Alfresco lifestyle
Dear ER:
In an area where the weather is Mediterranean-like, sunny to mildly hot most of the year, why isn’t alfresco dining a natural thing here in SoCal? There are many places that would kill to have our weather just so they could offer this type of dining experience, and Manhattan Beach is shutting this down?
Gerald Johnson
ERNews comment, Jan. 12, 2023
Ticket ‘em
Dear ER:
Increased speeds and dangers are the result of the proliferation of electric bikes on The Strand (“Most Hermosa Beach Strand cyclists speed,” ER January 26, 2022). They have raised the average speed for all traffic. Spending money on obstacles will be an inconvenience to all bicyclists, but will not stop the speeding e-bikes that travel the entire length of the Strand. The Hermosa Beach Police need to enforce the law that outlaws e-bikes and other motorized vehicles on the Strand when their motors are engaged. The tickets will be a net profit to the City.
Robert Aronoff
Hermosa Beach, Jan. 26, 2023
Great cities, great parks
Dear ER:
The vision for the obsolete AES power plant has long been to restore the ancient historic salt wetland underneath, where native people came to collect their salt. Enterprising settlers created salt works there. The site is designated a protected wetlands by the State of California, and zoned for parkland. California has lost over 95 percent of its wetlands, which are critical habitat for so many species. The people of Redondo Beach and the South Bay deserve this special place to rest, relax, walk, and renew. Imagine beautiful trails, native plant habitat, and delightful rest areas surrounding the wetland. Imagine spotting countless birds and wetlands plants. The state, county, city, and conservancies can find funding for this urban jewel. The Trust For Public Land and other such organizations specialize in helping communities like ours live a more healthy, beautiful life. Great Cities Have Great Parks.
Barbara Epstein
Redondo Beach, Jan 19, 2023
Snared by the law
Dear ER:
We are disappointed to hear Manhattan Beach has chosen to embrace trapping in its coyote management plan (“Coyote management plan to include trapping,” ER April 6, 2023). We want to advise the community there is no place within the city limits to conduct trapping legally. Regulations prohibit the setting of traps within 150 yards of a home without that person’s written consent. We highly doubt neighbors will agree to setting snares and the killing of coyotes using a gas chamber. This law applies to private and public property and state and federal trappers.
California Advocates for Wildlife
ERNews comment, April 13, 2023
Georgia on my mind
Dear ER:
I just got back from Savannah Georgia, where I stayed at the JW Marriott Riverfront (“Council denies Pustilnikov appeal of builder’s application,” ER News May 11, 2023). It’s an old power plant converted into a hotel. Why can’ Redondo do something like that with the AES power plant?
Marc King
ERNews comment, May 18, 2023
Poop fairies in the park
Dear ER:
This is an open letter to all the inconsiderate dog owners. What is wrong with you? Why can’t you folks pick up after your dogs? I’m not referring to the little nugget in the ice plant where no one usually walks. I’m talking about in the middle of the sidewalk, and the top of a knoll in Noble Park. Do you not realize your dog has stopped walking, is squatting and leaving a pile of poop? Do you think there are Poop Fairies that come in behind you and take care of your mess? Did you think that was included in the price of your Poop-a-doodle? The city is kind enough to stock bag dispensers throughout the city. This doesn’t mean you don’t have to purchase your own. It does mean if you go out with two bags and use both, it’s likely you can find a dispenser close by to pick up that last poop. If you can’t take care of your pet, don’t have one. Do not foist your responsibilities onto the person who steps in your mess.
Name withheld by request.
Hermosa Beach, July 13, 2023
You get what you vote for
Dear ER:
Nobody wants more density (“Residents urge the council to nix St. Cross plan,” ER July 13, 2023). The argument against it and proposals to move it elsewhere are completely NIMBY. I find it ironic that Hermosa Beach is mostly Democratic and the same governor and legislature they help vote in are backing large projects like this.
Stephen Taenzer
ERNews comment, July 22, 2023
Stupid equation
Dear ER:
This cannot happen soon enough (“Hermosa Valley will require student e-bike courses,” ER June 15, 2023). Matching the innocent stupidity of a teenager with a motorized bicycle should be a felony.
