Hermosa Beach News

Former councilman, activist Roger Creighton, 1938-2006

By Chris Yang

Activist, longtime Hermosa Beach resident and former city councilman Roger Creighton died last week at the age of 68.

Creighton took his own life sometime last week and was found at his home late Thursday night by his son Dane. News of Creighton's suicide spread quickly through the city after details of the incident were made public.

Creighton was known as a passionate figure who cared greatly about residents' quality of life. He was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer and was scheduled to undergo surgery on Aug. 17, the day he was found. Some suspect his suicide was brought about by an unwillingness to go through a similar experience as his father, who succumbed to the same disease in the 1960s.

According to Creighton's son Bill, his father didn't want to see Hermosa Beach lose its small-town feel and was generally opposed to problems associated with high-density developments. “He was a champion of open spaces,” said Bill Creighton.

While partaking in many battles, one that was dear to his heart involved the potential reconstruction of the Biltmore Hotel.

“What got him elected to council in the first place was an initiative to stop the builder rebuilding the Biltmore Hotel,” said Creighton. “He did that by taking a picture of himself on top of the old Fox Theater in Hermosa with a wooden pole. Somebody got down on Pier Avenue and took a picture, somehow, of him holding a pole that was the length of the building proposed. It disproved the fact that the building wasn't going to be much larger then the old Fox Theater.”

Gary Brutsch served as city treasurer during Creighton's term on the council and interacted with him on a regular basis. “Whatever he tried to do, he tried to make the quality of life better for Hermosa Beach,” said Brutsch. “You can't fault passion, and Roger had a lot of passion.”

The two would later join forces with another resident to craft an initiative to prevent the city's parking needs from encroaching on the beach. According to a story that appeared in The Beach Reporter on June 24, 2004, their proposal attempted to change the zoning of the beach to “O-S-1” or “Restricted Open Space.” He added, “The circulators of the petition want to require a vote of the people before that parking can be developed just like we want to require a public vote before any changes can happen on the beach.” The proposal, known as Measure “E,” was ultimately defeated at the polls last year, but by only 612 votes.

Creighton was first elected to the City Council in 1987 and served until 1991. He did not run for re-election but remained active in local politics.

Joe Di Monda worked previously as Creighton's attorney and later became friends with the former councilman. “He was concerned that everybody followed the law, especially elected and appointed officials whom we place a lot of trust in,” said Di Monda. “He had little tolerance for people who saw themselves above the law.”

Though he served on the City Council, Di Monda did not characterize Creighton as a politician. “Roger wouldn't get involved in the wheeling and dealing and compromising.” He added, “The other thing that was really amazing about this guy was, he would come into my office and use my law library. He knew more about the law then most lawyers.”

One of his defining traits during his tenure as a councilman was the fact that he always attended council meetings dressed in a suit and tie. “The guy owned one suit in his life,” said Di Monda. “I teased him one time. His response was, ‘I have an obligation to respect the office Š part of respecting the office requires dressing appropriately'.”

Bob Essertier served alongside Creighton on the City Council for two years and discovered the councilman to be a unique individual. “Roger was a most unusual character,” said Essertier. “He was very principled and honest, but also very cunning. He had a disdain for hypocrisy and arrogance.”

Essertier spent two years on the council with Creighton before the latter's term expired in 1991.

Creighton was born in 1938 and attended Redondo Union High School. He was married once but divorced in the latter part of the 1960s. He did not remarry and is survived by his two sons, Dane and William. Creighton's son added that a memorial service is being planned for later this month, with more specific details to be announced at a later time.  

Hermosa Beach News

H.B. schools maintain strong STAR numbers

By Chris Yang

The California Department of Education recently released results for its annual Standardized Testing and Reporting Program, also known as STAR. Based on results compiled from the Department of Education's Web site, students in the Hermosa Beach School District continued to exceed the statewide average across every subject tested, with large majorities scoring in the “at and above proficient” levels.

Superintendent Sharon McClain was pleased with this year's results and praised the achievements of Hermosa's students and teachers.

