MAILBAG - July 20, 2006

Selling new center will be tough

I find ex-Mayor Ralph Bauer’s latest articles in the local press very apropos in countering the “anti-senior-center-in-CentralPark-group’s” arguments opposing such use of the area. By noting all the varied uses of park areas already operating, he should be removing the picture being painted of a pristine natural habitat about to be destroyed. That the present library would never have been built using the issues now presented in efforts to prevent the projected senior center’s realization also bears reflection, as he points out.

As a senior citizen working on a paper looking at the many issues involved, I have been asking the many and varied groups of locals I come into contact with about their take on the controversial subject.

What I find is much lack of information, not much compassion, set “no new taxes” people and “what’s the rush?” attitudes. I get no strong pro sentiment. When it comes to a vote as now planned, I predict a defeat. This will not be a denial of a need, but a general denial of using money for anything.

To orchestrate a win for the envisioned new facility for Huntington Beach’s expanding senior population will take a lot of doing! Many of that group (who are non-users of the present center) will vote against it on the funding issue along with all the other negative-voters.

I live in Beachwalk, so I like the present location for personal reasons.

SHIRLEY SHAVER

Huntington Beach

A quiet Fourth? Where exactly?

With regards to the July 6 article, “Police: A quiet Fourth of July,” I must be missing something here. I’m a resident of the downtown area, and of all the adjectives that come to mind, “quiet” is certainly not one of them. Rather “loud,” “raucous,” “war zone,” and “deafening” might do. I guess I simply just don’t get it. We live in a city where fireworks are illegal, and yet there were hundreds going off (some of which rivaled the city’s display) until the very wee hours of the morning, from Friday through Tuesday. So what if some of us actually had to get up early and go to work! It seems as though many of the residents are thumbing their noses at the law and our police. I guess it’s going to take a major fire and/or explosion to get the government’s attention ? but that’s a whole other e-mail.

SUZANNE HART

Huntington Beach

Council right to put center to a vote

I support the council’s decision to put the proposed senior center to a citywide vote.

CATHALEEN DUNN

Huntington Beach

Reader in favor of center construction

I’m calling in favor of the construction of the new proposed senior center in the park.

STANLEY CHANDLER

Huntington Beach

Support for council decision on center

I’m responding to the council decision to senior center to the vote and I support that.

CHRIS COLE

Huntington Beach

Time for new center in Huntington Beach

I’m in favor of the new senior center in Huntington Beach.

GERALDINE WATSON

Huntington Beach

With more seniors, center is needed

I’m in agreement with the plan for a new senior center. I think it’s an excellent idea. It’s one that’s probably way past its time considering the condition of the old senior center.

As the population grows and we get a number of seniors, it’s necessary to build a larger and a better center. The transportation problem can be solved by bus ? there’s a way to solve that problem. I think that most of the people older than the age of 50 or 55 would be in agreement with it.

I thank you for printing Ralph Bauer’s letter. That was an excellent letter, and I’m in complete agreement with him on having compassion for seniors.

MARJORIE NILAND

Huntington Beach

Infrastructure a problem in Surf City

This is a note to support Chub Domotor’s letter regarding our infrastructure in Huntington Beach (“Mailbag,” July 13). Our streets are in deplorable condition. Yet the city continues to spend money on things like welcome signs that do not take care of our basics. We pay a tax on every gallon of gasoline that is supposed to be used for street repairs and maintenance.

When I asked a representative of the city why the money is not spent on its intended use, he stated that the city siphons off funds for other use, such as landscaping.

I would rather drive on a smooth highway than see another tree planted that is going to disturb our sidewalks in a few years.

Domotor mentioned the helicopter noise. Has anyone noticed the increase of jets that fly over our city on their way to Long Beach?

The newspaper has mentioned the expansion of Long Beach Airport.

Has anyone from the city attended these meetings to see how the increased traffic is going to affect us?

HARROL FULLBRIGHT

Huntington Beach

Park doesn’t get much use now

I’m head of a zoning service company ? I’m known as the father of zoning ? and I must tell you it’s the most beautiful location for a senior center. There’s plenty of park. For years I have driven by the park and seen nobody using it, very few people, so I think you’ll get seniors, and they’ll use the center. It’s an ideal location for it.

ALLEN MOLINA

Huntington Beach