Letters to the Editor: HB press policy, bonds away

Personal politics

Dear ER:

At a recent City Council meeting, Councilmembers Raymond Jackson’s and Justin Massey’s behavior took a regrettable turn during a debate over the City Communications Plan, a policy that aims to streamline how Hermosa Beach handles media relations. Their critique wasn’t just directed at the policy itself but devolved into personal attacks against Elka Worner and John Burry, residents who had both provided input on the matter. Jackson’s comments from the dais were disturbingly vitriolic and rife with mischaracterizations that seemed intent on discrediting the speakers rather than addressing their concerns. 

Burry had reasonably questioned the city’s approach to managing its public image and urged a focus on substance over style — hardly controversial or deserving of the scorn he received. Worner shared her professional experiences as a journalist struggling to access information from the city — a legitimate concern that speaks to broader issues of transparency and accountability. Instead of engaging with these points, the response was to lambast their characters and discredit their professional backgrounds.

The behavior exhibited by these councilmen not only stifles meaningful civic engagement but also portrays a city leadership more concerned with controlling narratives than fostering open dialogue. It’s ironic that in a city council chamber — a place emblematic of democratic process and public discourse — two councilmen would equate honest criticism to betrayal, almost suggesting that dissent should be seen as an act of heresy.

These proceedings reflect poorly on our council’s ability to handle criticism and engage constructively with the community it serves. Moving forward, it is imperative that our leaders uphold the principles of respectful and open debate, ensuring that public commentary and criticism are met with consideration rather than contempt. Hermosa Beach deserves a council that embodies the values of the community, not one that resorts to mean-spirited attacks in the face of scrutiny.

These actions reveal a troubling disregard by some council members for the residents. It’s high time for a shift in leadership and management.

Josh K.

Hermosa Beach

Together in tolerance

Dear ER:

Councilman Ray Jackson sat behind a sign that said “Together Against Hate,” but he spewed nothing but hate against two residents who dared express their views at the Sept. 10 city council meeting. He was also rude and disrespectful to the mayor and mayor pro-tem. He does not represent the good people of Hermosa Beach.

Mindy Minkus

Hermosa Beach

All ears

Dear ER:

Residents who take time out of their busy lives to address the Hermosa Beach City Council should not be subject to vicious personal attacks from the dais. It’s not professional or productive, and does little to foster public participation. All residents should have a say in the decisions that affect their lives. They should be allowed to speak their minds, without fear of reprisal. One of the reasons I’m running for city council is to improve communication between the city and residents. If elected, I will listen to all residents. By talking to each other and sharing our views, we can build a better future for Hermosa Beach.

Elka Worner

Hermosa Beach

Editor’s note: Elka Worner is a Hermosa Beach City Council candidate

Fire sale

Dear ER:

In 1989 I became editor of the Redondo Beach Hometown News and was quickly made aware of the need for new fire and police stations. In 1995 I was proud to be Chairman of the Redondo Beach Public Library Commission when we opened our new Main Library, but knew that we still needed new police and fire facilities. Now, 30 years later, conditions at our stations have worsened to the point where it will take more than competitive salaries to keep hiring the kind of employees our citizens want and deserve. I urge voters to support the most important bond issue you will see this election, providing new facilities for our police and firemen.

Ross Yosnow

Redondo Beach

Fire refresher course

Dear ER:

The sky is falling in Redondo Beach if you listen to these politicians wanting residents to cough up over $400 million in property liens for the next 30 to 40 years for new buildings that are not needed. Councilmembers Zein Obagi, Jr. and Todd Loewenstein are the biggest cheerleaders for this massive tax and spend scheme that most seniors and homeowners will not live long enough to pay off. They will be forced to pass this debt down to their children if they are lucky enough to survive this financial hit on their homes. Both councilmen claim the fire stations are falling apart. But that is not true. Recall that in 2019 Los Angeles County prepared a feasibility study to determine whether it was a good idea to merge our local fire department with theirs. L.A. County Fire had presented a 4-page questionnaire to the city seeking information about the state of our fire department. No where in the City’s responses to the County was there mentioned of any need to replace the fire stations. L.A. County Fire representatives subsequently inspected all three Redondo Beach fire stations during their independent study period and found no major repairs were needed at the three fire stations. The buildings are safe. The County also estimated that yearly maintenance on these three buildings was minor and would not exceed $50,000 per year on each building. This is normal city required maintenance costs. This finding is consistent with Mayor Jim Light’s recent declaration that Redondo Beach’s three fire stations, and the police station, are not unsafe or dangerous. 

I believe the L.A. County Fire Department to be an unbiased organization in determining whether our fire stations are unsafe and need to be replaced. We jointly share Fire Station number 3 (Harbor Patrol Boat and Lifeguard vessel) with the County in the harbor, and the County has never complained about unsafe conditions. The County says our building requires only regular maintenance, and these county inspectors are better qualified to provide accurate opinions to the public over those of Obagi and Loewenstein. 

Mary Ewell, 

Redondo Beach

Cornerstone schools

Dear ER:

School buildings in Manhattan Beach are financed by school bonds, just like in every other school district in California. Some of our school buildings are more than 70 years old, with aging infrastructure, such as leaky roofs, dilapidated bathrooms,  and faulty plumbing. There is also need to provide all eight school campuses with up-to-date science labs and modernized and safe classrooms. That’s why I am supporting the MBUSD school bond, Measure RLS.  

Here is what is truly amazing. This school bond does not raise taxes. It’s a status quo school bond that maintains the current tax rate. As the previous school bond is paid off, this new school bond would kick in. Importantly, this school bond would likely be matched by an additional $57 million from the State. Having great schools with great school facilities is one of the cornerstones that makes our community such a great community. We have a great opportunity to secure the future of our school district with this school building bond. Let’s take advantage of it.  

Mark Burton

Manhattan Beach

Stop this

Dear ER:

Letter writer Marie Puterbaugh, long term volunteer for BCHD, wants to know what Stop BCHD is stopping. So here’s the Top 10 list of BCHD activities to stop:

1. Stop BCHD’s 80% to 95% non-resident services’ Wealthy Living Campus. Force BCHD to focus on district taxpayers.
2. Stop BCHD’s planned 793,000 square foot facility that will nearly triple the mostly commercial campus size in a residential neighborhood.
3. Stop BCHD’s from leasing 3 public acres for 95 years to a 100% private, for-profit developer.
4. Stop BCHD’s from allowing private developers to use our public land and then charge residents high, private rates for services.
5. Stop BCHD’s planned 110-foot above Beryl and Flagler, out of scale and character development.
6. Stop BCHD’s plan for an 100% privately owned, 80% District non-resident assisted living facility on public land.
7. Stop BCHD’s development of a PACE facility (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) for 400 enrollees, with only 17 predicted to be District residents according to the National PACE Association’s statistics.
8. Stop BCHD’s $175M, 30-year obligation for allcove operations in return for a meager $6.3M construction grant.
9. Stop BCHD’s 74% wealthy, White city use of allcove when BCHD is obligated to service a 91% non-resident service area by contract.
10. Stop BCHD’s $2.4M per year annual spending on executive pay using public funding. Put that 15 cents of every BCHD dollar spent to resident services.

Mark Nelson

Redondo Beach 

Equal folly

Dear ER:

Just opened Easy Reader and once again see the cartoon bias. At least half of your customers would like to see a second cartoon to show just some of the folly that flows both ways in equal portions. Perhaps you could even sell more ads. Think of CNN and their revenue decline. Bud Lite…Fair and balanced is good. 

Marv Hixson

Manhattan Beach