Parking, infrastructure, the pier, and recent weather were among the issues raised by members of the public in an informal survey conducted by the Sun.
The Sun posted the following question on multiple social sites: “What are the opportunities and challenges facing Seal Beach in the year ahead?”
The Sun also sent emails to various members of the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions.
Participants were advised that their comments would be published in the print and online editions of the Sun.
Comments unrelated to the question were removed.
Comments have been lightly edited for minor punctuation and one spelling error (that the computer caught).
The bulk of the answers came from the Nextdoor platform.
Because the answers came from social media, some of the individuals were not identifiable by their full name.
The Sun will also be asking the council members what they see as the opportunities and challenges facing Seal Beach in the year ahead. We’ll let you know what they say.
The comments
• Earick Ward: “The tide.” [Followed by an emoticon of laughter with tears.]
• Bay Hardware: “Improve parking challenges on Main Street.”
• Heidi Spothelfer: “Parking, parking, and parking!”
• Lynn D Alfieri of Old Town and The Hill: “Orange county’s commission to end homelessness is asking every city to consider offering a local emergency cold weather shelter. Obvious next step is they make it mandatory. It’s a great idea but the resources needed to find the space and get one up and operating would be a big challenge for our already overwhelmed staff and looming financial deficit.”
• Enea O., of College Park East: “Talk to us after the storm. That will impact Seal Beach greatly. It will be the storm of storms. Wasn’t it back in ‘83 which was the last worst one and ruined the pier?” [Editor’s note: This was posted during or after the weekend of Dec. 30-Dec. 31. And, yes, the storm of 1983 did rip the pier apart.]
• Rain Baker, Old Town and The Hill: “Infrastructure crumbling.”
• Jim Akers of Old Town and The Hill: “I agree with Rain [Baker]. I suggest the elected council representatives ride in caravan twice a year every road in Seal Beach. Once before the budgets are submitted and then again to see if the work has been done. Look at the curbs. Some are in bad shape. It seems the city is preoccupied. An example would be the city sign at PCH and Main. It looks great now but it took many, many months to get it repaired. In the meantime, thousands of people saw our BRAND diminished during various city events. One being the Classic Car event. Not a good look. Our city entrance sign over near 1st street and Marina Park is old and tired. Just a few examples. I would be glad to participate as a caravan driver if I am available.”
• Shelly Bolander of Old Town and The Hill: “I would like to see the 4 wide bike lane on Seal Beach Blvd. between Electric and PCH removed and the street widened like it used to be. Nobody uses this and it took away a lane of traffic. Also, on 12th St. by 7-11, I think they need to make the curb red about 2 car lengths to open up traffic turning right on PCH and going into the parking lot. Lastly, when the berm goes up by the Pier, a berm should go up at River’s End to help to protect the buildings and parking lot from flooding.”
• Nancy Smith of Old Town and The Hill: “Bike path extended along the beach between the pier and the path at the canal. There used to be state funding to do that.”
• Jim Akers (replying to Nancy Smith): “I like the idea and the path should be wide enough for two way traffic plus walkers. Long Beach has really good bike and people paths along the beach.”
• Wendi DeBie of Town and The Hill (replying to Nancy Smith): “The city crews work endless hours now trying to uncover and maintain the 2 walkways from the parking lots to the ocean. Our beach is much too windy and our sand much too fine to maintain a path.”
• Mark D. of Old Town and The Hill: “City needs to focus on maintaining our infrastructure.”
• Richard Glassman of Old Town and The Hill: “Seal Beach needs to generate income on our pier. Something that provides food and drinks like food trucks.”
• Jim Akers of Old Town and The Hill (replying to Richard Glassman): “I agree. Recent survey in the Sun showed only 26% wanted food trucks. 40% wanted a restaurant. No numbers provided but it will most likely be in the multi-millions and your dealing with the Coastal Commission which could take years. Can Seal Beach afford to build a restaurant at the end of Pier? Food Trucks are quicker, easier to maintain, and maybe faster to get approved. And yes generate money for the city.”
• Sue Gordon of Huntington Harbor West (replying to Richard Glassman):
“The Coastal Commission started out as a good idea but it has extended its claws beyond its original intentions. Now it’s used to stop any type of development no matter how environmentally friendly it is.”
• Wendi DeBie of Old Town and The Hill (replying to Richard Glassman): “I agree food trucks are the way to go. They can be brought in seasonally, when they’re most in demand. Building a permanent structure on the pier is economically unfeasible.”
• Rita Strickroth of Old Town and The Hill: “Perhaps the City [Council] could take a drive around the City and take note of the many cross walks that need new paint or ask for help from the residents to identify.”
• Jim Akers of Old Town and The Hill (replying to Rita Strickroth): “Your thoughts go along with mine, see my reply to Rain [Baker] above. A caravan review of what is needed by the caravan: ‘windshield’ pass through of all the SB streets would shed some light on easy fixes. It should be timed to fit into budget planning and once again in the year to see if it was accomplished. Perhaps the city engineer should be on board too. I volunteer to be a driver if available. We need to be more responsive to protecting our brand known as Seal Beach.”
• Richard Glassman: “A challenge is to help support the businesses in Seal Beach and try not to buy everything online.”
• Edward H., of Leisure World: “I was very upset a few years ago upon hearing that people were considering a merger with Rossmoor and that we would lose our name. I don’t want us to be swallowed up by surrounding communities. I’ve been here since the mid 1950s and like the small town atmosphere. I’m glad the talk faded away; I hope it will stay that way.”
• Sue Gordon, of Huntington Harbor West: “Hubby and I live in Sunset Beach and prefer to go to Seal Beach for so many things. Huntington Beach is a nightmare. Parking is crazy expensive and there’s so many tourists taking up the sidewalks. Seal is cozy and friendly. We love Sweet Jill’s Bakery and eat at Old Town Cafe every chance we get. We also go to the art gallery and use their framing services. Wonderful service and so many choices. I also love the nursery. It’s got so many beautiful plants and has a cute store at the back that sells unique items. I’m so happy that parking is still free.”
[Editor’s note: Old Town Café has apparently closed its doors forever. The City Council has not yet made a decision on the issue of whether parking should continue to be for free.]
• Dawn Southern of Old Town and The Hill: “Have they looked at the beach parking lot north side after a rain? Pot holes and standing water (never removed after rain) covering handicapped parking. Guess they figure the disabled should wade through the nasty water to be able to walk on the beach.”
• John Shroeder of the Seal Beach Lions, in an email: “One of the greatest challenges facing society today is the lack of civility in our interactions with each other. It is not all about ME. We need to encourage KINDNESS to others. We can all do something to make someone else feel better. A kind word or a pleasant smile may make someone’s day and it costs nothing.
“Mother Teresa famously said: ‘The fruit of love is service. The fruit of service is peace. And peace begins with a smile.’ As a society we should all resolve to teach everyone that KINDNESS really does matter. We do this by showing KINDNESS wherever we go. As Mark Twain said: ‘Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.’”
