READERS RESPOND

AT ISSUE:

Conflicts of interest appear to be the soup du jour for the

politicians of Huntington Beach. Gone are the days of Big Oil, we now

have the days of “Little Grease.”

It gives us no comfort that he does not know any better or acts this

way fully knowing that the conflict is wrong. This is the same mayor who

on Jan. 27 wrote that he was criticized whether “you act for free

enterprise or bureaucracy.”

The Independent recently indicates more lapse, such as a [unusual]

home purchase.

When is it OK to participate in a conflict of interest? Just when is

it not OK?

Of course, maybe direct money inputs are not the approach the mayor

prefers. How about $20,000 Christmas parties to buy loyalty from

subordinates, or dinners from the developer of the day to boost the ego

and win the admiration of our mayor?

We may have overestimated our mayor’s price for a positive vote. Maybe

all he needs is praise and a pat on the back.

Mr. Mayor: The mere appearance of a conflict places your motivation

and your decisions in doubt. Accept the truth. And please stop whining

like you are the Rodney Dangerfield of Huntington Beach.

Free enterprise is not dependent on insider knowledge and cozy

consulting deals. It is free of encumbrances and builds respect for

honesty in deeds and appearances.

GEORGE GIACOPPE

Huntington Beach