Hermosa’s oily third rail
Dear ER:
Howard Fishman’s letter (“New vision,” ER Letters Nov. 5, 2015) demands a response, specifically as it relates to the upcoming March campaign for the open Hermosa Beach city council seat.
Regarding E & B Oil, he states “calculated risks” are sometimes necessary in “difficult” negotiations. Having a 34-year polluting machine dumped right into the heart of our community, and into lives of people who live, work, and play in the “kill zone,” is much more than simply a calculated risk. This is an offensive, irresponsible statement from a one time community leader who quickly disappeared after signing the settlement agreement. Fishman avoided taking a leadership position on oil and now dares to rear his head as if nothing has happened. The next time Fishman finds himself in a difficult negotiation, the least he could do is use “Google”. That simple step could have helped vet the company and its owners, before jeopardizing Hermosa’s entire future based on a calculated risk.
If Fishman decides to run for the open council seat in March, I urge the 80 percent of residents who destroyed E & B Oil’s plan to take note of his silence with regard to the settlement
agreement he helped complete when he was a city councilman.
Ron Siegel
Hermosa Beach
Begg for a skatepark
Dear ER
Strolling through Polliwog Park, I see toddlers playing, families picnicking, lovely trees, gardens, birds, turtles, fish, happy dogs, little folks and seniors swimming at Begg Pool, PE students learning to play baseball and soccer. Its use evolved through collaboration between the Manhattan Beach Unified School District and the City of Manhattan Beach.
Many children however, must dangerously skateboard on streets and sidewalks. There is no safe space in our town to learn their sport. In the Begg parking lot, I see a large, paved piece of underused land, littered with broken beer bottles and piles of trash. Could part of the parking lot in this centrally located MBUSD property be better used as a skatepark to safely educate skateboarders through the MBMS PE program and City regulated classes?
A Begg Skatepark has been requested for generations. Council wouldn’t consider the Begg lot for our skateboarders in their recent survey. Small, impacted spots the size of your driveway are being considered instead. Why?
We entrust the use of our diminishing green space to MBUSD and the City. Will they choose to safely educate our children on this larger, paved lot or will it remain an underused lot full of trash? A discussion of the site by the City has been postponed until January 19, 2016. Count me in as a grandmother favoring the Begg Skatepark to safely educate our children.
Mary Sikonia
Manhattan Beach
Make Hermosa proud
Dear ER:
The Hermosa Beach election is over. Congratulations to the winners and condolences to the defeated. Now comes the hard part – tackling the myriad challenges facing the city (in no particular order): a crumbling infrastructure, continued fallout from the Macpherson Oil decision, an oft-contentious relationship with local businesses over-crowded classrooms and more.
I implore all councilmembers, both seated and newly elected to serve the entire city. Each of you represents all Hermosans. Those who voted for you, those who voted for others, and even those who didn’t vote at all (unfortunately, the vast majority). Please be inclusive in your due diligence. Seek input from those with whom you may not agree. Be flexible and civil in your deliberations (especially with each other) and supportive of decisions you make as a body (even when your individual vote may be otherwise).
For the next few years you collectively will set the tone and direction for our city – “The Best Little Beach City”. Embrace this opportunity and make us proud.
Ruben Jubinsky
Hermosa Beach
Legado returns
Dear ER:
Legado Companies will present a redesign of its Bristol Farms, 1700 S. Pacific Coast Highway mixed use project to the Redondo Beach Planning Commission on November 19. The developer still has a massive plan for the 4.275 acre site, with 146 apartments in five separate three story buildings, a public access road open 24/7 from Pacific Coast Hwy. or Palos Verdes Boulevard, a two level underground garage, no street parking and commercial/office space next door to the Palos Verdes Inn.
The hotel, which sustained water and smoke damage from a June 17 fire, remains closed.
Are you in favor of a more reasonable development that is a better fit for this busy and dangerous intersection and for our beach community? Then, join your neighbors and speak up at the Public Hearing on November 19 at 7 p.m. at the Council Chambers, 415 Diamond Street (next to main Redondo Beach Library).
Jane Abrams
Redondo Beach
Solid litmus test
Dear ER:
In response to Jim Sullivan’s letter last week regarding the group Keep Hermosa Hermosa yes, a litmus test for candidates is completely appropriate (“Slippery litmus test,” ER Letters, Nov. 5, 2015). How can voters trust the judgement of candidates who were willing to put the health and welfare of fellow residents at risk. To make the choice even easier is the fact that one of the candidates was a vendor to E & B Natural Resources and the other slammed KHH repeatedly in letters to the editor. In addition, Sullivan says KHH is looking backward regarding the oil issue. Has he noticed his beloved E & B will be suing the city? Can we trust pro oil, Measure O supporters to favor other environmental issues and generally use good judgment? The answer is no.
Ira Ellman
Hermosa Beach
