MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Paul Wafer
Over the last several weeks, I have been writing about the excessive compensation costs in the City of Manhattan Beach. It is apparent that the city needs a thorough operational review to address the number of employees and the salary ranges of current and future job holders. The retirement of Bruce Moe presented the unique opportunity to look outside the city to find a new City Manager with strong operational experience. Instead, just 10 days before the election of 3 council member positions, the current council decided it best to hire an internal candidate with no operational experience (18 years of planning experience) and who has been an employee for the last 4 years. Not only is this unfair to Ms. Mirzakhanian, who will now have to work with council members who may not have bought in with her in the role, but it is also unfair to the current council candidates who will now have to work with this Ms. Mirzakhanian when they thought they would have some input into the next Manager. This amplifies that the current council does not think anything is wrong with the current situation and is doubling down on it with this hire. Shame on all of them!
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MB WEEKLY – READER POLL:
Leveling Up – 23% Of Households Spend $250-$500 Annually On Video Games
Manhattan Beach residents are embracing the digital gaming craze, with a recent MB Weekly reader poll revealing that 23% of households spend between $250 to $500 annually on video games. From cutting-edge consoles to online subscriptions and in-game purchases, gaming has become a significant entertainment expense for many local families. As more parents, guardians, and kids dive into immersive digital worlds, this trend reflects a growing shift toward interactive entertainment in the community. Industry analysts predict spending will rise as new game releases and virtual reality experiences gain popularity.
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MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Bayley Young
(Hairstylist at Amico Salon)
Q: HOW DID YOU END UP IN MANHATTAN BEACH?
A: I came to Manhattan Beach to fill an assistant position at a hair salon. This was at the start of my hair career and it was my introduction to Manhattan Beach.
Q: WHAT WAS YOUR PATH TO BECOMING A HAIRSTYLIST?
A: When I was young I struggled with substance abuse, I decided I wanted to change my life and went to treatment in San Pedro. It just so happened that they needed barbers there. So what started as a hobby turned into a passion. I got my life back, my family back, and I found what I wanted to do for my career.
Q: WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF YOUR JOB POST-COVID?
A: Getting started was the hardest part. There were so many extra precautions we had to take both in cosmetology school and in the salon. Masks, social distancing, people coming less often, and threats of having to close to name a few.
Q: WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
A: In Santa Barbara, CA.
Q: DO YOU PREFER TO CUT MEN’S OR WOMEN’S HAIR?
A: I currently am enjoying cutting women’s hair more. My roots are in men’s hairstyling so it comes easy now. Women’s hair presents more of a challenge and I like a challenge.
Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?
A: I don’t have a singular favorite but there are three I can always rewatch. No Country for Old Men, the Shining, and Inglorious Bastards.
www.AmicoSalon.com
Manhattan Beach Will Destroy Lot 3 For New Downtown Parking:
Demolition was underway on parking Lot 3, which was shut down due to Safety concerns, and may take more than a month to complete by American Wrecking Inc. “City Council has authorized the demolition of Parking Lot 3, and demolition activities have begun,” the City posted on social media. “Temporary fencing has been installed to close part of 12th Street, north of Lot 3, between Morningside Drive and the western end of the structure.” The City Council authorized the creation of 90 new public parking spaces within downtown, and “directed staff to reinstall the two-hour parking signs (permit exempt) in the Hill Section neighborhood. … both Downtown Resident Permit holders and Lot M permit holders are exempt from the two-hour limit. The signs have been reinstalled in the Downtown Resident Permit Parking Area, and the additional exemptions for Lot M Permit holders will be effective soon,” according to the City. “If you currently hold a Downtown Resident Permit, you must display it again to park beyond the posted two-hour limit.” The Manhattan Beach Farmers Market (@mbfarmersmarket) is temporarily relocating to the Civic Center Upper Parking Lot & Plaza at 320 15th St. Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
A cancer charity fundraiser at Fête in Manhattan Beach.
