Letters to the Editor 2-8-24
Talk about housing
Dear ER:
Hermosa Beach City Manager Suja Lowenthal, Community Development Director Carrie Tai, and the city council need to schedule a public forum on the Housing Element. In October 2023, our Housing Element was rejected by the state because there was an issue with public participation. I first heard about the Housing Element and St. Cross project not from city officials, but from a friend. I, like many residents, felt blindsided and left out of the decision-making process. A petition with 2,500 signatures proved that I was not alone. Even though I spoke at several city council meetings, it seemed the council members had already made up their minds. Why wasn’t there a public forum on this matter, as specified in our city’s Governance Elements? Wake up city staff and council. Engage your community.
Michele Hampton
Hermosa Beach
Hermosa giveth, and taketh
Dear ER:
I am writing about Hermosa Beach’s anti-business stance, particularly evident in recent city interactions with Scotty’s, Baja Sharkeez, Palmilla, Vista and Pedone’s Pizza (“Hermosa spares Pedone’s pizza takeout,” ER Feb. 1, 2024). During the pandemic, Sharkeez, Palmilla and Vista added valuable outdoor spaces, becoming hubs for birthdays, non-profit events, and civic gatherings. Unfortunately, the city’s response to their Conditional Use Permit (CUP) modification requests has been disheartening. The non-refundable $6,000 fee for a CUP modification seems excessive, especially during challenging economic times when a half dozen local restaurants have closed or are closing. Moreover, the city’s lack of transparency in the process raises eyebrows, leaving business owners uncertain about the future. In the case of Sharkeez and Palmilla, the city’s claimed concerns about public safety, citing issues that hadn’t arisen despite several years of rooftop dining, feels like a strategic move to obstruct rather than support. To block these requests, the city threw in ridiculous requests of the entire establishment to close two hours early and reduce total capacity by 40 to 50 percent. This would be fatal to all three businesses. While the city has been secretive about what they are requiring of Vista, it’s likely to be the same if the city wants to avoid another $1 million court fine for unfair targeting. The recent Pedone’s Pizza hearing further illustrates the city’s unfriendly stance. While acknowledging the business’s violation, some on the council refused to explore creative solutions, like at least allowing a delivery-only window after midnight. The city again cited non-existent “public safety” concerns for not allowing pizza delivery. In the case of Scotty’s, if you wondered why the Strand side dining disappeared, that was because the city demanded a $1,300 non-refundable application fee and engineering drawings. How many omelets would the diner need to serve to break even? Hermosa Beach should be working to help businesses overcome challenges. Instead, the city’s focus on lecturing and resisting compromise only reinforces the perception that Hermosa Beach is an anti-small business community.
Raymond Dussault
Hermosa Beach
Money where your homeless are
Dear ER:
Hermosa Beach should do less to help the City Manager and more to help the homeless (“City Manager bonus, raise approved,” ER Feb. 1, 2024)
Anna L Tattu
Hermosa Beach
RBUSD refocus is blurred
Dear ER:
The Redondo Beach Unified School District decided to make some changes to their Child Care Services for the next school year in 2024-2025. Many families of current 3rd and 4th grade students have been told the Child Development Center will no longer serve 4th and 5th graders this coming Fall. This was done to reflect on increased enrollment in Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and preference of day-long Kindergarten. Many families are dismayed at the decision the school district is imposing so they can focus on the “youngest” learners. While similar services will be available for the 4th and 5th graders this coming school year, there are many families that wish that the CDC still served their 4th and 5th grade students in the future.
Alexandros Martinez
Redondo Beach
Vote for schools, Judge Napolitano
Dear ER:
My ballot for the March 5 primary election arrived on Friday, and I want to bring your attention to two important choices facing Manhattan Beach residents (“Teacher layoffs still loom within after Governor’s budget is released,” ER Feb. 1, 2024). On page one of the ballot, I’m voting for Measure MB, a renewal of our current parcel tax of $225. Measure MB won’t raise our taxes and as a former MBUSD trustee, I can assure you it’s critical for maintaining our excellent schools. My kids are long gone from MBUSD, but I support Measure MB so that your kids can have the same high quality education mine enjoyed. I also know that our property values in Manhattan Beach go hand in hand with the success of our public schools. I see supporting Measure MB as an investment not only in future generations, but in my retirement.
The exemption for senior citizens still exists and if you already have it, you don’t have to reapply. Importantly, Measure MB enjoys wide support from all parts of the political spectrum. It’s a great example of a community coming together for local control. Secondly, I’m excited to flip over the ballot and cast a vote for my colleague on the City Council, Steve Napolitano for Superior Court Judge Office No.39. Steve and I don’t always agree, but I always admire his thought process and how he comes to his decisions. He is fair to his core and weighs all sides. I think he was born to be a judge. Most importantly, please exercise your right to vote!
Amy Howorth
Manhattan Beach
Mayor Pro Tem
Mayor’s reverse play
Dear ER
I opposed Measure A (Manhattan Beach School District Parcel Tax) in 2022 but am supporting Measure MB because it’s a reasonable extension of what we are already paying to keep our local schools strong. Measure MB is $225 per year per household, for six years, with no inflation adjustment. In addition, the Senior Exemption applies to residents 65 and older and, if you have already applied for the exemption, it automatically renews. The money raised can only be spent for teacher salaries and there is a firmly established independent oversight committee. My wife Nancy and I have seen, first-hand, that our highly ranked schools provide opportunities for all Manhattan Beach families as our children make their way in the world. Voting Yes on MB protects our excellent schools, our property values and keeps Manhattan Beach a special place to live.
