SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY – BE THERE!

On Monday night at 5:30 there will be a SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING to discuss the exposure of the city to litigation on the former “DWP property site” near 1st and Ocean.

This property, presently owned by Bay City Partners, (we’ve been advised that one of the partners is the owner of O’Malley’s restaurant on Main St.) has long been a point of contention between the property owners and the city.  Some years ago the city developed plans that seemed to be fair to the landowners and the rest of the citizens.

This very large parcel, right next to the San Gabriel River outlet, where it meets the Pacific Ocean, is a particularly beautiful piece of land.  It was decided that 30% of the land could be developed and 70% would be maintained as open space.  The open space would guarantee that all citizens could have access to the spectactular beauty of the area.

Recently the landowners have apparently decided that the 30/70 split is not adequate for their purposes and want significant changes.   The city opposes those changes and has made offers to purchase the land.

Reading between the lines of the city’s announcement of this meeting (shown below in detail) it would seem that the landowners do not want to accept the City’s offer and may be threatening the city with a lawsuit and the city may want to file first.

WE ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS WHO CAN BE PRESENT TO ATTEND THIS COUNCIL MEETING.

This could be a meeting that decides the future of  “Old Town” for the future.  If you like the city as it is show your support.  You can be assured that those that want a more intense development will be there with their minions to stop any litigation effort.

City’s Notice

*****************************************

City of Seal Beach

211 – 8th Street

Seal Beach, CA 90740

562-431-2527

CALL AND NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING

OF THE SEAL BEACH CITY COUNCIL

TO THE PUBLIC AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH:

Charles J. Antos, 415 1/2 Ocean Avenue, Seal Beach

David W. Sloan, 209 College Park Drive, Seal Beach

Gordon A. Shanks, 215 Surf Place, Seal Beach

Gary A. Miller, 4632 Guava Avenue, Seal Beach

Michael M. Levitt, 1380 Weeburn Road #81L, Seal Beach

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT,

pursuant to Section 54956 of the California Government

Code, Mayor Sloan hereby calls a special meeting of the Seal Beach City Council to be

convened in the City Council Conference room, Seal Beach City Hall, 211 – 8th Street, Seal

Beach, California, 90740 on Monday, April 12, 2010 at 5:30 p.m.

The business to be transacted at the special meeting is as follows:

A. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS

Government Code § 54956.8

Property: The property generally known as the “DWP site”

located westerly of First Street and easterly of the San

Gabriel River, Seal Beach

City Negotiators: City Manager; City Attorney

Negotiating Parties: Bay City Partners, LLC

Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment

B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION

Government Code §§ 54956.9(b) and (c)

A point has been reached where, in the opinion of the Seal Beach City Council on the

advice of its City Attorney, based on existing facts and circumstances, there is a

significant exposure to litigation against the City. In addition, based on existing facts and

circumstances, the City Council is deciding whether to initiate litigation.

Number of Cases: 3

Please note that members of the public will be provided the opportunity to directly address the

City Council concerning the items described above before the City Council considers such

items. No other business shall be considered.

DATED THIS 6th day of April 2010.

/s/ David W. Sloan

David W. Sloan, Mayor

City of Seal Beach

What the oil boats cost Seal Beach visitors health ?

EPA’s Recent Assessment of Toxic Air Pollutants and their affect on you.

The EPA has released the latest version of a state-of-the-science tool that estimates health risks from breathing air toxics in the United States. The National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA), based on 2002 air emissions data, helps state, and local governments identify areas and specific pollutants to better understand risks they may pose.

Air toxics are of concern because they are known to, or are suspected of, causing cancer and other serious health problems, including birth defects. The report assessed 180 air toxics plus diesel particulate matter from stationary sources of all sizes and from mobile sources such as cars, trucks, buses and construction equipment.

The 2002 NATA estimates that most people in the United States have an average cancer risk of 36 in 1 million if exposed to 2002 emissions levels over the course of their lifetime. In addition, 2 million people—less than one percent of the total U.S. population—have an increased cancer risk of greater than 100 in 1 million.

