MAILBAG - March 2, 2000

SINGING HILTON’S PRAISES

As a Huntington Landmark resident, I’d like to add my two-cents’ worth on

the Waterfront Hilton loan issue. I have had personal contact with the

Waterfront Hilton hotel, its staff and Stephen Bone, [chief executive] of

the Waterfront Hilton.

Last year, the Waterfront Hilton manager learned of our senior citizen

chorale group in Huntington Beach and presented our singing group with a

generous, no-strings contribution. In addition, we were invited to sing

for the hotel’s annual open house during the holiday season.

Our senior citizen singing group was treated with outstanding courtesy

and respect from Bone and by every member of his management staff --

almost unheard of in this day and age.

Huntington Beach property owners can be assured that the Waterfront

Hilton hotel will not only generate tourist dollars and employment

opportunities for our city through its expansion, it is also a caring and

thoughtful neighbor. This spells user-friendly, in my humble opinion.

GLAD ABOUT PARKING TICKETS

I have lived here since 1956. I am delighted that tickets are being

issued (“City doles out 2,297 street-sweep tickets,” Jan. 13).

For years, I have cleaned the gutters in front of my house to almost no

avail due to parked cars. ... I know that our street looks better, and I

thank the City Council for this ordinance.

READER DISAPPOINTED WITH POLICE

For years, I have heard and read disparaging remarks about the Huntington

Beach Police Department. Their reputation of being aggressive, hard-nosed

and overly zealous is well-known. Their exploits on numerous Fourth of

July “celebrations” have been documented. However, until now, I did not

fully believe all of the stories. On those rare occasions when I had the

opportunity to talk to a police officer (even while receiving a fix-it

ticket), these officers were polite and even friendly.

Unfortunately, the other night I experienced firsthand the other side.

My husband and I were patronizing a Downtown restaurant and bar on Sunday

afternoon. We, along with a dozen other patrons, were outside during a

break in the entertainment. A fire engine pulled up -- for the second

time that evening -- because the fire alarm had gone off. A police car

with two officers had also pulled up and parked next to where we were

standing.

My husband was joking with the firemen, saying things like, “You guys

just keep coming back because you want to hear the band.” The firemen

were smiling and joking back while going about their business. I’m going

to point out here that my father is a retired battalion chief with the

Huntington Beach Fire Department. He was, and still is, highly regarded

in the department. Many of the firemen are known to us personally.

Suddenly, the police officer riding shotgun got out of the car,

approached my husband and said, “Is there a problem here?” My husband

answered, “Excuse me?” The policeman said, “We don’t need any loudmouths

standing around on the sidewalk. Why don’t you just go on back inside

now? Oh, and don’t forget to put your cigarette in the ashtray. I’d hate

to have to arrest you for littering.”

Needless to say, we went back inside. However, what had been a fun

evening up to that point was now tainted.Our City Council wants its

citizens to frequent local establishments. I would like to suggest that

more people might do that if they felt welcome rather than intimidated.

AIRPORT DEBATE AFFECTS EVERYONE

It was with dismay that I read in the Independent this morning the

article “El Toro debate stalls out in HB” (Feb. 17), wherein two people

attended. You folks really need to look at the John Wayne Airport

expansion plan if El Toro (Measure F) doesn’t fly.

In a nutshell: About 100 businesses west of the airport tower (between

the [Interstate] 405 freeway and the toll road) to the [California] 55

freeway will come down and airport runways will be fanning out over the

55 freeway and your neighborhoods!

Don’t take my word for it, please attend a meeting and become informed of

the planning process. If El Toro doesn’t fly, there will not be any other

options. The 7 to 10 p.m. curfew at the airport will be lifted soon, and

we’ll have planes overhead for 24 hours.

El Toro has a buffer and long runways that John Wayne Airport doesn’t.

Did any of you see the Sunday evening 60 Minutes TV show describing John

Wayne as the most dangerous airport in America?

Reasons: 1) deceleration upon takeoff, 2) short runways and 3) no buffer

zone. Please, friends, become aware and involved before it’s to late.