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Councilman Art Yoon |
Statements & Op-Ed Pieces
Valley School Gym To the Editor: This issue is before us after nearly two years of public hearings, surveys, careful research and a hard fought community-wide consensus. Our county, state and congressional representatives have publicly endorsed Measure J. Nearly all of our city-wide electeds including the entire School Board and four of five members of the city council have stood up for the children of this community. It is time for our city to rise up and finance our schools as Manhattan, Redondo, El Segundo and Torrance all have in recent years. It is time to recognize that trailers for classrooms are not acceptable. Half-century old wiring will not give our kids an even chance to succeed much less keep them safe in classrooms. First period physical education without facilities for showers not only creates an unnecessary hygiene issue, it makes it difficult for kids to get dates to the 8th grade dance. The limited but vocal opposition will argue their campaign of diversion and make statements like options that were not considered. They were. Significant pots of money that exist. They don’t. Line items that are frivolous. They’re not. Make no mistake, enemies of public education will seek to delay, derail, and deter us from making necessary improvements for our schools. On November 5, we can send the message that it is time for our city to invest in our kids and vote yes on Measure J. Art Yoon Beach Cities Health District- A Candidate for Change To the Editor: There are four candidates running for two seats out of the five member BCHD board this November. The BCHD, formed nearly 50 years ago to build the old South Bay Medical Center, in recent years closed that facility and turned to projects designed to promote life-long health. These projects include a health club, pilates center, and AdventurePlex. In Hermosa, BCHD grants have, in the past, helped to sustain basic needs such as our city’s paramedic program. This year, however, BCHD unexpectedly cut paramedic funding forcing us to scramble to sustain this program. While I appreciate BCHD’s philosophy that promoting a lifetime of health through pilates, etc. could save taxpayer money longitudinally, I respectfully share Joanne’s view that these programs should not enjoy a privileged position over basic needs such as our city’s paramedic funding. Those who know Joanne know her to be a dynamic leader and independent
thinker. Characterizing her simply as the wife of our Mayor would be
a tremendous disservice. Her record of success as the President of
the Education Foundation is well-documented and widely-acclaimed. She
holds an MBA from the prestigious UCLA Anderson School, grew a successful
law practice and raised three children. Selfishly, I would hope that
Joanne focus her energy solely in Hermosa. But, our city’s loss
is our region’s gain. Art Yoon Harbor-UCLA To the Editor: Closing the Center would devastate our heath care system and endanger lives. Harbor-UCLA is the only Level I Trauma Center serving more than 2.2 million people in a 300 square mile service area in southern Los Angeles County. If Harbor is closed or significantly downsized, other hospitals and clinics, already overcrowded in the South Bay, will be overwhelmed. Furthermore, trauma cases in Hermosa already suffer from long routes and traffic congestion to get to life saving facilities at Harbor. If Harbor closes, trauma cases would travel roughly twice the distance to USC. Longer travel times result in lives lost. For Hermosa residents, closing Harbor and traveling to the USC trauma center during rush hour will result in emergency response times on par with remote communities such as Okolona, Mississippi! LA is not Okolona and we simply can and must do better. Closing Harbor would simply be irresponsible. Harbor is recognized as one of the best and most cost-efficient public hospitals in the country. All levels of government—Federal, State and County need to step up and ensure adequate funding for our county health system. Art Yoon Restoring Public Confidence To the Editor: With respect to this incident, it is important to note that our city manager wasn't cited for any offense, wasn't arrested and didn't ask for any special treatment. Thus, Council was limited in its legally available disciplinary actions. The real question is how to ensure the fundamental principle that no one is above the law and that selective enforcement of the law cannot be tolerated. All the laws, all the enforcement, all the credibility of the City depends heavily on having the people in charge of its administration serve honorably. Looking forward, after communicating displeasure over this incident with our police chief and our city manager, I am confident that this sad chapter is behind us and that the chief is making the necessary corrections to restore any eroded public confidence. Like many of you, I remain hopeful and optimistic in relying on our public servants to act honorably and faithfully on behalf of the people of our city. If problems persist, there will be no hesitation to do what is necessary to reaffirm public faith in the equal treatment and administration of our laws. Art Yoon Councilman, Hermosa Beach Storm Water Permit To the Editor: Since the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972, cities have been charged with cleaning up our water bodies, and they simply aren’t doing it. In my opinion, it is time cities commit to measurable reductions in the amount of pollution that enters our waters. Complying with the permit will simply not cost the billions that some have been claiming. The only authoritative study currently available on this topic estimates that complying with the new permit will only cost $17 per family per year. That is based on the financial data submitted by the county and cities as part of their annual reports. Certainly any parent would be willing to pay an extra $17 a year to make sure their children