‘DEAR RON’ LETTERS

I greatly appreciate Ron Davis unleashing his perspicacity on the

Signal/Amigos imbroglio (“Signal’s Amigos lawsuit just another smear

job,” March 29) because it allows us average readers to wade through the

marshes of misinformation on this topic and see what is really (or should

I say “allegedly”) going on behind the scenes.

It appears that Signal Landmark is taking the same unfortunate course

that other outside interests have taken in trying to beat down the local

opposition to get their way in our city (thus creating lasting enemies

throughout the community). They obviously have a distorted view of

community relations and public affairs.

How much better would it be for these outside interests to invest in

collaborative educational and informational programs for community

leaders and civic activists that deal straightforwardly with the issues

in question.

Persistent attempts to rig the system or trample the opposition won’t

be successful in today’s civic environment. It’s time for honest

collaboration to replace chicanery in dealing with the public.

In the meantime, it’s good to have watchdogs like Ron Davis to keep

the outside interests honest. Keep up the good work!

TIM GEDDES

Huntington Beach

Signal Landmark put on notice

Thanks to Ron Davis for calling Signal Landmark’s lawsuit against the

Amigos de Bolsa Chica what it is -- a vindictive display of rancor rather

than reason.

The assumption by Signal that the Amigos de Bolsa Chica would or could

be turned into cheerleaders for an environmentally destructive project is

misguided at best.

I would like to clarify that the financial award made to Amigos in the

1989 settlement was intended and used solely for the payment of the

attorney fees and costs accrued by the Amigos over the 10-year litigation

period.

It is unfortunate that instead of being able to direct our current

fund-raising efforts toward the acquisition of the remaining privately

owned Bolsa Chica property, we must seek donations to pay for more

lawyers to defend Signal’s latest action.

The Amigos de Bolsa Chica agreed in 1989 to be participants in a

“coalition” planning process, which was to also include the city of

Huntington Beach and required compliance with all environmental

regulations.

It was Signal that walked away from the coalition, the city and the

Amigos. It was Signal that then convinced the county to propose a local

coastal plan in 2000 that violated major provisions of the Coastal Act

and endangered the survival of one of California’s few remaining major

coastal wetlands.

So now Signal wants to paint the Amigos as the villains?

LINDA SAPIRO MOON

President

Amigos de Bolsa Chica