MAILBAG:

I would like to applaud the heartfelt Sounding Off article by Vic Leipzig and Lou Murray (“7 years later, mission not accomplished,” Sept. 11) and agree that Debbie Cook could be supported for Congress over Dana Rohrabacher based upon Rohrabacher’s backing of disastrous and costly Bush administration policies on the war, energy, the environment and so much more.

However, opposition to Rohrabacher should also come from his disastrous positions on local issues. Rohrabacher was a big proponent of Measure E, the districting initiative of 2004 that would have wrecked local government here, and that was voted down almost 2-1. This initiative was also supported by current Rohrabacher-backed City Council candidates Don Hansen and Devin Dwyer. Another local project backed by Rohrabacher, and supported by Hansen and Dwyer, is the flawed and now stalled Poseidon Resources desalination plant. This risky project may never be built. Debbie Cook vigorously opposed both Measure E and Poseidon’s “desal plant to nowhere,” and has been a strong and capable leader for the best interests of Huntington Beach.

That’s just two more reasons why I’m voting for Debbie Cook for Congress, not Dana Rohrabacher.

Tim Geddes

Huntington Beach

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More specifics needed from Council candidates

I read the biographies of all the candidates for City Council in the Aug. 28 issue.

Bruce Brandt was the only candidate who even mentioned the lack of sufficient water in Southern California, and all he said was “No Poseidon.” He didn’t present an alternative solution to our water problem. Sure, a new source of water will flow from Northern California, but that won’t happen for at least 18 months; and given the fact that global warming will continue to be a challenge, it probably won’t be enough to keep up with the continued population growth in California.

When candidates finalize their platforms, I would like to see more than generalized, boiler plate proposals which state that they are for or against a project. Why are they for or against a particular project? What are some alternative solutions to a negative vote; and what are the possible ramifications of a positive vote?

Michael P. Di Gennaro

Huntington Beach

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Rep. has accomplished nothing for community

I enjoyed Vic Leipzig and Lou Murray’s column (“7 years later, mission not accomplished,” Sept. 11) on the war in Iraq.

After 20 years in Congress, Dana Rohrabacher has accomplished virtually nothing of value for the nation or our community. Rohrabacher says he favors term limits and it’s time the voters of the 46th Congressional District took him at his word and replaced him with Debbie Cook.

Tom Chambers