Rebuttal

Richard Barnard

I’d like to clarify a few items from the article, ‘City OKs $10,000 for

bash’ (Nov. 4).

The “bash” is in fact a holiday luncheon to thank city employees for the

hard work they do throughout the year, and to help community charities.

The article did not mention that many charities would benefit from the

holiday luncheon. The article does nothing to look at the positive side

of the story and to celebrate the positives. The article quoted three

individuals who all had something negative to say. The reason for their

negativity may very well be based upon them not having all the facts.

Who are these often-referred-to city employees who will participate in

the holiday luncheon?

They are police officers, fire officers, paramedics, accountants, buyers,

lifeguards, planners, inspectors, maintenance workers, superintendents,

directors, analysts, clerks, secretaries, administrative assistants,

crossing guards, recreation leaders, librarians, attorneys, community

service representatives, artists, beach maintenance workers,

receptionists, warehouse personnel, mechanics, landscapers, tree

trimmers, and meter readers, to name but a few. All contribute to make

this a great community.

Also, many of the city employees are local residents who care a great

deal about Huntington Beach.

The most unfortunate aspect of your article is that it completely left

out the other half of the story.

While it is true the city has allocated $10,000 to help with the expense

of the holiday luncheon for the 1,400 permanent and part-time city

employees ($7.15 per employee), it failed to mention what all the

employees themselves are doing to keep the cost down, and to help

community charities.

The information that the article did not share with its readers is that

the city employees will be donating food and toys, at personal expense,

to benefit Project Self-Sufficiency, Huntington Beach Youth Shelter,

homeless shelters and the U.S. Marine Corps program Toys for Tots.

Also, employees are signing up to prepare and bring food selections from

home to the holiday luncheon. And local businesses have been contributing

door prizes for the luncheon in support of the mentioned community

charities.

I guess my point is that the City Council, city employees and city

businesses have all joined together to ensure the joy of the holiday

season will be an expression of appreciation for city employees, while at

the same time spreading joy and happiness to less-fortunate people.

I have faith in the residents of Huntington Beach. When they hear the

whole story, I am confident that the good side of human nature will

emerge and that they, too, will find themselves sliding into the

forthcoming holiday season in a spirit of appreciation and giving.

* RICHARD BARNARD is the deputy city administrator for Huntington Beach.