What a day, what a day, what a day...
Hermosa Beach - Increased homeless, suicides, and beloved resident's death

I'm on KNX & KFWB right now! 980 & 1070 on your AM Dial

By Joy A. Kennelly

If you're near a radio, turn on KNX or KFWB. KNX is http://www.knx1070.com/ - 1070 on your AM dial
and KFWB is www.kfwb.com - 980 on your AM dial to hear my interview ok?

I'm oposing the ordinance being voted on by Hermosa Beach City Council tonight at 7pm to allow alcohol on the beach. City Council Meetings: Second and Fourth Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 1315 Valley Drive, at 7:10 P.M. Agendas and Minutes are available online.

Here's a link to tonight's agenda and the letter I've written to all the city and state officials: http://hermosabeach.granicus.com/AgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=95

We're most concerned about item 6C on the agenda which gives blanket approval to serving alcohol on the beach since this is opening our city to increased liability and setting a bad precedent.

Just because people have been drinking illegally in the past, doesn't make it ok now, or in the future. Sorry Charlie.

Plus, the City of Hermosa Beach's deed doesn't allow for commerce on the beach so anyone thinking allowing alcohol on the beach with this ordinance will open the door to selling alcohol or sponsoring alcohol based events has another think coming.

Or another lawsuit brewing...

Why I have to even point this issue out is sad because you would think having an attorney for a mayor Kit Bobko would know the potential liability and the ramifications, but I guess because he's young and influenced by his peers...

And for the record, the Daily Breeze is inaccurate in its reporting today that the City Council approved alcohol during the Sunset Concert Series at the last meeting. A resolution was made to send it to staff for tonight's meeting and what it has morphed into is any and all city events.

Might want to correct that Mr. Sanfield.

Funny how that happened isn't it? The morphing I mean. And the inaccurate reporting to actually. I wonder who's influencing this broad stroke?

I wrote the Daily Breeze Reporter Andrea Woodhouse because of her bias and lack of balance in her recent coverage of Hermosa Beach which has been very pro-party line and not good journalism. As a reporter are supposed to share both sides.

I don't because this is my personal blog and although I have a journalism degree, this is my personal opinion and perspective. Not so, Andrea.

Here's the letter I've widely distributed just to make it easier to find and because I want to focus on hearing myself in this interview. LOL

Talk at ya later.

May 28, 2009

 

John (Jack) Ainsworth

Deputy Director Coastal Commission

South Coast District Office

200 Ocean Gate, Suite 1000

Long Beach, CA 90802-4302

 

RE: Proposed Alcohol Activities on Hermosa Beach

 

Dear Mr. Ainsworth,

 

Thank you for responding so quickly and efficiently regarding other issues related to illegal activity on our beaches I have raised in the past. I am hopeful the following issues in Hermosa Beach will be addressed in the same manner.

 

At the May 26th City Council meeting in Hermosa Beach two measures were raised on whether or not to allow alcoholic beverages on the beach during the upcoming summer concert series and whether or not to continue to provide tacit city approval of the illegal Iron Man Competition.

 

Myself, and many other residents feel there are enough problems with illegal and disruptive alcohol use in Hermosa Beach as it is and approving such measures will only add to the city and county liability, public nuisance, trash, drunk and disorderly behavior, increased costs to the city and other issues alcohol on the beach brings.

 

I am hopeful you will consider these as serious issues as we do and investigate why city officials, parks & recreation, the local paper and the police are opting to wink and nod at the flagrant abuses of alcohol on our public beach. I am happy to provide referrals to others who hold my same viewpoint and documentation to prove this as fact.

 

It appears there is an implied contract between the City of Hermosa Beach and the illegal Iron Man Competition to allow drinking alcohol on the beach, AND exclusive use of the beach by the illegal Iron Man Competition.  

 

If the Iron Man event is to continue then there should be provisions made for the organizers to go through the city permit approval process, to provide a medical tent and portable restrooms, security fencing around the parameter, insurance that is separate from the city, and security provided by the organizers – not police oversight as is currently the case.

 

This only opens up the county and the city to liability which is unneeded right now especially in light of the pending McPherson Oil lawsuit.

 

It is our sincere desire as residents of Hermosa Beach that we continue to keep our beaches alcohol free and safe for all to enjoy. I appreciate your help with this issue as it deeply affects our community’s future safety and well being for years to come.

 

It’s time Hermosa Beach is recognized for our flourishing business and residential community, beautiful beaches, surfers, amazing entrepreneurs, wonderful non-profits, quality schools and a receptive, fiscally responsible City Government -- not as a party town to come get wasted as it has been marketed for way too long.

 

We look forward to hearing your response to this letter.

 

Best Regards,

 

 

Joy A. Kennelly

2nd Generation Native and Current Resident of

Hermosa Beach

 

CC:     Teresa Henry, District Manager Coastal Commission

            Chuck Posner, Coastal Planner Coastal Commission

            Santo H. Kreimann, Deputy Director of Department of Beaches and Harbors

            Hermosa Beach City Council, et al

            Michael Jenkins, Hermosa Beach City Attorney

            Steve Burrell, Hermosa Beach City Manager

            Greg Savelli, Hermosa Beach Police Chief

            David Lantzer, Hermosa Beach Fire Chief

           




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