Peter G. Albini: City faces budget shortfall

RACE FOR CITY COUNCIL

Name: Peter G. Albini

Age: 34

Occupation: Junior electrical designer

Education: Some college.

Favorite leader: Jimmy Carter after his presidency.

Contact information: Albini for City Council, P.O. Box 1356,

Huntington Beach, CA 92647; (714) 287-0600.

ALBINI ON:

* CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS:

I believe that cutting two council seats out would reduce the

amount of representation our citizens will receive. We will not be

reducing the number of residences in this city. Therefore, each

council member will then be concerned about only their district,

leaving the rest of the city to fend for itself. Given the

complexities or our city, we would benefit from seven different views

on each issues as they come before the council.

* PROPOSITION 50:

Proposition 50 does read in chapter 10 of the text that, “Not less

than 100 acres will be purchased with bond funds.” This purchase is

good for our environment, a key to our tourism industry. However,

most of the other bond money will go to fund projects in Northern

California. If Proposition 50 passes, our incoming City Council will

need to be ready to fight for more funds to continue our

infrastructure projects.

* DEVELOPMENT:

As our city moves toward being an overnight tourist destination,

we need to develop entertainment facilities for dancing and other

nighttime family activities. I have not seen any plans for Pacific

City, but the thought of using that 31 acres situated between two

hotels for tourist entertainment seems to be a logical investment.

Revenue from tourism will help pay for the way of life citizens have

come to expect.

* WATER QUALITY:

Water quality is an issue in Huntington Beach, both the ocean and

drinking water. Full secondary treatment is a good first step, but we

can do better. We can also do it faster that the sanitation district

would like us to believe. Recycling of water needs to be implemented

to ease our dependence on imported water. Water recycling will also

reduce the amount of discharge into our ocean, a major component to

keeping our ocean clean.

* BIGGEST ISSUE FACING HUNTINGTON BEACH:

I believe the biggest issue facing Huntington Beach is our budget

shortfall. The citizens here would like to keep all of the services,

which Huntington Beach provides, see reduced fees and cut budgets.

Something has to give. The next City Council has the tough job of

cutting the budget while continuing to provide services and a safe

and livable city.