Jan
23
At last: Last Tuesday’s Council Video
Filed Under 2012 Issues, City Council Meetings, Decency, Teamwork | 1 Comment
(Los Alamitos, 1/23/2012) I’m told downloading CSMP’s videos to YouTube take as long as the video, which means it took someone over four hours to put this online. Thanks, Larry!
You can click here for the Agenda, if you want to follow along or note the high (or low) points excerpted from the agenda below.
You can enlarge the size by clicking the rectangular box in the lower left corner, or go to full screen mode by clicking the icon just to the left of the rectangle.
Probably the items of greatest interest would be:
5. PRESENTATIONS
A. Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to the Los Alamitos High School Girls Volleyball Team for winning the 2011 CIF Division 1 Championship
B. Presentation by Colonel Read more
Jan
20
Red Tails: A movie for black teens, Dean Grose, & all Americans
Filed Under Dean Grose, Decency, Inspiration, The Base | 3 Comments
(1/20/2012, Los Alamitos) Why did it take a Hollywood legend like George Lucas 24 years to make and market his movie about America’s Tuskegee Airmen?
Lucas said part of the problem was America’s studios reluctance to bet on a film where all the good guys are African American and all the bad guys are white.
Sadly, another part was our studio’s reluctance to produce something besides a “music video Read more
Jan
18
Los Alamitos’ “Council Member Cellophane”
Filed Under City Council Meetings, Decency, Teamwork | Leave a Comment
(1/18/2012, Los Alamitos) From J.M. Ivler’s Council Comments last night:
There is a wonderful song from the musical Chicago called “Mr. Cellophane,” where a man laments that he can’t be seen, and is non-existent.
We have Council Member cellophane here in this chamber. When this council member speaks, it is as if nothing has been spoken. When a request is made, it is as if nothing has been said.
The words exist, because we can see them in the meeting minutes, but alas, it’s like attempting to get light from a black hole in space, it just never happened.
If Mr. Edgar says “I want Read more
Jan
16
Does this letter violate the Brown Act?
Filed Under 2012 Issues, City Council Meetings, Decency, Trash contraact, Troy Edgar | 4 Comments
(Los Alamitos, 1/16/2012) This is a followup to our post on Tuesday’s Council Meeting, “Council to Consider prosecuting Member Kusumoto.” When I read the following letter, I thought it was a diplomatic expression of a frustrated Council Member.
What do you think?
Time saving tip # 1: If you want to skip trying to figure out Council Member Kusumoto’s alleged Brown Act violations for yourself, scroll down to where I reprint the letter, bolding the 4 “violations” Ms. Levin used your tax dollars to “uncover.”
December 5th, 2011
To the Honorable Mayor Kenneth Stephens
City of Los AlamitosDear Ken;
After careful consideration and thoughtful prayer, it is best for the Council Majority that I Read more
Jan
14
Council to consider prosecuting Council Member Kusumoto: Agendas for 2 Tuesday Los Al Council Meetings
Filed Under 2012 Issues, City Council Meetings, Decency, Teamwork, Trash contraact, Troy Edgar | 16 Comments
(1/14/2012, Los Alamitos)The first meetings of the New Year gives our divided City Council a clear choice between making a new start by finding ways to work together, or to further waste our city’s resources on fighting battles that further divide the town they all call home.
M.L.King Jr. Day has pushed Monday’s 7 p.m. regular Council meeting back to Tuesday, and the need to fill five commission vacancies has added a special meeting at 5 to interview eight candidates, including four incumbents.
The agenda for the 7 p.m. Regular meeting includes:
- “Discussion of violations of law related to published letter [from Council Member Kusumoto] regarding Read more
Dec
19
Your reporting & comments on tonight’s Council Meeting, 12/19/2011
Filed Under 2011 Issues, City Council Meetings, Decency, Teamwork, Your reporting & comments | 15 Comments
(Los Alamitos, 12/19/2011) It’s here. . . the last regular City Council meeting of the year, the last for City Manager Jeff Stewart, the last for Ken Stephens as Mayor. And it’s got plenty of interesting items on the agenda.
Will a new spirit of peace break out? Will Troy Edgar back up his words with actions?
This is the place for members of the public to Read more
Dec
8
H. G.: From An Andy Perspective
Filed Under 2011 Issues, Community News, Decency, Highlands Guy's Thursday column | 5 Comments
(12/8/2011, Los Alamitos) By Highlands Guy: This week I’m taking leeway and editorial looseness with an approach to a chat about our city. And I will state up-front that the format is one in which I am comfortable as well as one I have greatly enjoyed over the years at the end of 60 Minutes.
Also, I find that as I get older, I seem to be falling more and more into the mode of Andy Rooney in my perspective on all sorts of things. And, according to my wife, like Andy, I’m getting a bit grumpier as the years pass.
To those who would say these are non-issues, that’s fine. I can see your perspective and I do realize that there are some really important concerns that our city needs to address. But I would put forth that the little things need to be looked at as well. And actually, there is Read more
Nov
27
Pepper spray to the world!
