I'm appalled at those who write to defend Arnette Travis appearing in a video on the City website. That Ms. Travis sits on a committee or volunteers her time is not the issue. Rather, Ms. Travis put her name on a lawsuit against the Mayor, his campaign finance treasurer, a Council Member and another citizen, FUNDED by an entity whose ownership is the developer who is suing our City for millions of dollars because they didn't get their way to build a project in our harbor that DID NOT COMPLY with Measure G, our Local Coastal Plan, or with the requirements of the California Coastal Commission. For anyone to believe this has nothing to do with a disgruntled developer finding two people to seek vengeance on the City of Redondo Beach through attempting to financially ruin those they feel led the effort to educate residents is very mis-guided.
Ms. Travis and her co-Plaintiff LOST their lawsuit. The dollar amount is $896,000 with interest. They appealed recently with the tentative ruling not yet formalized, however, indicating it will likely be upheld against Travis and Voisey. This type of heinous action, funded by the very people further trying to inflict financial harm upon our City is despicable. As such, Ms. Travis should not be representing our City and its great work to honor MLK or anyone else. I'm quite certain there were others who could have and would have participated. The part of the video with Ms. Travis should be edited out of the City video.
Additionally, the thinly-veiled accusations of racism are ridiculous. Mayor Brand and Council Member Nehrenheim were SUED by this woman Ms. Healy and Ms. McKenzie and a few others are defending. Ms. Travis sued THEM ... funded by a disgruntled developer .. .and LOST! The only ones trying to make this about racism and non-City affiliation are Ms. Healy and Ms. McKenzie. Let me repeat, they were SUED by Ms. Travis and Mr. Voisey with funding by a disgruntled developer whose project will NOT be built in our Harbor; a developer STILL suing our City! Ms. Travis appears complicit with the developer suing our City for millions!
The court labeled Arnette travis and Chris voisey shills for a sham action, that would make Maggie healey is a shill for City Staff.
She used to work for the previous city manager, who was fired. They brought this community a mall to the harbor, that no one wanted.
Now, the community has a choice: go back to the days of shills and malls. Or, move forward with music festivals, open space, parks and public amenities all of Californians’ can use.
Lastly, since Arnette Travis is being used as a shill by Centercal and Centercal is suing the City of Redondo Beach, us the residents, how does she get to sit on any City Commission?
That’s right, because Chris Voisey, a developer shill sits on the GPAC deciding the future of land uses in Redondo Beach.
It’s embarrassing that this is even an issue, but the comments today show one thing: At all costs the developers must win and use the great Dr. King who united communities and people to divide us. So sad.
Once again, Voters have a choice: let the shills take us back to a time where corporations run the town to the highest bidder, or choose a bright future full of planning, process, and transparency.
My name is Thomas Immer and I have been a resident of Redondo Beach since 2015. I am relatively new to this city, I have come to love it, but I am learning things about our elected officials that concern me. I don't know the details of the dispute between Mayor Brand, Councilmember Nehrenheim, and Arnette Travis, but I do know Arnette Travis and I do know the kind of leadership I expect from my elected officials. Anyone who has been in a room with Arnette would know that she stands for what's right. She's a leader, she cares, and she's done more for the people of our community than most. And to hear the Mayor question her appearance on a video for MLK and then demand to know who was responsible to include her in the video is appalling and scary to be quite honest. We need leaders that focus on what is best for our community, and I'll be looking for them come March 2nd.
On January 18, the Redondo Beach Police Foundation and the RBPD’s Community Engagement Board presented a beautiful, heartwarming video celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
But at the start of the January 19 council meeting, Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand and Councilmember Nils Nehrenheim somehow felt the need to cast an awful gloom on the previous day’s celebration. They used their public office to falsely disparage a highly accomplished and respected private citizen. Brand and Nehrenheim verbally flogged and demonized an African American woman, a resident of Redondo Beach who grew up in the Jim Crow era South, and a founding member of the Community Engagement Board, for her participation in our City’s celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Then, they demanded the names of anyone responsible for having her participate and called for removal of the video celebration from our City website.
Mayor Brand and Councilmember Nehrenheim, you have deeply shamed and insulted our community. Your spiteful actions have no place on the Council dais, nor anywhere in Redondo Beach. Perhaps you both need to be reminded that in our democratic process, citizens have a right to hold their elected leaders accountable through the justice system. That’s what Ms. Travis and others are doing and they are providing a service to their community by doing so. Since that is so difficult for you to withstand, and when you take to vilifying those who exercise their democratic rights, then you really don’t belong in that public office you are holding.
