EL SEGUNDO HERALD July 16, 2015 Page 13 PALM REALTY BOUTIQUE • 310-322-9761 • EL SEGUNDO ELOISE MENDEZ (310) 951-8679 ALWAYS A PHONE CALL AWAY zekeaceves@aol.com • www.zekeaceves.com 13927 EUCALYPTUS AVE. HAWTHORNE CA. 90250 Kirk Brown from page 3 The admiration goes both ways. Kirk, Jr. chose his father to be the best man at his wedding over several close friends. “We work together really well,” Kirk, Jr., who is also a broker like his pop, said. “We have two companies [Kirk Brown Realty and Kirk Brown Property Management] and a lot of properties to oversee. We need to rely on each other to split up the work.” Asked what the most important trait they have learned from one another is, Kirk, Sr. immediately chimed in, “Patience...” His son replied, “Drive…” And despite different points of view at times, there are no squabbles. “Inside or outside of the office, we treat each other with respect,” Kirk, Sr. said. He added that the respect extends to clients and is a pivotal part of the team’s business success. “We’re going to be here tomorrow. How do you do that? Treat people right. That also includes our fellow realtors in town. There are a number of good ones here and we help each other out because it’s a win-win for everyone. There’s enough business to go around.” Not only is there seemingly enough business nowadays, but El Segundo real estate has reached its all-time pinnacle. “Prices have never been so high in the history of our town,” Kirk, Sr. said. “El Segundo is hot.” Asked what has prompted the major jump in property valuations, he pointed to continued low interest rates, a great school system, and prices still considerably lower than Manhattan Beach. The combination has resulted in many very happy (and pleasantly surprised) new residents. “The fun part of our job is being with the clients—many of Donate your child’s gently used uniforms to Goodwill and make a difference in someone’s life. #DonateStuffCreateJobs whom have become our friends--and getting to meet new people,” Kirk, Jr. said. “It’s really rewarding to sell someone their first house or increase the value of their property that we manage. I’m excited by what’s happening in real estate in town.” Real estate in town has certainly changed over the years. Kirk, Sr. recalls that when he started out, a typical transaction only required a single, one-sided 8.5 x 11 sheet and has since grown to over 40 pages of detailed paperwork. And the agent himself is also admittedly a tad greyer. “When I first sold real estate here, I was always the youngest guy in every meeting--now I’m the oldest guy,” Kirk, Sr. said. But he has no plans to retire anytime soon. “They’ll have to carry me out of here.” Both Kirks plan to remain in El Segundo for the long haul to continue the local family line of Browns. Kirk, Jr. has a two-year-old son daughter (Clara) and a 10-month-old son (Wilson Kirk). “Our offices are right here, my dad lives on Penn and Palm and I’m on Oak and California—so we can walk to work,” Kirk, Jr. said. “That’s one of the great things about El Segundo that you don’t get anywhere else.” In the meantime, the father/son partners continue to preach the importance of good, old-fashioned work ethic and the value of a true family business even in changing times. “We work hard every day to exceed your expectations—and that’s what we try to do no matter what,” Kirk, Sr. said. “Number one with us are the people we work with and that will never change...” • Drop off your donations at any one of our retail stores or attended donation centers 7 days/week. For more information visit: www.ThinkGood.org EZEQUIEL “ZEKE” ACEVES Call for a FREE Market Analysis Best Ramona Track Location! Wonderful 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath. Remodeled kitchen w/granite counters and tile floors. Updated bathroom, Hardwood floors, Master bedroom with his and hers closets, Direct access to a beautiful deck. 2 Car garage detached. License # 01033312 DRE# 01378851 THE MARKET IS STILL HOT!! GREAT TIME TO BUY OR SELL Letters from page 2 Union Activism The firefighter and police officer “associations” are labor unions. They spent thousands of dollars campaigning for a month, with deceptive campaign ads and mailers, to keep millions of dollars per year in excess compensation they receive as rewards for their support for past City Council candidates. None of the firefighters and only one fourth of the police live in town. They want to control and run our city for their own financial benefit. Their unions exist to continuously increase their compensation, no matter how excessive and unsustainable, at our expense in money and safety. They support candidates and ballot measures that will maximize their pay, and raise our taxes and fees to pay for it. For example, the firefighters put Measure P on the 4/10/2012 ballot to maximize their compensation, but reduce our safety. It would have forced El Segundo to contract with the L.A. County Fire Department for an inferior level of service. We would have lost our three paramedic transport ambulances, and been forced to use out-of-town ambulance companies, doubling hospital transport times. The firefighters hired a campaign consultant, election lawyers, and professional pollsters. They probably spent over $100,000. I led the grassroots campaign against Measure P. Thankfully, 90% of voters voted “No”. The city unions contributed $17,500 to the Measure A campaign (4/8/2014). Measure A was eleven tax hikes in one measure, on residents and businesses. I led the campaign against Measure A. We won again. The union activism shows Council is doing its job. – Mike Robbins Worried About Repercussions The ES Public Safety Unions compensation contracts are being discussed by the City Council. I’m not here to argue for or against what the Unions are asking for, but most Public Safety union members pay and benefits seem fairly generous. Recently, I discovered many ES residents will not express their point of view about Public Safety employee’s compensation in public if they are not in support of raises. Why? Many are concerned about possible repercussions. I understand those concerns. Several years ago I spoke at a City Council meeting. I assumed the council was the right place to ask for some added enforcement for traffic safety. I was wrong. Several days later, I received a call from an ESPD officer I knew on a personal level. I was told that I had embarrassed the department, and warned to look out for tickets for offences I don’t recall doing! Like parking near a fire hydrant or in a handicap spot – tickets that cost many $100’s of dollars in fines! I was shocked... and intimidated. I never received a surprise ticket, but it changed me. What was communicated to me was clearly illegal. But it works. If someone speaks publically against Public Safety Union contracts or matters, will they get a parking or speeding ticket for something they did not do? It’s intimidating to know the union members have that power. We live in a very small town, and there are many citizens of El Segundo who feel this way - Intimidated. – Robert Clark • Douglass M O R T U A R Y “Our Family Serving Yours Since 1954” B U R I A L - C R E M A T I O N - W O R L D W I D E T R A N S F E R P E T M E M O R I A L P R O D U C T S 500 EAST IMPERIAL AVENUE EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA 90245 Telephone (310) 640-9325 • Fax (310) 640-0778 • FD658
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