The Weekly Newspaper of Manhattan Beach Herald Publications - El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Lawndale, & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - Circulation 30,000 - Readership 60,000 (310) 322-1830 Vol. 6, No. 12 December 5, 2013 Inside This Issue Business & Professional.........................6 Calendar................................2 Classifieds............................2 Entertainment......................3 Looking Up...........................3 Pets........................................7 Police Reports.....................2 Politically Speaking............6 Real Estate...........................8 Sports....................................4 Weekend Forecast Neptunian Woman’s Club Donates to USO November has been declared “Military Family Month,” and, in recognition, the Neptunian Woman’s Club of Manhattan Beach presented a check for $2,000 to LAX’s USO. The ladies also donated a large supply of toiletries to this organization that serves as a friendly way station for service people and their families at the airport. Pictured above are (left) Barbara and Bob Kurkjian (executive director of several Southern California USOs) receiving a check from Jan Fleming, Neptunian vice president of philanthropies, and President Elaine Trotter. • Lawndale Council Renames Community Center in Honor of Harold E. Hofmann By Nancy Peters On Tuesday night, the Lawndale City Council held a meeting for the first time in more than 20 years without Harold E. Hofmann presiding as Mayor. After Hofmann passed away in the early morning hours of Nov. 16, the City has been dealing with the absence of their long-time leader. As Mayor Pro Tem Pat Kearney handled the agenda with efficiency with a goal of getting to the final item, there were two ordinances introduced and a few business matters that all received unanimous approval. However, it was the evening’s final item, during the elected officials’ reports, for which everyone in the Council chamber was waiting to offer remarks. During the elected officials’ reports, Councilmember Robert Pullen-Miles had entered a discussion/action item to rename the Lawndale Community Center in honor of the deceased mayor. With his widow seated in the gallery, the Council agreed by consensus to name the building the “Harold E. Hofmann Community Center.” The building, opened on January 21, 2012 after years of Hofmann dreaming that the project would become a reality as he sought grant funds from as many sources as possible including the federal government, is considered a hallmark of his administration. The ordinances introduced will have second readings on Monday, Dec. 16. The latest street drugs that are sold as “bath salts” and “purple incense,” but have nothing to do with those seemingly harmless names, will now be prohibited for sale and use in Lawndale. These are psychoactive synthetic drugs that cause hallucinations and harmful side effects that could potentially lead to death as with any other illegal drugs. The ordinance will add a new chapter to Lawndale’s municipal code. Violators will be charged with a misdemeanor and fined $1,000, or will face six months in jail. The other ordinance, read for the first time, will adopt the California Green Building Standards for energy efficiency and require all new buildings to comply with the standards. The additional cost will amount to an average of $2,290, which will be recouped over the years of efficient use of energy in the home. The Council approved the purchase of a new three-part sink for the Farmers Market in the amount of $7,500. The consent calendar included the acceptance of the completion of the construction and all projects associated with the building of the renamed Hofmann Community Center in conformance with all specifications and plans as performed by Edge Construction and Liberty Mutual. The memorandum of understanding involving the Environmental Charter High School and all attendant issues with buses and parking and ingress and egress of students onto residential streets has been continued until a future meeting. The Council requested that the school contact all residents around the perimeter of the school campus with a survey to answer what the issues might be in the neighborhood. The sale of alcohol less than 600 feet from the elementary school in Lawndale that is across the street from the WalMart Grocery Store on Inglewood Avenue just south of Rosecrans Avenue and which is actually in Hawthorne, would be prohibited by ordinance if both locations were in Lawndale. The request for a permit to sell alcohol has not been denied by the City of Hawthorne to the knowledge of those in the City of Lawndale. However, the Council agreed that even if alcohol is already being sold, the City Manager’s office will send a letter to the Mayor and City Council of Hawthorne, as well as the Planning Commission, to prohibit the sale of alcohol at that store. The distance curb-to-curb between the store and the elementary school is 55 feet. Doris Hofmann addressed the Council to express hers and the Hofmann family’s sincere thanks for all the support offered following her husband’s death, especially thanking the staff for the setup of the memorial service. She thanked the community for all the cards and emails she has received. She also expressed her thanks to the Council members for all their gestures during the days following Hofmann’s passing. The Council voted unanimously not to hold a special election prior to the scheduled municipal election on April 8, 2014, at which time the office of Mayor and two Council seats will be filled by those with the majority of votes. Until the election, Mayor Pro Tem Pat Kearney will act in the mayoral stead for all official City issues and matters and will conduct all meetings as the presiding chair. The candidate statements for the election in April are limited to 200 words and will be printed in the candidate pamphlets. Anyone wishing to run for office can pick up the required materials in the office of the City Clerk to complete the paperwork for candidacy to be filed with the County Registrar. The next meeting of the City Council will be held on Monday, Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. • Friday Sunny 58˚/47˚ Saturday Showers 57˚/41˚ Sunday Sunny 57˚/40˚
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