Joe Franklin
Mayor, Manhattan Beach
Money for 20
Dear ER:
Everyone in Manhattan Beach wins with a yes vote on Measure MB, the simple continuation of the current locally-controlled school funding measure that has been part of Manhattan Beach property taxes since 2018. For families like mine, with children in the District, it is crystal clear how we benefit. Historically, Measure MB has funded more than 20 teaching positions. Those teachers keep class sizes manageable and protect excellent academic programs in math, science, reading, and technology. For Manhattan Beach families with children currently in private school, maintaining excellence in our local public schools guarantees options for your children, especially when they consider high schools. Mira Costa has had increased enrollment in the last few years because families are attracted to Mira Cosa’s award winning programs in academics, music, arts, technology, electives, and athletics. Continuing Measure MB with a yes vote on or before March 5 helps sustain this excellence. Measure MB, at $225 per parcel with no cost of living increase, also benefits residents without children in MBUSD because strong schools create strong communities. Measure MB has broad support from current and former Manhattan Beach elected officials because they too know that Manhattan Beach wins with outstanding, locally-funded public schools. Our schools have long been the heart of our community. Strong schools are the reason so many families move to Manhattan Beach. We all win if we vote yes on Measure MB and continue to fund excellence in our local public schools.
Madeline Kaplan
Manhattan Beach
Gascon alternative
Dear ER:
Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami is by far the most qualified candidate for LA District Attorney. In his 17 years as a prosecutor, he has tried more than 80 felony jury trials, and he was recently named “Prosecutor of the Year” by the LA County Bar Association. Not surprisingly, Hatami was the first to publicly speak out against Gascon’s policies when he refused the newly elected Gascon’s order to remove allegations and strike priors in the case of a little girl who was tortured and murdered by her parent. That’s the courage and conviction we need in our LA County District Attorney and can expect from a former Staff Sergeant and Military Police Officer. Hatami is well respected by other District Attorneys and Chiefs of Police. For example, Hatami has been endorsed by the District Attorneys for the Counties of Riverside, Kern and Fresno and he has been endorsed by the President of the LA County Police Chiefs Association. We need a new District Attorney who is an experienced LA District Attorney, one who has successfully fought for victims of crimes for years. A seasoned District Attorney who is most familiar with prosecuting California felonies and crimes. We certainly don’t need a second term of Gascon’s failed policies that undermine public safety in Manhattan Beach and the Beach Cities. Mark Burton
Manhattan Beach
Measure MB measure
Dear ER:
As a Manhattan Beach parcel tax supporter, I’m writing to explain how the Measure MB Citizens Oversight Committee monitors the School District’s use of the $2.5 million this tax generates each year for our public schools. I’ve served on the Oversight Committee for five years (as Chairman for four years). I hold an MBA in Finance and spent 30 years as a Chief Financial Officer. The Oversight Committee meets three times a year. Meetings are open to the public. Agendas and materials are posted on the MBUSD website. At each meeting, we carefully review financial reports prepared by the School District that outline parcel tax funds received, and detail how those funds were spent for teacher salaries and benefits at each district school. Last year, Measure MB funds paid for 20 teachers who would not have been in our classrooms without the parcel tax. The Oversight Committee prepares Annual Reports, also posted on the MBUSD website, that explain how parcel tax funds were spent. As independent reviewers, we strive to provide complete transparency so Manhattan Beach citizens can be confident their parcel tax dollars are spent exactly for the purpose Measure MB was approved by voters – for high-quality teachers to maintain manageable class sizes. The additional teachers funded by Measure MB help our local school district provide an excellent public education for our kids. Renewal of this parcel tax is needed. Please vote to renew the Measure MB Parcel Tax on or before March 5th.
Michelle McDonald
Manhattan Beach
Bruce’s Beach redo
Dear ER:
“We are not the Manhattan Beach of one hundred years ago. We reject racism, hate, intolerance, and exclusion ‘and apologize.’” Now that the Bruce’s Beach plague has to be replaced, which member of the Manhattan Beach City Council will show 21st Century leadership and demonstrate why we are not the society of the past by adding the word “apologize” to the plaque? It’s been said if a sailboat is off by 1 degree a destination can be missed by hundreds of miles. Let us get the present half-apology off the books and make our mark. It’s overdue. Be the legacy council we elected. “This park is named in memory of Bruce’s Beach and in recognition of Manhattan Beach’s next one hundred years as a city of respect and inclusion.”
Stewart Fournier
Manhattan Beach
Shorewood’s Shepherd
Dear ER
Thank you for the thorough and detailed article regarding the loss of Arnold Goldstein (“Shorewood’s shepherd, ER Feb. 1, 2024). He certainly was a South Bay icon and this article was a fitting tribute to a remarkable individual and his wide range of endeavors. I found it wonderful to read and honestly expand my personal knowledge of Arnold and his family of Shorewood agents. Having closely worked with Shorewood Realtors for over 30 years, I was intrigued and pleasantly surprised of all I didn’t know about Arnold and his cadre of agents. You definitely brought Shorewood Realtors back into the light, exemplifying the lasting impact Arnold has had on the development of the South Bay. Through his mentoring of hundreds of agents, thousands of families have found their homes in the Beach Cities through Shorewood Realtors.
Jim Curnutt
Morro Bay