City party plans spark outrage

Eron Ben-Yehuda

City officials can’t believe the uproar over their decision to spend

$10,000 of taxpayers’ money for a holiday party for city employees.

Many angry residents have called City Hall to complain about the bash,

set for Dec. 9 at the Huntington Beach Mall, said administrative

assistant Linda Pitteroff.

Many residents responded to a story in last week’s Independent on the

planned party.

The City Council unanimously approved the event as a way to boost the

morale of the city’s 1,000 employees and help them “get to know one

another and become part of a cohesive team,” a city memo dated Nov. 1

states. The issue was buried in the council’s consent calendar, which is

typically reserved for issues passed with little scrutiny.

“It is a repugnant ‘try’ and a very typical thing of our city

administration and their little demagogic games -- of course played to

perfection with our money. That is the best example of excess of

available funds,” said JeanMarie Hornack of Huntington Beach.

And Ted Litzinger of Huntington Beach had this to say:

“How ironic that the party will be at the Huntington Beach Mall. The City

Council complained about a lack of revenues and then let the mall

deteriorate into a ghost town. Are the few remaining merchants going to

be invited? This is like dancing on someone’s grave.”

Paul Wilson of Huntington Beach questioned the wisdom of the City

Council.

“I was also very disappointed to learn that the City Council approved

this proposal unanimously, and without any debate, if I recall the

article correctly. I would have hoped that at least one member of the

City Council would have raised some questions about the wisdom and

propriety of using taxpayer money for this kind of thing.”

Others asked about spending the money when it is needed elsewhere.

“Truly, Huntington Beach is the most penny-wise and pound-foolish of any

city I have ever lived in. Months have been spent bemoaning the state of

our infrastructure, and the conditions our schools are in, yet somehow

there is money for a party. Yes, $10 per city employee is not a lot of

money, and a gala probably would raise spirits, but when my pocketbook is

light, I don’t go out for filet mignon, no matter how much I would like

to. Last I heard, a penny saved is still a penny earned,” said Peg Richie

of Huntington Beach.

But some residents defended the party.

“I cannot believe the taxpayers are opposed to having a Christmas

luncheon for city employees, especially since it is a potluck. Where did

the $10,000 price tag come from, especially since the luncheon is

potluck? Apparently, they’re not aware of the food items employees have

been asked to provide for themselves,” said Kathy Hammel of Huntington

Beach.

Deputy City Administrator Richard Barnard echoed her sentiments.

“There needs to be more respect for city employees,” he said.

But resident Ted Ailanjian said the City Council should have given a

little more consideration to residents.

“Something like this ought to be completely aboveboard and not slid under

the table,” Ailanjian, 74, said.

Ailanjian opposes spending so much money on making city workers feel

appreciated.

“We’re taxed enough,” he said. “Maybe a thank you card would have been

better.”

City Administrator Ray Silver considers such criticism nothing more than

“employee bashing.” At about $10 per person, the event is a bargain

compared to parties thrown by large private companies, he said.

Resident John Loder, 29, agreed, saying the amount the city will spend is

not excessive -- “As long as they only do that once a year.”