Big Win for Torrance: Traffic Commission Rejects Automated Parking Cameras

On August 3rd, 2026, the Torrance Traffic Commission held another meeting on automated ticketing scheme, specifically to discuss and decide whether to recommend automated parking enforcement cameras for the city of Torrance.

A large number of residents attending the meeting:

Staff had to set up more chairs, as more residents poured into the West Annex Commission room. At one point, it was standing room only. Lots of people were really incensed about this topic.

I would imagine every person in the room opposed this terrible scheme.

Here are some highlight comments from the Traffic commission meeting on Augusts 3rd:

Tom (or Ted) has been on the other side of every issue I contest before the city council. He's unabashedly liberal, to the point that he didn't want "One Nation Under God" displayed in the city council chambers.

He readily--and light-heartedly--admitted that he didn't agree with me on anything ...

EXCEPT shutting down these Orwellian cameras!

The discussion among the traffic commissioners was telling, too.

The state of California has authorized an automated parking ticket enforcement scheme, but the law expired without any reauthorization:

One of the commisisoners reminded the public that there is already a third-party vendor enforcing parking issues, so why bring in cameras?

Ultimately, the Torrance Traffic Commission staff recommended that the commission NOT recommend automated cameras for parking enforcement!

And all of this begs the question:

If the Traffic Commission staff has investigated all the potential costs and benefits to the automated ticketing schemes, why waste the traffic commission's time?

I asked as much during my comments:

The work is not done, however.

This commission meeting determined that the city should not pursue automated camera enforcement for parking violations.

As for speeding and running red lights, the Traffic Commission will probably hold separate hearings on those issues. This is all a waste of time. The commission should be focusing on high-impact intersections, increasing speed limits where there is hardly any traffic, and bringing in more traffic lights for busier intersections.

At least residents can rest asssured that the city commissions (and the city coucnil?) are listening to the public and backing away from these abusive, unconstitutional automated camera schemes!

As for the latest traffic commission meeting, what was particularly interesting was the widespread agreement on opposition, from the most left-wing activists in the city,  like Ted or Tom the atheist (I call him Larry David, since he looks like the comedian main character from "Curb Your Enthusiasm," to people like me, who have been speaking up for the conservative side of every issue that comes before the city council.

I spoke with a few residents after the meeting, and they appreciated my remarks. One of them admitted that she had not been paying attention to city politics all that much, but then she learned about bad proposals like the automated cameras, and she knew that she needed to get involved.

There are lots of issues that divide residents in Torrance, but pretty much everyone is united against automated ticketing schemes. Let's hope that the city focuses on positive issues that will generate more consensus among residents, like:

1. hiring more police officerss

2. reducing the cost of business

3. repealing the utility users tax (since the city wants to get as much of the sales tax revenue before LA County takes it and wastes our money on its own failed pet projects

4. Cleaning up and fixing the roads

Please contact the Torrance City Council, and tell them to "Get Back to Business" and "Get Back to Basics" and fix real problems in the city:

ALL OF THESE CAMERA PROPOSALS MUST BE REJECTED!

(310) 618-2801

BLieu@TorranceCA.Gov

Dkartsonis@TorranceCA.Gov

BLewis@TorranceCA.Gov

ASheikh@TorranceCA.Gov

SKalani@TorranceCA.Gov

JGerson@TorranceCA.Gov

Letter to the Editor: School Districts Ask Parents to Front the Costs

 

(Response to California Schools Are Going Broke -- No Surprise There!)

Mr Schaper-

I read your article on California school financing today. and based on the content I felt I should share a couple of anecdotes from my past (although you may already be familiar with both these examples)-

My daughter attended the Palos Verdes School district for 11 years and graduated from Pennisula High in 2016. During that time I had two interactions with the district that clearly defined the district's overall priorities.

The first occurred when I called the District office to register my daughter as a new student. After a couple rings, the automated "phone tree" offered several options to choose from. The first option stated "If you are a teacher with a payroll issue, please press 1." I found it quite telling that the number one district phone priority was staff payroll issues.

The second occurred anytime my wife or I called my daughter's school to report her absent due to illness. Each time the answering machine provided directions on how to properly report our child's abscence, including a requst that we write a check to cover the lost revenue related to our childs abscence. I forget the exact amount but it was around $90 a day. I always laughed at this silly request, but once again it demonstrated the district priorities regarding my daughter's education.

As I said, you may have already heard these stories, but if not I thought it was worth my time to share these real world examples of California school district policies.

