Mailbag - Jan. 31, 2002

In response to the letter from Bill Orton (Jan. 17) who states “No, I

don’t think the councilman needed to resign” I wonder what would

constitute sufficient grounds in his mind? Persons who seek election to

any office have the duty to educate themselves about ethical behavior in

that office.

Garofalo knew what “conflict of interest” meant although he continues

to project a beleaguered, “who, me?” image. This is nonsense.

Speaking of ethical education, just what was our well-paid, longtime

City Attorney Gail Hutton, doing during all these illegal votes? Why did

it take Mayor Debbie Cook, at that time a private citizen, to initiate

charges concerning his practice of continuous, illegal voting?

It is time for a new city attorney as well as a new council person.

MARGE ALLEN

Huntington Beach

Garofalo got what he deserved

Responding to Garofalo saying (“Exit, Dave left,” Jan. 17) he was

following the practice of his predecessor, Jack Kelly, if we can go back

and remember a little bit about ol’ Jack Kelly, he had to pay a fine for

illegal practices. And when he had to get out after two terms and he ran

again, his campaign slogan was “Jack is Back” and people were

distributing a cartoon of Jack’s back with his hand in the cookie jar. So

Garofalo, if he was following his practice -- it fits what he got.

In memory of Ruth Finley

Ruth Finley was one of the first persons who supported the concept of

a youth shelter in Huntington Beach, She, along with Ruth Bailey,

encouraged us by providing leadership and support. They were lovingly

referred to as the dynamic duo. When others said it couldn’t be done, she

would say, “Keep going, follow the vision, our city needs this project.”

Finley helped us to see beyond the frustrations of the everyday

obstacles to the larger picture. She took time from her busy life to

really listen. She would always offer positive insights into the workings

of city government. The strength of her character, the integrity of her

person was all reflected in her advice to help the shelter become a

reality.

CAROL KANODE

Huntington Beach

Ocean View School District trustee

GEORGE HUMPHREY

Huntington Beach

Winchell should return to council

What a stroke of good fortune for our city that Grace Winchell has

applied to serve as the interim city councilwoman.

Through her previous tenure as councilwoman and mayor, Grace has

earned our highest respect as a public servant. We hope that the city

council will appoint Grace Winchell to the vacated position on council.

FLOSSIE and PAUL HORGAN

Huntington Beach

Grace is the ideal person to serve the city for the remaining time of

Dave Garafalo’s term. She is not interested in a political future, she

has expertise, good solid judgment and will serve the city well.

I hope the City Council will appoint her and get on with the business

of the city

EILEEN MURPHY

Huntington Beach

A strong candidate is needed for council

I think we need some fresh perspectives and yet someone who is bright

and civically involved to fill the vacant seat on City Council. Planning

Commissioner Jill Hardy would be a great choice.

TIM GEDDES

Huntington Beach

City is wrong to block the Wal-Mart opening

I went to Wal-Mart in Huntington Beach yesterday. I’ve been so excited

to finally have a Wal-Mart close to me. Since it was not able to open I

went up Beach Boulevard and spent my money at the Wal-Mart in

Westminster.

After reading every article I can find in the newspapers, it’s clear

to me that the city officials who are refusing the occupancy permits are

still upset that Wal-Mart was voted in. Maybe Debbie Cook and Connie

Boardman own stock in Kmart and Target and don’t want Wal-Mart to get

anyone’s business.

It’s ludicrous that the handrail at the park should hinder the opening

of the store. The park is not part of the store. Why was Wal-Mart refused

the opportunity to post a bond, a normal procedure in most cities? Sounds

like sour grapes. This is all costing the city in the long run.

KAREN CHAMBERLIN

Huntington Beach

I feel extremely strongly and irritated that Wal-Mart--Mart has not

been allowed to open on time. I know, and the city knows, that these

small requirements will be done. It’s just a continual anti-business

attitude within the city officials of Huntington Beach.

Hopefully one day they’ll wake up and start getting some money so we

can get some city improvements, some street improvements and school

improvements -- so anyway open up the darn store -- please.

JIM NOWLING

Huntington Beach

I can’t believe that Wal-Mart was prevented from opening because they

didn’t install a railing at a park on the opposite end of the block.

If there were some threat to public safety concerning the new store I

could understand denying the permit. But a missing railing at a park

nowhere near the store? No wonder Huntington Center has been sitting

basically vacant for so many years. If this is the kind of nonsense that

companies have to deal with I will be surprised if any other major

business will think to locate here.

KEVIN WATANABE

Huntington Beach

Yes -- the city should let Wal-Mart open up with the pledge to

complete the park work.

I’d rather give my tax dollars to Huntington Beach rather than

Westminster.

