MB WEEKLY EXCLUSIVE: COMMENTARY BY JOE FRANKLIN (MAYOR OF MANHATTAN BEACH)
(PART ONE)
Compensation can’t be looked at in a vacuum – we compete with other cities for personnel talent and are not at the top of any salary schedules, given the services we provide. Inflation affects a city’s budget just like it does businesses and households. The City pays more for gas, materials, or needed services, just like our residents. For the six years from 2017 to 2023, Mr. Wafer points out our total compensation costs rose by 28%. However, he fails to mention that inflation in the US was a compounded 23% over that period. The additional costs beyond inflation could be directly related to the unanimously agreed need to hire more police for public safety during a significant rise in crime. I can’t recall if Mr. Wafer contributed to that conversation. We have to compete in the open market for these personnel, where some cities offer tens of thousands of dollars in signing incentives. Increased inflation has led the City to pay more for our needed goods and services. Should we provide fewer services or hire less qualified personnel? What jobs does Mr. Wafer think we should eliminate, whose salaries should be cut, and how do those salaries compare to comparable cities? Just talking about salaries is a very incomplete argument. The value of our employees goes way beyond just salaries.
Yes, we’ve hired more people – why? Because the public asked us to over and over. For example, more homes and businesses are being built than ever, so we need more people in community development to complete projects as fast as possible. Assume an older home was sold on a property tax basis 30 years ago. Logic dictates we get a new (more expensive) home online as soon as possible to increase our revenue from the higher property taxes. In this time of much higher inflation, our contracted service providers have raised their prices considerably. At times, it makes financial sense to bring that work in-house to save money and improve the quality of the job. We did this recently with a street and sidewalk cleaning service provider. Although it resulted in hiring several new employees, our overall cost was cut by a third, and a better job is being done. We needed engineers to complete the road, sewer, and water projects we had to upgrade. And we’re hiring more firefighters and police officers to reduce overtime and address rising crime, which are essential things to do and have been featured strongly in MB Weekly, have they not?
(Part Two Next Week…)
www.ManhattanBeach.gov
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Handsome Rocky in Manhattan Beach.
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Michael Unton
(CEO of Flowing Energy)
Q: WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?
A: CEO of a clean energy startup based in Pasadena.
Q: WHEN DID YOU FIRST MOVE TO MANHATTAN BEACH?
A: My wife Elissa and I moved here in 2017 when Zoey, our middle-schooler, was entering 1st grade.
Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET ACTIVE IN THE NEW SCHOOL BOND INITIATIVE?
A: My family’s top reason for moving to Manhattan Beach was the quality of public schools. I want to make a difference in ensuring there are safe, modern facilities for Zoey and all our students. A wonderful side benefit has been the new friends I’ve made in the community!
Q: HOW CAN YOU ASSURE READERS THAT THERE WILL BE NO TAX INCREASE ATTACHED TO THE INITIATIVE?
A: The authorized issue amount of $200 Million was chosen specifically to ensure borrowing costs – and thus property taxes – do not exceed what’s currently being paid for bonds maturing in several tranches over the next 2 years. Measure RLS bonds would be issued in chunks when needed for high-priority projects on the facilities master plan (http://mbusdplan.org) but no sooner than when payments cease on each set of maturing bonds.
Q: ARE SENIOR CITIZENS EXEMPT FROM THIS INITIATIVE?
A: State law does not allow for a senior exemption on bond measures. Property taxes are based on Assessed Value not Market Value so parents of school-age children bear the largest portion of the cost because they typically bought homes more recently.
Q: WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF WORKING ON THIS INITIATIVE?
A: I loved working on the Measure MB campaign and knew what I was getting into! The trickiest part is making sure I don’t let any of my other responsibilities slip: business leader, husband, stepfather, friend, middle school math club volunteer.
Q: WAS YOUR ASTROLOGY SIGN?
