Monthly Archives: October 2022

MB Weekly 10/27/2022

MB WEEKLY READER POLL:


40% HAVE EXPERIENCED BURNOUT IN THE LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO MB WEEKLY READER POLL

According to a recently MB Weekly reader poll, a little over 40% of readers in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities has experienced feelings of “burn out.” Burnout, as it is defined, is not a medical condition – it’s “a manifestation of chronic unmitigated stress,” explained Dr. Lotte Dyrbye, a physician-scientist who studies burnout at the Mayo Clinic. The World Health Organization describes burnout as a workplace phenomenon characterized by feelings of exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced efficacy.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH
CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE
FRANK CHIELLA:

Q: Reliable sources indicate that the Police Department in Manhattan Beach has been understaffed for at least three (3) years. Who do you think should be held responsible for that serious problem?
A: This is a simple answer that follows a process called “chain of command.” The Police Chief puts in a hiring request to the Human Resource Department on the open position(s). The Human Resources Director, Lisa Jenkins, then should start a recruitment process to fill the position(s). The role of City Manager, Bruce Moe, is to supervise Lisa Jenkins and ensure that she fills the positions in a timely and efficient manner. It is then the ultimate responsibility of The City Council to supervise Bruce Moe and ensure that the needed police positions are filled. Since the police positions have not been adequately filled in over 3 years the responsibility for this serious problem starts at the top: The City Council, then with the City Manager, Bruce Moe, and then the Human Resources Director, Lisa Jenkins. The Police Chief will also have responsibility if he or she does not properly communicate to the City Manager the importance and extremely urgent need to fill the open positions to adequately provide police protection to our city.

Q: What is the most serious problem facing Manhattan Beach in the next year?
A: Public Safety remains the most serious problem and is my top concern for Manhattan Beach. This is not just being proactive against the rising crime, getting more police on our streets, but also developing and implementing plans to address e-bike safety and traffic violations.

Q: Are you pleased with the city manager’s job over the last year or two?
A: When I apply a common sense approach to this evaluation, I do not feel the City Manager is doing an adequate job of managing the department heads within our city. Significant overtime (~10M in 2 years) with the police and fire departments. This overtime has not been reduced and therefore, significant vacancies throughout city staff still exist. This has a widespread effect on all city operations, inefficiencies in the budget, our residents and businesses.

Q: Do you see enough police presence in the downtown area after the brazen smash-and-grab robbery two months ago?
A: I’ve spent time with the folks at Pasha and many other downtown business owners. Many share my concern that there has not been an increase in police presence since the brazen attack in our city. I think this directly ties back to the staffing issues our Police force is having as discussed in question #1. The Police and our city need the support and accountability from our HR Director, City Manager, and City Council to properly staff and backfill positions and prevent this type of crime.

Q: Will you choose to use pronouns next to your name?
A: I don’t plan to, but I certainly respect the individual wishes of others and my fellow candidates that may choose to do so.

Q: What is your favorite movie of all time?
A: My favorite movie of all time has recently changed to Top Gun: Maverick. At this time in our conflicted country, not only was this an incredible film and a blockbuster, but it was pro-American. I certainly left feeling proud of our great nation and all of our incredible Armed Forces.

www.votefrank4mb.com

Famous Sprinkles Cupcakes Bakery Opens In Manhattan Beach:

Iconic bakery Sprinkles Cupcakes opened a new location in Manhattan Beach Village and offered complimentary Red Velvet cupcakes to the first 50 guests who showed up on opening day. The Manhattan Beach location will feature one of the company’s iconic Cupcake ATMs in the near future. “Sprinkles continues to grow and we are thrilled to open our third new location this year, and this time in beautiful, Manhattan Beach,” said Sprinkles CEO Dan Mesches. “Our fans have been asking us to open a bakery here and we had to oblige! Sprinkles’ iconic cupcakes, cookies, brownies and layer cakes, all baked fresh daily, will be available and our world-renowned cupcake ATM is also coming soon to delight guests.” Sprinkles will offer their classic flavors at the location as well as seasonal flavors just in time for Halloween. Flavors like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup and Red Velvet will get festive makeovers to celebrate the season.

MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Benefit luncheon for breast cancer at @slayitaliankitchen with Dr. Susan Love and @drsusanlovefoundation her Foundation for fighting to end this disease. Photo of Dana Leiken Richards and acclaimed chef David Slay.

EVERYBODY IS READING
MB WEEKLY:

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MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Dan Humbert

Measure MB was written by the CEO of a Cannabis Dispensary empire to REQUIRE the city to license Cannabis Dispensaries. This is his business expansion-plan that allows him to operate his shops per the rules he wrote. No term, NO new taxes required. In our Downtown, El Porto – anywhere he can. Dispensaries are full of two things – cash, and product (easily turned into cash) and are prime targets for violent crime, requiring the redeployment of our police – at the expense of our Safe Neighborhoods. So It’s high-crime shops infringing on our community. How could we NOT fight this measure? NO on Measure MB!

MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Pado Dumpling Noodle & Cocktail Bar at 1017 Manhattan Ave, (310) 376-1536.

MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Roy

Roy Has Been Working In Manhattan Beach Since April 2020

“YES OR NO” INTERVIEW

Do you usually follow your brain more than the heart?
–HEART
Are you usually friends with your ex?
–YES
Have you ever written someone a love poem?
–NO
Have you fallen in love at first sight?
–NO
Have you ever been put behind bars?
–NO
Have you ever fallen asleep at school or work?
–YES
Have you ever run away from your house?
–NO

To be featured in “The Faces of Manhattan Beach,” send your photograph to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net

MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Shopping in downtown Manhattan Beach. Feel free to send your photos to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net

MB WEEKLY – MEMORY LANE:

Aerial view of Manhattan Beach, laid out on the sand dunes of the South Bay coast, circa 1920.

MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Mark McCracken

Beach e-Biking

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS IN MANHATTAN BEACH?
–Beach E Biking is a new business in town that offers electric bike rentals and sales with a focus on customer service. All the e-bikes we carry are built in the USA by the Electric Bike Company. We offer the convenience of free delivery on rentals and our customers can rent from one day to a week or more. For those interested in buying an e-bike but who aren’t sure about how they ride or which model to choose, we offer many different models that you can try before buying one. These e-bikes are unique because you can design your own with custom colors and accessories and have it delivered in just a few weeks. We also offer private and corporate e-bike tours, mobile service and soon we will have e-bike safety classes available.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB?
–The most challenging part is conveying to people how electric bikes can improve their lifestyle. Since our opening, we have noticed that electric bikes bring increased mobility to people who thought that their biking days were over. It has been fun seeing our customers find the joy in riding a bike again. Our beach communities are such a great place to enjoy the outdoors on a bike and the pedal assist feature makes the hills and longer distances more manageable. Fighting the wind on a strand ride to Santa Monica is no longer a problem with an e-bike.

WHAT’S THE NUMBER ONE SAFETY MISTAKE PEOPLE MAKE WITH BIKES?
–The most common safety mistake is not having a pre-ride safety routine that can be accomplished quickly and accurately. This routine can be the easiest way to avoid problems once you are on your e-bike and should include a check of the major e-bike components. These components include, but are not limited to, the wheels/tires, handlebar/brakes, lights/reflectors, LCD display/battery and seat. This routine should be more in-depth and extensive for e-bikes that you are unfamiliar with or that have not been used on a regular basis.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
–Movies that include a sense of duty and perseverance sprinkled with a little levity top the list. Currently, Top Gun Maverick would be the favorite of all time. In addition to the fact that it is the sequel to the classic 80’s movie Top Gun, it also incorporates the characteristics I like with great cinematic qualities and an entertaining storyline.

www.beachebiking.com

Enrollment For The Manhattan Beach Unified School District 2022:

WHO READS MB WEEKLY?

Prominent tech entrepreneur Ed Kushins along with thousands of other Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay community neighbors.

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MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
By Scott Rackett

Manhattan Beach Dermatology

Not only is there helicopter parenting, but even worse is “snowplow parenting” where the parent arranges to have all potential difficulties and challenges removed from their child’s life. An example would be parents not only calling potential employers, but specifically asking the boss what questions their child will be asked in the interview so that the child can be prepped ahead of time.

www.mbderm.com

Skechers Sues Hermès For Patent Infringement Over Shoe Soles:

Manhattan Beach’s Skechers U.S.A. Inc sued French luxury fashion house Hermès International in Manhattan federal court, alleging two brands of Hermès sneakers infringe a pair of Skechers design patents. Hermès’ Eclair and Envol designs violate Skechers’ patent rights for the “Massage Fit” soles in its “Go Walk” walking shoes, according to the lawsuit. Hermès did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:

“And so the prince and the princess moved in together in Manhattan Beach because rent in the kingdom was CRAZY, and they lived comfortably ever after.”

MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:

WOULD YOU FINGERPRINT YOUR CHILD IF THEIR SCHOOL GAVE YOU THE OPTION?

Please share your reply with thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities.

Send (Yes, No, or Unsure) to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net

MB – BULLETIN BOARD:


1. ** Blimps are one of the only forms of advertisement people are actually excited to see. —- Gail T., Manhattan Beach

2. ** Sausal Mexican restaurant in El Segundo is a disappointment. We sat at the bar to grab a lunch during work. The service wasn’t great – seemed like the regulars were the only ones who got attention. I ordered the spicy margarita and it looked like a glass of orange juice. The chicken in the salad tasted rubbery and I was concerned it wasn’t cooked all the way. It had no flavor and I struggled through it. I love modern Mexican places and the atmosphere looked awesome but the food and drinks are not good. —- Maddie H., El Segundo

3. ** Before we set our hearts too much on anything, let us examine how happy are those who already possess it. —- Arlene H., Manhattan Beach

4. ** Stolen package from my doorstep – 1300 Block 8th Street, East Manhattan at 1:06 PM. Did anyone else miss packages yesterday (9/13/22)? This has been reported to the police. —- Liz Hover, Manhattan Beach

5. ** If your female child was riding a pink bike, wearing a horseback riding helmet (thank you for that) she ran the stop sign on 2nd and Peck in front of my car. I was aware of her and stopped, but she seemed clueless as to her error in judgment. —- Jayne Horowitz, Manhattan Beach

6. ** For far too long, the L.A. Times’ journalistic integrity has been tainted by internal radical political agendas that put their priorities ahead of Angelenos. No wonder the paper has failed so miserably. —- Brittany S., Manhattan Beach

7. ** https://ktla.com/news/local-news/teen-hospitalized-after-hit-and-run-in-redondo-beach-suspect-at-large/ —- Chris Evan, Redondo Beach

8. ** Because of inflation, watching old episodes of ‘The Price Is Right’ is significantly less enjoyable. —- Emilio G., Manhattan Beach

9. ** Generally speaking, when you feel stupid it’s because you just got smarter. —- Erica A., Manhattan Beach

10. ** If you want your children indoctrinated, not educated, I strongly suggest you vote for Wysh “Woke” Weinstein for School Board. —- Newton T., Manhattan Beach

