Hermosa Beach News

Jury does not convict two in Pier Plaza confrontation

By Chris Yang

Jurors declined to convict two individuals last week accused of several misdemeanor violations by the Hermosa Beach Police Department during an incident that took place more than three years ago.

The defendants, Christopher Briley and Justin Thomas, were arrested July 4, 2003, after the two became embroiled in a melee with police officers attempting to maintain order on a Pier Plaza crowded with bystanders.

Briley was also charged with battery and challenging someone to fight in public, both misdemeanors.

“Mercy, we're grateful,” said defense attorney Thomas Beck. He added that his clients extend their “eternal gratitude” for the outcome, which found Briley not guilty on all but one of the charges brought against him - interfering with police officers. On that count, the jury was unable to reach a verdict, voting 9-3 in favor of acquitting Briley. Thomas, who faced one count of interfering with police officers, received a vote of 8-4 in favor of acquittal.

Throughout the trial, jurors were shown footage of the incident that was captured on video by a local cable access show host and his cameraman. The host, Eric Coleman, is known for impersonating President Bush on his show and is shown in the middle of performing when the scuffle took place. Coleman testified as a witness during the trial and was even urged by one prosecutor to “give us your best impersonation” of the president while testifying under oath.

In addition to Coleman, several officers involved in the melee testified during the trial, including Officers Jonathan Sibbald, Landon Phillips and Sgt. Nancy Cook. Sibbald, who testified that conditions on the plaza that day were “overwhelming,” is seen breaking up a verbal confrontation between two individuals by grabbing one by the neck and taking him to the ground. The individual engaged in the confrontation was later identified as Randy Wareberg, a mutual friend of the defendants. Following Sibbald's intervention, other officers are seen moving into a defensive posture around their colleague, who appears in the video kneeling as he attempts to place handcuffs on the subdued Wareberg.

Thomas and Briley, who up until that time were near the perimeter created by the other officers, quickly became involved after protesting the rough arrest of their friend and fellow Fourth of July reveler. The footage reveals Briley in a scuffle with a person later identified as Officer Landon Phillips. Briley testified that he was unaware the individual was a police officer, believing him instead to be a friend of the person initially arguing with Wareberg. Prosecutors contended that Briley had just struck the officer off-camera, explaining a thumping sound heard just before Briley comes into view.

“I will admit I was a little resistant,” said Briley. “I didn't want to get thrown to the ground.”

Meanwhile, Thomas is seen in the video reacting to the officers' show of force by approaching the melee, disobeying instructions from Cook to stay back. Thomas testified that he began yelling “Illegal procedure,” prompting a response by Cook, who stepped in front of the defendant. Cook testified that she was trying to keep Thomas “from going to Briley's aid.” In the video, her right arm is seen moving in a swinging fashion toward the defendant's neck. According to a recent report in the Daily Breeze, Cook testified that Thomas “grabbed her wrist” and that she “struggled to break his grip and tried to take him to the ground.”

Briley, who is seen in the video sitting on the ground with handcuffs, stands up after officers begin to focus on Thomas. After doing so, Sibbald, who was moving to help Cook, returned to Briley and brought him to the ground in a clothesline maneuver reminiscent of those used by professional wrestlers. Following the arrest, the pair submitted a complaint to the Police Department alleging misconduct. But after the department initiated an investigation and found that the officers' actions were not excessive, the two, through their attorney, filed a lawsuit in federal district court. That matter remains open.

A hearing has been set for Jan. 29 in Division 2 of the Torrance courthouse to seek a resolution for each defendant's outstanding charge of interfering with police officers.

Hermosa Beach News

Home invasion suspect turns herself over to police

By Dawnya Pring

A third suspect in the brutal Manhattan Beach home invasion robbery turned herself over to authorities almost a year after the crime that left a couple severely beaten occurred.

Tamieka Eleby, of Long Beach, walked into the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Century station on Jan. 2 in the afternoon, said Manhattan Beach Sgt. Steve Tobias.

“We're not sure why she decided now to turn herself in, but she knew there was an outstanding warrant for her arrest and she was definitely under a lot of pressure,” said Tobias, who added that authorities had been questioning her family and going to locations where she lived in Long Beach.

Eleby, the third of four suspects in the early March 2006 incident to be held accountable for the crime, appeared in court Jan. 3 and pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempted murder, two accounts of home invasion robbery and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, said Deputy District Attorney Brad McCartt.

A Manhattan Beach couple who had spent the evening at several bars in Hermosa Beach and had spent much of the night with the two female suspects whom they later took home with them, were later attacked by the two females and two male suspects, who authorities allege knew the two females, when the males arrived at the Manhattan Beach home later that night wearing masks.

Police were able to track down two photos of the women taken that night at one of the bars, which has since lead to the arrest of the three of the suspects and the conviction of two.

Edna Monrreal also turned herself over to authorities, arriving at the temporary Peck Avenue Manhattan Beach Police station on March 16, 2006. She has been sentenced to seven years in prison for the crime, McCartt said.

Monrreal's arrest and conviction lead authorities to a third suspect, Rolland Wormley, of Bellflower, early on. He was picked up on a parole violation and was sentenced to 14 years, McCartt said.

The fourth suspect is still outstanding, McCartt said.

Eleby's preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 18 at Torrance Superior Court.

Hermosa Beach News

Family sues city, Caltrans over teen's death on PCH

By Chris Yang

The parents of a teenager who was killed earlier this year while crossing Pacific Coast Highway recently retained the counsel of a Beverly Hills law firm and submitted a claim to the city of Hermosa Beach alleging wrongful death.

The City Council denied the claim at its Sept. 12 meeting and referred the matter to the city's Liability Claims Administrator. The teenager's family has six months to file a lawsuit should they choose to do so.

The claim, which was submitted on behalf of William and Ellen Wright, named the city of Hermosa Beach and the California Department of Transportation as respondents.

In particular, it stated that these governmental entities failed to “timely install traffic and pedestrian controls,” conduct studies, or enact recommendations “for the purpose of safely controlling traffic and pedestrian flow.” The claim also stated that these “errors and omissions” “proximately resulted” in the death of the couple's son.

Ian Wright was killed March 16 after he was struck by a car traveling southbound on Pacific Coast Highway. The driver of the vehicle, Joy F. Urcia, is a resident of Huntington Beach. Though she is not listed as a respondent in the claim, her name does appear as a “proposed defendant.”

Media reports from the time of the accident point out that Wright attempted to cross the busy thoroughfare while riding a Razor scooter without a helmet. Though the teenager was in a crosswalk at the time he was hit, statements made by police officers to local newspapers indicate that the young boy may have been at fault. A press officer from the Hermosa Beach Police Department was quoted in the Daily Breeze stating that, “It's our preliminary belief that he may have created an additional hazard by his actions.” The same officer also stated that “fault was undetermined,” but that the teenager “might have entered the street to cross when it was unsafe.”

In a phone conversation earlier this week, Sgt. Tom Thompson indicated that the case was “presented” to the district attorney's office, but that charges against the driver of the vehicle were not filed. “They chose not to prosecute it, not that there isn't fault somewhere,” said Thompson. According to Thompson, Urcia was driving at approximately 30 to 35 mph when she struck Wright.

Following this year's incident, city officials moved rapidly to address any lingering safety issues with the intersection. A traffic light was installed at the intersection the week after the accident. City officials also considered removing painted crosswalks or placing “in-pavement flashers” at other locations to ensure similar accidents did not occur within the city. At the July 19 Public Works Commission meeting, Public Works Director Rick Morgan publicly addressed the teenager's recent death stating that “he is always hesitant to install crosswalks at uncontrolled intersections because of the false sense of security pedestrians get when using a crosswalk.” The commission ultimately declined to pursue the staff's recommendations and did not approve the removal of crosswalks at First, Third and Fourth streets.