“Basically the district has stayed about the same overall, (there were) little ups and little downs here and there,” said McClain. “What the grade level teachers will do and the department teachers will do, in the middle school is take a look at their scores and compare them with last year and see how that goes. We'll also be comparing cohort groups, like the second-graders moving into third grade Š how did that group do?” She added, “So, overall I'm very pleased with the scores. I think it shows the strong educational experience that students in Hermosa get. Overall, most of our children are proficient or advanced in both math and language arts.”

While the STAR program consists of four “components,” Hermosa Beach students were primarily tested with the California Standards Test. Results for the CSTs are reported using five performance levels: advanced, proficient, basic, below basic and far below basic. Scores generally range from 150 to 600. Those between 300 and 349 fall under the basic performance level, while scores of 350 or higher are at or above the proficient level.

Depending on the child's grade level, Hermosa Beach students were required to take CSTs in the following subjects: English-language arts, mathematics, science (fifth and eighth grade), and history-social science (eighth grade).

According to results compiled for the Hermosa Beach School District, 795 students were tested in 2005 and 772 students were tested in 2006.

With respect to Hermosa View Elementary School, 107 students were tested in this year's program, all in the second grade. The results for View Elementary are as follows:

Of the 107 students who took the English-language arts test, approximately 93 scored at and above proficient.

Of the 107 students who took the mathematics test, approximately 93 scored at and above proficient.

With respect to Hermosa Valley Elementary School, 665 students were tested in this year's program, at every grade level. The results for Valley Elementary are as follows:

Of the 660 students who took the English-language arts test, approximately 530 scored at and above proficient.

Of the 541 students who took the mathematics test, approximately 434 scored at and above proficient.

Of the 62 students who took the general mathematics test, approximately 47 scored at and above proficient.

Of the 57 students who took the algebra I test, approximately 55 scored at and above proficient.

Of the 119 students who took the history/social science test, approximately 89 students scored at and above proficient.

Of the 207 students who took the science test, approximately 148 scored at and above proficient.

Generally speaking, these results remained well above the statewide average for each subject while keeping roughly consistent with scores from previous years. Of particular note were increases in the number of students scoring at the “advanced” level, including students in the second and sixth grades who took the English-language arts test, and students in the fourth grade who took the Mathematics test.

According to the Department of Education's Web site, results may be compared “for the same grade and subject across years within a school, between schools, or between a school and its district, county, or the state.” The site goes on to state “the reviewer should consider comparing the percentage of students scoring proficient and advanced, since the state target is for all students to score at or above proficient.”

Official reports for the Hermosa Beach School District are available at the California Department of Education's STAR Web site: http://star.cde.ca.gov.

Manhattan Beach News

MB Police receive grant to help combat underage drinking

By Dawnya Pring

With grant money from the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control, the Manhattan Beach police plan to focus on underage drinking.

The Manhattan Beach Police Department received $29,188 of approximately $400,000 in grant money given to Los Angeles County law enforcement agencies from the ABC. This money is part of $3 million allocated by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to 41 agencies throughout the state to fight underage drinking, penalize intoxicated patrons, and cut back on the illegal solicitations of alcohol and drugs.

In the past, police have conducted undercover operations to crack down on minors imbibing, sometimes using “minor decoys” to catch those participating in illegal activity. In the sting operations, minors, who are volunteers and usually recruited from police Explorer Scout programs, are sent to liquor stores to see if clerks will let them purchase alcohol without proper identification. In other incidents, a minor might stand outside a liquor store and ask adults heading into the store if they would purchase alcohol for them, said Sgt. Chris Vargas, who authored the grant application.

Minors and bar or store employees are given citations, sometimes administrative and sometimes criminal, depending on the situation, Vargas said.

The first activity funded by the grant is a training seminar for anyone with a license to sell alcohol in the beginning of September; the different education and law enforcement activities will run through June 30, 2007.

According to the Police Department, there are 116 bars, restaurants and retail stores in the city that are allowed to sell alcohol.

“The Manhattan Beach Police Department is committed to enhancing its current levels of education and enforcement regarding ABC licensed establishments and problems associated with alcohol sales and consumption,” stated Vargas.

“The Police Department has created a close working relationship with ABC investigators and together, Manhattan Beach Police officers and ABC investigators will provide training to ABC licensed establishments, conduct briefing training to patrol officers, and conduct sting operations to determine if licensed establishments are abiding by state laws and local operating permits.”

