MB WEEKLY EXCLUSIVE COMMENTARY:
by Name Withheld by Request
The author is a prominent and veteran developer in Manhattan Beach and, due to concerns about retribution, requested that their name be withheld.
As a developer who has built projects ranging from modest $500,000 remodels to major $148-million commercial ventures, I’ve worked across numerous cities throughout California. Unfortunately, none have been as challenging – or as mired in bureaucracy – as Manhattan Beach. After completing several homes in Manhattan Beach, one reality has become painfully clear: with little accountability and limited oversight within City Hall, builders and homeowners are left at the mercy of whichever planner or inspector happens to be assigned to their project. The experience is not just frustrating – it is costly, unpredictable, and discouraging for anyone trying to improve or invest in the community. Anyone attempting to build or remodel in Manhattan Beach quickly encounters the same issues:
- Chronic delays, unless you pay extra. City staff are perpetually overloaded, and applicants are routinely encouraged to hire a third-party reviewer to “expedite” the process. This adds significant cost, yet offers no guarantee of faster approval.
- A culture of fear-based decision-making. Many staff members seem hesitant to make clear decisions or issue approvals. Whether due to inexperience or fear of being blamed later, the attitude of “better not be the one who signs off” is widespread – and it stalls projects unnecessarily.
- Inconsistent interpretation of rules. With complex regulations and building codes, you might receive three different answers to the same question depending on which staff member you ask. Navigating the city’s internal politics often becomes as difficult as managing the construction itself.
- Unspoken political sensitivities. Some issues are treated like “hot potatoes” – staff won’t openly explain the concern, but applicants are expected to somehow decipher the hidden politics behind closed doors.
- Questionable contractor favoritism. Too often, homeowners hear suggestions to hire specific local contractors – individuals with established relationships inside the department – rather than the licensed contractor they’ve already chosen. This raises serious questions: Why is a qualified contractor being ignored? Why should a homeowner feel pressured to switch to someone the city is more comfortable with?
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Big Apple Ball Drops Early In MB – Kiwanis Hosts NYC-Style New Year’s Eve Bash:
Manhattan Beach will ring in 2026 on East Coast time as the Kiwanis Club hosts a special New Year’s Eve fundraiser from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at 920 Highland Avenue. The celebration will feature an open bar, festive atmosphere, and a champagne toast at 9 p.m. PST, coinciding with New York City’s midnight countdown. Proceeds support the beloved Kiwanis Santa Sleigh and the Manhattan Beach Kiwanis Children’s Charitable Fund. Doors open at 6:30, and guests must exit by 10:30.
www.MBKiwanis.org
Busted – Pasha Smash-And-Grab Crew Finally Nailed:
In a dramatic finish to one of Manhattan Beach’s most brazen crimes, the final suspect in the 2022 Pasha Fine Jewelry smash-and-grab has surrendered – shutting the lid on a three-year search that had city residents demanding answers. City officials announced that all four adult men tied to the June 24, 2022, heist have now been formally charged, marking a significant victory for investigators who refused to let the case go cold. Mayor David Lesser applauded the development, calling it evidence of the city’s zero-tolerance stance on criminals targeting local businesses. “These arrests demonstrate our commitment to bringing those who commit crimes in Manhattan Beach to justice,” said Lesser. “Our residents and business owners can be assured that our police department will pursue every lead and exhaust every resource to keep our community safe.” The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed charges earlier this year and issued warrants for the entire crew. But one fugitive kept slipping through the cracks – until mounting pressure and meticulous detective work finally pushed him to surrender. Investigators say the breakthrough came thanks to the lead detective’s relentless follow-through, detailed evidence work, and coordination with prosecutors. Throughout the probe, MBPD worked hand in hand with county and regional partners, gathering evidence and building the case.
Mercado:
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or craving a handcrafted margarita for happy hour, we invite you to join us at Mercado. With an extensive list of tequilas and mezcals to choose from, along with weekend brunch and private event dining…the table is set for you!