In addition to the installation of the traffic light, the city instructed its traffic engineer, Ray Abassi, to conduct a traffic study to provide feedback on whether the light was creating more traffic in neighborhoods to the east of PCH. The city posted the completed study on its Web site in August. The 13-page report makes no mention of Wright's accidental death and indicates that the study was conducted “to determine if the existence of a traffic signal increases traffic volumes intruding on nearby residential streets.” The study makes several conclusions, including that “no significant level of residential intrusion has been identified” and that the traffic light has “statistically not changed the traffic volumes entering 16th Street east of PCH.”

Whether or not these actions will shield the city from liability remains yet to be seen. Should litigation eventually arise, the city's main defense will be that the busy street is not under the municipality's jurisdiction. City Attorney Mike Jenkins explained the city's position in a phone conversation earlier this week. “Everyone in the community was saddened by the death of the young man,” said Jenkins. “But the city denies liability and the city will defend itself (on grounds) including the fact that we don't own and operate the street in question.”

According to an employee with the Public Works Department, the city is responsible for “parking signage” and “some striping” along Pacific Coast Highway, but “only with Caltrans approval.” A Caltrans official declined to comment on the pending claim, stating the possibility of future litigation.

Though rare, accidents at the intersection of 16th Street and Pacific Coast Highway have occurred in the past. A Manhattan Beach teenager was killed in 1993 while riding a motorcycle southbound along PCH. He collided with a car that was traveling east along 16th Street.

Hermosa Beach News

City faces another police-related lawsuit

By Chris Yang

The Hermosa Beach Police Department had little time to celebrate a recent victory in federal court, as officials learned that yet another lawsuit was filed against the city, this time on behalf of an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Samuel Marullo, a homicide detective with LAPD's Southeast Division, alleges in his complaint that Hermosa Beach police officers violated his civil rights and inappropriately arrested him on July 31, 2004.

Marullo's attorney, Thomas Beck, is the same attorney who just recently represented 23-year-old Kenneth Agner with his complaint alleging Hermosa Beach police officers used excessive force in his arrest. According to a July 21 story in the Daily Breeze, jurors in Agner's case “rejected all but one of Agner's complaints.”

Marullo's complaint names the city of Hermosa Beach, former police chief Mike Lavin, interim police chief David Barr and six other Hermosa Beach police officers as defendants.

According to the complaint, Marullo and a fellow LAPD officer were waiting in line for a taxi at the Pier Plaza when another individual cut in front of them. Marullo and the other officer “called (the individual) on his line-jumping,” and attempted to rectify the situation. At this point, officers Don Jones and Steven Saylor with the Hermosa Beach Police Department allegedly arrived to assess the situation. According to the complaint, Marullo approached Jones and “identified himself as a peace officer with a concealed firearm.” Jones reportedly responded to Marullo with expletives, prompting Marullo to reply, “You should go back to Wal-Mart security.”

Saylor then allegedly “forcibly shoved” Marullo against a nearby wall and placed him under arrest charging him with violating Penal Code 647(f), the public intoxication statute. The complaint also alleges that while transporting Marullo to the police station, Officer Kelly Sullivan “intentionally slammed on her brakes,” subjecting him to a form of “physical abuse” known as a “screen test.”

The complaint describes the incident as “consistent with longstanding HBPD tradition that persons punitively arrested without legal justification are accused of violating Penal Code section 647(f)Š”. Marullo subsequently challenged the arrest in court and went to trial in 2005. He was found not guilty and subsequently filed an official complaint with the Hermosa Beach Police Department. According to the complaint, the department conducted a “cover-up administrative ‘investigation',” that resulted in the exoneration of the officers involved.

When reached by phone at the Southeast Division, Marullo was unwilling to comment about the pending lawsuit. “I'll speak to my attorney and see if he says it's a good idea,” he said.

Beck claims Marullo moved away from Redondo Beach as a result of the incident. “He is a homicide detective who used to live in Redondo Beach, but doesn't anymore because of this incident,” said Beck.

Marullo is not the first LAPD officer to file a lawsuit against the Hermosa Beach Police Department. Officer Mark Pompano, with the LAPD's Pacific Division, filed a civil suit against Hermosa Beach police officers in 2004 after he was arrested while attending a birthday party in Manhattan Beach. As with Marullo's case, Pompano was arrested on suspicion of public drunkenness, and was allegedly refused an alcohol breath test after offering to take one.

Subsequent to Pompano's arrest, the Federal Bureau of Investigation opened an investigation into the conduct of the Hermosa Beach Police Department. The investigation, which has lasted more than 11 months, is still ongoing, according to Ken Smith, a press officer with the FBI's Los Angeles field office. Smith did not specify what the outcome of the investigation would be or how long the investigation would continue.

Hermosa Beach News

Debate continues on maintenance district

By Chris Yang

At the public hearing on Hermosa Beach's supplemental maintenance district, local resident Shirley Cassell may have driven a stake into the heart of the proposal when she alerted the City Council of the existence of SB 61, a state bill that went into effect on July 1.

The bill is important because it includes a provision that specifically states voters are to receive two envelopes when partaking in an election involving assessments, one to place the ballot in, and another to place the envelope with the ballot in. Local residents were only sent one return envelope in a packet of information mailed to property owners in early June.

The maintenance district was initially proposed by the City Council to help pay for a potential shortfall in the city's street lighting and landscaping district of $170,000. The city subsequently hired Harris & Associates, an Irvine-based consulting firm, to conduct the election. City officials cited Proposition 218 numerous times over the past few weeks to explain why only property owners were polled in the recent election, and not Hermosa Beach's large population of renters.

If approved, each owner of a single-family residence would pay an additional $14.30 per year, while nonresidential property owners would face an increase of between $42.90 to $210.81 per year.

Councilman J. R. Reviczky was the only official to defend the proposal, and used his time to explain to the audience the city's financial situation. “We have equipment replacement funds,” said Reviczky. “There's many, many accounts in there. Hermosa has no debt.” He then took umbrage at any implication of being fiscally irresponsible, stating, “It bothers the heck out of me that someone comes up here to tell me that we have so much money.”

After the public hearing, the city's consultant, Joan Cox, fielded questions from the council. She conceded that she was not aware of the existence of SB 61, and wrongly asserted that the legislation might not be effective yet. “If the bill passed on July 1, it is possible that it becomes effective on Jan. 1 (2007),” said Cox. She also added that because the ballots were sent out in June, the election should not be required to meet the specifications of the new law.

Reviczky did not dispute Cox's explanation, but did not agree with her position. “If, in fact, the law changed and we didn't follow the law, then we have a problem,” said Reviczky. “So I want that, to make sure that we're in compliance with what we did.”

Officials stated that as of Tuesday's meeting, approximately 2,778 ballots had been received by the city clerk. Tabulation of the ballots is expected to take two days, said Public Works Director Rick Morgan. The results of the election will not be announced until the next City Council meeting Aug. 8.

Cassell summed up the community's overall message with her public statement. “I think that your people did a very bad job,” said Cassell. “Except Mr. Bobko, who wasn't here, this company did a very poor job.”

Hermosa Beach News

Planning Commission deadlocks on alcohol permit

By Chris Yang

The Hermosa Beach Planning Commission was unable to reach a consensus on a proposal to grant the owner of the Hermosa Pavilion a conditional use permit to serve alcohol on his property.

At the July 18 meeting, Pavilion owner Gene Shook took a decidedly different approach to present his vision of a new 8,000-square-foot restaurant to the Planning Commission. Shook was accompanied by a restaurant designer, a chef and an architect, and did not bring his attorney to challenge officials as he did at last week's City Council meeting.

Shook's designer stated that the owners of the new restaurant (of which Shook is a part owner), Still Water Contemporary American Bistro, are expecting to spend approximately $3 million to $4 million on the proposal. Many of Shook's representatives described the new project as “organic” and “upscale,” but the local residents attending the meeting found little solace from these descriptions.

