The Huntington coast needs to be...
The Huntington coast needs to be protected
Is the question, “Should the California Coastal Commission be
stripped of it’s powers?” or is the question, “Should California have
the power to protect its coastal environment?”
To say an “environmental activist” defeats the coastal commission
is the same as saying “Residents of Balboa encourage additional
flights at John Wayne.” Both are dichotomies.
To your posted questions in the Jan. 3 Independent, the need for a
body to protect the most beautiful coast in the world is yes. Having
grown up on the East Coast, let me tell you we don’t need another
Coney Island in Newport Beach. We don’t need another Atlantic City in
Long Beach. We don’t need Huntington Beach to be cluttered with
vacation cottages on the beach as in Seabrook, New Hampshire.
Perhaps the court ruled true in a legal manner. Does this mean a
demise to our protected coast? I am hopeful that the 2003 state
Assembly and Senate will provide the proper legislation to maintain
our protected coast.
If an “environmental activist” is against protecting our coast,
who’s left?
GEORGE GOEBEL
Huntington Beach
The coastal commission must not be stripped of its powers because
the protection of our coastline is so very important. There will
never be more coastline. It is a precious and finite resource which
cannot be duplicated or recreated. We owe it to our children and our
grandchildren to protect this priceless resource. Here in Huntington
Beach, our “City Fathers” did a courageous thing when they bought the
beach with public funds. We should honor their foresight by
maintaining it for all our citizens, not just people who might have
enough money to buy it and fence it off for the exclusive enjoyment
of the wealthy few. In the true spirit of “government of the people,
by the people and for the people,” please do not strip the coastal
commission of its powers.
ARMIDA H. BRASHEARS
Huntington Beach
Cook an ideal choice for commissioner
Debbie Cook should definitely be appointed to the California
Coastal Commission. The reasons are many, but let me give you five.
First, she is well qualified. As an environmental attorney
staunchly in favor of protecting our coastline, Cook is well aware of
the issues both onshore and offshore.
Second, as a member of the Huntington Beach City Council, this
past year as mayor, Cook has the knowledge and experience of how
government is supposed to work and can work to protect our coastline.
Third, Cook would be an appointee from Orange County that could
represent our local interests in a statewide context. She would be
especially effective working with the powers that be in Sacramento to
ensure the best possible outcomes for our city.
Fourth, Cook matches the passion and commitment that Shirley
Dettloff brought to her tenure on the commission.
Fifth, Cook is a bright and tough leader who can stand up to the
powerful special interests that often lock horns with our state
regulatory agencies.
More than any of the other names being bandied about, Cook would
be the best choice that the citizens of Huntington Beach could
possibly hope for in protecting our precious coastal resources and in
making sure our voices are heard statewide.
TIM GEDDES
Huntington Beach
I want to say Debbie Cook, former mayor of Huntington Beach, would
be an exemplary choice for the post that she has applied for on the
Coastal Commission, to fill a vacancy. I think she would more than
adequately replace the former Councilwoman Shirley Dettloff.
AARON SLOAN
Huntington Beach
I very strongly believe that we need to have forward-looking
people like Debbie Cook on the coastal commission. I think that it’s
important that the coast be protected and there is some concern that
there are developers who are trying to circumnavigate the commission
and the Cove Coastal Concept. So Debbie would make a very excellent
member of the Coastal Commission.
PETER CLARK
Huntington Beach
I agree Debbie Cook, absolutely, should be given a seat on the
California Coastal Commission. A more qualified person could not be
chosen.
Debbie Cook has been a breath of free air in the City Council and
as mayor. Such a change from the stultifying “old boys club” we’ve
had in the past several years. Debbie Cook cares about all the things
that really matter: the environment, the mesa, clean ocean, clean
air. Also, she’s not afraid to speak her mind or go up against big
developers.
We don’t need any more houses in Huntington Beach. We’re almost
wall-to-wall concrete now. I cannot understand the critics who
complain about her. In my opinion, she’s the best mayor we’ve ever
had. We have watched her career with interest.
Many years ago, there was a fight to save the stables on Edwards
Hill. Debbie fought against development then. Unfortunately, we got
the houses. Thank you, Debbie, for all your courage. I’m sure when
you’re elected to the coastal commission, you will do a wonderful
job.
MAUREEN SHRUBSOLE
Huntington Beach
DARE is valuable and should be saved
I am a teacher in Huntington Beach. I believe that the DARE
program is a very valuable program for all children to participate in
and I sure hope that funds are available to keep it going. It’s
something that some parents have a difficult time talking to their
children about, so some kids don’t get the information and the
know-how to say no in school, they may never get it. So it would help
all students to even be exposed to such an education.
STEPHANIE MOTSKE
Lakewood
Yes, the DARE program should be continued. The city should cut
funds in other areas to continue this very important program for the
children.
There’s enough development and too much focusing on Downtown
Huntington Beach. They should stop funding programs down there and
keep it where it’s important. The developers can go ahead and get
their own funding and tax benefits and credits.
DAVID PLANTE
Huntington Beach
You bet it’s worth saving. I don’t know how we can not afford to
find the money to keep this program alive. It’s the only program
worth saving, if you ask me.
I can’t believe our City Council can’t find a way. I think they
need to look in the mirror; take a hard look at where they’re
spending their money and, moreover, about how they raise money.
Maybe they’re not doing a nice enough job being business friendly
enough to get sales tax revenue high enough so we can afford a
program. We can’t afford not to have this program.
My sixth-grade daughter, Natalie, just graduated from the DARE
program at Eader Elementary. She stood up in front of 500 people and
read her DARE essay about how she pledges to stay away from drugs. If
it wasn’t for Officer Bradley, she wouldn’t be saying those things.
We need more than just parental help. We need this program.
As far as Mayor Connie Boardman, Councilwomen Pam Julien Houchen,
Jill Hardy and Debbie Cook, I’m disgusted with them. Their lack of
leadership, their lack of insight is going to hurt our children. I
think they’ve failed us and I’m really upset that this program has
not been given the time nor the vigilance from the council to find
the money.
They’ve known, long enough, it’s been in jeopardy, and two lousy
grants that they tried writing for it have failed. That to me shows
they don’t care enough. They can’t afford not to care enough.
I tell you what. How about we all light up cigarette on the Fourth
of July Parade in thanks for their decision last week?
NANCY BUCHOZ
Huntington Beach
The DARE program is an immensely important program that helps
incredibly to keep kids on the right track, motivating them in other
areas and keeping them away from things like drugs and alcohol.
Not only am I a parent of a fifth-grader in Huntington Beach, but
I’m also a teacher, not in Huntington Beach but in the Westminster
School District, and I’ve seen what it can do for kids.
So ... let’s keep it going. Let’s don’t lose an important part of
creating, strong, independent citizens of tomorrow.
CHRIS RHODES
Huntington Beach
Students should be allowed to use gyms
Certainly the students from the middle school should be allowed to
use the new gyms. They are a great asset to the community, and it’s
wonderful to keep children, particularly teenagers busy.
CHARLENE BAUER
Huntington Beach
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