Hawthorne Press Tribune The Weekly Newspaper of Hawthorne Herald Publications - Inglewood, Hawthorne, Lawndale, El Segundo, Torrance & Manhattan Beach Community Newspapers Since 1911 - Circulation 30,000 - Readership 60,000 (310) 322-1830 - April 23, 2015 Inside This Issue Certified & Licensed Professionals.......................2 Classifieds............................6 Community Briefs...............3 Food.......................................8 Hawthorne Happenings....3 Legals............................4, 6-7 Letters...................................2 Looking Up...........................6 Police Reports.....................2 Seniors..................................2 Sports....................................5 Weekend Forecast Friday Partly Cloudy 66˚/55˚ Saturday Partly Cloudy 66˚/55˚ Sunday Sunny 70˚/57 City Council Debates Proposed Building near Hawthorne Airport A view of Hawthorne airport and Star Helicopter, which gives aerial tours of Los Angeles. On April 14, the city council discussed a proposed property grading and building license near the airport runway. Photo by Peter Thornton, jp.thornton58@gmail.com Debate over Restaurant Site Continues By Laura Sorensen maintained that the FAA has determined that city vehicles; and a report from city manager On April 14, the City Council met with grading the development – which is slated to re whether city staff and city resources are all the councilmembers in attendance at be a Farmer Boys restaurant -- does not affect being used to create press releases for Mayor. the beginning of the meeting except Mayor airport use, and that the restaurant would join The Mayor returned to the meeting and Brown. However, the Mayor did attend the many other businesses that are in the same Councilmember Michelin asked for an action meeting, arriving about two hours in. The zoning area. item that established “policy on going-forward meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro The City, however, argued that splitting basis for City to have full-recruitment process Tem Olivia Valentine. the lot was a concern, because it isn’t certain for all City Hall employees, whether permanent, The first part of the meeting was reserved what Primestor would do with the rest of temporary or seasonal,” and an item which for the public to speak, and most citizens put the lot, and because the intention to parcel discussed whether the City Reimbursement in pleas for another hospital in Hawthorne the lots violates the Subdivision Map Act, Policy needs to be updated to require preapproval area: residents of Hawthorne have signed a which regulates the subdivision of city lots. for travel, meal, lodging and other petition for a new medical center in Hawthorne, The airport representative also upheld the actual and necessary expenses. Mayor Brown and speakers wished for the city council to city’s decision, citing concerns with grading noted that this action item has already been approve a resolution in support of opening the lot and proximity to the flight path of discussed and voted down within twelve a new hospital. Speakers referenced the the airplanes. After almost three hours of months and cannot be discussed again. slow reaction of emergency vehicles and the testimony, and many questions asked on both Councilmember Michelin then noted that time it takes for people to reach emergency sides of the debate by the council members, the Mayor Pro Tem is a term of a year, and rooms. 2,000 residents have signed a petition, Mayor Pro Tem Valentine made a motion he had not served in that position yet, and deploring the time and effort that are wasted to uphold the building director’s decision he nominated himself for the position. The when people need medical care. to deny the permit. The motion failed, and reorganization was refuted by Mayor Pro Tem Residents, responding to a recent newspaper Councilmember Reyes English motioned for Valentine, who noted that she would like to article, questioned the misappropriation of a continuance, so that the council could have continue in her position. The motion had two funds and travel expenses of the mayor, more time to understand all the issues at stake. yes votes and two no votes. worried about the possible misuse of city The motion passed unanimously and Mayor Other action items during the meeting funds. Though excited for new development in Brown promised that the decision would be were as follows: Hawthorne and the revival of the community made in a reasonable period of time. The City of Hawthorne proclaimed that and strong economic growth, as well as the At that t ime, Mayor Brown and April is “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” great school districts, speakers were worried Councilmember Reyes English left the meeting, and April 23rd is “Denim Day” in Hawthorne; about the town’s reputation and where public and Councilmember Vargas then responded parking “Ts” (painted lines marking out spaces) money was being spent. to the queries about Mayor Brown’s use of will be enforced in the city’s residential areas; The bulk of the 6-hour meeting was public funds. Vargas proposed the following 2-hour parking restrictions will be removed spent discussing an appeal from Primestor action items: A public report for the City on the west side of Hawthorne Blvd from Development, Inc., who filed to have the Website “detailing expenses of each Elected 13023 Hawthorne Blvd to 131st Street; street City Council review a denial of building Officials’ (including City Manager) trips, lighting assessments will be levied for fiscal permit. Much of the debate had to do with conferences, meetings and seminars, including year 2014-15; and the City Council adopted the location of the lot, which is adjacent to plane fare, taxis, meals, drinks, room service, “Balance Calories,” an “initiative to help fight Hawthorne Airport and is debatably in the movies and other entertainment expenses” obesity by encouraging Americans to balance Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) and therefore for the period of January 2014 to present; a what they eat and drink, including beverages, subject to oversight by the FAA. Primestor report of the Status of elected officials’ use of with what they do.” •
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