Letters to the Editor 7-14-22
Coyote lives matter
Dear ER:
We coyotes of the El Segundo, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach Greenbelt would like to express our sincere appreciation to the irresponsible cat owners of the South Bay (“Please prompt Manhattan Beach Council to enlist coyote trapper,” ER July 7, 2022). If you kept your cats indoors where they belong you’d be depriving us of a major food source. But, lucky for us, there are so many of you who let your cats wander free to kill songbirds and defecate on your neighbors’ properties that we never run out of tasty cats to eat. They are delicious. Thank you. Thank you very much. That said, we coyotes feel we are vastly underappreciated. After all, we do a lot of good. We don’t just rid your neighborhoods of stray cats. We also keep down the population of mice, rats, squirrels, opossums and raccoons. Did you know squirrels, as well as rats, carry the bubonic plague? We even like to snack on those pesky crows you always complain about. Haven’t you noticed there aren’t that many around now? Please feel free to write letters to Easy Reader in support of us. We’d really appreciate it. We’d also appreciate it if you’d leave a Costco rotisserie chicken or a roadrunner out for us every once in a while. There are some of you who want to trap and kill us. Shame on you! We coyotes were here long before you, or even the Indians, were here. You managed to kill off most of the Indians and now you want to do it to us? We have pups to feed! And if you trap and kill us our pups will die a slow and painful death from starvation. But you don’t care. All you care about are your stupid cats. And you don’t really care about them because if you did, you wouldn’t let them out where we can get to them. Coyote lives matter.
Wile E. Coyote
Coyotes for a Better South Bay
You asked for it
Dear ER:
The irony in your Letters to the Editor (June 30, 2022) cannot go unaddressed. The lead letter by Mike Simpson accurately describes the current local crime trends and assesses future prospects. Immediately adjacent is a decidedly anti-Trump (and anti-conservative) cartoon, the liberal bent rather typical of your publication. I remind readers Propositions 47 [2014, recategorized some nonviolent offenses as misdemeanors, rather than felonies], and 57 [2016, recategorized some nonviolent offenses as misdemeanors, rather than felonies], coupled with Assembly Bill 109 (2011, diverts defendants convicted of less serious felonies to serve their time in local county jail rather than state prison], all enthusiastically embraced by a majority of California voters, in combination serve to reduce many felonies to misdemeanors, reduce sentencing minimums, release convicted criminals from full-term incarceration, and generally make the hazards of a criminal life far less threatening. Some of those perpetrators of the Pasha Jewelry caper in Manhattan Beach, and many other local crimes, would no doubt have been behind bars, had previous more sensible prosecutorial standards been in place. Surprisingly to some, people usually get that for which they voted. La La Land? Indeed.
Richard Arabian
El Segundo
Firefighter fight
Dear ER:
Our Manhattan Beach firefighter/paramedics provide an exemplary level of service to the residents of our community. With the vast majority of 911 calls being medical emergencies, the job they do so well is to save our lives. Now, more than ever, they need our support. Unfortunately, the City’s shameful treatment of our firefighter/paramedics has been going on for several years. It started about the time a prior Council wanted Los Angeles County to take over our MBFD. In my career of public service to a city and its residents, I have represented city management and labor organizations. In LA, I sometimes witnessed management and labor relationships become strained, and dysfunctional. And, I witnessed city management become vindictive and retaliatory. When this happens, the only way to mend such a relationship is for management, and labor to agree to participate in mediation with a neutral party. That’s why I was dismayed to learn our City refused to agree to our firefighter/paramedics’ request for mediation. If you support our firefighter/paramedics, please attend the next Council meeting on Tuesday, July 19. Or, please let our City Council know that you support our MB firefighter/paramedics by emailing Council at citycouncil@manhattanbeach.gov.
Mark Burton
Manhattan Beach
Perception is reality
Dear ER:
The Redondo Beach City Council’s vote to skip Councilwoman Laura Emdee for mayor pro tem is perceived as vindictive and mean spirited. This comes as no surprise and is part of a seven year pattern of alternate facts and personal attacks by Mayor Bill Brand, the council majority and their vocal supporters. Mayor pro tem is a position of function not power. There is no extra vote awarded, no veto power conferred. It is a position previously shared in a civilized and polite manner. The only credible reason for this vote was to embarrass Emdee. It is a desperate move to prevent the public from witnessing her fair and even handed leadership during the announced three month absence of the mayor. In addition, by excluding Councilman Christian Horvath from serving his rotation as mayor pro tem, they have tried to silence north Redondo voters’ voices and representation. It was a childish vote and beneath the offices they hold.
Councilmen Nils Nehrenheim, Zein Obagi and Todd Loewenstein owe Councilwoman Emdee and her district a public apology if not a total reversal of their ill considered vote.