Thank you,

Dave Skinner

----------

Mr. Skinner:

Thank you so much for your letter.

The phone tree anecdote I have never heard before. It sounds par for the course, sadly.

Teachers' unions hold incredible political sway over school districts, which is a crime, since most of the teachers don't live in the district; therefore, it's not their taxes paying for the schools!

Regarding the school's arrogant request that you compensate them for your daughter's absence, I have heard similar stories, and they all need to be reported.

Of course, the wealthier, higher-performing school districts like Palos Verdes USD are getting the shaft when it comes to state funding, so of course the district has to ask parents to chip in. I live in the South Bay (Torrance!), so I am all too aware of the Ed Foundations needed to help districts cover costs.

It's so unfair!

Arthur Schaper

Mistakes on Ted Tanouye Memorial at Torrance High School

 

I have known about this memorial for many years. I've had a chance to visit from time to time, and finally, I had a chance to address a more pertinent issue. 3 years ago, I asked one of the Torrance city council members to fix a spelling error on the memorial. 3 years later, nothing has happened. Instead, there was a lot of drama and discussion about renaming a park or expanding the current memorial in front of Torrance High School. Before expanding on the memory of our hometown hero, Medal of Honor winner, we need to ensure that the current memorial properly represents him. I think it's pretty embarrassing that there's a spelling error, "seperate", on the bottom line of the first plaque. Also, I researched the statistic on the first panel, which states that 110,000 Japanese Americans were interned. The more accurate number is 125,000. If the Ted Tanouye Memorial Foundation, which helped create the plaque and the memorial, was holding off on repair because of the extensive time and cost, over one mistake, then also correcting the proper numbers of interned Americans should all the more justify redoing the plaque in its entirety.

For the record, I have submitted the following statement and request to the Torrance City Council:

Torrance City Council and Go For Broke Foundation:

I am grateful for the ongoing discussion in the city of Torrance regarding proper commemoration for our Hometown Medal of Honor recipient Ted "Tak" Tanouye.

However, I am displeased with the drama regarding whether we should rename a park or refurbish and expand the current memorial in front of Torrance High School.

Instead of expanding, how about improving the current memorial?

There are two errors on the Ted Tanouye Memorial in front of Torrance High School, which should be addressed as soon as possible.

1. The word "separate" is spelled wrong (seperate) in the last line of the first plaque (see attached photo)
2. The plaque reads that 110,000 Japanese Americans were interned during WWII. More accurate estimates have concluded that 125,000 Japanese Americans were interned.

Here's data regarding more accurate figures:

https://densho.org/catalyst/how-many-japanese-americans-were-incarcerated-during-wwii/

https://www.archives.gov/research/aapi/ww2/incarceration

https://dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories/names-of-japanese-americans-forcibly-imprisoned/

Because of the fixed nature of memorials, I understand that the memorialists may have hoped to delay repair. It would be inartful to chisel out one word and correct it.

However, with the more accurate information about the number of victims of Executive Order 9066, a full restoration of the plaques could be justified, since TWO mistakes would be corrected.

I do stress that the spelling error should be fixed, above all. It's embarrassing, considering that the site is right across from a high school!

What steps will the city take to repair the spelling error, at the very least?

I must add another disappointment, because I shared my concern about the spelling error with Councilman Kaji three years ago, and nothing has been done. All the discussion about renaming sites should have been delayed until the errors had been fixed on the current memorial outside of Torrance High School.

Please respond.

CORRECTION:

Gail Morgan, a Torrance resident and very committed community leader, has provided me with the following information when I asked for the key party responsible for the Ted Tanouye Memorial:

TED TANOUYE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION Do not bother Go For Broke.

Here's further reporting to affirm the proper authorities on the memorial.

I have still asked the city to offer assistance. If the Foundation rejects that offer, that is their choice to make.

Future Armed Forces Day Parade Suggestions, by Scott Carter, President of TLPVRA

 

Armed Forces Day Parade Suggestions:

1) Make ingress and exit easier for visitors:

    a) Publish a handheld & media "Helpful Map of Parking Areas" and "Viewing Areas," both for VIP viewing and open public side of the road places to set up chairs and mats.

2) Allow route access after the 5k Run at 10:30am to 12:30pm for drop-off and setup on Torrance Blvd. Annouce defined entrance and exits (intersections) for families/groups

3) Explore additional participants from all South Bay/PV Schools (Bands, Cheer Teams) to participate in more attractions to increase attendance.

