EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH
CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE
MARK BURTON:
Q: In hindsight, do you regret supporting Measure A?
A: Yes, I do. I will always listen to the residents of our community. My big takeaway from the Measure A election is our residents want a School Board that they can trust to be fiscally prudent and a School Board that will keep teacher political agendas out of the classroom before they will consider approving a parcel tax.
Q: Do you think our crime situation is the worst in recent memory?
A: Yes, the crime situation is the worst it’s ever been in recent memory. Unfortunately, it is only going to get worse if we don’t hire more patrol officers. The presence of a police officer is the most effective deterrent to preventing crime. Simply put, more police equals less crime. To keep our community safe, we can’t afford to have a police force for yesterday’s crime when we need a force for today and tomorrow’s greatly increasing crime. We need more police for regular foot beat patrols in Downtown MB, North MB/El Porto and our MB Mall and more police for increased patrols in our neighborhoods.
Q: Do you have a plan to address the crime situation?
A: Yes. My plan for dealing with the significant increase in crime is to hire more patrol officers. A lot more. For years now, we have been getting by with a force of only 65 sworn officers or so. That’s why you don’t regularly see police officers in Downtown MB, North MB/El Porto, the MB Mall or in some of our neighborhoods. That’s one of the reasons why Pasha Jewelers was targeted for a armed robbery at gunpoint. These eleven perpetrators knew there wouldn’t be any police officers in Downtown MB on an early Friday evening. Incredible! Well, that needs to change, sooner than later. We need to begin ramping up in the next 3 to 5 years to a force of 80 total police officers, with more patrol officers, foot beat officers and the creation of a Special Problems Unit for enhanced and targeted patrol and enforcement. Specifically, we need 10 more permanent police officer positions and 5 overhire positions. I believe it is a smart investment to keep us safe.
Q: Who is responsible for addressing the crime situation?
A: City Council, of course. For years, we have had the same City Councilmembers circulating back, again and again, with the same tired and dated ideas. When I served as Mayor, it was the first time in years that we authorized the hiring of more police officers and we approved the innovative and highly successful Automated License Plate Reader Security Camera program that resulted in the arrest of over a hundred wanted felons. I am the Public Safety Candidate we need. As general counsel to the LAPD when Rick Caruso was President of the Police Commission and Bill Bratton was Chief of Police, LAPD drove down crime to historic lows, all the while implementing historic police reforms. I was the lead negotiator for the LAPD Consent Decree that brought those reforms to LAPD. As general counsel to the Airport Police, when James T. Butts was Deputy Director of Safety and Security, the LAX Police rose to become the #1 airport police department in the nation while reducing crime. As a former Prosecutor, I know the importance and value of prosecuting misdemeanors, the quality of life crimes, to maintain law and order in a community. We can, and should, have our own City Prosecutor. Now, not later.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: I have several favorite movies of all time with “Top Gun, Maverick” being the most recent. What a great start to this summer’s movie season. I saw it on opening day with two of my sons. And, I saw it a second time with my wife Dickie.
Q: What pronouns will you use if elected?
A: When elected, there will be no woke for me. Partisan politics has no place on the Manhattan Beach City Council, unless you want to be divisive. I think our residents have had enough of divisive partisan politics on Council.
www.burtonforcouncil.com
MB WEEKLY READER POLL:
73% DEFINE RECENT “SMASH AND GRAB”
AS A 9/11 MOMENT FOR MANHATTAN BEACH
A recent poll of MB Weekly readers (according to best practices standard of opinion polling) found that approximately 73% of all MB weekly readers would define the recent smashing grab burglary in the downtown Manhattan Beach area as a 9/11 moment for this city. “I’ve been living here for over 50 years and never seen anything close to as bad as I witnessed that Friday night. It was truly surreal!” said one prominent Manhattan Beach resident and downtown business owner. On Friday, June 26th, Pasha Jewelry in downtown Manhattan Beach was brazenly robbed by 12 men in a coordinated attack. Thus far no suspects have been named. “I continue to believe that the downtown area is significantly under-policed and remains very vulnerable,” said the business owner.
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
The Pink Patch Project is a collaborative effort between the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs’ Association and over 750 public safety agencies throughout the nation. This project is designed to increase public awareness about breast cancer and to raise funds for the fight against this disease.