Betsy Rumery, Stephanie Smith, Eugenie Lewis, Cyndi Wicks, Alisa Beeli District 5 Redondo Beach; Victoria Oetzell, Polly Kinzinger, Alison Crompton, Jean Mayhew, Lisa Christensen, Mary Jane Efflandt, Joni Pearl, Annette Gallardo
Redondo Beach
Bad company
Dear ER:
Does anyone out there still question why Council Members Laura Emdee and Christian Horvath were recently passed over by the council majority to serve as mayor pro tem? Months after Redondo Beach District 4 Council Member Zein Obagi Jr was sworn into office last year, Council Members Laura Emdee and Christian Horvath were apparently already plotting to take back majority control of the city council. The proof is seen in posts on a private Facebook page administered by Horvath. This is an all-time low for Redondo Beach politics. After not gaining traction for eight months, something changed after Emdee spoke with Catalyst Cannabis Co. CEO Elliott Lewis for two hours in late January 2022. A few weeks later Lewis announced he was recalling Obagi.
The fact that Emdee and Horvath will be termed out before the next Mayor Pro Tem rotation ends on June 30, 2023, should have been justification enough. They had the nerve to cry foul over a city council vote that was well within the City Charter rules, yet had no problem working to overturn a fair election because they didn’t like the result.
Wayne Craig
Redondo Beach
Sniper strategy
Dear ER:
Seems typical to me that the opponents of the Healthy Living Campus, and most other development projects are never willing to come to the table (“BCHD CEO Bakaly calls for Healthy Living Campus detractors to meet,” ER July 7, 2022). They just want to oppose everything. They think they know everything, and they spread their uninformed beliefs to the masses. The results of this strategy have been disastrous for Redondo Beach. Just come to the table and figure it out. Or else step aside. This is why we can’t have nice things.
Steve Goldstein
ERNews comment
Homes for locals
Dear ER:
Unlike the Beach Cities Health District Healthy Living Campus, which is 90 percent for non-residents of Redondo Beach, at least Project Homekey is for residents (“‘Supportive’ housing draws ire in South Redondo,” ER June 30, 2022).
Mark Nelson
Redondo Beach
Whose habitat?
Dear ER:
Cats are the invasive species, coyotes are in their native habitat (“Please prompt Manhattan Beach Council to enlist coyote trapper,” ER July 7, 2022). Feral and outdoor cats are the biggest threat to our ecosystem. Coyotes are helping minimize the cat impact by reducing the population, as well as controlling the rodent population. Keep your pet cats indoors, let the coyotes do their job.
Rick Ciampa
ERNews comment
NIMBY
Dear ER:
Sadly, coyotes are not just a Manhattan Beach problem (“Please prompt Manhattan Beach Council to enlist coyote trapper,” ER July 7, 2022). The coyotes are just getting used to people. I lived in Manhattan Beach for 30 years, and now in the Palos Verdes/Torrance area, and everyday there is a coyote sighting, or a coyote that killed a dog, a cat … Please Manhattan Beach, do not relocate your coyotes up the hill here
Karen Jaffy Paris
ERNews comment
Seagulls in sight
Dear ER:
What’s next? Extermination of the seagulls? They are annoying (“Please prompt Manhattan Beach Council to enlist coyote trapper,” ER July 7, 2022). Get rid of the squirrels and rabbits. I moved out of Manhattan Beach several years ago after 35 years living in the South Bay. I moved to an area in Riverside County on a golf course. We deal with coyotes all the time, plus hawks, owls, rabbits, raccoons. It’s their habitat.
Rebecca Boyle
ERNews comment
Not complicated
Dear ER:
I love animals as much as the next guy, but the coyotes need to go. All this about it’s their habitat, it’s nature… just no (“Please prompt Manhattan Beach Council to enlist coyote trapper,” ER July 7, 2022). They are a threat to pets and small children, and they are seen everywhere now. And very bold. And seem to be multiplying. Get rid of them.
Debbie Van Ness
ERNews comment
Coyotes 101
Dear ER:
The Manhattan Beach City Council made a knee jerk reaction to take credit for doing something, but trapping alone is not a solution (“Please prompt Manhattan Beach Council to enlist coyote trapper,” ER July 7, 2022). It is a placebo. Torrance has trapped 29 coyotes and they still have sightings. Torrance has a much more realistic and balanced strategy that goes along with what the experts recommended:
– Educate the population.
– Cut off food sources for the coyotes — unfortunately free roaming cats are a food source.
– Keep pets on a leash and go out with them in your yard at night and in the early morning.
– Haze the coyotes so they retain a healthy fear of people.
– Eradicate coyotes that become too habitualized or aggressive.
Jim Light
Hermosa Beach
Exponential growth
Dear ER:
Okay, Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach, it’s up to you to step up and join your neighbors in Manhattan Beach, Torrance and Palos Verdes in implementing a plan for this public safety crisis, which is getting exponentially worse every year (“Please prompt Manhattan Beach Council to enlist coyote trapper,” ER July 7, 2022).
