MAILBAG - March 29, 2001

Gyms are nice but excessive

I have served as a teacher, counselor, vice principal and principal in

the middle schools in Southern California for a total of 16 years. I have served as an educator in California for almost 32 years. I also am a

homeowner in the Franciscan Fountain homes, which surround Mesa View

Middle School, and I find the proposed gymnasium/auditorium facility to

be excessive.

Many middle schools in our state have gymnasiums, but nowhere have I

heard of a school district that would support a grandiose facility on a

middle school campus that accommodate adult athletic activity nightly and

on weekends.

The use by adults in athletic competition would have the facility in

less than desirable condition of our children in a very short period of

time.

Would it be so wonderful for our students to have a gymnasium room for

the school’s use? I would have to answer yes, but not under the

conditions as proposed.

It is desirable for children in middle school to have a place to

change their clothes for physical education, which always consists of

exercising, where outside is best and in our area it is generally

feasible. They then play some kind of game or sport, which is also

outside. They then end their activity early enough to return and change

for their next class. A gymnasiums suitable for middle school students,

not adults, would be deal.

After school, middle school basketball games could be played in this

gymnasium. After school, middle school wrestling could take place, but

beyond these two sports the middle school students develop their physical

skills outside.

Beyond these reasons, the area at the Mesa View school site is far too

small to accommodate the gyms.

Traffic is already far too heavy in the area, which happened when the

school changed from being a neighborhood kindergarten through

eighth-grade school, to a middle school.

Parking in our area is already extremely tight during school evening

functions and weekends because of soccer on the school field and the park

across the street.

SHIRLEY MCCARTHY

Huntington Beach

Writer misses point of Bolsa Chica debate

In response to the Community Commentary of March 22 by Bob Polkow

(“Still confused on Bolsa Chica after all these years,”) I would like to

help “enlighten” the author who raises valid questions but seems a bit

puzzled and naive as to local politics.

He certainly can take issue with management of city affairs and

criticize past City Councils for their lack of vision and attention to

strict accounting practices, i.e. amortizing capital equipment and

property and reasonable budgeting.

It is also fair to add the issue of preserving the Bolsa Chica

ecosystem has been a central one in the minds of large number of

concerned citizens of this community for almost 30 years. There should be

little confusion over such preservation and the value to local residents

of Huntington Beach and the surrounding county.

Now that a gallant effort has been spawned, championed by Mayor Pam

Julien Houchen and a number of potential funding opportunities exist, we

should all rally against our council and local environmental activists in

their combined effort to acquire all the remaining Bolsa Chica wetlands

and Mesa -- as well as the proposed Linear Park acreage. Everyone stands

to gain in the endeavor-the present owners of the property will receive a

fair price for their asset, and the Community will acquire a jewel of a

Regional Park to enjoy in perpetuity.

Why confuse the dialogue with statements to the effect that sewers are

not as “sexy” an issue or that the Huntington Beach mall lies fallow or

that our sidewalks are buckling. Funding for such infrastructure projects

are available form other sources not bond issues or port funds targeted

for wetland and/or park restoration.

Just because prior city leadership has been negligent in dealing with

such infrastructure issues in a systematic fashion over the years, should

not deter us from acquiring open space.

Certainly, we must prioritize the numerous potential city projects,

but timing is often critical especially in land acquisition; in this case

-- the Bolsa Chica mesa -- we should be practical and embrace the

opportunity before us when many disparate factions are seemingly open to

discussion and action. Rather than lament about perplexing strategies

with city government over the years, why not voice support for a truly

noble project that appears doable now! We are on the verge of making

history in Huntington Beach by providing a living legacy for future

generations -- what can be more rewarding?

Certainly we must address infrastructure, polluted oceans,

deteriorating schools, and we will. But until the Bolsa Chica issue is

certainly resolved, there will not be a coalition ready to attack all

these projects concurrently. As a 25-year resident of Huntington Beach, I

appeal to its citizens to come together as a vibrant and diverse

community and impartially tackle these problems systematically. We now

have a rare opportunity to acquire the Bolsa Chica

RICHARD M. SAX

Huntington Beach

Polkow’s commentary is right on target

I read with great interest Bob Polkow’s commentary in the March 22

issue of Independent.

This is the most sensible thing I have read in years regarding Bolsa

Chica and Huntington Beach, and it hits the nail right on the head.

I couldn’t begin to say it as well, and can only say ditto and amen.

If we could get our City Council to focus on city problems rather than

trying to save the world, we would be much better off.

Let’s use our eminent domain to get our mall built, and then with the

accompanying tax base, we can possibly fund some of the other problems

our city is faced with.

Here’s hoping our City Council get their head’s on straight and tend

to Huntington Beach business.

WAYNE BUXTON

Huntington Beach

Taxpayers shouldn’t fear a Bolsa buyout

If Bob Polkow is misinterpreting the city’s position on the mesa, then

chances are that other people are also confused.

So it should be made clear that, although the city supports

acquisition, it does not intend to purchase the mesa itself -- taxpayers

have nothing to fear.

Federal land swaps, Proposition 12 funds, and institutional grants are

among many options that can now be more easily pursued with the city’s

support than without it.

The mesa and wetlands benefit a population far beyond the city borders

and support an international bird migration route; so acquisition funds

must come from far and wide.

The city’s resolution just facilitates the effort, it does not intend

to burden city taxpayers.

STAN KRUTSICK JR.

Vice President

Bolsa Chica Land Trust

Huntington Beach

Now’s the time to act on the mesa purchase

I read with great interest the editorial regarding Bolsa Chica. Our

collective efforts have been working to preserve the entire Bolsa Chica.

With Proposition 12’s passage in March of 2000, the taxpayers of this

state voted to allocate $2.1 billion to acquire parks and open space.

It is now time for Bolsa Chica to get its fair share. We send out

taxes to Sacramento, now let’s use the money here so we can preserve the

few natural treasures we have left in southern California.

FLOSSIE HORGAN

Huntington Beach