Filed Under Decency, Inspiration, Sunday Sermons, Songs & Stories | Leave a Comment
(11/27/11, Los Alamitos) Nothing says “Peace on Earth” quite like a can of pepper spray! Whether you’re a “UniCop” in Davis or a Walmart shopper in Porter Ranch, pepper spray seemed to be the holiday greeting of choice for Californians who found someone in their way!
Hard to think of a better way to celebrate the birth of the one who preached about loving your enemies and turning the other cheek.
Obviously, Jesus never tried to get a heavily discounted Xbox at 12:03 a.m. on Black Friday.
Which actually says quite a bit, and leads to a question that might just give add a lot more love, joy, & peace to our holiday celebrations: Read more
Nov
17
Staff recommends delaying passing trash amendment
Filed Under City Council Meetings, Decency, Trash contraact | Leave a Comment
(Los Alamitos, 11/17/11) The Los Alamitos City Council Agenda and attachments for this Monday’s 7 pm, 11/21/11 meeting is up, and it has what may be a pleasant surprise:
Consent Calendar Item 8D, which appears to be Read more
Nov
11
An 11/11/11 Salute to our Veterans!
Filed Under Decency, Inspiration, The Base | 4 Comments
(11/11/11, Los Alamitos, from Laura Hertzog, Honoring our Fallen.org)
On this Veterans Day, let us take a moment out of our busy schedules to thank our U.S. troops who have fought, bled, and died for our country. We appreciate all that they have done and give our heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the sacrifices they and their families have made in order to preserve freedom in the United States of America and around the world.
Less than one Read more
Nov
7
Hundreds attend services for Los Al’s “Passionate leader,” “best dad” and “great man”
Filed Under Community News, Decency, Inspiration | 2 Comments
(11/7/2011, Los Alamitos) Family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers from far and wide overflowed Los Alamitos’ L.D.S. church to celebrate the life of Brad Sheridan.
After an hour set aside for viewing in a crowded side room, the 11:00 service began with all singing Brad’s favorite church song, “How Great Thou Art.”
An hour and a half later, after inspiring words from Brad’s Dad, his sister, law partner, and three friends, concluding with some emotional words from Nikki Destra, the service concluded with all singing “Count Your Blessings,” because, Read more
Nov
6
Living a legacy
Filed Under Decency, Inspiration, Sunday Sermons, Songs & Stories | Leave a Comment
(Los Alamitos, 11/6/2011) Last week we were reminded for at least the second time in the last 30 days just how short life can be, and of the importance of focusing each day on the things that really matter most.
As one wise friend said in an e-mail,
This is the time to grieve; Brad’s legacy will live on. For me, when reading what folks say about him, it tends to make me think about what people will say about me after I’m gone, and do some self-evaluation…once again.
So, for today’s “Sunday Sermon,” may I suggest we once again, as a new week begins:
- Take some time to reflect on the strengths of Brad Sheridan, the friend so many of us are missing so badly, possibly by reviewing the 38 comments posted here by his friends.
- Think about what people will say about us when we are gone.
- Do some self evaluation.
- Prayerfully make some changes, starting today, so that our schedule, attitude, and priorities will better reflect the legacy we want to leave.
Because the way to really leave a genuine, positive legacy is . . . Read more
Nov
4
Dancing on Brad Sheridan’s grave?
Filed Under 2011 Issues, City Council Meetings, Decency, George Briggeman, Trash contraact, Troy Edgar | 13 Comments
(11/4/2011, Los Alamitos) The agenda is now up for two City Council meetings this Monday, 11/7/2011, which include separate closed sessions.
Sadly, but perhaps not that surprisingly, the Council majority of Edgar, Stephens, and Poe appear ready to practically dance on Brad Sheridan’s grave just hours after his funeral Monday afternoon.
As you may know, two years ago Sheridan worked long and hard to try to get the City Council to comply with their own law (and with common sense) by awarding the trash contract to the lowest bidder. Instead, the Council majority voted to award the contract to the second highest (fifth Read more
Nov
3
In Memoriam of Brad Sheridan
Filed Under Community News, Decency, Inspiration | 47 Comments
(Los Alamitos, 11/4/2011) Sunday, 11/6 update: If you’d like to have your thought included in a guest book that is printed for the family, please add your thoughts to:
Bradley Scott Sheridan Guest Book
Online Guest Book for Bradley Scott Sheridan. Sign and view the Guest Book for Bradley Scott Sheridan, leave condolences, send flowers, or find funeral service information.
No politics please.
This is an open thread
to allow you to share your
thoughts on Brad’s sudden passing.
Tragically this is the second such post
in the last 30 days.
Now is the time to remember,
reflect, and pray.
Our thoughts and prayers
go out to Brad’s family
and friends
in this time of grief.
Post your thoughts Read more
Oct
16
Live today as if it’s your last
Filed Under Decency, Inspiration, Sunday Sermons, Songs & Stories | Leave a Comment
(Los Alamitos, 10/16/2011) The tragic events of this week reminded me that life is both precious and short, sometimes much shorter than we expect.
Too short to waste time on things that don’t really maatter.
Too short to hold grudges.
Too short to focus on the negative.
Too short to take anything for granted.
Too short to put my self ahead of my God, my family, or my neighbors.
Whether we die suddenly or live well into old age, we really have less time than we think.
I was reminded of Read more