A: I was born on an Aquarius border day, January 20th.
www.MBUSDPlan.org
Slay Italian Kitchen:
SLAY ITALIAN NOW SERVING BRUNCH
PIZZA | PASTA | WINE
Bottomless Bellinis & Mimosas
FRI 12PM – 3PM
SAT & SUN 10:30AM – 3PM
www.SlayItalianKitchen.com
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
These two drove their e-bikes in the center, over the yellow line, and then separated. As you can see, the rider on the left is in the wrong lane. Dangerous. Redondo Beach.
with David Slay
(Slay Restaurants)
Q: DO YOU BELIEVE PEOPLE CAN CHANGE?
A: I do up to a certain age and then probably a slim chance of not.
Q: WHAT HAS GIVEN YOU THE MOST GRIEF?
A: Our government. At every level.
Q: WHAT WAS THE TURNING POINT IN YOUR LIFE?
A: Fortunately I pivot really well. And I have had and still have so many turns ahead.
Q: WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO BACK TO LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET?
A: No, it has provided me to gain so much more knowledge about things I’m not versed in.
Q: WHICH OCEAN DID YOU LAST SWIM IN?
A: Atlantic Ocean Last body of water the Mediterranean In Sicily most recent.
Q: FEEL MOST AT PEACE?
A: At our vineyard.
Q: WHO DO YOU GO TO FOR WISE ADVICE?
A: I’m lucky I have so many wise and smart friends. So depends on the subject.
www.Slay.la
Manhattan Beach Car Show Cancelled Due To Emergency Parking Lot Closure:
The City canceled this year’s Downtown Manhattan Beach Car Show citing the emergency shutdown of Lot 3. “We understand that this is a disappointing outcome, especially considering the importance of the K-9 Foundation to our organization. In order to lessen the financial impact, many of the regular sponsors of this event have pledged donations in support of the K-9 Foundation,” the city stated in a release. “We are pleased that the community has rallied around this cause and has recognized the additional pressure that this event would have caused in the downtown area. We appreciate your continued support of the K-9 Foundation and our efforts to provide essential services to our community.” Last year saw over 200 cars with live music, and family fun events.
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Holiday flowers at Growing Wild Manhattan Beach.
Nonprofit Supporting Veterans Photographs 2025 Pin-Up Calendar In Manhattan Beach:
Award-winning nonprofit Pin-Ups For Vets photographed its 2025 fundraiser calendar in Manhattan Beach, featuring shots of the pier, beach, Mayor Joe Franklin’s 1955 Ford Thunderbird, and a beautiful historic home in the city. The 2025 calendar (19th edition) will raise funding to support V.A. Hospitals, ill and injured Veterans, homeless Veterans, deployed Troops, and military spouses. The 2025 Pin-Ups For Vets calendar features 13 outstanding female Veterans from across the country, with a combined 117 years of military service in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, who have traded in their military gear for 1940’s era fashions and hairdos. From two Purple Heart recipients to a pilot who flew Seahawks in the Navy, to an Army Lt. Colonel who served 39 months total on 3 Iraq deployments, these stellar Veterans prove that brave is beautiful.
www.PinUpsForVets.com
MB WEEKLY – READER COMMENT:
“Your MB Weekly Free Bulletin Board is a wild ride.” —- Jessica C., Manhattan Beach
Dive N’ Surf:
The 48th annual LOBSTER MOBSTER
Lobster Mobster will start on Friday September 27th at 6 p.m. and end on September 28th at 2 a.m. Bring in your biggest catch during that time period and receive a free lobster mobster t-shirt. We will weigh it and record it in our book. Winners will be announced October 2nd.
Sign-Up By Thursday September 26th
www.DiveNSurf.com
** Chris Kelly, director of operations for the famous Dive N’ Surf shop in Redondo Beach having lunch at Urban Plates in Manhattan Beach.
** Mayor Joe Franklin and Uber Chef David Slay having lunch at Fishing with Dynamite in Manhattan Beach.
** Community Activist Tiffany Barbara having lunch at JOEY in Manhattan Beach.
September 5, 2024 – September 11, 2024
The MBPD is having a Quarterly Town Hall
September 24 at 6 p.m. at Joslyn Center
- 893 Calls For Service
- 19 Arrests
- 24 Traffic Collisions
- 44 Crime Reports Taken
** On 09/07/24, officers responded to 6th Street and Manhattan Avenue regarding a robbery that just occurred. The victim told officers that while placing his belongings in his vehicle, he observed a black SUV stop nearby with 5 occupants inside. Two suspects exited the vehicle and attempted to instigate the victim into a fight before assaulting, and stealing a necklace from his neck. During the assault, one of the suspects dropped a switchblade. The victim ran after the suspects as they fled, however the remaining three suspects inside the vehicle exited, and assaulted the victim a second time. Officers arrived on scene and located the stolen necklace. This is an ongoing investigation.
