Councilman Sullivan’s actions not becoming

Douglas Pricer

As a new member of the community I occasionally watch the City

Council meetings on local television. I happened to catch Huntington

Beach Police Officer Assn. President Russ Reinhart’s statement to the

council (Feb. 16). While I humbly claim ignorance regarding the

issues in question, I must say that Councilman Dave Sullivan’s

response to Reinhart was embarrassing, arrogant and despicable.

To whom did you think you were speaking, the hired help? Who in

the chamber and who in the city do you think is impressed with your

credentials? Certainly not those in the room -- the vast majority of

whom sat silent and stunned at your ostentatious recital of your

degrees and abilities, not to mention your challenge to “step across

the street and take an IQ test.”

From where I sit, it appears that you have forgotten who you work

for -- the taxpaying citizenry. We pay you to be informed (you did

not appear to be so on the issue put forth by Reinhart) professional,

mature and sensitive to the needs of your employers (that would be

myself and the rest of the city’s taxpayers).

We do not pay you to confuse ignorance with intelligence. We do

not pay you to spew personal anger. We expect you as an elected

official to rise above such behavior. After all, as you are so quick

to point out, you are a “Harvard man.”

The last time I checked, Huntington Beach is located in America.

As you may (or perhaps may not) know, a vital cornerstone of our

right to express sentiments freely without fear of retribution. This

right is especially sacred in today’s political climate, where

personal vitriol has replaced decent manners and basic respect.

America stands unique in the world as a place that celebrates the

apotheosis of all persons -- including (and especially) those who

enforce our laws. It is a place where men are judged by their

performance, not their papers -- even when those papers emanate from

Harvard.

It was the first time I had the “privilege” of seeing you in

action, doctor. Your performance was lacking. Next time, try to do

better.

* DOUGLAS PRICER is a Huntington Beach resident. To contribute to

“Sounding Off,” e-mail us at hbindy@latimes.com or fax us at (714)

965-7174.