Stop Being Ignored By Your City Council

By James P. Thompson

Lomita City Council Approves a 25% Trash Fee Hike over Unanimous Written and Vocal Citizen Opposition

I publicly opposed the 25% increase for the following summarized reasons:

(1) There was no tangible benefit to the people of Lomita other than receiving a new two-wheeled trash can;

(2) The contract was not put out for open bidding from other contractors;

(3) The only party benefiting from the increase was the contractor Calmet;

(4) I presented to our City Council a Daily Breeze article from August of this year, regarding the reasonable 4.5% trash increase by the City of Hawthorne - not the massive 25% proposed increase for Lomita;

(5) Lomita just had our most recent trash increase a little over a year ago presumably to offset the $4.50/gallon fuel prices at that time. However, fuel prices have DECREASED by 1/3 currently, down to less than $3.00/gallon;

(6) This is the worst possible economic time to have an increase of any kind, due to the current recession which is the most severe since the Great Depression. Some residents and businesses are barely hanging on right now;

(7) The fee hike was completely unjustified with no credible explanation for the amount; and finally

(8) This trash fee proposal was NOT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES OF LOMITA!

The City Council didn't even try to shop around for the best deal from any other trash contractors. It was a "no bid" contract to Calmet only.

Unfortunately, we were all ignored as the City Council unanimously passed the 25% fee hike over our UNANIMOUS OPPOSITION! Our fees are once again going up. Moreover, they timed the increase to show up on our bills AFTER the Nov. 3, 2009 election. Makes you wonder....

Our City is very well run. It's the jewel of the South Bay. Our budget is balanced, unlike the Federal, State and other local Cities' budget deficits. However, ignoring the expressed will of "We The People", even just once, is NOT and NEVER WILL be good government.

As an Attorney for over 20 years, I have faithfully followed my ethical fiduciary duty to always put my client's interests first. As a Superior Court Judge Pro Tem since 1995, I have learned to carefully listen to all sides of an issue before making a fully informed and fair descision.

I am making just one campaign promise:

I will always listen to the will of The People and will always do what's in the best interest of our Citizens!