EDITORIAL

A year ago, it would never have occurred to anyone that a list of New

Year’s wishes should include that America not suffer a second deadly

attack on its own shores. Now, it rises to the top of any such list and

makes a list of hometown wishes here in Huntington Beach seem, maybe, a

little less important given the fortune we are blessed with just by

calling Surf City our home.

Still, along with the continued safety and prosperity of our

community, there are small wishes to hope will come true in 2002:

* Clear improvements in the city’s water quality. An ongoing struggle,

Huntington Beach officials were forced last year to admit to past faults

and pledge money to clean up any remaining sewage residue from years of

leaking sewers. Along with a new sewer usage fee, there should be more

than enough money to make strides in cleaning up one of the city’s most

precious resources: its water.

* A convincing, well-reasoned argument from the Huntington Beach City

School District that persuades voters to support the $30-million bond

planned for the March 5 ballot. The money is badly needed and there is

matching state money to be had -- if the bond passes.

* Restoration of the Bolsa Chica wetlands that doesn’t ruin Bolsa

Chica State Beach. Plans now call for a tidal inlet at the south end of

the wetlands, which would cut through the beach and potentially open it

up to polluted runoff from the wetlands. Both sides of Pacific Coast

Highway need to be protected.

* An end to the feud over building on the Upper Mesa. Signal Landmark

should realize that the Bolsa Chica needs to remain as it is and someone

-- the city, the county, the state, Washington -- needs to give the

company fair-market value for the land. And then that needs to be the end

to it.

* And finally, a new, successful mall at Huntington Center that both

revitalizes the area and adds always-needed money to city coffers.