‘Maybe I won’t’

Independent: There’s a lot of opposition to the Poseidon desalination project in the southeast. Do you think that area is already over-industrialized?

Gil Coerper: I’ve driven over there and I’ve seen the area. I don’t think it’s over-industrialized at all. I know it’s got the Ascon Nesi landfill; that’s been there for such a long time it’s unbelievable. The sewer treatment plant has been there a very long time, as well as AES. [Poseidon] is to help the citizens, and that’s what I look at -- things that will help your living conditions to make it better.

Independent: Are you saying Poseidon will help make people’s living conditions better?

Coerper: I’m not saying that Poseidon will help them; it will just make it look better over there. That’s a run-down area, and I would l like to see it cleaned up. I would like to see the streets widened. The wetlands that run along there, if there is any problem, I’d like to see Poseidon take care of them.

Independent: Tell me about your trip to Tampa Bay.

Coerper: I went out there, I toured the facility, I took pictures of everything and I found it was working fine and there were no problems. All the problems I hear about now, I just don’t know.

Independent: Did you drink any of the water?

Coerper: No, I didn’t. I could have if I wanted to. I will tell you that I thought about it, but I didn’t.

Independent: Why not?

Coerper: I just wasn’t ready to drink it. Again, I’m telling you it’s something new. Would I do it today? Yes, I would. And why? When I went aboard a ship, that’s what they use, and I drank it all the time.

Independent: Do you mean a military ship?

Coerper: Yes, I went aboard a carrier, and I talked to a guy in-depth about that, and he says it’s the greatest thing in the world.

Independent: What prompted you to take this trip?

Coerper: I’m interested in technology, and my opinion is that if the water is ever reduced bad, say the Colorado River, or dear God, if we should have an earthquake, that’s going to limit our people from receiving any water. If there was a Poseidon out there, what it would do? It would provide water for the southeast.

Independent: So that’s your biggest concern, water needs in the event of an emergency?

Coerper: Yes, that’s it. Plus it’s going to have an impact on the city, and it’s going to bring revenue into the city. It’s either bring revenue into the city or raise taxes. So [Poseidon] means we can generate revenue for the city.

Independent: What other benefits do you want to see the city extract from Poseidon? What would make you happy?

Coerper: I would like to see the area improved. I would like to see it look like other parts of the city.... How can that be? If you’re modernizing facilities, that would be improvements. The southeast has always been the last child to get anything, so now it’s time to make it look nice. I feel the citizens that live there are proud to live there, otherwise they wouldn’t have moved there.

Independent: Most of the people on the south side of town have been very vocal that they think the project would hurt Huntington Beach.

Coerper: There’s probably about 12 to 15 people that are really vocal.... The way the southeast folks are looking at it is, “Not in my backyard.” The way I look at it, it’s going to improve the area. If it doesn’t go forward, [the southeast] is going to stay like it is.

Independent: How do feel that people are characterizing you as the swing vote?

Coerper: I have no idea. I supported the [environmental report] and most people think that now means I’m going to support the CUP. Well, maybe I won’t. If you tell me, “Well, we’re not going to do nothing but cause a major problem down here or we’re going to do something else that’s not good for the city or the southeast folks,” then why would I approve it? I have a few more questions. I’ll be the last one to talk.20051208ir3v1mkn(LA)Councilman Gil Coerper is sworn in as mayor pro tem Monday. He toured Poseidon’s facility in Tampa Bay but didn’t drink the water.