MB WEEKLY EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
(Candidate for MB Council)
Q: WHAT IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING MANHATTAN BEACH, AND WHAT SPECIFIC ACTION WOULD YOU TAKE DURING YOUR FIRST 100 DAYS?
A: The City of Manhattan Beach has a spending and headcount problem not a revenue problem. Our current financial position (both real and perceived) is the single biggest challenge facing Manhattan Beach today. The fact that over $10 million has been removed from our reserves this year for the first time in city history. NO cash reserves were used in the Great Recession nor during COVID! Why now? Residents deserve a complete explanation!!
Q: CITY SPENDING AND STAFFING HAVE GROWN SUBSTANTIALLY. WHERE WOULD YOU REDUCE COSTS WITHOUT COMPROMISING PUBLIC SAFETY OR ESSENTIAL SERVICES?
A: The Great Recession and COVID are recent examples of how I learned as the mayor how city government could do much more with less. We stopped all hiring except for public safety or critical personnel for our infrastructure, we did not replace any retiree positions, we delayed vehicle replacement for five years and three years for computers. No staff travel or education seminars unless required by state law. Perform a study on each city department indicating metrics for how many staff members does each department actually require (1) and the same for mid management (2). Finally, DO NOT HIRE AN UNNECESSARY ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER OR ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF FOR ANY REASON!
Q: HOW WOULD YOU BALANCE STATE HOUSING MANDATES WITH PRESERVING MANHATTAN BEACH’S CHARACTER AND QUALITY OF LIFE?
A: Although current state law blocks any city attempting to stop housing, we should be meeting with the new assembly member and state senator candidates to make sure they will push for a revision to these state housing mandates (1) and meet with any proposed developers to discuss community impacts before a decision has been made on the proposed project.
Q: WHAT LESSONS DID YOU LEARN FROM YOUR PREVIOUS SERVICE ON THE CITY COUNCIL, AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY THIS TIME?
A: I learned a few key lessons in my previous service on city council:
- DO NOT HIRE AN UNNECESSARY ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER – When I joined the council in 2017 I made the motion to remove the Assistant City Manager position immediately. And call the $2 million home loan given to the assistant city manager by the previous city council DUE! That was $2 million dollars that was part of city reserves and was “unavoidable for any city emergency”!
- Add staff only as required not because we can. Each new employee hired will cause a pension obligation that adds to our future debt.
- Serving as Mayor during both the Great Recession and COVID, you learn that funding and supporting our police and fire departments is critical. Also supporting your local businesses and maintaining the city infrastructure (water and sewer)!
- Never use your cash reserves for anything except a true emergency!!
Q: AT THE END OF YOUR TERM, WHAT MEASURABLE ACHIEVEMENT WOULD CONVINCE RESIDENTS THAT ELECTING YOU WAS THE RIGHT DECISION?
A: My first achievement will be to successfully address and correct the budget issues facing this current council. Another achievement would be to successfully reduce staff size while not negatively impacting resident service levels and communication. Actually replacing the three-level parking garage downtown to provide parking to residents and visitors so they can shop dine and enjoy Manhattan Beach! I would stop spending more money on consultants and studies and get it done! Finally, providing experienced crisis leadership if a crisis occurs!
Q: WHEN YOU SEE THE CITY MANAGER OF MANHATTAN BEACH HAVING AN ANNUAL SALARY HIGHER THAN THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA, HOW DO YOU REACT?
A: The Governor gets a free house with all utilities paid, a free car with a California Highway Patrol officer as his driver and other benefits that are not considered in his salary. Our City Manager should have clear measurable quantifiable performance goals and standards as should the other department heads. The salary of our city manager must be in line with other SoCal city managers of similar sized cities. Our City Manager should also have clear measurable quantifiable performance goals and standards as should the other department heads. But more importantly, does the city council, residents and businesses believe that the city manager is performing well and leading her staff ?? Six month performance reviews should be required and signed off by the entire city council with any issues presented and tracked.
www.Montgomery4Council.com
THE STATE OF MANHATTAN BEACH’S FINANCES – PART THREE:
(An Exclusive Six-Part Series by Paul Wafer)
The Reserve Story: Looking Beyond the Headlines
Figure 3. Data and estimates summarized from the State of Manhattan Beach Finances report.
City officials often point to Manhattan Beach’s reserves as evidence that the City’s finances remain strong, that is only part of the story.
A city’s reserves are much like a family’s savings account. Having money set aside is important, but equally important is understanding why those savings are increasing or decreasing and how much is truly available.
