Letters to the Editor: Jan. 12, 2012

Seal Beach Boulevard roadwork causes raging traffic jam

I scoured a recent edition of the Sun.  I was somewhat surprised not to see any mention of the traffic problem Christmas Week.

Secondly, as pro-business as the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce is, I’m surprised the Chamber isn’t out in front of wanting an answer.

If you aren’t aware, on Friday Dec.16—a mere eight shopping days before Christmas—the city of Seal Beach Street Department decided it evidently must repave 200 feet of Seal Beach Boulevard.

Thus during the last precious days of holiday shopping, this city department decided to work on the busy street in the city at the worst time. That Friday morning I left Carl’s Jr. at 9:05 a.m. and immediately hit traffic. Thinking it was an accident and would pass quickly I stayed with it.

Fifty minutes—later at five minutes to 10 a.m., I finally got past the 100 feet of paving the two city workers were doing (while three watched). Fifty minutes to travel 1.1 miles.

Thus, three lanes of Seal Beach Boulevard and two lanes of the northbound off ramp of the 405 all tried to squeeze into one lane.

As I sat in traffic, I counted 23 cars that gave up, made u-turns and went away from Seal Beach. While sitting on the 405 bridge I could not see the end of the off ramp line.  I did see numerous cars get out of that line and drive right past the Seal Beach off ramp.

I also saw a number of cases of road rage.  Drivers using that far right, 405 southbound onramp lane to get to the front then bolt across the intersection.  Saw a few of these since I sat through four lights before finally getting across it that intersection.

I subsequently found out this was not CalTrans, but our own city workers.  Now I’d like the Sun and the Chamber to call for an inquiry as to who decided it was in the best interest of the city coffers to tie up traffic to our biggest tax revenue base eight days, and more, before Christmas and make sure this person doesn’t make decisions again.

Let’s have some accountability.

Dec. 16 wasn’t the only day. Traffic wasn’t as bad but still bad Monday thru Thursday before Christmas from paving and lining as well.

By the way, I’ve now talked to four people who were also in this debacle. Two were on their way to the Shops when they turned around and went to Westminster Mall. The other two were on their way to a Holiday Luncheon at the Seal Beach community center. They were told that at least 20 people who had made reservations did not show up for the luncheon.

Personally, in this economy, I would have loved to see traffic jammed because of shoppers wanting to spend money at the Shops at Rossmoor. Instead, we got a traffic jam turning customers away caused by our own city employee’s ineptness.

For your information, now that is “seems” to be done there is a new problem: the far right lane coming off St. Cloud and southbound SB Boulevard lanes. The far right lane evidently ends but drivers have no clue until you are on top of the—now—bike lane. There is no sign warning the far right lane drivers to merge left. Been a number of cutting off, swearing and road rage there as well.

Again, how about some accountability?

BG Stine

Seal Beach

Speeders not stopping

I am writing this as a concerned citizen and resident of College Park East.  We seem to have a real problem on our hands in our neighborhood with speeding and drivers not stopping for stop signs.

This has been a long time, constant problem that has included cars, trucks and commercial work trucks coming in and out of our neighborhood.  I am out and around the neighborhood every morning and every night either running or walking my dog, so I have seen first hand how this problem has been growing.  I am worried that if something is not done about it, someone will be hit and injured, or worse.

I know that other residents are concerned about this problem by the growing number of “slow down” signs being posted in front yards.

So here is my beef.  Wisteria and Almond streets should not be used as speedways.  Stop signs are there for a reason, so come to a complete stop.  Yield to the pedestrian in the crosswalk.  School buses are carrying precious cargo. Slow down and stop for the flashing red lights. Do it for a safer neighborhood in which to live and of which to be proud.

Gina Ramseyer

College Park East, Seal Beach

What price more taxes in Seal Beach?

How much does the taxpayer owe for unfunded and bonded pension costs? When will the City Council get control of these costs by requesting Public Union Employees pay for some of these costs?

How much does the taxpayer owe for City Employees Healthcare?

Does the city need a private tennis court—one that pays a private operator, but cannot pay for the maintenance?

Does the city need a yacht club? The Sunset Harbor Marina Park has boat docks, dry boat storage, boat repair, and a boat launch all run by Orange County, while the city of Seal Beach only receives a boat license fee.

What is the cost for two city employees to ride in a city truck and give parking tickets?

Why do we pay for the education of city employees? They come here unqualified for the position or salary and leave with a degree. Some city employees have every other Friday off. Is this a furlough day without pay? Are they paid for that day off?

Do the taxpayers need a bed and breakfast at the city Police Station? Millions of dollars were spent on the jail and a new kitchen. Taxpayer money is being spent to cover the expenses of the bed and breakfast.

Do we need a redevelopment agency? Where do they get their money and where does the money go? Not to our schools. How many Heron Point houses are in the RDA?

Should the city ban the practice of double-dipping?

Joyce Ross-Parque

Seal Beach

Speeders not stopping

I am writing this as a concerned citizen and resident of College Park East.  We seem to have a real problem on our hands in our neighborhood with speeding and drivers not stopping for stop signs.

I am out and around the neighborhood every morning and every night either running or walking my dog, so I have seen first hand how this problem has been growing.  I am worried that if something is not done about it, someone will be hit and injured, or worse.

I know that other residents are concerned about this problem by the growing number of “slow down” signs being posted in front yards.

Wisteria and Almond streets should not be used as speedways.  Stop signs are there for a reason, so come to a complete stop.  Yield to the pedestrian in the crosswalk.  School buses are carrying precious cargo. Slow down and stop for the flashing red lights. Do it for a safer neighborhood in which to live and of which to be proud.

Gina Ramseyer

College Park East, Seal Beach

What price more taxes in Seal Beach?

How much does the taxpayer owe for unfunded and bonded pension costs? When will the City Council get control of these costs by requesting Public Union Employees pay for some of these costs?

How much does the taxpayer owe for city employees healthcare?

Does the city need a private tennis court—one that pays a private operator, but cannot pay for the maintenance?

Does the city need a yacht club? The Sunset Harbor Marina Park has boat docks, dry boat storage, boat repair, and a boat launch all run by Orange County, while the city of Seal Beach only receives a boat license fee.

What is the cost for two city employees to ride in a city truck and give parking tickets?

Why do we pay for the education of city employees? They come here unqualified for the position or salary and leave with a degree.

Some city employees have every other Friday off. Is this a furlough day without pay? Are they paid for that day off?

Do the taxpayers need a bed and breakfast at the city police station? Millions of dollars were spent on the jail and a new kitchen. Taxpayer money is being spent to cover the expenses of the bed and breakfast. Do we need a redevelopment agency? Where do they get their money and where does the money go? Not to our schools. How many Heron Point houses are in the RDA? Should the city ban the practice of double-dipping?

Joyce Ross-Parque

Seal Beach