COUNCIL CANDIDATE – CRIME VICTIM
MB WEEKLY EXCLUSIVE COMMENTARY by Frank Chiella:
Last Tuesday morning, I went out to get into my Toyota Tacoma pickup and noticed the tailgate on my pickup was missing. My truck was parked on the street directly in front of my house, where I park it every night. I live on a quiet street in the tree section of Manhattan Beach. I called the police, and they came out and took a report. I then reported the theft to my insurance company and got an estimate for a replacement tailgate from Manhattan Beach Toyota. It is going to cost $4,000 to replace the tailgate. I ran for City Council in the past election, and part of my platform was increasing public safety in Manhattan Beach. Many people don’t believe our city has a significant crime problem. To my surprise, I am now one of the statistics to prove that belief wrong. We have increasing crime in Manhattan Beach, and now is the time to take action by adding more police officers to our city. We should be proactive and not reactive about the increase in crimes of all types. I am writing this letter to ask our community to report all crimes, no matter how small, to our police department so we can have accurate data to decide how we can best prepare ourselves and our community for the battle against criminals. We all need to open our eyes and see that crime has increased in our city and we need to take action now.
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Manhattan Beach Councilmembers current, former and newly installed, pose for a photo during a December 13 meeting. Front row, from left: former Mayor Joan Jones, newly installed Councilmember David Lesser, former Mayor Hildy Stern, newly installed Councilmember Amy Howorth, City Treasurer Tim Lilligren; Back row: Councilmember Joe Franklin, former Mayor Bob Holmes, Mayor Pro Tem Richard Montgomery, Mayor Steve Napolitano, former Mayor Wayne Powell and former Mayor Jim Aldinger.
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Lucia La Rosa
Today I received the Newsletter from Mike Michalski. According to Mike, “In Manhattan Beach, reported property crime through November is up 14% over the same period in 2021, representing a huge spike over the 2020 lockdown year, according to MBPD’s Compstat Dashboard. Most alarming, since the November 8 election through last Wednesday (roughly five weeks), there were 52 (!) vehicle burglaries, including 16 stolen catalytic converters (and one attempted theft of a converter), six residential burglaries, an armed robbery and another attack on one of our downtown jewelers (this one was an after-hours burglary, so it did not get the media coverage of last June’s brazen armed looting of Pasha Fine Jewelry in broad daylight). Also, last month in three days, three vehicle stops resulted in arrests of occupants with loaded, illegal firearms (which makes you wonder how many guns are coming into our city undetected). On the agenda for the last Council meeting of the year is a discussion regarding hiring other law enforcement agencies or private security firms (Suzanne Hadley had proposed the latter option) to augment patrols in the Downtown area.” Mike continues by suggesting that Mayor Napolitano is against hiring private security firms. I would like to know the opinion of the Manhattan Beach residents.
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MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
“YES OR NO” INTERVIEWS
DO YOU LIKE SPICY FOOD?
David LeFevre–YES!
David M. Slay–YES
Deborah Hofreiter–YES
Dominique Ridley–YES
Gerry Morton–YES
Mark Burton–YES
Rita Crabtree-Kampe–YES!
Steve Napolitano–YES
Stewart Fournier–YES
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN BUNGEE JUMPING?
David LeFevre–NO
David M. Slay–NO NEVER WILL
Deborah Hofreiter–NO
Dominique Ridley–NO
Gerry Morton–YES
Mark Burton–NO
Rita Crabtree-Kampe–NO WAY!
Steve Napolitano–NO
Stewart Fournier–NO
DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO VIEW A SITUATION?
David LeFevre–YES
David M. Slay–YES
Deborah Hofreiter–YES
Dominique Ridley–YES
Gerry Morton–YES
Mark Burton–YES
Rita Crabtree-Kampe–ABSOLUTELY!
Steve Napolitano–YES
Stewart Fournier–OF COURSE
DO YOU LIKE TO PLAN THINGS OUT IN ADVANCE?
David LeFevre–I NEED MORE TIME IN ADVANCE TO ANSWER THIS……YES I DO.