HOW IT AFFECTS SEAL BEACH

One thing not included in the study is any harm caused by diesel pollutants that come from the “oil boats”, “Capt. T Li” and “Peter Mac”, that regularly pick up men and equipment from the Seal Beach Pier. Whats Up in Seal Beach estimates there are not less than 20 pick-ups and drop offs in each 24 hour period.

The boats pull up next to the pier and NEVER shut off their engines. We’re told that’s the city’s decision.Clouds of noxious fumes affect fisherman and people on the pier a few feet away. Also affected are surfers and boogie boarders nearby and, when the wind is offshore Ruby’s diner 100 feet away.

TODDLERS PLAYGROUND

Most important is the play area for our children. It is only a few hundred yards away and the prevailing winds suck the fumes directly in that direction. When you read EPA reports of toxic fumes you’ll notice there is always an emphasis on what the fumes do to small children and pregnant women.

Sometimes the boat is running (and spewing fumes) for considerable periods. The photos above were taken on July 4th and prevailing winds were strong enough that day that the fumes shown are pretty well dispersed and do not accurately show how concentrated they are most of the time. On Independence day the “Peter Mac” was at the pier for almost 45 minutes waiting for ONE person.

TRUCKS CONTROLLED, HARBOR BOATS ARE NOT?

California state law states that a diesel truck operating in the harbor can only idle for 5 minutes….after 5 minutes if it doesn’t shout down it is fined. The oil boats have diesel engines 10 times as big as a diesel truck yet they can run those engines next to an exposed group of holiday beachgoers for 45 minutes!

CHILDREN’S HEALTH STUDY

According to the Clean Air Task Force in diesel engine particulates carry a number of potent carcinogens. In children, particulate matter has also been associated with crib death. A 2004 study showed that particles and nitrogen dioxide have chronic adverse effects on lung development 10-18 year olds leading to deficits in lung function as the children reached adulthood. What’s more, diesel engines also release other gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides that form ground level ozone. Results of the California Children’s Health Study suggest that ozone is associated with birth defects and new diagnoses of asthma.

PIER DAMAGE OVERESTIMATED?

Since the oil boats approach from the east side of the pier they are usually being pushed away by the prevailing winds, so the engine is always working hard to push the boat back to the dock. If the boats tied-up at the loading dock they could shut their engines or at least reduce them to “idle mode.”

NO TIE-UP MEANS WORKERS MUST JUMP ON BOARD

The city says that they do not want the ship to tie-up because if they did the operators might bang into the pier and do damage to the pier. (What does the city think happens to the pier when the boat is being constantly pushed away by wave action and has to keep pushing back?) The photo below shows a worker jumping on board.

Admittedly a small jump and not a big risk, however, when it is repeated 100 times in 24 hours, sometimes in dark and inclement weather; and often with an exhausted worker at the end of a long day…the risk to injury or death increases exponentially.

We’ve seen senior boat operators who could put a vessel a lot bigger than the oil boats next to a dock as gently as one would stroke a kitten. If the operators did that they could tie-up without any damage to the pier. As it is presently done the boat MUST bump the dock several times because it is constantly being pushed off by wave action and prevailing winds. Even if there was a chance of occasional harder pier bumps the boat operator could easily carry a bond that would cover any possible damage to the pier.

DO WE EVEN NEED THE OIL BOATS AT OUR PIER?

If we don’t allow the boats to use the pier there are lots of other options for them. Alamitos Bay has a usable pier which they use when they can’t come here. Perhap the Belmont Pier ? Huntington Beach has both a helicopter pad and a pier…but maybe Huntington is more conscious of their pier users and doesn’t want the oil boats there. Yes we’d lose some revenue but is the revenue generated enough  to justify the risks to the health of our citizens and visitors. Might we be held mutually liable for health risks to nearby residents who are forced to breath substantially more of these carcinogens brought into the city by a contract between the city and boat operator?

NATA provides broad estimates of risk over geographic areas of the country and not definitive risks to specific individuals. The results are best used to prioritize pollutants and areas for further study, not as the sole basis for regulation or risk reduction activities.