** On 09/06/24, officers responded to Target (1200 N. Sepulveda Boulevard) in regards to a known theft suspect who walked out of the store with a shopping cart of merchandise. The suspect was seen through surveillance video placing a scooter and a handheld vacuum into a shopping cart before leaving the store, and placing the stolen merchandise into his vehicle. The suspect then fled the location but was located by MBPD Officers and taken into custody.
** On 09/09/24, officers responded to REI (1800 Rosecrans Avenue) in regards to a suspect with prior disturbance incidents at multiple REI locations. The suspect was attempting to return a backpack he just purchased and when he was refused, he grabbed a backpack from the display and left without paying. Officers located the suspect and placed him under arrest. It was later discovered that the suspect had a felony warrant from an outside agency.
** On 09/11/24, officers responded to the 1300 block of Parkview Avenue in regards to a robbery that just occurred. The victim observed a black SUV parked towards the rear of his vehicle while he was walking through the parking lot and carrying a briefcase. The victim felt someone push him from behind causing him to fall to the ground. The suspect grabbed the briefcase from the victim and reentered the front passenger seat of the suspect vehicle and fled the location. This is an ongoing investigation.
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Nina Tarnay (Manhattan Beach)
Candidate for City Council
Our City will experience significant infrastructure and capital expenditure challenges in the coming decades. Decisive, informed and collaborative leadership will be crucial in meeting these challenges. Projects like Parking Lot #3, Begg Pool, and essential upgrades to our water, sewer, and street systems require thoughtful planning and execution. These are nonpartisan issues that demand collaboration with local, county, and state entities. If elected to the Manhattan Beach City Council, my background as an attorney with extensive experience working with city officials and navigating public processes will uniquely equip me to tackle these challenges. I am committed to building local consensus and ensuring that our infrastructure investments will benefit Manhattan Beach for decades to come.
Agree? Disagree? Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
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** In August, Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers USA Inc (NYSE:SKX) headquartered in Manhattan Beach, executed a significant transaction, selling 422,000 shares of the company. The sale was documented in a recent SEC Filing. Following this transaction, the insider now owns 170,160.258 shares of Skechers USA Inc., a global leader in the footwear industry. The company designs, develops, and markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear for men, women, and children.
** Mercado Santa Monica and Mercado Los Angeles are closing after more than ten years.
MB WEEKLY – CARTOON:
September in Manhattan Beach.
JOIN THE MANHATTAN BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
The voice for business in Manhattan Beach.
www.ManhattanBeachChamber.com
MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION:
DO YOU HAVE A FAMILY MEAL AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK?
Please share your comment with thousands and thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities.
