🌊🔍 Coastal Caution: Hermosa Beach Burglary Wave Amidst Vaccine Controversy & Zombie Tax Terrors🧟♂️💸🧟♀️
In this issue...
A wave of burglaries hits home as HBPD scrambles to protect residents. Meanwhile, confusion brews over vaccine policies, with council members at odds and residents scratching their heads. Adding to the coastal drama, a zombie tax proposal rears its head, threatening wallets amidst inflation woes. It's a beachside saga of security concerns, bureaucratic quagmires, and fiscal fiascos. Stay tuned for a barrel ride through the waves of Hermosa's coastal conundrums, where we'll dive deep into the tumultuous tides threatening our sandy shores.🏖️📰
Many residents are coming forward with concerns about the city's rabid spending and construction mismanagement. Mr. Burry was articulate in laying out the concerns and his accent didn't hurt the cause.
⚰️🗳️From the Graveyard to the Ballot: The Return of Hermosa's Zombie Tax 🧟♂️💰
In a plot twist worthy of a Hollywood screenplay, Hermosa Beach finds itself haunted by the return of a zombie tax proposal - the Sales Tax Ballot measure. Despite being rejected by voters just two years ago, this revenant of a proposal has risen from the political graveyard, much to the chagrin of residents.
“The council made this decision with mistaken information – every resident will pay the tax on big-ticket purchases, like cars and televisions, even online purchases,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Francois.
Mayor Massey, true to form, has been accused of bullying the language on the press release, conveniently omitting crucial details. The proposal's focus on public safety is highlighted, but what's left unsaid is that the funds raised, primarily from residents, can't legally be earmarked for such needs. It's a case of misinformation by omission.
“It is illegal to earmark these funds,” said Francois. “We have no control over how either the current or future administrators spends these tax revenues.”
The council's decision to resurrect this proposal comes at a time when trust in city management is at an all-time low. With recent debacles like the bathroom fiasco and mismanagement of the Clark Building renovation, residents are understandably skeptical. And let's not forget the eye-watering proposal to spend $100 million on Ms. Lowenthal's Taj Mahal civic center.
“It is illegal to earmark these funds,” said Francois. “We have no control over how either the current or future administrators will spend these tax revenues.”
Adding insult to injury, this tax proposal couldn't come at a worse time. Businesses and residents are already struggling with higher prices due to rampant inflation. As Bar Rescue star, Jon Taffer, recently said, "Get ready for the $30 burger in California." For attorney Justin Massey and Suja Lowenthal with her $400,000 compensation package, a $30 burger may not matter. To regular residents, they do.
But fear not, there's still time for reason to prevail. Council Member Saeman, who once pledged to oppose such extravagant spending, now finds himself key in reviving this proposal. The irony is not lost on us.
In the face of this bureaucratic zombie apocalypse, residents must remain vigilant. It's not just about rejecting a flawed tax measure; it's about holding our elected officials accountable and our city staff transparent.
🏖️🤔📚Hermosa Trivia💰💵💲
Didja know?
Before her latest raise, City Manager Lowenthal was already rakin' in the clams as the second highest-paid City Manager in the South Bay! Redondo Beach, which is practically the size of an ocean liner compared to us, is the only city that shells out more for its top dog. Before the council dumped another pocketful of treasure into Ms. Lowenthal’s pockets, she was already outpacing the City Managers in Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, and Torrance!
Ain't that a beach?
🏖️🤔Coastal Confusion: Hermosa Beach's Quirky Stance on Vaccines Raises Eyebrows💉👀🏄♂️
At our recent city council gathering, jaws dropped as speakers unveiled an eyebrow-raising revelation: Hermosa Beach still clings to a policy demanding employees flaunt their vaccination proof. This stance is as retro as bell-bottom jeans in a hipster café. Both the State of California and the federal government jettisoned these requirements nearly a year ago, yet Hermosa is clinging on to a vaccine mandate like seaweed to a surfer's leg.
What adds salt to the wound is the tale of woe from a respected, former HBPD officer and their family, courtesy of this vaccination saga during the COVID era. While Californians are as sensitive to COVID critiques as seagulls to a dropped fry, Hermosa Beach seemed to dive headfirst into the theatrics and polarization. While city officials knelt shoulder-to-shoulder with political protestors, they also chased residents on open beaches with lights and sirens screaming.
Janet Cruz, whose husband was terminated from HBPD due to his request for a vaccine religious exemption request, breaks hearts with her personal testimony.
Council Members Rob Saeman and Dean Francois, akin to knights in shining armor, have valiantly pushed for this matter to hit the agenda. Yet, City Manager Lowenthal, resembling a reluctant cat refusing to budge, has thwarted their efforts time and again. It's a puzzling game of politics or perhaps just plain laziness in the land of endless sun and sand.
As the coastal breeze whispers tales of bureaucratic quagmires and political murkiness, one can't help but wonder: Is this the Hermosa Beach way, or simply a case of beachside blues?
🌴🔍 Coastal Caper Alert: Hermosa Beach Faces Burglary Wave 🌊🔍
This morning's unusual sight of HBPD vehicles on 18th Court raised eyebrows and concerns in our usually serene neighborhood. Upon inquiry, Officer Matt Rushton revealed unsettling news: a burglary had occurred.
Hermosa Beach has recently faced a wave of burglaries, all attributed to a single individual or a coordinated crew. While they've momentarily vacated the area, residents should remain vigilant. The modus operandi involves exploiting open garages or windows, with some entries forced through broken windows or doors. Some speculate that these culprits may be tipped off by workers, exploiting moments of vulnerability during renovations or vacancies.
"These guys are professionals," Officer Rushton emphasized. "They know their game and appear to have specific targets in mind."
In times like these, it's reassuring to have dedicated professionals like Officer Rushton safeguarding our community. Chief Paul Lebaron has built and leads a dedicated and professional department. Still, close garages and do your best to vet workers and contractors. Especially, ask your neighbors to watch over properties left vacant for extended periods.
Stay safe, everyone!
🏛️📋City Council Roundup🤠📢👥
Saddle up, folks! The March 12 Council Meeting promises to be another wild ride through the dusty trails of city governance. Here's a roundup of what to expect:
Building Blunders: Yeehaw! Get ready for another rodeo of city mismanagement. Saddle up and watch the video to uncover the secrets the city's trying to lasso away.
Handlebar Hijinks: Hold onto your hats, folks! The city's fixin' to corral bikes on Pier Plaza like they're stray cattle. Giddy up and hitch your bike at the designated racks, or prepare to be wrangled!
New Fines a Trivial Pursuit: Hold onto your wallets, partners! The city's aiming to rope in hefty fines, up to a whopping $1,000, for innocent slip-ups like forgetting your trash can or misusing the city logo by mistake. This is one rodeo we should avoid!
So cinch up your saddles and mosey on down to the March 12 showdown. On Monday, we'll be rustlin' up the details and wrangling the roundup for y'all to peruse. Stay tuned, cowpokes!