The Weekly Newspaper of Torrance Herald Publications - Torrance, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Lawndale, & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 5, No. 5 - January 29, 2015 Inside This Issue Business Briefs....................2 Certified & Licensed Professionals.....................10 Classifieds............................4 Crossword/Sudoku.............4 Politically Speaking............5 Real Estate.........................12 Sports.................................6,9 TerriAnn in Torrance..........8 Women at Work..................3 Weekend Forecast Scouts Honored with Eagle Awards by Walteria Park Troop Troop 378, Waltheria Park, will promote five of its members to the rank of Eagle Scout, in a court of honor on Feb 7. The scouts are (L-R) Ryan Yuzuki, who remodeled two playground rooms at Vista Grande elementary school; Jordan Watanabe, who constructed trellises and espaliers at South Coast Botanic Gardens; Brandon Sim, who constructed a seating area at George F Canyon Park; Nicky Lofgren, who created a dry riverbed landscape for the miniature train facility at Wilson Park; and David Snowiss, who constructed trail fence at Ernie Howlett Park. Photo provided by Dean Lofgren. Council Approves Contract for Second Annual Triathlon at Torrance Beach By Cristian Vasquez In a 6-1 vote, the Torrance City Council approved a contract with Pacific Sports LLC to host the 2nd Annual Triathlon to be hosted on Sunday, Sept. 13 near Torrance Beach. The agreement was based on the recommendation of the Community Services Director and required that all conditions of the City of Torrance and the Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors be met, as well as ensuring that all deposits, permits and “reimbursable fees” be paid by Sept. 13. The contract will also ensure that liability is covered for the event. In addition, the city agreed to return at a later date to establish the city’s administrative fee on gross receipts and a schedule to be negotiated between all parties and will include requirements by the county. “The council approved this to move forward on a pilot basis last May for an event that took place on Sept. 21 [2014],” Community Services Director John Jones said. “The event did take place with the swim portion at Torrance Beach, with the bike portion starting at Torrance Beach and up into the Riviera and with the run portion adjacent to Torrance Beach, on the street above.” Last September Pacifica Sports LLC hosted the Herbalife Triathlon included the swimming portion taking place at Torrance Beach, the bicycle portion of the event taking place between Torrance Beach and the Upper Riviera, and the run and final element of the race being hosted along Paseo de la Playa next to Torrance Beach. Despite the success of the city’s first triathlon, which attracted an estimated 1,500 participants, there were concerns voiced by some residents who were opposed to the event but sought for the city to improve safety issues not just for participants but for residents as well. “I spoke at the last council meeting in May asking for a different bike route citing certain concerns in regards to the proposed triathlon,” Judy Fisher said. “I live at the bottom of Arboles [part of the bike route] where the street turns into Paseo Reyes. Apparently the safety concerns for last year were addressed and there was a Torrance Police officer assigned at the curve where Arboles meets Reyes; still it is a dangerous corner. We personally saw one person swerve, miss the turn, hit the curb and fall on my neighbor’s grass while several others had skid outs coming down the hill.” Furthermore, Judy Fisher and her husband Robert Fisher voiced their concern with the residential street being used by future triathlon participants to practice and condition for the upcoming event. “I just want to emphasize the fact that the people I contacted that live close to me thought the event was okay but they were very concerned about the safety issues,” Robert Fisher said. “More than anything there was a tremendous inconvenience and because it was new, the inconvenience didn’t really present itself, but as it will go on with the years it will become more inconvenient for the people there. If it grows there will be more use of that area to practice and condition and so on; it is an issue on how these bikers do not obey stop signs, because it is a residential area. In spite of how it was run, I don’t think it’s the appropriate place for this to happen.” In order better understand the impact and success of the triathlon last year city staff conducted a survey on Sept. 23, 2014. The survey of the event included residents along the triathlon’s route, in particular the biking portion of the event. The survey was sent to 1,250 residents but totaled just 143 responses. Still, the city is looking forward to improve the quality of the triathlon as well as making fun rather than an inconvenience for local residents, many of whom expressed frustration about being restricted from leaving during the event making some miss church and other Sunday-related activities. “Obviously the first time is the best time we had so far and it wasn’t perfect. Whatever we do in the city of Torrance will be better the second time,” Mayor Pat Furey said. “Whether it be the routes that we do, they will be better or if its coverage for our fees and cost, it will be better. Hopefully all of our residents will be better served with all of the recommendations that were made.” • Friday Partly Cloudy 67˚/54˚ Saturday Partly Cloudy 67˚/52˚ Sunday Sunny 69˚/54˚
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