MAILBAG - May 1, 2008

NOTE: The Forum’s editorial will return next week.

Cook’s actions matter more than stocks

No, I don’t think Mayor Debbie Cook’s personal investment in energy to secure her family’s future and retirement is hypocritical; that is called smart investing and financial reality! Ditto for her clean energy investments as well! Public servants already sacrifice their time and more money from private-sector work for the public good. We can’t expect them to also sacrifice their making a living and retirement too! What matters is that she does what she was hired to do: Propose, push and vote for, and lead us as a mayor to get us green. That is her job, to represent us as an elected official! And we can see she’s done that very well!

Bruce Wareh

Huntington Beach

Mayor Cook is just investing wisely

The cartoon on the April 24 Forum page left me puzzled. Because Mayor Debbie Cook has taken the trouble to learn about impending oil shortages and to voice publicly some things she has learned through her diligence, does this cartoon mean she should not do what anyone of sane mind might do? That is should she not invest wisely and plan for her retirement as the rest of us should be doing?

Just what is the message here — other than to denigrate Cook, that is?

Nancy Donaven

Huntington Beach

‘Transparency’ argument is nonsense

Once again, the Huntington Beach City Council majority of Cathy Green, Don Hansen, Gil Coerper and Joe Carchio has turned a deaf ear and a blind eye toward the best interest of our community in voting to raise campaign contribution limits to follow state law (which dramatically increases the amount of money flowing into local campaigns). Hansen, the instigator of this ethical outrage, claimed increased “transparency” in reporting donations would be enough to keep the system honest. This is nonsense. This simply allows partisan patrons and outside special interests to openly buy elections and flaunt their winnings.

Tim Geddes

Huntington Beach

Cap outside money for campaign funds

Don’t Councilman Don Hansen and the majority of the present City Council — Joe Carchio, Cathy Green, Gil Coerper — realize the country has had enough of outside special interests deciding our elections?

Hansen wants to have no limits and even wanted to have them retroactive. Have the majority members talked to the people who love our city and want to make it better but can’t afford to run?

What we should be doing is capping any outside money like desalination, Senior Center, Pacific City and many others who have donated above and beyond the $300 cap.

Eileen Murphy

Huntington Beach

Bible verse was used out of context

I was disappointed and dismayed that the Independent would highlight such a web comment, written by Tom Egan, on its front page (Web Threads, April 24). It was certainly an insult to Christian believers who know the Bible and an absolute disservice to those who are taken in by quotes that are out of context.

Although I have heard Matthew 22:21 used by others to justify their argument for separation of church and state, including our current mayor, Debbie Cook, the interpretation is specious. All one has to do is to read the entire passage beginning with Matthew 22:15-22 to see that Christ was responding to the issue of taxation and the Herodian’s attempt to test his integrity.

A more accurate accounting of what Christ did in Matthew 22:21 was to point out the differences between political and spiritual responsibilities. Rome, under the leadership of Caesar, should be given taxes and all rightful political obedience.

God should be given worship, obedience, service and the dedication of one’s life. There was no separation intended, but rather a distinction of responsibilities.

Ed Bush

Huntington Beach

Money squandered on motto debate

I just read the editorial (April 17) on the “In God We Trust” motto that could not have concluded any better what I believe is the thoughts of many Huntington Beach residents. Bottom line, the council spending any time on this is a waste of time, especially when the action was initiated by a Bakersfield councilwoman, Jacquie Sullivan, not a Huntington Beach resident nor council member. Not sure what business of Sullivan it is pushing her desire onto other cities.

This should have been placed on a ballot for the residents to vote on, not a decision by the council.

Already several decisions have been made that cost us residents unnecessary spending and future spending. For instance the city entrance signs (about $310,000 spent), the proposal for the Rose float (about $200,000 before the fundraiser) and about $900,000 for arches on Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street. Combined, that is about $1.4 million.

So what is this going to cost us now?

I’m sorry, but posting the words “In God We Trust” will neither make the infrastructure of our city any better nor improve the looks.

I vote no.

Chub Domotor