3212A N. Sepulveda Boulevard … in Manhattan Village | (310) 545-0388
www.CocinasYCalaveras.com
Hot Date, Deadly Fate – Speeding Romeo Hits 106 Mph, Kills One – Then Runs:
A man trying to impress a date by blasting music and tearing down Sepulveda Boulevard at more than 100 mph caused a fatal crash – then bolted from the scene, authorities said. Kameron Lee Peterson, 33, slammed into a car making a left turn, killing one of its three occupants, according to testimony at a Nov. 4 preliminary hearing in Torrance Superior Court. Judge Thomas R. Sokolov ordered Peterson to stand trial on second-degree murder, hit-and-run causing death, and reckless driving with injuries.
MB WEEKLY EXCLUSIVE VIDEO:
An exclusive MB Weekly video of Bliss Nail Lounge in Manhattan Beach. https://blissmb.favesalon.com • (424) 293-1808
Click Link To Watch:
https://youtu.be/pjpY8Zshz0A
Dive N’ Surf:
Feasting on deals all week long. Enjoy 20% OFF the whole store from 11/21–11/27! Perfect time to grab gifts, gear, and goodies before the holidays. Exclusions apply.
504 N Broadway, Redondo Beach | (310) 372-8423
www.DiveNSurf.com
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Bob Holmes (Manhattan Beach Former Mayor)
There is the old wisecrack about spending money like a drunken sailor on shore leave. When referring to government, that wisecrack is usually followed by “Yes, but drunken sailors only spend their own money.” In my mind, one of the very key responsibilities of a Councilmember is fiscal responsibility. Yes, it is fun to spend money and the recipients of the largesse appreciate it, but we have significant expenditures to worry about and those do not include more expensive plaques, monuments, and artwork. What are we going to do to replace the lost parking from the forced demolition of parking Lot 3? How are we going to pay for the purchase of the former U.S. Bank building downtown (an expenditure I solidly support). How are we going to deal with the rising costs for PERS (Public Employee Retirement System)? Overall our city has excellent city employees but we are overstaffed. Public safety and fiscal responsibilities are the bedrock of a good city government. Remember that at the next Council election.
Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
Saint & Second in Manhattan Village:
GIVE THE GIFT OF Saint & Second
Purchase $100 in gift cards and receive a $25 Bonus Card.
3160 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite S100 … Manhattan Village | (310) 759-3160
www.SaintAndSecond.com
WHAT DOES THE CAPTURE OF THE PASHA SUSPECTS MEAN TO THE MANHATTAN BEACH COMMUNITY?
** Mark Burton (Former Mayor of Manhattan Beach): I am so tired of our City Council and Police Chief not recognizing that we need foot beat patrols in Downtown MB. As our community’s crown jewel, it should be a priority, a top priority. To that end, these arrests are important and we should thank the owner of Pasha Jewelry who was instrumental in the arrests.
** Bob Holmes (Former Mayor of Manhattan Beach): We cannot have a police officer in front of every house and every business. We can’t even have a police officer on every block. However, we have good officers who patrol as necessary and appropriate based on a variety of factors. A key thing to crime prevention which is often overlooked is having an excellent adequately staffed detective bureau. Most criminals are smart enough to figure out patrol patterns. When word gets out on the street that our detectives will catch you, that is a much better deterrent than having a downtown foot patrol for window dressing.
Estell Boutique:
Discover what’s chic, cozy, and irresistibly festive this holiday season at one of Manhattan Beach’s most beloved boutiques. Please bring your friends and join us for a celebration of fashion, friendship, and holiday joy!
912-A Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach | (310) 985-7717
www.EstellBoutiques.com
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
A decadent chocolate cake at SLAY Italian Kitchen.
