Torrance’s Stance on Measure A

There is an old adage that “politics makes strange bedfellows.”

Confusion created by the intense media campaigns generated by both sides of the Measure A issue on the Torrance municipal ballot vividly demonstrates the truth of this saying.

Measure A is opposed by Mayor Katy Geissert and council members Bill Applegate, Dee Hardison, George Nakano, Tim Mock and Mark Wirth.

Measure A is supported by only one council member, its author, Dan Walker.

The council majority is not supportive of the continued use of hydrogen fluoride in the alkylation process at the Mobil Oil refinery.

On the contrary, the city has been deeply involved for the past year in preparation of a comprehensive public nuisance lawsuit against Mobil. This suit is aimed at giving the city greater control over the storage and use of hazardous substances, including hydrogen fluoride, at the refinery. We have been advised by our attorneys that this legal action is the most effective means to assure the safety of our residents.

The city has committed $1 million to date in preparation of this suit, and the suit will soon be ready to go to trial.

Passage of Measure A will not only complicate the city’s lawsuit, but might well delay its going to trial for years to come. In the meantime, a wide array of safety issues will go unaddressed by the courts.

The confusion arises in the public’s mind because Mobil Oil is also opposing Measure A. Their opposition is for totally different reasons than the opposition of the City Council majority.

Mobil Oil certainly does not support the city’s lawsuit.

We urge you to vote no on Measure A so that the full strength of the city of Torrance can be put behind court action mandating safe operation of the Mobil refinery.

KATY GEISSERT,

mayor

BILL APPLEGATE,

councilman

DEE HARDISON,

councilwoman

TIM MOCK,

councilman

GEORGE NAKANO,

councilman

MARK WIRTH,

councilman