Ellection 2008: Letters to the Editor

I've lived in Torrance for over twenty years and this is one of the most exciting city council races I have seen. I am confused by a few things though that hopefully the Daily Breeze can look into.

Although Susan Rhilinger is the only woman running, she hasn't been endorsed by the Torrance Police or Torrance Fire Associations...isn't that odd? Also, I received her flyer in the mail today and if she claims that she's a public servant, not a politician then why is she running for political office? There's plenty of ways she can serve the community.

Gavin Wasserman hasn't really done anything for Torrance other than join organizations and pander to the Asian-American community which frankly is insulting.(George Nakano had substance, G. Wasserman has three flyers that have gone out all over Torrance claiming he's a Republican then a Democrat and then Asian....none of which are evident upon meeting him)

Mike Mauno should learn to check his facts before opening his mouth, maybe that's why he wasn't re-elected.

Tim Goodrich needs to invest a little bit more in the Torrance Community before trying to take on something as large the Torrance City Council. I respect the fact that he's a veteran but this is a local race, not a federal race and the War in Iraq should not be an issue (although clearly based on the size of his mailer that he sent out, Tim is still using it as a cover that he has no public service experience at all, not even from previous residences)

These are just my opinions, things I've observed from the literature I've received, forums I've attended and articles I've read. The only serious candidates I've heard from have been Cliff Numark and Pat Fury. Let's hope Torrance gets it right!

Was the incorrect spelling of "election" intentional?(Ellection 2008)

Daily Breeze has made no endorsement of Hermosa's Measure E. But we will vote NO on E after noting all the despicable things the Professor Lance Widman run Hermosa School Board and their Jim Caldwell proponent have done.

All the stealing of the No on E political signs.(how many grade school children have been taught that it's OK to steal a political sign?) Using grade school children to wear YesOnE buttons in school and then polluting young children's minds with hatred toward those exercising their United States Constitutional right to disagree with their position and Gestapo methods.

Having State Assemblyman Ted Lieu appear in a political rally and doing this on city school grounds.(Should not Ted Lieu be spending his time returning Hermosa money from Sacramento and representing all Hermosans and staying out of local city politics? What in God's name is wrong with State Assemblyman Ted Lieu.)

And then the Yes on E bunch has been Intimidating and harassing Hermosa business owners wanting to display a No on E sign. And telling older-seniors they will be exempt from tax when many are not.

And then this bunch went and designed a tax that charges those living in tiny older homes as much or more than the big commercial properties and bars will pay, and then not even taxing many multi-millionaires at all.

Hermosa Beach residents and seniors will send this despicable bunch a strong message that their methods are illegal, and disgusting. Their methods have been of those used by 3rd world dictatorships.

We will Vote No on E. All good people will vote No on E and save $1,400 in first 5 years,$2,000 the next 5 years when they reinstate the tax, and $3,000-$5,000 the third 5 years. This tax isn't going away unless you get to the polls and Vote No on E Tuesday. Be sure to vote.

The first canadate that opens their eyes and becomes aware that this is 2008, we are in a new error, things have changed. If this city needs more funds someone must start thinking about the "baby boomers" and what they offer this city. Open the closed gates and invite in this richest generatiion in history. Torrance must become RV Friendly. The first person running that thinks in this day and age, not 1980 will get my vote and my families.

The Hermosa School district doesn't have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem. The request by the District for more monies continues: recent request to parents for a suggested donation of $750 per child attending District's schools and last week mailer by the Hermosa Beach Educational Foundation requesting money. A "NO" vote will send the School Board Members the right message: "You need to operate on a strict budget".

Abraham Levine is the equivalent of opening a microwave popcorn store in Torrance. It would be a bunch of hot air and the product of over-development.

When able to run for reappoint Furey Quit
When able to complete a Commission Appointment
Hachiya Wasserman Quit in the Middle.
Cliff and Kurt do not Quit they only want to serve!
Make your vote Count. Vote for Only Two
Thats like giving them extra Votes
We all know Hachiya Wasserman is up to the Nakano and Lieu vote once business. And Furey thinks he is better then all of the elected officials of Torrance from the Top on Down.
If you have to waster your votes Vote Deemer and Pyles
Proud to be an American like John McCain

Probably Court of Appeals for your local assembly person.
Its in the Works
I expect the Governor has agreed already
Tired to be a Democrat or a Republican
Vote Peace and Freedom!

Ted Kennedy might be near death, but Howard Jarvis is dead alreasdy. Vote No on 98, Lee Markle.

