COMMENTARY

Dave Garofalo

It’s not easy being mayor! It’s not easy being Dave Garofalo! It’s

especially not easy being both.

Then [there are] hot potatoes like Wal-Mart, Bolsa Chica, managed growth,

Downtown redevelopment, parking fees, Pier Plaza, Ocean Grand Resort and

more. It’s not easy standing up for what you believe in. It’s not easy to

be opposed by a vociferous, at times violent, always sarcastic and

mean-spirited minority. It’s not easy with the process fueled by a local

press thriving on controversy focused on people and personalities rather

than core community issues.

It’s not easy not being retired and being in grass-roots public office.

It’s not easy being the former publisher of a local community paper and

to have that paper constantly at your throat editorializing rather than

reporting. It’s not easy winning elections without the local press

endorsement. It’s not easy having the same dozen or so political

opponents quoted weekly.

It’s not easy purchasing a new home on Main Street and having a local

paper claim you purchased it below market, then having all the facts

ignored, leaving readers wondering. It’s not easy being a mayor who

helped start a much-needed local community bank, then [to] be dragged

through the gutter by a local paper, then have a state political police

agency proclaim absolutely no conflict and have the facts ignored,

leaving readers wondering.

It’s not easy having your business dragged through public scrutiny year

after year; to year after year have the city attorney explain that a

council person can be [a council person], serve on nonprofit boards

without a conflict of interest and do business at the same time.

Yes, I voted to have the world’s largest retailer gain permission to

build one store on a closed school site, knowing the benefit to the many

was greater than the impact to the few. Yes, I worked to have the Bolsa

Chica purchased, once and for all taking away much of the hatemongering

that had gone on for a quarter-century. The results were all 1,100 acres

of wetlands [are] now preserved forever.

Yes, I have worked for creativity in government, like our arrangements

with Coke and Chevrolet, so that we don’t have to go door to door selling

tax increases. Watch for the Surf City credit card!

Yes, I voted for two new restaurants at Pier Plaza -- Duke’s and

Chimayo’s -- while others screamed it would be environmental disaster.

Yes, I pay the price for this every week when the local press looks for

controversy rather than report about our accomplishments.

Yes, I’m Dave Garofalo, founder of the Local News, mayor of the city of

Huntington Beach. Yes, it’s hard being me, but that’s only because the

silent majority are home, happy, enjoying the wonderful benefits of

living, working and playing in this community. Yes, I am grateful for the

26,000 people who voted for me. Thank you. Yes, I have disclosed all my

personal and business affairs, as all public officials have to, to the

appropriate agencies, and I will continue to do so.

My battle cry to the silent majority: “Give me three minutes in the next

year and together we can change the world.” Come to one council meeting

per year and tell us how you feel. I know businesspeople, and just normal

people, find it difficult to take up the torch, subjecting themselves to

the outrage of the opposing view.

It’s hard to try to be a champion of good -- not discontent, as so many

try to be -- or build a Wal-Mart so we can pay the bills and pave the

streets. Wow. It’s even OK to have a potluck social for the employees who

serve us every day.

It’s not easy, but I have Nancy, Kevin and Mom -- and other close friends

as well. I know it’s hard, but maybe you can help a little too.