Letters June 24, 2010

Valuing teachers

Dear ER:

Jan Stewart is a hero. It is a shame that she, like many other highly experienced and qualified educators are being thrown under the bus by our incompetent Hermosa Beach politicians in the name of fiscal restraint. Yet it’s funny that the city council continues to find money to throw at the Hermosa Beach police department, even though they’ve cost us millions in abuse lawsuits and two of their officers are now suing us. Education is what keeps our property values up, not cops, firemen or god-forbid, another liquor establishment. It’s time to invest in local education, even if that means we need to contract police and fire services with LA County. Thank you Jan for your almost five decades of service. You will be sorely missed!

Locked Out

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Moving on

Dear ER,

I am a teacher, and like Jan Steward, I believe in the children we teach. I share her sorrow. She shaped many lives and created memories that will forever help make this world a better one. There are no words that can ease her loss, are no hugs that can erase her pain. But she should never forget that the children she taught are for ever better. I wish her the best in her new life.

Joelle Petit Adkins

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Blue sky to blue zone

Dear ER:

Bravo to the Beach Cities Health District for providing leadership in our Vitality City quest (“Change environment, live longer, Blue Zone team tells beach city residents,” ER June 17, 2010). Let’s embrace the Nine Blue Zone practices that will help us live longer and happier lives.

Story for the ages

Dear ER:

I just want to say what a well written article Randy Angel wrote on the “Race for the ages” (ER cover story, June 17, 2010). I graduated from Redondo High in 1957, but I couldn’t make the event. All the work by the volunteers is unbelievable, and I congratulate them, also. I hope I can make next year’s Race Of The Century (ROTC).

 Stephen (Mike) Palmer, class of 57

Las Vegas, NV

E Verify ‘em

Dear ER

Congratulations to the City of Redondo Beach. Now you need to mandate that all contractors who pull permits to use E Verify on their workers to make sure Americans get more work, and to go through all local restaurants and businesses and do the same (“Court sides with city in day laborer case,” ER June 17, 2010). The restaurant food is rated for health and safety, the employees need to be screened for diseases, and using E Verify is a good start.

MM01

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 Attitude adjustment

Dear ER:

The last city council meeting, on June 6, Upper Pier was on the agenda. Two letters were submitted, one by the Police Association and one by the Firemen’s Association. These two letters along with numerous bike advocates brought out the best in Councilman Kit Bobko. His self centered and condescending personality took charge like a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide. Council meetings are open to the public; the public has a right to express themselves.

Everyone who spoke that night was a professional. It’s too bad that Bobko wasn’t. Someone should remind him that he is an elected official and should act accordingly. His condescending, Gestapo like, and I am more perfect than thou attitude showed his real colors.

The way he treated our first responders, local citizens, and various interest groups was uncalled for and unnecessary and begs for an apology. The bullying Bobko demanded the author of the Firefighters’ letter comes up to the witness stand to be questioned and cross-examined and ridiculed. What Firefighter Assoc. President Aaron. Bush forgot to ask. Bobko is how many emergency calls and median has he driven over?

Bobko even tested his inflamed personality on the Chief of Police that night with the same disrespect he showed everyone else. Members of the Fire and Police Departments don’t have to agree with their Chiefs. The Chiefs are part of city management and are going to agree with the status quo. Bobko then brought back the two chiefs like some courtroom witnesses in cross examination to discredit the two associations and their belief that a median was dangerous.

Bobko is too close to what he controlled and created, the Upper Pier Avenue Project. We all have the right to express our views without the intimidation of some city councilmember who thinks he’s a king or judge and can’t be approached with ideas from professional people who put their lives on the line every day for the city, and not just a bunch of dumb bicyclists who were trying to tell tales of future transportation.

This was just more of the same continuing patterns that stop what’s really important, transportation for the future or a few trees.

And by the way, there was no one on the Council who opposed the median, except Jeff Duclos.

Cody of Hermosa

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More traffic lights, less traffic

Dear ER:

Let’s uncongest the traffic. Take the funds from the cost of installing medians on upper Pier Avenue and use these funds to install three synchronized traffic signals. One at Ardmore Avenue, one at Valley Avenue, and one at Bard Avenue.

I’ve seen traffic backed up on Pier to Pacific Coast Highway, all the way to Aviation Boulevard on special event days. Not to mention the pollution of constant stop and go at these stops which are less then three hundred feet apart.

Emergency vehicles can clear these intersections with control of the traffic signals. Instead of restricting traffic, this will open up the flow and increase the safety of motor vehicle, bicycles and pedestrians. The traffic signals will also aid the school crossing guards in protecting our precious cargo, the children.