4) Allow Areospace Corporations to provide or sponsor floats and military/space hardware

5) Encourage LA-OC military bases to participate and be honored in the parade

6) Award attractive framed participation certificates to each group. They can put up the certificate in a public area, and people will see it and compliment them all year. The participants will come back every year.

7) Have more announcers at various locations of the parade

Regarding the Ted Tanouye Memorial Proposals

There has been a great deal of discussion in the city of Torrance about renaming Columbia Park after Torrance's hometown hero, Ted Tanouye.

Initially, I was all for it. He showed great bravery and honor for our country, even though the federal government had interned his family along with 120,000 Japanese-Americans during World War II.

That selfless service deserves great honor.

The city has released a survey for residents to share their thoughts and vote for possible preferences to honor Tanouye. (Click here)

Some arguments and opposition have emerged in the city regarding whether the proper protocols have been followed to name--or rename--public spaces in Torrance.

This discussion matters because the city council attempted to move the Armed Forces Day parade to the Torrance Airport, near Skypark Drive, and they attempted this move without first getting input from the city.

Transparency matters, and it must be consistently applied and respected, even for commemoration efforts.

Besides that, what is the history behind the naming of Columbia Park? Should that be removed so quickly? We need to take all these questions into consideration.

I reached out to another resident to get more feedback about the Columbia-Tanouye proposal.

I submitted the following question to her:

Would you mind explaining to me why the Ted Tanouye Foundation opposes renaming Columbia Park after the veteran?

I would like to understand. Thanks!

Here are the extended remarks that she shared with me:

There is already a wonderful and beautiful memorial to Ted at 2200 Carson Street, directly across the street from Ted's Alma Mater, Torrance High School, dedicated in 2004. 

The site was the favorite of Ted's only surviving brother. That area was once a part of Torrance High School when Ted attended. Students at the time Ted attended assembled there every school morning to say the Pledge of Allegiance and sing the National Anthem. Ted, as Captain of the Varsity Football team and also as President of the Japanese Club, would lead those two traditions. 

Columbia Park had no meaning to Ted's life when he was alive. That area was first farmed by the first native California tribe, and before WWII it was farmed by a Japanese American family that is not related to the Tanouye family.

It should to be renamed after one of those two groups. The person who proposed it was looking for glory to save his council seat. He is originally from Gardena and graduated from Gardena High. One of our board members was informed of his interest and why. We investigated the plan and knew it was not needed, as we had already honored Ted in the area of Torrance where he lived and attended school. until his enlistment in the Army.

Again, his only living brother worked with us and the Torrance High School Alumni Association to honor our fellow TARTAR. Also, there is another place named after Ted. The California National Guard Army on Cabrillo and Lincoln is the only CSNG [California State National Guard] building to be named after a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and hometown hero.

Again, neither Ted nor his family had anything to do with North Torrance or that area. Ted has been honored properly at the memorial at Torrance Blvd and Maple in front of City Hall. His name is above all others, and in gold we made sure of that. Hope that answers your question. We will protect Ted and his name from all political ploys.

This argument makes a lot of sense to me.

I wasn't aware until I received this message that the National Guard Armory in Torrance was named after him, as well! I could see how further efforts to name other locations after Tanouye would politicize or diminish his namesake. A person's name and legacy should not be turned into a commercialized effort, nor a narrow political end.

Councilman Jon Kaji shared these remarks with me when I asked more questions about the Columbia proposal:

Arthur:

Since first introducing the recommendation to rename Columbia Park after Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Ted T. Tanouye, the proposal was submitted with the full support of the Tanouye family.

The family’s position remains unchanged, in spite of opponents who have proposed an “expanded” park on the opposite side of Carson Street.

For your information, I asked City staff for an estimate for each option.

A new sign at Columbia Park would cost from $10-$15,000.

An expanded park would run from $850k - $1.5 million.

Additionally, CM Gerson failed to disclose that the City hired a consultant and staff time totaling more than $15,000 in preparation of his Torrance High School proposal.

The survey that appears on the City website is open to anyone who chooses to respond, whether Torrance residents or outside individuals.

The cost is considerable, and I don't think a consultant should have been hired to look into this matter so extensively, either. 

On another note, the person who informed me about Ted's brother told me that Kaji was proposing the Columbia Park renaming effort out of political gain. Based on his inappropriate remarks about his opponent David Kartsonis earlier this month, I have sadly seen this pattern of exploitation of the Internment of Japanese-Americans. It's very unforunate that Kaji would do this.