KATHY THURSTON

Huntington Beach

Yes. Huntington Beach mayor and officials refusal to grant Wal-Mart a

certificate of occupancy to proceed with their scheduled opening is

typical of the “anti-business” attitude Huntington Beach has obtained

within the Southern California business community. Instead of helping

Wal-Mart meet their timing by allowing them to post a bond, assuring

completion of the few remaining items; which is typical in most cities

who value the tax revenues generated by new business, the mayor said

“Wal-Mart officials are trying to strong-arm the city.” How much better

it would have been had she said “Of course we will help, and we welcome

you and your tax dollars to our community.”

The next time our police and firemen ask for a raise and are told “We

can’t afford it because we don’t have the tax base of other cities” we

can think back to this anti-business attitude reflected by our elected

official and her staff, and understand exactly why business elects to

locate where they are wanted and city officials welcome them with open

arms.

As a retired executive of a large corporation, I can assure you

business looks very closely at city official sentiment before committing

large capital expenditures. Huntington Beach desperately needs a larger

tax base, but with prevailing attitudes, it will be very difficult to

obtain.

LYNDEL NEWSOM

Huntington Beach

I was sad that Wal-Mart did not go through with the opening. I was

very sad that they were held back at the 11th hour regarding some

electrical circuits and a handrail that are on a truck on the way here.

For all the good that Wal-Mart does I am proud to be a very minor

stockholder. I live very nearby and look forward to going to this store.

I hope the railing gets installed in Lambert Park, which was named after

a mayor from 1962 to 1964 in Huntington Beach. The city needs the taxes,

the money that this fabulous store will give to the city will go a far

ways to help the infrastructure and other needs. I just feel it was

unconscionable to withhold the certificate of occupancy at the 11th hour.

LINDA FEFFERHuntington Beach

I was responding to the question about Wal-Mart and the delay that the

City Council has placed on it. I think it’s absolutely tragic. I think

our City Council is a regressive city council. The schools need the

money, we need the sales tax money from this Wal-Mart -- it’s almost

anti-business. I’m thinking about the poor people that are not getting

paid for these days we’re delaying this thing now when a bond could have

been issued to open that store -- so now they’re antilabor.

As far as those Crest View owners over there, its just so selfish its

unbelievable. They don’t think anything a about the community in which

they live. It’s no wonder people are dragging their feet no one is going

to come in and develop Huntington center when they have to fight them

tooth and nail everyday. I think its just tragic they didn’t get this

Wal-Mart opened on the right day.

JON PHILLIPS

Huntington Beach

Instead of hassling Wal-Mart, why don’t you try to work with them, to

get the store open as soon as possible? Some of you may still be angry

that Wal-Mart is coming to town. Maybe Wal-Mart didn’t offer any real

estate deals or side contracts. Get over it. Each day the store’s opening

is delayed, the City of Huntington Beach loses major tax revenue.

Wal-Mart is now the world’s largest corporation. Do you think they

haven’t run into obstacles opening new stores at other places? Do you

city officials think you can gain anything by having an adversarial

relationship with Wal-Mart?

B.J. HADLER

Huntington Beach

I went to Wal-Mart on Saturday to check out their new store. Imagine

my surprise when the store was not open. There was a crowd of at least

100 people waiting to go in the door. An employee said the store might

open at 1:00 p.m. Wal-Mart was waiting for word that the city had

inspected the railing at Lambert Park and then they could open. Meanwhile

there was a steady stream of cars driving into the parking lot and a

steady stream of cars leaving the parking lot. Of course the store did

not open, and as of Sunday, it still had not opened. It is very hard for

me to believe that the City of Huntington Beach appears to be so

vindictive that it could not accept a bond to perform from Wal-Mart,

which is an acceptable way to do business. After all who is in charge,

the City Council or a few angry citizens?. It is very plain to see that

the city needs money, yet they didn’t seem to need five days of sales tax

revenue from Wal-Mart. It is my hope that this week when a new City

Council member is picked that it is someone who has the interests of the

city at heart. It is certainly not a requirement that they be a member of

Amigos de Bolsa Chica. In addition, I would like to see a status report

each week in this newspaper informing the residents of Huntington Beach

what is happening with the Huntington Beach Mall (which would also

benefit the city’s coffers). Isn’t anyone else tired of driving on

potholed streets? Hey, how about that new $5.30 sewer fee on the water

bill?

LEE MILLIGAN

Huntington Beach

Wal-Mart has worked for over two years to put a store in Huntington

Beach. They have passed every city review and inspection; built a store,

stocked it, and hired hundreds of people to work there. But they cannot

open because a railing has not been delivered and installed in a park.