Since the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, air toxic emissions have decreased by 40 percent from all sources. NATA can be used to help all levels of government target further reductions in air toxics emissions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION :

Diesel and Health in America: The Lingering Threat

http://www.catf.us/publications/view/83

www.epa.gov/nata2002

www.epa.gov/oar/toxicair/newtoxics.html

Once upon a time we were competing with San Francisco for our name?

St. Paddy’s Day in Seal Beach is a “Piece of Cake”

The “Day After” police report on St. Paddy’s Day 2010 on Main Street was….the true charm of the Irish came out last night.  The Watch Sargent said that the night before was quiet compared to previous years.  ‘In fact most of the arrests we made last night were not related to St. Patrick’s day revelry at all” he said with a chuckle. 

This would great news indeed if it is a trend for the future.  There is no doubt that the Irish holiday is a boon to the eateries of Seal Beach.  Many of the revelers start out looking for corned beef and cabbage but crowds can change their minds when lines are too long ……. and they find out that maybe its a night for Thai, Vietnamese or Japanese food.  The nice thing about the Irish is that they were never “colony making” inclined – – –  so they haven’t made any enemies overseas…and they’re welcome everywhere….or so I’m told.

The residents of Old Town overall enjoy living close to Main St., the Pier and feel of  “Mayberry by the Sea” most of the time. Let’s admit it…Main St. Seal Beach is a lot like Main St. Disneyland…without the admission fees.   Admittedly much of the joy disappears when you hear a couple of drunks discussing world politics outside your bedroom window at 2 a.m. in the morning.

Our police and some of the local departments that assist when necessary, do an admiral job…and get a little over-time which I’m sure they like.  But let’s  face it … it is not a lot of fun talking to people who don’t make sense when your sober – – even if your getting paid to do it.  So when arrests go down it must mean that our visitors are drinking less and are therefore better guests.

(Photos are from previous year’s celebrations)

A Headline Story to Make American’s Proud

Every member of this high school’s graduating class – – ALL 107 OF THEM….had been accepted at four year universities in the United States.  The Urban Prep Academy in Englewood, Illinois is only four years old.  This is their first graduating class.

Go to: http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/happynews/chi-100305chicago-charter-school-graduates,0,2406746.story

The entire senior class at Chicago’s only public all-male, all-African-American high school has been accepted to four-year colleges. At last count, the 107 seniors had earned spots at 72 schools across the nation.

Mayor Richard Daley and Chicago Public Schools chief Ron Huberman surprised students at an all-school assembly at Urban Prep Academy for Young Men in Englewood this morning to congratulate them. It’s the first graduating class at Urban Prep since it opened its doors in 2006.
Huberman applauded the seniors for making CPS shine.

“All of you in the senior class have shown that what matters is perseverance, what matters is focus, what matters is having a dream and following that dream,” Huberman said.
The school enforces a strict uniform of black blazers, khaki pants and red ties — with one exception. After a student receives the news he was accepted into college, he swaps his red tie for a red and gold one at an assembly.

DUI STOPS THIS WEEKEND – – AVOID THE POKEY!

SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY A.M.  the Seal Beach P.D. will be checking on drunk drivers.

The officers are looking for drunks….and other violations.

They want people to know they are out there because they believe..andhope… that will make us all more responsible.

The last checkpoint was in During the department’s last sobriety checkpoint was mid February and 10 cars were imounded and 14  citations were issued.

How Do Turkish Politics Affect the West ?

I admiit this is not exactly “local news” but I believe that if you don’t pay attention to international news….it can often become local news when you don’t want it to.

Last week a Turkish friend sent me an article by Daniel Pipes.  Mr. Pipes according to his website and bio is  an outstanding author on the Middle East and power politics.

His website, http://www.danielpipes.org is one of the most accessed internet sources of specialized information on the Middle East and Islam. It offers an archive of his work and an opportunity to sign up to receive e-mails of his writings as they appear.

