Fireworks should be back at the beach...
Fireworks should be back at the beach
I can’t imagine the thought processes employed by the City Council
during its recent decision to cancel the annual fireworks. Yes, I was
there when the young people went crazy on the beach and I managed to
avoid stepping on illegal fireworks in the sand and I really missed
the beach fireworks when they were taken away.
Now the council has the opportunity to reinstate a great program
that was good for the city’s coffers, would fill the vacant hotels
and please the citizens of the city no end. They chickened out. They
allowed the potential threat of a bunch of wild kids to cause an
entire city to hide under the covers on the Fourth. Never mind that
this potential is there every time we have a surfing contest or a
paintball fight. Of course there is a threat, but our
well-compensated chief of police, (who is the acknowledged expert)
says he can handle it.
If he is not scared and most of the citizens are willing to take
the risk, the City Council should heed the experts and constituents
and stopped trying to protect us when we don’t want it. Then, if the
council hasn’t the backbone to stand up to the teenage menace they
can go someplace else on the Fourth and let the rest of enjoy the
show.
Reinstate the beach fireworks!
DON THOMAS
Huntington Beach
“We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Remember that
statement?
It was even coined by a Democrat but it seems that our City
Council has some fears of fear. They don’t object to a world-class
surfing championship on our shores or “the biggest parade west of the
Mississippi,” that now parades on part of Pacific Coast Highway --
despite the objections of our former police chief, because of his
fears. But when it comes to a family oriented event that honors our
nation’s founders, the council’s pseudo fears are used to cancel it.
What happened to the rumor that our city finally had a street-smart
police chief that could prevent rancorous demonstrations?
Has he been indoctrinated by those who fear anything that might
not be in agreement with the influential hotel owners that now seen
to be guiding our City Council decisions?
One council member had the gall to read, into the record, the
objections of their objections for fear it would mar our city’s image
because the police might not be able to prevent a civil
demonstration. Yes, fear has permeated our City Council so the
families of our city had best crawl into a hole and pull it in after
them. There will be no offshore barge, free to the public, to
celebrate our next Fourth of July evening as some adjoining coastal
cities, that are not fearful, enjoy their celebration.
BOB POLKOW
Huntington Beach
It is pathetic that our representatives have canceled the public
fireworks show this year. They claim it had to be canceled due to
health and safety concerns.
We used to have the fireworks at the beach and never were there
any health and safety problems. In the last two City Council
elections, I was the only candidate to have fireworks issues as a
campaign platform plank. In discussing fireworks issues with
thousands of residents, I can offer unique knowledge of the public’s
sentiment on firework issues. I believe at least two-thirds of the
Huntington Beach population are in favor of returning the public
fireworks show to the beach. It’s another slap in the face of liberty
when our elected representatives ignore the will of the people and
exercise their personal clairvoyance and superior wisdom in deciding
what is best for us.
In contrast to our monstrous budget crisis, fireworks issues are
rightfully insignificant. However, by ignoring the will of the
public, our elected officials have revealed that we are no longer the
masters of our government. We have become its slave. Voter apathy is
so prevalent because the public realizes our representatives do not
represent us. They represent themselves and their own personal
interests. Not only did the City Council ignore the public’s desire
to move the fireworks show, they ignored their own hand-picked Fourth
of July committee two years in a row.
Until “we the sheepeople” realize that we control our government,
not seven council members, continued lack of representation is
assured. I encourage everyone to become more involved in “our
government.” Send a quick e-mail so they will know your thoughts.
E-mail addresses for all our government officials can be easily found
at www.modernpublic.com.
The price we must pay for freedom is eternal vigilance of our
government officials.
NORM WESTWELL
Huntington Beach
I think the City Council members who voted not to have fireworks
this year should resign. If you are afraid to run your city and you
don’t trust your police department and you don’t have faith in your
people, how can you keep working in that climate.
MIKEY FALLEY
Huntington Beach
I am very disappointed that the fireworks are canceled. I would
like to see them at the pier. Being a new resident of Huntington
Beach, I found it to be one of the most enjoyable experiences in the
two years living here.
MYRNA HASKINS
Huntington Beach
I have lived here since 1966 and Fourth of July would not be
Fourth of July without the fireworks show. They used to have it on
the beach years ago and it was wonderful. I believe there is plenty
of parking compared to the high school and it would be wonderful. I
loved having it at the beach much more than at the high school. I
think our city has gotten to be pretty safe and I think people have
realized that we are a safe city now and it would be horrible if we
didn’t have a fireworks show.
DIANE VALOFF
Huntington Beach
Council made a good decision on fireworks
I am happy the council decision favored residents, not to have
fireworks at the beach. Daily we pollute our ocean with thousands of
gallons of sewage. The runoff following rainstorms makes the oceans
incredibly filthy. On a clear day, we look at beautiful Catalina
between oil rigs. That paintball thing is an insult to the sands and
the beauty of our beach. Happily, we won’t be adding debris of
fireworks to the ocean.
SUE DOMINGUEZ
Huntington Beach
An addition to the Parkside information
Thank you for your in-depth article on the Shea property at Bolsa
Chica (“Marsh or mansions” Feb. 20). We have a clarification.
First, the article noted that the federal definition of a wetlands
requires three wetland characteristics be present simultaneously, but
neglected to add that the state definition of a wetlands requires
only one of the characteristics be present.
This is important because in spite all of Shea’s disruptive
farming and grading activity the past six years, we are still finding
one of the wetland criteria (vegetation) on the property. .
MARK AND JULIE BIXBY
Huntington Beach
Absolutely, the state should buy the Bolsa Chica mesa.
Hearthside/Koll years ago lost its battle to put in a marina and
build on the Bolsa Chica lowlands.
The Coastal Commission won the most recent lawsuit filed by
Hearthside/Koll.. In this ruling, the judge found it was not a
“taking” as the developer claimed.
So, at the end of the day, Proposition 50 has money designated to
buy the Bolsa Chica mesa . The developer put money into the
Proposition 50 campaign. Hearthside/Koll has agreed to allow an
appraisal, which means they are a willing seller. After 30 years,
hang it up. I urge Hearthside to take its profit and leave the Bolsa
Chica for generations to come as a bio-diversity open space. To be
enjoyed by birders, runners, walkers, bridle trails, view points and
financial gain for the city from tourists. It’s a must.
The state should buy the Bolsa Chica mesa.
EILEEN MURPHY
Huntington Beach
The state should purchase the land. It is, and always has been, a
part of the wetlands. We do not need more homes, we do need more open
spaces for the birds and critters indigenous to the area.
I was appalled that Hearthside tried to gain support by telling
those in the area they would not have to pay flood insurance if they
backed the development.
Sounds like bribery to me.
SHARON CRESS
Huntington Beach
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