The City’s financial reports include several different reserve measures. Total General Fund balance includes all categories reported in the fund statements. The Government Accounting Standards board (GASB) unassigned balance is the accounting category not legally restricted, committed or assigned. A third measure, which I call practical discretionary balance, recognizes reserves and internal designations that the City intends to preserve even though they may remain technically unassigned under accounting rules.
These numbers tell very different stories. The total General Fund balance rose to about $40.4 million in FY 2024 before declining in FY 2025. The audited unassigned balance fell from approximately $35 million in FY 2024 to $23.6 million in FY 2025. After recognizing City policy reserves and other internal designations, the amount that was practically undesignated at the end of FY 2025 was extremely limited, close to zero.
Some of that decline resulted from one-time capital decisions, particularly the purchase of 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard before reimbursement through bond financing. That was not simply an operating loss, and it is important to acknowledge the distinction.
Nevertheless, the FY 2026-27 budget projects an operating surplus while simultaneously reducing General Fund balance by approximately $8.8 million after transfers. A budget can therefore appear balanced at the operating level while still reducing financial flexibility.
Reserves exist to protect the community during recessions, disasters and unexpected events. They can also support major one-time investments. What they should not become is a recurring substitute for matching ongoing revenues with ongoing expenses.
Manhattan Beach still has a strong financial foundation. The challenge is preserving it.
NEXT WEEK: IS CITY HALL BECOMING MORE EFFICIENT?
Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
MB WEEKLY – READER POLL:
Sports Divide – 78% Say No
A new MB Weekly Reader Poll found that 78% of South Bay respondents found it unacceptable that transgender athletes compete on sports teams that do not correspond with their sex at birth. The results reflected the ongoing public debate over fairness, inclusion, safety, and competitive standards in youth, school, and professional athletics. Supporters of sex-based team eligibility argue that biological differences can create competitive advantages, particularly in women’s sports. The survey did not ask respondents to explain their reasoning, but the decisive margin suggested the issue remained deeply important to many South Bay residents.
Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
Tin Roof Bistro:
Melon Wrapped In Prosciutto?
Our Prosciutto Wrapped Melon features Prosciutto di Parma, Weiser Family Farms melon, saba, EVOO, lemon zest, and basil.
3500 N Sepulveda Blvd | (310) 939-0900 | www.TinRoofBistro.com
Serve, Set, Immortalized – Volleyball Stars Took Their Place On Manhattan Beach Pier:
Athletes and fans packed the Manhattan Beach Pier recently for the opening celebration of the 66th Manhattan Beach Open. During the Volleyball Walk of Fame Red Carpet Ceremony, plaques were unveiled honoring defending champions Taryn Kloth Brasher, Kristen Nuss Cruz, Chase Budinger and Miles Evans. All four had competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics and credited coaches, spouses and teammates for their success.
NAME THREE (3) OF YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN MANHATTAN BEACH:
Top Row: Misty Frasier, Ed Kaminsky
Bottom Row: Susan Pacini, Wysh Weinstein
** MISTY FRASIER (Kiwanis Club President): 1. Toranj | 2. Lidos | 3. Uncle Bill’s
** ED KAMINSKY (Kaminsky Group): 1. Fishing with Dynamite | 2. The Arthur J | 3. Slay Steak & Fish
** SUSAN PACINI (Global Real Estate Advisor): 1. Tin Roof | 2. El Gringo | 3. Hook and Plow
** WYSH WEINSTEIN (MBUSD Board Member): 1. Arthur J | 2. Simmzys | 3. Nicks
The Butchery:
Every cut of meat and every specialty ingredient
is chosen for its unrivaled quality and taste.
1121 Artesia Blvd. | (310) 374-3671 | www.ButcheryMeats.com
MB WEEKLY – INTERVIEW:
Michael Zislis
(15th Anniversary of The Strand House)
Q: FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, WHAT DID YOU ENVISION THE STRAND HOUSE BECOMING – AND IN WHAT WAYS HAS THE RESTAURANT SURPRISED EVEN YOU?
A: Fifteen years ago, my original thought was simple: I wanted to create a restaurant on the beach with great food. Every restaurant on the sand that I had been to had let me down in some way, so I knew we could do it differently. I hired some of LA’s top chefs to consult on the menu, and over the years we’ve continued to invest heavily in our culinary program. Our Culinary Master Series was an incredible part of that. It has given our chefs the opportunity to work alongside some of the best chefs in the country and bring those experiences back to The Strand House. With the volume we do, consistency is our motto. Every dish and cocktail that goes out has to be made with the same level of care and love. But what has surprised me the most is the recognition beyond LA. I’ll travel outside of California and someone will tell me they know The Strand House. That still shocks me. To hear that it’s on people’s official LA bucket lists is something I never could have imagined 15 years ago.