LeRoy Lauer
ERNews comment, July 22, 2023
It’s only a bike path
Dear ER:
It’s a bike path (“Work begins on BCHD bike path,” ER July 27, 2023). One that has been in use for some time, but needs upgrading. I am completely lost as to why the Beach Cities Health District Healthy Living Campus is so disliked by Torrance residents. How would it diminish their quality of life? Does everyone in that area only eat chicken McNuggets? And do they feel guilty from the prospect of a “Healthy Living Campus” nearby. I find all of this baffling.
John Pawlicki
ERNews comment, August 3, 2023
Build the wall
Dear ER:
First Torrance backs out of the bike path (“Work begins on BCHD bike path,” ER July 27, 2023). Now they want to back out from the Metro K-Line extension, for which they’ve already built a new transit center. Sounds like Torrance should just build a wall to keep everyone out.
Jess Budlong
ERNews comment, August 3, 2023
October surprise
Dear ER:
The thing that is so odd about the Hermosa Beach Octoberfest is that the Hermosa Beach City Council has been at war with the local restaurants and bars, and the solution and new tradition is to bring the booze right out into the street and invite children (“Hermosa Beach Oktoberfest a new tradition, Mayor declares,” ERNews October 1, 2023). I don’t get it.
Kent Allen
Hermosa Beach, Oct. 3, 2023
Headless headstone
Dear ER:
Bringing in someone to pray over a headstone in his backyard without any evidence of anyone being buried under the headstone is the definition of sensationalism (“Newly discovered graves may haunt Metro train,” ERNews Sept. 29, 2023). If they do find anyone buried down there it’s almost certainly not Earle Hoffman who is resting peacefully at Hillside Memorial Park in Culver City.
Lellius Rose
ERNews comment, Oct. 12, 2023
Deep dig into light rail
Dear ER:
Yes, a grave marker on the Metro Right of Way (ROW) is not necessarily a grave: that is to be determined (“Newly discovered graves may haunt Metro train,” ER Sept. 28, 2023). Meanwhile, Metro’s Green Line Project Objectives are to increase mobility while reducing traffic congestion, and air pollution, and “to provide a cost effective project,” meaning lowest cost/rider. Lowest cost is not a project objective. These objectives are best achieved by the Hawthorne Boulevard option. But you have to dig deeply inside the DEIR to understand that Hawthorne Boulevard ridership is 35 percent higher than ROW, but will cost only 14 percent more than Hybrid ROW. Note that all train options will require Caltrans approval (typical of freeway/highway-interacting projects), and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review. ROW path advocates have fallen for Metro’s version of Halloween: Trick (ROW) or Treat (Hawthorne Blvd).
Ray Hollar
Lawndale, Oct. 12, 2023
Flatlanders
Dear ER:
I finally figured out what’s wrong with the Hermosa Councilmembers Ray Jackson and Justin Massey. They are not Beach People, and simply do not understand our mentality. They are trying to transform our beautiful beach town into a government gulag. They created a problem with the parking pass system. When the residents point out problems, they simply respond that “change is hard,” and barrel ahead. I live in Hermosa in the high-impact area and have a business here. My cars are registered to the business; therefore Massey says I cannot have parking passes. Jackson goes a step further when he suggests implementing “restricted parking zones” so we don’t just park anywhere in the impacted area. At the same time, they are pulling a “Hany” on Councilmember Dean Franois, trying to minimize his contributions by painting him as inexperienced, which he is not. It seems we have our own axis of evil in Hermosa with Massey, Jackson, and City Manager Suja Lowenthal. They are not responsive to our concerns. At least, Francois has a heart. Who do these characters represent? Certainly not the beach locals.
Mike Guild
Hermosa Beach, Oct. 26, 2023
Great cities have great parks
Dear ER:
Thank you to the visionaries who saw the ancient, historic, salt pond restored from underneath the AES Site (“State gives $5 million for AES parkland,” ER November 16, 2023). They envisioned and planned a beautiful, expansive parkland to support the pond for all of Redondo and visitors to access and enjoy. Thanks to Assemblyman Muratsuchi for his long-time support for this project. Also thanks South Bay Parkland Conservancy (SBPC) founders, Bill Brand, Jim Light, Dave Wiggins, and everyone else who contributed to the creation of this important conservation effort in the South Bay. Great Cities Have Great Parks.
Barbara Epstein
Redondo Beach, Nov. 23, 2023
