Daily Archives: March 29, 2012

Supports Jacobson – Letter to the Beach Reporter by Helen Armstrong

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Mike

Supports Jacobson

It was my deceased husband, Mayor Charles “Chip” Armstrong, who encouraged Carl Jacobson to expand his involvement in public service 30 years ago because of all of his wonderful qualities. Carl is an honorable representative of the people who has devoted decades of his life to serving us and our city. The least we can do is show Carl our respect and give him our vote, if nothing else.

Carl has always been independent, running low-budget campaigns without special interest support. Carl doesn’t boast about his numerous accomplishments and what he has done for us. But please review his campaign flier and his Web site at jacobson-es.com for his history of service and accomplishments for our community.

Carl is not in it for money, power, or bragging rights, but only to do good. He has no hidden agendas and is not using El Segundo as a stepping stone to higher office. … Continue reading →

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Vote for independence – Letter to the Beach Reportor by Illeen Joscha

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Mike

Vote for independence

The newly-released city documents and e-mails tell all. The firefighter and police unions were behind this push to extort $10 million per year in new taxes from Chevron, to pay for their astronomical and unsustainable salaries and benefits that have averaged $211,000 ($342,000 maximum) per individual per year for firefighters and $178,000 ($304,000 maximum) for police.

These self-serving safety unions are supporting Scott Houston (who took a police union endorsement, large campaign contribution, and other support in 2010), Marie Fellhauer (a police union member herself), and Cindee Topar (former City Council campaign manager for a firefighter union member and a militant union official herself) for City Council. … Continue reading →

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Hatchet job – Letter to the Beach Reporter by Carol L. Well

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Mike

Hatchet job

Has anyone else in El Segundo been receiving anonymous e-mails re: the upcoming election? The first was from Think. ElSegundo urging all of us to watch “SoCal Connected” and listed all dates and times. We all know what that hatchet job was about. We heard only one side of this story. It’s so easy these days to blame big companies, and especially big oil companies, for everything. A more thorough understanding is needed to understand what was going on, how decisions were reached, and what legal counsel was received, etc. Let’s not pass judgment with only half the story.

The second anonymous group is calling themselves OMG.ElSegundo. I was quite offended by their e-mail and “replied” on my computer asking who they were, who they represented, and what their agenda is. They still would not identify themselves in a follow-up e-mail. They prefer to hide behind the Internet and sling mud, but don’t want to face any consequences.

They don’t feel strong enough about their convictions to stand up and identify themselves. … Continue reading →

Posted in Beach Reporter Letters, California, El Segundo, El Segundo Election Coverage, El Segundo News, Letters to the Editor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Hatchet job – Letter to the Beach Reporter by Carol L. Well

His own words – Letter to the Beach Reporter by David Burns

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Mike

His own words

Before our City Council election, it’s incumbent upon every voter to verify facts before taking e-mails, editorials and hearsay as fact. I refuse to engage in the mud slinging and conjecture flooding e-mail boxes and newspapers. I’m writing now because I take issue when my name is attached to words I did not say.

When I am used to promote someone else’s opinion, I respond. Mr. Gerhardt VanDrie asked me if a petition came forward with validated signatures supporting a barrel tax, would I block it with my vote as a City Council member? My answer was, “No, I wouldn’t block any verified petition from the citizenry of El Segundo as a matter of democratic principal.”

For example, I wouldn’t have blocked Measure P although I’ve been extremely vocal against it. VanDrie’s editorial addresses other topics, which may infer my support. This action is wrong. If you want to know my opinion – ask me. If you want to verify facts about our former city manager – read El Segundo’s public records. … Continue reading →

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iPads without science – Letter to the Beach Reporter by Mitch Williams

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Mike

iPads without science

For four and a half years, I taught Mira Costa’s technology courses, including AP Computer Science, and Video Game Development, applying high school math to 3D graphics. So, I had vested interest in MBUSD’s technology plan.

I certainly support technology in education – previously, I was manager of software for “Math Blaster,” the top-selling children’s educational video game.

MBUSD’s commitment to technology brought hope. However, that fell apart when, in September, an employee was badly injured by an electrical shock from the lab’s high voltage lines. As a teacher, I was never informed by MBUSD, though they knew the dangers as this computer lab was featured in the Proposition BB video in 2008.

After a three-week delay, we returned to the outdated computers. As MBUSD Deputy Superintendent Rick Bagley wrote to the State of California “these computers were largely inoperable” and “none of them were usable.”

And I was expected to teach with this? … Continue reading →

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A city saved – Letter to the Beach Reporter by Marc Zimet

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Mike

A city saved

As a 16-year civil defense attorney, there is no question in my mind that the settlement with Macpherson is exceptional for Hermosa. We now face, at most, $17.5 million in exposure. For 14 years, we faced potential exposure of $750 million, and the lawsuit hung over our city like a black cloud.

Hermosa faced bankruptcy; it no longer does. The chance of losing at trial was significant and there would be no escaping a significant judgment against Hermosa.

Bankruptcy would curtail the city and its residents from deciding many issues concerning city governance because a bankruptcy trustee would be intimately involved with all such decisions after liquidating some of the city’s assets. … Continue reading →

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Unsuitable suits – Letter to the Beach Reporter by Jenny Hughes

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Mike

Unsuitable suits

Thankfully I’m the mother of two young men who have already finished high school because if I had two girls who wanted to play beach volleyball, I’d have to say no. I could only shake my head at the photo of the Mira Costa girls’ beach volleyball team. What are these parents thinking? One of these girls is a freshman; that would make her at least 14. I would be petrified to allow my 14-year-old, let alone 16 or 17, to parade around in such a revealing suit. … Continue reading →

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