GRF Traffic Fines: The Power to Destroy …
What Leisure World’s Golden Rain Foundation Board is trying to do in regard to levying fines for in-house traffic violation is, in my opinion, odious to say the least and fraught with peril to the shareholders of Leisure World’s mutuals at worst.
The power to levy fines has been the “Holy Grail” for Leisure World Security ever since I moved here over a dozen years ago.
This power would transform us into a semi-police-state within the walls of our community. It would, in effect, make the head of security, Jaime Guerrero, the most powerful person in Leisure World!
As one of our forefathers stated, “The power to tax is the power to destroy” and this is nothing more than a “tax” upon our residents.
The big question is: Why does the GRF Board wish to cede and invest this power to a hired employee who doesn’t even live here?
What is going on in their minds?
Is it fear? Another forefather said: “He who trades freedom for security, ends up with neither!”
What it would certainly do is generate a large amount of money to fill the coffers of the Security Department.
If 400 tickets were written each month (Guerrero’s own estimate) at an average cost of $20 each, it would easily total almost $100,000 per year in “revenue.”
Like they say, “follow the money!”
There is always a good reason to do something and then there is the real reason.
Safety is a minor issue; classes could accomplish that with less cost and more effectiveness.
It’s all about money and power, isn’t it? That and ego, of which there is more than enough here in Leisure World.
How about reason? It’s not as glamorous, but much more acceptable.
Let us all strongly oppose this “power grab” (or more properly stated, “power give-away”) and oppose it vehemently.
Let’s hope that it’s not already a “done deal” and these discussions and comments by residents are not simply a sham.
Tom Pontac
Seal Beach Leisure World
The ones that just don’t get it or just don’t care
It is Sunday morning at about 11:05 and I have just left Pavilions market on PCH.
I might have finished my shopping had I not encountered a lady in one of the aisles who was pushing a cart with a small white dog in it.
I inquired of her if she thought it appropriate to have her dog in a cart that would next be used by a person shopping in the store.
She glared at me, turned around and walked off. I approached the manager and asked if she were aware of the dog in the cart.
Her response was, “No she was not.”
She, the manager, then asked me if it was a service animal. My response was that I did not know. However, if dog size means anything about dog strength it, the dog, should just about be able to carry a candy bar out on its own if it were a small one. This is the third time I have come across a person with a dog in a cart in this market. Could it be that Pavilions should change their advertising? I can see it now. Pavilions, the best kennel shopping in Seal Beach. I’m on my way to Ralphs.
Tim Kraushaar
(Responsible dog owner)
Remembering a ‘golden’ Californian TV host
‘Hi! I’m Huell Howser!’
Thus began a lecture by the TV personality at the Mary Wilson Library in Seal Beach about 20 years ago. The event was put on by the Seal Beach Woman’s Club. No, I did not attend, but I heard Huell Howser was just like he was on TV, if only more so.
Mr. Howser brought a smile to people’s faces, young and old, for the past 30 years. He was a California icon whose dedication to his craft, The Golden State, and personal creativity, allowed families to travel up and down the coast experiencing things they would have never known about had it not been for his charisma and in depth knowledge.
My parents and our family are big supporters of KCET and I remember many a night sitting together watching him crack jokes with his interviewees trying to get his microphone as close to the action as he possibly could.
My mother, father, and myself, got the lucky chance to meet him when he was doing one of his shows at the Los Angeles Coliseum before the beginning of a USC football game. His special that week was the famous mascot for the Trojans, the beautiful white Spanish Andalusian, Traveler.
The enthusiasm we saw in Huell’s eyes about learning all he could about the legacy of “Fighting On!” is a lost art that so many television stars in this generation don’t cultivate. He even broke boundaries and showed us his versatility when he did a special on the infamous music festival in the Indio Valley, Coachella.
My sister has been attending this event for six years now, and Huell took part in the art, people, and different lifestyles of the featured electronic dance craze that has become so popular across the world over the past 10 years.
I want to say, “thank you,” Howser, for showing others that just a little kindness can go a long way. Knowing I will never again experience another piece of “California’s Gold,” brings a tear to my eye. You will never be forgotten.
Rachel E. Keith
Long Beach
Cypress College Foundation Americana Awards
Esther Cummings has been named Seal Beach Citizen of the Year by Cypress College.
This probably comes as no surprise to those who know Esther as her involvement in and beyond Seal Beach is nothing less than extraordinary.
Kindly accept this invitation to join us as we pay tribute to her and to select others at the 38th annual Cypress College Americana Awards on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, in the Grand Ballroom of the Disneyland Hotel.
That evening we will honor baseball great and Cypress College alumnus Trevor Hoffman as our Man of the Year along with Kaiser Permanente as our Distinguished Business Partner.
Also recognized will be Citizens of the Year from surrounding communities: Becky Areias, Anaheim; Dale Eichman, Buena Park; Haze Saliture, Cypress; William Dalton, Garden Grove; John Alvis, La Palma; Theresa Murphy, Los Alamitos; and David Ronnenberg, Stanton.
Please participate in acknowledging Esther and the others by sponsoring a table at one of the various levels, or by purchasing tickets to the event or a congratulatory ad in the program.
Proceeds benefit Cypress College students and programs. Last year alone, over $300,000 was distributed by the Foundation in direct student support.
As one of the students who benefited put it: “Cypress College gives me the opportunity to build myself into the person I dream to be.”
If you have any questions, contact the Cypress College Foundation at (714) 484-7126 or e-mail foundation@cypresscollege.edu. On behalf of our students as well as on Esther’s behalf, thank you for your consideration.
Bill Ayres
Chair, Seal Beach City Committee
Cypress College Foundation Americana Awards
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