The letters that were posted to the editorial column are a bit odd.
There's the guy who lives in Redondo Beach and attends Torrance forums and tries to get the Torrance people "in trouble" with the voters. You don't live here, so perhaps, they were busy responding to those that do live and vote here. It was really super that the 6 did respond to you.
The one about Susan Rhilinger is also a bit off mark. She is endorsed by many policemen current and retired. What she ISN'T is that she ISN'T endorsed by the UNION. Don't people understand what a UNION endorsement is and means? The Torrance Police retirees support her -- those were the actual cops. Not the unions. Cops are the ones who go out there and stand up for all of us each day. Unions are the ones who choke the cops for more money and try to get frivilous lawsuits filed. For the person who has lived here 20 years, and possibly longer on this earth, please understand what the difference is. A dictionary might be able to tell you.
There is a whole slew of super qualified people out there running for the 4 seats. If you take the time to call them and learn the basics, attend a commission or city council meeting or two, you'd probably get it.
Best of luck at the polls!

What’s Missing?

As I reviewed the candidates statements I couldn’t help thinking there is something missing. Several mentioned how they have always support the youth activities and schools. But I wonder how many have supported these same folks as grown up adults. Those kids grew up and bought their boats and other toys, but were told by those people that once supported their sports and outdoor activities they have no parking spaces within this city. They must pay for permits to bring them to their homes.
What happened to all that support?

What happened to all those girl scout and boy scouts that were supported all through those years by those who are now candidates, and told about nature and the great outdoors? What? That all stops when you become an adult, forget it all when you grow up. As an adult you are not to have fun and enjoy the new century. Not in this city!
What happened to that training and support?

All the candidates ask for the vote of the retired residents and just recently those retired neighbors were told their most treasured retirement joy, their RV‘s, were no longer allowed to park within this city and further more there are no parking areas within this city available. If you need to load them you must pay for a permit.
What happened to all that support for the retired citizens of this city?

Sure the council is OK’ing building more and more senior communities for the assisted living but what happened to the support for the twenty to thirty years in between retirement and assisted living? There are hundreds of people in Torrance between 55 and 80 who are not getting support…..BUT are being force to go outside of Torrance to enjoy their retirement. This is a travesty and a disgrace to those that have raise families in this once family oriented community.
What happened to the “family friendly� city?

One candidate mentioned how the malls are suffering due to lack of customers due to the price of gas. The customers stopped shopping long ago.
What happened to the customers? They all live outside of Torrance, yes they work here but watch them as they head East at quitting time with the money. Build new business that attract customers, the RV industry would invite thousands to this city every day of the week, night and day. Build RV resorts that would keep customer in this city. Start thinking about the retiring baby boomers. Invite in this rich generation. Millions of dollars would flow into this floundering dead locked city.
What happen to the support our council is to provide to the citizens?

One candidate stated we don’t want to become an extension of LA.
With this mayor and city council we are becoming LA every day!

What happened to the “family friendly� mayor and council?
What happened to the RV friendly signs at the city borders?
What happened to thinking the next generation?

What’s missing?…….A new generation of thinkers!

What’s Missing?

As I reviewed the candidates statements I couldn’t help thinking there is something missing. Several mentioned how they have always support the youth activities and schools. But I wonder how many have supported these same folks as grown up adults. Those kids grew up and bought their boats and other toys, but were told by those people that once supported their sports and outdoor activities they have no parking spaces within this city. They must pay for permits to bring them to their homes.
What happened to all that support?

What happened to all those girl scout and boy scouts that were supported all through those years by those who are now candidates, and told about nature and the great outdoors? What? That all stops when you become an adult, forget it all when you grow up. As an adult you are not to have fun and enjoy the new century. Not in this city!
What happened to that training and support?

All the candidates ask for the vote of the retired residents and just recently those retired neighbors were told their most treasured retirement joy, their RV‘s, were no longer allowed to park within this city and further more there are no parking areas within this city available. If you need to load them you must pay for a permit.
What happened to all that support for the retired citizens of this city?

Sure the council is OK’ing building more and more senior communities for the assisted living but what happened to the support for the twenty to thirty years in between retirement and assisted living? There are hundreds of people in Torrance between 55 and 80 who are not getting support…..BUT are being force to go outside of Torrance to enjoy their retirement. This is a travesty and a disgrace to those that have raise families in this once family oriented community.
What happened to the “family friendly” city?

One candidate mentioned how the malls are suffering due to lack of customers due to the price of gas. The customers stopped shopping long ago.
What happened to the customers? They all live outside of Torrance, yes they work here but watch them as they head East at quitting time with the money. Build new business that attract customers, the RV industry would invite thousands to this city every day of the week, night and day. Build RV resorts that would keep customer in this city. Start thinking about the retiring baby boomers. Invite in this rich generation. Millions of dollars would flow into this floundering dead locked city.
What happen to the support our council is to provide to the citizens?

