Mailbag - Oct. 14, 1999

In the midst of all the current crises du jour causing various groups of

activists to work overtime (eminent domain, Wal-Mart at Crestview, beach

closures, etc.), it was good to read your brief article on the latest

ruling in favor of Hearthside Homes (“Developer gets OK to continue Bolsa

Chica construction,” Sept. 16).

Throughout this arduous process, the developer has remained focused on

the parts of the project that should be developed and sincere in its

willingness to protect the wetlands and surrounding habitats. That plan

has now been confirmed by a judge. Even the most rabid among the

opposition should be pleased with this plan, and I wouldn’t be the least

bit surprised to find many of them clamoring to purchase a home as soon

as the new community becomes a reality.

We heard the same antidevelopment whining when the Hilton was on the

drawing board; now those same naysayers hold their luncheons there.

The plan, as it now stands, is an exceptional one -- all the wetlands are

“saved” and trees protected. That will probably become a shining example

of what coastal development should be. To paraphrase Eileen Murphy, how

do you say elated?

CINDY CROSS

Huntington Beach

Is city up for sale?

The two soft drink vending machines along the beach path at Pacific Coast

Highway and 12th Street are an ugly blemish on the landscape. Would

Carmel or Laguna allow such a blight on their beachfront landscape?

Is everything in this city for sale?

KAY SERAPHINE

Huntington Beach

Calling for a cleanup

I run the Huntington Beach Pro/Am Surf Series. I had to cancel one of my

events that was scheduled to be held at the river jetties because of

contamination. I feel that I could just let it go and nobody would ever

know or care. But as I drive down Pacific Coast Highway, I see locals and

tourists splashing around in the water just a couple of blocks down the

beach from the area that is closed. I wonder whether anyone even cares.

The city is covering up a major problem that concerns everyone, not just

Huntington Beach residents. Have you walked out on the pier lately while

the beaches are completely closed? People are still fishing! Hello! What

is up with the city and the people these days? Is everyone too lazy to

say anything?

If anyone is interested to start some kind of awareness program, please

e-mail me with your comments at o7 smatson@hbsurfseries.comf7 or see

o7 www.hbsurfseries.comf7 .

This has to be stopped.

SETH MATSON

Forward Progress

Stricter tests are good

I believe the stricter water quality tests are adequate. Too many surfers

and swimmers have become unknowingly ill from the ocean pollution. Also

what about the fish that are caught -- especially bottom-feeding fish?

The enforcement is best left to health officials who are trained in that

area, not to politicians. Before the new law was enacted, those who wrote

the law should have studied the cause and effects regarding closure

standards. This pollution issue in our oceans is statewide. Pesticide

runoff is a major problem from inland areas here and in the San Francisco

Bay area. We are paying the price now for our ignorance. We need to get

our act together for the sake of future generations who will love the

ocean and all that it offers.

CHARLOTTE MELSON

Huntington Beach

Quotes were accurate

Eron Ben-Yehuda is a real asset to the Independent. More fair than most.

My quotes in the story “Privacy rights on trial,” were close to what I

thought I said. I wanted to be perfectly clear about my position on the

gentleman handing out the police chief’s name and address on a street

corner.

If someone wants my phone number, it’s in the phone book. There are so

many crazy people out there. You have to live with that or get out of

office. That standard is OK for council people or other elected types,

but not for a police chief. Some may have put bad guys away for a long

time and a lot of hate is out there.

Me, it’s OK. The police chief should have more privacy. I don’t carry a

gun and deal with criminals who can shoot back. My God, why would anybody

stand on a corner and hand out the address of the chief of police without

wanting to do some harm?

DAVE GAROFALO

Huntington Beach City Council member

Wal-Mart vote clouded

The vote should have been just an up or down vote in January: Do you want

a Wal-Mart in a residential neighborhood? The majority of the City

Council, Shirley Dettloff, Pam Julien, Dave Garofalo and Ralph Bauer have

voted to cloud the issue by pushing the vote back to March and adding

other issues to the ballot. And what about their idea of asking voters

whether they want 50% of the sales tax from the store to be spent on a

sports field and senior center? I think they made a mistake not including

apple pie and motherhood in there someplace. That’s always a vote-getter.

EILEEN MURPHY

Huntington Beach

Learning the new math

Good morning students. Let us begin our daily math quiz. Ever since the

honorable Mayor Peter Green announced the twice-monthly street cleaning

policy in Huntington Beach, our street has been swept zero times. When we

had the once-a-month policy, our street was cleaned about once every

three months. Now, what is the probability that our street will be

cleaned this month? Zero, you say? Very good. How did you arrive at the

answer? One third per month times zero per month equals zero?

Very good, students. Now another question. How many of you would favor

going back to the ONCE a month policy?

CHARLES (REX) MYLES

Huntington Beach