Fight for clean air and safety. Keep Hermosa beautiful. Keep on Biking!

George Radnovich

Redondo Beach

Redondo welcome

Dear ER,

I beg to differ with building owner Chris Bredesen’s justification for not renewing the Ragin’ Cajun’s lease so that his son can open a gastropub on the site (“Rajun Cajun needs to move,” ER June 17, 2010). It is “do the right thing,” not “It’s family first.” And to “Cajun” owner Stephen Domingue, don’t worry. You’ll find a new home and when you do I’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it for the world. And I don’t think I’ll be alone.

 P.S. We’d love to have you in Redondo! 

 Rick Stone

Redondo Beach

Roots uptorn

Dear ER:

The Ragin Cajun has the best crawfish etouffe’ in Los Angeles county and I am going to be lost without Steve’s delicious Cajun food. My dad Paul Mouton grew up in Lafayette and knew Steve’s mom and family and I’ve felt a connection with Louisiana and my roots in New Orleans whenever my wife and I went to the Ragin Cajun for a few Dixie beers and his great Cajun atmosphere.

A better business decision for the property owners would be to give Steve a renewal on his lease (which is a known, constant income) and to use the current lease income to start the gastro pub (which is unknown and an unproven income) at a different location so that if the gastro pub is unsuccessful, they still have the Ragin Cajun’s lease income, with no down time, to keep an income stream, rather than the lost time and income of changing owners, waiting for health and building inspectors, etc and losing tens of thousands of dollars in income while waiting to fill the location and get final building permits, alcohol license and health inspection approval.

It is a huge gamble and a real disservice to the Cajun community and Southern California to lose this fantastic landmark. Wherever Steve goes I will follow his restaurant to keep getting the tasty Rajun Cajun crawfish etouffe’ and his cheesecake with praline sauce.

Steve, please keep all of your Cajun Fans posted with your plans. Le bon temps roullet! Whatever happens, you will make it better, because you are the best!

Dr. Stephen Mouton

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Easy on the hot stuff

Dear ER:

Ragin Cajun’s owner Stephen  Domingue needs to lighten up. Take all that bitter energy and find a new location so we can follow him and enjoy his good food. Leases have a beginning and ending date and all parties agree to the terms. Taking his frustration out on the owners is just not fair. They have their property rights, too. He’ll probably find a better location for a cheater rate in today’s market. Open a Facebook, Twitter and Website and we’ll follow that Cajun aroma

Who Dat Nation

Hermosa Beach

Property rights

Dear Editor,

Your article about the Ragin Cajun loosing its lease was grossly unfair to the owners of the property and a challenge to our free market place and property rights. For 18 years the tenant has enjoyed the right to use this address and expand his business.  He has done a good job.  Now the owners want to put in a completely different restaurant.  Under the lease agreement that Stephen  Domingue signed, the property owners are now able to take back there property.  I’m sure  Domingue will find a great new location. 

From a Cajun lover

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Protest pending

Dear ER:

I have lived by Ragin Cajun since they opened. They are polite, and caring about their neighbors. We do not need another bar. Let this father give his kid something on the Plaza, which is already filled with drunks. Isn’t “teaching” your child about living with others treating them to also be “fair”? This is stealing a business from hardworking people. I will be at every meeting to argue No Alcohol. Everyone who comes in to town in the Entertainment Industry makes their first stop at Ragin Cajun.

Judy Garland

Hermosa Beach

Enough gastropubs

Dear ER:

It’s a shame to see Ragin Cajun leave their spot on Pier Avenue. That said, I look forward to knowing where they will open next. People will drive wherever to get their food. I hope they find a better space with better parking.

It’s true that business is business, but this doesn’t sound like a good business decision based on the article. It sounds like an emotional decision that was made by the land owner. Rarely do emotional business decisions turn out well.

I like Bouzy Gastropub in South Redondo Beach so I doubt I’ll be frequenting the new pub where Ragin Cajun is.

Kris W.

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Miss the misses

Dear ER

Where else in the South Bay can you go where you are greeted with “Hi Miss Karen, How y’all doin? Make ya self ta home.” And I do “make myself ta home.” Stephen Domingue created a place that always feels like you have come home for dinner. Can we find a way to keep our home in Hermosa? I don’t want a fake, new bistro to replace the Ragin Cajun and the people who count on it to always be there.

Karen

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A family affair

Dear ER:

If it was your family and you owned this multi-million dollar property at the beach, each and every one of you would do the same exact thing. Quit whining and be for real. Family comes first. The owner of the property gets to dictate what is done with the property.