11. ** I think it’s very sad that someone has snapped off both chargers at the El Segundo City Hall car charging station for those of us with EVs. What is wrong with people? —- Tom Everitt, El Segundo

12. ** To be fair to the Manhattan Beach Police Department, I have seen a small number of police in the downtown area of late. Nowhere near enough but better than nothing has been the case for some time. —- Nadine K., Manhattan Beach

13. ** Adobe’s 2022 U.S. Trend Report found 73% of emoji users think people who use emojis are friendlier, funnier, and cooler than people who don’t. Personally, I think the world has gone mad! —- Buddy W., Manhattan Beach

14. ** We used to have a national identity built around the pursuit of excellence (winners). Our new national identity is built around victimhood (losers). Explains a lot, huh? —- Gloria B., Manhattan Beach

15. ** Beware of Costco gas station. Someone stole an iPad out of the car when we were pumping gas. Just reached in the window and carried it away. No description of the thief. —- Sue Motika, Manhattan Beach

16. ** I got my water bill on Friday, and it says I did not use any water in the last two months, this is clearly wrong. It says I owe $52 for service fees but nothing for water. —- Elizabeth Hankin

17. ** My sister from Hermosa Beach was a bit of a bridezilla herself. At her wedding, Katie changed the bridesmaid dresses at the last minute and put us in ones that we all hated. —- Georgia Z., Manhattan Beach

18. ** Someone STOLE MY CAR Yesterday, plus the person down the street (same car). I am sick to my stomach. If u see this car, PLEASE let me know (BLACK HYUNDAI SONATA 2012). Vehicle Color: Black, Make: Hyundai, Model: Sonata, Year: 2012, Type: Car, License Plate: 8YVA697 2920-2930 West 190th Street, Redondo Beach, CA —- Chanel Grey, Redondo Beach

19. ** Education, not indoctrination! We owe this to our kids. I intend to proudly vote for Johnny Uriostegui, Mike Welsh and Christy Barnes for School Board. Join me. —- Nicole D., Manhattan Beach

20. ** Religion tells children they are imperfect and must work on themselves. Secularism tells children that they are perfect and should work on everyone else. —- Spencer R., Manhattan Beach

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MB Weekly Bonus Edition 10/23/2022

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES ANSWER QUESTIONS ON PUBLIC SAFETY:

Q: If A Criminal Loots A Store, Should They Be Arrested And Prosecuted?

Mark Burton: Yes, absolutely! Our MB merchants need to know that stealing their MB merchandise will have consequences. Being arrested has consequences for those who commit crimes. Arrests become a criminal’s “rap sheet,” used by Judges for bail and sentencing decisions when they, almost inevitably, commit felonies in the future. However, the real solution is hire our own City Prosecutor. We can do that NOW! With our own City Prosecutor, we can file and prosecute important quality of life crimes like burglary, resisting arrest, shoplifting, trespass, defecating in public and many more. Failing to prosecute these qualities of life crimes erodes law and order in our MB community.

Frank Chiella: Absolutely, the arrest may be easier than the prosecution since we still have George Gascon in office as our district attorney who continues his policy of not prosecuting criminals.

Rita Crabtree-Kampe: Crime is on the rise. We need to send a clear message that we will not tolerate criminal acts in our community. We can deter crime by increasing presence of MBPD in business and residential areas on bikes, ebikes, patrol cars. Anyone who loots or otherwise breaks a law needs to be arrested and prosecuted.

Suzanne Hadley: Absolutely! Looting is a serious crime that should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. No crime is “small” if it happens to you, your family, or your business.

Amy Howorth: Yes. Of course.

David Lesser: Yes.

Q: Do You Support The De Facto Decriminalization Of Shoplifting, Resisting Arrest, Trespass, Burglary, And Illegal Gun Possession – Just Some Of The Crimes That Certain Radical District Attorneys Are Declining To Prosecute?

Mark Burton: Absolutely not! Failing to file and prosecute misdemeanors, the quality of life crimes, should be a crime! The DA’s policy of not filing or prosecuting misdemeanors, the quality of life crimes that impact law and order in our community, is plain wrong and every level, and may be punitive and discriminatory to Manhattan Beach.

Frank Chiella: I do not. Why would any person with a little common sense support a policy that emboldens criminals, has our residents feeling unsafe, and crime victims left abandoned.

Rita Crabtree-Kampe: I am a strong no on decriminalizing all of the offenses listed. I did not vote for Gascon and advocated for his recall in order to maintain civility in society. Prosecution is the tool that supports the efforts of our PD in maintaining civility and safety in our society.

Suzanne Hadley: Definitely not! The state legislature is the elected body that controls all the crimes contained in the California penal code. George Gascon is choosing NOT to prosecute crimes that our legislators wrote into our code. Want to eliminate crimes from the code? There’s a process for that. Self-selecting crimes not to prosecute? That’s not his job. Gascon’s self-initiated “crime directives” make MB less safe. Until Gascon is defeated or recalled, our MBPD will continue to arrest and prosecute ALL crimes in the penal code.

Amy Howorth: Nope.

David Lesser: No, I do not support the reduction in misdemeanor prosecutions. The decline is not just due to Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon, however. Misdemeanor prosecutions have declined statewide since 1990 due to state ballot propositions and changing prosecutorial priorities. We need a broader conversation about how reduced prosecutions are impacting crime – but that will exceed your space limitations.

Q: To Respond To The Significant Increase In Crime In Manhattan Beach, How Many Additional Officers Do You Feel We Need To Add To The Current Police Force?

