Protest restrictions spark outcry

Hours before the City Council began planning a centennial Fourth of

July celebration designed to celebrate civil rights and democracy, a

flood of residents spoke out against an ordinance they claimed would

destroy these very values.

Police asked that a law be passed prohibiting certain materials

from being used in demonstrations, including metal poles, PVC pipes

and hard plastic, which they said could be used as weapons. Critics

countered that the real weapon was the ordinance itself, which they

claimed would strike a lethal blow to free-speech rights.

The ordinance was sent back to the city attorney’s office for more

research when the City Council realized that a portion outlawing

pieces of lumber or wood of a certain thickness could prohibit people

from carrying American flags at parades.

A crowd of residents, including supermarket strikers, union

leaders and a criminal defense lawyer, showed up Tuesday to protest

the ordinance, claiming that its passage would mark an infringement

of 1st Amendment rights.

“We’ve come to a place in this city where we’ve become afraid of

other people that have views that are different than ours,”

Huntington Beach resident Betsy Brown said. “I think we need to show

a little bit more faith in our neighbors and their ability to control

themselves.”

The ordinance violates free speech, critics said, and is purposely

drafted to target pickets. Some feared that police would use

selective enforcement by concentrating on activists and protesters.

People carrying batons, hockey sticks and umbrellas would become

criminals, others said.

“I can assure you that selective harassment will take place,” said

Derek Bercher, a Santa Ana-based criminal defense attorney. “Police

will use the ordinance as a weapon, not a shield.”

Police Chief Ken Small said that his officers lacked the tools to

respond to violent situations at rallies. Similar ordinances have

been passed in other cities, such as Los Angeles, he said, and have

proved successful. He added that infringing on freedom of speech was

never his intention.

“This has been tested and has been held constitutional in court,”

Small said.

Of the dozens of speakers who addressed the ordinance during

public comments, not one person spoke in favor, something

Councilwoman Debbie Cook said she’s never before witnessed.

“This does limit freedoms that we’ve all grown up to exercise and

respect,” Cook said. “We live in a passionate community in Huntington

Beach, where people are passionate about many things. I have never,

ever seen that passion turned to violence. I don’t see that there’s

going to be a need for this kind of law that will create more harm

than protecting police officers in the field.”

New senior center opening in Huntington

Huntington Beach seniors will soon have more long-term healthcare

options.

Sunrise Senior Living Inc., a nationwide provider of senior living

services, will open a new senior living community in Huntington Beach

on Feb. 26.

The new community, at 7401 Yorktown Ave., will offer housing and

care options for seniors. It will offer both assisted and independent

living, as well as an area designed specifically for residents

battling Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of memory impairment.

“In Sunrise, what we pride ourselves on is we have all these

different levels of care,” said Ronda Wilkin, director of community

relations.

There will also be a special area called the Terrace Club for

those experiencing mild memory loss.

“These are the ones who’ve got Alzheimer’s and need a little bit

more attention, but with the proper care, they’re going to be just

fine,” Wilkin said.

The community will have 95 suites, enough to house 100 to 115

people.

“Sunrise is about making sure that every day is just a pleasant

day,” Wilkin said. “We do memory enhancement activities with our

residents. We really do care about their daily activities.”

About 60,000 Orange County residents over the age of 65 have

Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Assn. of Orange

County.

Sunrise already operates eight senior living communities in Orange

County and 380 communities in the United States, United Kingdom and

Canada. The Huntington Beach facility will be one of eight in Orange

County.

The new facility will be holding an open house Jan. 28 and 29.

More information can be found at their website,

https://www.sunriseseniorliving.com.

City to celebrate 30 years of meals for seniors

For three decades, the Feedback Foundation Inc. and the city have

joined forces to provide lunch for Surf City seniors.

On Wednesday, the two groups will celebrate 30 years of meal

service.

Meals moved to several different locations, including a firehouse

and Lake Park, before settling at the Michael Rodgers Seniors’ Center

in 1991.

Nearly 1.5 million meals have been served.

The service provides more than just a meal, organizers say. It has

led to many friendships and helped to create a sense of community for

Huntington Beach seniors.

The celebration will be held at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 28 at the Michael

Rodgers Seniors’ Center. The center is at 1706 Orange Ave.

Reservations are required. For reservations or for more information,

call (714) 536-8404.