Hermosa’s parking issue
Dear ER:
As owner of Java Man, I can report that a lot of early morning customers park on Pier Avenue, get their coffee and go on their way. Recently, new signs prohibiting parking on Pier (on both sides) from 6 to 7 a.m. five days a week popped up. Do we really need our streets swept five times a week? With the city’s financial status, it seems a waste of our taxes. Other businesses that open early on Pier as well as residents are affected by the new signage too. Extra parking ticket revenue at the expense of businesses should not be a priority of our city.
Rick Hankus
Manhattan Beach
Go Light
Dear ER:
For those of you who remember how difficult it was to stop the Redondo Beach Heart of the City development plan back in 2002, and then again in 2003, you’ll be glad to know Jim Light is running for the District 1 City Council seat in Redondo Beach on May 14. And for those of you who are fairly new to Redondo Beach and don’t know what the Heart of the City was, you’ll also be happy to know you have a very hard working, honest, and truly selfless individual running for the City Council in Redondo Beach.
Jim Light started his civic activism over 11 years ago, and has always put resident concerns first. He has also become a close personal friend over those years and there are no two people I trust more now than Jim and his wife Pat Light.
Much of what Jim has done over the past 11 years has been twisted and distorted by his political opponents. That’s how politics works. One accomplishes something, and their opponents try to market the success to the public as a failure, try to undo that success, or pretend like it doesn’t matter. Jim has always forged ahead though, with the integrity and fortitude of a soldier under command of your quality of life.
Unlike his opponent, Jeff Ginsburg, Jim has not taken campaign donations from the Redondo Auto Spa, the company that is looking for council approval for its new facility on Torrance Blvd. Nor did he take money from our solid waste handler, Athens disposal. Jeff Ginsburg however, has accepted $750 from the car wash company, $1,000 from our trash collector, $500 from the Redondo Chamber of Commerce and $500 from a major lease holder in King Harbor. Consequently, Jim will have no conflicts, perceived or otherwise, when important issues involving these companies come before him as your representative.
Get out and vote on May 14 in Redondo Beach. And please vote for Jim Light for City Council in District 1. He’s a man of the people, not special interests. Visit his website at jimlightforcouncil.com, or give him a call anytime at 310-989-3332.
Bill Brand
Council Member
Redondo Beach
Chris Cagle pitch
Dear ER:
On Tuesday May 14 you will decide who will be our next Redondo Beach City Treasurer. I am running for this office because I see it as an opportunity to enhance the role and effectiveness of the office and ensure the financial stability of the community.
The Treasurer is a vital part of the city’s system of checks and balances. The Treasurer is also a tax collector, portfolio manager, auditor and a hearing officer. Therefore, we need a fulltime treasurer committed to the department and the city.
I have over 20 years of experience in the finance industry where analysis of financial documents is a routine part of my work. As a former two-term councilman, I developed a successful track record of creating policy, setting guidelines and balancing budgets.
I am the only candidate that has a background in finance and government giving me the experience necessary to serve as an effective and successful City Treasurer.
As Treasurer I will introduce reasonable and effective changes that ensure the department runs as efficiently as possible. The Treasurer is your representative; he should be a visible and accessible member of our government.
I have earned the support of many community leaders and have been endorsed by former City Treasurer Ernie O’Dell and Councilman Steve Aspel – candidate for Redondo Beach Mayor.
I would be honored to have your vote and support on Tuesday May14 for Redondo Beach City Treasurer! For more information about me please visit my website at www.ChrisCagle.org
Chris Cagle
Redondo Beach
Dawn Esser’s position
Dear ER:
Redondo Beach is looking to elect an experienced and trustworthy financial professional as City Treasurer who can effectively manage our $66 million investment portfolio, identify cost reductions, and ensure the collection and enhancement of our tax revenue. During my 20 year financial management career, I have managed a $10 billion dollar credit portfolio for Bank of America and structured debt products the city invests in, managed $250 million + cost pools for Hughes Aircraft and reduced costs by 50% for the security cost pool. I have lived in Redondo for 24 years, served our schools as a PTA auditor, board member and fundraiser chairperson for over 10 years, and have an MBA and BS in Finance.
I support the proposed plan to reduce the Treasurer’s department from two full-time professional positions down to a full-time treasurer and a part-time support person to save $122K annually. If elected and after first -hand experience and careful review, I believe further restructuring will benefit the taxpayers, I will recommend these changes to the Council. I will use my budget and cost analysis experience to team up with city staff and identify expense savings.
Steve Diels is promising to save $300K annually by reducing the role and responsibilities of the Treasurer position from full-time as outlined in the City Charter. This requires a resident vote that would take two years. Meanwhile his pension entitlement would increase by $22.4K/year at the taxpayers expense. Mr. Diels’ served eight years on the City Council and did not lead any effort to reform the Treasurer’s office.
Termed-out Councilman Chris Cagle will also reap the pension increase. He was a good councilman, but he lacks the financial experience and education for the treasurer position.
I respectfully ask for your vote on May 14 based on my financial qualifications and experience, and that I am a not a politician, but a resident who wants to ensure the proper management and checks and balances exist for our city’s funds. Please call me with any questions, 310-318-6069 or email me at info@dawnesser4treasurer.com.
For more information, please visit dawnesser4treasurer.com and follow posts on facebook.com/dawnesser4treasurer.
Dawn Esser
Redondo Beach
End nonsense
Dear ER:
Some 20 Years ago, I ran against a Redondo mayor, placed 3rd out of 5, and didn’t endorse him in the runoff. I didn’t get reappointed to a commission and lost my political leadership positions.
No regrets – I wasn’t threatened with crimes.