Mark Burton: In the next three to five years, we need to grow our police force to 80, from the force of 65 that we have had for the last 20 years. 10 additional police officer positions would be permanent and 5 would be over-hires for deployment flexibility. Did you know that our total full time employees was 168 ten years ago, and it has now ballooned to over 210. Yet, our total full time sworn MBPD positions has remained at 65! Outrageous! Worse yet, our total full time sworn MBFD employee positions has been at 26, yet City Council just cut two positions? Yes, that is two less paramedics to save lives! Incredible! The City Council or candidate mantra of “we support public safety” appears to be nothing more that “lip service.” We need to deter and prevent crime by having more police officers. More police equals less crime. That’s police science 101. That’s because the presence of police officer is the best deterrent to a person committing a crime. The perpetrators of the heinous armed robbery at our Downtown’s Pasha Jewelry knew that no police officers would be Downtown MB on an early Friday evening. Let’s keep Manhattan Beach, Manhattan Beach! The best way to do so is to hire more police offices so we can have regular foot beat patrol officers in Downtown MB, North MB/El Porto and in our MB Mall. And, with more police officers we can increase neighborhood patrols. Isn’t that what our residents want? It sure is!

Frank Chiella: I believe that we immediately need to add 7 additional positions to our police force. 6 additional positions in the patrol division and 1 additional position in the traffic division. More boots on the street now and look at even more additional positions in next year’s city budget.

Rita Crabtree-Kampe: I rely on the MBPD and the Chief to determine how many officers we need to ultimately support our community. Communication shared among residents, City Council and MBPD will assist identifying staffing needs. We currently need to discuss padding our PD with traffic, detective and beat officers to address an uptick in crime and traffic violations. We must ensure the safety of our community including businesses, residents and visitors.

Suzanne Hadley: Our new MB police Chief Rachel Johnson has indicated she is comfortable (for now) with a force of 65 sworn officers plus 1-2 over hires in anticipation of retirements. I trust her input. If Chief Johnson comes to council requesting more officers, I will likely support her. In the meantime, MBPD continues to use “force multipliers” at a much cheaper cost. This includes unarmed CSC contract workers. These extra eyes and ears assist PD during large events and busy times downtown. CSC also patrols our city and state parking lots in the dead of night, discouraging loiterers and preventing crime. I brought to council for future discussion the armed security guards hired by Beverly Hills. These contract security forces may add be a way to add more armed protection at a lower cost than adding well-paid (and well-pensioned) PD.

Amy Howorth: We are all on edge. Since the pandemic, crime is up nationally. And the Pasha armed robbery was really terrible and makes us all feel unsafe. But, I defer to the Police Chief to determine what will make us safer. If she said we needed two more police officers, I would fund those positions. If she said that we needed ten, I’d consider. When I was on Council before, I asked then Chief Abell if he thought foot patrols downtown were an effective deterrent. He said he prefers bike patrols so that if something happens, the officer can get there quickly.

David Lesser: It is an empty promise to identify a specific number of additional police officers the City of Manhattan Beach needs to hire. We need data, crime statistics, coverage information, and costs to confirm how many additional officers are warranted. Our Police Department believes it has enough officers. But with crime on the rise and many feeling unsafe, the City Council needs to undertake a review of police staffing as soon as possible. A good opportunity would be during the City’s upcoming mid-year budget process. I am committed to move quickly to hire more officers if more are needed.

Q: Who Do You Hold Responsible For The Manhattan Beach Police Department Being Under-Staffed For The Last Three (3) Years?

Mark Burton: The City Council of course! No excuses! Council should always be proactive, not reactive. Yet, we keep recycling old school candidates, candidates that support the “status quo.” Well, that’s not working out too good for the residents of Manhattan Beach. That’s why I am running for Council. Quite simply, I am the Public Safety Candidate We Need On Council. Here’s why. I served as a misdemeanor Prosecutor, prosecuting thousands of quality of life crimes. I was a trial attorney representing police officers in federal and state court, learning policing for experts. During Rick Caruso’s term as President of the LAPD Police, I served as his attorney when LAPD drove down crime to historic lows while successfully implementing the Consent Decree’s constitutional police reforms. By the way, I was the City’s lead negotiator for the Consent Decree. During Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts term as the LAX Director of Safety and Security, I served as his attorney when the Airport Police rose to be recognized at the #1 Airport Police Department in the United States, and driving down crime at LAX to historic lows. Finally, while serving as your Mayor, I sponsored the very successful License Plate Reader Security Camera Program that has resulted in more than a hundred known felons taken off our streets. Our MBPD Officers know that is the best crime fighting tool in decades. The fact of the matter is I know policing far better than any of my fellow candidates. And, I have the strong leadership skills to keep our community safe.

Frank Chiella: I hold the Police Chief, City Manager, and City Council responsible for not being proactive instead of reactive, and not recognizing that our police department is and has been understaffed for the last three years.

Rita Crabtree-Kampe: In the last 3 years our City Council has inquired about the need for more officers. Chief Abell had responded that staffing was sufficient. It would be imperative that a combination of input be considered: MBPD, City Council and resident feedback regarding perceived and real safety issues in the community. If we have 2-4 more officers we can roll back on overtime to maintain the mental well being of our department and ensure best response time. Ongoing evaluation to address hiring needs would be important. Our MBPD has been doing a wonderful job and needs the support of resources to best be able to fulfill the duty of keeping our community safe. Finally, our MBPD needs help from the community to deter crime and prosecute: if you see something, do/say something!