MB WEEKLY ASKS THE COMMUNITY WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT THE WAGES FOR MANHATTAH BEACH CITY EMPLOYEES:
MB WEEKLY HAS REPORTED SEVERAL TIMES RECENTLY THAT THE CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH PAYS HIGH SALARIES TO ITS STAFF, INCLUDING NINE (9) PEOPLE MAKING OVER $400,000 A YEAR, MORE THAN THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. RESPONSE FROM THE COMMUNITY:
** Simply, I think ridiculous for a town this size and the poor quality of help on anything since covid. We need to tighten purse strings or eliminate some positions —- Kim Riley
** Unacceptable —- Marilyn Alcantar
** I think it’s crazy. For a small city with few issues it’s too much considering the generous retirement benefits. —- Steven Nicholson
** With the highest number of full time employees in our City’s history, making the highest salaries in our City’s history, we now have the highest pension debt in our City’s history. Yes, our pension debt exceeds $80 Million with an annual debt payment of $5.5 million for the next 20 years or so. To make matters worse, the City also has an additional $28 Million in unfunded pension liability. I’ve been in local government most of my life and having a total of $108 Million in pension debt and unfunded pension liability is not sustainable and it could lead to dire financial consequences in the future. It’s time to get lean, to make a concerted effort to find “savings”. —- Mark Burton (Former Mayor of Manhattan Beach)
** To attract to our city those with high talent we must outbid others who recognize this quality. So, the real issue is – Does our city have the hiring talent to accurately recognize the (money saving) skills of new hires? —- Don Spencer
** MB is not alone. Studies show that other local cities pay as high, or higher, than Beverly Hills too. —- Robin Turner
RESPONSE FROM THE CANDIDATES FOR CITY COUNCIL:
** We could do more to align our salaries with the interests of our community. For example, according to the Mayor of El Segundo, 35% of their city manager and planning professional salaries are incentive based. Bonuses are awarded based on meeting goals such as expediting the permitting process and efficiently supporting city objectives. —- Brenda O’Leary
** Let’s be honest. It doesn’t feel right; does it? In this election the voters will decide whether we stay the course or implement change. We have a responsibility to the people of Manhattan Beach to be fiscally responsible, and part of that responsibility includes making difficult decisions around compensation and overtime. We have incredible directors, administrators, chiefs, captains, lieutenants, supervisors, and engineers. We want to retain our great city employees and continue to recruit top talent, but we need to justify and rethink above-market compensation. It starts with reviewing overtime and addressing inefficiencies. The conversation around fiscal responsibility extends beyond compensation. We need to address third party services, feasibility studies, pension liabilities and more. Delaying infrastructure projects become more costly to manage. My promise to you – if elected to City Council, I will always be proactive, transparent and prudent with our finances. Hold me accountable. It’s what you should expect from a hometown leader. —- Joe Marcy
MORE COMMENTARY FROM THE COMMUNITY:
** Regarding the average wages of Manhattan Beach city employees being higher than those of the surrounding cities, does anybody remember years ago when our city council voted to adopt the city manager’s recommendation to rank them at the 75th percentile for salary purposes because their performance was superior? That resulted in an immediate raise of thousands of dollars for each employee and increased the average salary across the board. That certainly contributes to the wage disparity we see today. —- George Reppucci (Manhattan Beach)
** After MB Weekly’s eye-opening salary expose, isn’t it high time we form an impartial task force to uncover potential savings before proposing four separate tax increases to our community? Memo to Council: it’s our money, not yours. We are outraged to learn that we’re shelling out $375,000 annually for a City Manager. This is outrageous and unnecessary! It’s about time the Council takes a step back and scrutinizes expenditures before reaching for our wallets. We demand transparency and responsible fiscal management, not more burdens on hardworking residents. It’s not just about raising taxes; it’s about ensuring every dollar is spent wisely and effectively. Listen to your constituents and address the real issues before introducing more tax proposals. —- Jan K. (Manhattan Beach)
** This latest “slicing and dicing” of the top 10 positions is interesting. While my management and finance experience is mainly related to the local aerospace industry, there are some parallels. If Manhattan Beach is paying $300K to $700K more than the other compared cities, we are paying $30K to $70K per position than the different cities. That is a big chunk of change. The big question is, why do we need TWO highly paid H.R. persons? There seems to be an easy $240K/year savings alone. I don’t know the duties of the City Clerk, but we are paying almost six times what El Segundo pays. Maybe our city management should spend a little time talking with El Segundo to see how they have managed to do that job so cheaply! As an aerospace manager, I typically put in about 10 hours a week of unpaid overtime for most of my career, and many other managers did about the same. Do you know how many of the city staff do anything like that? —- Terry Watson (Manhattan Beach)
** News Flash to People in Local Government: The Answer to Overspending Isn’t More Taxes; It’s Reduced Spending. It’s astonishing how local governments consistently resort to the same broken solution to overspending: tax increases. Here’s a news flash – raising taxes isn’t the answer. It’s time for a fundamental shift in thinking. The real solution lies in reduced spending, not squeezing already burdened citizens for more. Asking local government officials to stop spending is akin to asking an alcoholic to stop drinking. It’s a deep-seated problem driven by an addiction to frivolous projects, wasteful initiatives, and bloated bureaucracies. Rather than tightening their belts, they prefer the easier route – taxing hardworking citizens already struggling with inflation and