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
By Christy Barnes
School Board Candidate
Over the past 7 years, MBUSD has lost over 1,000 students. Seven years ago, 92% of MB students attended MBUSD. Today, that number is less than 74%. 1,000 students represents $12 million in lost revenue per year. These are lost funds that could be going towards teachers’ salaries, school programs, and upgrading facilities. My plan is to: 1) Bring the 1,000 families back to MBUSD. 2) Protect the Taxpayers by fixing past fiscal mistakes and get our Budget in order with professionals. 3) Fix Long Overdue School Safety.
www.christy4schoolboard.com
MB WEEKLY:
“Once A Week, But Never Weakly”
Join thousands of your neighbors in receiving MB Weekly. The readership, which is 90% based in Manhattan Beach, covers some surrounding communities, including El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach.
To sign up to receive MB Weekly for free, go to: www.MBWeekly.net
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
By Sarah Garcia
Dear God! Left-wing politics is about the last thing Manhattan Beach needs. With the rise of remote work and the shift to businesses in Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and other states, the ability of Manhattan Beach to keep much less lure residents and businesses requires a shift toward the pragmatic, not the utopian.
Do you agree or disagree with Sarah Garcia, Send your thoughts (maximum 10 words to): MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
The 2022 Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair all-volunteer Board of Directors (minus a few) in our new BLUE Fair Official uniforms.
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Meta
“WOULD YOUR RATHER” INTERVIEW
Would you rather live with a barnyard of animals in your house or live in the barn with the animals?
–MY HOUSE. IT HAS AIR CONDITIONING.
Would you rather listen to one song for the rest of your life or never be allowed to listen to the same song twice?
–I WOULD LISTEN TO “WE WON’T GET FOOLED AGAIN” BY THE WHO FOREVER.
Would you rather clean the same mess in the kitchen every day or not be allowed to clean up the mess at all?
–I AM A CLEAN FREAK.
Would you rather chew your toenails off or someone else’s fingernails?
–GROSS. NEITHER.
Would you rather have no one come to your wedding or your funeral?
–I DON’T PLAN ON MARRYING OR DYING EVER.
To be featured in “The Faces of Manhattan Beach,” send your photograph to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Meet Marty, who has lived in Manhattan Beach for four years. Feel free to share your photographs with thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities.
Send to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
By Steve Revel
Pennekamp Elementary reported racist and “inappropriate” graffiti. The latest in a string of anti-Semitic and racist graffiti at Manhattan Beach schools. The ninth episode in 2022. Nine. More evidence that we don’t have enough police in current times.
Do you agree or disagree with Steve Revel, Send your opinion to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Ben Murphy
Bentley University Hockey Coach
Ben Murphy has returned to the Bentley University hockey coaching staff as Associate Head Coach, head coach Ryan Soderquist announced. The Manhattan Beach native, played professionally with the Macon Mayhem of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) from 2015-18. He scored a total of 120 points in 151 games throughout three seasons with the team.
www.bentleyfalcons.com
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
The swastikas and anti-Semitic words scrawled across Mira Costa High School last week were the subject of more than two hours of impassioned public testimony at the September 14 Manhattan Beach Unified School District Board of Education meeting.
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Deborah Hofreiter, Ed.D.
Director of Education, Friendship Foundation
Do you enjoy being a leader?
–YES
Do you work well under pressure?
–YES
Do you usually meet deadlines?
–YES
Have you ever worked in a different industry?
–YES
Have you ever taken an unflattering employee ID picture?
–YES
Have you ever accidentally hit “reply all” on an email?
–YES
If there is a sheet cake up for grabs in the office kitchen, do you take a piece?
–NO
Do you like working from home?
–NO
www.friendshipfoundation.com
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Mercado Manhattan Beach in the popular Manhattan Village.
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Tracy Evan
Chef Owner Of Set The Table
How long have you been located in Manhattan Beach?
–I’VE BEEN IN MANHATTAN BEACH FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS.
How did you learn how to become a personal chef?
–COOKING HAS BEEN A HOBBY SINCE I WAS 11. MY FAMILY TAUGHT ME AS WELL AS A HIGH SCHOOL COOKING PROGRAM.
What is the most challenging thing about running your business?
–THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF RUNNING MY BUSINESS IS KEEPING UP WITH GROWTH. WE’RE EXPANDING SPACES AND STAFF RAPIDLY WHICH IS A BLESSING AND A CURSE DURING THESE TIMES.
What do you most love about living in Manhattan Beach?
