Mailbag - June 13, 2002
My daughter currently attends private school in Huntington Beach. She
will be graduating this June. The high school for our area is Ocean View.
We put in for an intradistrict transfer in February of this year to
Fountain Valley. Two weeks after, we received a letter from Ocean View,
stating that our request for open enrollment cannot be processed at this
time.
The reason for this is that they were complying with the state
Education Code and the district’s open enrollment policy, which supports
student ethnic balance. My daughter’s only problem now is that she is
white.
I understand that Ocean View is a California Distinguished School but
I want my daughter to go to Fountain Valley. My older daughter graduated
from Fountain Valley and I would like my other two children to go there
too.
I feel that they are using reverse discrimination to keep my daughter
in Ocean View.
LEWIS LIBMAN
Huntington Beach
The mesa should not be built on
I’m a 27-year resident of Huntington Beach. Should the Koll Co. be
allowed to build 388 homes on the Bolsa Chica Upper Mesa? Absolutely not.
This land was zoned for agriculture before the Koll Co. managed to get
it changed. It should be rezoned back to agriculture. The special
interest groups, the developers, will not be satisfied until every last
piece of land in Huntington Beach is built on.
When this happens they will retreat to their castles in Newport Beach
and beyond leaving Huntington Beach with a stressed infrastructure --
sewage, water supply, police, fire service and pollution. If it is not
built on, we have the opportunity to build an eco-tourist system at
several locations down the coast, including the Bolsa Chica. Millions of
dollars are spent on eco-tourism and Huntington Beach could tap into
those tourist dollars to all of our mutual benefit.
MIKE SHRUBSOLE
Huntington Beach
At some point in time we have to quit paving over the whole world. The
Bolsa Chica Upper Mesa is one bit of wilderness we have left amid our
every day traffic and congestion. Why can’t we just leave it alone and
let people enjoy it as it is? There are plenty of homes to be had in the
area.
PETER CLARK
Huntington Beach
Here’s why Hearthside should not be allowed to build on Bolsa Chica
Mesa’s upper mesa. Hearthside is suing the Coastal Commission for the
it’s ruling, which said that Hearthside cannot build on the lower mesa
but can build on the upper mesa.
While that lawsuit is creeping through the justice system Hearthside
is trying to build on the upper mesa, a foraging area for the wildlife
that live and raise their young on the saved Bolsa Chica wetlands,
lowlands and mesa.
Until that suit has been settled Hearthside should be stopped on any
of their plans to develop the upper Bolsa Chica mesa.
EILEEN MURPHY
Huntington Beach
There are already too many cars on the roads
Hearthside Homes should not be allowed to build on the upper mesa.
That’s nearly 400 homes and with two cars per household that would be an
extra 800 cars on our streets that are already out of control.
I live right down the street from Bolsa Chica Street and Heil Avenue
and there have been at least three or four accidents on Heil Avenue alone
in the last week, some which were pretty serious. Adding that many more
cars in this little neighborhood isn’t going to work.
JOHN MACINNIS
Huntington Beach
I do not want any more building in this area. I’ve lived here for 30
years and I’ve seen traffic become horrible.
MARGARET ELIZABETH HUGHES
Huntington Beach
Let’s address all possible causes
Since there is no conclusive evidence as to exactly where the ocean
pollution is coming from, but several sources have been addressed and
noted we need to begin working on each one of those, as the situation is
dire enough. That would include the sewage treatment plant. We should
begin by looking at what we can to do to lessen their impact by creating
a pipe that empties further out, or upgrading the treatment. We need to
begin addressing all of these issues immediately.
JAY KREITZ
Huntington Beach
We need to treat sewage 100%
I think they should treat the water at the sewage plant completely --
not partially. We need to get the water cleaned up at the sewage
treatment plant. Treat the water 100%.
SANDY MORAN
Huntington Beach
I won’t swim here
I do not feel comfortable swimming at Surf City’s beaches.
JOANNE JOHNSON
Huntington Beach
I am not happy with the condition of the water. The water itself is
not safe to swim in with a very high bacteria level. It gets a weird
smell sometimes and I wouldn’t let any child of mine swim in it.
