What is the biggest issue facing the...

What is the biggest issue facing the city?

Besides the imminent threat of airport expansion, we have a lack

of community. One should not just look out for what is best for their

own immediate precinct or demographic group. Otherwise, we become a

Balkanized city. As one who played college baseball and cross

country, an important lesson I learned is, there is no “I” in “team!”

So let’s all speak up for each other, whenever we see that a

neighbor’s quality of life is threatened. A little good karma goes a

long way. The seeds we plant today is the harvest of tomorrow.

Considering such issues as the sports complex lawsuit and the

improperly converted condominiums, do you agree with criticism that

the city has been mismanaged? How would you run the city better?

I am a grass-roots community activist and have not earned a dime

for my efforts. I am simply here to protect the city I grew up in

since 1973. I am neither a sellout, nor a resume builder, and I will

not enrich myself at the public trough.

Recently, I was recruited for a sales position. But knowing that I

was running for office, I asked not to work in Huntington Beach, lest

anyone accuse me of having a potential conflict of interest. I will

disclose that my brother has a business in town (Surf City Sound).

But, he will not be getting any special favors from me, if I am

elected.

The sports complex issue could have been avoided by simply finding

a trustworthy contractor within our own city. In fact, our city

should make an effort to first award contracts to firms within Surf

City, that way the tax revenues and economic stimulus helps our own

city.

Another thing is, elected officials need to be just as prudent

with taxpayer dollars as they would with their own personal funds.

Since I have a math background, I am really good with numbers. I will

look for the most logical ways to make our city become more

efficient.

Given that the future of the Bolsa Chica is unclear, what is your

position on development on the upper portion of the mesa and other

environmental issues facing the city?

An ecosystem is a living body. It needs to be kept whole, and not

carved up. For example, if a person had a mere 2% of their parts

removed, and it happened to be the heart and the liver, they would

die.

Plus, we should appreciate all living things for their intrinsic

value, not their utilitarian value. That latter mentality has

contributed to the exploitation of women, children and minorities

throughout history. Therefore, I oppose any development of the mesa.

Hearthside should take the Proposition 50 money and run, rather than

protract this thing.

Also, there should be a World War II memorial at the wetlands

(with the foundations preserved), since it was a coastal defense

base. For example, San Francisco has parks at the former coastal

defense sites of Fort Funston, Fort Miley and the Presidio. There

just might be some grants out there for historical preservation of

the Bolsa Chica coastal defense area.

What direction do you think development -- such as the Strand,

Pacific City, Bella Terra and a third hotel proposed between the

Hilton Waterfront and Hyatt -- should be headed in the city

I believe in allowing people creative individuality with their

homes and businesses (so long as it does not pose a nuisance.) I sure

would not want our city to be micromanaged like Irvine. But at the

same time, we should limit future growth, rather than have a contest

with Irvine on who can grow their city the fastest.

We cannot indefinitely pave our way to prosperity. We only have so

much land left. What’s next? Fill in the ocean, or resort to high

rises? We simply cannot accommodate every single person in the world

who wants to live here.