–I LOVE MANHATTAN BEACH FOR THE CALM VIBE IT PROJECTS. THE WATER HAS A WAY OF DOING THAT TO US ALL.
What’s your favorite TV show of all time?
–I THINK MY FAVORITE TV SHOW OF ALL TIME WAS SEINFELD. THEY HAD SUCH A TALENTED CAST THAT I NEVER STOPPED LAUGHING.
www.setthetablela.com
WHO READS MB WEEKLY?
Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand, along with thousands of other residents of Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities.
To sign up to receive MB Weekly for free: www.MBWeekly.net
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Meet Sam, MB Weekly dog of the week.
MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:
“Almost Sleeping Beauty in Manhattan Beach.”
MB WEEKLY – NOTE:
Please note that the story Meet The Super-Stars in last week’s issue identifying award-winning students in our high school first ran in MB News, run by Dave and Jeanne Fratello In publishing the student’s names, we were celebrating their outstanding academic achievement.
MB – BULLETIN BOARD:
1. ** Average firefighter pay over $300,000 per year seems extremely high. I know they work hard when out in the field, but in this small city, how much work do they actually do? How much downtime do they have? And the overtime has to be definitely dealt with. —- Janet Branfield, Manhattan Beach
2. ** Lots wanted. We specialize in selling buildable lots directly to developers and are currently looking for lots in the beach cities. The typical lot sale is all cash and as is, which means you don’t have to do any repairs. Call us today for free, no-obligation valuation. Discretion is assured. Mike Michalski & Sachi Fujita —- 310-729-4255
3. ** Become the #1 Authority in Your Niche. Reach more people than ever before by getting published in the Top publications, podcasts and more. —- www.PRPrime.net
4. ** If an animal does something, we call it instinct; if we do the same thing for the same reason, we call it intelligence. —- Lani A., Manhattan Beach
5. ** Amy “Woke” Howorth’s policies could turn Manhattan Beach into Santa Monica. —- Amelia A., Manhattan Beach
6. ** Recently, officers responded to a report of two subjects exiting a vehicle and walking in a residential neighborhood while holding a rifle. Responding officers found the two subjects with an AK-47 style rifle. After the subjects were detained, it was determined two juveniles were in possession of an air soft gun with the orange safety markings painted over. —- MBPD
7. ** Unless MB takes a stand against State overreach, developers will swarm with similar schemes. Endorsing Highrose means approving State legislation and future projects that bypass local laws. —- Dr. Carla P., Manhattan Beach
8. ** Us this MB Weekly free Bulletin Board. *Hire *Speak *Announce *Barter *Comment *Date *Exercise. It will b read by thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities. Send your 50-word message to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
9. ** A visitor at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art set Twitter aflame when he noted the resemblance between a sculpture of baby Jesus and Mark Zuckerberg. —- Laine K., Manhattan Beach
10. ** How to engineer a perfect sandcastle.
https://theconversation.com/sandcastle-engineering-a-geotechnical-engineer-explains-how-water-air-and-sand-create-solid-structures-188208
11. ** What does it mean when MB police and neighbors think/say, “You look like you don’t belong here”? —- Al C., Manhattan Beach
12. ** When your house is on fire, and you and your family are trapped inside, there is no limit to what you would pay to these brave men and women who will run into that burning building, risking their own lives even though you are strangers to them, to save your ass. Pay them. Find the money elsewhere in the budget, and don’t tell me there isn’t waste in the Manhattan Beach City budget. Police, firefighters, and teachers … you just pay them! —- Roz Hewsenian, Manhattan Beach, 29-year resident
13. ** Over and over and over again, I hear complaints from the downtown store owners that there is no police presence on nights and weekends in the downtown Manhattan Beach area. Why? —- Dr. Rodney M., Manhattan Beach
14. ** I just received some voting information in the mail … just moved to Manhattan Beach, and I’m told that I can request my ballot in 18 other languages beyond English … something wrong (very wrong) with this picture. —- Sarah G., Manhattan Beach
15. ** Why does the MBPD allow a homeless guy named Chandler to torture people regularly in the downtown area with no consequence? —- Hollace P., Manhattan Beach
16. ** I have seen firsthand how the College Cartel is BRAINWASHING an entire generation to hate our country and our freedom. —- Professor Vincent I., PhD
17. ** Even two months later, just thinking about my city’s brazen, horrific smash and grab gives me a King Kong headache! —- Devin T., Manhattan Beach
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