Shook used his time to address several issues, including the current allocations of square feet laid out by the Planning Commission's staff report. He conceded that the Pavilion's current configuration of retail use is higher than the staff report's allocation (9,900 square feet versus 9,600 square feet). Shook worried that a future city council or commission might use this discrepancy to shut down the restaurant at a future point in time.

He also added that the Pavilion's “auto spa” should not fall under the city's ordinance pertaining to a “car wash” because the service provided merely steam-cleans cars, and does not have runoff typically associated with a car wash. Community Development Director Sol Blumenfeld had previously referred to the auto spa as “illegal” earlier in the meeting. He ended his comments by addressing the wishes of some to postpone the entire project. “I really want to get the construction done,” said Shook. “Waiting six months doesn't work.”

Local residents also appeared en masse to oppose the project. Only Carla Merriman, the executive director of the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce, rose during the public comment phase to support the project. “I can assure you, that there will be no Jell-O shots or nachos on the menu,” said Merriman. She added that the new restaurant's sales and property tax would greatly benefit the city's general fund.

One homeowner, Lee Grant, had no problem with the introduction of a new restaurant, but objected to the idea of another establishment serving alcohol. “Why not complement them (the Pavilion's other tenants) with indeed what Mr. Shook suggests, which sounds like an organic restaurant, and let's serve green tea and let's stop issuing liquor licenses,” said Grant.

With only four commissioners present (Sam Perrotti did not attend), the group was unable to reach a consensus on the permit. Commissioner Pete Hoffman, who leaned against supporting the project because of its scope, echoed the comments of some in the audience, stating that once the city approved the sale of alcohol it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to rescind a future owner's permit.

One commissioner, Langley Kersonboom, suggested continuing the item for six months, to see if the parking issues addressed at last week's City Council meeting had been solved. Hoffman disagreed, stating it would be unfair to keep Shook Development on hold for such a long period of time. Several motions were offered before a continuance was approved. The issue will be heard at next month's Planning Commission meeting Aug. 15.

Hermosa Beach News

H.B. Pavilion parking to remain free, says council

By Chris Yang

The Hermosa Beach City Council voted unanimously to approve an April 18 decision by the Planning Commission to impose a two-hour free-parking condition at the Hermosa Pavilion site located on Pacific Coast Highway.

Several members of the community who reside in the vicinity of the building attended the meeting and spoke in favor of creating a free parking zone within the Pavilion's parking structure.

The owner of the Pavilion, Gene Shook, appeared alongside his attorney to address the council. Both submitted letters prior to the meeting stating their opposition to the Planning Commission's recommendation.

Shook's attorney, Sean O'Connor, argued that the Planning Commission's decision was not supported by any evidence, and that the imposition of a free-parking condition would amount to an “unlawful taking,” an illegal act by a governmental body. “We believe that for a number of reasons that the decision was not only wrong, but unlawful,” said O'Connor.

City Attorney Mike Jenkins pre-emptively addressed O'Connor's argument, stating the definition of a “taking” may only apply to an entire parcel and not just the Pavilion's parking structure as O'Connor had argued in his letter. He also stated that if Shook presented the council with financial statements indicating a financial loss, the city is obligated to review the documents.

“The (unlawful taking) test basically concentrates on whether it deprives the owner of a fair return,” said O'Connor. “Remarkably, the city attorney seems to suggest the burden is on us to supply audited financial documents that demonstrate this would in fact cause severe financial harm to us.” O'Connor described that as “putting the cart before the horse,” and warned that Shook would fight any vote to uphold the Planning Commission's decision.

Most of those present at the meeting voiced their support for any attempt to disabuse 24 Hour Fitness patrons from parking in the residential area to the east of the building. One resident in support of the free parking condition suggested the Pavilion's tenants would be aided by the new condition. “You're actually going to be helping him (Shook),” said Howard Longacre. Some residents suggested increasing the proposal from two hours of free parking to three hours, or even free parking for the entire day.

Despite siding with local residents, the council generally remained polite as arguments were presented opposing the Planning Commission's recommendation. The sharpest questioning of the evening came during O'Connor's statements, though.

Ultimately, the council chose to keep the condition to two hours. “I'm in favor of the motion and we'll keep it at a two-hour limit,” said Mayor Pete Tucker. “If you are not done after two hours, you're not working out hard enough in my book, because after two hours you're ready to go home.”

Letters to the Editor

Enjoyed a ride-along

Life, as we residents know, changes in Hermosa Beach after the sun sets. The folks who are patrons of Hermosa Beach appreciate the establishments in this town for providing a fun place to gather with friends and partake in its natural beauty. With that said, the establishments need to duly recognize that the neighborhoods are taking the brunt. They need to be courteous to residential neighbors and consider the consequences of such excess.

As a coordinator of Hermosa Beach Neighborhood Watch, I am privileged to know that there are officers who do an outstanding job keeping the peace, and responding to the residents' complaints and 911 distress calls. I was fortunate to walk alongside the HBPD. I went on one of the most popular holiday weekend nights at the beach, the Fourth of July. Before you criticize the HBPD, do me one favor and take a ride-along. It is the most eye-opening experience. When you walk in the shoes of the HBPD, my hope is that you leave knowing that the officers are deserving of our support. I can sleep better tonight knowing that Officers Parente, Sullivan, Kansako, Frilot, Sibbald and Watch Commander Garkow are watching over our diverse city. The HBPD is striving to align themselves with the community. We all love this beautiful town or we wouldn't live and work here.

We have an alluring gem of a city. Many are attracted to it. Residents must connect in their neighborhoods to assist our city's resources.

Kelly Kovac-Reedy, Hermosa Beach

Puzzled by events

During the June 26 public meeting hosted by the new Neighborhood Watch, an audience member asked interim Police Chief David Barr if the city could hire more police. He responded by asking her what other city service she was willing to give up, presumably to release the funds necessary.

In my mail a few weeks ago, I got a notice about a proposed property tax assessment to pay for city street lighting.

These events would make sense in a city that was strapped for cash, but occurring in Hermosa they are puzzling. Hermosa has had big budget surpluses in each of the last 10 years. The last two surpluses each were more than $3 million.

In the past, some city officials have claimed that there are no surpluses, that these are merely rollovers. For those who aren't sure who to believe, I offer the following. How did the city accumulate the $4.2 million cash it paid for the property south of City Hall without surpluses? The official worksheets showing the calculation of the surpluses are at:  www.noutilitytax.com/updates.html

Jim Lissner, Hermosa Beach

Concerned about CUP

Prevent destruction to neighborhood and safety. An important public hearing is scheduled at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 18. The applicant's proposed project is an 8,000-square-foot alcohol outlet (restaurant/ bar) to be located at 1601 Pacific Coast Highway, (Hermosa Pavilion). This hearing is for an alcohol “on sale” CUP.

Residents located east of Pacific Coast Highway in the Hermosa Hills have reason to be concerned, if this 8,000-square-foot restaurant/bar is approved. Your presence at the meeting is important. Say no to negative impact. Bars are bad for neighborhood. Act now. Attend the hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, City Council chambers, Hermosa Beach.

Patty Egerer, Hermosa Beach

Looking for accountability

Regarding Hermosa Beach lighting/ landscaping, instead of ballots going to a company certified to count and store them, voters send them in a transparent envelope to Hermosa Beach City Hall where they will float around for more than a month before they are counted at City Hall.

If some ballots are marked no, can they be disposed of? This is not to say it will happen. If it did, this assessment could pass.

The representatives from the company sending the ballots admitted for every 10 ballots sent out, only two or three are returned.

Calls to that company for a second ballot, if your first ballot is lost or damaged, is sent to you. Can you then vote twice?

The cost of this boondoggle to Hermosa Beach is $30,000 so far. If this assessment bill passes, tax bills will go up every year. This is a forever tax. The city calls it an assessment. We all know it is a tax.