rising living costs. There’s no magic to reducing government spending; it takes discipline, accountability, and the will to make tough decisions. What if, instead of increasing taxes, local governments prioritized essential services, cut redundant programs, and efficiently used taxpayer dollars? The result would be a leaner, more effective government that serves the people rather than drains them dry. It’s time to stop the endless tax hikes and focus on spending within our means – before it’s too late. —- Sara Garcia (El Segundo)
** I must extend my most profound admiration and extreme praise for your outstanding work in exposing Manhattan Beach employees’ shockingly high compensation rates. Your impeccable timing in uncovering this critical issue precisely as these same officials attempt to impose four (4) separate tax-raising schemes on the ballot is courageous and commendable. Your commitment to holding our local government accountable is a testament to the vital role of independent journalism in our community. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to transparency and truth. Keep up the exceptional work! —- Dr. Michelle S., Manhattan Beach
They went through every red light for a mile – no respect for the law. Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
Manhattan Beach Appoints Talyn Mirzakhanian As New City Manager:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, who has been serving as Acting City Manager since the retirement of former City Manager Bruce Moe in August, will be named City Manager. “Talyn’s commitment to our city, work ethic, responsiveness, and collaboration has demonstrated that she is the ideal choice for City Manager,” said Mayor Amy Howorth. “It will be an honor to accept this role and to continue serving the residents of Manhattan Beach,” said Mirzakhanian. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the City Council, the staff, and our community to enhance the quality of life for all residents and to ensure that we effectively tackle any future challenges. Together, we can achieve great things and make Manhattan Beach an even better place to live, work, and visit.” Mirzakhanian holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Master of Planning from the University of Southern California, according to the City.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE MANHATTAN BEACH CITY COUNCIL’S DECISION TO APPOINT A NEW CITY MANAGER 10 DAYS BEFORE THE UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL ELECTION:
** Just fine. This is the culmination of a long search process. No reason to delay it. Even though the election is November 5th, it takes the L.A. County Registrar of Voters 30 days to certify the election results. That means the new council does not take office until mid December. —- Bob Holmes (Three Terms Manhattan Beach Councilman/Mayor & 55-year Manhattan Beach Resident)
** The council members who selected her have worked both with the city manager type of government and know her skills as an assistant. Other newly elected members might not have the depth of knowledge about the job requirements. —- Charlotte Lesser (Neighborhood Watch)
Sloopy’s Beach Cafe:
Nothing beats the Numero Uno with onion rings.
www.SloopysBeachCafe.com
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Erika Gaston
I thought we lived in a community where we were entitled to our opinions and welcomed different points of view … however, for the second time, someone stole our yard sign supporting our political candidate. It was up high on a slope, so someone had to work. I’m disgusted by this behavior. It was in broad daylight in the afternoon and was just a sign of support with a candidate’s name in it. Nothing offensive or distasteful. To say I’m disappointed in the people doing this would be putting it mildly.
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Saturday November 9th
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MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Russ Lesser (Former Mayor of Manhattan Beach)
Joe Franklin
I was surprised to read Mark Burton’s column last week where he said it was not surprising that I, Russ Lesser, was supporting Joe Franklin because he also is a Republican. Suppose he tries to bring partisan politics into this year’s city council election. That is pretty disgusting, as many of us from both parties have worked hard for years (mostly successfully) to keep national and state partisan politics out of our local non-partisan elections. Through the years, I try to support the candidates who I think will do the best job for the residents regardless of party affiliation. I am endorsing Joe Franklin, not because he is a Republican, but because he has done a great job and deserves to be re-elected. Obviously, other people agree with this as he is endorsed by all his current colleagues (except Steve Napolitano, who is running for judge and cannot endorse anyone … Vote for Steve also), twelve former mayors, including Mark Burton (this is confusing based on his letter) and hundreds of community members. VOTE FOR JOE!
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Manhattan Beach Crime Summary
October 17 to October 23, 2024
- 789 SERVICE CALLS
- 16 ARRESTS
- 20 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
- 38 CRIMES REPORTED
Notable Events:
** At 3 a.m. on October 18, a resident’s home security system captured a suspect riding a blue beach cruiser in front of their home many times. Police say the man entered the garage and rode away on the resident’s electric bike on video footage. Police located the abandoned blue beach cruiser near 31st Street garbage cans.
** A homeowner detected burglary indicators on October 19–20. His front door was closed but unlocked when he arrived home. According to police, two bicycles were stolen via the open rear door.
** A homeowner in the 1800 block of Oak Avenue received a home security alert on October 20 of two unknown persons riding bikes by her home many times. Police claimed the suspects rode their bikes out of view, and one reappeared on foot a few minutes later on the film. The individual opens the garage and leaves with a mountain bike.
** Commercial burglaries occurred in the 500 block of Sepulveda Boulevard on October 23. The victim returned to his workplace to find a forced entry at the front door. Police stated the office and filing cabinets were ransacked. Investigations continue.