Over two weeks ago in search of my suspicion of violations of laws in the May 14 Redondo election, I asked some reporters. While some facts were reported, others maybe reluctant to pursue.
What harassment/intimidation occurred forcing a former candidate to sign legal action on such a minor matter as removing herself from endorsing a runoff candidate she supports? Who’s the lawyer? Who are they representing? Who hired them? And after the opposing runoff candidate funneled funds to her business, that candidate suddenly claims that she supports him? Or supports both?
Unfortunately, some facts haven’t or won’t emerge until after the election or when campaign financial statements/police reports are investigated.
This issue isn’t about who someone supports or endorses. This may involve more than one race. Voters have doubts and need the truth. Don’t vote early. Stay tuned. Follow the money. If you have an absentee ballot, fill your ballot out on election day and deliver (have someone deliver) it to any voting station. Or bring a blank, or incorrectly completed, ballot into your polling place and vote in person.
Let’s end this nonsense in elections. Elections should be instant run-offs, like in San Francisco. Let’s change Redondo’s charter. No one should be intimidated from speaking freely.
Dean Francois
Redondo Beach
Dylan Fest
Dear ER:
After digesting Alyssa Morin’s thorough story (“Forever Young,” ER 4/25), my husband Chuck and I decided to trade in our hard earned tokens and become among those fellow souls enrolled for the magical Bob Dylan Fest afternoon.
Though ever so slight, a faint cloud dampened the now senior enthusiasm from our youth. We recalled Bob Dylan concerts from our pictures when we were in our thirties; and further visualized our fellow ‘folkniks’ crowded in with us they were also in their thirties. The last time Chuck and I looked thirty was 43 years ago. But for Chuck and myself, Dylan is a Psalmist for our generation, and Psalms evoke truth and truth follows from generation-to-generation thus making us all one in age.
What a cornucopia of joyous emotions as Chuck and I listened to both the old and the young converse in Dylan-ees. Dylan’s songs are styled for the Dylan commonwealth sovereign to esoteric translation. With newly generated enthusiasm we look forward to next year getting on our bicycles and rejoicing in the annual Dylan Fest 2014.
Thank you ever so much, Andy Hill and Renee Safier.
Dora Perez-Meyer
Torrance
Voter turnout critical
Dear ER:
AES can go for a mix of residential, commercial, and power plant usage on their property. To set this up, AES spent a lot to narrowly defeat Proposition A. For this runoff, AES is quietly hoping for a low turnout to reduce the chance of Jim Light winning the District 1 runoff. Bill Brand has won his seat. Vote for Jim Light and we will have two on the council with a proven history of fighting overdevelopment. One can make a motion and the other can second it, forcing all five council members to vote openly on critical density and power plant issues before it is too late for the voters to act.
Hank Folson
Redondo Beach
Hermosa revenue source
Dear ER:
I have a great revenue source for Hermosa Beach: police should start giving tickets to people who ride through the flashing red lights near Pier Avenue. My husband and I walk on The Strand every weekend and we estimate that only one in a hundred people walk their bikes when the lights are flashing. We’ve seen close calls as riders whizz by little kids and around small dogs. Come on, Hermosa, give out $80 tickets like the police do on the Redondo Pier. Hermosa could be so much richer and, as a side benefit, accidents might be prevented
Jan O’Neill
Redondo Beach
Scam victim’s advice
Dear ER:
Just wanted to make South Bay residents aware of the use of “independant contractors” placing ads in local papers and mailings to solicit new customers for TWC. I recently ordered a triple bundle from them in response to an ad, calling the number in said ad. The sales person promised me quite a deal, charged a $50 dollar “activation” fee to my credit card and then gave me the number to call to schedule installation. The installation schedulers are in the Philippines (isn’t everyone these days?) and they mentioned that the price quoted me by the sales person wouldn’t get me all the channels he promised. After several calls back and forth between me and him, me and them and me and him again I decided to cancel the whole thing. When I asked Time Warner to refund my “activation” fee they said they had no record of it and asked for proof. I sent them my bank statement, noticing then that the company that had charged my card had a different name. Of course they don’t answer the phone now and my bank hasn’t been able to reverse the charge either.
My advice: ignore ads you see in print media, in the mail, in the penny saver, etc. To go further, don’t give your business to a company that uses these shady types to bring them customers.
Ken Brown
Redondo Beach
Voters’ choice
Dear ER:
The Redondo citizens of District 1 will have a choice in the May 14 run-off election for City Council. On one hand you have a self-made, college educated, former military officer and successful engineer, who has been a people’s advocate against over-development in Redondo for 15 years. He’s crusaded against giant developers to uphold our quality of life and spent countless thousands of his own dollars in the process. On the other hand you have an under-educated, socialite who’s lived in RB for less than 6 years. His claim to fame is requesting new light bulbs in the Riviera Village. His other claim to fame is running a “property management” firm. The bulk of his property management comes from the vast real estate holdings of his mom and dad…..most of which is also located in the Riviera Village. Check the public records to see for yourself. One candidate goes to work every day. The other has time to walk the streets all day long every weekday and put up yard signs…. When your job is collecting rent checks for mom and dad, you have tons of free time. He was at my door on Monday at 11 a.m. That same day he was at his “other office” in the Riviera (HT Grill) for happy hour.
One candidate will give you an actual answer when you ask him about a city issue. The other doesn’t know the issues at all and really never gives an answer. Hopefully, a “Light” will go on for most voters on May 14. We need somebody with some intellectual capital in District 1, somebody who’s actually done a few things in life…. We don’t need a “silver-spooner” who’s done very little to pave his own way in life and still takes his allowance from his parents.
Suzie Andergran
Redondo Beach
