COMMUNITY COMMENTARY:

The real real story about cell tower placement in Huntington Beach is absolute city arrogance in its approval process.

1. Ocean View School District of Orange County gave the city $1 million in free land easement use for all perpetuity on a storm drain with a 50-year life.

2. Some trustees gushed all over the public record about how this enormous giveaway would boost relations with the city and make them a district friend.

3. Some district administrators admonished me for suggesting the city pay money for the $1-million easement, claiming the city belongs to us all and paying money would be like taking from ourselves. This was even though the easement was from a separate storm drain budget fund created to buy and purchase right-of-way upgrades.

4. And what did the city give to the district for its $1-million-easement giveaway? Not a penny of consideration. Not a farthing of faithfulness. Nothing. Just the public statement that no cell tower construction notice was legally required.

5. Only City Council fear of the 90% election turnout Harbour View Elementary School’s voting bloc was enough to bring the city to its knees and give the appearance of a public hearing.

This story is about run-amok city administration operating from an imperious power throne, above all others including property owners and other political jurisdictions.

This raises the question of future behavior. Based on past performance we can expect many more reversed decisions again and again when elected council members are held accountable for insular administration actions.

JOHN BRISCOE is a trustee on the Ocean View School District board.