Suzanne Hadley: I mainly blame our shortfall on the demonization of local police departments by anti-police voices. This ramped up in earnest in spring 2020 and continued through the summer of civil unrest. The negativity toward law enforcement led to a nationwide wave of officer retirements, including California. Literally every local force is looking to replenish their ranks and hire additional officers: El Segundo, Hermosa, Redondo, Torrance, the LAPD and the LA Sheriff’s Department. But more officers have retired than are signing up. Why is that? It’s never been tougher to wear the badge. They are at a near-daily risk of getting called out on social media, on the front page of a national newspaper, or sued by the ACLU. That’s on top of being shot at! Our MBPD openings in the last 2.5 years were in large part due to Covid burnout, a vaccination mandate, and anti-police rhetoric. But we are nearly fully staffed now in MBPD. We’ll add some over hires in anticipation of future retirements. We hire only the best of the best; that can take some time. I’ll always stand with our men and women in blue. They run toward danger while I am safe at home.

Amy Howorth: MBPD Chiefs have always taken great pride and care in the women and men they hire for MBPD. It’s one of the reasons we have such a stellar force. Across the nation, police departments are having a difficult time filling positions. I don’t want our Chief to rush hires. We also put our recruits through an academy so even when they are hired, there is a lag between when they are hired and when they become sworn officers. I know that the Chief says she is now nearly fully staffed with the new hires coming through the academy. And fully staffed in MB means two over staff. So we haven’t been down three officers, we have been down one. Still not ok.

David Lesser: The Manhattan Beach Police Department believes it has enough officers. Over the past two years, however, the department has experienced retirements and hiring challenges in an extremely competitive labor market. The City Council is ultimately responsible for ensuring there are enough police officers through recommendations by the City Manager and Police Chief. I share the frustration about rising crime and am committed to move quickly to hire more officers if more are needed.

Stewart Fournier Comment On Public Safety In Manhattan Beach:

(City Council Candidate Stewart Fournier chose not to respond to the questions and preferred to issue this statement.)

As a former volunteer for 13 years, I worked at the Police Department assisting victims of burglary, robbery, DUI, assault, rape, domestic violence, suicide, elder abuse, death notifications, and homicide. For ten years, I hosted approximately 100 crime prevention Cable TV shows produced by all three beach city Police Departments. I rode with officers side by side and responded to the station when called out for thousands of hours of the night and day. As an award-winning member of the Police Department, no candidate is more qualified to speak to the crime issues in our city. The only comment that I will make is that all of your questions frame a minimal understanding of crime and Police policy in Manhattan Beach.

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What Advice Do You Have For The City Council, City Manager, And Police Chief On Public Safety In Manhattan Beach?

(Citizens Speak Up On Public Safety)

Manhattan Beach is a very safe city. We have an excellent police department. We also have a nationally recognized Neighborhood Watch program that was founded by my wife Charlotte in 1980. Unfortunately due to our district attorney’s refusal to prosecute many crimes it is probably necessary to have a larger police presence in the community. —- Russ Lesser, former Mayor of Manhattan Beach

MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:

“Manhattan Beach is so quiet in the two weeks between people complaining about it being too hot and being too cold.”

MB – BULLETIN BOARD:


1. ** For beleaguered White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, things are going sideways in a manner that’s reached comic proportions. While her boss President Biden runs around giving operatic and menacing speeches in front of blood-red backdrops, Jean-Pierre is left at the White House podium. Holding the bag. And so far, it isn’t going well. —- Spencer R., Manhattan Beach

2. ** If you have obnoxious neighbors, then just know that any city parking enforcement can be called out (supposed to be 48 hours) after a car is parked in a residential area. They will come and mark the tires, and after 72 hours of marking the vehicle, they will tow it. No questions asked. Anyone can call about a car parked residentially and have it towed if not moved in 72 hours. —- Heather Devereux, Manhattan Beach

3. ** Hipster coffee shops actually sell sofa space [that] you rent by buying coffee. —- Candy R., Manhattan Beach

4. ** You are probably a bystander in someone’s most precious and most memorable photo. —- Stewart F., Manhattan Beach —- Heather Z., Manhattan Beach

5. ** A simple and direct question. How could the Manhattan Beach city council and city manager allow the Manhattan Beach Police Department to be understaffed for years? Shouldn’t that be their top priority? In the private sector someone in charge would have been fired in the private sector, plain and simple! —- Amanda S., Manhattan Beach

6. ** Yes trap the coyotes —- Lynne Adelman, Manhattan Beach

7. ** I had some lousy restaurant service in my life, but nothing compares to the truly awfulness of service at the Silverlake Ramen in Manhattan Village service. Horrid! —- Ashley T., Manhattan Beach

8. ** My husband and I drove toward a favorite spot for lunch last week when we passed an older man walking on the sidewalk in front of a hospital. He was missing one leg and struggled with crutches going uphill in the pouring rain. Jack and I looked at each other and knew we had to go back for him and give him a ride … The man was grateful for the ride to his pharmacy several miles away. —- Donna P., Manhattan Beach

9. ** Tinder promised it would revolutionize romance. So why are my peers lonelier and more sex-deprived than ever? —- Liza B., Manhattan Beach

10. ** Twenty-one years ago today, a horrific attack took place on our country, costing the lives of nearly 3000 innocent people. Let us honor the victims, survivors, and the bravery of first responders who came together to help in a time of need. —- M.B. Police Dept

11. ** Starbucks is a once great company. Today it feels like a tired losing sports team. —- Gail T., Manhattan Beach

12. ** Just before she died last month, my Mom’s face was wrinkled and old like the pages of a well-loved book. —- Damon K., Manhattan Beach

13. ** To clear up any misunderstandings, Rita Crabtree is running for city council because she has spent the last 25+ years of her life loving this city and wants to help it grow, the support thrown behind her is neither her prerogative nor reason. —- Janett Ocamp, Manhattan Beach

