MAILBAG - Sept. 23, 1999

Wouldn’t you think that someone (the city attorney perhaps) would advise

the Huntington Beach City Council that several California cities have

tried to use the fee ruse to circumvent the legal requirement to hold a

general election to pass new taxes, and they have lost the ensuing court

battle?

If the council is seriously concerned about funding for rebuilding the

city’s infrastructure, it seems to me they should start with

restructuring and reorganizing the city staff.

When was the last time this happened? Why is it OK to have 31 city

employees drawing $3 million to $4 million in pay every year? Answer: It

isn’t.

An Independent article several months ago showed that many people drawing

this money are not managers or top executives.

It seems to me the City Council and the city administrator and executive

staff need to create a lean, mean operating machine before they tackle

the job of rebuilding the city’s facilities.

Then they can develop a detailed plan, including funding requirements and

sources, to rebuild the city.

I am sure residents would like to see such a plan before they are asked

to provide funding.

Maybe then the City Council won’t have to resort to calling a new tax a

fee to get around the law.

Do we need to rebuild the city’s infrastructure? Of course. Do we need

new or more taxes to do this? Maybe.

In any case, if more dollars are needed, it is up to the voters to say

yea or nay to new taxes, not the City Council. And if the City Council

persists in going forward with this fee approach, I feel it is only a

matter of time before they are challenged in court, and they will lose.

GIL NIXON

Huntington Beach

Decide gun range issue on rational basis

The Aug. 26 Independent article about the proposed Huntington Beach gun

range quotes Councilman Tom Harman as saying there’s very little demand

for a public gun range: “It’s crazy. How many people do you know [who]

are running around looking for a gun range in town?”

The only thing crazy is his statement and position. Count me as one of

many I know who are running around looking for a gun range.

Actually we’re not running, we’re driving, as in leaving town with our

range fee money. The public’s only option right now is to use the local

Firing Line indoor range, which is limited to pistol or .22 rifle, or

travel an hour or more to use an outdoor range for rifle or shotgun

practice.

I would greatly prefer a local outdoor range with modern facilities to

the indoor Firing Line, fresh air to stale, and sunshine to light bulbs.

Many who use the Firing Line express the same desire. We would happily

pay a reasonable yearly membership fee for the use of the range. That

works quite well for the Firing Line.

In addition, the city needs a modern range for its own police training.

Such a range would generate substantial revenue from rental to other law

enforcement agencies, plus the range fees paid by the public.

Hopefully, this issue will be decided on a rational revenue basis, rather

than caving in to current “Political Correctness” and unfounded hysteria.

TERRY NELSON

Huntington Beach

Being a firearms owner, I have the opportunity to speak with other

responsible citizens who would like a safe, modern, spacious, well-lit

facility for our recreational shooting activities.

Our numbers could only enhance the revenue source of a new range.

I support our men and women of the Police Department, but I believe the

Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley police chiefs’ decision to exclude

residents from access to the city range is politically biased and

reflective of their stance regarding the rights of civilians.

MILTON E. VAUGHT

Huntington Beach

Are officers above the law?

Everybody who lives in Huntington Beach knows how the police officers

love to harass motorcycle riders. No helmet. No turn signals. Too loud.

However, I’ve noticed many officers riding their quads, on and off the

beach, with no helmet and no turn signals. I have seen them on Pacific

Coast Highway and other major streets not obeying these traffic laws.

How is this fair? What kind of message are they sending to other

motorcycle riders who do not like to wear helmets?

Is that because they are police officers who are above the law? I

disagree.

If they make citizens follow these rules, they should follow them, too.

Practice what you preach.

If anybody knows why police officers are exempt from these laws, I would

love to know.

SEAN FROELICH

Huntington Beach

Using eminent domain is bad idea

I have lived in Huntington Beach all my life. I recently learned that

some Downtown homes and stores are in danger.

Our very own elected officials are threatening to take away property for

commercial purposes through eminent domain. The city is threatening to

use eminent domain to condemn many local businesses and homes so that an

individual developer may develop the property for its own gain.

The purpose of eminent domain is to allow the government to buy property

when needed to create something for the greater good. Eminent domain in

the Downtown area will not be used by the government but sold to an

independent developer. I have always understood that eminent domain was

to be for construction of roads, bridges, parks and other things

necessary for a community to function properly.

While I admit that Downtown is beautiful, and I commend all the work that

has gone on, taking away homes from residents for further development is

unfair and an unjust use of eminent domain.

My advice to the Huntington Beach City Council would be that they work

with the owners of the Downtown properties to improve our city. Do not

force them out so that a large, impersonal company from Los Angeles can

decide what is best for our city.

CORINNE BURTON

Huntington Beach

City Council is throwing gasoline on Wal-Mart fire

The recent actions of the Huntington Beach City Council seem to

exacerbate our problems rather than seek solutions.

A large group of citizens have asked to have a ballot on the Wal-Mart

issue. They have exceeded the numbers required to be eligible. What did

the council do? Instead of offering the election in a timely manner, they

managed to put it off until March, further offending the anti-Wal-Mart

people.

Some of the council members truly would like to help the schools and to

add to our city treasury. However, alienating a large group of residents,

absorbing their democratic rights, and keeping the focus on problems

rather than solutions runs counter to achieving a productive outcome.

The election should be held to settle the question and to let us move on

without excessive rancor.

NANCY DONAVEN

Huntington Beach