MARJORIE NYLAND
Huntington Beach
Treat the sewage before it hits the ocean
Instead of spending more and more money on the sewage plume studies,
put the money to good use and treat the sewage.
Instead of pouring money into the studies, treat the sewage to an
above average level and then do the water quality tests. Put all this
money to some productive use. I would also suggest that an independent
company or agency, not the Orange County Sanitation District, monitor any
water quality testing.
It appears that the sanitation district will test and test and test
until they get the findings they want and the blame is not pointed at
them. I don’t care how you define the level of treatment -- partially or
untreated -- it is still sewage and the thought that 240 millions gallons
is being dumped into our ocean every day is totally disgusting.
How can anyone think that this is not effecting the water quality of
our oceans and not effecting our health. The bottom line is treat the
sewage before it goes into the ocean.
MELINDA PAULLINS
Huntington Beach
What is wrong with the Sanitation district
The Orange County Sanitation District wants to renew the waiver that
allows lower standards for sewage treatment? Before they spend our money
to properly treat the sewage they want to spend more of our money on
studies to prove that without a doubt the sewage is to blame for beach
pollution?
Meanwhile, Hyatt is spending millions to build a posh resort with
more than 500 rooms and flush toilets so that visitors can come to
Huntington, bringing dollars, and romp in the surf.
Is the sanitation district run by Neanderthals?
DOT VAN EIMEREN
Huntington Beach
I want my cartoon and community forum page
What has happened to the cartoon? (May 23-29) It’s the first thing we
look for when we open the paper and it’s the best part of the paper.
Steven Bolton always hits the nail right on the head. What’s happened to
the letter page? That’s the second best thing about the paper. The rest
of it -- not too good. Some of it’s a little too conservative. Thank
heavens we have an environmental city council anyway.
MAUREEN SHRUBSOLE
Huntington Beach
Where is the surf fin?
Don’t you think for $50,000 the artist could have included a fin on
“Surfhenge” so people would understand what it is? I’ll put one on for
the cost of materials.
BAMBOO BEN
Huntington Beach
It’s more than three surfboards
Am I the only one to notice that the alleged symbol ofsurfing at Beach
Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway also looks like the symbol
designating the ratio of the circumference of a circle -- pi.
C. ROGERS
Huntington Beach
I hope the city and artist are inspired
Art (like beauty) is in the eye of the beholder. This “I” fail to see
the “art” in “Surfhenge.” I can only hope that those who commissioned the
work, the artists (of Sante Fe, New Mexico) who designed the work, and
those who approved the work (at a cost to the taxpayers of some $45,000)
are inspired.
Did anyone ever consider simply moving “naked surfer” (the true symbol
of Huntington Beach) to Beach Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway?
GINO J. BRUNO
Huntington Beach
Leashes outside dog park are a must
As a Park Ranger at Huntington Central Park I can see the dog park
debate from both sides.
I understand the need for dog owners to have a place where they can
allow their dogs some freedom and companionship, and I also believe that
nearby property owners deserve to feel comfortable in their own homes.
I’m not sure of the best solution to the problem, but I do have some
concerns over the number of dogs I’ve been seeing lately off leash near
-- but not actually inside -- the dog park. Besides breaking the law,
loose dogs disturb wildlife, become lost, are hit by cars, are easily
stolen, injure or kill other animals, damage property, chase joggers and
bite children. Even if a dog is well trained it is still more susceptible
to being attacked by other loose dogs or even a coyote if it is not
leashed. Leashes keep dogs safe.
LORI WHALEN
Huntington Beach
A letter to Vic Leipzig and Lou Murray
In the June 6 article titled “Beach bonfires are a burning issue,” you
mentioned drawbacks to bonfires.
You stated that “most beach bonfires are started by young folks, some
of whom are not the most sensible segment of the population.” That’s
nonsense. Yuppy elders pointing their fingers and accusing “young folks”
of being the problem, being insensible, and being the only segment of the
population to “pour all kinds of products on the fires,” is ridiculous.
You are being stereotypical. It is not the youth who do senseless acts,
but the uneducated population who do things foolishly.
You also mentioned that the fire pits are bad because of air
pollution, because there’s “more than 100 chemicals and compounds
produced from burning wood.”
