Mailbag - Nov. 22, 2001

There is a small group of those with the “Henny Penny”

syndrome going from one city council to another in an attempt to

spread their hysteria that the Orange County Sanitation District is at

fault for our shore contamination problems.

If one follows these people, it becomes apparent that they are the

same people that believe a bird sanctuary on state land is exceedingly

more important than beaches used by humans.

They will not concede to the scientific analysis that the shore

bacteria could be caused by urban runoff and the very birds that they

desire to attract by desecrating 360 feet of pristine beach to provide a

channel to wetlands that are already saturated by contamination.

This channel through the beach will flush out their desired swamp land

to accommodate additional birds to contribute to beach and shoreline

contamination. I urge the readers to instruct our political

representatives to ignore this manufactured hysteria and wait until

better qualified scientists used by the sanitation district trace the

blame for our contamination problem.

Now is not the time to allow these wild-eyed agitators “with a little

bit of knowledge” to persuade us to perform costly and more than likely

useless changes to our waste water treatment methods. Let intelligent

analysis prevail, not unfounded emotional hysteria.

BOB POLKOW

Huntington Beach

Solutions to a 30-year debate

As our society becomes more prosperous, an increasing number of people

are beginning to care for the environment and, more to the point, have

time to defend it. Unfortunately, people would much rather take action

than research their actions. Greater good can be accomplished when

restraint and consistency are practiced.

The endless negotiations and lawsuits regarding the development of the

Bolsa Chica illustrate such immature behavior.

We all remember the compromises regarding the Bolsa Chica. Every deal

that has been made over the 30-year struggle has involved additional

concessions from the developers, but all deals have failed because of

lawsuits.

The Bolsa Chica is desired for two reasons. First, it once was natural

wetlands. Unfortunately, the land was used as a wasteland for years and

was nearly ruined by surrounding oil fields. The second feature is that

it is beachfront property in Southern California, making it very

valuable. This explains the persistence of the developers.

Environmentalists would be wise to take advantage of both of these

features. They should seek the conversion of the majority of this land

into a restored natural park and use their political power to draw

funding for restoration of the Bolsa Chica and other wetlands. The loss

of a few hundred acres of wetlands can be easily compensated for by the

restoration and recreation of even more wetlands elsewhere.

Alternatively, why not allow most or all of this valuable land to be

developed? In exchange, the developers could be persuaded to agree to an

increased property tax for this area, all reserved for preservation and

recreation of more wetlands in other less costly areas. The Bolsa Chica

could become a steady source of income that helps save and recreate

wetlands all across California.

The Bolsa Chica is only area in which environmental activists have

done their causes more harm than good by taking a good idea too far. It

is far too common in modern times for concerned citizens to act out

without being sure that their actions are for the best. Environmentalists

need to learn to think these things through, for the sake of the causes

they nobly support.

THEO BEASLEYHENDERSON

Huntington Beach

Sports complex an ill-conceived plan

I can’t believe that Huntington Beach is considering going ahead with

the ill-conceived sports complex in the face of all the other needs our

city has. What a waste of resources. Huntington Beach is hurting and in

desperate need of many improvements, yet we think it’s important to add

roller hockey, softball,soccer and other venues. Give me a break!

The sports complex was voted down in the past. Most voters didn’t want

it -- and still don’t. How did it ever get back to being a viable

option? I guess developers just never give up. But I would hope that the

City Council and others in positions of responsibility in Huntington

would be a little less gullible. Everything that is tagged with the, “for

our young people,” label is not necessarily the wisest thing to do. One

isn’t anti-child just because he or she says “no” once in awhile. In

fact, I think we give our young people far too little credit when we

assume we have to entertain and organize them all the time.

Face it, the sports complex is going to be a nightmare. Bright lights,

noise and increased traffic on our streets seven days a week. Do we

really need this? And do the young people of the city truly need all this

organized activity when they have the most magnificent recreational

resources -- beach and ocean -- right at their doorsteps?

Huntington Beach is in dire need of a lot of things, but a sports

complex isn’t one of them.

SKIP PEDIGO

Huntington Beach

Worth it in the long run

I’m in favor of getting the Central Park sports complex built and

built now. Years from now we’ll look back and see this was a great deal

for the city and it will have become another fine example of civic

improvement that’s been incredibly beneficial for the citizens of

Huntington Beach.

It’s just like 25 years ago when Central Park took awhile to get built

but once it was built everyone determined it was something well worth it.

I’m in favor wholeheartedly of getting this thing going and getting it

done as quickly as possible.

MICHAEL GREEN

Huntington Beach

Sports complex not a priority

I don’t think they should move ahead with the sports complex project.

I’ve been against it from the beginning. Our priorities are all wrong.

We’re driving around streets that are full of potholes. I weave back and

forth in my car in my neighborhood trying to avoid falling into these

potholes on major streets.

It’s frustrating for residents living here. You can tell when you’re

in a neighboring city because the roads smooth out. It’s silly that we

have bad roads and bad sewers, and we’re going to pour millions of

dollars into this. Now they’re talking about this project in Downtown to

close off the street, and they want to spend thousands on that too. Let’s

get back to basics and the things that are important.

JAN FERRY

Huntington Beach

Our children deserve sports complex

The children of our city deserve more than what Debbie Cook and Connie

Boardman want! They deserve a place to participate in activities that

promote a positive self-image, a spirit of cooperation and healthy

physical activity.

Do you want to attract families to our city? Then, we need to provide

more sports facilities. Please don’t tell me that our children are to be

overlooked, again. The new sports complex will allow the children to have

access to overcrowded existing facilities that are now dominated by adult

use.

Due to the events of Sept. 11, I can think of no better time than now

to make a commitment to the children of our community. What better way to

celebrate life than to invest in their future?

Our children are not concerned about the future of the wetlands. They

are concerned about the places that hold their interest like the various

sites where sports are played. We as citizens of Huntington Beach deserve

to have the best possible facilities available for our children.

Isn’t it time that the city become more family friendly? The new

sports complex will go a long way toward accomplishing that end. Thank

you to all who support the development of youth sports and who believe in

a bright future for our children.

RUDY SASS

President, Huntington Beach Girls Softball

Sports complex isn’t necessary

The city should not be moving ahead with this sports complex project

because they don’t have the money. It’s a luxury the city can’t afford at

this time, not when the sewers are in such need of repair, and having to

tax the taxpayers to do it.

It should be put on hold until the city has extra money to spend on a

luxury. Children are playing soccer at the local schools now and making

good use of the fields. The new complex isn’t necessary.

SHARON SAKA

Huntington Beach

Infrastructure is more important

The sports complex is definitely something we do not need to do at

this time. There are too many other things in the city that need

attention like the infrastructure, and they’re always talking about there

not being enough money. I think the sports complex could be eliminated at

this time.

CAROL BARBEE

Huntington Beach

We can never do enough for children

I think we should go ahead with the sports complex. I think whoever

used that land as a landfill should spend the money to clean it up for

that park. I don’t think we can ever do enough for our children,

especially when it comes to exercise.

DONNA SHAFFER

Huntington Beach

Complex is “financial folly”

To go ahead and build the sports complex seems to me, to be the height

of financial folly. The city is virtually broke, they’re raising our

taxes once again, we’ve been assessed a fee for sewers, and they still

seem to think they can come up with $18 million to build a sports

complex.

JIM WARDLOW

Huntington Beach