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1. ** The book The Unbearable Lightness of Being is an easy and fast read but be forewarned that the beginning is bizarre. That’s part of the charm. —- Emma S., Manhattan Beach
2. ** For Rent Manhattan Beach Studio apartment Walkstreet 360 sq ft, over garage, $2300. utilities included no pets —- 310-418-6028
3. ** My close friend has had three of his bikes stolen from him this year in Santa Monica! —- Fern O., Manhattan Beach
4. ** The tables at Love & Salt in downtown Manhattan Beach are ridiculously crammed together, like a game of human Tetris! You can hear every word of your neighbors’ conversations and forget about having personal space. It’s like dining in a sardine can – awkward, uncomfortable, and disruptive to what should be a relaxing experience. I have been more comfortable on a packed New York City subway at rush hour. —- Lawrence D., Hermosa Beach
5. ** “Masters of Love.” (The Atlantic). This is the best article on courtship, love, and dating I’ve read in years. It’s not only well-researched and full of memorable insights, but it’s also very actionable and gives labels to concepts you can use. —- Melanie F., Manhattan Beach
6. ** After motorcade involved in fender bender, Tim Walz adds Purple Heart to resume. —- Larry K., Manhattan Beach
7. ** The scallops at Hook & Plow in downtown Manhattan Beach are divine. Perfectly seared with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, they’re paired with vibrant, flavorful carrots that elevate the dish. This was my second visit, but the good quality and attention to detail guarantee I’ll return soon. It’s a true gem for seafood lovers. —- Hayden K., Manhattan Beach
8. ** Kamala responds to criticism over lack of policies by posting another truck stop junk food video. —- Orlando A., Manhattan Beach
9. ** It’s no surprise that Brenda “Highrose” O’Leary supports a boutique hotel with rooftop dining at the Parking Lot 3 location. She was a staunch supporter of Highrose and has worked for developers for years. —- Mark B., Manhattan Beach
10. ** Fatto a Mano (“made by hand”) is a tiny restaurant in a Torrance Boulevard mini-mall with three two-person tables, a counter, and cases of house creations, which you can use to make your meals. —- Brooklyn D., Hermosa Beach
11. ** I have a brilliant idea for the folks in Manhattan Beach: why not overpay your city employees significantly and then put forth four separate tax increase initiatives on the upcoming ballot? Brilliant? —- Jarron J., Manhattan Beach
12. ** I watched as the goal of mainstream journalism shifted from describing reality to ushering readers to the correct political conclusion. —- Harold J., Manhattan Beach
13. ** Isn’t Brenda O’Leary running for City Council the same Brenda that wrote many, many vile, harassing, insulting things on social media for quite some time? —- Emma R., Manhattan Beach
14. ** If you ever needed proof of the extremely lucrative Homeless Industrial Complex: Hollywood Community Housing, who is co-developing Venice/Dell with VCHC, listed $93 in assets on their 2022 tax return, nearly three times the assets listed in 2018. —- Howard Z., Manhattan Beach
15. ** We pay our City Manager $375,000 a year. Really? —- Dave H., Manhattan Beach
16. ** The Fish & Chips at Tin Roof Bistro in Manhattan Village are a must-try! Perfectly crispy and golden, with tender, flaky fish inside. The batter is light, and the accompanying fries are seasoned to perfection. Paired with their house-made tartar sauce, it’s an unforgettable meal. Highly recommended. —- Delta B., Manhattan Beach
17. ** A vote for Joe Franklin is a vote for Manhattan Beach. —- Hannah W., Manhattan Beach
18. ** No more new taxes in Manhattan Beach! Period. —- Sophia C., Manhattan Beach
19. ** MB city employee salaries and benefits are grossly excessive and insulting us taxpayers. Yet our City Council wants to raise our local sales tax to give away more generous salary and benefit increases and also for wasteful consultants. It’s time to stop government spending that is out of control! Vote NO on Measure MMB. —- Sharon B., Manhattan Beach
20. ** Adam Sandler is my favorite for his quick wit and dry humor. —- Ed M., Manhattan Beach
21. ** I saw a topless girl about 18 years old at 4 p.m. on the beach by the pier. —- Hank P., Manhattan Beach
22. ** I support Joe Marcy for his experience and values and for being a vital part of our community his whole life. —- Ed M., Manhattan Beach
23. ** Two women’s organizations, Reduxx and ICONS, broke the story about the men in women’s Olympic boxing. Women have been screaming about men in our spaces for years, but aside from Fox, you won’t find a single MSM outlet platforming women on this subject. This is what we’re up against. —- Alison S., Manhattan Beach
24. ** Yes, I was surprised to see the salaries and benefits of City Employees. Good job MB Weekly, for exposing this to the Manhattan Beach citizens. Don’t ask for increases in bonds and tax till this City issue is settled. That being said we need to have competent and educated staff to run our City. That is going to be expensive but necessary. —- Ed M., Manhattan Beach
25. ** The Historic House in Polliwog is amid major repairs inside and out, and the Manhattan Beach Historical Society is working closely with the City to make it the best little museum for the best little beach town. Check out www.ManhattanBeachHistorical.com. —- Kristen L., Manhattan Beach
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