Q: THE STRAND HOUSE ENJOYS ONE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S MOST SPECTACULAR LOCATIONS. HOW HAVE YOU ENSURED THAT THE FOOD AND HOSPITALITY REMAIN AS MEMORABLE AS THE VIEW?
A: It comes down to never staying idle. We are constantly training, constantly researching and constantly looking for ways to improve. We hire the best management we can, and we invest in our team and our equipment. We recently added some state-of-the-art equipment that has made a real difference in the kitchen, from equipment that allows us to make our own snow ice for desserts to an incredible griddle that helps us make the fluffiest pancakes. At the same time, there are certain things you just don’t mess with. We still have some of our original signature dishes, like the hamachi, branding and TSH donuts. Those dishes have become part of who we are. And above everything else, our number one core value is friendliness. We want to treat people the way we want to be treated. That starts with hiring people who genuinely care about hospitality and creating an environment where that comes through in every guest interaction. The view gets people through the door, but it’s the food, the people and the experience that bring them back.
Q: AFTER 15 YEARS OF CHANGING TASTES, ECONOMIC CHALLENGES, AND FIERCE COMPETITION, WHAT IS THE SECRET TO THE STRAND HOUSE’S STAYING POWER – AND WHAT DOES ITS NEXT CHAPTER LOOK LIKE?
A: We never stop learning. For our 15th anniversary, we completely remodeled The Strand House and actually shut the restaurant down to do it. That was a big investment, but we felt it was important to give the restaurant a fresh chapter while staying true to what people love about it. My brother David takes our chef team to Michelin-starred restaurants once a month. With all of the incredible restaurants here in Manhattan Beach and throughout LA, we are constantly researching, developing and challenging ourselves to be better. David and I also travel quite a bit, and we’re always bringing back inspiration from our experiences, whether it’s something we see in a restaurant, a new technique, a design detail or simply a different way of thinking about hospitality. And then, of course, there’s our team. That is probably the biggest secret to our staying power. Honestly, I don’t see the next chapter as a dramatic change. I say that because I feel so strongly about the team we have in place. Between Chef Chris, our incredible management team led by Jason, and the people who have helped build this restaurant over the years, I don’t see that changing anytime soon. The forward has already been written over the past 15 years. We’ve had the highs, the challenges, even the drama including COVID. But we made it through all of it. Now, I think it’s time to enjoy the book…
www.TheStrandHouseMB.com
Who is in charge of the cleanliness of our street signs?
Car-Nage In Manhattan Beach – Auto Thefts Surge As Hyundai, Kia Owners Sound Alarm:
Manhattan Beach police are warning residents after five vehicles were stolen during a single week, marking the city’s highest weekly total since at least July 9. The thefts, reported Aug. 6 through Aug. 12, brought the five-week total to 10. Police say thieves have particularly targeted Hyundai and Kia vehicles, although officials did not disclose the makes or models stolen most recently. MBPD is urging residents to remain vigilant, secure vehicles, and report suspicious activity immediately.
Elite Collective Realty:
What if you knew exactly what a home was worth before everyone else did? That’ the standard at Elite Collective – market intelligence delivered before decisions, not after. Buyers and sellers move with more leverage, less risk, and better returns. Curious what that really means for your next move? Let’s talk.
Patricia Blakemore Broker/Owner | (844) 475-0999 | www.EliteCollectiveRealty.com
2026 Homeless Count – Community Action Makes a Difference:
by Lee Phillips (MBSAFE Board Community Advocate)
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who takes the time to submit homeless outreach requests through the app. Every request is an opportunity to connect someone experiencing homelessness with services – and hopefully, a safe place to stay. A special thank you to Maira and Rita, as well as the MBPD homeless officers, for the dedication and hard work they bring to our community. This is proof that the MBSAFE model works. When a community comes together, everyone can play a part. We may each help in different ways, but every effort matters, and every action can make a difference. Thank you to everyone who supports MBSAFE and believes in our mission. Together, we can continue making Manhattan Beach a safer, stronger, and more compassionate community.
[MBSAFE Board: Rita Crabtree-Kampe, Lee Phillips, Lucia La Rosa Ames, Debbie VanNess, Ira Goldstone]
WHO READS MB WEEKLY?