Maggie Healy
Redondo Beach
My name is Steve Goldstein and I'm a 30-year resident of Redondo Brach and an active community volunteer for many years. I was appalled at Council Member Nehrenheims' completely inappropriate opening remarks at last week's meeting questioning and admonishing the volunteer work of Arnette Travis while faintly praising the MLK Memorial Observance Ceremony of which she was an active participant. His vulgar remarks completely diminished anything positive about the event he had to say. It is quite clear where his priorities lie. The personal attacks and vendettas will always take precedence over anything that benefits the community so long as anybody he personally dislikes is involved in any way. This is the worst example of a community "Leader" I have seen in a very long time, and to think he is one of the council members in the City that I love is unfathomable. With our local elections so close, one can only hope that this immaturity will be replaced by somebody more competent and unifying. Childish behavior like his should not be tolerated from the Dais of our City Council.
My name is Tonya McKenzie, business owner, NRBBA President, Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, past president of the school site council for Madison Elementary School, and RB Police Engagement Board member. I give my time to the things that I care about. I care about the city and community that I am raising my children in. My son is a graduate of Redondo Union High School and plays basketball at Sarah Lawrence College.
I am extremely concerned that this City of Redondo Beach is under the leadership of a mayor and city council member that care more about personal issues and their personal vendettas than growth and unification. It is becoming clearer every day that there is a privileged group of men that feel like they and only they have the right to state and fight for what they feel is right for this city. For anybody that dares to have differing opinions, they will be defiled in public, at City Council meetings and online, in private anonymous Facebook groups and in local newspapers.
After being harassed by friends of Mayor Brand, he told me that I need to suck it up. It comes with the territory of being a community activist. However, he does not follow his own advice. I was sadly disappointed that the Mayor and Councilmen took time during a City Council meeting to attack a private citizen, Arnette Travis, a member of our RB Police Engagement Board for taking part in a Police Engagement Board event. It was such a vile display of misogynistic and racist character. The optics are too vivid to ignore. The Mayor of Redondo Beach, with a population of 3% African Americans took time from a business meeting to malign an African American woman for taking part in a MLK event the day after we celebrated the birthday of this Civil Rights fighter in front of the entire city. Please, make it make sense. How does one that was elected to lead the city take up city time to shame a citizen over a personal lawsuit? There needs to be a public apology. That behavior is beneath the office of the Mayor.
You can't say that you want what’s best for the city while doing things that continue to divide citizens and stall growth. Our kids are watching. DO BETTER!
Good Evening,
My name is Mickey Marraffino and I have lived in Redondo Beach for 25 years. I originally came here in 1995 to become the Marketing Director at South Bay Galleria. I love helping small businesses and have worked for several different shopping center developers in my career. I currently serve on the Board of the NRBBA working to build community and commerce with small businesses in Redondo Beach.
I was so disturbed by the childish behavior exhibited by Mayor Brand and Councilmember Nehrenheim during last week’s city council meeting as they continually berated Arnette Travis, a good citizen who works to build community and stand up for people's rights.
I want to see progress in our city and was proud to work for CenterCal 2014 thru 2018. I know hundreds of residents who wanted to see our Waterfront improved and wanted to see CenterCal pay for the infrastructure improvements that our city can't afford. Many Waterfront Supporters told me they signed the petition for Measure C because they were told outright that it would NOT impact the Waterfront Project. Although the signature gatherers used deceptive practices, there were no residents who would stand up and fight for the truth - until Arnette Travis, agreed to take a stand on their behalf. That has always been her intention. There is nothing financial to be gained.
Arnette knew neighbors who were tricked into signing the ballot initiative, but she was not afraid to stand up to the deceitful few who utilized and supported these tactics. When I hear elected officials continue to use their public forums to attack residents it really troubles me. Sadly, I know I am putting a target on my back, even larger than the one I had when I worked for CenterCal.
If we stand by and let the bullies and the racists spew their deception and hatred without speaking up, we are no better than they are.
Arnette is a founding member of the RBPD's Community Engagement Board whose goal is to put an end to divisiveness and racism in our city. She should be commended for her role in our community, not ostracized by public servants during a public meeting.
At the January 19, 2020 meeting of the Redondo Beach City Council, I was shocked to hear Mayor Bill Brand question why Arnette Travis appeared on the 2nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration program.
Since early June of 2020, shortly after the televised murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Arnette Travis has posted daily on her Facebook page, historical events that correspond to that day, to shine a light on the long history of racial injustice in the United States. I believe this action is one that Dr. King would approve. It is a daily reminder of the real work that needs to be done to help our nation fulfill Dr. King’s Dream.
It is apparent that Mrs. Travis’ commitment to the Dream extends beyond one day a year. That’s why, Mayor Brand.