14. ** Religion tells children they are imperfect and must work on themselves. Secularism tells children tells them they are perfect and should work on everyone else. —- Howell R., Manhattan Beach

15. ** Hey – I’ve got a great investment idea for you: You give me $100,000 and four years of your life, and I give you … hmm … pretty much … nothing, except an intense hatred of your country. No, I’m not the devil. I’m Mr. College. —- Nadine K., Manhattan Beach

16. ** Are we so vain in Manhattan Beach that we even care for the opinion of those we don’t care for? —- Spencer R., Manhattan Beach

17. ** My husband just returned from a walk with our dog on Ocean and was hit by a kid on an E-bike. My husband has a scrape on his arm from the handlebars. The boy was going much too fast that he couldn’t stop in time to avoid hitting my husband, who was walking our small dog. He did apologize and went on his way. Please talk with your children about their “driving.” He could have truly injured my husband or dog. I hope the experience will teach him to slow down and be more careful. —- Elizabeth Feria, Manhattan Beach

18. ** I was having dinner last night at Mangiamos on MBB and heard screeching tires, screams, and a bunch of sirens, and emergency personnel were there within minutes. People said a woman had been run over in the parking space across the street, and the driver fled. I hope she is ok. —- Emily Resnick, Manhattan Beach

19. ** I am sick of hearing the radical crap about not trapping coyotes if they pose a danger to Manhattan Beach. —- Dr. Neil G., Manhattan Beach

20. ** Why social media is making bathrooms cleaner —- www.BrokenWindowsBook.com

Comment / Hire / Share / Promote / Barter / Discuss
The MB Weekly Free Bulletin Board is your place to communicate for free with 25,840 of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach. Send your message (maximum 50 words) to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net

MB Weekly Disclaimer: 1.) MB Weekly accepts no liability for the content of this email, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. MB Weekly is not associated with any commercial or political organization and is transmitted via the web for the sole benefit of its subscribers. 2.) Unfortunately, computer viruses can be transmitted via email. The recipient should check this mail and any attachments for the presence of viruses.

MB Weekly 10/20/2022

MB WEEKLY READER POLL:


OVER 70% FEEL “HELICOPTER PARENTING” IS A PROBLEM IN MANHATTAN BEACH

According to a recent poll of MB Weekly readers, 71% feel that “helicopter parenting” in Manhattan Beach is a problem. Helicopter parenting refers to an overprotective and very involved parenting style. Just like a helicopter hovers, so do these parents. They typically involve themselves in all aspects of their children’s lives, sometimes to the detriment of the kids. “If it weren’t so sad, it would be hilarious,” said one Mira Costa high school teacher. Some examples of helicopter parenting might include: Exerting control over an adult child’s life, such as by writing their graduate school applications or calling potential employers; Attempting to control a child’s friendships by deciding whom a child should befriend or when a child should end a friendship. Results showed that higher overall helicopter parenting scores were associated with stronger symptoms of anxiety and depression. According to that study, helicopter parenting “was also associated with poorer functioning in emotional functioning, decision making, and academic functioning.” “No wonder many young people today are so incapable and fragile,” said one former member of the Manhattan Beach School Board.


MB WEEKLY READER QUESTION:

Do you agree or disagree that “Helicopter Parenting” is a problem in Manhattan Beach. Send your thoughts to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH
CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE
DAVID LESSER:

Q: Do you [feel as] safe in Manhattan Beach as you did a year ago?
A: No, my family and I do not feel as safe as a year ago. A brazen Downtown robbery, a string of scary residential burglaries, and an increase in property crimes over the past year have left my family on edge like many others. Our police department does a great job protecting our community in the face of rising crime and changing prosecution standards. But rancor on our City Council and an emphasis on socially divisive issues have limited their focus on public safety. Feeling safe includes more than just crime. The pandemic brought an increase in mental health issues for our youth and an ongoing threat to our elderly population. There has also been an increase in hate-filled vandalism in our City and an increased risk of a major earthquake with the discovery of new faults beneath us. These issues cry-out for broader leadership.

Q: If you were a schoolteacher, what grade would you give the work of our city manager over the last [two years]?
A: As a hypothetical schoolteacher, I would give our City Manager a grade of B+. He has led our City with a divided Council through extreme challenges over the past two years – a pandemic, economic uncertainty, and a spike in divisiveness. The number of decisions the City Manager got right is impressive under the circumstances and he is utterly devoted to our City. But there is always room for improvement. Two examples where work is in process: Making it easier for residents to engage with City Hall and improving City communications, particularly related to crime.

Q: Who do you think is your biggest single competitor in the race for City Council?
A: An incumbent naturally has an advantage.

Q: What is your favorite TV show of all time?
A: The original “Star Trek” series tackled timeless questions of life, love, war, peace, and human exploration through science fiction. Story lines with interplanetary conflicts, aliens, and transporters – it was cool.