What about the ocean water of Huntington Beach? Thanks to the city --
which, by the way, expels more than a few hundred chemicals (they expel
millions of toxins) -- the water of Huntington Beach is a giant toilet.
Yes, air pollution is an important factor, but it is just another excuse
for the city to try and rid the peaceful gathering of people (both young
and old).
SHUANA COSTA
Huntington Beach
There’s more to signature gatherer story
The districting measure signature gatherers are not telling the truth.
For whatever the reason, they are saying that six members of the council
live in Huntington Harbour, and that is a false statement. Where they
live is of no consequence as they were all elected citywide with votes
from every precinct.
Yes, hopefully their neighbors knew them and voted for them.
The truth is that two council members live in the zip code 92649. Two
live in 92648, two live in 92647 and one lives in 92646. None live in the
same elementary school area.
The council phone number at city hall is 714-536-5553 and most council
persons have phones listed in the phone book and many club rosters. No
one with a telephone is out of contact with seven council members. How
could districting give more representation than that?
Only one council member has changed residence during her tenure in
office. Five are living in their first Huntington Beach home. The Bauers
are living in their second Huntington Beach home but have lived in it for
25 years and lived in the first one for 12 years.
Bauers, Dettloffs, Winchells, and Greens have been in their homes for
20 years or more.
Five council members have raised their children in Huntington Beach.
The Bauers grandchildren are being raised in Huntington Beach. One family
lives in the southeast section and the other in downtown. The interest of
the council is for the city as a whole and how one part interacts with
the other. What more can be asked of the council? Huntington Beach is a
wonderful place to live and enjoy life. Many people want to join us as
residents and neighbors.
CHARLENE BAUER
Huntington Beach
Editors Note: Charlene Bauer is the wife of Councilman Ralph Bauer.
Let’s lose Baugh’s plan and negative council
Regarding Huntington Beach Districting. Why? The redistrictingscheme
proposed by Scott Baugh is a sham. He is an AES power company lackey that
wants to reduce the ability of the council to cover the whole picture for
Huntington Beach.
Baugh’s districting plan is a romantic notion that you will get better
representation with fewer people. If fewer is better then why not only
one? That way AES will have only one person to influence. Our country was
founded on the idea that one king was too many. The founding fathers set
up a representative government that made sure people and states were
represented in larger numbers.
Two years ago, I proposed a Community Congress that had 15 members and
was advisory to the City Council. It would be elected by districts and
have similar powers of a planning commission. It was not given any
serious consideration by the council. So, now we get other schemes that
are less representative and very prone to deal making. If we do go to
districts, it should be nine. With nine there less chance for runaway
deal making and more costs to companies who want to control the council.
There would be much more personal contact with your council member at
less cost. It doesn’t help with the continuing arrogance of Mayor Debbie
Cook saying that “she would be upset if the initiative passed because it
would show how out of touch people are with local government.” We are not
out of touch, we are disgusted by her continuing show of contempt for
citizens. It is actually a contributing factor to its success.
Don’t support the self-serving Baugh districting initiative. Don’t
support a cure that is worse than the disease. Demand that the council
seriously consider other representative plans. Finally, you can vote out
the negative forces on the council to show that you really are in touch
with local government.
CHARLES OSTERLUND
Huntington Beach
Let’s keep our current government system
Orange County has a district system of electing supervisors. The
supervisors have an unspoken system called “district prerogative.”
This means that all the other supervisors will go along with whatever
a certain supervisor wants for his district. To detail this, when various
citizens of the 2nd District wanted to ask supervisors other than our own
Jim Silva for help on the Bolsa Chica issues, we were referred to Silva
(who of course gave no help at all). Is this what we want in Huntington
Beach? I do not. We have a reasonably distributed City Council as it is.
They have been elected on issues that we care about and they respond
quite well to citizens concerns.
As far as our infrastructure woes go, at long last this council is
doing something about this problem, which was created by the developers
who were hit and run.
They never wanted to pay the true costs of their development and
previous councils let them get away with it, in fact encouraged them. I
would say let’s reject the carpetbaggers and keep our city in our own
hands.
NANCY DONAVEN
Huntington Beach
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