Since 1995, the ABC's Grant Assistance Program has allocated $17.5 million to local law enforcement agencies.

“We work with the zoning, the planning people, we work with licensing. At the end of the grant, it's successful if we've developed an ongoing relationship,” said ABC Director Jerry Jolly.

Other Los Angeles County agencies that received grant money include the Los Angeles Police Department, which received $125,000; the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department which received approximately $185,000 for its Lakewood and Lancaster stations; the Azusa Police Department, which was awarded $26,259; and the Downey Police Department, which received $45,317.

In 2005, the city of Redondo Beach received an ABC grant.

- City News Service contributed to this report

Hermosa Beach News

City benefactor Schumacher leaves lasting legacy in H.B.

By Chris Yang

One of Hermosa Beach's leading figures died last week, leaving behind strong ties to the community and a lasting legacy that includes one of the city's main landmarks being named in his family's honor.

Longtime Hermosa Beach resident David T. Schumacher died July 26 at the age of 86. He is most widely known for his work as an author, real estate magnate and philanthropist. His donation of $1 million to the city of Hermosa Beach helped fund the reconstruction of the Hermosa Beach Pier, which opened last November. In return, the city subsequently named the entrance to the pier “Schumacher Plaza” in honor of his brother, Paul. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Margaret Schumacher.

The Schumacher twins were born Aug. 23, 1919. They lived in a suburb of Bakersfield known as Taft, where their father owned and operated a creamery business. During the summer, Schumacher's family rented a vacation home in Hermosa Beach. He would later tell the Daily Breeze that he spent much of his time at the beach, going to the movies and riding the Red Car throughout Los Angeles.

In 1945, Schumacher took a job with Marshall and Stevens, a company that specializes in appraisal and valuation services. He would go on to work with the company for 20 years, holding the titles of appraiser, district manager, and vice president in charge of training and research. He specialized in complex real estate matters, and is said to have appraised more than 3,000 buildings. In 1956, Schumacher made his first foray into real estate, investing in a four-unit apartment building in Hollywood. Since that time, Schumacher amassed a sizable number of properties across the South Bay and in Orange County.

In 1971, Schumacher's brother, Paul, died of a migratory brain tumor. He would later go on to dedicate Schumacher Plaza to the memory of his brother. In 1977, Schumacher married his wife, whom he had met two years earlier while on a cruise through the Caribbean. The couple would go on to travel the world.

Pamela Wichman has known the Schumachers for more then seven years. She worked for the couple and remains close friends with Margaret Schumacher. “I worked for them and they treated me like a daughter,” said Wichman. “Both he and his wife have been just a huge inspiration to me.” She added, “He was a loving, caring and decent person who claimed that he had traveled all around the world but would not want to live anywhere but Hermosa Beach.”

In addition to his real estate holdings, Schumacher also authored two books: “Buy & Hold: 7 Steps to a Real Estate Fortune” and “Chopped Liver for the American Spirit.” In “Buy & HoldŠ” Schumacher included a list of 113 axioms that he believed would help others achieve success in the real estate field. Here are three of Schumacher's axioms:

“There's no way in the world you can succeed without taking a chance. A turtle never gets anywhere until it sticks its neck out.”

“Never overextend yourself. If you are not able to control your finances, you are not able to control your destiny.”

“The down payment and terms of sale are more important than the purchase price.”

After suffering a stroke and the loss of his eyesight from a disorder known as progressive myopia, Schumacher moved with his wife in 2004 to the Covington Retirement Community, a retirement facility in Orange County. Neither the move nor his health prevented Schumacher from attending the inauguration ceremony of the Hermosa Beach Pier, one of his proudest achievements.

According to Mayor Pete Tucker, Schumacher's donation was instrumental in helping to complete the city's new pier. “Once we got the million, it put us over the top,” said Tucker. “It kind of gave us the inspiration to get the job done. As a private citizen, that's probably the biggest donation to the city in modern times.”

At the Surfers' Walk of Fame induction ceremony (held at Schumacher Plaza), Tucker began the event by asking the audience to join in a moment of silence for Schumacher and another South Bay hero, Bill Meistrell, who died July 25.

A funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 5, at 10 a.m. The service will be held at the All Saints Episcopal Church, located at 132 N. Euclid Ave. in Pasadena. Those wishing to see Schumacher may attend an open-casket viewing preceding the service from 9 to 10 a.m. inside the church. The casket will remain closed during and after the service.

In addition to the morning service, family and friends may attend a graveside service later that day at 3 p.m., held at the Forest Lawn Mortuary in Glendale. Forest Lawn is located at 1712 S. Glendale Ave. The service will be held at Lot 1176, in the “Whispering Pines” section of the mortuary.

Anyone interested in donating money is encouraged to send funds to UCLA's Jules Stein Eye Institute. Checks should be made payable to “UC Regents,” and sent to 100 Stein Plaza, Development Office 1-124, Los Angeles, CA 90095. Please include “In memory of David Schumacher” on any submissions.

Hermosa Beach News

Latest Walk of Fame inductees honored

By Chris Yang

The induction ceremony for the Surfers' Walk of Fame took place last Sunday, drawing more than 80 people to the Hermosa Beach Pier to witness the city officially recognize some of the South Bay's most notable watermen.

Along with the inductees, the event attracted a diverse assortment of figures ranging from the inductees' friends and family members to well-wishers from the general public. Several city leaders were also present at the event that day, including City Manager Steve Burrell and four members of the Hermosa Beach City Council - Sam Edgerton, Michael Keegan, J.R. Reviczky and Mayor Pete Tucker.

After a member of the audience sang the national anthem, Tucker started the ceremony by asking everyone to join in a moment of silence for David Schumacher and Bill Meistrell, two of the area's leading figures who had recently died.

Tucker was followed at the podium by Steve Cannella, a member of the Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Advisory Commission. Cannella thanked the other individuals who submitted applications but were not chosen as inductees. He then turned the microphone over to the Walk of Fame's originator, Roger Bacon, who along with Tucker issued the plaques to each inductee and provided a long narrative about each individual along the way. One honorary pioneer, John Dominis, who flew in from New York for the ceremony, accepted several plaques on behalf of the inductees who were not present.

After the plaques and certificates were bestowed upon the inductees, the crowd walked along the pier to read the names of the Walk of Fame's new members, and to throw flowers into the ocean in honor of those who recently died.

At a press conference held earlier that day, the inductees gathered with friends and family at the Beach House Hotel's Pacific Room to hear details about the upcoming ceremony. Bacon began the press conference shortly after 3 p.m., telling several stories for the audience. He thanked several city officials and the manager of the Beach House Hotel for the use of its facilities. Prior to the event, the hotel granted Bacon the use of its Pacific Room at no charge, as well as a complimentary room to Walk of Fame inductee Mike “Bones” Bright.

Aside from one minor miscue in which a Redondo Union High student did not appear promptly at 5 p.m. to sing the national anthem, the event went off with nary a hitch. Apparently, she thought the event was still being held at a different location and came upon the audience near the end of the ceremony. Bacon, still hoping to hear her sing, called her up to the podium as she walked away with her family. She more then redeemed herself though, captivating the audience with a song about her faith in a higher power.

Hermosa Beach News

Popular clothing store packs up for R.B.

By Chris Yang

This Saturday will mark the last day members of the public may patronize one of Hermosa Beach's longest running businesses before it moves to its new home in a neighboring city. The vintage clothing store Aaardvarks, which has operated for more than 30 years at its location on the corner of Eighth Street and Hermosa Avenue, is moving to its new home in Redondo Beach early next week.

The store's owners, Jon and Donna McCormack, were notified to vacate the premises by the owner of the property earlier this year. According to a recent published report, the new owner purchased the property for $880,000. Despite renting the property for 34 years from the previous owner, McCormack was unable to secure an agreement with the new owner. “Whoever bought it intends to use it for their purposes,” said McCormack.

