Firm’s record too shoddy for support I...

Firm’s record too shoddy for support

I am in utter disbelief that the Huntington Beach City Council is

even considering the Poseidon desalination plant. Considering the

track record of Poseidon Inc. in Tampa, Fla. -- still years behind in

completion, millions over budget -- why would our City Council want

to saddle our fine city with a project that has not even proven to

function? Does this company have an operational plant anywhere? I

have yet to see these issues addressed. Am I missing something? I am

concerned that a plant that will not even provide water to Huntington

Beach and will be priced way beyond current water rates (hence no

buyers) will become a major fiasco. Is this debacle to be the legacy

of the current City Council? Hasn’t Huntington Beach suffered enough

embarrassment from past mayors and representatives?

After the sports complex shortcomings, I would think that the City

Council would have learned to thoroughly investigate contractors and

projects. What will this cost the city in the long run? Will the

projected earnings offset the lowered property values and loss of

tourism dollars of an industrial beach town? It seems to fly in the

face of all the attempts to make Huntington Beach an appealing resort

destination.

Wake up, Huntington Beach.

TRICIA MORRISETTE

Huntington Beach

Council voted with its conscience

The negative comments voiced by letter writers regarding the

approval of the Poseidon environmental report exposed the reason our

city has struggled to achieve a stable tax base. One writer said that

City Councilman Don Hansen should be ashamed because he lives in the

92646 area and should have voted against the report as it would do

further damage to homes and streets in that area.

As I remember, this writer has been prolific and a regular

naysayer at council meetings for some time, including the proposal to

divide our city’s elected representation into districts. Hansen was

voted into an at-large position. He obviously conscientiously voted

as he should. Three of his colleagues did the same. If the letter

writer wants the council members to vote as if they represented a

special-interest group, such as a district, why did she not put her

shoulder to the wheel and help us persuade the electorate to pass the

districting initiative?

The approving council members should be complimented for not

letting the vocal minority persuade them to do otherwise. We need

more council members such as Don Hansen, Kathy Green, Keith Bohr and

Gil Coerper. If the vocal minority do not want district

representation, they must live with the consequences.

BOB POLKOW

Huntington Beach

Opponents should quit using water

The most compelling reason to build the desalination plant?

Southern California is still experiencing a population increase, and

everyone I know uses water. Despite what Poseidon’s critics may say,

we cannot conserve ourselves to surplus -- we need new sources, and

desalination offers a virtually unlimited source. The proposed

location is a perfect fit for this plant, with or without AES still

in operation. To those who still can’t, or refuse to, see the sense

in this, I’d like to suggest that they stop using water. Entirely.

Maybe if their numbers are really as big as they claim, our

aquifers, dams and reservoirs will be bursting at the seams in no

time, and then a desalination plant will not be required. I eagerly

await a flood of Old Testament proportions.

ROD RASMUSSEN

Huntington Beach

Bella Terra mall will be good for Huntington Beach

The Bella Terra mall is the boost our city has been looking

forward too.

STEVEN STEGMAN

Huntington Beach

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Would you support a recall effort if the Poseidon project gets

City Council approval? Call our Readers Hotline at (714) 966-4691 or

send e-mail to o7hbindependent@latimes.comf7. Please spell your

name and include your hometown and phone number for verification

purposes.