Hermosa Beach's Measure O would have allowed a drilling project proposed by E&B Natural Resources Management Corporation
Residents of the "best little beach city", Hermosa Beach, California, showed up to the polls on Tuesday, March 3 to defeat Measure O.
“It’s the busiest day I’ve ever seen,” said City Clerk Elaine Doerfling. “And I’ve been here since 1989.” With 13,800 registered voters, city council elections typically draw about 4,500 voters.
But on Tuesday, early estimates said 7,000 voters may have turned up. (LA Weekly)
The entire community is just 1.4 square miles with 20,000 residents. Community leaders, business owners, concerned residents and professionals staged a grassroots campaign, Stop Hermosa Beach Oil, to inform and enable the citizens of Hermosa Beach to accurately and fairly judge the environmental, economic, and social impact of the oil company's proposition with the intention to "Keep Hermosa Hermosa".
The community debate peaked when the New York Times published a story on March 2 highlighting both sides of the debate.
The sounds of victory could be heard on Pier Ave in Hermosa Beach last night. Thanks to Stop Hermosa Beach Oil, Heal the Bay, Surfrider Foundation, and all the grassroots campaigners, supporters, and voters who galvanized to Vote No on O.