Also, based on what I have received from one of the contacts I spoke with, I finally submitted my decision, and I am asking the Torrance City Council to do nothing (Implement Option Three) at this time regarding any proposed changes to city locations or memorials in the city.

I would invite everyone in the city to also consider Option Three, and reject the Columbia proposal as well as an updated memorial in front of Torrance High School.

Sore Loser: Cagey Kaji Plays the Race Card Following Election Loss

Now this is just shameful.

Towards the end of the campaign, Councilman Jon Kaji was the subject of an FCC complaint from the FBI.

Here's how he responded:

Whether the "FBI" is an acronym for a private entity or the letters refer to the actual Federal Bureau of Investigation is immaterial to my point.

Why does Kaji mention 1942?

Because he's tying this political attack to Executive Order 9066 and the discrimination, incarceration, deportation, and internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II.

He literally compared his campaign setback to the Internment of Japanese-Americans.

This response is not serious.

In fact, it's quite offensive.

I don't recall David Kartsonis:

1. Forcing Kaji to sell his goods.

2. Forcing Kaji and his family to move out of their home.

3. Forcing Kaji to live in a horse stall as temporary shelter

4. Forcing Kaji and family to live in an internment camp

Did David Kartsonis do any of this?

Last time I checked, Kaji and his family are still safe and sound in North Torrance. There are no internment camps. Japanese-Americans in general are facing nothing like that level of discrimination today.

Most importantly, Kartsonis has done nothing of the sort to suggest or advocate for such treatment.

People are more than welcome to have their differences with Kartsonis (I certainly do).

But to implicate him with such abject racism and abuse is a low blow.

To disparage and exploit the Internment of Japanese Americans because you lost an election, that is just despicable.

Kaji was his worst enemy this election, and I must say at this point, he deserved to lose.

Update (July 16, 2026)

The Rational Animal summarized the base character of Kaji's retort very well, responding to disgraced Congressman Ro Khanna's racist remark earlier this week:

And here comes the race card. Not long ago I thought Khanna was the Democratic frontrunner for 2028. He's been spiraling fast, and now he grabs the oldest trick in the playbook: address a policy fight as racial martyrdom.

Bowman and Bush didn't lose over "Black martyrdom." They…

— The Rational Animal 🤔 (@theobjectivist) July 15, 2026

Aurelio Mattucci's Huge Win Against Two-Time Loser RINO Dishonest Mike Griffiths

 

I cannot rejoice enough over Councilman Mattucci's major win over former city councilman Mike Griffiths for the Torrance City Treasurer position.

Griffiths has a horrid reputation for lying to people in the city.

In 2018, I wanted him to support a Resolution against the Sanctuary State Law, SB 54. He made a bunch of excuses, stating that he didn't want to bring a "circus" of protesters to the city council.

How ironic that another circus--Black Lives Matter--would show up and shut down city council business for years. But that's another story for another day.

Griffiths said he would not support it. And yet, at the next city council meeting, there was a request for concurrence on a resolution against SB 54. Griffiths voted for it, along with Mattucci and Chen.

Councilman Milton Herring voted against it, along with Rizzo, Furey, and Goodrich, so the request for concurrence failed. Why would Griffiths tell me he opposed it, then went along with it when he had the chance?

This kind of double-dealing became commonplace with this guy.

I have shared before that Griffiths was particularly rude to me--as well as diffident--about supporting a Resolution of No Confidence in George Gascon. How could anyone find this problematic? 

Of course, there was his long of history of arrogance toward the general public. I remember when he attended some of the Beach Cities Republicans meetings, and he would snap back at some of the questions posed by the members.

On the council, once George Chen became mayor, Griffiths would routinely remind the public: "Well, since I am the city councilmember with the most experience ..."

Of course, having experience does not make one an expert. The 15th US President, James Buchanan, had more political experience than most presidents before and after--and yet he's regarded as one of the worst presidents in our nation's history. Experience is not enough. Elected officials have to have class, honesty, and integrity.

Those are characteristics which Griffiths has long lacked.

He ran for Treasurer in 2022, and one would think that as a sitting city councilmember, he would have had the best chance. There were four other candidates, including, at that time, former city councilman Tim Goodrich (who left his seat for career reasons, I guess?). The current treasurer, Dana Cortez, was not showing up to work, and there were two other candidates, including conservative Rick Marshall (who managed to send out a mailer that year, too!)

