know me, you know I have no hidden agenda.
Barbara Epstein
Redondo Beach
Snap judgment
Dear ER:
The last time the Redondo City Council needed to appoint a Council Member it took 30 days (“Council appoints Jim Light new Redondo Beach mayor,” ER Feb. 22, 2024). The three Councilmembers who appointed Jim Light to be Mayor took 30 minutes. The Council spent more time discussing leaf blowers that night.
Paul Moses
Redondo Beach
Transparent travesty
Dear ER:
I had expected the Redondo Beach City Council would conduct a transparent and democratic process in appointing a new mayor. People would apply and then at a future special meeting, the City Council would interview them and make an informed decision. But sadly no. Obviously the council had already decided whom they were going to appoint. So much for representing the people and the democratic process. Only District 3 and District 5 council members Paige Kaluderovic and Scott Behrendt voted against this travesty and for a democratic process.
Joan Irvine
Redondo Beach
Not taken lightly
Dear ER:
When it came time to address the open seat of Redondo Beach Mayor at last Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Councilmember Paige Kaluderovic made a motion to continue the item of selecting an Interim Mayor but did not get a second on her motion. The Council clearly disagreed with delaying the selection. City Attorney Webb advised the Council the position should be deemed vacant from the date the Mayor passed, on February 9. They were already 13 days in. Four Councilmembers were ready to proceed, three of whom voted for Jim Light, per Brand’s apparent wishes. The appointment was made properly. The City Attorney said their selection could take place immediately, which it then did. Scores of Redondo residents showed up and called into the Council meeting to express their desires, overwhelmingly in favor of appointing Jim Light. The choice was appropriately deliberated, conducted publicly, procedurally correct, and done properly.
Lisa Youngworth
Redondo Beach
Redondo role model
Dear ER:
After a day of celebrating Mayor Brand’s life, his many accomplishments, life stories and memories, I came home and turned on the TV. A current affairs type of show was on and the host opened the show with: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” He was quoting President John Quincy Adams, our sixth president. It was Presidents’ Day. I thought to myself, that quote is the epitome of what Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand accomplished during a life that ended much too soon. Bill’s actions inspired so many of us, and he definitely was a leader. I feel blessed to have known him and to have called him my friend, as well as a great mayor. I will miss him speaking at our annual homeowners’ meetings, I will miss him at my Christmas parties, I will miss running into him on walks, and I will really miss him whizzing by me on his bike as I’m driving home. One Christmas, years ago, I gave him a plaque that read, “There is nothing like a dream to create the future” (Victor Hugo). Bill has left an indelible mark on this city and has created a better Future for Redondo.
Kelly Charles
Redondo Beach
Agree to disagree
Dear ER:
I had some very public disagreements with Bill Brand over the future of Redondo Beach. In spite of all that, he was always a gentleman. I knew he was a good guy and he wanted the best for the city. I’m truly saddened by his passing.
Harry Munns
Redondo Beach
Big plans
Dear ER:
A recent email blast from the Beach Cities Health District, BCHD indicates it wants to overturn the carefully considered decision of the Redondo Beach General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) to limit dense development in Redondo Beach. Specifically, the GPAC has recommended that P-CF public zoned areas be limited to a floor area ratio (FAR) of 0.75. That means a property owner with a 10,000 sq. ft. lot would be limited to a 7,500 sq. ft. building in order to not destroy the City’s character and damage surrounding property values and quality-of-life with large, tall overdevelopment.
BCHD continues with its neighborhood-destroying plan to allow a 100% private developer to build a 6-story building along Beryl and Flagler streets, at up to 113-feet above those streets. That towering building will be over 150-feet above many Torrance homes and well over 100-feet above surrounding Redondo Beach homes. It will further devalue surrounding property, create additional non-resident traffic, and create significant noise impacts.
BCHD cannot be allowed to manipulate Redondo Beach planning and zoning rules solely to overbuild facilities for non-residents while damaging surrounding neighborhoods.
Mark Nelson
Redondo Beach
Community foundation
Dear ER:
When my daughter entered public school and my family was welcomed into Manhattan Beach I realized our schools are the foundations of our community, where our kids, parents, and education professionals establish lifelong relationships. I remember, too, when chronic budget shortfalls from Sacramento arrived and severe cuts to our schools where necessary. I remember seeing the discouraged faces of our otherwise enthusiastic teachers when they received their “termination notices” in mid-March. In response, our community organized and fund-raised, repealing some of the layoffs, and culminating in the passage of a parcel tax. Conventional wisdom says our great schools are where our kids are transformed into well-informed and productive citizens, and in turn, our schools raise our property values. But I have seen more. Our kids have become leaders as doctors, researchers, engineers, concert musicians, teachers, military officers, community leaders, and judicial candidates, impacting more than just our city but our state and country as well. Remember, on or before March 5, to vote YES on Measure MB, because our community is counting on you.
John J. Oshiro
Manhattan Beach
The mouths of children
Dear ER:
I am a 7th grader at Manhattan Beach Middle School. I’m writing to my fellow citizens of Manhattan Beach to ask all MB voters to vote yes on the renewal of Measure MB. I value my education and am fully aware of the impact it has on my future. If we do not vote yes to renew Measure MB, the district will lose crucial funding that covers approximately 20 full time positions. When we renew Measure MB, we can ensure we will keep 20 of our hardworking teachers without having to pay additional taxes.
My sister and I have a business called PetSisters, and we charge $15/visit to take care of our customers’ pets. At that rate, it would take 15 visits to make $225, the annual cost of the Measure MB parcel tax. I would gladly trade 15 visits to keep the education I value and love- and to keep my teachers in the classrooms they love.
Since I am not able to check the yes box myself, I respectfully ask that every MB voter does whatever it takes to get their ballots in, on or before March 5th, and vote Yes on the renewal of Measure MB.
Nora Maynard
Manhattan Beach
Coordinating counsel
Dear ER:
| 24 years ago we moved to Manhattan Beach for one reason — the schools. My sons attended elementary, middle and high school here, making lifelong friendships while getting a great education. I watched them thrive in the Manhattan Beach schools like so many families that moved here for the same reason. Being a Board Member of the Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council, I see current students continue to thrive in the schools and our community by volunteering and serving in local non-profits. Great schools attract great families. It’s no surprise that our home value has more than tripled since moving to Manhattan Beach.
A yes on Measure MB will continue our tradition of excellent schools and launching students who go out into the world and make a difference. If you received a ballot in the mail please drop it off at one of the voting boxes as soon as possible. If you vote in person please go early and support Measure MB on March 5th. Every vote counts for the renewal of this critical parcel tax of only $225 per year. That’s dinner for two in downtown Manhattan Beach for one night. Skip the dinner — support the schools. YES to renew Measure MB. |
Abby Waddekk
Manhattan Beach
I don’t think so
Dear ER:
Measure MB will very likely pass on March 5. All the same, I cannot in good faith support it.
- MBUSD blames Prop 13 for its budget deficit, as if any state or county property tax wouldn’t redistribute based on need. Affluent communities like Manhattan Beach are always needed to at least attempt to level the playing field for our less affluent neighbors.
- The MBUSD budget has doubled in the last 10 years, despite reduced enrollment. This Board threatens to cut teachers while they added three new administrative directors. Thus far, more money has meant more bureaucracy and unnecessary programs, not more teachers.
- The Board admitted this new parcel tax won’t fix their budget problem. Is there a deficit reduction plan? Will academics be prioritized over “social” goals? Are the parents going to be heard on how the money is spent?
No to Measure MB. This is just more money for people whose priorities have not been academic excellence.
Lucia La Rosa
Manhattan Beach