One candidate stated we don’t want to become an extension of LA.
With this mayor and city council we are becoming LA every day!

What happened to the “family friendly” mayor and council?
What happened to the RV friendly signs at the city borders?
What happened to thinking the next generation?

What’s missing?…….A new generation of thinkers!

No On E Hermosans wrote:

Daily Breeze has made no endorsement of Hermosa's Measure E. But we will vote NO on E after noting all the despicable things the Professor Lance Widman run Hermosa School Board and their Jim Caldwell proponent have done.
All the stealing of the No on E political signs.(how many grade school children have been taught that it's OK to steal a political sign?) Using grade school children to wear YesOnE buttons in school and then polluting young children's minds with hatred toward those exercising their United States Constitutional right to disagree with their position and Gestapo methods.
Having State Assemblyman Ted Lieu appear in a political rally and doing this on city school grounds.(Should not Ted Lieu be spending his time returning Hermosa money from Sacramento and representing all Hermosans and staying out of local city politics? What in God's name is wrong with State Assemblyman Ted Lieu.)
And then the Yes on E bunch has been Intimidating and harassing Hermosa business owners wanting to display a No on E sign. And telling older-seniors they will be exempt from tax when many are not.
And then this bunch went and designed a tax that charges those living in tiny older homes as much or more than the big commercial properties and bars will pay, and then not even taxing many multi-millionaires at all.
Hermosa Beach residents and seniors will send this despicable bunch a strong message that their methods are illegal, and disgusting. Their methods have been of those used by 3rd world dictatorships.
We will Vote No on E. All good people will vote No on E and save $1,400 in first 5 years,$2,000 the next 5 years when they reinstate the tax, and $3,000-$5,000 the third 5 years. This tax isn't going away unless you get to the polls and Vote No on E Tuesday. Be sure to vote.

Unfortunately the people of Hermosa Beach have not had enough time to forgive the past mistakes of the schoolboard. They also chose a horrible representative in Jim Caldwell. Sometime they will learn to find a representative that can bring the two sides together. They knew before going into this fight what the chances were of this measure passing. Yet again they didn't want to wait. I saw how out of control the Yes of E people had become.
You all brought this on yourself. Now we will have to hear the complaining again. Learn from your mistakes.

Wake up people. Sometimes you just have to wait for things.

Hoo-Rah for Hermosa. NO MORE TAXES! When Obama becomes President(I will not vote for him, but I think it may be inevitable)you will see your taxes go thru the ceiling. He and Pelosi will have their greedy Democratic hands in your pockets. I'm glad I am retiring early.

Esther Park wrote:

I've lived in Torrance for over twenty years and this is one of the most exciting city council races I have seen. I am confused by a few things though that hopefully the Daily Breeze can look into.
Although Susan Rhilinger is the only woman running, she hasn't been endorsed by the Torrance Police or Torrance Fire Associations...isn't that odd? Also, I received her flyer in the mail today and if she claims that she's a public servant, not a politician then why is she running for political office? There's plenty of ways she can serve the community.
Gavin Wasserman hasn't really done anything for Torrance other than join organizations and pander to the Asian-American community which frankly is insulting.(George Nakano had substance, G. Wasserman has three flyers that have gone out all over Torrance claiming he's a Republican then a Democrat and then Asian....none of which are evident upon meeting him)
Mike Mauno should learn to check his facts before opening his mouth, maybe that's why he wasn't re-elected.
Tim Goodrich needs to invest a little bit more in the Torrance Community before trying to take on something as large the Torrance City Council. I respect the fact that he's a veteran but this is a local race, not a federal race and the War in Iraq should not be an issue (although clearly based on the size of his mailer that he sent out, Tim is still using it as a cover that he has no public service experience at all, not even from previous residences)
These are just my opinions, things I've observed from the literature I've received, forums I've attended and articles I've read. The only serious candidates I've heard from have been Cliff Numark and Pat Fury. Let's hope Torrance gets it right!

Even though your name shows Redondo Beach, because you got a flyer from the candidates I must presume you have some presence in Torrance. That goes to show you can't believe everything you read. As for Susan Rhilinger, first, she does have the endorsement of the Torrance Police Officers Retiree association. As for the other two unions you mention, not being a politician that would allow herself to be swayed by their support and telling them that may have had something to do with it. She has continued to serve the community after her 32 years of law enforcement, she is a member of the Airport Commission and one of the few who oppose selling jet fuel there.