President’s Corner 7/22/2025

Greetings Neighbors:

Sorry for not posting a Presidents Corner for June, but my wife and I were on vacation.  A likely excuse, but a great cruise with friends from Venice, to Montenegro, Croatia ending in Greece.  

It’s been a busy two months in South Shores, starting with our fourth of July Celebration of America.  Several neighbors stepped up and put on a phenomenal, entertaining, food fest, with emphasis on children’s entertainment.  Face painting by Susana Crowley, entertainment through the efforts of Andy Dowdell and Andrew Aragon who supplied all the audio equipment from the Grand Annex, Bob Chiuruzzi whose home was the epicenter, Mark Campbell furnished the pop-corn and bubble machines and extraordinary leadership skills of Mike Naylor who coordinated this event.  We should be proud that Mike; resident of South Shores, in addition to the aforementioned neighbors who truly gave of themselves for the benefit of our neighborhood.  Thank you! 

The fourth of July celebration aside, was once again bombarded with illegal fireworks.   Our neighbors, friends and even family members persist in endangering our neighborhood, putting homes, hillsides in danger of fires, creating havoc for pets and those who suffer PTSD an untenable environment.  Please, courtesy and mutual respect should be considered before lighting the fuse.       

Hopefully, our residents are keeping track of both SB 79 & SB 130.  For those unfamiliar, please visit our website under the heading United Neighbors.  “Unsurprisingly, SB 79 passed the Local Government Committee. It needed 6 ayes to pass and that’s what it got, plus 3 no and 1 NVR (no vote registered).  It now goes for a full vote of the Assembly after legislators return from their summer recess on August 18”.  I recommend everyone be knowledgeable in how our legislators vote on issues that affect our neighborhood. 

Sometimes, things just don’t make sense.  While our law makers keep telling us of budget constraints, declining numbers of police, fire fighters and emergency responders, they keep promoting bills and motions such as SB 79 and SB 130 that increase property density.  These two bills will permit multi-family housing in single family neighborhoods.  If there are issues that prevent adequate safety of existing population, by what magic formula can fewer protect more.  Not to mention the cost of infrastructure, water, utilities, street lighting, parking, street maintenance, and sidewalk maintenance etc., common-sense questions continue to surface.   Received in today’s mail. a copy of “Proposed Monthly Solid resources Fee (Proposition 218)”.  The proposal is requesting a 54.1% monthly increase above current rate.  Really!   

The contingent of Sociables met July 20.  The CyberWatch report for quarter 2 is posted on the SSCA website.  Bob Genest is totally on top of this issue, and will not let this linger into obscurity.       

By now everyone is aware that the Clearwater Project is officially on hold, until ALL safety considerations have been resolved and assurance that the safety of Sanitation employees comes first.  

Disappointing in the lack of volunteerism for the Sunshine Committee (to assist neighbors in their grieving, or wellness process), and the resurrection of Sidewalk Brigade.  Both opportunities have one each volunteer, remember it’s your community, without you, without togetherness and unselfishness in helping neighbors, South Shores becomes just a group of houses.   

Having said that, it is with great pride that I can announce that the SSCA has helped promote both the Elks lodge blood drive and the San Pedro Street clean up.  Thank you for your participation.  

Upcoming events is the National Night Out (NNO) August 5^th. the first Tuesday in August.  This event is held nationally to show respect for police, fire and first responders, please join us at 2501 Robalo Ave, San Pedro.    

In conclusion, your SSCA is in need for volunteers to support the aforementioned ideas and activities.  We constantly are seeking new members who possess energy, new ideas and willingness to roll up their sleeves and participate or lead.  We are blessed to have as a new member Ruthie Fischer, who has volunteered her skills for future enrollment and recruiting. 

Remember, South Shores is where you chose to reside and make it home.  Together, lets continue to make it the safest and most enjoyable community in Los Angeles.                           

I urge you to visit the SSCA website at www.southshoresca.org or www.southshoresca.org/membership/join. for information pertaining to these and other timely events 

Respectfully,

Richard F. Scandaliato
President, SSCA  
president@southshoresca.org 
310-562-8444