Shirley Cassell, Hermosa Beach

Lack of management

Beyond the Hermosa School Board's nefarious campaign to pass Measure “A,” wherein one participant dismissed his role in stealing campaign signs as being “genetically predisposed to” cheating, there is a far more serious concern of fiscal mismanagement. How is it that the Hermosa School Board could spend all of the $13 million initially bequeathed to it from the original bond measure and get so little for it? A gym without a floor and no new classrooms serves testament to the obscene squandering of public funds. On the face of it, awarding millions in bond money to a particular consultant that was isolated from any bid process reeks of malfeasance, especially in view of the consultant's large campaign contributions toward bond passage.

While some may focus on the lack of professionalism (or genetic defects) during the campaign, the Hermosa School Board's horrible lack of management should be a far greater concern. Until the Hermosa School Board is purged of the ninnies who cannot understand basic fiscal management, entrusting the School District with any further finances is throwing good money after bad.

Imagine a student looking at a gym without a floor through windows of an overcrowded classroom.

Robert Benz, Hermosa Beach
 

Looking for higher standards

I am shocked at the letters from people supporting Lance Widman taking down campaign signs. Does everyone take down signs? We all probably want to but most of us resist the urge because we know it is wrong - plain and simple. “Character, what you say or do when no one else is looking.” Widman boasting, “It's genetic, I see a sign I don't like and I take it down”-how can you possibly see that as being a good role model/neutral mediator? The sign thing is just a recent example; the letters and name-calling were also in extremely poor taste. A School Board member/mediator/college professor should have higher standards and better character, don't you think?

Jackie Tagliaferro knew she would not have to wait long for the sign to get stolen - signs barely lasted an hour before they “disappeared.” How was she to know that it was going to be Widman taking down the signs? It would have been a better use of Widman and the rest of the School Board's time to put some cost estimates in Measure “A” and a priority list-maybe “A” would have passed. Obviously there were more than three people who thought they were getting classrooms with Measure “J” and wanted more accountability with “A.”

It is hard to stick your neck out there. You have a much happier/easier life when you don't care. I'm thankful for everyone from “No on A” who cared enough to try and make a difference.

Kristine Keegan, Hermosa Beach

Hermosa Beach News

School budget is passed without feared program cuts

By Chris Yang

A crowd of parents and teachers attending a June 28 special meeting of the Hermosa Beach School District erupted with applause after the board of trustees voted to approve a budget for the 2006-07 school year without eliminating any programs.

Prior to the board's decision, the district's Budget Committee had created a list of programs that were targeted as potential cutbacks. These programs included class-size reductions for kindergarten through third grade, an assistant principal, a music teacher, a science teacher and aides for the School District's libraries. Fearing reductions in the district's services, several parents mounted an intensive lobbying and fund-raising campaign in order to ward off any adverse impacts on next year's students, and were quite pleased with the outcome of the meeting.

At one point, a group of parents opposed to any cuts in class-size reductions refused to relinquish approximately $19,235 in donations to the board unless the board agreed to their requests. “Do we know if class-size reductions will not be cut?” asked Lindy Brownsberger. When the board did not respond affirmatively, Brownsberger returned to her seat from the podium without handing over an envelope containing the money.

All of this was too much for another parent, who rose to challenge Brownsberger's tactics. “This is a democracy. I would love my money to go to the assistant principal,” said Heidi Barnett. She added, “To hold money hostage is wrong. You have to trust these people (the board of trustees).”

April Lankford, a first-grade teacher at Hermosa View Elementary School, expressed dismay with the strife caused by any potential cutbacks. “It's never felt so divided,” said Lankford. “It's just getting ugly. It's just disgusting. Please don't cut anything.”

In a subsequent phone conversation, Superintendent Sharon McClain welcomed the heightened interest in the board of trustees' affairs despite the intensity of the debate. “We're thrilled with the wonderful support we've received from parents and the community,” said McClain. “It's very heartening that they value the programs.”

The board's decision took place in spite of one factor that the School District had little or no control over, but that might have weighed heavily on the outcome - the state's budget process. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had not yet signed California's budget for the upcoming fiscal year when the board made its decision, but with his recent signature at an event last week, district officials are now able to move forward with more certainty about next year's programs.

Though no programs were eliminated or cut back in next year's budget, one small caveat to the board's decision arose during the meeting which might complicate things. District officials approved next year's budget despite a $38,000 shortfall and agreed to address it in either one of three ways before the start of school this fall. The board would either dip into the district's reserves of approximately 3.69 percent of the total budget (currently $10 million), count on funds raised by the community over the rest of the summer or depend on a combination of the two.

Hermosa Beach – Crime Watch

HOME INVASION/ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON. Two suspects reportedly entered an apartment at gunpoint on June 27 at 9:45 p.m. The incident allegedly occurred in the 1600 block of Ardmore Avenue. Someone noticed two individuals standing near his friend as he opened the door to the apartment. After the victim asked who they were, both individuals allegedly brandished pistols and forced their way inside. One victim was allegedly pistol-whipped in his left eye during the invasion. One suspect then demanded money while pointing a gun at the victim's head. A second suspect then separated the victim from his friends, forcing him to wait on the balcony of the apartment. When the suspect looked away, the victim jumped to the first floor and fled. The suspects, fearing capture, fled the building.

ARMED ROBBERY/CARJACKING. A customer of a local supermarket was the recent victim of an alleged robbery and carjacking. The incident allegedly occurred in the 700 block of Pier Avenue on July 4 at 1:57 a.m. As the victim was about to enter his vehicle to leave the establishment, two individuals brandishing revolvers allegedly approached him. One suspect then pointed his gun at the victim's stomach and said, “I don't want to hurt you Š give me all of your money and your car keys.” A second suspect then physically moved the victim and stated, “Stand over here.” The two individuals then entered the victim's 2001 Jeep Cherokee and drove away. A third suspect driving a white van followed the victim's vehicle out of the parking lot. The victim's wallet, ATM card, cell phone and checkbook were all taken.

VEHICLE BURGLARY. An acoustic guitar was reportedly stolen from a vehicle parked near Second Street and Hermosa Avenue on June 30 at around 3 p.m. The victim allegedly returned to his 2006 Ford Fusion to find the windows rolled down halfway and several items missing. The victim reported that a Yamaha (Model No. L-1000) acoustic guitar worth $1,000 and his friend's Hermosa Beach parking permit were taken.

GRAFFITI. Unknown suspects using spray paint cans allegedly wrote “MB 90266,” “MB” and “F- COPS” between 8 p.m. on July 1 and 9 a.m. on July 2. The graffiti was discovered on the east wall of a building located on First Place.

MORE GRAFFITI. New graffiti was found on two windows and the front wall of a building in the 900 block of Hermosa Avenue. The incident allegedly occurred between 5:30 p.m. June 30 and 9 a.m. July 1. 

Hermosa Beach News

Farmers Market to celebrate 15 years

By Chris Yang

Anyone familiar with the Farmers' Market on Valley Drive and 10th Street may not know that it is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. The Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce held the first Farmers' Market on July 15, 1991.

Featuring fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers and plants, bakery goods, seafood, gourmet cheeses and specialty foods, the market is the meeting place for residents, city personnel, schoolchildren and lunch-goers.

“Our market attracts not only the locals, but visitors from Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach. Its open air atmosphere and friendly farmers provide a fresh alternative for the gourmet kitchens in our community, ” said Carla Merriman, executive director of the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau. “Our market manager, Mary Lou Weiss, employs only the best certified farmers in the state, many of whom travel from the San Diego and Sacramento areas to deliver produce that is picked that morning and is only hours old when it is sold. We are very fortunate to have Mary Lou, who is well-known for her expertise among the agricultural community.”

The market is held every Friday, rain or shine, from noon to 4 p.m. on Valley Drive at 10th Street. The market closes only the days after Thanksgiving and Christmas, but is otherwise open to be enjoyed by the community all year long. For more information, contact the chamber at 376-0951.