David M. Slay–YES
Deborah Hofreiter–YES
Dominique Ridley–YES
Gerry Morton–YES
Mark Burton–YES
Rita Crabtree-Kampe–NOPE
Steve Napolitano–SOMETIMES
Stewart Fournier–NOT AS MUCH AS I SHOULD HOWEVER IN EMERGENCIES AM ALWAYS 6 STEPS AHEAD
ARE YOU AN OPTIMIST?
David LeFevre–YES, HOPE FOR THE BEST, PLAN FOR THE WORST.
David M. Slay–YES
Deborah Hofreiter–YES
Dominique Ridley–YES
Gerry Morton–YES
Mark Burton–YES
Rita Crabtree-Kampe–100%
Steve Napolitano–YES
Stewart Fournier–YES
DID YOUR PARENTS GET DIVORCED?
David LeFevre–NO THEY WERE IN LOVE UNTIL THEY DAY THE PASSED.
David M. Slay–NO
Deborah Hofreiter–YES
Dominique Ridley–YES
Gerry Morton–YES
Mark Burton–NO
Rita Crabtree-Kampe–NO
Steve Napolitano–NO
Stewart Fournier–NO
DO YOU THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE BASICALLY GOOD?
David LeFevre–YES, AND GOOD PEOPLE CAN MAKE POOR CHOICES AND THAT DOESN’T MAKE THEM “BAD” EITHER.
David M. Slay–YES
Deborah Hofreiter–YES
Dominique Ridley–YES
Gerry Morton–YES
Mark Burton–YES
Rita Crabtree-Kampe–YES!
Steve Napolitano–YES
Stewart Fournier–YES
DO YOU HAVE ANY PHOBIAS?
David LeFevre–YES HEIGHTS, NOT IN AN AIRPLANE OF ANY SIZE FOR SOME REASON, BUT WHEN NEAR A HUGE CLIFF OR DROP OFF.
David M. Slay–MANY
Deborah Hofreiter–YES
Dominique Ridley–YES
Gerry Morton–NO
Mark Burton–NO
Rita Crabtree-Kampe–HEIGHTS
Steve Napolitano–ANSWERING YES OR NO QUESTIONS
Stewart Fournier–NO
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Mira Costa Honors and AP Chemistry teacher Teresa Nielsen is an “LA County Teacher of the Year.”
MB WEEKLY – READER POLL:
WAS TWITTER RIGHT TO INITIALLY SUPPRESS THE STORY ON HUNTER BIDEN’S LAPTOP?
According to a sample of MB Weekly readers in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities, MB Weekly readers have spoken.
Do you agree or disagree with the results. Please send your reply to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
Manhattan Beach City Council Approves Funding For MBUSD Security Cameras:
At its meeting on December 6, 2022, City Council unanimously approved $250,000 from the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to support funding for cameras at Manhattan Beach Middle School and Mira Costa High School. This action follows the Manhattan Beach Unified School District’s (MBUSD) Board of Trustees approval on September 14, 2022, to install new camera systems at MBUSD schools. “The City’s number one priority is public safety,” said Mayor Steve Napolitano. “This project aligns with the City’s goals to enhance the safety and security of Manhattan Beach schools. With the installation of cameras on school sites, Manhattan Beach Police Department will be better equipped to apprehend and hold those accountable for committing crimes on school campuses.” While approving the decision, some residents felt the action was long overdue. “I’m pleased with the decision, of course, but think it repeatedly takes the city too long to act on obvious public safety matters,” said Tony T., a long-time Manhattan Beach business owner.
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Rachel Yanofsky
Watch out for this driver. I was at the stop sign by MBMS as the crossing guard had us stopped to cross a group of kids when this man in the Lexus SUV (pictured) blew thru the stop sign, nearly missing me. At first, I thought he did not see me or the stop sign, but he then proceeded to blow the next stop sign as well. When I used my horn to alert him that I was there and that he was running the stop sign, he gave me the finger, started laughing, and then held up some hand gestures (see picture). I was able to get his plate once I caught up with him, which due to the backlog of traffic in Redondo, was easy to do. What kind of example are you setting for the kid or kids in your car? Really what is so funny about this? There are pedestrians, bikers, and other vehicles, and the area is exceptionally congested. You should be ashamed of yourself and your actions, ALL OF THEM!