I'm appalled at those who write to defend Arnette Travis appearing in a video on the City website. That Ms. Travis sits on a committee or volunteers her time is not the issue. Rather, Ms. Travis put her name on a lawsuit against the Mayor, his campaign finance treasurer, a Council Member and another citizen, FUNDED by an entity whose ownership is the developer who is suing our City for millions of dollars because they didn't get their way to build a project in our harbor that DID NOT COMPLY with Measure G, our Local Coastal Plan, or with the requirements of the California Coastal Commission. For anyone to believe this has nothing to do with a disgruntled developer finding two people to seek vengeance on the City of Redondo Beach through attempting to financially ruin those they feel led the effort to educate residents is very mis-guided.
Ms. Travis and her co-Plaintiff LOST their lawsuit. The dollar amount is $896,000 with interest. They appealed recently with the tentative ruling not yet formalized, however, indicating it will likely be upheld against Travis and Voisey. This type of heinous action, funded by the very people further trying to inflict financial harm upon our City is despicable. As such, Ms. Travis should not be representing our City and its great work to honor MLK or anyone else. I'm quite certain there were others who could have and would have participated. The part of the video with Ms. Travis should be edited out of the City video.
Additionally, the thinly-veiled accusations of racism are ridiculous. Mayor Brand and Council Member Nehrenheim were SUED by this woman Ms. Healy and Ms. McKenzie and a few others are defending. Ms. Travis sued THEM ... funded by a disgruntled developer .. .and LOST! The only ones trying to make this about racism and non-City affiliation are Ms. Healy and Ms. McKenzie. Let me repeat, they were SUED by Ms. Travis and Mr. Voisey with funding by a disgruntled developer whose project will NOT be built in our Harbor; a developer STILL suing our City! Ms. Travis appears complicit with the developer suing our City for millions!
The court labeled Arnette travis and Chris voisey shills for a sham action, that would make Maggie healey is a shill for City Staff.
She used to work for the previous city manager, who was fired. They brought this community a mall to the harbor, that no one wanted.
Now, the community has a choice: go back to the days of shills and malls. Or, move forward with music festivals, open space, parks and public amenities all of Californians’ can use.
Lastly, since Arnette Travis is being used as a shill by Centercal and Centercal is suing the City of Redondo Beach, us the residents, how does she get to sit on any City Commission?
That’s right, because Chris Voisey, a developer shill sits on the GPAC deciding the future of land uses in Redondo Beach.
It’s embarrassing that this is even an issue, but the comments today show one thing: At all costs the developers must win and use the great Dr. King who united communities and people to divide us. So sad.
Once again, Voters have a choice: let the shills take us back to a time where corporations run the town to the highest bidder, or choose a bright future full of planning, process, and transparency.
My name is Thomas Immer and I have been a resident of Redondo Beach since 2015. I am relatively new to this city, I have come to love it, but I am learning things about our elected officials that concern me. I don't know the details of the dispute between Mayor Brand, Councilmember Nehrenheim, and Arnette Travis, but I do know Arnette Travis and I do know the kind of leadership I expect from my elected officials. Anyone who has been in a room with Arnette would know that she stands for what's right. She's a leader, she cares, and she's done more for the people of our community than most. And to hear the Mayor question her appearance on a video for MLK and then demand to know who was responsible to include her in the video is appalling and scary to be quite honest. We need leaders that focus on what is best for our community, and I'll be looking for them come March 2nd.
On January 18, the Redondo Beach Police Foundation and the RBPD’s Community Engagement Board presented a beautiful, heartwarming video celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
But at the start of the January 19 council meeting, Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand and Councilmember Nils Nehrenheim somehow felt the need to cast an awful gloom on the previous day’s celebration. They used their public office to falsely disparage a highly accomplished and respected private citizen. Brand and Nehrenheim verbally flogged and demonized an African American woman, a resident of Redondo Beach who grew up in the Jim Crow era South, and a founding member of the Community Engagement Board, for her participation in our City’s celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Then, they demanded the names of anyone responsible for having her participate and called for removal of the video celebration from our City website.
Mayor Brand and Councilmember Nehrenheim, you have deeply shamed and insulted our community. Your spiteful actions have no place on the Council dais, nor anywhere in Redondo Beach. Perhaps you both need to be reminded that in our democratic process, citizens have a right to hold their elected leaders accountable through the justice system. That’s what Ms. Travis and others are doing and they are providing a service to their community by doing so. Since that is so difficult for you to withstand, and when you take to vilifying those who exercise their democratic rights, then you really don’t belong in that public office you are holding.
