Love ‘Neighbors to Know’
Elizabeth Kane’s profile articles on Seal Beach residents are so delightful. Last week’s article about Polly Cameron was especially heartwarming because Polly is one of millions of Americans who work hard, raise families, and persevere through hard times. Polly never became rich and famous, but she contributed to the fabric of the country, as do many of us in our mostly anonymous roles. I look forward to Elizabeth’s articles, and her writing is in such a familiar style that I feel like she is interviewing the Neighbor To Know while I’m sitting in my easy chair. I hope Ms. Kane continues her writing on Seal Beach residents. She does a fantastic job of bringing the community together with her excellent work.
Mike Buhbe
Seal Beach
Learning from mistakes
Three cheers for open government and saving taxpayer dollars!
First some background. In June of last year, the Council approved a $30,000 per month contract for a Sacramento lobbyist in closed session without public input. By the time the public was told about the contract in October, it had just expired, and the lobbyist had been paid a total of $120,000.
Readers of the Sun may recall the vigorous debate that ensued just this past April after a non-profit advocacy group, CalAware, concluded that the Council’s closed session approval had violated State open government laws. Additionally, I and others questioned why the city had grossly overpaid this lobbyist compared to the going rate. And why didn’t the City cancel the contract when the legislation of concern (AB 1217 threatening our seat on the O.C. Fire Board) was pulled by its author in early July? With the bill being “dead” for the rest of 2015, there was no work to be done in August and September, and the contract allowed the city to cancel for any reason with a two-week notice.
Suffice it to say, the city attorney adamantly denied that the city had violated open government laws. Questions regarding the generous compensation given to the lobbyist, and management oversight of the contract were never addressed.
Well, as political fate would have it, AB 1217 was “resurrected” a few weeks ago. However, this time around, the council approved a new contract (with the same lobbyist) in open session after the public comment. Now instead of paying $30,000 per month, the city is only paying $10,000 per month for the same “scope of services.” Instead of having a termination clause that requires someone to remember that the “meter is running,” the new contract automatically terminates at the end of each month unless city staff notifies the lobbyist to keep working. Maybe it was too much to expect the city to admit they made mistakes. At least they didn’t repeat them. I’ll take that as progress.
Robert Goldberg
Seal Beach
Thanks for support
The cities of Los Alamitos, Cypress, Seal Beach, and the Community of Rossmoor would like to thank all those who attended and supported the 29th Annual 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on Monday, July 4, at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos.
The event and fireworks display, held to honor the men and women of the military and celebrate our country’s birthday, include free activities like sponsor booths with giveaways and information and live music on the main stage. Families enjoyed an extensive Family Fun Zone and fantastic food from several food vendors. The event’s highlight is one of the best and longest fireworks displays in Southern California.
This year’s event was made possible by generous sponsors led by Premier Community Partner, Republic Disposal Service. Additional sponsors include Generation Church, Sea Air Federal Credit Union, CARE Ambulance, Cottonwood Church, Southern California Edison, Charles Abbott Associates, Inc., The Shops at Rossmoor, OC Breeze, and the News Enterprise.
Ron Noda
Los Alamitos Recreation Dept.
No to LA Fitness
Hello, all. I have spoken with in Rossmoor are totally against this idea (L.A. Fitness building a gym behind Sprouts) due to the increased traffic, the increased crime that traffic will bring, the parking nightmare it will create in that area, and the likely diminution in property values, especially for those who live close to the project.
The proposed project expects 8,000 members; there are only 10,000 residents of Rossmoor in total, this project will effectively double the population of the surrounding area.
The approval by the Planning Commission has an inherent conflict of interest and is based on outdated and flawed studies, both the traffic study and EIR, and all of those realities are grounds for litigation.
The residents are all very concerned and are hopeful the project does not go forward, and we urge a no vote when this comes up before the council; or at the very least, a vote to table this until both studies are redone by a nonpartisan, outside third party company, paid for by the developer.
Stephen Steponovich
Rossmoor
Parking woes in Leisure World
The parking spaces in Leisure World have been a problem for years now. Some shareholders with two cars rent parking space outside. According to my neighbor, they pay $150 monthly to park outside. I’m no longer a director but I’m still getting phone calls or comments regarding this endless issues. Perhaps suggestions from people will help a lot in solving this endless problem.
My suggestion: The space by the dumpster area can be used as parking space only on both sides to allow space for the garbage driver at the center. Shareholders will be charged $30 a month rental for their second car. The rental fund can be utilized for beautifying the carport area. Mutual 1 has several spaces. I welcome any suggestions regarding this issue.
Lisa A. Dickson
Mutual 1- Leisure World
Offended by newspaper photo
I was shocked and disheartened by the photograph and article, Police Foundation posts banners supporting local law enforcement, published in the July 21, 2016 edition of the Sun.
I support local law enforcement. I do not support the statement “BLUE LIFE MATTERS MORE.” The latter statement is one of only two messages written on the banner that are visible in the photograph you published.
The article states, “600 citizens write notes supporting Seal Beach officers.”
The only visible messages on the banner in the photograph read: “BLUE LIFE MATTERS MORE” and “GOD is GOOD.” The photograph directly contradicts the article’s statement that “All of us should affirm that hate is not a community value.”
The publication of the photograph with the aforementioned statement, without any mention of the statement in the text of the article, was irresponsible. To do so was at best, ignorant and completely tone-deaf, or at worst, bigoted and combative.
If we have community members writing, “BLUE LIFE MATTERS MORE” on a public banner that was monitored by SB Police Foundation Directors, and a photograph of it is published in our community newspaper without retort, or even mention of it, then I must conclude I live in a community where persons of color are not safe to live or to visit.
If there remains any confusion about why this article and photograph are offensive, please feel free to contact me.
Andrea Johnson
Seal Beach
The Sun will not publish letters we deem inflammatory, contain personal attacks, are political campaigning, or other reasons at our sole discretion. Unless otherwise stated by the author, all letters sent to the Sun are subject to publication. Letters should be 300 words maximum. They should be e-mailed, mailed or delivered in person and must be signed by the author and contain the authors name, address, and telephone number (the latter two are for verification, and not publication). E-mail letters to editor@sunnews.org.