Goodrich won. Griffiths couldn't beat a former city councilman, one who had quit his job before the end of the term! That is pretty sad. I also remember visiting Griffith's campaign Facebook page, and someone had posted my blog post calling out Griffiths for not wanting to take a stand against Gascon!

After George was elected mayor, Griffiths didn't want to issue a Resolution of No Confidence in the Los Angeles Health Director Barbara Ferrer. His opposition failed, since Sharon Kalani went along with it, and Asam Sheikh abstained (something he does quite a lot on the city council dias).

Griffiths supported tax increases. Griffiths was OK with the Pride Resolution. Griffiths wanted to increase the spending. He was never a true Republican.

Then he ran again for city treasurer.

What kind of support did he muster for his second bid for city-wide office?

Councilman Jeremy Gerson endorsed him, but do you notice anything funny about the photo?

It's AI! You can see the Google Gemini logo in the bottom right corner.

It's fake, just like the persona that Griffiths tried to present to the public over his last two campaigns.

Why didn't Gerson bother to show up for a photo shoot, anyway?

Gerson is a Democrat now, by the way, so that showed where his growing interests lie.

Speaking of Democrats, look who else endorsed Dishonest Mike:

If you can't read the circled section, here's a larger print:

Yes, the liberal Democrat state assemblyman, who thinks it's OK for teachers to keep secrets from parents about their children, who made it easier for sex offenders to avoid the sex-offender registry, who wanted to make it harder to fire pervert teachers, who raised our gas taxes, he endorsed Griffiths.

If this doesn't scream RINO, I don't know what will.

I was stunned when I first saw this, and I had hoped to write something about it, time permitting. What a betrayal! Why would anyone, especially a supposed Republican, promote an endorsement from an abusive Democratic lawmaker like Muratsuchi? The state assemblyman even pushed for his chief of staff, Andrew DeBlock, to run against Griffiths in 2020!

I didn't have the time to go after this perverse endorsement. Getting out the vote for Mattucci was more important. Thankfully, that decision paid off.

Former city councilman and two-time loser for city treasurer, Mike Griffiths, has used the domain name "I Like Mike" for his campaign website ever since he ran for office, starting with the city council in 2014. It's time for him to get the message: No, we don't like him, and it's time for him to move on.

"Project Homekey" Supervisor Janice Hahn Endorses Sellout Sharon for Torrance Mayor

               

Sharon Kalani has betrayed a number of voters across the city of Torrance.

She wanted to focus on local issues, and she campaigned on listening to the will and interest of the voters.

Sellout Sharon began showing her true colors when she pushed the PRIDE Resolution in 2024, despite the fact that the vast majority residents showed up to city council to reject the proposal.

She went along with raising the sales tax, Measure SST, when she could have shown real leadership and found ways to streamline services and cut costs.

Then she tried to shut down the Armed Forces Day parade. Sure, she says that she wanted to move it t Skypark to save money, but such a measure would have forced the parade to wind down and disappear.

She is arrogant and out-of-touch, not taking into consideration what is best for the city.

And now she's embracing more big-spending and out-of-touch principles, welcoming the endorsement of LA County Supervisor Hahn.

This is the same supervisor who tried to force the Homekey Project, a homelessness construction that would have stood in one of the busiest sections of Torrance, close to schools, homes, apartments, and other businesses: unsafe, unsanitary, and unsound!

The proposal was so unpopular that frequent protests popped up on the corner of Madrona and Torrance Blvd. to call attention to this project and stop its advancement.

Janice Hahn does not care about the city of Torrance, and neither does Sharon Kalani.

She is unfit to serve as our next Mayor.

Further Reflection on Torrance's "Pride Month" Resolution Controversy

The news has been spreading throughout the city that Councilwoman Sharon Kalani's perverse attempt to push "Pride Month" in the city of Torrance failed this year.

The usual left-wing and progressive agitators are complaining online, but other Torrance community groups on Facebook are generally pleased.

I didn't have the chance over the last year to sound off another deep concern regarding the whole "Pride Month" push.

Last year, when the city council narrowly adopted the troublesome, unwanted resolution, Jean Adelsman targeted Councilman Mattucci (once again) over his outspoken outrage about the resolution.

Here are his full remarks from the May 7, 2024, Torrance City Council meeting on the "pride" resolution:

               

Here are Adelsman's first statements on Mattucci's "rant":

·       Mattucci and Sheikh were the evening’s disappointments. Several people called Mattucci’s comments a disgrace – Susan Niemeyer referred to it as a rant in her FaceBook post on the meeting.