Maggie Healy
Redondo Beach
My name is Steve Goldstein and I'm a 30-year resident of Redondo Brach and an active community volunteer for many years. I was appalled at Council Member Nehrenheims' completely inappropriate opening remarks at last week's meeting questioning and admonishing the volunteer work of Arnette Travis while faintly praising the MLK Memorial Observance Ceremony of which she was an active participant. His vulgar remarks completely diminished anything positive about the event he had to say. It is quite clear where his priorities lie. The personal attacks and vendettas will always take precedence over anything that benefits the community so long as anybody he personally dislikes is involved in any way. This is the worst example of a community "Leader" I have seen in a very long time, and to think he is one of the council members in the City that I love is unfathomable. With our local elections so close, one can only hope that this immaturity will be replaced by somebody more competent and unifying. Childish behavior like his should not be tolerated from the Dais of our City Council.
My name is Tonya McKenzie, business owner, NRBBA President, Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, past president of the school site council for Madison Elementary School, and RB Police Engagement Board member. I give my time to the things that I care about. I care about the city and community that I am raising my children in. My son is a graduate of Redondo Union High School and plays basketball at Sarah Lawrence College.
I am extremely concerned that this City of Redondo Beach is under the leadership of a mayor and city council member that care more about personal issues and their personal vendettas than growth and unification. It is becoming clearer every day that there is a privileged group of men that feel like they and only they have the right to state and fight for what they feel is right for this city. For anybody that dares to have differing opinions, they will be defiled in public, at City Council meetings and online, in private anonymous Facebook groups and in local newspapers.
After being harassed by friends of Mayor Brand, he told me that I need to suck it up. It comes with the territory of being a community activist. However, he does not follow his own advice. I was sadly disappointed that the Mayor and Councilmen took time during a City Council meeting to attack a private citizen, Arnette Travis, a member of our RB Police Engagement Board for taking part in a Police Engagement Board event. It was such a vile display of misogynistic and racist character. The optics are too vivid to ignore. The Mayor of Redondo Beach, with a population of 3% African Americans took time from a business meeting to malign an African American woman for taking part in a MLK event the day after we celebrated the birthday of this Civil Rights fighter in front of the entire city. Please, make it make sense. How does one that was elected to lead the city take up city time to shame a citizen over a personal lawsuit? There needs to be a public apology. That behavior is beneath the office of the Mayor.
You can't say that you want what’s best for the city while doing things that continue to divide citizens and stall growth. Our kids are watching. DO BETTER!
Good Evening,
My name is Mickey Marraffino and I have lived in Redondo Beach for 25 years. I originally came here in 1995 to become the Marketing Director at South Bay Galleria. I love helping small businesses and have worked for several different shopping center developers in my career. I currently serve on the Board of the NRBBA working to build community and commerce with small businesses in Redondo Beach.
I was so disturbed by the childish behavior exhibited by Mayor Brand and Councilmember Nehrenheim during last week’s city council meeting as they continually berated Arnette Travis, a good citizen who works to build community and stand up for people's rights.
I want to see progress in our city and was proud to work for CenterCal 2014 thru 2018. I know hundreds of residents who wanted to see our Waterfront improved and wanted to see CenterCal pay for the infrastructure improvements that our city can't afford. Many Waterfront Supporters told me they signed the petition for Measure C because they were told outright that it would NOT impact the Waterfront Project. Although the signature gatherers used deceptive practices, there were no residents who would stand up and fight for the truth - until Arnette Travis, agreed to take a stand on their behalf. That has always been her intention. There is nothing financial to be gained.
Arnette knew neighbors who were tricked into signing the ballot initiative, but she was not afraid to stand up to the deceitful few who utilized and supported these tactics. When I hear elected officials continue to use their public forums to attack residents it really troubles me. Sadly, I know I am putting a target on my back, even larger than the one I had when I worked for CenterCal.
If we stand by and let the bullies and the racists spew their deception and hatred without speaking up, we are no better than they are.
Arnette is a founding member of the RBPD's Community Engagement Board whose goal is to put an end to divisiveness and racism in our city. She should be commended for her role in our community, not ostracized by public servants during a public meeting.
At the January 19, 2020 meeting of the Redondo Beach City Council, I was shocked to hear Mayor Bill Brand question why Arnette Travis appeared on the 2nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration program.
Since early June of 2020, shortly after the televised murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Arnette Travis has posted daily on her Facebook page, historical events that correspond to that day, to shine a light on the long history of racial injustice in the United States. I believe this action is one that Dr. King would approve. It is a daily reminder of the real work that needs to be done to help our nation fulfill Dr. King’s Dream.
It is apparent that Mrs. Travis’ commitment to the Dream extends beyond one day a year. That’s why, Mayor Brand.