California to the president-elect
Dear ER:
Thank you Governor Newsom for your work during these darkest of hours and your comments to President elect Trump. When you have the time please go on Fox, Rogan and every other outlet in addition to CNN, MSNBC, that will have you and publicize those that won’t. Continue to challenge the president elect to join you until he does.
Remind everyone how grateful we in California to be part of the United States and how much we contribute to the finances of all of us without protest. State how important California is to the well-being of all of the United States. Point out that the current fires are part of the history of the Los Angeles basin since before it was settled. Share how concerned we all are with fires, floods and earthquakes and have always been.
Reassure the rest of the nation that we will continue to learn and improve from our disasters and are grateful for all of the help we/they have received, and we will persevere and continue to contribute to the success of these United States. Recognize the contributions of those who are not publicized to the needs of all who have lost so much and have now run out of tears.
Challenge the president elect to get his hands dirty and help, to exit the echo chamber of accolades and sycophants and to meet with those who need help, to stop complaining and come up with and follow through on solutions that work. Ask him why it is so important to criticize and punish the blue when the Red, White and Blue are all part of this glorious rainbow that is the United
We in California will not go bankrupt. We will bend but not break. We will do it on our own if we must. We will remember.
Dr. Pissed Off
Hermosa Beach
Hermosa reset
Dear ER:
For weeks now, I’ve felt compelled to write about something vital to our community’s future: the question of whether Hermosa Beach is truly “business-friendly.” And why that matters.
Recently, as a panelist in an HB leadership meeting, I listened to a heartfelt discussion that underscored the struggles faced by local businesses. A new restaurant owner shared his frustrations with lengthy permitting processes and what seemed like excessive city demands, leaving him uncertain about his business’s future. As the conversation unfolded, a contractor in the audience suggested that Hermosa isn’t unique—many cities act similarly, making the business climate challenging across the board.
While this was a fair point, I couldn’t shake a deeper concern. I recalled a conversation with one of our beloved restaurateurs, who operates thriving establishments across Southern California, including Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. He shared two striking examples:
- Rooftop Dining Hours: In Manhattan Beach, his request for rooftop dining hours was treated equitably with the ground floor. In Hermosa Beach, however, the city used the rooftop permit as leverage to reduce overall operating hours—even on the ground floor.
- Unique CUP Enforcement: Hermosa Beach enforces a tri-annual Conditional Use Permit (CUP) review process that he has never encountered in other cities. As I reflected on these stories, I couldn’t ignore the growing number of empty storefronts, “For Sale” signs on commercial properties, and the prominent vacancy at the former Bank of America site. These visible signs of struggle beg the question: are we unintentionally discouraging businesses from thriving here?
The broader concern, as I see it, is a disconnect between city actions and their long-term impact on our community. Like the challenges faced by local governments during recent LA fires, municipalities often become so focused on policies and processes that they lose sight of the people they serve. This is particularly evident in our downtown and business districts.
Key areas needing attention include:
- Overly Restrictive Regulations: Rules that stifle creativity and innovation.
- Burdensome Application Processes: Long and unclear procedures that deter investment.
- Excessive Focus on Restrictions: Prioritizing control over collaboration.
- Fragmented Policy Updates: Inconsistent approaches that confuse and frustrate stakeholders.
- Missed Opportunities for Growth: Limited public engagement leads to untapped potential.
Hermosa Beach’s vibrant culture is rooted in its small businesses. To ensure a thriving future, we must reexamine policies, listen to our business owners, and foster a collaborative environment that balances city needs with economic vitality.
And the results will be…Hermosa Beach where businesses flourish and the community thrives.
Ed Hart
Maximus Salon
Hermosa Beach
Fire has two meanings
Dear ER:
On Tuesday evening, flames encircled my mother’s Palisades home, and she narrowly escaped. My anguish over the fate of her home is matched only by my indignation as a wildfire policy professional. Our wildfire prevention and management structure is overwhelmed, incapable of coping with the conditions that produced the Palisades fire, and is desperately in need of reform.Th ere is a great deal of consensus on necessary reforms among foresters, firefighters, and scientists, but policy roadblocks remain. Critical land management and prescribed burns that reduce highly combustible fuels are delayed by years of environmental permitting and litigation. New technologies—like the Watch Duty app many of us are using to track the fires—are siloed across federal, state, and local agencies. Local zoning codes often permit housing in the highest risk areas while blocking urban construction. Mandates for defensible space and building code requirements for home hardening are lax. Wildland firefighters remain embarrassingly underpaid. The list goes on.
I am deeply moved by the outpouring of support from the South Bay over the Palisades tragedy. While wildfire isn’t top of mind for most South Bay residents, in 2026 we will elect a new State Assemblyman, Senator, and Governor. Let’s stand in solidarity with those affected by the Palisades fire by demanding our candidates for public office articulate and deliver real solutions to the wildfire crisis.
Eric Horne
Hermosa Beach
State Housing Laws
Dear ER:
For the 6th Cycle Housing Element, the State mandated that Manhattan Beach zone for an additional 774 housing units. The City chose to create a Residential Overlay District in the Sepulveda Corridor, resulting in almost 65 parcels for possible high rise apartment development in the Sepulveda Corridor. Our State’s housing laws are now beginning to impact the landscape of our community, such as the proposed apartment project at the old Fry’s Site with 285 multi-family units in a 10-story building and 7-story building. Some suggest the City is powerless, that it has no discretion. That’s simply not true. I want the residents of our community of Manhattan Beach to know that there are viable options available under existing State law to oppose apartment projects like Fry’s 285 multi-family unit apartment project and others along the Sepulveda Corridor.
First, the City could amend its 6th Cycle Housing Element to move the Residential Overlay District (ROD) from the Sepulveda Corridor to the Rosecrans Corridor. This ROD allows developers to propose high rise apartment projects if they include some “affordable housing” units. The Rosecrans Corridor is more appropriate for high rise residential and mixed-use developments. In fact, there is already a proposed apartment project at the Kinecta site on Rosecrans for 582 multi-family units. Also, the two shopping centers may be ideal for high rise mixed-use development projects. By moving the ROD to Rosecrans Corridor, the City could easily zone for thousands of additional housing units.
Second, the Fry’s site was already subject to a Master Use Permit and Certified Environmental Impact Report including the EIR’s “Hazardous Assessment Report”. It should come as no surprise that there is possible soil and groundwater contamination at the Fry’s site. With Chevron, Allied Chemical and other industrial operations having historically operated at or near that site, it is surprising, maybe shocking, that a large, high rise residential project with underground parking is even being considered. Under existing State law, the City may have a legal basis for not approving a density bonus project under such circumstances.
To our MB residents, I urge you to keep the faith in local control. We have more local control than most people think.
Mark Burton
Manhattan Beach