Who is Susan Niemeyer?

When Chen called on Kalani immediately after Mattucci unleashed his wrath, she was clearly shaken and said, “What can you say after that?”

More people should be as upset as Mattucci was. More on that later. If Councilwoman was Kalani was "clearly shaken" by some strong statements from one of her colleagues, then she is not mayor material.

In the next newsletter, she obsessed over Mattucci's comments further:

A number of readers expressed concern over the subject of Mattucci’s recent rant. If you missed that newsletter, go to www.TakeBackTorrance.com and look at Newsletter No. 50.

He was focused on a survey that he said had asked his 10-year-old son questions of a sexual nature. I didn’t originally raise it because, as District 4’s Sharon Kalani pointed out, Torrance Unified School District has jurisdiction here and the City Council has no role. In other words, Mattucci’s comments were inappropriate.

Every adult should be outraged--not just concerned--about school districts giving students sexually explicit or charged surveys. EVERYONE!

As it turns out, he also misspoke. After being prodded by readers, I researched the issue, and thanks to my TUSD source who steered me to the information I was looking for.

Mattucci was referring to the California Healthy Kids Survey, which is a project of the California Department of Education. The survey’s goal: “Helping schools and communities build positive environments for student success.”

How does asking children if they are non-binary or gay contribute to a positive school environment? Why are adults so determined to push these awful themes on children? Why is pushing destructive behaviors on children "Acceptable"?

Its website adds, “At the heart of the CHKS is a research-based core module that provides valid indicators to promote student engagement and achievement, safety, positive development, health, and overall well-being.” The site also said it is “the largest statewide student survey of resiliency, protective factors, risk behaviors, and school climate in the nation.”

Notice how she did not list the specific, invasive questions that the survey poses to California students. I wonder why she left that out?

Most of California’s school districts participate, and the information is also used by a variety of non-academic agencies. For example, the Volunteer Center, whose board I serve on, uses information from it to improve its youth programs, in particular the Impact Makers (more on that later). As does the Beach Cities Health District’s Allcove program for teens.

Mattucci repeatedly said his 10-year-old son received the questionnaire. The problem: TUSD administers the survey to sixth-graders, which rarely includes a 10-year-old. So, his son was not 10 when he took the survey.

If you would like to learn more about the survey, go to https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/at/cefchks.asp.

Notice how Jean Adelsman, and LGBT propagandists in general, do not care about the well-being of children. Notice how they don't take notice, or even break a sweat, over the contents of these abusive materials being pushed on children.

The only thing that Jean cared about was that Aurelio supposedly got his dates mixed up when he mentioned the survey. Earlier this month, he corrected the record yet again and said that indeed, his son did receive the survey according to the times he had mentioned last year. He made no mistake.

Why are liberals so deteremined to push LGBT on kids?

Why are progressives so adamant about celebrating sexual degeneracy as a civil right?

Why do some of these Torrance residents think that the "Balanced City" should start picking identity groups to promote against everyoe else? Why do they want to turn Torrance into West Hollywood of San Francisco?

Breaking News: FPPC Investigation of Aurelio Mattucci Recall Underway

Torrance resident Patsy Okada has filed a complaint with the FPPC in connection with Jean Adelsman's recall effort against Torrance City Councilman and City Treasurer candidate Aurelio Mattucci.

This is a significant development, since the FPPC receives between 1,000 and 2,000 complaints each year. Patsy's complaint was accepted!

I received the following text message from Patsy, which she had received from Bob Habel, one of the Torrance Parks and Recreation Commissioners, who organized the failed recall effort against Torrance City Councilman Jon Kaji:

Here's the full message, if you cannot read the text in the picture:

Thanks [sic] you. The names will not appear in the Breeze because we are just going to scare him into that we are going to recall him. After we gather the necessary signatures, we turn them into the city clerk, she verifies that they are valid. Then we can pay someone to serve him that he is being recalled.That is where it ends. Names and addresses will not appear in the paper. It's not going to go that far. Once he is served, he will know that District 1 people are not happy with him. There is no lawyer with the Kaji recall. I don't know who Jean is using for the Mattucci recall.

So, the Kaji recall effort was a hoax.

What about the Mattucci recall?

Patsy shared the following with me:

My complaint was 99% from Jean Adelsman’s newsletters. But in the newsletters Jean asked for donations for the recall. FPPC jurisdiction is money involved in an election/recall. 