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MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Michael Unton
We’re writing to respectfully correct facts in Sharon Arias’s 10/17/24 commentary regarding Measure RLS. First, taxes won’t increase yearly if Measure RLS passes. Bonds have a fixed yearly cost so when the assessed value of our homes rises the assessment rate decreases to ensure the fixed cost (and no more) is collected. Second, school building bonds that will be issued if Measure RLS passes do expire. When the bonds mature, generally 25 years after they are issued, the underlying taxes expire. Finally, there was a comment that Measure MB did not pass. Measure MB funded teachers while Measure RLS funds building repairs, and MB did pass in March 2024, with 67.7% of the vote. —- Michael Unton, Larry Zimbalist, Dave Gendron, Nathalie Rosen – Committee to Repair Local Schools
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1. ** If we don’t keep our eyes open and remain vigilant, Manhattan Beach could easily turn into Santa Monica. Trust me. —- Grace H., Manhattan Beach (a former Santa Monica resident)
2. ** I wonder if the Washington Post gives entire staff day off to mourn loss of Hamas leader. —- Mike B., Hermosa Beach
3. ** Yikes! Coyote in Polliwog Park. —- Darlene M., Manhattan Beach
4. ** Kamala Harris has avoided discussing crime and law enforcement on the campaign trail. No surprise there. Since the George Floyd race riots, many American cities have descended into public disorder. Surveillance videos routinely document flash mobs invading businesses, assaulting employees, and stealing whatever participants can carry, including cash registers. Customers bear the brunt of stores’ defenses against runaway shoplifting – such as toothpaste locked behind a plexiglass barrier. Drive-by shootings mow down innocent civilians. Urban violent crime has surged 40% between 2019 and 2023. —- Lance H., Manhattan Beach
5. ** I saw an arrest of a homeless man causing problems in the Manhattan Village. I’m told this man has often caused chaos at the mall. Why do we continue to allow this to happen over and over and over and over and over again? Enough! Crime is crime. Arrest them and lock them up. —- Dani M., Manhattan Beach
6. ** For all of you who have had signs stolen from your front lawn, here’s a great idea: somebody in another state put a tracker on their sign, and when they went to find the sign, they found 20 or 30 other of these people had stolen https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFCDWKk1/ —- Shereen L., Manhattan Beach
7. ** Female athletes have lost nearly 900 medals to transgender rivals competing against them in women’s sporting categories, an eye-opening United Nations report has revealed. The study – titled “Violence against women and girls in sports” – stated that more than 600 female athletes have been bested at various events by competitors who were born male. Sick! —- Silvia G., Manhattan Beach
8. ** Today, the BLM brand is widely recognized as a scam that lost $6.2 million last fiscal year. —- Oscar M., Manhattan Beach
9. ** The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. —- Andrea W., Manhattan Beach
10. ** The booths at Chili’s. Well, that’s embarrassing. —- Tom A., Manhattan Beach
11. ** Please disregard City Council candidates’ party affiliations as they are constitutionally required to be “non-partisan.” First and foremost, vote for the City Council candidate who will manage the City Manager and Staff economically. The present quo is unsustainable. —- Lani R., Manhattan Beach
12. ** People should be free to express themselves however they want, but not a single law protecting women’s sex-based rights needs to change because of it. Yet, everything is being asked to submit to gender ideology. Laws, sports, language. This nonsense will only end when each of us stops being afraid to talk about it. —- Alison S., Manhattan Beach
13. ** Yeah, Mayor Amy! —- Gloria M., Manhattan Beach
14. ** Beware! Coyotes at Rosecrans/Pacific! Keep dogs indoors at night. —- Abby S., Manhattan Beach
15. ** Did you know MB Weekly is read weekly in Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and El Segundo? —- Editor’s Note
16. ** Bring your prescriptions, and don’t nap in your car at Hermosa Beach. Not everyone recognizes that having Controlled Substances, including many prescribed pharmaceuticals, without valid prescriptions is unlawful. Hermosa Beach Police Department (HBPD) will arrest you. —- Arelle H., Hermosa Beach
17. ** I am so fu-king sick of getting donation e-mails from political candidates every 15 minutes. Stop! —- Liane M., Manhattan Beach
18. ** Why did Steve Charlian mislead the City Council by informing them that issuing Pension Obligation Bonds would not add debt? Our City now pays $5.5 annually for the next 20 years. —- Mark B., Manhattan Beach
19. ** I’ve listened to all of the candidates running for City Council in Manhattan Beach and I must say they are a uniquely unimpressive group. Each one seems to be more concerned with being liked and elected than actually stating what they honestly believe and stand for. Also if I must be fully honest they don’t seem like the brightest group I’ve ever seen. —- Clay B., Manhattan Beach
20. ** Tim Walz appears to be a first-class idiot. —- Angie S., Manhattan Beach
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