What follows are his comments on last week’s “almost” coup.

–         –         –         –

“The arrest and indictment of top military figures in Turkey last week precipitated potentially the most severe crisis since Atatürk founded the republic in 1923. The weeks ahead will probably indicate whether the country continues its slide toward Islamism or reverts to its traditional secularism. The denouement has major implications for Muslims everywhere.

Turkey’s military has long been both the state’s most trusted institution and the guarantor of Atatürk’s legacy, especially his laicism. Devotion to the founder is not some dry abstraction but a very real and central part of a Turkish officer’s life; as journalist Mehmet Ali Birand has documented, cadet-officers hardly go an hour without hearing Atatürk’s name invoked.

On four occasions between 1960 and 1997, the military intervened to repair a political process gone awry. On the last of these occasions, it forced the Islamist government of Necmettin Erbakan out of power. Chastened by this experience, some of Erbakan’s staff re-organized themselves as the more cautious Justice and Development Party (AKP). In Turkey’s decisive election of 2002, they surged ahead of discredited and fragmented centrist parties with a plurality of 34 percent of the popular vote.

Parliamentary rules then transformed that plurality into a 66 percent supermajority of assembly seats and a rare case of single-party rule. Not only did the AKP skillfully take advantage of its opportunity to lay the foundations of an Islamic order but no other party or leader emerged to challenge it. As a result, the AKP increased its portion of the vote in the 2007 elections to a resounding 47 percent, with control over 62 percent of parliamentary seats.

Repeated AKP electoral successes encouraged it to drop its earlier caution and to hasten moving the country toward its dream of an Islamic Republic of Turkey. The party placed partisans in the presidency and the judiciary while seizing increased control of the educational, business, media, and other leading institutions. It even challenged the secularists’ hold over what Turks call the “deep state” – the non-elected institutions of the intelligence agencies, security services, and the judiciary. Only the military, ultimate arbiter of the country’s direction, remained beyond AKP control.

Several factors then prompted the AKP to confront the military: European Union accession demands for civilian control over the military; a 2008 court case that came close to shutting down the AKP; and the growing assertiveness of its Islamist ally, the Fethullah Gülen Movement. An erosion in AKP popularity (from 47 percent in 2007 to 29 percent now) added a sense of urgency to this confrontation, for it points to the end of one-party AKP rule in the next elections.

The AKP devised an elaborate conspiracy theory in 2007, dubbed Ergenekon, to arrest about two hundred AKP critics, including military officers, under accusation of plotting to overthrow the elected government. The military responded passively, so the AKP raised the stakes on Jan. 22 by concocting a second conspiracy theory, this one termed Balyoz (“Sledgehammer”) and exclusively directed against the military.

The military denied any illegal activities and the chief of general staff, ?lker Ba?bu?, warned that “Our patience has a limit.” Nonetheless, the government proceeded, starting on Feb. 22, to arrest 67 active and retired military officers, including former heads of the air force and navy. So far, 35 officers have been indicted.

Thus has the AKP thrown down the gauntlet, leaving the military leadership basically with two unattractive options: (1) continue selectively to acquiesce to the AKP and hope that fair elections by 2011 will terminate and reverse this process; or (2) stage a coup d’état, risking voter backlash and increased Islamist electoral strength.

At stake is whether the Ergenekon/Balyoz offensives will succeed in transforming the military from an Atatürkist to a Gülenist institution; or whether the AKP’s blatant deceit and over-reaching will spur secularists to find their voice and their confidence. Ultimately the issue concerns whether Shari’a (Islamic law) rules Turkey or the country returns to secularism.

Turkey’s Islamic importance suggests that the outcome of this crisis has consequences for Muslims everywhere. AKP domination of the military means Islamists control the umma‘s most powerful secular institution, proving that, for the moment, they are unstoppable. But if the military retains its independence, Atatürk’s vision will remain alive in Turkey and offer Muslims worldwide an alternative to the Islamist juggernaut.”

HOW ‘BOUT SANDRA BULLOCK’S SPEECH?

