When the city had the chance, Hermosa Beach should have let MacPherson Oil drill, drill, drill. Now, because of micromanaging local government and environmental fanaticism, liabilities and lawsuits may kill, kill, kill the finances and future of the beach city.
In 1998, Hermosa Beach residents overturned a council decision to contract with the oil company with an initiative. Those in power at the time should have informed the voters that a sudden breach of contract would initiate a costly and lengthy lawsuit, one which has done more damage to the city, the state, and the court system than any potential damage by an oil spill.
The overreaction of the Green Lobby has stifled business and prevented otherwise wholesome investment from thriving because of potential damage to the coastline, the community, or the country. The residents of Hermosa Beach should let the E & B take off where MacPherson left off, and leave a tidy profit for the struggling community.
Instead of dealing against smoking and Saturday Night parties, the residents of Hermosa Beach ought to oust the members of their city council who insist on "protecting" them from freedom and prosperity. If the city does not honor its previous arrangement, then everyone will be on the tab for $17.5 million, a sum that will affect everyone, including voters and civic leaders who had nothing to do with the disastrous decision-making of previous city councils.