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Residents urge pool scheduling changes, airport noise proofing and more during Hawthorne public comments
Summary
Speakers at public comment urged the council to revisit Hawthorne Pool scheduling to allow lap and rental use, reported vision‑screening work at local schools, raised concerns about an FAA noise‑proofing grant near the airport, and asked for city support for a youth dance event.
Several members of the public addressed the council during the Jan. 13 public comment period.
Pat Donaldson of the Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce thanked staff for Winter Wonderland and announced a business expo on May 14 at the Hawthorne Memorial Center; she also asked the City to consider help paying a $998 bill for pumpkin‑pie supplies.
Resident Kathy Gore, a 30‑year Hawthorne homeowner and longtime Hawthorne Pool advocate, urged the council to direct Recreation staff to allow overlapping programming so the pool’s shallow section can host recreational swim while other lanes remain available to lap swimmers and rental groups. "So please consider directing the rec department to return to that model at the Hawthorne Pool," Gore said, recommending weekday overlap and longer weekend lap‑swim hours.
Alaric Simon, president of the Hawthorne Imperial Alliance Club, described an ongoing vision‑screening program at local schools and a large screening event at the Memorial Center with free recycled glasses for children. Joanne Varga said she had requested records about an FAA noise‑proofing grant for residents near the Hawthorne Airport and told the council she found no documentation showing that the grant was issued or completed.
Rev. Stiver, founder and CEO of Cypher Spot, said Cypher Spot received the California Arts Council Youth & Arts grant for 2025–26 and asked for city partnership and use of the Memorial Center for a March 14 youth dance tournament. Several other residents offered appreciation for city events, raised neighborhood parking concerns, and described economic hardship and community supports.
The council thanked speakers and acknowledged the range of concerns; several items raised by public speakers were later reflected in council discussion and directives (for example, the request to clarify airport ownership reporting and to post the press release again).