Hermosa Beach News

Council agrees to tweak Pier Ave. striping project

By Chris Yang

The city of Hermosa Beach decided Tuesday night to continue tinkering with one of its main thoroughfares. By a 2-1 vote, the City Council agreed to spend an additional $8,015 to make changes to Pier Avenue's current configuration. City officials requested these changes to alleviate several problems with the Pier Avenue striping project, which saw the busy corridor reduced from a four-to two-lane road.

Councilman Michael Keegan was the lone nay vote on the council. He argued against the changes because, in his view, the restriping project only served to move traffic from one street to others in the area. “I would like to revert back to a four-lane road,” said Keegan. “I don't think spending $8,000 is going to solve this problem.”

Councilman J.R. Reviczky disagreed with Keegan's assessment of the situation. “Mr. Keegan's comments are very valid. Unfortunately, they're not supported by any data.” He added, “I think what the council is doing is prudent, not foolish.”

While Councilman Sam Edgerton was not present at the meeting, the newest member of the council did attend, though not in an official manner. Patrick “Kit” Bobko, who won the council's fifth seat in a recent election, attended the meeting as an observer. He was unable to vote on the matter, and will be sworn in at the City Council's next meeting July 11.

As it is now, Pier Avenue is divided into two 12-foot travel lanes, a 20-foot center turning lane and two 18-foot-wide diagonal parking aisles. Tuesday's decision will narrow the center turning lane from 20 feet to 15 feet and push the merger of westbound traffic past Bard Street. The new modifications were requested to halt traffic at the intersection of Pier Avenue and Valley Drive from backing up to Pacific Coast Highway, and to provide vehicles from the Fire Department an extra lane to use when eastbound lanes are blocked with traffic.

Though the city's staff report included an option to restripe Pier Avenue back to its original state, Public Works Director Rick Morgan advised the council against pursuing that solution. “Staff cannot recommend going back to the way it was,” said Morgan. According to the report, it would cost “approximately $10,000” to return Pier Avenue to a four-lane roadway.

Before voting to support the additional changes, Mayor Peter Tucker refuted the argument that the restriping project was an attempt by the city to allow more restaurants into Upper Pier Avenue. “This idea we're selling out to restaurateurs is not correct,” said Tucker. “I would like to try this one more time.”

During the public comment section, local property owner Roger Bacon expressed concern about the impacts additional changes would have on local businesses, given the competition from a new Whole Foods market in El Segundo.

“This is the main corridor of Hermosa Beach,” said Bacon. “We don't need any competition from Whole Foods on Sepulveda and Rosecrans.”

When added to the original $25,000 contract, the total cost to date for the restriping project totals approximately $33,000.
 

Hermosa Beach – Letters to the Editor

Restriping created gridlock

The restriping of Pier Avenue has created gridlock in Hermosa Beach, and for what reason? Wider sidewalks at a cost of $2 million. Who benefits from the change? Primarily businesses, at the expense of residents and visitors who now suffer through gridlock traffic down this major artery.

Local papers have detailed the various infrastructure projects in our city - the master plan that was developed in 1990. However, there has been a complete absence of discussion regarding the subsequent effect of increased traffic on our infrastructure. Nothing has been published that addresses any infrastructure improvements. It is time for the city to address our infrastructure needs before it moves ahead with a master plan created more than 15 years ago that obviously did not foresee our current traffic problems.

If the city has no solution, then continued development of our small town should be slowed down dramatically, until a solution is found that effectively manages the resulting increase in traffic that it creates via these projects. The desire to increase customers for local business, while simultaneously reducing the infrastructure (eliminating a lane) is contradictory and actually absurd when most Los Angeles communities are addressing their own infrastructure problems via larger roads that efficiently move traffic.

The city purposefully removed the lanes from Pier Avenue because its goal was to “slow down” the traffic on Pier Avenue (its words). It has succeeded beyond its hopes. It has brought it to a grinding halt.

Carolyn Petty, Hermosa Beach

Not working

I was initially for the concept. After they put the “test” striping in place, it has failed miserably. Like many of the locals, I drive that route often and it has been very frustrating to go east and west on Pier Avenue. Good ideas do not always work.

Joe Anderson, Hermosa Beach

Transit opportunities decreased

No, this is not a workable plan. That is evident by the traffic mess the trial has already created.

No, it won't improve the situation. Why should the people have to accommodate an ill-conceived plan? Perhaps forever.

It already has resulted in more traffic on other streets. It will also change where people shop.

My question is, can Proposition “C” funds be used for a project that decreases public transit opportunities rather than its intended purpose of improving transit?

Becher Anderson, Hermosa Beach
 

Stop the vandalism

Over the last several years, the residents of Hermosa Beach who live west of Monterey Avenue have had to survive the beer bottles in their yards, public urination and the destruction of private property. Last Saturday night at 3 a.m., my car and my neighbor's car suffered the blows of a tire iron resulting in broken windows and body damage. A few months ago, the church on the corner of 16th Street and Manhattan Avenue had a brick thrown through a very expensive, 80-year-old stained glass window. These are not isolated incidents. The list of vandalism, thefts, battery, loud and disorderly behavior, and DUI driving resulting in hit and run accidents is long, and must be addressed and remedied. I am aware that with budget cuts and the magnitude of this problem, the Hermosa Beach Police Department is already overtaxed with respect to available resources but a solution must be found. Last Friday night cost me $841 and I stayed home. Can anything be done?

Rick Koenig, Hermosa Beach

Pier Avenue experiment a bad idea - As a resident of Hermosa Beach in an apartment adjacent to Pier Avenue, I must ask who thought turning Pier into a two-lane road was a good idea? As if traffic wasn't congested enough along this stretch on weekends and during city events, getting home at night has now turned into a 10-minute trip from Sepulveda to Manhattan Avenue. Two lanes of traffic merging into one in the stretch from Ardmore to Valley is absolutely a joke.  Was this decision thought out at all? Does this city planner even live in Hermosa? I shudder to think about how difficult it is going to be for residents to get around town this weekend during the AVP tournament. Please tell me this is a temporary idea that will go the way of Classic Coke.

Karen Carbone, Hermosa Beach

Hermosa Beach – Letters to the Editor

Major problems

The changes have caused major problems with Hermosa residents who use Pier Avenue very often. I don't see the purpose except to get more parking revenue.

John Capraro, Hermosa Beach

Looking for less congested routes

After driving down upper Pier Avenue several times during peak usage times, I do not see how it can remain one lane. I am left wondering if a traffic study was conducted before the lane changes were made, even if they are temporary. I have seen traffic backed up almost to PCH several times and have already resorted to using both Longfellow and Eighth, two residential streets. I have a feeling that the residents on these streets will not be very pleased with the increasing traffic as drivers figure out less congested routes.

Howie Silverman, Redondo Beach

Promoting business

“Where but in Hermosa Beach would upper Pier Avenue, the central access to its downtown bars, be reduced to one lane to allow for still more alcohol-dispensing businesses on widened public sidewalks while causing bar patrons in their cars, cabs and limos to use residential side streets as the alternate access to that bar district?” That's quoted from a letter 10 years past when Hermosa's council took the first legal step toward a single-laned Pier Avenue.

The single lane is to promote more alcohol-dispensing establishments along upper Pier Avenue. Tiny Hermosa is alcohol-, cab- and parking-saturated in the night and needs not one more alcohol outlet of any kind to swagger or stagger past. The city residents have been impacted and damaged enough by incredibly dumb council approvals regarding alcohol. Have they no limit?

Most disingenuous June 13 was council's attempt at deception in bragging that $4 million will be spent repairing streets. In fact, more than half of that is for this single lane paving and expansion of the alcohol district onto widened upper Pier Avenue fancy sidewalks and at no cost to the property owners to benefit there. Less than half will go for any residential street repair in the other 96 percent of the city and that after almost nothing was spent this current year.