Robin Curren along with thousands and thousands of her neighbors. Are you a reader of MB Weekly?
Sign up to receive MB Weekly for FREE!
www.MBWeekly.net
Bruxie on Rosecrans:
“Kids Eat Free”
2181 Rosecrans Ave B, El Segundo
www.Bruxie.com
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
By Daryn Smith
I am shocked to read that a majority are in favor of the death penalty! There is no way to bring someone back when DNA or other evidence surfaces and clears them. If you have never served on a jury, you may be ignorant of how humans let their biases override evidence and the judge’s instructions to the jury; additionally, weaker jury members can be easily swayed by a strong personality who has their mind made up. It is much more expensive to have someone sentenced to death with the years of appeals vs imposing life in prison with no possibility of parole ever. Lastly, unfortunately, though, in the minority, black and brown people are more likely to be convicted and sentenced to death than white folks, which is another reason to stop the death penalty. Only God should have the power to take a life, and that includes the death penalty and abortion, in my opinion.
Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
Bella Builders:
www.BeautifulBuilder.com | www.FirewiseHomes.com
MB WEEKLY – COMMUNITY:
www.SetTheTableLA.com
MB WEEKLY – WHERE THE ELITES
& UNDERDOGS MEET:
“Once A Week, But Never Weakly”
A deep dive into intersection and influence.
Sign up for FREE to receive MB Weekly
www.MBWeekly.net
1. ** What I respect most about MB Weekly is its independence and commitment to being unbiased. It presents the facts, shares different perspectives, and trusts readers to reach their own conclusions. Amen to that! I don’t need anyone telling me what to think. Give me the information – I’ll make up my own mind. —- S.H., Manhattan Beach
2. ** As a former Mayor of Manhattan Beach, I can say without hesitation: the current City Council appears unwilling to hold the City Manager accountable for a record of unimpressive performance. Manhattan Beach deserves lower costs, energetic leadership, measurable results, and consequences. —- Name Withheld by Request, Manhattan Beach
3. ** The City Manager’s video was misleading and had to be refuted. —- Paul Wafer, Manhattan Beach
4. ** I like Joe Franklin and Steve Charelian, and I voted for both. But their weak response to Manhattan Beach’s outrageous spending has been deeply disappointing. Taxpayers deserve watchdogs, not spectators. I expected them to challenge runaway costs, demand accountability, and fight much harder for fiscal discipline at Manhattan Beach City Hall. —- Name Withheld by Request, Manhattan Beach
5. ** Disappointing! For the second consecutive year, Los Angeles officials want to raise Zoo admission prices – this time to $29 for adults, $24 for children, and $26 for seniors. At a time when families already face crushing costs, even an afternoon at the zoo is becoming an endangered species for working people. —- Riley H., Hermosa Beach
6. ** Democratic leaders are not defeating the socialist left; they are negotiating their surrender. Establishment candidates may reject its least electable faces while quietly adopting its language, ideology, and priorities. The DSA is driving the car. “Moderate” Democrats are merely debating the speed limit and route ahead. —- Oscar A.
7. ** We’re proud to announce the official opening of Elite Collective, a boutique brokerage serving buyers and sellers throughout Los Angeles County. Every real estate decision deserves strategy, discretion, precision, and care – not merely a transaction. Strategy First. Results Always. Patricia Blakemore, Managing Broker | (844) 475-0999 | elitecollectiverealty.com | CalDRE #02079554
8. ** The “W” in WNBA stands for “Women’s,” yet the league refuses to define “woman.” This is not complicated – it’s cowardice. If eligibility is limited to women, the WNBA has a duty to say what that means. Hours of bureaucratic hand-wringing produced only evasions, hypocrisy, and an insult to female athletes everywhere. —- Dee W., Manhattan Beach
9. ** Manhattan Beach residents must speak up now. Two seven-story housing projects are advancing along dangerous, heavily trafficked Sepulveda Boulevard, where six fatalities occurred in five years. With City Hall claiming its hands are tied, the community must appeal directly to the developer. Join the protest for safety and responsible development. —- Phillip W., Manhattan Beach
10. ** For the first time, more Americans use marijuana daily than smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol daily. That is not harmless progress – it is a cultural warning. Legalization was sold as adding another choice. Instead, marijuana is becoming America’s dominant everyday intoxicant. —- Dr. Elgin T., El Segundo
11. ** I dare any sober person to defend this: Our Police Chief earns a higher salary than the Vice President of the United States. In contrast, our City Manager earns more than the Governor of California. How can anyone justify this? City Hall owes taxpayers an explanation, not to mention an apology. I’m waiting – and listening closely. —- S.H., Manhattan Beach
12. ** I’ve never felt more like a criminal than walking into a movie theater trying to sneak food in. —- Oliva E.
