Correspondence

DON’T BARGAIN AWAY OUR COASTAL WETLANDS

The restoration of Shipley Nature Center for mitigation for building on a

wetlands is a bad deal because it results in another net loss of wetlands

(“Commission rethinks Mayer’s wetland plans,” Aug. 5). If the developer’s

money could be used to get some action on the degraded wetlands along

[Pacific] Coast Highway, east of the Edison generating plant on

Brookhurst Street, there would be a considerable gain of active wetlands

just like the successful Talbert Marsh. Forget Shipley (or get the Boy

Scouts to do it) and do something that gains wetlands for a change!

JAMES R. GALLAGHER

Huntington Beach

‘GREASE’ GETS A RAVE REVIEW

Kudos to all those responsible for the wonderful presentation of “Grease”

at the Huntington Beach Playhouse. My grandchildren and I greatly enjoyed

the performance of this young, exceptionally talented cast. To choose a

best actor among such a group would be difficult, but the charismatic

high school sophomore Chris Aguilar surely would be near the top of

anyone’s list.

BETTE BALLIET

Huntington Beach

FEE OR TAX, EITHER WAY THE TAXPAYER PAYS

Well, as expected, the geniuses on the Huntington Beach infrastructure

committee have decided how to pay for the $1.3 billion needed for

infrastructure repairs (“Panel deciding how to pay city’s repair bill,”

July 29). Drum roll please... monthly fees to the taxpayers! Surprise,

surprise, surprise.

Since the passage of Proposition 218 would require a two-thirds vote for

more taxation, they decided to call it a fee as a loophole. They refuse

to consider privatizing city services so we could pare down the $100K

club (of city employees whose salaries exceed $100,000). And they still

talk about a multimillion-dollar sports complex and the gun range that

there is no budget for.

Further, areas that already have had their sewers upgraded would be off

the hook. No fees for them. Who decided they would be given preferential

treatment?

When the City Council members talk about unfunded pie-in-the-sky

projects, they say they should be covered by grants from higher

government. Why not ask for a grant for the infrastructure? Huntington

Beach is already being taxed, feed, and surcharged to death; why not ask?

Do we really need an infrastructure committee to say, “Hey, nail the

taxpayers with a monthly fee”?

JAMES H. BRIDGES

Citizens’ Bureau of Investigation executive director

GRATEFUL FOR COLUMN’S LOGICAL ARGUMENT AGAINST WAL-MART

Just wanted to let you know I enjoyed [Ron Davis’] column on the Wal-Mart

issue [Aug. 12]. As an attorney myself, I appreciate it when people use

logic in their analysis. I happen to live close by the proposed Wal-Mart

site in Fountain Valley, and thus cannot vote my disagreement with the

project.

You have correctly pointed out that money should not bear on the issue of

compatibility nor sway the Huntington Beach City Council’s judgment in

the matter. I just hope that if the rezoning referendum results, views

such as yours will get lots of publicity so the voters of Huntington

Beach will be informed. Well done.

MONICA HALL GUSTAFSON

Fountain Valley