March 18, 2010
by Keith Robinson
Hermosa isn’t Leisure World
Dear ER:
It’s a hoot to hear how folks like Howard Longacre bemoan restaurants and bars for the liquor they serve, as if having a beer with a burrito is a precursor to social decline (“Freeze bars, not police,” ER Letters Mar. 3, 2010). Perhaps Longacre should inquire about where his meager Prop 13 limited property tax ranks in filling the coffers of the City’s revenue? While the prohibitionists seek to limit alcohol these folks provide no acknowledgment about how little long time residents contribute to floating Hermosa’s financial boat. As a result, Hermosa like all other California Cities rely on business related tax revenue to provide the majority of their funding. The last census indicated that the average age of a Hermosa Beach resident is 36 years. People 36 and younger do what people 36 and younger do – they party and booze it up, which explains why there are more bars in Hermosa Beach than Leisure World. If folks like Longacre would like to ban alcohol sales then perhaps they can come up with a plan to make up for the lost revenue.
Robert Benz
Hermosa Beach
What would Ralph think?
Dear ER:
When I was a kid in the ‘60s, I loved to slide on waxed cardboard down Manhattan Beach’s Sand Dune, near my house. My mom, who also grew up in Manhattan Beach, ran free on the dunes in the ‘30s. I’m saddened to hear now the Dune may be closed to keep people away.
My Grandpa, Ralph Dorsey, Los Angeles’s First Chief Traffic Engineer, worked tirelessly on the Manhattan Beach City Council to expand recreational opportunities. Manhattan Beach recognized his efforts by naming Dorsey Baseball Field in his honor. He’d be dismayed to see Sand Dune Park closed to kids and adults — that’s not how Manhattan Beach used to work.
Our family has a house near the top of the Dune, and we sympathize with neighbors who are concerned about overuse. Luckily, there’s a sensible middle ground, a compromise, allowing the Dune to be shared, with some well thought out regulations.
Let’s hope Manhattan Beach realizes how blessed we are to live in this golden slice of California Coast. Let’s keep recreation open to all.
Kathryn Gray
Manhattan Beach
Light on the harbor
Dear ER:
Ramsey-Duke’s letter accuses Building a Better Redondo of saying “no” to all development, that we don’t review zoning changes proposed by the City, and that we have no vision for the harbor (Where’s Better Redondo’s better idea?” ER Letters, Mar. 4, 2010).
She is wrong on all accusations. BBR understands the zoning better than most councilmen; and BBR has repeatedly corrected City misinformation. BBR’s traffic assessments have been proven accurate. The City’s have proven to drastically understate impacts. BBR exposed Decron’s seaside mall conceptual plan and how they co-opted City staff to cut into the Seaside Lagoon for their two-story parking structure. BBR refutes the 1.6 million-square-foot scare tactic blatantly used by our Council to shamelessly mislead residents. They know Redondo could never approve this level of harbor development — it would violate the Coastal Act and the Coastal Commission would reject it.
BBR has a vision for our harbor. Some of that vision was put to a public vote (Heart Park versus Village Plan) years ago. That vision won the election. We publish our ideas and those of residents on our website (www.buildingabetterredondo.org). BBR has committed to support a harbor zoning committee, but the Mayor recently pulled that idea.
BBR isn’t against all development. For instance, we have publicly supported the Shade project. BBR does not, however, believe that ever-spiraling density is the answer to Redondo’s prosperity. Why does Dana Point’s harbor need less than one quarter the development of our much smaller harbor? We believe quality reuse of current density is the right answer for Redondo – better development, not just more development.
Jim Light
President
Building a Better Redondo”
Mustang music
Dear Editor,
If one were to audition the promises of tomorrow, we would be listening to the likes of the Mira Costa High School “Ten Seniors in Recital” on March 14. The students are rapidly passing from the intensified “learning from others” into maturity. This doesn’t happen without skills and talents that are uniquely personal and individual. These 10 are certainly excellent and laudable representatives of the Mira Costa Music program.
What can never be left out of this complex system of personal success is the wonderful, committed, admirable and praise worthy family structure. Never forget your friends and family. These young men and women are nothing short of exceptionally positioned on their way to being everything that fate had intended for them
Choir instructor Michael Hayden and music theory instructor Mark McCormick are a wonderful part of that miracle at MCHS called the music program. Most of the recitals, plays and band programs are renditions of superb, harmonious compositions, mostly of the masters, or dramatic performances of popular musicals and occasionally a snap shot of individual skills and talents. Their effect on this generation is sacred, inspiring, prolific and influential.
Donald A Sellek
Manhattan Beach
Sand dune is special
Dear ER:
Sand Dune Park provides an exercise experience like no other. That is why it’s so popular. Anybody who has climbed to the top of the hill and felt the ocean breeze on her or her face knows what we’re talking about. There may be issues of over use. There are many ways to fix this rather than giving up before we even try.
One of the goals of any public park is to become inviting enough to attract the public to enjoy the facilities. Everybody can agree that Sand Dune Park has been a big success. How can we even contemplate rewarding a vibrant and successful park by shutting it down? The city council should change whatever needs to be changed to deal with the issues to keep this vital park open to all users.
Closing down the hill for exercise is not like closing a quarter mile dirt track that can be built anywhere. This place is one of a kind and should be treated accordingly.
Mickey Fine
Manhattan Beach