can surf and swim without coming down with the stomach flu, a respiratory infection or worse. Just ask Ventura County and the cities of Santa Monica and Long Beach. All three of these municipalities are currently living with very similar guidelines, and none of them are going bankrupt. The USC study which is being used as the rationale by some county officials has absolutely nothing to do with the stormwater permit. It looks at turning every drop of rainwater into distilled drinking water by building up to 130 new treatment plants. This is a diversionary tactic clearly being used to hyperbolize in order to scare city officials. All the permit calls for are things like putting grates in front of catch basins, public education, and responsible cost-free measures like not hosing restaurant mats off in the street. Our beach-based economy depends on dollars like the $13 Billion visitors to LA spent in 2000. California voters have made it clear that cleaning up our waterways is important to them with the passage of four significant bond measures—Propositions 12, 13, 40 and 50. These measures add up to $10 Billion—$10 Billion for cities to pull from to start solving these water quality problems rather than spending our tax dollars on high-priced lawyers and consultants. Sincerely, The July 4, 2002 “On Local Government” impugns local chambers of commerce as irresponsible, blind advocates of business and espouses increased government regulation given some recent high-profile business failures. Clearly, it is an outrage when any business fails to meet its fiduciary responsibility to its shareholders. Enron, certainly, is a sad chapter in the annals of American business. But, fomenting the politics of blame and pointing fingers at our local chambers of commerce is going too far. Furthermore, vilifying and singling out the Republican Party for a fund-raiser is a cheap shot and ignores the facts. In Los Angeles County, more corporate dollars have flowed through Democratic Party coffers in the last two election cycles than the previous six years of analogous donations to the GOP combined. Last week’s feature is no more fair than blaming public schools for teachers who kidnap children across state lines, religion for inappropriate behavior of isolated clergy, or little league sports for overzealous parents who commit murder. Are we really more eager to place our trust in legislators to serve as watchdogs of corporate America? Historically, there are public scandals aplenty from Teapot Dome to the Keating Five to Oracle that would suggest that human fallibility is replete in the halls of government as well. Let’s concentrate on getting tough on companies that fleece investors rather than ascribing blame to chambers or political parties. Finger pointing solves nothing and when callously used as a partisan tool it creates a false impression of what the problem truly is, thereby taking us further from a solution. Art Yoon Fiestas(originally appeared in the Beach Reporter and Easy Reader in July 2001) To the Editor: The Labor Day Fiesta is targeted by a proposed ballot initiative which creates a business license tax to partially fund the Chamber of Commerce. If approved, this would give the City a reason to justify the Fiesta’s elimination. Our first concern should always be for increased sensitivity to those who live in our city. Labor Day will attract large crowds as it has for many years. According to Chief Lavin, there are less incidents with a planned event than there are without. Eliminating the Fiesta won’t stop people from coming to Hermosa. It will, however, give us better control. Second, we should respect our businesses. While there is opposition from some, the majority appear to support the Chamber. The Fiesta provides a PR dividend that works year-round by introducing thousands to our beach, restaurants, and shops. The Fiesta puts a family-friendly spin on Hermosa promoting the return of a wider array of visitors than unofficial holiday events such as the "Ironman". Lastly, a conflict of interest may arise should the City have the power to finance the Chamber. If the Fiesta is eliminated, the Chamber would become dependent on the City for its funding thereby threatening its ability to remain an independent voice. While the Council must be praised in trying to best represent the interests of our city, denying the Chamber the ability to raise its own budget from the traditional family-friendly fiestas could work counter to its intent. Art Yoon The proposed 310 area code split(originally appeared in the Daily Breeze last Spring) To the Editor: As a resident of the South Bay, I have a stake in the impending decision by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to split the 310 area code. Many of my friends will face the daily transitional inconvenience of the split and those that are small business owners will face a potential negative economic impact should the current proposal by the PUC be adopted. I was fortunate enough to attend the PUC briefing at the Redondo Beach Library last month. Unfortunately, I was not convinced that a fair, single standard was used to determine which geographical portion of the 310 area code would keep their prefix. In fact, I left the meeting believing that, at least to a certain extent, a decision was being made without the benefit and guidance of a fair, historically-used formula for area code splits. Much of the public discussion is focused on fast-tracking a FCC decision to create a technology overlay which would delay implementation of the PUC’s apparent decision. While this will give our region temporary relief, I am concerned that there is seemingly no public debate on whether or not a fair standard is being used with respect to this split. More, I fear that when it is time to split area codes after this potential technology overlay is implemented, we will have lowered our collective defenses and allow the geographic decision to be made for the future in the euphoria of keeping 310 intact for a few years