Letters 1-7-2010
Dolan out the cash
Dear Editor,
Although I do not live in Manhattan Beach, as a taxpayer in this state I am outraged that the Manhattan Beach City Council would give away $195,000 to former City Manager Geoff Dolan because the city failed to give Dolan adequate notice of his dismissal. If Dolan was doing a good job, why would they ask him to leave? And if he was not doing his job, why wont the City Council reveal the reason for his departure? I call upon the City Council to either publicly state the reasons for their asking Dolan to leave or each contribute approx. $40,000 to cover the cost of this ridiculous gift of public funds. Hopefully, voters will remember this incident this June when Councilmember Mitch Ward is seeking election to the State Assembly and next year when Councilmember Portia Cohen seeks re-election.
Fred Huebscher
Hermosa Beach
A true fisherwoman
Dear Editor,
It is with a sad heart that I read about our “City of Redondo” (“City of Redondo gone forever,” ER Dec. 24, 2009). I’ve lived in Redondo for many years and as a supporter/member of the Redondo Historical Society, feel that we have lost a great piece of our Local History.
I too caught my first fish on this boat while out with friends on the great Pacific, but the best memory I have is of Doris Peters, the greatest woman alive.
Once, I got it in my head that I would like to cook in the galley on the “City of Redondo.” I asked Doris if she would give me a try. Doris agreed and I embarked upon the most enlightening experience of my life. I thought: I love people, I love the sea, I love cookin’ Burgers — what a perfect job for me on the weekend. Well, I thought I could do it, being of “Hearty peasant stock” and a willing heart, so I showed up eagerly very early in the morning.
Much to my dismay, I could not hold a candle to Doris. She effortlessly lifted all those cases of beer and provisions to stock the galley. I found I was such a wimpy lightweight compared to her that I was virtually a hindrance.
Then she asked me to bait a hook, and I was very sad that I put the hook right through the eye of the poor little sardine. I tried believe me, but when the day was over and she sweetly told me, “BB I don’t think you can handle it,” I agreed wholeheartedly. I was floored that she paid me for the whole day anyway.
I should have been the one to pay her for the opportunity to be in her presence. I remember when “She” went down in the storm and was so thrilled to see the “City” resurrected. Thank you Doris. I will always think of you fondly with the greatest of respect and admiration.
Belinda Beard Ajili
Redondo Beach
New Brand of politician
Dear ER:
In a recent letter to the editor, Florence Swiger wrote in support of Bill Brand “a Councilman who actually does what he says he’ll do”.
It seems the folks we send to Washington, Sacramento and yes, the City Hall in Redondo Beach, all too often lose their way and quickly forget how they got where they are. They seem to forget they were sent to these little wood paneled offices as our representatives and as watchdogs to address our concerns of “how things have been handled up till now”, and we are looking to them as managers and to protect our interests.
Instead, once settled into their cozy seats on the dais many begin to morph into true politicians. Changing into “team players” who “now understand” and begin agreeing to concessions and/or conceiving of, or signing on to little quick fixes and short term patch jobs to “address the current shortfall”. When taken to task for their apparent stray from course all too often we hear those insightful words “You need too understand . . .” What our elected officials don’t “understand” is that we did “understand” when we voted them into office and back then they seemed too “understand” too.
Bill Brand (at least to this point) is simply a man of his word who is carrying through with the promises he made when he was going door to door asking for votes. He seems to have a finger on the pulse of the citizens of Redondo Beach and understands that those he represents don’t want another scheme, a bunch of new hotel rooms, condos, or paved over park space to “fix the problem”. They still want what they wanted when they elected him . . . honesty and conscientious management of our beautiful city.
Alex Bannerman
Redondo Beach
Swimming success
Dear ER:
I am so proud of Manhattan Beach Police Officer Brian Brown (“Police officer saves drowning woman,” ER Dec. 24, 2009). He went beyond the call of duty, risking his own life to save these two women. Bravo to Officer Brian Brown. Please congratulate him for me.
Juanita Graham
Los Angeles
Kitty hater
Dear ER:
The Peter Zippi Fund is a small cat and kitten rescue charity in Hermosa Beach. Many folks in the South Bay know us, as we have placed thousands of pets in homes here since 1977, when Dr. Alice Villalobos began the group.
Many will recognize us just from having seen the big yellow “KITTENS” sign in front of VCA Coast Animal Hospital on Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa Beach. This sign has created so many happy unions of people and cats by simply catching the eye of passers-by.
Slightly before Thanksgiving, one or more mean-spirited persons stole our sign. We were puzzled, as it had to be ripped from the backing, and could not be used for anything afterward. We spent several hundred dollars that otherwise would go to the medical care and shelter of abandoned and abused homeless cats and kittens to replace the sign. On Friday, the first day of the year, the new sign was again ripped down and stolen in the night by some malicious coward.
If any reader has seen either sign (bright yellow with black lettering), please let us or the Hermosa Beach Police Department know..
The sign will be replaced. This time, security measures will be in place to protect it, or at least to identify the persons who would steal from homeless kittens.
Leslie Neff, Executive Director
The Peter Zippi Memorial Fund for Animals
Hermosa Beach
Religious holiday holiday
Dear ER:
On January 12, the Redondo Beach School Board will decide if the Jewish holidays Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur will be considered as the next public school holiday. In my opinion, if this happens, all religious holidays need to be honored. If not, giving favoritism to one religion will open the door to expensive lawsuits. If any new holiday passes, who will pay all the teachers, faculty, janitors, etc? Our kids can’t afford additional days off. Education is more important. Christmas break is now called winter holiday break. Easter break is now called spring break. Now they want to add Judaism and possibly other religious or personal holidays? Will our kids ever go to school? Be sure to let the Redondo Board of Education know adding holidays from only one religion is discrimination and no one can afford additional days off.
If students need to take a religious holiday, they should pay the school directly for the lost day. Private school is another option if one feels religion is more important. Please attend the meeting in the Board Room of the Redondo Beach Unified School District, 1401 Inglewood Avenue, Redondo Beach. Open session starts at 6:30 pm
Michael Ude
Redondo Beach
Un-cuff the cops
Dear ER:
When is the Hermosa Beach Police Department going to be allowed to do it’s job without pinhead bureaucrats, lawyers and bleating business owners crying about obstruction of their profitability on Pier Plaza. The official policy seems to be to not interrupt the flow of mayhem and drunks into our neighborhoods. On Saturday night my friend and longtime local was beaten and robbed on his way home along The Strand about midnight. This attack was so heinous and brutal he nearly lost sight in one of his eyes.
Every day in this town I witness public drunkenness, urinating in public, loud profane screaming, and all manner of public lewdness. No other police force in the South Bay has a similar reputation for leniency towards criminals. Pull your heads out of the sand people and see that your town has gone to hell. Just like in the ‘60s when we outlawed motorcycle parking, we now must eliminate skateboarding at the plaza to dispose of these tattooed, drug addled louts. Stand up for yourselves Hermosans, or you’ll be the next victim.
Paul Chapman
Hermosa Beach