The city's public safety costs of nil city revenue-producing alcohol businesses are drinking the city treasury dry so why does the council desire more alcohol-dispensing businesses anywhere?

Howard Longacre, Hermosa Beach

Editor's note: Two weeks ago, we asked our readers about the election results.

Offer ideas for building classrooms

Now that the city attorney has advised that Lance Widman did not commit a crime by removing two signs illegally placed on public property, isn't it time for Jackie Tagliaferro, Earl Keegan and the others on the “No” committee to stop their rabid, mean-spirited campaign against him? The fact that Widman publicly disagreed and was adversarial to their campaign does not give them the right to continue falsely accusing him of committing a crime nor attacking his more than 15 years of creditable service to our city as a mediator nor disregard his many, many years of public service. I ask them to remain involved and direct their energies away from hateful personal attacks and toward something positive for our community. Their campaign advocated that we should “build classrooms,” so let's get on with it. I would like to see, hear and listen to their ideas of how we can build the agreed-upon much-needed classrooms. It's important that they now take a positive leadership role and help us build a winning consensus within our community or their campaign victory will be for naught.

Dick McCurdy, Hermosa Beach

Restore civility

Over the past few weeks, we have elected a new council member, a judge and voted down a school bond measure.

What also happened was watching a dedicated and hard-working elected School Board member, Lance Widman, get raked over the coals for his fervent support of Measure “A” and removing illegally posted campaign signs from the public right of way.

Bowing to pressure from a small, vocal group of residents, the City Council placed his mediation services contract out to bid. The council further insinuated this contract was “overlooked” in the budget's past (at least five years) and it was time to bring in some competition.

The SBCDRS is well-thought-of and highly successful serving several South Bay cities. I suspect Widman will welcome any competition. However, what is disturbing is watching an elected official's service's contract suddenly become expendable due to his support of a bond measure to build more classrooms for students.

It is time to restore civility in our community and move forward constructively.

Howard Fishman, Hermosa Beach

Where's the proof?

Many folks in Hermosa Beach are probably unaware of Hermosa Beach candidate Jeff Duclos' published comments in the Beach Cities Democratic Club newsletter. I think it's important that they hear what he has to say about his recent loss for City Council.

He says that his election loss, “...feels like a personal injury, like someone who has had something stolen from them; someone who knows the thief, but has no recourse.” He blames his loss on my “tactics” and Councilman Michael Keegan's “$120,000 in mailings and misinformation.” If Keegan were to have spent $120,000 for the Hermosa Beach election, that would amount to two pieces of direct mail every day for a month. I must have been hallucinating since I received about nine pieces of mail total for all Hermosa Beach council candidates. Moreover, I don't know what “tactics” he's referring to.

The real kicker in his diatribe is: “After all, Hermosa Beach was forced into this election for the sole purpose of getting him (Kit Bobko) elected.” In essence, he's saying it's wrong to allow the voters to choose who their next council member should be. What would have he said if he had won instead of Bobko?

I challenge Duclos to provide proof that the election was stolen from him. Where are the stuffed ballot boxes, dead voters and rigged voting machines? Do we now live in Richard Daley's Chicago by the Sea?

Fred Huebscher, Hermosa Beach

Hermosa Beach News

Voters to decide on the formation of assessment district

By Chris Yang

Given the audience's reaction to a presentation last week by Joan Cox, an engineer with the firm Harris & Associates, city officials may soon regret awarding a $30,000 contract to the Irvine-based consulting firm. The firm was hired earlier this year to assist city officials with the implementation of a recent City Council resolution calling for the formation of a supplemental maintenance district to help pay for the city's street lighting and landscaping costs.

If approved, each owner of a single-family residence would pay an additional $14.30 per year, while nonresidential property owners would face an increase of between $42.90 to $210.81 per year, depending on the size of the property and whether trees or lights are in the vicinity. Cost estimates for the years following the 2006-07 fiscal year would be adjusted based upon the Consumer Price Index, and were not available at the time of the meeting.

According to an associate engineer with the city of Hermosa Beach, without the new district, a projected shortfall in next year's budget will result in a decrease in service. “There is a shortfall of $180,000,” said Homayoun Behboodi. “The level of service will go down (if the district is not approved).”

In a subsequent phone conversation, Hermosa Beach Public Works Director Rick Morgan amended Behboodi's estimate, lowering it by $10,000, and was unable to define which services would suffer without the new district. “The level of service depends on funding,” said Morgan. “There is no specific project tied to that (shortfall). This $170,000 isn't make or break.” He added, “We'll continue doing the best we can.”

As a result of last month's resolution, residents were invited to attend a June 22 town hall meeting/information workshop to learn about the potential increase in property assessments. Residents were notified of the meeting in a packet that was mailed to property owners on June 9.

The duty of presenting the city's case for establishing the supplemental maintenance district fell squarely upon Cox, who handed out a 14-page document titled “Landscape and Street Lighting Supplemental Assessment District” before proceeding that night.

Cox stressed the new district should not be considered an increase in taxes. “This is a land use-based assessment, not a tax,” she said. “This assessment is outside of Proposition 13.”

After Cox's presentation, city officials were barraged with a flurry of questions. When asked what will happen if the city does not get the new district approved, City Manager Steve Burrell stated, “I don't have an answer. If it doesn't pass, we have to go back in July and change the budget.” Earlier in the evening, Morgan had reiterated warnings that money would be withdrawn from the General Fund if the district was not approved. “If we don't get this passed, we're going to have to take General Fund money (again),” said Morgan.

One resident suggested the eventual cost of the new district over the next 10 years could reach as high as $4 million. City officials did not dispute the figure, but instead offered a much smaller estimate of $1.7 million.

Regardless of the actual cost over the next 10 years, most of those present at the workshop were not pleased at the thought of paying more money to compensate for the city's shortfall. “This is just another tax on the residents,” said one Hermosa Beach property owner.

The upcoming vote marks the second time this year the City Council has polled property owners about a potential increase in assessments. Earlier this year, property owners in the Bonnie Brae district defeated a proposal to pay for undergrounding utility lines.

The City Council has scheduled a public hearing on July 25 to hear arguments for and against the proposal. Ballots will be accepted up until the end of the meeting that day. If a majority of voters oppose the project, the district will not be formed. If a majority does not protest, the City Council will make the final decision at its Aug. 8 meeting. City officials expect only 20 percent to 30 percent of the city's property owners to vote on the new maintenance district.
 

Hermosa Beach News

In their own words: The four City Council candidates state their cases

By Whitney Youngs

On Tuesday, Hermosa Beach voters will take time out of their day to select one of four candidates running for one open seat on the Hermosa Beach City Council.

The current council members voted to hold a special election to fill the seat that has been vacant since November when Howard Fishman announced that he was giving up his seat that he won as a political newcomer to the five-member elected body.

Candidates “Kit” Bobko, Janice Brittain, Jeff Duclos and Jeff Maxwell recently spoke with The Beach Reporter newspaper on several issues that affect the city and what they will address as their biggest priorities if elected to office.

Bobko, Duclos and Maxwell all ran in the November election that also saw the re-election of Michael Keegan and J.R. Reviczky.

‘Kit' Bobko - Bobko, in his mid-30s, graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1991. After an honorable discharge from active duty, Bobko earned a law degree from George Washington University and a master's degree from the University of South Carolina in philosophy. He is a municipal lawyer with the firm Richards, Watson and Gershon.

The Beach Reporter: Do you support Measure “A”? Why or why not?

As a matter of policy, I'm concerned with the City Council taking official positions on issues that are the School Board's exclusive responsibility. Hermosans have chosen a School Board to make these decisions and manage projects just like this. The City Council can and should support our schools by looking for synergies and economies of scale with maintenance, etc. But as your City Councilman, I will respect the voters' decisions in electing members of the School Board, and the voters who elect them. Personally, I will vote for Proposition “A” because I think the CEQA lawsuit and run-up in construction costs over the last few years really put a bite in the original plan, and this “new” bond money is necessary to complete the project to the standards we want for our community.

