There’s chatter in Manhattan Beach this week that members of the Manhattan Beach Neighborhood Association (MBNA) might be interested in returning to the Manhattan Beach Community Group (MBCG).
The two civic organizations split last year after an acrimonious election pitting former MBCG president Ronald Biondo against current president Ira Zalcman.
A lawsuit aimed at forcing the MBCG to accept a spate of new members — many in support of revisiting the neighborhood’s zoning — was thrown out, but those on the losing side decided to break away and form the MBNA.
The two groups have been conducting business independently of each other ever since, but neighborhood services like the private security patrol have suffered.
MBNA spokesperson Edmond Dweck downplayed the likelihood of reunification.
“This is news to me; several residents approached us in the last few weeks questioning as to why we haven’t considered the possibility,” he said. “Unfortunately, without getting feedback from the MBCG as to whether or not they would consider something, then I see no possibility.”
Zalcman told this newspaper that having two groups in Manhattan Beach has been bad for the community and that members of the MBNA would be welcome back at the MBCG.
“No one kicked them out,” Zalcman said. “I hope we can become unified.”
“We would welcome the opportunity to discuss our differences and hopefully come to a resolve,” Dweck said.