more. It should not be taken as a given that the South Bay be the region to change. A recent show on a popular radio program suggested that there was undue political influence from the Westside interests to keep their region protected from an area code change. While this may have been an irresponsible accusation, no clear articulation has been publicly made regarding a single standard which has been used in each area code split decision to date. I believe that a change which will impact hundreds of thousands of residents in the South Bay needs to be justified. If a fair, historically-used standard has been applied, then the PUC can easily deflect the aforementioned accusations of impropriety. I would encourage the residents of the South Bay to contact their state representatives to put pressure on the PUC to articulate and defend the projections they use in determining population growth statistics, etc. or any other method that they are using to rationalize the geographic decision on area code retention. Sincerely, Art Yoon Inauguration Speech(Delivered on 11/27/01) My friends and neighbors have already asked me, "What kind of Councilman will I be?". I don’t know the answer to that question yet but I do know what I aspire to be. I hope to emulate the class and dignity of a Mayor Kathy Dunbabin, the active problem-solving passion of a Mayor Pro Tem Sam Edgerton, the considered and measured approach of a JR Reviczky and the drive and determination of a Michael Keegan. I hope to inherit the affable approachability of a John Bowler and the aesthetic sense and coalition building skills of a Julie Oakes. During the campaign I was privileged to see first-hand the wisdom of a Ron Pizer, the volunteer spirit of a Peter Tucker, the principled, independent approach of a Mary Lou Weiss, and the exuberance of a Brian Murphy. I hope to borrow these qualities as I continue to admire each of them. True leaders in the community like Emmie Schillhahn, Jean Lombardo, Joanne Edgerton, Ron and Greg Newman, Lisa Ryder Moore, Mike Ludwig, Bob and Buckita Leff, Bob Benz, Bill Sigler and Eric Fonoimoana continue to inspire me with their selfless dedication to this city. What kind of Councilman will I be? I’m not sure yet but one thing for sure: I have many excellent examples of leadership around me. And working together, I am confident we can do great things: we can grow our city’s economy by recruiting community-friendly businesses to the city, we can build a gymnasium for the kids here at Valley School, we can make Hermosa an even better place to live, work and raise a family.. together. I look forward with great optimism at the next four years and look forward to validating the faith that this great City has placed in me. Thank you. Veterans PreferencesJanuary 7, 2002 Dear President Yamamoto: I am responding to your letter to the editor which appeared in recent editions of both the Beach Reporter and Easy Reader. Nearly fifty years ago, my parents survived invasion by North Korean forces during the Korean War. Without the heroism of the U.S. military, I might not be alive today. Therefore, it is personally important to honor that sacrifice by safeguarding the principles for which they fought. Recently, a new state law mandated all California cities to vote to enact preferences in municipal hiring by adding four points onto veterans’ examination scores. The Council voted 4-1 against the four point bonus preference resolving instead to ensure veterans suffer no discrimination. In my opinion, we are not showing respect to our veterans by codifying preferential treatment on the municipal level. Rather, assuming a need for these four bonus points codifies a preconceived disrespect towards veterans. Asking about military service in an employment application is fair. We should cherish military service as their professionalism, training and discipline are unique. These are qualities that are important when hiring qualified personnel to serve our city. Four points, however, are not an adequate measure of these qualities. Our laws should reflect the highest ideals of fairness and opportunity. Preferences by definition actively implements an unfair standard. Even in this benign form, unfairness is something I cannot support. That being said, our gratitude to veterans should begin by caring for those veterans injured in service. We must provide the benefits promised upon completion of their tours and care for their surviving families. I will be a voice to ensure we keep those promises. Respectfully, Art Yoon Parks Commission AppointmentTo the Editor: Lord Tweedsmuir, one of President John F. Kennedy’s most-quoted authors, wrote: "Public life for a young person is the worthiest ambition and the greatest most honorable adventure." My early impression of public life embraces this idealism. But, admittedly, Howard Longacre’s recent letter to the editor, caused me to wonder momentarily if I should’ve listened to my parents and gone to medical school. That said, I continue to be inspired by those I’m privileged to serve even the most strident of critics as we’re both motivated by love for Hermosa. One tough decision so far was the appointment to fill the vacancy on the Parks & Recreation Commission. Among the candidates: a role model whom I respect greatly given her 16 year tenure on the School Board, a Board Member of the Surfrider Foundation, a personal friend who initiated a day care facility at an aerospace company, a Kiwaniian with solid media credentials, and a retired school teacher. I have nothing but the highest respect and admiration for every one of them. In the end, I nominated Bill Sigler. As the outgoing Commissioner, I felt it important to fill my former position with a proven recreational leader and a voice for the thirty-something generation not currently represented on the Commission. Kennedy once wrote, "the courage of those who went before us in this land exists in the present generation." Let’s hope so because if it doesn’t, I’ll have to take the MCAT. Art Yoon |