MB WEEKLY – READER COMMENT:
by Patricia Blakemore (President, Neptunian Woman’s Club, Manhattan Beach)
On behalf of the Neptunian’s Women’s Club, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to MB Weekly for the generous sponsorship of our fundraiser on September 30th. Your support has made a profound impact, enabling us to provide meaningful financial assistance to deserving seniors pursuing higher education. These funds will empower students who demonstrate financial need, helping them take bold steps toward their dreams. It was more than just a sponsorship; it’s a testament to your commitment to our community and the next generation. Working with you is truly an honor. Your heart for giving back inspires us all.
WHO IS THE “PERSON OF THE YEAR – 2025”:
Find out in MB Weekly on Thursday, December 18th at 9 am.
MBPD Week Erupts With 944 Calls, Catalytic Crooks & A Midday Home Heist:
The Manhattan Beach Police Department logged a whirlwind week between November 6 and 12, responding to 944 calls for service, taking 44 reports, making 15 arrests, and handling 15 traffic collisions. Reported crimes included four thefts, four residential burglaries, three auto thefts, five vehicle break-ins, two vandalism cases, and one assault. One vandal learned the hard way that crime doesn’t always pay – especially in a bathroom. On November 6, officers arrived on the 700 block of Rosecrans Avenue to find a suspect locked inside a restroom after allegedly tagging the walls. He was arrested without further incident. That same day, a daytime home burglary on the 800 block of 11th Street saw two suspects shatter a sliding glass door and flee with cash and handbags. On November 7, MBPD detectives at Manhattan Village Mall caught three catalytic converter thieves in the act and hauled them off to jail. Rounding out the week, a construction-site burglary on November 11 resulted in the theft of a water heater.
The Butchery:
We don’t just sell food, we curate an experience of excellence.
1121 Artesia Blvd. | (310) 374-3671
www.ButcheryMeats.com
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
The Manhattan Beach pig spotted out!
Former MB Mayor Mark Burton Dives Into Pool Wars – And Makes A Splash:
Former Manhattan Beach Mayor Mark Burton is wading back into city politics – and he’s not tiptoeing. In a sharply worded statement this week, Burton applauded the MBUSD School Board for approving a new 50-meter pool at Mira Costa High School, calling it “the right size in the right place,” and urging City Hall to finally abandon what he blasted as “inane” pool fantasies. Burton took direct aim at two long-debated ideas: a massive 50-meter pool at Polliwog Park and a new city-run pool beside the Bay Club. Both, he said, would bleed taxpayer dollars. With residents already able to swim at the South Bay Aquatics Center, Mira Costa, and Begg Pool, Burton argued there’s simply “no need” for another costly facility. If the city insists on more aquatic dreams, Burton said, the only sensible route is a cost-sharing partnership with Redondo Beach at Aviation Park. Otherwise, he urged the council to pursue revenue-generating uses for the Bay Club-adjacent land – including a first-class hotel. Ending the Bay Club pool plan, he said, would be “fiscally prudent and common sense.”
MB WEEKLY – HISTORY:
Manhattan Beach in the 1950s.
KW Luxury International:
Patricia Blakemore Broker Associate | (310) 544-6100
www.PBlakemore.KW.com
MB Council Finally Serves Up Outdoor Dining Plan:
After more than two years of debate, rewrites, and diner-level patience, the Manhattan Beach City Council unanimously approved a stripped-down outdoor dining program. The new ordinance creates a simple, no-frills framework that lets restaurants expand seating outside without building new infrastructure. It also codifies long-awaited rules and enforcement measures to address noise, crowding, and curb-chaos complaints that flared during the pandemic’s makeshift dining boom. The calm approval contrasted sharply with the fierce battles that erupted in 2021, when the city began designing a permanent program to replace COVID-era dining decks.