Janice Brown

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Here today…

Dear ER:

Wonderful. Another icon restaurant falling to the yuppie “trend de juor,” which might last what –two years at the most. Will the gastropub serve Gellato. Oh, I forgot, that moth in the candle food already came and went.

Jeff

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The show will go on

Dear ER:

My wife and I just left Ragin Cajun about 30 minutes ago. We are terribly upset about this situation. Our prayers are that  Domingue finds another location, pronto, and make this situation into a “win.” We love him and his cajun magic that is created in your kitchen. There is no way to put an end to that. As they say, “One monkey (landlord) don’t stop no show.” Look forward to see ya many times between now and the end of the summer. Peace out.

Charles Johnson

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Kids place

Dear ER:

Ragin Cajun is the only restaurant my husband and I take our two children to in Hermosa Beach. It is the only Hermosa restaurant that selflessly caters to our kids. there is a play yard that Jeannine set up out back for the children  while the adults dine and share laughs with the friendly staff! Besides the welcoming of families, Ragin Cajun is the only restaurant with authenticity along Pier Avenue. It is absurd that anyone would remove it, only to replace it with a gastropub that will end up closing down. Stephen and Jeannine have worked so hard during the past 18 years to not only expand, but secure the restaurant’s services. The landlord needs to reward this family by letting Ragin Cajun stay exactly where it is on Pier Avenue. Please find another location for the Gastropub, and let Ragin Cajun flourish with their well know friendliness and flare!

Lee Scott

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Sour season

Dear ER:

Sour grapes. It sounds like the Bredesens offered Domingue extra time beyond his lease, which is more than they owed him. Stephen should have renegotiated a new lease at least a year in advance — either he was playing chicken or was simply non-committal. His loss, and ours. I do love the food and will follow them wherever they go next, but it’s too late to be a crybaby about it. This is the way capitalism works; put up or shut up.

Stacy Williams

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Cajun follower

Dear ER:

I’ve been a regular customer of the Cajun for over 13 years, going down to Hermosa every Wednesday for lunch and Friday night for dinner. It’s a “cultural landmark.” The way Steve and his family run the restaurant and treat their customers is what keeps me coming back. If they cannot work a deal with their landlord, I will follow Steve and the Cajun to where ever they end up moving. While its up to the property owner to determine whom he will lease the location to, I cannot see the wisdom of trying to open a new restraint (with a crappy name by the way) in the place of an established, successful operation while the economy is in the dumpster. If Steve is forced to move, hopefully he can find a better location with better parking to boot.

Cajun lover

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Good luck

Dear ER:

The Ragin Cajun has been one of the most popular places in the South Bay year for many years. I feel really bad for Steve and wish we could do something. I know one thing for sure, I will never eat at the new place. In fact, I hope it is a dismal failure.  Thanks, Steve, for many years of great food.

Ed Chesson

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Judgment call

Dear ER:

This is very sad. I certainly understand that the building is Bredesen to lease to whom he wants. But you just do not treat people — let alone longstanding local businessmen — that way. Forcing the closure of a local landmark is not the way to start your own business on good terms. It makes sense that the new place’s marketing partner has no interest in marketing it right now because they will forever be known as the joint belonging to the spoiled kid who ran a great, local, one-of-a-kind restaurant out so he can make sure Hermosa residents can somehow find a yet another place to buy yet another beer. I suspect I will muddle through without this beer outlet, because I will encourage everyone I speak to avoid their new place like the plague.

Scott

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Money logic

Dear ER:

Why would a real estate investor throw out a quality tenant to enable a family member to open another boring eatery that is not needed, won’t be supported, and quite simply won’t survive in this economy? But Hermosa Beach’s loss can be Manhattan Beach’s gain. Stephen, please consider moving your great food, great staff and family-friendly Ragin Cajun to Manhattan Beach. We are a much more business-friendly community. You will attract many more MB clientele simply because they won’t fear having to venture down to Hermosa to deal with the drunks, lack of parking and police/parking enforcement officials with attitudes. You would be welcomed with open arms by citizens such as myself!

MB Mark

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No surprise

Dear ER:

This is so par for the course in the new self centered South Bay. I’m not outraged or even surprised. Gentrification sure hurts. I’ve been going to Steven’s establishment since it opened. It has always been full of friendly people and great food. Steven can be assured that I will frequent his new restaurant. Ragin’ Cajun was the last popular place on Pier Avenue that was not full of tools. I guess the silver lining is that I don’t have to go to Pier Avenue anymore and struggle to find the ever disappearing parking. I’ll be at the great gastropubs in Redondo; Bouzy and Hudson House. BTW don’t look to the Hermosa City Council for any assistance. Although the ego driven councilmen will probably again find some way to inject themselves and look like fools.

