Unchill.
Nothing but nothing causes aggravation, furious rage like parking enforcement. A mild mannered friend of mine, not prone to outburst, once threw packets of butter at a meter maid as she ticketed a car. But you have felt the same impulse, certainly, when coming back from a satisfying surf only to find your time expired and an expensive slap tucked underneath your windshield wiper.
Arghhhh.
Well, South Bay surfers exploded in bitterness, days ago, when Hermosa Beach City Council proposed moving parking meter enforcement from 10 am, where it sits now, down to 8 am.
You will likely recognize “Hermosa Beach” as next door to World Surf League Chief of Executives Erik Logan’s Manhattan Beach.
According to the Easy Reader, Mayor Raymond Jackson spoke in favor of the earlier enforcement, declaring, “Visitors who come early to our city to jog on The Strand, walk their dogs, and play volleyball should be paying.”
Councilmember Rob Saeman concurred with the mayor.
Dean Francois and Mike Detoy, also councilmembers, opposed the measure, citing the 10 am window as a good time for drunkards from the night before to find their cars.
The two against two gridlock meant the motion neither passed nor failed.
But.
One councilmember was not present for the vote and will swing the deciding hammer at next week’s gathering. One Jason Massey, who just so happens to be a surfer.
Do you imagine the 10 am time will remain safe or do you think that the powerful 8 am lobby will get into Massey’s ear and/or pocket, twisting the outcome?
Currently more questions than answers.
In other Hermosa Beach news, Mayor Jackson informed the local Little League team could no longer use the city’s insignia.
Sounds like a real buzz kill.