Cee-Cee Morgan Morphy
ERNews comment
Housing creep
Dear ER:
We have created this problem by encroaching upon their territory (“Please prompt Manhattan Beach Council to enlist coyote trapper,” ER July 7, 2022). They are part of the huge chain, and we have destroyed their natural environment by overbuilding certain areas, leaving them to come this far from their original home.
Rosemary Graham-Gardner
ERNews comment
Follow the food
Dear ER:
Coyotes aren’t attacking pets and people because of human encroachment (“Please prompt Manhattan Beach Council to enlist coyote trapper,” ER July 7, 2022). They’re doing that because they’re adaptable, and figured out where there’s humans, there are food, water, and shelter.
Steven Childs
ERNews comment
The true invaders
Dear ER:
Humans are the invasive ones (“Please prompt Manhattan Beach Council to enlist coyote trapper,” ER July 7, 2022). I’m sorry about the pet deaths, truly. But the coyotes don’t deserve to die when they are simply trying to survive.
Nicole Marie Velin
ERNews comment
Close the cat door
Dear ER:
Why would a cat owner keep allowing cats to be outside at night with coyotes everywhere (“The Cozy Cafe doesn’t have anything fancy, but that’s fine with locals,” ER July 7, 2022)? Please keep all animals in at night and stay with them while they relieve themselves outside, even if it’s in your backyard.
Kris Woods
ERNews comment
You adapt
Dear ER:
This is nature. Man cannot change it until men change their behavior (“Please prompt Manhattan Beach Council to enlist coyote trapper,” ER July 7, 2022). The coyotes know there is a good source — small animals — and will continue to feed on that source until the source is removed. Man must change behavior to remove the food source — keep domestic cats indoors at night, and during the day, to encourage the coyotes to move on. Man will never succeed in removing the coyotes while the food source remains. Coyotes have been native to the area for centuries. Coyotes adapt to survive. Man must adapt appropriately.
Bob Stantley
ERNews comment
Pets rights
Dear ER:
We are the victims and we’re not going to take it any longer (“Please prompt Manhattan Beach Council to enlist coyote trapper,” ER July 7, 2022). Our pets have their rights to play on our property 24/7, 365 days a year. It’s time to do whatever it takes to protect ours. Legally, of course.
Lisa Todd
ERNews comment
Dear ER:
Keep your pets indoors. The coyotes are killing rats and other unwanted rodents (“Please prompt Manhattan Beach Council to enlist coyote trapper,” ER July 7, 2022). If you cannot keep your pets inside, then your loss.
Suzanne Ebert
ERNews comment
Everything you need
Dear ER:
The Cozy Cafe is special (“The Cozy Cafe doesn’t have anything fancy, but that’s fine with locals,” ER July 7, 2022). That’s all you need. Cozy forever.
Lato Salazar
ERNews comment
Perfectly cozy
Dear ER:
It’s perfect in every way (“The Cozy Cafe doesn’t have anything fancy, but that’s fine with locals,” ER July 7, 2022). It has a place in my heart.
Ryan McWhorter
ERNews comment
Cozy
Dear ER:
Great little neighborhood cafe. Nothing fancy and I think that’s a big part of the appeal (“The Cozy Cafe doesn’t have anything fancy, but that’s fine with locals,” ER July 7, 2022).
Billy Sablan
Cozy memories
Dear ER:
I love the cozy café (“The Cozy Cafe doesn’t have anything fancy, but that’s fine with locals,” ER July 7, 2022). When I was little my dad used to take me every weekend on Sunday to have breakfast now on 43 and I’m glad I have those memories with the Cozy Café.
Joseph Rivera
ERNews comment
A different time
Dear ER:
How times have changed (“Doc’s House: Where a team of the South Bay’s best surfers did their chores and were on time to school,”). Today if I asked a 14 year old over for a soda I would be in jail. Wonderful story about an awesome man in a different time.
Rick Veradt
ERNews comment
Doc’s place
Dear ER:
I was very fortunate to know all the Hot Lips crew during their younger age growing up at Doc’s (“Doc’s House: Where a team of the South Bay’s best surfers did their chores and were on time to school”). Terry Steven’s brought me into the circle of friends when I was just learning to surf. Mike Purpus and the team helped improve my surfing abilities. I will always be grateful for the many great times at Doc’s place. I later opened up a Martial Arts studio on Pier Ave. called Fundamental Arts where the Hot Lips team worked out when not surfing.
Rick Duarte
ERNews comment
Open doors
Dear ER:
That’s how I remember life in Hermosa Beach in the seventies and eighties (“Doc’s House: Where a team of the South Bay’s best surfers did their chores and were on time to school”). All doors were open to teenagers in friends’ homes. No parents needed to be home. And if someone just needed out of their own house for a while. It was never a problem to find a friend.
Maggie Morris-Calderon
ERNews comment