The McCormacks worked for the previous owner of the building, Joseph Stromei, who ran several other Aaardvarks stores across Los Angeles. He later agreed to sell the business to the McCormacks in 1974. Despite taking over the store from Stromei, the couple decided not to change the name of the business. “The owner at that time lived up in Hollywood, and we built the business down here. It was really Donna who was responsible for the success of Aaardvarks,” said Jon McCormack. “She's really more the store then I am, quite frankly. I was here from time to time, and Donna was here managing this store for the original owner. She was running the store here, making it what it was.”

Aaardvarks will tentatively open its doors at its new building located at 2621 Artesia Blvd. on Tuesday, Aug. 8. The McCormacks are planning to hold a grand opening later this month, though no date has been officially set yet. For more information, visit www.aaardvarks.com/

Hermosa Beach News

Officials propose $25 million budget

By Dave Eisenstadt

Hermosa Beach city officials propose to spend almost $25 million during the next year on salaries, renovations and a host of projects with well more than one-fourth of the budget slated for the Police Department, an increase of about 11 percent.

Officials released their budget blueprint earlier this month. The compendium represents the monetary wishes and expectations of the city employees and their leaders. By law, the Hermosa Beach City Council is required to adopt an annual budget by June 30.

According to the budget blueprint, officials propose to spend $24.7 million to run and improve the city. Officials are asking taxpayers to foot an increase of $1.2 million from last year, an increase of 5.3 percent.

In terms of percentage increase, officials plan to bestow the largest on salaries and other administrative costs related to the Public Works Department. Officials have asked for $713,145 for that, an increase of some $72,000 or 11.25 percent.

The general fund and officials' planned expenditures show a steady increase since 2004. That year, the general fund amounted to a bit more than $19 million.

Last year, the fund climbed to $23.4 million. If passed by council as is, this year's $24.7 million budget is up by $1.2 million - an increase of 5.3 percent.

Public safety - Police and Fire departments - will continue to eat up most of the city's money. Officials are seeking to spend 49 percent of the budget on public safety.

Capital renovations make up the next largest share. Officials are seeking to spend 18 percent of the budget there. Public works projects and salaries take up 16 percent of the requested funds.

The city's management and support budget is estimated to take up about 7 percent of the budget, community development about 5 percent, recreation less than 4 percent and legislative matters less than 3 percent.

City Council members, though part-time jobs, are asking for increases in overall budget and a host of benefits. The council is seeking to increase its budget from $194,600 this year to $202,562.

The bulk of the increase stems from benefit hikes. For instance, officials are seeking to increase employee benefits to $53,257 from $40,865 last year. A category called “other post employment benefits” is slated to increase from $985 to $1,297. Medicare benefits for members, however, are dropping slightly, from $1,024 last year to a proposed $999.

In terms of revenue, the property tax, as is usual, is expected to be the city's largest source of income. Officials expect to pull in 39 percent of the city's monies from residents in this manner.

Service charges and various fees make up the next largest source of revenue. They account for about 16 percent of the budget. Sales and other taxes make up the next biggest slice at about 15 percent. Federal, state and various government agencies contribute most of the rest.

Fines account for 6.5 percent of the city's expected revenue. The sales tax amounts to a bit more than 9 percent.

Hermosa Beach News

Hermosa Beach Police arrest suspects in identity theft ring

By Chris Yang

A group suspected of identity theft was taken into custody by Hermosa Beach Police recently after one of its members was arrested while attempting to cash a check using a counterfeit California Drivers License. The suspect, Gary Jason Young of Highland, Calif., was incarcerated after officials at a local bank noticed the discrepancy.

Information from Young's arrest subsequently led to the incarceration of five other individuals suspected of partaking in a multi-state fraud ring.

When reached for comment, Sgt. Paul Wolcott of the Hermosa Beach Police Department stated that all of the victims were notified and that most of the incidents occurred out of the area.  “Primarily, the identity theft occurred in Orange County,” said Wolcott. “I don't have a definitive number of victims, though,” he added.

According to the press release, after obtaining the identities of “numerous Southern California residents,” the suspects would then travel to Illinois to establish fictitious businesses and use the new records to open bank accounts. They would then allegedly deposit counterfeit checks and withdraw cash at a later time. All of the suspects were taken into custody at various locations across Southern California without incident and are awaiting extradition to Illinois.