In case anyone has forgotten, Jean Adelsman was one of the key organizers of the Mattucci recall. She asked for donations!

She was the biggest cheerleader, outlining all the reasons why Mattucci "needed" to be recalled.

She did have a considerable role in the recall effort:

A few personal points: I am No. 39 out of the 60. If the recall succeeds, I will not seek the seat. I ran in 2022 because, at that moment, no one else was prepared to oppose Mattucci. Some excellent candidates have already indicated that they would be available to fill the seat in 2024. I am neither chair nor treasurer. I am serving as the committee’s communications director. 

She frequently promoted the donation links for the recall effort, too.

Newsletter 46

Newsletter 47

Newsletter 49

Was the Mattucci effort just another bluff? If so, why raise money for it? If the circulators had no intention of actually collecting enough signatures to put a recall measure on the ballot, why fundraise?

Pasty shared with me:

I got the financial disclosure for this recall and I used it as an exhibit.  The treasurer of the recall is Evelyn Smith, and Marilyn Bailey is the state measure proponent. Also, Jean was interviewed by the Daily Breeze when the recall ended . The reporter asked her how many signatures were collected, and she wouldn’t answer. I gave that as an exhibit.

I contacted the City Clerk for more information regarding who initiated the recall, and here's what she shared with me:

The legal publication lists Mary A. Bailey, Mathilde F. Terre, and Marla Shwarts.

YIKES!

Do-Nothing Assemblyman Confronted at Torrance "No Kings" Protest

The residents of the South Bay are getting what they voted for. 

 They wanted open borders? They got open borders. 

 They wanted pro-criminal policies. They got lawmakers who put the lawless ahead of the law-abiding.

Instead of actually solving problems in the state, these lawless assemblymen take time to attend anti-Trump protests.

They just keep shouting about how much they hate Donald Trump, they show up to the vile protests filled with profanity-laden signs, and then they network and rub elbows with all the left-wing activists, so that they can say: "Look at me! I am doing something!"

           

Here's Al Muratsuchi in front of Torrance City Hall.

He had plenty of time to attend the No Kings Protest.

He also had plenty of time to campaign for Kamala Harris last year:

Knocking door to door in Vegas with my fifteen year old daughter to elect @KamalaHarris for President!#WhenWeVoteWeWin pic.twitter.com/x8Kde9ZqqR

— Al Muratsuchi (@AMuratsuchi) October 19, 2024

And what about the residents of Palos Verdes? I asked him about that, and he didn't want to talk about that. I did share with him that I am glad he campaigned for Kamala Harris, since that helped flip the state for Trump in 2024.

I hope he campaigns for Bernie Sanders and AOC in 2028!

Homeless Apartments Coming to Torrance (Have You Had Enough Yet, People?)

The LA County Board  of Supervisors announced that they were opening up a homeless apartment right here in the city of Torrance.

And all of this after the city council called a special meeting on May 23, 2025, to discuss the proposal and then vote against it unanimously.

Torrance residents took free Torrance Transit rides up to the LA County Board of Supervisors meeting hall to speak out against the proposal. Mayor George Chen and Councilman Aurelio Mattucci

Here's the report on the arrogant Board of Supervisors' final decision:

LA County Approves Torrance Homeless Housing Plan Despite 90% Opposition

Brian Choi

By

Brian Choi

Jun 3, 2025 11:27 AM PDT

Last Updated: Jun 3, 2025 11:27 AM PDT

Los Angeles County is moving forward with plans to convert a Torrance motel into permanent housing for the homeless, despite strong objections from local officials and residents.

The conflict began when the LA County Board of Supervisors proposed turning the Extended Stay America motel—located one block west of Torrance City Hall—into a housing facility for the unhoused. The project would transform the site into a 120-unit permanent supportive housing complex.

In response, the Torrance City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing the plan. However, the Board of Supervisors confirmed last week that it would proceed, prompting a wave of local backlash.

The motel, situated at the intersection of Torrance Boulevard and Madrona Avenue, lies in a busy area surrounded by the Del Amo Fashion Center, city offices, public swimming pools, educational centers, and medical facilities. The location’s high pedestrian traffic has raised concerns about public safety and community impact.

Concerns Over Safety and Neighborhood Suitability

Local business owner Casey Yang, who runs a shop near the site, voiced concern about the decision. “I need to look into the details, but this should absolutely not happen. If a majority of citizens feel unsafe or concerned about public health, the County must reconsider,” he said.