Paul

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Multiplier effect

Dear ER:

You’ve got to be kidding. You have a successful, unique restaurant and you want to move them out and open a generic restaurant I’m from Lafayette, Louisiana and I know many people from Acadiana who, when they come to L.A go to Ragin Cajun. One reason is the unique food and to get a taste of home. They also stroll along the pier and shop after dining, so not only does Ragin Cajun miss out, but all of Hermosa Beach and other merchants will be missing out on sales. I will never step foot in this other restaurant and make sure to tell other friends not to go either. It will fail within four months. Then you will have an empty building on Pier Avenue. Steve will succeed and find another place, I know him, he’s a Cajun. I Feel sad for the rest of Hermosa Beach!

David

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A people place

Dear ER::

Stephen and Jeannine are two of the nicest people I have ever met. I can not believe this is happening to them. The Cajun is one of the best restaurants around. It has been a place I always can depend on to have great food and a great atmosphere. The people forcing them to move are very selfish and I hope they feel guilty about what they are doing to the Domingues. Pier Ave won’t be the same with the close of the Cajun.

Denise

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California econ

Dear ER:

What idiot in their right mind would ask a 19 year land mark to leave his shopping center for a start up company. No wonder California is broke.

Rosie

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‘til it’s gone

Dear ER:

This is actually heartbreaking. The Ragin Cajun and its employees are like family. My husband and I have been eating there almost every Friday night since we started dating. Stephen, Jeannine, and their lovely waitresses have watched us date, get married, and very recently have a baby. They have always made us feel welcome and special. The hospitality at the Cajun is incomparable and they take care of their customers with the utmost warmth and respect. I am saddened by this and don’t think I can bring myself re-visit Pier Ave. without a certain level of disdain should they not find a spot on that street. Where they are is perfect.

Patty

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Keep the company

Dear ER:

I was just there three weeks ago and had the best Cajun food, ever. But more than that, Steve, Janeen and Mary were so warm, kind, cordial, friendly and hospitable to us. It was the best dining experience in a long, long time. There is no other Cajun restaurant like it. I hope the new location will not be hard to find and that they will not lose any of your clientele.

Rose

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Landmark status

Dear ER:

Ragin Cajun is a Hermosa Beach landmark. Every effort by every person of influence should be made to ensure that this landmark does not leave the city. The restaurant is a family friendly place owned by the most wonderful and kind people and it would truly be a shame, for Hermosa Beach, if it was needlessly lost.

Mark Sarni

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Cajun neighbor

 Dear ER:

I live just behind the Ragin’ Cajun and will be at every city hall meeting to ensure that this gastropub doesn’t happen. Upper Pier only needs family friendly restaurants. A gastropub doesn’t sound like it’s going to fit that bill. Sounds like we’ll just get more drunk LMU students walking down my street while my children are trying to sleep. Not acceptable.

You might as well let the Ragin Cajun stay, because the residents don’t want another Union Cattle. We already have one.

Katie

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Household name

Dear ER:

No matter where I go in the South Bay area, everyone knows exactly what I’m talking about when I talk about the Cajun. Great food and atmosphere. I’m sure Steven won’t have much of a problem finding a new location, but it’s a shame he has to. Especially after all he has done to enlarge and improve the current location. I guess I’ve eaten my last meal at that address.

Chris Hunt

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Stop, stop, stops

Dear ER:

Thank you for printing the story on how the Ragin’ Cajun lost its lease (“Rajun Cajun needs to move,” ER June 17, 2010).  If I hadn’t known, I might have mistakenly patronized the business that will replace it.  As it stands, I wouldn’t spend a dime there.

Chris Bredesen Sr. says “family first”.  I guess that means indulging the whim of your child comes ahead of being an honorable businessman and treating others with decency and respect.

Dennis Zaca

Hermosa Beach

What a total and complete bummer. Spoiled kids are ruining a landmark. Pier Ave. just gets lamer and lamer. This article ruined my day.

Paul

Dear ER:

I moved to the Hermosa in 1992 when Pier Avenue still went to the pier. There were empty storefronts, and more crime. They redeveloped closing off the last block of pier and all the rents were raised. Fat Face Fenner had to move. Pier 52 closed. Henneseys moved to end spot. It sucked. We were pissed at most of them crappy clubs that opened. Club Sushi polluted the beach/surfer/punker atmosphere. Jocks came to party and fight and things were just different. Well, there always be change. And this sucks. Some close friends waitressed at Ragin Cajun in the ‘90s and Stephen really overcame a lot to make it. He is a solid guy and I hope this leads to something better for him.

Howie

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