Water Safe Swim School parking disaster
I am a resident on the 300 block of 10th Street here in Seal. I am e-mailing you in regards to the lack (or non existence) of parking for the Water Safe Swim School.
As a lifetime resident of Seal Beach I have to say this is one of the worst streets to live on due to the fact that Water Safe Swim School has at least a hundred patrons (in at least a hundred cars) per day. Street parking on 10th is already limited due to two churches, Subway restaurant, and high number of residences.
I work out of my home and my wife works out of her office.
We literally have no place to park on our street or no close parking other than Electric Avenue.
I cannot park at Saint Anne’s Church because parking is restricted for patrons, and one row is for swim school patrons (the southern most row).
The percentage of swim school patrons that utilize that parking is limited to maybe 5 percent and typically that 5 percent uses it when the street parking is taken.
The last two days St. Anne’s Church has locked up the rows that the swim school patrons are to use, thus forcing everyone to park on the street anyway.
My concern: I have owned my company for quite some time and I understand that a business that has such a large volume of patrons must have their own parking.
The parking situation on our street is unfair to tax paying residents.
Furthermore the damage to our cars from swim school patrons jamming their cars into spots that are two small is astronomical.
Last year I accrued $2,000 in damages.
I think it is a great thing that the school is doing, but the residents of 10th Street are entitled to parking.
What can be done to resolve this issue?
Chris Heidel
Seal Beach
Thanks to the Sun
On behalf of the Isidorians (a sub group of the Board of Directors at St. Isidore Historical Plaza, Los Alamitos), we want to thank you for all the wonderful articles and advertisement that you did for St. Isidore Historical Plaza in 2012.
The success of the Tamale Workshop (we tripled in participation) and our New Years Eve dance that was filled to capacity was a result of your efforts towards us in your paper. Thank you and we look forward to our continued relationship in an effort to save the Plaza as a historical site in Los Alamitos.
Cori Crismon, Isidorian
Los Alamitos
Seal Beach Tennis Center’s 2012 report card
The city held a much-appreciated meeting at the Seal Beach Tennis Center on Saturday, Jan. 12, with an estimated group of 50 folks present … a mix from Seal Beach as well as the surrounding areas who may or may not utilize the center.
The goal of the meeting was to help the city develop long term goals and plans for the facility. And gain some feedback from those present.
Many of the folks in attendance offered excellent suggestions and as would be expected, complaints were made regarding the facilities current use and condition.
The moderator did his best to keep all on track and to point.
Positives heard:
• The facility will be painted.
• Suggestions for Pickle and Volleyball courts as well as outside BBQ’s and other family uses were heard.
• Child and Adult tennis classes are well run.
• The center was profitable last year … Note: Some in attendance disagreed… “Were deferred expenses a part (or lack of) of the accounting to show profitability?”
• The city Mayor / College Park East Councilman (Gary Miller) has and will take a keen interest in the facilities future use.
• External landscaping has improved.
• All suggestions would be reviewed.
Negatives heard
• Weak management … with the clear need of a fulltime and qualified manager.
• Questionable locker rooms … badly needed repairs of the lockers, showers, and jacuzzi, and the interiors overall cleanliness.
• Outdated exercise equipment.
• Unsafe parking lot … theft / break-ins.
• Cracked tennis court surfaces.
• Unsafe entry door to the facility.
• Not enough courts with lights.
• Lack of a desirable food and drink service.
• Paying members lack of overall privileges verses non members, save reserved (early morning) court times, locker rooms and exercise equipment use.
• Concern for the future of the facility.
• Where are member’s dues ($100 on average) going? …
They in fact go into the General Fund and not (all) directly back to the SBTC.
One participant in the audience questioned the city of Seal Beach’s ability or expertise in running a business for true profit.
Would it not be better to lease the site to an independent company who’d (must) retain same as a tennis facility as well as adding a much broader family-use center?
The Tennis Center’s grade for the report card? Ask someone who was there.
Arnold Wilkins
Seal Beach
Leaving Ruby’s
My name is Art Haack; it has been my pleasure to serve you these past 25 years. My 27th anniversary date with Ruby’s will be Jan. 12.
I was 31 years of age when I was hired, in just a couple months I will turn 59. Anyone my age can tell you just how quickly life passes.
The prime of my life was spent in this tiny little restaurant at the end of your pier.
I have been so blessed to have been able to work with some of the finest Team Member’s Ruby’s Diner has ever employed.
I have been blessed to have known the warmest hearted regulars that any restaurant manager could have ever known.
This restaurant was given to me as a gift to make a lifetime dream come true … to own a Ruby’s Franchise.
I invested a considerable amount of money and time to make it a reality this year. The plan I submitted and my proposal was very, very good … the best plan laid out to date to remodel and make profitable this Ruby’s location. I’m at peace with myself that I gave the best effort possible to save this Ruby’s. I wish the residents of Seal Beach well … we all will truly miss Ruby’s Seal Beach.
Art Haack
General Manager
Ruby’s Diner
Ruby’s letter canceling lease
Editor’s note: On December 10, 2012, the Ruby Restaurant Group sent the following letter to the city of Seal Beach, canceling the rental agreement between the two parties.
Dear City Manager (Jill) Ingram:
We understand that the city has decided to put the lease for the Seal Beal Pier out for RFP [requests for proposals]. As we have been discussing for several months, our current Seal Beach Manager Art Haack has expressed interest, and has formally submitted terms, to take over the pier as a franchisee of Ruby’s Diner.
Art is prepared to remodel the facility as discussed, and has the financial wherewithal to proceed. We do hope that his proposal will be given strong consideration.
At this point due to the RFP process, it appeals that there may not be a desire to continue with a Ruby’s on the pier.
Consequently, by this letter, we formally give our 30 day notice to terminate our lease and that we will vacate the facility on January 10, 2013.
This was the third restaurant in the Ruby’s Diner chain, so there is a real sentimental attachment to this location and to the city. Ruby’s has been on the pier for a quarter century and it has been a real pleasure.
We do hope there may be more years under Art Haack’s ownership and leadership. We want to thank the city for the opportunity, and we wish you the best whichever direction you take for this great California landmark location.
If you should choose not to proceed with Art on a month-to-month basis until the RFP is completed, please let us know who we should work with to affect a smooth departure on January 10, 2013.
Doug Cavanaugh
Chairman & CEO
The Ruby Restaurant Group
Farewell to Ruby’s
According to Councilwoman (Ellery) Deaton, it is Ruby’s fault and choice that they closed. Really? Just like it was Paul Hennessey’s fault when we almost lost that establishment years ago were it not for petitions by the people who live here? I understand improvements were not made (I would like to hear Ruby’s side as to why they were not) but if my landlord jacked up my rent 150 percent (if memory serves, Hennessey’s issue was a ridiculous rent hike as well) I would move too … with some choice words.
This may be Mayberry by the Sea, but when it comes to how it treats businesses, the city sure seems to more closely resemble Madoff by the Sea.
Mike Nicoletti
Seal Beach
An icon leaves
My mother and I celebrated my 30th birthday at Ruby’s just this last year. So sorry to see such an iconic member of the Seal Beach community leave.
Kevin Gilhooley
Poll Answer
Should the city of Seal Beach leave its beach berm up all year long?
No—81 percent
Yes—19 percent
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