MB WEEKLY:
Reader Questions To
MB Mayor Steve Napolitano
Q: Mayor, what are three of your favorite restaurants in Manhattan Beach? —- Karen K.
A: Oh boy, it’s stuff like this that gets a Mayor in trouble … it’s like asking someone which of their kids they love most. It’s not a hedge at all to say that we’re truly blessed in Manhattan Beach to have some really incredible restaurants and I’ve eaten at pretty much all of them at one time or another. But that’s why I make the big money, right? Ok, I’m game but it’s going to be more than 3 and based on the type of food. A good place to start downtown is at Shellback for their fish tacos – hard to describe because they’re unlike any others but oh’ so good. As a long time pescatarian, any list has to include Fishing with Dynamite, I love the raw bar there as well as the cooked stuff. While I’m a sushi fanatic, FWD is an old school oyster bar treat in MB, same as Rock n’ Fish (it’s almost navy grog November). Speaking of old school, never pass up an opportunity to have an Erc’s burger, especially with the burger deal they have on Wednesday night (yeah, I order the veggie burger, and it’s awesome). For old school Mexican, you can’t beat the downtown El Sombrero, I’ve been going there since I was 8 when it was next to the old La Mar theatre. I’m a fan of Mangiamo’s (is your happy hour back yet??) for some lesser ordered items – they have a great fish soup and I love the risotto. Uncle Bill’s is an institution and rightfully so (cheddar waffle and hash browns please) and my mom did the mural on the inside. If you haven’t had a pizza from Love & Salt, you really should. And the dips at Petros. In the North End, I typically go to Sloopy’s for beach eats, OB’s for incredible fish and chips and a great bar (great dive bars all need to be saved) and Pancho’s for a margarita, guac and chips. Fishbar has been a great addition too. If you have a late-night craving, there’s always the Kettle but sometimes you have to hit El Tarasco too, or Sharkeez. I miss a lot of the places we used to have on Sepulveda, but if you want a great, offbeat breakfast, try The Castle, where the guys on the bar stools at 7 a.m. probably never left from the night before. While Tin Roof Bistro is still a great anchor to the Manhattan Village shopping center eats, we’ve got a lot of great new restaurants up there I need to try out as they keep opening up. As I said when I started this list, there’s plenty more good restaurants out there – they wouldn’t still be open if they weren’t good – but these are the ones that I could think of at the moment. Looking forward to the angry emails saying “what about …”!
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:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Meet Maureen McBride
Owner Of Tabula Rasa Essentials
“WOULD YOU RATHER” INTERVIEW
WOULD YOU RATHER LOSE THE ABILITY TO READ OR LOSE THE ABILITY TO SPEAK?
–Read
WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE A GOLDEN VOICE OR A SILVER TONGUE?
–Golden Voice
WOULD YOU RATHER ALWAYS BE 10 MINUTES LATE OR ALWAYS BE 20 MINUTES EARLY?
–20 Minutes Early
WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE ONE REAL GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD OR A KEY THAT OPENS ANY DOOR?
–Key That Opens Any Door
www.tabularasaessentials.com
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Former City Councilmembers Hildy Stern and Suzanne Hadley depart the City Council after their last meeting.
** Author Aura Imbarus at Nando Trattoria Manhattan Beach with Dario Vullo, restaurateur and owner of Nando. (photo above)
** Rotary President Gerry Morton having dinner at SLAY Steak and Fish in Manhattan Beach.
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Tod & Cynthia P.
This woman was on my property this morning. Broke in to my backyard. Threatened my house sitter. Demanded to be let in, tried all our doors, and kept threatening. She then stripped naked in the front yard, used my hose to shower, and broke and damaged things in my yard. The MB police didn’t show. The person on the desk was rude. The homeless person then left our yard, went across the street, and started trying their doors. The cops lost her because, with a bright blue wig, she is hard to find – and clearly, she moves at the speed of light. Our cops couldn’t find her, so she must be much more clever than they are – a horrible experience with MB police. My house sitter is terrified. This woman was aggressive and threatening. She is out there right by Pennekamp and Mira Costa. A MAJOR failure by our police department. She was attempting a break in – not just wandering by.
MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:
“Pinpoint the exact moment you caught a cold in Manhattan Beach.”
MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE IN MANHATTAN BEACH TO BUY CANDLES?
Please share your reply with thousands and thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities.
Send your reply to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
MB – BULLETIN BOARD:
1. ** My name is Noa. If you are looking for a babysitter, mother’s helper, or dog walker, I am very responsible and energetic. I charge $15 an hour for babysitting. My number is 424-404-3241. —- Noa, Manhattan Beach
2. ** With deliveries starting in late 2023, you can now have your very own personal electric aerial vehicle! Yes, it’s called the Jetson One. —- David H., From The Robb Report
3. ** This country’s tatterdemalion safety net fails to catch so many in the best of times. —- Thomas L., Manhattan Beach
4. ** Please spread the word. Invite your neighbors, friends, and family to sign up for free to receive MB Weekly. —- www.MBWeekly.net
5. ** For the past 22 years, the Port of Los Angeles has been the busiest container port in North America. But for the past three months, the Port of New York and New Jersey has been No. 1. —- Brandi G., Manhattan Beach
6. ** Anyone needs their windows washed? Call this number if interested: 424-400-1553 —- Adam Afify, Manhattan Beach
7. ** Gail at The Kettle is the best. —- Nancy P., Manhattan Beach
8. ** Are you ready for the Last Waltz —- amazon
9. ** By now, you would have to be under a rock not to hear that Donald Trump has outdone himself again. When you thought nothing more outrageous he could do, the former president who swore to uphold the Constitution comes right out and says that the Constitution should be “terminated.” Democracy be damned. Trump as king. Vladimir Putin couldn’t have said it better. —- Alice Z., Manhattan Beach
10. ** Thank God for www.SetTheTableLA.com. —- Roger P., Manhattan Beach
11. ** WTF is wrong with the escalators at Metlox shopping center? They have been broken for months and months. —- Andrew C., Manhattan Beach
12. ** In case you haven’t figured it out, fathers matter. —- Dennis P., Manhattan Beach
13. ** Eric Garcetti will go down in history as L.A.’s worst Mayor of all time. Look at the streets —- Emily R., Manhattan Beach
14. ** At Pacific Standard Prime in Redondo Beach, I’ve eaten several of the best salads I’ve ever had. —- Lee P., Manhattan Beach
15. ** At Mercado Mexican in Manhattan Beach, they have permanently done away with paper menus. You have read their menus on your phone. Tacky. —- Allison J., Manhattan Beach
16. ** I will miss Suzanne Hadley on the City Council. She deserved to be re-elected. —- Ken S., Manhattan Beach
17. ** Some friends of mine are having problems with a tenant here in Manhattan Beach. This person has not paid rent in 3 months. It seems like the tenant is a pro and did not intend to pay rent. —- Karen Liberman, Manhattan Beach
18. ** MB Fireworks Flop Wow. I loved the pyrotechnics, which must have cost a fortune (thank you, Sketchers et al.). But what happened to the music? Since day one of MB Fireworks, the synchronization between pyro and Christmas music has been the real draw to this event. No (zero, aka nada) music, let alone Christmas music associated with the fireworks this year. HUGE MISS! I hope whoever paid for this gets a discount or refund. Please fix this next year! —- Ty Kostan, Manhattan Beach
19. ** Wow. The world has become insane, and Sketchers was nice enough to put on a show for us, and there are complaints. How about Thank you, and I am grateful. It’s not that hard. —- Roxanne S., Hermosa Beach
20. ** Yesterday our car was parked on the street, unlocked, for around four hours and in that time someone opened it and stole several items. It was particularly bold given that it was the middle of the day with people coming and going. They threw out several of the items on the sidewalk down the street. Beware and always lock your car. – 3520-3530 Elm Avenue, Manhattan Beach. —- Alison Bonanq, Manhattan Beach
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