And the fight goes on
Dear ER:
The Redondo Beach Quality of Life Coalition has done a great job of defending the neighborhoods of over 1,600 families along the Metro rail right-of-way. How Metro ever thought that adding two more tracks that would run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and over 10-times per hour was a good idea is beyond me. The RBQOL folks have made strong, factual arguments about the hazards to their community, including derailments, collisions between Metro and toxic freight, buried jet fuel pipelines, noise, vibration, and the chronic stress and health damages.
The battle continues to get Metro to move the project from the right-of-way to an elevated position on Hawthorne Blvd. That would alleviate the chronic stress and stop the degradation of health from noise, vibration, dust, and other health-damaging impacts. Yes, Hawthorne Blvd. will have a more expensive build cost, but what is the health of 1,600 families for five generations worth?
Mark Nelson
Redondo Beach
Hand faster than the eye
Dear ER:
This study appears to be just another diversion in a three-card monte game to sell City of Hermosa Beach property City property to private investors and use the proceeds to expand the city staff and the city manager’s bonus (“Divided Hermosa Beach Council approves Civic Center outreach,” ER June 6, 2023).
Robert Aronoff
Hermosa Beach
Vote on it, first
Dear ER:
We should start with a vote on whether residents even want to renovate the civic center before spending money on a consultant (“Divided Hermosa Beach Council approves Civic Center outreach,” ER June 6, 2023)..
Mo Lee
Hermosa Beach
Anticipated consequences
Dear ER:
This is what happens when people don’t act responsibly, everyone pays (“Hermosa deploys geofencing to slow e-bike rental speeder,” ER June 6, 2024). A 10% cost increase to bike rental companies means daily rental rates go up. I am an e-biker and when the path gets crowded, I walk. One reason is safety and another is it is just a pain to ride at a walking pace. The simple solution is “walk your bike” rules (“e” or not) for congested areas and enforce the fines. I guess that is too simple for government. By the way, even without pedal assist, I can pedal the bike faster than the 8 mph limit.
Kevin Lewis
ERNews comment
Healthy bond
Dear ER:
BCHD tried for years to work with a private investor, the way many cities do, to not burden residents with the cost of their Healthy Living Campus (“On Local Government: Meetings and Polls,” ER May 29, 2023). It was the Redondo Beach City Council majority that targeted the F.A.R. (floor area ratio), putting the public/private option in jeopardy. To get something done, BCHD is looking into a low cost bond. Historically, being anti-BCHD doesn’t bode well in winning favor in local elections. Redondo Councilperson Paige Kaluderovic was supportive of BCHD and was elected last November, despite City Council majority opposing her. Given the exceptional value of the BCHD bond, there is a good chance if voters are going to approve a bond, BCHD’s bond might be the one.
Marie Puterbaugh
Redondo Beach