BELLA BUILDERS:
A Local Residential Builder
ADU’s and New Homes
Manhattan Beach and The Palisades
Full Service From Concept To Completion
www.BeautifulBuilder.com | www.FirewiseHomes.com
Vinny@beautifulbuilder.com | 310 809 4999
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1. ** SUCCESSFUL KINDNESS DAY AT COSTA! A huge thank you to all the clubs who participated in and helped organize Kindness Day at Costa. And a special shoutout to Mrs. Janet Allen for leading the effort. It was a great day for our school community. —- MBUSD
2. ** I am still fuming. At my son’s 50th birthday, his wife got drunk and went around loudly calling his daughter “stupid” for not attending. Completely unacceptable. I bit my tongue to avoid ruining the night, but her behavior was disgraceful, hurtful, and utterly out of line. —- F.R., Hermosa Beach
3. ** Are you ready to make a lasting impact in Redondo Beach? Leadership Redondo is now accepting applications! Since 2000, this dynamic program has empowered civic, business, and community leaders with access, relationships, and tools to strengthen our city. Join the 2025 class and help shape Redondo’s future. Questions? Contact Mara@redondochamber.org or 310-376-6911 ext.24.
4. ** The Hermosa Beach Museum is set to expand after a unanimous City Council vote approving its 10-year lease at the Community Center. Councilmember Raymond Jackson called it “a gem in the heart of our community.” Director Jamie Erickson says the new space will be nothing short of “life-changing.” —- Editor’s Note
5. ** California company now selling flying cars. And you don’t need a pilot’s license to fly the thing. It’s California’s answer to Canada’s assisted suicide law. —- Hank Z.
6. ** Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) is real, and it is very disconcerting. Disturbingly, it is hate at its core. Not surprisingly, those with TDS are blinded to anything positive our President might be doing. And that is a very sad state of mind. —- Mark Burton, Manhattan Beach
7. ** California is staring at an $18 billion budget hole, reserves wiped out, and leadership still pretending everything is fine. When the money’s gone, the choices are brutal: slash services or jack up taxes. Either way, we all pay the price. Stellar work, Governor – sounds like you are ready for a promotion —- Noah T.
8. ** We’re witnessing a surge in antisemitism not seen since Hitler’s era. As a former college professor, it pains me to say, most alarming: it’s erupting on university campuses once thought immune to such ancient hatred. Many have become hotbeds of Marxist ideology – preaching resentment, eroding family values, and pushing for ever-greater government control. —- Dr. Thomas Ross, Redondo Beach
9. ** The additional expenditure on Bruce’s Beach is NOT needed. —- Major Avignon, Resident since 1970
10. ** Paul Wafer always provides an excellent, professional analysis of performance. After all, that’s what he did for hospitals throughout the United States for over 20 years. —- Mark Burton, Manhattan Beach
11. ** MB WEEKLY – PERSON OF THE YEAR: I nominate Russ Lesser. —- Major Avignon
12. ** Kudos to Tim and Rick at Ocean Diner. Always good food, great atmosphere, and fair prices. Staff is also outstanding. Thanks. —- Ed M.
13. ** MB WEEKLY – PERSON OF THE YEAR: Definitely Paul Wafer. —- Joe Ferrell
14. ** Not only is Community Development a bloated and inefficient department. But their initial response to homeowners is “No, you can’t do that”. I explained what I wanted to do, and the fellow at the desk said, “NO.” I explained that it was a medical necessity, not a mere desire, and his response was: “There are no medical exceptions.” It took Mark Burton’s intervention with the then-head of the department. To learn that the Federal ADA requires reasonable accommodations. —- Dan Stern, Former Mayor, Manhattan Beach
15. ** As for the $300,000 Bruce’s Beach artwork, as one resident put it, “it sounds like insincere, overcompensation”. We don’t need ugly, oversized art at our beautiful ocean-view park. You don’t need or want anything to block the spectacular view of our beach and ocean. —- Mark Burton, Manhattan Beach
16. ** Del Amo Mall Walkers, Anyone? Just heard on the news that Del Amo Mall ranks among the longest walking malls in America at a whopping 5.01 miles. Impressive! Does anyone know of any walking groups that meet there? Would love to join – or help start – one! —- Ian J.