During the course of the investigation, coordination occurred between several law-enforcement agencies, including the Anaheim Police Department, the U.S. Marshal's Service, the San Bernardino and L.A. County Sheriff's Department, and the city of Naperville's Police Department (Illinois).

All of the suspects were charged with multiple felonies, including but not limited to grand theft, forgery, identity theft in Illinois and California, burglary and possession of forged checks.

One suspect, Jennifer Lee Dubois-Fortenberry of Saugus, Calif., was additionally charged with possession of narcotics (113 doses of Ecstasy).

Bank accounts were opened with at least four major banking institutions: Chase, Charter One, MidAmerica Bank and Washington Mutual. If convicted, the suspects could face up to 36 years in state prison.

Hermosa Beach News

Restriping gets mostly thumbs down

By Dave Eisenstadt

The city's road test of an upper Pier Avenue with one less lane in each direction has conked out with scores of motorists yet received a bright green light from many businesses along the strip.

Last weekend's AVP Hermosa Open and an early summer rush of beachgoers attracted enough drivers - many seemingly unsure of how to proceed and find parking near the newly striped and narrower roadway. Congestion was such that Pier Avenue, Hermosa Avenue, the nearby numbered streets and the network of alleys had more than a passing resemblance to a huge grid of cars seemingly parked.

“I had numerous complaints when I was in the Post Office - some real choice comments,” said Mayor Peter Tucker. “We need to do something else, this isn't quite working.”

The mayor deadpanned that the redrawn street has a Devil's Triangle effect on some drivers.  “They inadvertently go into the mobile home park and never come out again,” Tucker said.

The city's Public Works Department has received dozens of complaints and a trickle of praise over the newly configured street, which officials have called a “test” and an “experiment in progress.”

The city about a week ago painted a new set of white stripes on upper Pier Avenue from Bard Street west to Hermosa Avenue. The move to repattern the street is a prelude to a Pier Avenue remodel intended to shift traffic and launch a $2 million renovation to the roadway that is the main entry to downtown for residents and tourists alike.

“We're kinda stuck with the width of the street. We're going to let it run for the whole summer and try to reconfigure it a bit to see if we can make it work,” said Tucker.

While resident drivers have trumpeted their anger, those who depend on foot, automobile and bike traffic downtown applaud the move. It's a downshift heading toward a quainter and quieter small business district, said Jed Sanford, owner of the Union Cattle Company restaurant.

Like other proprietors along the strip, Sanford said the complaints likely have more to do with a change to driving habits and civic growing pains than traffic flowing like wet cement. Businesses along Pier Avenue generally praise the move, speculating that it will draw more and different types of commerce.

Sanford's eatery is popular, usually jammed on weekends and some 50 yards from the section of Pier Avenue in question. Traffic will lighten once motorists again are familiar with the route, he said.

“I think it's to be expected initially,” he said. “I like the feel of a smaller town walkway - in the long term, it might make Hermosa a more attractive community.”

A county sales tax for transportation renovations called Proposition “C” is expected to pay for the new upper Pier. The stretch of Pier Avenue that carries cars is slated for paving, sidewalks, lights and greenery.

Hermosa Beach News

Bobko to take fifth seat on Hermosa council

By Dave Eisenstadt

The tightly contested battle for a City Council seat that pitted four candidates split into a two-way contest as ballots were counted late Tuesday with lawyer and astronaut's son Patrick “Kit” Bobko capturing the post over longtime Hermosa residents.

Bobko, perhaps the best campaigner of the group, won the vacant seat with 41 percent of the balloting, or 1,287 votes. Jeff Duclos, a public relations consultant, finished second with 36 percent, a tally of 1,145 votes.

“It feels good. I haven't had any bad victories,” said Bobko. “Jeff is such a well-known guy, I wouldn't have been surprised if the margin had been smaller.”

Educator Janice Brittain and executive Jeff Maxwell trailed Bobko and Duclos by a wide margin. Brittain received 439 votes or 14 percent while Maxwell netted 293 votes or 9 percent. The turnout for the elections was slimmer than usual even for midterm and local elections. Of Hermosa's almost 13,000 registered voters, fewer than 4,000 cast ballots Tuesday.

