Word from the Ward captain
Dear ER:
Several months ago I wrote on behalf of all the South Bay Precinct Captains for Senator Barack Obama. At that time I asked all of us to stay active and involved. I look forward to seeing you all at the polls in November. Well, November is almost here. Some of you are already voting.
We again thank residents of Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Torrance, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and other surrounding cities for supporting Senator Obama. I talked with many of you over the past few weeks preceding this election and was again reminded why our South Bay cities are such fantastic places to call home. Many of you visited me at my home or office. We talked about Senator Obama ‘ his new vision for America. For all of you who requested yard signs, hosted events, passed out literature, helped with phone banks or assisted in other ways, we thank you tremendously. Some of us still have a few yard signs and bumper stickers left. I encourage you to signup at www.mitchward.net and request one until there are no more.
Senator Obama’s message of hope, strong respect for our constitution and his call to all of us to help him set a new course and direction for this nation is what we need in this incredible and unique moment in our history.
I also strongly encourage your NO vote on Proposition 8. We should not eliminate Constitutional rights for anyone ‘ do it for someone you know.
Mitch Ward
South Bay Precinct
Captain Obama ‘08
Manhattan Beach

Politicking with phantoms
Dear ER:
Bill Eisen continues to provide more reasons why he must be recalled from the MBUSD Board of Trustees.
In response to over 5,100 Manhattan Beach voters placing his recall on the ballot, Eisen filed a nuisance lawsuit against the LA County Registrar claiming voters were being misled by his being called William rather than Bill. Named in this frivolous suit, our School District was forced to expend scarce funds to have an attorney attend three related court hearings.
Eisen is again using his old trick of hiding behind phantom organizations to falsely suggest the support of many, when the anonymous opinions are really just Eisen’s alone. These organizations all bear Eisen’s personal PO Box addresses, Eisen’s personal phone number, and aren’t even properly registered with the Calif. Fair Political Practices Commission, as is legally required.
This time around Eisen outdid himself with four separate phantom organizations: South Bay Taxpayers Association, South Bay Republican Club, Committee Against Measure BB, and Residents for a Quality City. Don’t believe their mailings to be from anyone but Eisen himself.
Eisen’s fellow Board members courageously set precedent by filing a public order of censure, citing many of Eisen’s misdeeds and inexcusable acts ‘ and that was prior to Eisen’s latest round of misrepresentations.
See for yourself. Check out the facts at: www.RecallBillEisen.com.
Eisen’s performance in elected office is simply below that which is acceptable to our community. Please be sure to vote YES to recall Bill Eisen on Nov. 4.
Gerry O’Connor
Committee to Recall Bill Eisen
Manhattan Beach

Many causes, one goal
Dear ER:
I’m president of MCL Marina Corp., a wholly-owned family business that has operated King Harbor Marina for nearly 40 years. Although our business has contributed to the Save Redondo campaign, supporters of Building a Better Redondo (BBR) fail to acknowledge that we also support almost every community event and charitable cause in Redondo Beach. We are also proud to join other important organizations, including our police officers, firefighters and teachers associations, in opposition of Measure DD as being very bad for our community.
Of great concern is that DD exempts building more affordable housing projects (i.e. dense apts/condos), and will encourage desired projects to be developed in our neighboring cities not requiring citywide votes. Consequently, if approved, DD will produce more traffic yet no economic benefits to our city. Lastly, DD will ensure that the AES Plant will be re-powered, and possibly expanded, as permitted by the current industrial zoning, and, ironically kill BBR’s regional park plan.
Be wary of placating BBR leaders Jim Light and Bill Brand (two dissident City Council candidates rejected by voters in 2007) as they are trying to force their radicalism upon us by using the initiative process to impose their own personal agenda. As with the majority of our citizens, we support the public review process and frankly find the tactics being used by proponents of DD to be deceptive and deplorable. I encourage voters to visit www.SaveRedondo.com and Vote NO on Measure DD.
Maryann Guthrie
MCL Marina Corp.
Redondo Beach

Pro DD, anti EE
Dear ER:
Some praise to Bob Pinzler for his column last week (Vote, then let council decide city’s direction, ER Oct. 23). He hits home runs on two important points, yet drops the ball on a third. But as the song goes, two out of three ain’t bad.
Pinzler states that positive net revenue for cities from housing developments only occur in the first year, when fees and other payments from developers are required. Pinzler goes on to say that in following years, the increased city expenses (police, fire, etc.) for new housing are never covered by increased property taxes.
Right on, Bob. Too bad since you left RB City Council, others seems to have forgotten this point. True, new housing is sometimes needed; but at what cost and density? Particularly as Redondo continues to lose current or future commercial tax-base when councils rezone these parcels to residential and mixed-use.
Pinzler also rightfully calls the city’s initiative, Measure EE, a cynical jab at the initiative process. Why? Because in response to the real risk of losing more commercial property to condo zoning, or public school property to residential/mixed-use zoning, council chose to protect neither in their toothless Measure EE, yet have the gall to say they are protecting our quality of life. That’s like telling a guy in a sinking boat out in the ocean, don’t worry if you make it back to land, we earthquake-proofed your house.
However, Pinzler missed his chance at a trifecta when he fell back on the Save Redondo and Measure EE tactic of claiming that passing DD will have financial ramifications, but he offers no evidence. So he punts and says to vote NO on both, while admonishing us to elect better officials instead.
Well, Measure DD is not perfect, but public initiative is democracy, too. Perhaps if new Redondo councils would stop acting like old Redondo councils on land use (like the 2007 upzoning decision East of Catalina) maybe Measure DD would not have garnered 6,000+ signatures to make it onto the ballot Nov. 4. Maybe if our city officials would show more leadership, residents would not have to fill the vacuum themselves. Until then, Vote YES on DD; NO on EE.
Don Vangeloff
Redondo Beach