No, a completion bond is not good enough, “rules are rules, you know” is

the City response.

The city is facing huge infrastructure problems, utility bill rebates,

property tax assessment rebates, and budget cutting. We are actively

looking for relief with new business development opportunities. This

Wal-Mart example sends a clear message to every business looking to come

to Huntington Beach. The Huntington Beach Mall has been vacant for years.

Please help me understand what developer would want to work with the

unreasonable and costly city interpretations that seem to lack even the

most common of sense.

Most likely they would pass and go where they have a reasonable chance

to partner for success.

SKIP FINESTONE

Huntington Beach

They should be allowed to open it was blackmail in the first place

that they had to do that park. There is real animosity there.

VIVIAN BORNSHuntington Beach

I do believe Wal-Mart should be allowed to open I think it’s

ridiculous to chase business out of the city. We need the income, we need

the revenue, this idea of being against, against, against is ridiculous.

ERNEST BARTOLO

Huntington Beach

Wal-Mart shouldn’t be allowed to open

I don’t think the Wal-Mart--Mart ought be able to open at all. Those

are my feelings its been that way since the beginning. They’ve been

pushing this city since they got their foot in the door. They don’t run

this city good ol’ Debbie Cook does.

JEANETTE LOTA

Huntington Beach

I say good for the city -- Wal-Mart should not control us we should

control Wal-Mart.

JEANNETTE MUELLER

Huntington Beach

No, Wal-Mart should not be allowed to open until they meet all the

requirements.

GARY MATTA

Huntington Beach

Yay for the city and Connie Boardman. Any one who reads the papers

knows how many lawsuits have been filed against Wal-Mart. Now they won’t

say which sweat shops they use to manufacture their labels.

Trusting them is like trusting the big bad wolf.

ABIGAIL FRANCIS

Huntington Beach

Somehow or other you people in Huntington Beach think you are going to

enjoy huge tax income from the new monstrosity you have built on Talbert

Avenue. This is utter stupidity. Not only is it not going to “save the

kids” but it is going to cost you in the long run.

I am not in the Huntington Beach City School District but I am in the

Huntington Beach Union High School District. I have always been a strong

supporter of bonds for the high schools -- and unlike most Huntington

Beach/Fountain Valley residents, I vote. I have not missed an election

since I turned 21 (this was before the amendment to lower the voting

age), and I will not fail to vote in any upcoming elections either.

But I will no longer vote yes on bond issues for the benefit of the

schools -- I will note no loud and clear. Imposing something the

neighbors do not want built, is the straw that broke the camel’s back. I

will not shop in Huntington Beach under any circumstances. I am in the

market for a new automobile -- I will drive miles, if I have to to buy it

outside this city.

School board members have absolutely no concern for the children --

all they want is the dollar. Well you won’t get mine, nor will you get

any from anyone I know or talk to. The idea that Wal-Mart is going to

generate more income than at present is also false, because it assumes

that this money-grubbing corporation is not going to drive other business

out.

That is ludicrous.

That’s what you folks get, and that’s what you deserve for listening

to the majority of the Huntington Beach City Council. ALEX BURCKIN

Fountain Valley

As anxious as I am to have this Wal-Mart open so I can spend my money

in Huntington Beach instead of the city up Beach Boulevard, I feel our

city was right in not clearing the slate for the scheduled opening

yesterday. (And yes, I was there to start shopping.)

Just as a civilian is not allowed to enter his/her new home until it

passes inspection, the same rules must apply for a business. I feel our

city had the best interests and safety of its’ citizens in mind . . . a

contract is a contract.

ELLEN KNUFF

Huntington Beach

Good riddance to the invocation

One must really admire Huntington Beach Mayor Debbie Cook’s stand on

eliminating the invocation at the of beginning of Huntington Beach

council meetings. Such a stand shows rare courage not found in today’s

politicians, most of whom today claim to walk arm in arm with God -- the

Christian God, of course, since the vast majority of voters are of the

Christian faith.

Surely, once more Christians will insist that another “religious

freedom” has been taken away from them. They always believe that since

they are the vast majority in our nation they should have the “freedom”

to force their particular brand of religion on everyone else.

It’s obvious that Mayor Cook knows what true religious freedom is, you

know, that religious freedom guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution: to

believe in whatever faith makes one happy, or not to believe at all.

Cook’s courageous stand will put her in league with the devil in the

minds of many Christians, but for those who really understand the unique

and precious right of true religious freedom that we have in our nation,

one can only applaud Cook’s actions.

JAMES R. GALLAGHER

Huntington Beach

How about Davis for Council.

I’m very much in favor of Ron Davis filling the empty council seat.

NORA COSTA

Huntington Beach