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