The election sent Hermosa voters to the polls for the second time in eight months. Howard Fishman won the council seat in the general election in November but stepped aside when his wife became ill.

When the council moved to appoint a successor, it deadlocked 2-2 over whether to name Duclos, the runner-up in November, to fill the empty seat.

The split revealed clear lines of support on the council: Councilman Sam Edgerton and Mayor Pete Tucker backed Duclos. Councilmen J.R. Reviczky and Michael Keegan dissented.

The unspoken message was that Bobko had strong support despite finishing behind Duclos in November. The stalemate forced Tuesday's special election.

Bobko, a lawyer, stressed that his legal expertise would benefit the city in resolving pressing court battles.

Janice Brittain, an educator, and limousine company owner Jeff Maxwell joined the contest, both candidates billing themselves as independent voices. Duclos, who works from home, also taught at UCLA. He is 61, and has lived in Hermosa for 27 years. Bobko, 36, is a municipal attorney and former Air Force captain. He is a six-year resident of Hermosa. Asked about his first steps as a councilman-elect, Bobko focused on immediate needs.

“The first thing I'm going to do is get some sleep,” he said.

Maxwell ran unsuccessfully in November. Brittain, a retired school administrator, was the contest's newcomer.

Hermosa Beach News

Three council candidates boycott forum

By Dave Eisenstadt

Three of the four candidates who battled for the City Council seat filled after Tuesday's voting touched off a pre-election day dustup when all but one skipped a televised political forum hours before it began.

The surprising move by a trio of political challengers - rejecting an election-eve appearance before voters - turned what was slated as a candidates' forum into a discussion between an office-seeker and the audience.

The Hermosa Beach Neighborhood Association organized the event, which was planned as the watchdog group's first political forum. Candidates Patrick “Kit” Bobko, who was declared the winner of Tuesday's election, Jeff Maxwell and Jeff Duclos told the association they would not attend via e-mails sent some six hours before the broadcast.

Janice Brittain, an education administrator, was the sole attendee.

Al Benson, head of the neighborhood association, said he was puzzled by the timing of the withdrawal - and that it wasn't one or two candidates skipping the event but three of four. Benson ran and lost for a council seat last November.

“They gave me six hours notice,” Benson said. “They have the right not to show up at the forum but if they really have problems, they could have given me a call.”

The neighborhood association is best known for its efforts to highlight what they see as problems resulting from a too-raucous lower Pier Avenue scene. The group contends crime, especially violent incidents, has shot up with the increasing popularity of the bar-laden strip.

The candidates, however, complained the event was less a political forum for those vying for office than a platform for the group.

Bobko said his schedule was just too packed on that day to attend the forum and downplayed the notion that the three candidates acted together to undercut the event.

“To be perfectly frank, that was not the case,” said Bobko. “As much fun as these forums are, I have other things to do and simply can't get to everything all the time.”

Bobko noted that he and the other candidates already participated in three similar forums. They were sponsored by the League of Women Voters, Leadership Hermosa and the Chamber of Commerce.

Still, Bobko, the two others who cancelled and Brittain briefly met the night before and discussed withdrawing from the forum. Bobko said the group discussed the matter but stressed that it was chitchat rather than guerilla political tactics.

“While it's clear we didn't show up, it wasn't a concerted effort,” Bobko said. “What we're talking about is someone taking personal offense.”

While Duclos declined to return telephone messages seeking comment, Brittain said weightier issues were at play.

“Bottom line, I gave my word and I live up to my word,” she said. “It's the integrity of it - as a council person you have to deal with all audiences.”

Brittain and others, however, said the group's material was freighted with its point of view and too detailed for the occasion.

“It was like a term paper,” she said.

Benson said the group misread his intent and short-shrifted pressing issues.

“I'm disappointed that they had this little powwow on this issue and made a collective decision behind my back,” he said. “I'm worried about crime - and they don't want to answer those questions.”

Of the candidates involved, Brittain was the only one on Tuesday's ballot who did not run last November.

The seat opened when the election's winner, Howard Fishman, declined the post when his wife became ill.

In that contest, Councilman J.R. Reviczky triumphed with Duclos finishing fourth, Bobko fifth and Maxwell seventh among a field of 10 candidates vying for three council seats.