Manhattan Beach Mayor Answers Lawsuit; Police Clear Letter Writer

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — The pulse of Manhattan Beach keeps beating. Here are some of the latest happenings.

• In response to a legal action filed Friday by a Manhattan Beach resident and Coastal Defender, Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery told Manhattan Beach Patch, "The City fully complied with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in reviewing MB Post’s application to expand into the space occupied by another restaurant in its existing building. I believe that the court, upon hearing the facts, will determine that city's approval of the MB Post expansion was correct." The mayor's response comes on the heels of the following: Resident Takes Aim At Manhattan Beach Post Expansion Via Court.
• In an open and now shut case, the Manhattan Beach police Department did investigate the letters left at some residences displaying the "Thank You MBPD & MBFD" signs. MBPD says the letter and leaving it at homes in the city "does not rise to the level of a crime. They [investigators] have closed the case," Sergeant Tim Zins of MBPD told Manhattan Beach Patch. REVIEW THIS POST: 'Thank You MBPD' Signs Trigger Letter To Homes With The Sign
• MBSAFE is holding a community meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. to discuss giving homeless people a "hand up" and not a "hand out." George Gabriel, management analyst for the City of Manhattan Beach and the city's homeless liaison, will explain the homeless plan implemented by the Beach Cities, which includes Manhattan Beach. Rita Crabtree-Kampe, chair of Homeless Connect, will share how each of us can make a difference and provide a hand up. Join the Zoom Meeting. The meeting ID is 740 664 3650 and the passcode is 733268.
• #ChewieStrong is a force fighting for drivers to slow down on Manhattan Beach streets after Chewie, a favorite family pet, snuck out of his confined area and got hit by a vehicle in front of his young owners with a driver who never stopped. The family tragedy sparked mom Monika ODeegan to launch a campaign to get drivers to slow down and pay attention on Manhattan Beach streets. According to the Manhattan Beach Police Department, "The dog that was hit by the driver was off leash and ran into the road. The traffic officers viewed a doorbell video which showed the vehicle was not speeding when the dog darted out into the road. The driver is still responsible for stopping and could be charged with hit and run..." Keep your dogs leashed and inside contained spaces AND, certainly, slow down and pay attention when you are driving residential streets in Manhattan Beach. P.S. What isn't a residential street in MB? Ok, well, there may be a few, but they probably also contain residences. Manhattan Beach Patch applauds #ChewieStrong. Drivers: Pay close attention. Slow down.