Letters to the Editor 6-27-19
Suzy’s Gospel
Dear ER:
Sal and Suzy’s will be missed. [Suzy’s Sold,” A la Carte column, ER June 20, 2019]. But hopefully the new owners will continue the great tradition of live music there, and the monthly Gospel Lunch with Tiki McPherson. Blessings to Sal on his well deserved retirement.
Dennis Duke Noor
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State of doing
Dear ER:
In an age in which many residents spend time on social media pontificating, complaining and belittling fellow residents, city staff, and elected officials, it was great to see the Hermosa Beach State of the City celebrate the people who show up and participate [“Armato puts power (and remote controls) in people’s hands,” ER June 20, 2019].
Thank you to all the residents who make the effort to learn and engage, whether it’s in a commission or working group, attending or watching public meetings, giving thoughtful and constructive input in public comment, sending an email or just picking up the phone and making a call.
Claudia Berman
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Running uphill
Dear ER:
Starting from Knob Hill to Rat Beach, there are 12 short hills/ramps and my friend and I have been running them every week for over 10 years — but not to exhaustion [“@slopehunter documents uphill runs,” ER June 20, 2019]. What’s the point of that? If she wants more hills, try the alleys in Manhattan Beach, one block east of the Strand, starting from the pier and going north to El Porto. For even more of a challenge, there are really long hills in Manhattan Beach east of the chip trail in the residences, starting with John Street and moving south. We’ve done and continue to do them all.
Forty ain’t old, but it’s a good place to begin exercising. I’m 66.
Georgette Gantner
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Life in the theater
Dear ER:
New Stuff Productions comedy at the Second Story Theater in Hermosa Beach is a raw, powerful production that spares no one [“Class in session: Complex ‘Seminar’ opens at Hermosa Beach’s Second Story Theater this weekend,” ER June 13, 2019].
Exploring the world of writing and the arts, Seminar shows the toughness one needs to remain in a world where the critics will eat you alive. At first glance, it is a tough show to watch, even with the many comedic touches, but after digesting it and peeling away the layers, I can see the brilliance of the show. Better to be prepared for the real world when learning, than to have your heart ripped out by the critics. For there are no safe spaces or coloring rooms when it comes to editors or the buying public.
Seminar is a lesson in real life, and the actors perform their roles with raw emotion and enormous talent. And there are parts of the show that are very funny. Seminar is a must see. Support local theatre. Be prepared to learn and be extremely entertained!
Jonet Anderson
Manhattan Beach
City was right
Dear ER:
Kudos to the mayor and others for standing up to the virtue-signalers and the scheme-peddling paid consultants so eager to reward and incentivize street-living and to turn our communities into the next Santa Monica or downtown LA [“Boiling Point: As Redondo’s homelessness numbers increase, so does resident resentment,” ER June 20, 2019].
Rodger Deuerlein
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City was wrong
Dear ER:
We’re not all heartless here in Redondo. Brand, Nils, and Lewensein lost a fervent supporter [“Boiling Point: As Redondo’s homelessness numbers increase, so does resident resentment,” ER June 20, 2019].
Justin Underwood
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Homeless in balance
Dear ER:
I am troubled by the Redondo Beach City Council’s denial of a $5,500 grant to Redondo First United Methodist Church for its Shared Bread program [“Boiling Point: As Redondo’s homelessness numbers increase, so does resident resentment,” ER June 20, 2019].
I understand the concerns of the residents on Broadway who are bothered by drug use, urination, and verbal assaults on Wednesday nights. But Redondo has a homeless count of 175, an increase of 16 human beings from 2018. The Shared Bread program began 26 years ago when a homeless man died on church property. Today one of the residents in the area said she now feels she has to lock her doors after years of living here. Is that inconvenience more important than a human life?
We are fortunate to live in homes in a great beach community. The churches are compelled to do something to help the homeless, and I commend Redondo First Methodist for offering meals every week. I hope city leaders and the church can work together to support the Shared Bread program and to meet the security concerns of the residents in the area.
Carol Perry
Redondo Beach
Homeless and drugs
Dear ER:
It’s a drug problem, not a housing problem [“Boiling Point: As Redondo’s homelessness numbers increase, so does resident resentment,” ER June 20, 2019]. Until you call it for what it really is you have no chance.
Richard King
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Round ‘em up
Dear ER:
So we regular people get up early even when not in the mood and work, and work and pay bills and taxes [“Boiling Point: As Redondo’s homelessness numbers increase, so does resident resentment,” ER June 20, 2019]. We compromise on what we can afford and our own housing. We follow the law. Now these homeless come and just put up tents. They get privileges that hard working people don’t get?
Why do I need to follow the rules? Why are all groups that are not law abiding and the illegal aliens getting treatment that regular people don’t. Round up these homeless and put them far away and let them build their own places instead of ruining our beach cities.
Sherv Kho
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Preventing homelessness
Dear ER:
The City also needs to help prevent homelessness [“Boiling Point: As Redondo’s homelessness numbers increase, so does resident resentment,” ER June 20, 2019]. All of the residential upgrading is wonderful, unless you are one of the people being asked to leave your home of 10-plus years.
So if you are a single mom, disabled, senior, etc. you don’t have a fighting chance to find a new home in Redondo Beach. So you very well could end up homeless. So really the people who complain about it are also helping to create it.
Angela Enrique Dozal
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Broken spirits
Dear ER:
Most of these people have broken spirits [“Boiling Point: As Redondo’s homelessness numbers increase, so does resident resentment,” ER June 20, 2019]. Some turn to drugs because they have been down for so long they lose their will to fight. Affordable housing is at a crisis here in the South Bay Beach Cities. The warm climate attracts the homeless.
It’s a vicious cycle. Remember, they are human beings and were probably once your neighbor, the cashier at the drugstore, a truck driver — so sad that people treat them like they are invisible.
Diane Shaver
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Church not to blame
Dear ER:
If a person thinks that $5,500 in funding to a church leads to a homeless crisis in their area then they are too dumb to really have any say on anything [“Boiling Point: As Redondo’s homelessness numbers increase, so does resident resentment,” ER June 20, 2019]. There is a homeless crisis. Churches trying to help isn’t the problem.
Lucas Doub
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Defending the homeless
Dear ER:
Ashley, keep up the good work [“Boiling Point: As Redondo’s homelessness numbers increase, so does resident resentment,” ER June 20, 2019]. You’re speaking up for those who can’t speak for themselves.
Gail Catalan
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