Alan B. Benson Candidate Statement

By Alan B. Benson

Age: 53

Resident of Hermosa Beach: 19 years

Occupation: Post Production Supervisor

I founded the Hermosa Beach Neighborhood Association and administer the HBNA website.

I helped to put out The Hermosa Beach Community Survey which was distributed to 6,200 homes in 2003.

Now Hermosa Beach residents can read the opinions of other residents and take the survey online by going to http://www.HBneighborhood.org/

Hermosa Beach is becoming less quiet, less safe and the quality of life is not what it once was.

As your city council member I will expend the time and effort to accomplish the following goals.

I will direct the city manager to:

Implement a plan to reduce the alcohol related crime and problems caused by out of control revelers that inundate Hermosa Beach neighborhoods and Pier Plaza.

Increase DUI checkpoints.

Cite bars for occupancy violations and limit over-serving of alcohol.

Cite all CUP violations and noise & nuisance laws citywide.

Implement a problem solving complaint system that is results oriented and reviewed by the city council.

Protect the safety of our school children and pedestrians by removing illegal obstructions on sidewalks.

Enforce violations that exceed building height limits.

Pass Measure E, the "Open Space Initiative". Current zoning laws in Hermosa Beach allow three city council members to approve the construction of a parking lot on the greenbelt and a separate bike path on the beach.

Pass this initiative and only Hermosa Beach voters will approve these construction projects.

For more campaign information, go to: http://www.HBneighborhood.org/

Please call me at 310-383-3740 or e-mail me at: votebenson@adelphia.net

Alan Benson Platform

ITEM 1: THE DOWNTOWN AND ALCOHOL RELATED PROBLEMS

Al Benson, when elected, will initiate aggressive coordinated efforts to address public safety, nuisance, and related issues to make the Plaza and adjoining areas SAFE and INVITING, minimizing or eliminating any public nuisances, crimes, and other adverse and detrimental impacts on businesses and resident quality of life.

Specifically, these efforts will focus on alcohol related problems and crimes caused by out of control revelers that inundate these areas. Therefore, he will lead and assist in the definition, implementation, coordination, and progress monitoring of multiple organized efforts.

In addition to the Police Department and other City management and staff, the substantial additional available public resources of the South Bay DUI Task force and the Alcoholic Beverage Commission ("ABC", previously "unwelcome" in Hermosa Beach).

It will also include the active involvement of residents and business communicating and working together cooperatively through the Community Involvement Program outlined in ITEM 2, below.

Al Benson will expend the time and effort required to lead and assist in this determined effort to ensure that its goal is achieved.

ITEM 2: COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM

Al Benson, candidate for Hermosa Beach City Council, will initiate and lead a Community Involvement Program (CIP) to encourage community involvement in all issues of public or individual concern. Such public meetings, chaired by 1 or 2 councilmen, will be held at least twice monthly at City Hall and will provide an informal public forum to hear and/or address public concerns or complaints regarding issues affecting the City or individuals. While conducted in an organized manner, such meetings will be informal and interactive in nature, with no arbitrary limiting one time or 3 minute time limit on individual public participation as in City Council meetings. While not empowered to make decisions, these meeting will provide multiple functions:

- Provide input to the City Council on issues requiring City Council attention, to be agendized on a prioritized basis. Identify priority issues on a timely basis to be addressed immediately.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES AND COMPLAINTS THAT:

MAY BE PRONE TO LITIGATON AND ADDRESS THEM IN A TIMELY MANNER SO AS TO PRECLUDE LITIGATION TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE.

HAVE BROUGHT THE FBI TO INVESTIGATE OUR CITY, RESULTING IN THE INITIATING OF FEDERAL GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS.

- Provide input to the City Council on options, and alternatives on outstanding issues.

- Ensure that complaints are reasonably and fairly heard, resolved, and addressed in a timely manner, with a written response.

- Provide feedback to the City Council to ensure that those State and Local Codes enacted for the public benefit, welfare, and safety are being enforced, and in a timely fair and equitable manner.

- Identify recurring problems requiring City Management attention and action.

"MEASURE E": THE "OPEN SPACE" BALLOT INITIATIVE

Al Benson, Hermosa Beach City Council Candidate, strongly urges all residents to vote YES on the OPEN SPACE Ballot Initiative.

Lets keep control of our most prized but limited public assets, the Beach and Greenbelt, in the hands of the public where it belongs. Contrary to opponents' assertions, under the California Code of Civil Procedure Sec. 1858-1866 (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/

This Initiative does NOT prohibit underground improvements or the erection of temporary facilities ON the Beach for events such as the Summer Beach Concerts, Volley Ball Tournaments, and Surf Festival.