17. ** I play a drinking game in which I take a drink every time I see a straight white couple in a TV commercial. I now have 39 years of sobriety. —- Roger S.
18. ** The winner of “Johnny One-Note” of the year is Paul Wafer. He somehow turns a story about actual efficiency at the Community Development Department into a demand for new “standards,” “benchmarks,” and accountability. According to his own data, planning issued more than double the number of “discretionary permits” (280 vs. 120) in 2025 compared to 2020, with only 30% more employees in CDD and an 81% increase in permitting expenses. Oh, and wasn’t there more revenue from permits? More than double? Is that worth a mention? Not if your agenda is to tear down the city, facts be damned. Congratulations on your award, Paul. —- Jacob S.
19. ** See that our Congressman, Ted Lieu, just signed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court urging it to allow males to compete in girls’ sports. This follows his votes in the House against bills to restore single-sex sports for girls. Sigh. —- Rodger D.
20. ** HONORING OUR VETERANS – Festive Boats Lighting up King Harbor Redondo Beach – SEE ATTACHED https://kingharborboatparade.org/ —- Tom Lasser
21. ** MB WEEKLY – PERSON OF THE YEAR: Mark Burton —- Emily Piemonte
22. ** I really appreciate your MB Weekly Reader Polls – they’re always sharp, surprising, and packed with insight. Thank you for consistently sharing interesting, meaningful information with our community. Your work keeps Manhattan Beach informed, engaged, and talking. —- Alice M.
23. ** MB WEEKLY – PERSON OF THE YEAR: I nominated Joe Franklin. He loves Manhattan Beach with all his heart; he envisions leadership as service to others, does not seek personal power, and has compassion for the homeless. He strolls Manhattan Beach every early morning and identifies individuals who might need our help. He is just a great guy! —- Lucia La Rosa Ames
24. ** I wonder if Steve Napolitano will ever run for City Council in Manhattan Beach again? —- Randi G.
25. ** These teen hoodlums are vicious and must be stopped! Parents, if your kids are running with these e-bike gangs terrorizing Hermosa Beach, they need to face real consequences. Enough is enough. Our community will not tolerate this chaos. Hold them accountable before someone else gets seriously hurt – or worse. —- Jay G., Hermosa Beach
26. ** I really like the look of the new Saint & Second restaurant in the Manhattan Village. Stylish, warm, and beautifully designed – it feels like a perfect addition to the neighborhood. Can’t wait to stop in, try the menu, and enjoy the atmosphere. A new good spot for our community. —- Les Mazon
27. ** If I hear one more person tell me how BUSY they are, I think I’ll puke. Sometimes the happiest people aren’t doing more – they’re doing less. They’ve mastered addition by subtraction. While the world sprints, they sip coffee on a quiet porch. Busy is a choice. Peace is too. One looks successful. The other truly is. —- Carla H.
28. ** Santa Tracker – Manhattan Beach Santa Sleigh: Manhattan Beach Santa Sleigh: https://www.manhattanbeachsantafloat.com › santa-tracker – Check the Santa Tracker to find out where Santa is on his route! The Santa Tracker will go live around 4:45 pm each night as the float begins its route.
29. ** I hope these scum kids in Hermosa Beach go to jail for a long time. My friend just sent me a video of ebikers savagely beating a 60-year-old man near the pier. It’s incomprehensible and sickening. Please watch and see if you recognize any of them. They even said, “I think he’s dead.” Heartbreaking for our community. —- Darcy L., Hermosa Beach
30. ** Casey Rohrer’s courageous spirit now lives forever in Hermosa Beach. The newly dedicated Casey Rohrer Accessible Playground honors his legacy of inclusion and love. His words say it best: “This playground is great because all kids can play together now.” A beautiful tribute to a young man who inspired an entire community. —- Editor’s Note.
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