If elected to the council, what will be your top three priorities that you hope to accomplish while in office?

(1) Optimistic leadership: As your City Councilman, I believe that it is important to approach each challenge with a sense that they are opportunities to make Hermosa Beach a better place to live, work and play. I sincerely believe there are no obstacles too big and no problems too difficult for us to overcome. I will always look to our city's well-being as my first and only priority. All too often, decisions on our City Council are personality-driven instead of being grounded in sound public policy. I am a creative, independent thinker who is beholden to no one. I will bring badly needed fresh perspectives and leadership to the council.

(2) Improve public safety: I am committed to upgrading and modernizing our city's contingency plans and increasing disaster preparedness in Hermosa Beach. I will work with our neighbor cities to ensure we have a comprehensive and coordinated plan for responding to natural and man-made disasters in the beach cities. I will work to leverage our current Wi-Fi system to include wireless security cameras linked to our police station. We should also begin the development of a “reverse 9-1-1” system that calls every home within minutes to warn of impending emergencies and pass on vital information. Because public safety is such a priority, I believe in close oversight of the selection of a new police chief, to include public participation in the selection process. We need strong capable leadership in our Police Department, and I will advocate a professional and community-oriented leader to lead our department into the next decade.

(3) Improve and repair our city's infrastructure: A common refrain among the folks I meet when I'm out walking around town is: “When is the city going to pave my street?” Although there's nothing sexy about streets and sewers, they're the kinds of nuts-and-bolts things we expect our city government to pay close attention to. Yet, in many instances both are badly outdated and worn in our city. In my first 100 days as your City Councilman, I will review the city's “Pavement Management Study” and sit down with our director of Public Works to see that we increase the amount of street repavement and reconstruction in our city. We need to stop wasteful spending and focus our resources on getting our streets to reflect the beautiful homes that line them.

With the departure of the BMW dealership and now Albertsons grocery store, how would you propose to maintain or increase revenues for future budgets?

I always loath to discuss “increasing city revenues” because whenever government talks about revenue it usually leads to some new tax or fee on residents! We are taxed more than enough, and I will not propose new or higher taxes on Hermosans.

I think we should look for ways to capitalize on the fact that we have 60,000 cars driving past Hermosa Beach businesses every day along PCH and a bevy of great hotels that are just a stone's throw from LAX, and increase these two sources of revenue. I will encourage considered and well-conceived projects like the one being planned for the former BMW site. This new mixed-use project will bring revenues in excess of $500,000 to our city. Likewise, I'll lead the way in meeting with Hope Chapel to find ways to develop their parcels at the recently closed Albertsons into hotel/retail/office uses that will be beneficial to the city, Hope Chapel, and the Hermosa Beach residents. With proper planning, we could create a substantial revenue stream (sales tax, bed tax, increased property taxes from redevelopment) from this parcel.

What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the city today and how do you propose tackling it?

The Macpherson Oil case, (along with a multitude of other pending cases,) looms over our city like a black cloud. The plaintiff in Macpherson Oil has claimed damages against the city in the range of $500 million, and some have suggested that this lawsuit is the death knell for our city. Additionally, the city just settled a case with a former club owner in town for $1.1 million, and individuals have filed at least two other suits with similar claims against our Police Department and city. Every dollar we spend to settle a lawsuit (or use to pay attorneys' fees!) is one less dollar we have to spend on other things like our parks, streets and schools. By consuming the city's resources, these lawsuits affect each and every one of us. As a municipal lawyer who litigates on behalf of cities and local governments all over California, I have a unique perspective on the current spate of lawsuits pending against the city. I bring a professional's eye to the claims leveled against us, and can provide valuable insight to the advice our city receives from its trial counsel. My experience allows me to ask the questions and evaluate issues in a way others cannot. I am proud to bring the years of experience I have working on complex issues for other cities home and put it to work for Hermosa Beach.

Janice Brittain - Brittain graduated from Hastings College with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and later earned a master's degree in theater arts from UCLA. Brittain also has an administrative credential from Loyola Marymount University. She is a volunteer with the Hermosa Beach Historical Society and has served as a poll worker for county elections. Brittain, a retiree, worked 40 years in public education in Los Angeles and served as a principal for the last 20 years in adult and career education for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Brittain has lived in the South Bay since 1969.

Do you support Measure “A”? Why or why not?

I am not responding to this question. This is under the leadership of the School Board, not the City Council. I do encourage everyone to read this measure thoroughly before voting.

If elected to the council, what will be your top three priorities that you hope to accomplish while in office?

Focus on environmental issues that threaten our beaches, greenbelt and parks. Strengthen the lines of communication between council and community, and bring a fresh voice of reason. Strengthen the partnership with local business and community. Support technical enhancement and state of the art communication that makes sense for the city.

With the departure of the BMW dealership and now Albertsons grocery store, how would you propose to maintain or increase revenues for future budgets?

I would support the new business developments that are in process. Consult with our businesses that are successful, and find out what is working and why.

What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the city today and how do you propose tackling it?

I feel that it is communication between the neighborhood and City Hall, and listening to what people have to say. I would ask staff for information before creating new policies when there may be current ones that need to be shared. This could lead to resolving issues such as the property merger and city maintenance.

Jeff Duclos - Duclos, a member of the first class of Leadership Hermosa, moved to Hermosa Beach 26 years ago. He has taken an active role in protecting the local beach as a volunteer with the Surfrider Foundation for 17 years, sitting on its board of directors for two terms and heading the local chapter for six years. He is a communications specialist and established a home-based business in 1998. He earned a bachelor's degree in science from San Diego State University and a master's in fine arts from UCLA.

Do you support Measure ‘A'? Why or why not?

I am supporting it, though I can understand why some voters will not. Emotions run high with this issue and there is much misinformation out there passing as fact, but ultimately we cannot allow a dispute in our city to weaken our schools. The pillars of a community are our schools, churches, police and firefighters. We must keep them strong. Our children and teachers deserve the best classrooms and facilities possible and, to me, this bond measure is reasonable. Upgrading our school buildings makes good business sense for the city. To do otherwise is sure to bring a decline in economic growth and property value. I especially like the fact that money will be going to retrofit North School. My daughter went to this school. It was one of the finest schools in the South Bay, neighboring the area's finest park. We will need this facility some day.

If elected to the council, what will be your top three priorities that you hope to accomplish while in office?

An important issue for me emerged while walking precincts during my campaign in November. I would see parents standing vigil on their streets, while their children played, guarding against speeding cars trying to cut through their neighborhood. I saw frustrated homeowners on Prospect, unable to back out of their driveways. Traffic congestion is escalating in our community and we have no plan to deal with this serious problem. As council member, I will move to develop a clearly articulated, comprehensive Neighborhood Traffic Management Program for the entire city of Hermosa Beach and for the establishment of greater local neighborhood control of our streets. Such a plan will not be the panacea, but we need to stop the pattern of seeing remedies for one street becoming the problems of another.

Secondly, as a citizen, I have demonstrated my commitment to protecting our Greenbelt and our world-class beach. I will be an even stronger advocate as a council member. Meeting mandated minimum environmental standards will not be enough. While the negative impact of urban runoff is escalating, no long-range plan exists to deal with the problem. I will push for the establishment of more aggressive storm water initiatives to protect our community health and our beach. I will work to establish a dedicated beach protection fund within the city's General Fund, so contingency money will always be available to protect and enhance our beach. I will also work to secure funds from the Clean Beach Initiative and other state, federal and private programs to fund these improvements.