Every citizen should be opposed to this. The city has already established tiny homes right next to the police station. What more does the city need to do?!

Seo-Yeon Kim, whose child attends a tutoring center next to the motel, echoed those concerns. “This area is frequented by children and is close to a senior apartment complex. I don’t know if this is a wise decision. I hope they reconsider after listening to public opinion,” she said.

Torrance Mayor George Chen criticized the County’s decision, stating that the proposed site sits in the heart of the city and lacks sufficient distance from sensitive community zones. “Over 90% of our residents oppose this,” Chen said on June 2, adding that the city is currently exploring legal action.

LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn, however, pushed back on the mayor’s statement. “We’ve received a much wider range of feedback than that,” Hahn said. She added that the site is actually located near churches and commercial zones, making it a suitable place to connect unhoused residents with job opportunities and rehabilitation programs.

No one really believes this.

State Funding and Security Measures Planned

The housing conversion is being funded through Project Homekey, a state initiative aimed at expanding permanent homeless housing. According to the County, the site will include on-site staff and operate under a 24-hour security system once complete.

Lots of businesses and other entities have 24-hour security, but that has not stopped the crime wave. What's the point in documenting all the crimes taking place when there is no enforcement of the law? District Attorney Nathan Hochman is bringing much needed change, but he cannot fight the crime wave on his own. Police and sheriff's departments are facing staffing problems and budget issues, and woke judges are filling up LA County courts!

The debate underscores the ongoing challenges of balancing urgent housing needs with community concerns in densely populated urban areas like Torrance.

The key decision-makers and team leaders are missing the bigger issue. Los Angeles County has a larger homeless population for a number of reasons:

1. The weather is great here, so deadbeats, derelicts, and drug addicts travel from all over the United States to come here and loaf out in public without fear of inclement weather.

2. California has some of the most generous welfare programs and payments in the country. This problem has plagued the state of California since Governor Pat Brown.

3. California voters have all but legalized drugs in this state, and some legislators wanted to go further and allow "safe" injection sites.

4. Law enforcement faces numerous obstacles to involuntary commitment of the mentally ill and unstable in our communities. Every since the early 1960s, when President John F. Kennedy began shutting down the mental institutions and allowing those sufferers to roam on the streets rather than receive much-needed care in involuntary confinement, the homeless problem has only worsened.

The lax laws, the progressive insistence on throwing more money at the problem rather than enforcing quality of life and care metrics, have caused the homelessness problem to spiral out of control.

The notion that providing more housing will somehow fix this program is just naive, delusional, and even dangerous.

This decision has received so much pushback, and has raised considerable alarm not just in the South Bay, but throughout Los Angeles County. I was surprised by the number of calls I received from friends throughout the county when the Board of Supervisors forced this decision on the city.

Mayor Chen has captured the heart of the matter: 90% of the residents do now want apartments for the homeless. It's not just a density issue, but a safety issue. Worse yet, all of this government-funded "charity" is just further subsidy for bad behavior and more homelessness.

Supervisor Janice Hahn claimed that homeless veterans would be the first to qualify for the housing. Someone needs to remind her that Los Angeles County already has the Brentwood VA, which was designed and designated precisely to serve LA County's veterans. And that problem has not been solved after decades. In fact, Rob Rosebrock has been exposing the misuse of the Brentwood facilities for years, exposing how private interests are exploiting the property at the expense of the veterans! Worse yet, Los Angeles County still has the largest homeless veteran population in the country, and the problem has barely abated, in spite of much pontificating from federal officials in Congress.

Big Question

Dear Torrance residents:

Have you had enough of this progressive propaganda and pandering? Have you tired of county and statewide officials who put illegal aliens, homeless vagrants, and repeat criminals ahead of the law-abiding citizens and their families?

If you don't like what's happening in your community, then you need to start with the person you see in the mirror. Whom are you voting for in every election? The region has been drifting to the left for the last twenty years, and the consequences are catching up with all of you. Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi and State Senator Ben Allen are all in on the homelessness push. They want more money, more housing, lax enforcement of our criminal laws, and a full commitment to the Democratic Party's broad vision of "marginalized ahead of the law-abiding."

You are all voting for these outcomes. Supervisor Janice Hahn won an outright majority to hold her seat for a third (And thankfully final) term on the LA County Board of Supervisors. You had the chance to elect someone else to represent you in Downtown Los Angeles, but you chose more of the same.

So, there's no point in complaining right now until you resolve to start electing NEW PEOPLE!