School revitalization a must
Dear ER:
As one of the few people in town who spent 48 years on the Mira Costa campus in many capacities, I am writing to say it’s time for us to rebuild and renovate Manhattan Beach’s only high school. Measure BB will do just that, and I am urging you support it on Nov. 4.
Our community built Mira Costa out of a sense of responsibility to the future and pride in our youth. Walking on that campus once filled all of us with a sense of purpose and a bright future. Look at today\’s Mira Costa campus, and you see a tarnished jewel, incompatible with the community it represents. No one should have to teach, or learn, in buildings with outdated wiring and plumbing and unreliable systems. Our students and teachers continue to amaze us with their outstanding achievement and service. But they do it in a facility that is deteriorating around them. How will we continue to attract the best and brightest teachers, and keep the best and brightest students, under these dilapidated conditions?
Measure BB will also pay off the old construction debt, strengthening the District budget considerably. Measure BB will protect important educational programs and help the District pay competitive salaries. Vote yes on Measure BB to restore Mira Costa’s campus. Let’s insure our legacy of greatness for the next 60 years.
Bill Cooper
Manhattan Beach

BB booster blaster
Dear ER:
David Wachtfogel tells us the old school board is gone (Confidence to move forward, ER Oct. 9), though he was its staunchest supporter while it unfortunately existed. The unethical superintendant, so earlier beloved of him, is also gone, he informs us. The scheming businesses he then assured us were honorable no longer exist. Beaming, he tells us the inability to face fiscal reality, which at the time he was busting out all over to laud as otherwise, has likewise vanished. Now Wachtfogel is breathlessly sprinting to tell us the new board, businesses, superintendant, and fiscal reality are immensely endearing to him, and this time, doggone it, it’ll work by golly!
How many strikes does this guy get before he’s out?
Abel Goldberg
Manhattan Beach

Bond pro pro bond
Dear ER:
The financial markets are currently going through a turbulent time. In my career as a municipal bond professional, I have never experienced this type of volatility. Nevertheless, I am confident that municipal bonds provide a beneficial means of financing school facilities. I unequivocally support Measure BB - Manhattan Beach Unified School District’s $67 million bond issue.
Voters should know three things about Measure BB. First, Measure BB is structured to extend the current tax rate from 2026 to 2038. Measure BB bond payments will not start until MBUSD’s existing bond obligations are satisfied. Instead of being satisfied in 2026, Measure BB will extend the current rate until approximately 2038.
Second, the rate of taxation depends on the total assessed property value in Manhattan Beach. Assessed value is different than market value. Incredibly, 47 percent of Manhattan Beach homes have an assessed value of less than $500,000. Even in a challenging real estate market, when these homes sell, they will be reassessed at a much higher value. The future growth in assessed value enables the current tax rate to be maintained through 2038.
Finally, Measure BB is an investment in our most important asset ‘ our community. We need to continue to invest in our community and build a stronger foundation for our future. We have high expectations for MBUSD and it needs the tools to succeed. Measure BB makes financial sense. Vote Yes on Measure BB.
Gene Lee
Manhattan Beach

City treasurer offers
to guard BB coffers
Dear ER:
The Manhattan Beach Unified School District recently took the unusual step of appointing a 13-member Oversight Committee for the proposed Measure BB on the November ballot. MBUSD was not required to make this appointment until 60 days after a successful election, but the District wanted residents to have confidence in the qualifications of the board.
I volunteered for the board because I want Measure BB to succeed, and I know that careful, consistent involvement by experienced residents will be critical to the project’s positive outcome. The Measure BB Oversight Committee is empowered by strongly worded language in Proposition 39, giving the Committee access to all records, bids, and audits, as well as the ability to conduct independent audits.
Measure BB’s Oversight Board includes members of the community with diverse and relevant experience and perspectives. In my 24 years of public service in Manhattan Beach, I have come to value opportunities like this to bring dedicated residents together to work on projects of high value. The future of Mira Costa High School, and the financial stability of the District, are of the highest value to all of us. The Measure BB Oversight Board will hold the District accountable to the entire Manhattan Beach Community. I hope you join me in voting YES on Measure BB.
Tim Lilligren
City Treasurer
Manhattan Beach