MAILBAG - Feb. 14, 2008

Use public park funds for benefit of all

What initially began with protests over the loss of open space has evolved into a much larger issue — fiscal irresponsibility and the misuse of public funds.

As we roll into a recession and housing prices are on a downward slope, a majority of council members feel Huntington Beach can somehow manage a new $1 million per year expense from the General Fund to operate and maintain the proposed center.

Shouldn’t we be tightening our belts? $5.5 million per acre seems costly to me, a lowly resident. The council is fully willing to “appropriate” intended park fees of upward of $22 million for one large building that paves over open space — yet there is no money in the parks budget for improvements needed city wide.

City documents note Huntington Beach is “under- parked” by 48 acres and we really can’t afford to lose five more in the core of our largest park.

The logic is that this is for the greater good and serving a deserving population. No argument here. Just build a center we can afford, with an attitude toward fiscal responsibility that will not burden future generations with debt.

This project seems preordained to move along through council and its subsequent approvals. It has and always will be an issue about the site.

Those opposed to the project wanted to protect the open space of Central Park.

Those supporting the project wanted from the beginning “free” park land that afforded beautiful views and an opportunity to tie the park in lieu fees to this project. Using park land served a greater good all right, it allowed the powers that be to try and show a reasonable relationship to $22 million owed to the city parks.

The supporters’ declaration of the park site as perfect created the opportunity to scoop both the money and the land. Neat deal, or should I say, trick?

These park fees are public money and belong to all the residents of Huntington Beach. Take park fees, take park land, pave 5 acres, build one huge building and help out the developer.

Huntington Beach can do better and still serve seniors. Throughout this process, the city never looked beyond the prize of Central Park as the chosen location.

Interestingly, the developer is getting a lot of help here and many of our council members benefit significantly from campaign donations of developers.

Why don’t we just pave the whole city now and get it over with?

Would 51% of the voters have said yes to this project if:

1) They were told on the ballot the project would cost an estimated $22 million, with estimated operating and maintenance costs of at least $1 million per year?

2) They were told funding for this project would be taken from a one-time park fees windfall owed by the developer resulting in no money for parks?

3) They were told the same developer who owes the fee is also to build the project, receiving a 15% consulting fee and without outside bids taken as noted in the City Charter?

4) They were told that same developer is asking for possible Mellos Roos fees to be assessed to future residents of Pacific City to assist in recouping the cost of building the senior center?

5) They were told the city believes the senior center in Central Park meets the requirement to offer recreational facilities in the Pacific City/downtown area?

6) They were told the city has no intention of performing another Measure C vote now that the approvals are available as noted in the City Charter?

7) They were told at this date the plans for the center are all still “conceptual” with limited accountability for the estimated costs and the details to follow?

I believe full disclosure of all the facts regarding the financial scheme and the changes in the land use necessary to build this palace in the park would have had a significant impact on the already close Measure T vote.

Is the mentality here really just build a senior center at any cost? Watching the process evolve, it sure seems a case of full speed ahead and everybody better get out of the way.

The city has already outlined areas for “future expansion” surrounding the site that would take more space from what little open areas remain on that side of Central Park.

Guess what they say they might need?

More parking lots. Don’t support paving paradise.

Tell the council to use our public park funds to improve and expand our parks for the benefit of all residents of Huntington Beach.

MINDY WHITE

Parks Legal Defense Fund

Huntington Beach

Boeing contract would boost economy

On behalf of the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce, I am writing to express our strong support for The Boeing Company and its selection by the Department of Defense to build the next generation of air refueling tankers.

Those of us who closely watch local and national economic conditions know that entrepreneurs who work hard also need national policies that work with them to create a vibrant and growing economy. The Pentagon can support Southern California’s aeronautics and defense industries by selecting Boeing for the $40 billion air refueling tanker contract.

Boeing has a long history of successfully working with Southern California companies to support the defense of our nation and our military’s many missions around the globe. With this contract, Boeing would employ 4,000 people and infuse nearly $175 million into Southern California, positively impacting Huntington Beach and our local economy.

The alternative the Pentagon is considering is a French company, EADS, which would manufacture its planes in Europe. It makes little sense for our government to take this money and the U.S. jobs it would create out of our economy, especially during these tough economic times. The fact is that Boeing is the best company in the world to build these planes and it is our belief that our government will recognize it is in the best interests of our national security and economy to award them the contract.

The Pentagon has an opportunity to select a company with a proven track record of successfully supporting our fighting forces around the globe.

We encourage Huntington Beach residents and all Americans to join us in encouraging our Congressional leaders to make it clear to the Pentagon that Boeing is the company that will build the best and most reliable tankers, offers the best opportunity to stimulate the American economy, will help to create and sustain U.S. employment and most importantly will best protect our national interests and security.

JOYCE RIDDELL

President and chief executive

Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce

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Obama would be like the next Kennedy

Think how we felt with hope when President John F. Kennedy was president.

As a 90-plus great-grandmother I want to applaud Caroline Kennedy for ... supporting Barack Obama. I remember her father and mother, and what fun it was to go out and get the morning paper to read about what President Kennedy had to say.

I compare that to how I dread to open the paper today and read about what heartbreaking things this president is doing to our wonderful country and to us as American people.

That’s what I did and have already voted absentee for Barack Obama.

Huntington Beach