South Bay Echo for Feb 25

Thoughts on Ukraine, Torrance development, political shuffle scuttled and parents cited for teen taggers

Hello friends… Welcome to the 25th edition of South Bay Echo, your source of local hometown news with a real estate angle.

This Substack is brought to you by Rosetree Real Estate, a full service real estate brokerage dealing in residential and commercial properties to both own and lease. For more information visit RosetreeRealEstate.com. DRE# 02145024

As the world watches…

Russian soldiers prepare to invade. Credit BBC

As the world watches the largest European invasion since World War 2, I cannot help but think of my dear father and grandfather, may they rest in peace, who fought to save the world from annihilation in the 1940s. I imagine their frustration, perhaps with slumped shoulders, hearing the news that another tyrant with control over his own people has invaded a democracy. How heartbroken they would be.

The world seems a little bit darker this week as Putin threatens with little subtlety a nuclear strike on any nation that interferes with his “special operation.” So the free world watches on, seemingly helpless. They apply economic sanctions and express condemnation. But sadly, might can only be met with might in this case, and the UN and NATO can and should do a whole lot more. How Xi Jingping must be licking his lips over Taiwan right now.

We are buoyed by stories of the Ghost of Kyiv, who reportedly shot down six Russian fighter jets in a single day, and the heroism of the brave soldiers on Snake Island who told a Russian Navy ship to “F- off” before losing their lives in an onslaught.

I am hopeful the madman in Moscow will come to his senses. Or maybe one of the enablers around him will be inspired to save the country and slip Putin some of his own poison. Then we can watch, like we have so many of Putin’s enemies, as his face disfigures and he’s rushed to a hospital in agony. With little response by way of military force from European nations, this may be the best hope we have yet for peace.

Judge blocks Herb Wesson from council

Credit FoxLA

There’s more funny business going on at Los Angeles City Hall. A Superior Court judge on Thursday blocked former Councilman Herb Wesson from filling the seat held by Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, who was suspended last year after federal bribery charges were levelled against him, according to the LA Times.

Ridley-Thomas, who has declared his innocence, is set to stand trial in August. Until then, his district does not have a representative. Council President Nury Martinez apparently couldn’t think of anyone else to nominate aside from career politician Herb Wesson, who was sworn in Tuesday. With the judge’s actions Thursday booting Wesson from the post because of term limits, the seat will once again remain unfilled.

New 200-unit apartment complex slated in Torrance

Credit Legacy Partners via Daily Breeze

The real estate firm Legacy Partners is planning a 5-story, 200-unit apartment complex at the corner of Del Amo Circle Drive and Carson Street near the Del Amo mall.

The developer’s senior partner Timothy O’Brien told The Daily Breeze newspaper this week the project does not require any variances or density bonuses and actually falls below size and scope limits from what they could possibly build under current zoning.

While the South Bay always seems to have a knee-jerk reaction to large new developments, I think when placed at the right locations, big housing projects like this one will win over community support.

There is no doubt the area needs more housing. But it needs the right kind of housing also, the kind that fits the surrounding area, takes advantage of transit centers and doesn’t make already-congested areas worse.

Police cite parents for problem kids

Four juveniles spotted by Hermosa Beach Police accused of tagging. (credit HBPD Facebook)

Here’s a move by police that’s getting more popular these days: citing parents for the actions of minors. And I can’t say I disagree with it.

Hermosa Beach Police cited the parents of three juveniles, along with their kids, for spray painting the wall in an alley towards the north end of the city. The responding officers noticed the graffiti matched similar walls at 10 other locations, which the department had received numerous calls about.

Police in their Facebook post about the citations did not say why or under what statue the parents were cited. In an interview with the Easy Reader, Sgt. Mike Gaglia only said the parents were not Hermosa Beach residents while refusing to give their names.

That’s all for now… Keep peace alive!