Finally, the most important indicator of the strength of a city is its level of security and its infrastructure. With the exception of the downtown plaza, the city has invested little into building and beautifying our community. We have a fire station with serious structural issues, a call to add more personnel per shift and no written plan to address either issue. Our city does not have a full-time fire marshal. These safety concerns need to be addressed. We need to look for innovative solutions to city problems, because that's where the funding is.

With the departure of the BMW dealership and now Albertsons grocery store, how would you propose to maintain or increase revenues for future budgets?

I have faith that the people of faith who operate Hope Chapel will redesign their property in a way that includes commercial use. They have indicated as much and there's no reason to doubt their statements. The city is also close to a workable solution with the BMW property. Overall, the more livable we make our city, the more attractive it becomes as a business environment. A clean and healthy city presents business opportunities.

What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the city today and how do you propose tackling it?

We are a small city with a small tax base. We need to make our city's small size an economic advantage. In 2002, out of all the cities in Santa Monica Bay, Hermosa Beach was selected as the site for oceanic fiber-optic cable undergrounding. Because of our small size, we have less bureaucracy and a capacity to mount new programs more quickly than our larger neighboring cities. We need to press this economic advantage, actively seek out forward-thinking companies, and bring them and their projects to Hermosa Beach. We need new thinking and an infusion of new energy in city government, and that's what I bring.

Jeff Maxwell - Maxwell, in his early 40s, attended Long Beach State University and while in college 21 years ago, established Palos Verdes Limousine. For the past 18 years, Maxwell has worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Do you support Measure “A”? Why or why not?

Yes, I do support Measure “A.” I truly believe our children are our most important asset. We as a community are responsible for giving our children every advantage and access to the quality education they deserve. Our children are our future leaders and will be making decisions that will affect us some day. Let's show them how much we care.

If elected to the council, what will be your top three priorities that you hope to accomplish while in office?

Protecting our neighborhoods by keeping our city safe from crime and illicit drugs. Accountability, city officials need to be held accountable for their actions. Ensuring Hermosa Beach has a well-trained and well-equipped fire department and firefighters.

With the departure of the BMW dealership and now Albertsons grocery store, how would you propose to maintain or increase revenues for future budgets?

Hermosa Beach is a flourishing city and the right type of business would do very well here. I would court a store like Trader Joe's or Bristol Farms to fill the Albertsons space. A special incentive package to another dealership would fill the BMW site and the tax loss from the sale of higher ticket items.

What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the city today and how do you propose tackling it?

I feel very strongly that it is just a matter of time until the Macpherson oil lawsuit will either drain our city or bankrupt it. We have just hired a new law firm to go to trial on this case. The stakes are very high. Once in trial we have a 50-percent chance of winning. I propose taking another look at the situation and coming to an amicable agreement before it's too late.

Hermosa Beach News

Candidates offer solutions for ‘entertainment sector' 

By Whitney Youngs

The four Hermosa Beach City Council candidates running in the June 6 election squared off last Thursday in the first of several forums slated this month leading up to the race. The candidates addressed a number of issues including problems concerning the downtown area.

The candidates - Kit Bobko, Janice Brittain, Jeff Duclos and Jeff Maxwell - answered a series of questions during the forum, which took place at Sangria restaurant, sponsored by the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and moderated by one of its board members, Ron Newman, owner of the Sharkeez franchise.

The candidates took a few moments for formal introductions and then answered questions ranging from solutions to parking to their individual top priorities to the pier plaza's commercial district.

All of the candidates, with the exception of Brittain, participated in the November election, in which Michael Keegan, Howard Fishman and J.R. Reviczky emerged as the winners.

In January, the City Council voted unanimously to hold the special election to fill the seat won by Fishman who announced that he was giving up his seat due to family reasons.

Bobko, in his mid-30s, graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1991. After an honorable discharge from active duty, Bobko earned a law degree from George Washington University and a master's degree from the University of South Carolina in philosophy. He is a municipal lawyer with the firm Richards, Watson and Gershon.  “I do a lot of things with cities and local governments, and, in fact, I am very experienced on virtually all fronts of municipal government,” said Bobko. “Hermosa Beach is truly a great place to live and I am very proud to stand before you as a candidate.”

Brittain graduated from Hastings College with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and later earned a master's degree in theater arts from UCLA. Brittain also has an administrative credential from Loyola Marymount University. She is a volunteer with the Hermosa Beach Historical Society and has served as a poll worker for county elections. Brittain, a retiree, worked 40 years in public education in Los Angeles, and served as a principal for the last 20 years in adult and career education for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Brittain has lived in the South Bay since 1969.  “What I bring with me as a candidate is my strong background,” said Brittain. “As a resident, I also own property and I was raised in a family business so I am very sensitive to the needs of the small, local business. I am coming in a nonpartisan, an independent voice to represent the people.”

Duclos, a member of the first class of Leadership Hermosa, moved to Hermosa Beach 26 years ago. He has taken an active role in protecting the local beach as a volunteer with the Surfrider Foundation for 17 years, sitting on its board of directors for two terms and heading the local chapter for six years. He is a communications specialist and established a home-based business in 1998. He earned a bachelor's degree in science from San Diego State University and a master's in fine arts from UCLA.  “I believe that all of us sitting up here today as candidates share certain concerns for the environment, advancing public health and safety,” said Duclos, “but I think there is a distinction that must be made. When I say these things, it's not just a pledge but a principle that I have practiced and put into action for years.”

Maxwell, in his early 40s, attended Long Beach State University and while in college 21 years ago, established Palos Verdes Limousine. For the past 18 years, Maxwell has worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  “I am a father, a home owner, a business owner, I am running for City Council to ensure that our city officials are held accountable, you as citizens deserve that,” said Maxwell. “Our fire and police need to be backed up by the city, and funded and trained so that they are ready in the event of an emergency in the city.”

The council has continued to vote with only four members and will do so until a winner emerges in the June 6 election. The city is spending roughly $42,000 to hold the special election.

The November election saw 10 candidates. Bobko and Duclos ranked fifth and fourth, respectively, while Maxwell earned the seventh-ranked spot.  One question posed by Newman was in relation to the downtown, particularly the plaza, and stated the area has been a strong revenue source for the city in terms of sales tax and hotel tax, “However, police issues and negative newspaper publicity regarding pier plaza has hurt the downtown. If elected what would you do to protect the entertainment sector as an income source?”

Maxwell stated that the city needs pier plaza for the income and said that it is a central place for residents to gather.  “We need to work with our police and business owners to look for ways to control some of the perceived problems,” said Maxwell. “We also need to work with the media to get some positive outlook on Hermosa Beach and pier plaza through investing in some kind of program that advertises the good things that happen.”

Duclos said he has a personal stake in the plaza when he was hired by the city in 1996 to “inspire community pride” in support for business during the plaza's construction phase.  “Obviously we can't ignore that there has been bad publicity and that there are problems that need to be addressed but I also think we have to remember what it was like here 12 years ago, there were problems as well. I think we always have to address them, and ultimately move forward and continue to develop the area as a major attraction,” said Duclos. “We need to focus on the positive and developing those things that everybody in this community wants in terms of this area.”

Brittain also said that the plaza has received “ a lot of bad press” and said she is down on the plaza eating at the restaurants and attending events.  “You see families, you see dogs, you see every age down here, and everyone feels very comfortable and very safe,” she said. “We need to work on communication. What are we doing to not communicate the good things, why is the negative always taking the front row when there are so many strong positive things happening here?”

Bobko said as a general principle, local government should not be in the business of protecting the entertainment sector. Bobko gave several examples of how to encourage business citing Pasadena's new permit center.  “I think what we can do is encourage business and create a fertile business environment so that businesses come here and flourish,” said Bobko. “I want to make it easier for businesses to come to Hermosa to do business. I point to the city of Rancho Cucamonga that has a new online system in which people can schedule or change their permit timetables, cancel or schedule inspections, check the status of your plans. It saves the city money and that is just one example.”