There’s a lot to be said for Seal Beach’s Sandra Bullock that’s makes one smile about her winning ways on the Academy Award’s show and the lead up to it.

We couldn’t agree more with Forest Whittaker who directed her in the romantic comedy “Hope Floats” a few years ago. He expressed his feelings, as did so many, for the depth of Bullock’s art and the ease with which she connects with the camera

“I just fell in love with her as person. I think she’s a great artist. It was just a magical moment for me, because her work was beautiful and I think she is beautiful. I was happy to be there on the night she received it.”

On Saturday night at the Golden Raspberry Awards, given annually to the worst performances of the year, Bullock surprised everyone by showing up to accept her Worst Actress award for “All About Steve.” She accepted the award with grace and humor and brought a wagon load of DVD’s so the audience would also get a chance it. go to:https://www.whatsupinsealbeach.com/local_news/oscar-night-full-of-humor-grace-and-karmic-lessons/

Next night, of course, she took home Best Actress for “The BlindSide.” and gave on the the best acceptance speeches ever.

That’s our adopted gal here in Seal Beach.  Talented, humble, GREAT natural humor and an easy person to hope for the best for. There was not doubt in our mind that the emotion she was trying so hard to control would overtake her once you saw her turn from the cameras when her name was announced. What was surprising to see that her husband Jesse James was crying before she was!  Way to go Jesse.

Jude law turned to Whittaker and was heard to say … ” Has that ever happened before…winning a Razzie and the Oscar in the same year:”  No Jude … at least not in not in an acting category.

After the Oscar and an Oprah date on Monday, Sandra…still on cloud nine … took her equally attractive step-daughters out shopping on Main Street on Tuesday. For more info go to: http://www.gossipcenter.com/sandra-bullock/sandra-bullock-seal-beach-shopping-sunny-452405

Oscar Night Full of Humor, Grace and Karmic Lessons

What makes every contest more interesting is a back story, whether it be the Superbowl or the Oscars a little drama goes a long way to help make for a more interesting viewing experience. Whether you were rooting for the underdog, the ex, or the hometown girl with a great sense of humor you were likely not disappointed with the results of tonight’s Oscars.

Kathryn Bigelow was awarded the Best Director Oscar for Hurt Locker over James Cameron for Avatar, making her the first female to win the honor. Hurt Locker won a total of six Oscars including Best Picture. Not to discount her talent or quality of the movie but perhaps a lesson in karma is also to be had. Bigelow was married to (and divorced) James Cameron back in the 90’s when he allegedly had an affair with his next wife Linda Hamilton on the set of Terminator 2.

Hometown favorite, Sandra Bullock won for Best Actress, just one night after accepting a Razzie award in Hollywood for her role in “All About Steve”, making her the first actress (or Actor for that matter) to win both a Razzie and an Oscar in the same weekend. Bullock’s acceptance speech was poignant yet funny including a moment where she thanked her Mother for raising her to be accepting of all people while joking about Meryl Streep being “a great kisser” in a way that only Sandra Bullock could pull off.

As predicted the Best Actor Oscar went to Jeff Bridges for his role in “Crazy Heart”.  Comedian Mo’Nique won for Best Supporting Actress for her dramatic role as Mary Jones, an abused and criminally abusive mother, in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push” by Sapphire.”

Video of Sandra Bullock Winning Razzie Award on Saturday Night:

Video of Sandra Bullock Winning Oscar Award on Sunday Night (poor quality):

Let’s protect the sharks before its too late ?

So you don’t believe that sharks are endangered and you don’t think there are more giant squid than usual?

Well I’ve talked to several local fisherman lately who’ve told me that they believe the local squid population is destroying other local fish population.

Also we know that the giant Great White Sharks are traveling great distances. Sometimes from the South Pacific, close to 2,000 miles, to get to an area where the giant squid seem to gather .  A spot in the middle of the North Pacific between San Francisco and Hawaii … to dine on the squid that also gather there.. That’s a long trip for Sunday dinner.

For the whole story go:  tohttp://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-shark7-2010mar07,0,5015116.story

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