The less said, the better
Dear ER:
Hermosa Councilmember Massey advises council not to talk to the press is sage advice from our councilmember, who also happens to be an attorney, and perhaps a bit of a “pettifogger,” in my mind. He reminds the “plebes” there’s nothing to be gained by councilmembers speaking to the press about why they did or did not vote a certain way. Especially if the decision is not unanimous! “We don’t want to confuse the public.” They probably confuse easily, and we don’t want to embarrass them! [my comment]. The mayor was clear, there’s no prohibition against communication with the press. It’s just better if we don’t engage.
It seems there are a “second set of rules of understanding” that is passed down from generation to generation of councils, sort of like a “secret handshake” that only experienced and enlightened members know? Perhaps the “Mason’s”?
That brings up another point, Councilmember Rob Saemann seems all too happy to agree with everything Massey says and if there’s a crazy motion laid on the table, the good councilmember will be more than happy to second it. Councilmember Dean Francois seems unsure about where he fits-in and councilmembers Mike Detoy and Jackson were mute on this occasion. But make no mistake they vote as one.
I’m making light of this calamity to make a point. These council members are supposed to represent the people of this community for our benefit. To solve real problems, like e-bikes and homeless and to do so at the least cost to us. We spend money as if it grows on trees. Now they’re considering a new sales tax? What else do “they” have in store for us? Perhaps a new multimillion dollar city hall? How about becoming a Charter City offering a little more protection from the State of California?
Gary Brown
Hermosa Beach
Register the illegals
Dear ER
The worst of these offenders are riding electric motorcycles, not e-bikes (“Escalating e-biker confrontations trigger escalating e-bike restrictions,” ER May 13, 2024). Those are motorcycles in every sense of the word and should require registration (with a displayed license plate), as well as insurance, and a motorcycle license. That would help in identifying their riders for prosecution.
Victor Cooper
ER Comment
The 3% solution
Dear ER:
I am so happy Hermosa is going to implement geofencing for the 3% of rental bikes who might otherwise go on The Strand and Pier Plaza. Now if we could deal with the other 97% who go 30-40 mph, don’t wear helmets, drive in an unsafe manner, stray onto The Strand, and Pier Avenue, and drive after dark going the wrong way without a light. I was happy to see that some cities, including Redondo have put a 15 mph speed limit in place for e-bikes.
Tim Harrison
Hermosa Beach
Anticipated consequences
Dear ER:
This is what happens when people don’t act responsibly, everyone pays (“Hermosa deploys geofencing to slow e-bike rental speeder,” ER June 6, 2024). A 10% cost increase to bike rental companies means daily rental rates go up. I am an e-biker and when the path gets crowded, I walk. One reason is safety and another is it is just a pain to ride at a walking pace. The simple solution is “walk your bike” rules (“e” or not) for congested areas and enforce the fines. I guess that is too simple for government. By the way, even without pedal assist, I can pedal the bike faster than the 8 mph limit.
Kevin Lewis
ER News comment
Blown off
Dear ER:
| Manhattan Beach, like most beach cities, has a law against leaf blowers. This law is seldom, if ever, enforced in Manhattan Beach. I have been contacting the City Code Enforcement Officers for at least five years. Yes, five years, and a company doing business in several beach cities with no license has never stopped its employees from using outlawed leaf blowers. The police department sent an officer several years ago and the officer told me he had spoken with the gardeners using the leaf blowers and they would never use them in the city again. Next week they were using them again and have been using them every week since. So, let’s move on and get rid of this law because it is never enforced. Many letters to the City of Manhattan Beach have been answered with promises which are never kept. The quality of life in Manhattan Beach be damned.
Charles Taylor Didinger Manhattan Beach |
Secret migratory stopover
Dear ER:
Thank you for this exceptional story (“AES, from wetlands to wetlands,” ER August 1, 2024). Outside of dedicated, local nature fans, our Redondo and South Bay public may not have known that AES has been host to so many birds, and wetland plants that nurture them. Special thanks to bird watcher Dave Moody, for Mayor Bill Brand, and Mayor Jim Light, for bringing these studies to us.
Barbara Epstein
Redondo Beach
Cost health analysis
Dear ER:
The Redondo Beach Quality of Life Coalition has done a great job of defending the neighborhoods of over 1,600 families along the Metro rail right-of-way. How Metro ever thought that adding two more tracks that would run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and over 10-times per hour was a good idea is beyond me. The RBQOL folks have made strong, factual arguments about the hazards to their community, including derailments, collisions between Metro and toxic freight, buried jet fuel pipelines, noise, vibration, and the chronic stress and health damages.
The battle continues to get Metro to move the project from the right-of-way to an elevated position on Hawthorne Blvd. That would alleviate the chronic stress and stop the degradation of health from noise, vibration, dust, and other health-damaging impacts. Yes, Hawthorne Blvd. will have a more expensive build cost, but what is the health of 1,600 families for five generations worth?
Mark Nelson
Redondo Beach
Willing to listen
Dear ER
As a 38 year resident, two term Hermosa Beach Councilmember, husband, and father, I am running for Hermosa Beach City Council. I owned and operated Manhattan Bread & Bagel for over 30 years. I am running again because I care about this city. We need a course correction of our city government’s operations. We do not need to raise taxes. We need to stop spending money we do not have. We do not need to build the proposed $125 million dollar city hall, or spend millions on “consultants.” I will listen and work to get more residents involved in major city decisions. I promise to answer all phone calls and emails sent to me. I would like to hear from you about your issues and concerns: (310) 213-2086 or michaelkeegan@gmail.com. I will be honored to have your vote.
Michael Keegan
Hermosa Beach
Photo to the editor