13. ** Torrance Fire Department is hiring! https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbwX3YkgGAQ/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
14. ** Telling men they can’t use the women’s bathroom is not g*nocide —- Dr. Susan C.
15. ** Bravo to Debbie Van Ness for her powerful comments in MB Weekly last week. I know Debbie personally, and she is the definition of a straight shooter – honest, fearless, and unafraid to speak hard truths. Bless her for caring so deeply. Manhattan Beach is truly fortunate to have her voice. —- J.A., Manhattan Beach
16. ** California’s mess is the natural consequence of one-party rule. With no meaningful opposition inside government, no competing interests challenge failure, expose excess, or demand course corrections. Whatever serves the party becomes the priority, while accountability vanishes, bad policies multiply, and ordinary Californians ultimately pay the price. —- Dr. Thomas N., Torrance
17. ** California tops yet another shameful list: retail destruction. From 2020 to 2025, an astonishing 23 million square feet of stores were demolished – more than any other state. That’s not “progress.” It’s an economic distress signal flashing red while Sacramento’s smug political class keeps congratulating itself – and voters suffer. —- Jon P., El Segundo
18. ** America’s children aren’t growing up – they’re being managed. Tracked by apps, chauffeured to endless activities, and forbidden to leave their own street, too many teenagers never experience independence. The movie Stand by Me reminds us that childhood requires risk, freedom, friendship, and, crucially, time beyond adults’ suffocating gazes. —- Caitlin A.
19. ** I just finished Jody Rosen’s Two Wheels Good: The History and Mystery of the Bicycle, and do recommend it. Whether you love bicycles, hate them, or dodge them in traffic, Rosen delivers a lively, fascinating ride through their history, mystery, culture, and controversy – from the earliest prototype more than 200 years ago to today. —- Julianna F., Hermosa Beach
20. ** California’s independent voters are growing fast – and confounding both parties. They aren’t uniformly moderate, predictable, or even reliably engaged. Some reject partisan extremism; others distrust the entire system. Heading into the midterms, these politically untethered voters represent both a mystery and a prize campaigns can no longer afford to ignore. —- Editor’s Note
21. ** I think you’re a nice enough guy, too, John Acker. —- Michael Jenkins, Manhattan Beach
22. ** Dear MB Weekly – Interestingly, you choose to edit me in a fashion comparable to Fox News. How about letting the entire response speak for itself? BTW, my last post on Nextdoor received over 7,000 views, so the “word salad” commenter should retire. Also, the photo of the MB Police car is from the mid-70s. I know because there is a good chance I bought it when it was retired at the hometown fair. Accuracy has never been your objective. —- Stewart Fournier, Manhattan Beach
23. ** Fred Taylor calls city salaries “outrageous,” yet strongly supports Joe Franklin, a five-year councilmember, and Steve Charelian, who spent 17 years managing Manhattan Beach finances. Fair questions follow: What did Franklin do to restrain spending? What warnings or reforms did Charelian propose? Simply blaming incumbents solves nothing. Residents deserve to know which officials prepared budgets, advised the council, and failed to sound alarms. Without understanding the broken process, Manhattan Beach is destined to repeat it. —- Name Withheld by Request, Manhattan Beach
24. ** TASTY’S HOME CALFROOM IS HIRING! – Turn your passion for food into a paycheck! We’re seeking motivated grill cooks, servers, and prep cooks ready to learn, work, and grow. Earn $18 an hour after training at our Los Angeles location. Your next opportunity starts here! Apply today at tastyshomecalfroom.food.(https://tastyshomecalfroom.food/)
25. ** We are shocked that only 68% of our South Bay neighbors support the death penalty. It should be 100%. Who believes it is moral for a vicious murderer to receive three meals a day, medical care, and shelter – while an innocent victim lies in a grave and grieving families serve a life sentence? —- Don and Jean T., Hermosa Beach
Comment / Hire / Share / Promote / Barter / Discuss
The MB Weekly Free Bulletin Board is your place to communicate for free with thousands and thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach. Send your message (maximum 50 words) to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
MB Weekly Disclaimer: 1.) MB Weekly accepts no liability for the content of this email, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. MB Weekly is not associated with any commercial or political organization and is transmitted via the web for the sole benefit of its subscribers. 2.) Unfortunately, computer viruses can be transmitted via email.