Q: Do you believe the Manhattan Beach Police Department has an adequate number of officers currently to keep the community feeling safe?
A: The current times call for more police officers on our streets, additional tools to fight crime, and increased information for residents to protect their families, homes, and businesses. The Police Department believes it has sufficient resources after receiving authorization to hire additional officers above its budget allotment due to anticipated retirements. But I am concerned about coverage. I would review whether there is an adequate number of officers during the City’s upcoming mid-year budget process and move promptly if more are needed.

www.davidlesser4mb.com

MB Weekly Readers Choose Tapizon As Best Brazilian Restaurant In South Bay:

According to a recent poll of MB Weekly readers, Tapizon restaurant has been selected as the Best Brazilian Restaurant in the South Bay, 2022. According to the restaurant owners, the Tropi-Cali experience is where Brazilian & American flavors fuse in food and spirits.

www.tapizon.com

MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Rob, from the MB Farmers’ Market. He works at the Korean Food Booth. –Photo courtesy of Lee Phillips

Frank Chiella
City Council Candidate

“The most concerning issue in this election to me is the need for candidates to take a stand on increasing the number of police on our streets. I believe now is the time to be proactive. For the past 4 years, our current city council has authorized 29 Police Officers in the Patrol Division and 5 Police Officers in the Traffic Division. I would immediately urge the city council to amend the current budget to authorize 35 officers in the Patrol Division and 6 officers in the Traffic Division. Savings by overtime reductions and minor cuts in other departments along with using city reserves can pay for these needed increases to put more police on our streets now, before crime increases further in our city.” —- Frank Chiella, Candidate for City Council

www.votefrank4mb.com

MB WEEKLY:

“Once A Week, But Never Weakly”

Join thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities.

Sign up for free at: www.MBWeekly.net

MB WEEKLY – LENS:

Robinson Elementary held their first Bike Safety Assembly for their students. The assembly was part of “Ride Safe, Ride Ready,” Manhattan Beach’s Bike Safety and Awareness campaign, and was a collaboration between the PTA, Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD), the Manhattan Beach Police Department, City Council, and high school students, Justin Newman, Alex Chun, Lara Meyer and Luca & Kai O’Neill.

MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Stella

“YES OR NO” INTERVIEW

Have you ever had a crush on a teacher?
–YES, TWICE, ACTUALLY.
If you were invited to go to Mars, would you go?
–NO
Do you consider yourself a controversial person?
–NO
Have you ever broken someone’s property and not told them?
–NO
Have you ever played a game of strip poker?
–NO
Do you have any regrets?
–YES, MANY.
Would you travel the world solo?
–YES
Do you think men and women are equal?
–NO
Have you ever flirted with someone you didn’t like for attention?
–NO

To be featured in “The Faces of Manhattan Beach,” send your photograph to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net

MB WEEKLY – LENS:

MBPD Officer Presgraves just moved over to our Traffic Bureau as a Traffic Officer. You’ll see him out in the city doing traffic enforcement and investigating traffic collisions.

MB WEEKLY:
Reader Questions To
MB Mayor Steve Napolitano

Q: I believe the position rotates from one city council member to the next, but I don’t know the frequency of the rotation for the Mayor. —- Steve B., Manhattan Beach
A: Hi Steve, the mayor is selected by Council. Our long-held tradition is that each Councilmember gets a turn as mayor during their 4 year term, which basically equals a 9 1/2 month term as mayor for each Councilmember. The order of rotation is based on who received the most votes, then the second most and so on, and as staggered just as the elections are. Every two years we have a city council election for either two seats or three seats. Joe, Richard and I were elected in November 2020, and as the one with the most votes, I’m first in the rotation after Suzanne and Hildy, who were elected in 2019 (they were the last two councilmembers elected in odd years – state law now requires that our local elections align with state and national elections to improve turnout). I’ll be followed by Richard and then Joe, and the winners of the current election will then follow in the mayoral rotation after the three of us, based on who gets the most votes this election. Hope that makes sense!

Q: I am concerned about the Homeless lurking on our streets during the day-half dressed, walking around with no pants, and hanging out for children and families to see. What are you doing about them? And crime? —- Emily P.
A: Hi Emily, we have a very robust program to address those experiencing homelessness in Manhattan Beach and we’ve been able to greatly reduce our homeless numbers the last couple of years since we started our outreach. Among other things, we’ve received a grant from the County that we share with our fellow cities of Hermosa and Redondo, with whom we share resources, including a homeless outreach navigator to get folks into housing and services. We’ve also appointed a City staff member as our homeless liaison to oversee all our efforts. A large number of police are now trained in how to deal with the homeless, especially those experiencing addiction or mental health issues. The City has gone above and beyond in paying for an additional full time homeless outreach person on top of the shared outreach person who serves all three beach cities, and at our last meeting we increased the number of beds set aside for use by the unsheltered in Manhattan Beach from two to five. We’ve also adopted an anti-camping ordinance to incentivize the use of services and housing and we have a robust partnership with MBSAFE, a local nonprofit established to help get our homeless off the streets and into housing and services. This is just a short summary of all we’ve been doing and we’ve seen real results, lowering our homeless count from over 40 a couple of years ago to less than 10 today. We will continue to work to get that number down even further, as it does fluctuate on any given day. For more information on all we’re doing regarding homelessness, please click here. If anyone is breaking the law, whether homeless or not, we ask that all residents do what our Police Chief encourages everyone to do on a daily basis – “If you see something, say something.” Public safety and well being are the City Council’s top priority and as a result of the recent uptick in crime, the Police Department by way of Council’s direction have increased patrols around town and especially in our commercial areas, but we’ll never be able to have a cop everywhere or wherever crime takes place. Our community is made safer by all our efforts and if you call our Police Department, they’ll be there in minutes. Additionally, we’re looking to hire more officers all the time. Unfortunately, that’s been harder to do the last couple of years and it’s a nationwide problem. If you know anyone who wants to be a police officer, please send them our way, we have a number of incentives that make working in Manhattan Beach very attractive and we’d love to talk to them. Thanks!

Send Your Questions To
The Mayor Of Manhattan Beach

The Mayor of Manhattan Beach, Steve Napolitano, has generously agreed to write an “Ask the Mayor” monthly column exclusively for MB Weekly. Please send your questions to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net

MB WEEKLY – LENS:

New chef at Urban Plates in Manhattan Beach.

MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Russ Lesser
Former MB Mayor

Diven Surf

Have you shot a gun at some point in your life?
–YES. I was in the army and we do that.
Have you ever broken a bone in the past?
–YES. I dislocated a shoulder skiing and broke a thumb skiing. Hmmm. That seems like a trend.
Have you ever gotten locked out of your own house?
–NO
Have you ever gotten so lonely that you started talking to yourself?
–Not because I was lonely, but because I was the only one who wanted to listen to me.
Have you ever had an imaginary friend?
–That is a definite NO
Have you ever been to Paris?
–YES, it is a great city. I watched all the Pink Panther films before I went so I could communicate better.

www.divensurf.com

MB WEEKLY – LENS:

The Mira Costa girls’ volleyball team celebrates its five-set win over Redondo Union.

WHO READS MB WEEKLY?

Former two-term MB Mayor and Councilmember Wayne Powell.

Sign up for free: www.MBWeekly.net

MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
By Amy Howorth

City Council Candidate

I am disappointed that there is an official committee to oppose a candidate; the ad itself isn’t the problem. I’m not sure the ad will have much impact. I have nothing to do with this Committee. I’m running on my record. I’m sure it would be upsetting to me if someone had formed a formal committee to oppose me.

www.amyhoworthcitycouncil.com

URBAN PLATES:

Our Roasted Barramundi Sea Bass is so satisfying and always sustainable.

www.urbanplates.com

MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:

“I could’ve sworn that I buried last year’s Halloween candy in Manhattan Beach.”

MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:

HOW IS INFLATION IMPACTING YOUR LIFE?

Please share your reply with thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities.

Send (maximum 100 words) to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net

MB – BULLETIN BOARD:


1. ** https://www.votenoonmb.com —- Dan Humbert, Manhattan Beach

2. ** Do you want woke radicals co-parenting your kids? I sure as hell don’t, which is why I plan to vote for “The Trifecta” for the school board in Manhattan Beach. —- Maureen G., Manhattan Beach parent

3. ** I love Fleming’s Steakhouse in El Segundo. The real deal. —- Howard P., Manhattan Beach

4. ** If your pet is due for vaccinations, please stop by the Manhattan Beach Police Department for our low-cost clinic. Please contact the El Segundo Animal Hospital at 310-606-8811 or the MBPD Animal Control line at 310-802-5160.

5. ** If more politicians in Manhattan Beach were thinking about the next generation instead of the next election, it might be better for the city we all love. —- Jill T., Manhattan Beach

6. ** “By using the waffle maker, you become one.” —- Brooke T., Manhattan Beach

7. ** “There’s nothing preventing you from using someone else’s voice when you think.” —- Bruce N., Manhattan Beach

8. ** “Seals are dog mermaids.” —- Brian C., Manhattan Beach

9. ** Finally, an honest car mechanic. South Bay Autohaus. I just moved to the area and am happy that I now have an excellent car partner for my BMW. —- Steve M., Manhattan Beach

10. ** Please be aware of your unattended pets and try to keep them inside, if possible. There have been two cat killings by coyotes in this area in the last 2 weeks. —- Audrey Ritterman

11. ** I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it. —- Trish H., Manhattan Beach

12. ** South Cord Management, the parent company of Catalyst Cannabis Co., has spent $309,188 on the campaign to recall District 4 Redondo Beach Councilman Zein Obagi, Jr. —- Bruce N., Manhattan Beach

13. ** A dear friend of mine passed away due to a hit and run by Lawndale high school Saturday, 27 at 11 pm on his bike, going to In-n-Out. The person drove off and didn’t care to stop to see if he was okay; due to that, he lost all brain activity and was pronounced dead yesterday. —- Chloe Santoyo, Hawthorne

14. ** Amy Howorth may live in Manhattan Beach, but she left her heart in San Francisco. Don’t vote “woke!” —- Heidi S., Manhattan Beach

15. ** Chill The Build! The answer to their question “Is It Safe To Build Next To A Refinery?” is NO, NOT AT ALL! The State passed legislation this week to ban housing projects within 3200 feet of an oil refinery because it is not safe! Common sense would tell you that, especially so for a housing project directly adjacent to a tank farm! —- Mark Burton

16. ** I was just at International Garden Center today in El Segundo and asked where their two enormous fat cats were – They were both killed by a coyote in July. —- Lindsay Pinkham, El Segundo

17. ** I hear comments from our city officials telling us that nothing can be done about Highrose, “our hands are tied.” Well, our voices as residents cannot be silenced. Don’t let developers come into our community and usurp our local zoning codes and ordinances. —- Frank Chiella, Manhattan Beach

18. ** It isn’t even a question of fighting the state. The regulations passed by CA do NOT require approving Highrose. The Planning Department has gone beyond its authority and approved much more than the state requirements. —- Dan Stern, Former Mayor, Manhattan Beach

19. ** The only Zen you find in Manhattan Beach is the Zen you bring there. —- Sandra Conway, Manhattan Beach

20. ** Free money! Without any understanding of basic economics, young people are celebrating and cheering it on. They believe student loan forgiveness is caring and compassionate. They are wrong. —- Brett I., Manhattan Beach

Comment / Hire / Share / Promote / Barter / Discuss
The MB Weekly Free Bulletin Board is your place to communicate for free with thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach. Send your message (maximum 50 words) to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net

MB Weekly Disclaimer: 1.) MB Weekly accepts no liability for the content of this email, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. MB Weekly is not associated with any commercial or political organization and is transmitted via the web for the sole benefit of its subscribers. 2.) Unfortunately, computer viruses can be transmitted via email. The recipient should check this mail and any attachments for the presence of viruses.