Letters to the Editor: Decision to turn back on homeless advocacy lacks compassion

Re. “Huntington homeless advocacy group facing eviction gets more time,” (July 5): The irony of the city of Huntington Beach — a compassionate city — action to evict Beach Cities Interfaith Services (BCIS) does not go unnoticed. This would be funny if it weren’t so sad. Apparently the reason given for the eviction of BCIS is anecdotal evidence of an increase in crime in the nearby park.

So when BCIS picks up its tent and moves to another area of the city, doesn’t that just move the anecdotal crime with it? How does this solve the problem of securing housing for those in need of it? What does this mean for the many other faith communities and nonprofits that do similar work to help the 9.4% of the city’s residents who live below the poverty line? Please help me understand how this action by the city is a good thing.

Pat Goodman

Huntington Beach

Districts make sense for Coast

In order to empower more democratic representation, Coast Community College District Trustees ought to be elected based on a system of district-based voting. While these officials do represent defined districts, they are voted in on an at-large basis.

Given the fact that “no local government that holds citywide elections has won a lawsuit based on the California Voting Rights Act,” it only makes sense to switch to district-based voting.

Not only would voters be better represented, the specific needs of each of the five district’s subdivisions would be made clearer and more likely to be addressed.

Ben Miles

Huntington Beach

Political ad takes wrong approach

Although I have signed the petition to recall Councilman Scott Peotter, I would not have done so for the reasons posited in the July 7 Daily Pilot paid advertisement, which is a discredit to its own cause.

An elected council member need not reflect other people’s values or refrain from supporting his own vision of city development. Peotter’s high crime was trying to prevent residents from exercising their right to sign the anti-Museum House petition by burdening them with mountains of paperwork.

I still hope the petition wins, but a little bit less so now.

Tom Moulson

Newport Beach

Do not vote for negative campaigners

There is a way to maintain accountability and integrity in local government. First, it is imperative that everyone exercises his/her right to vote. The other democratic processes available to citizens who want to express disfavor with elected officials is to utilize the initiative, referendum and recall processes.

These are very important democratic tools for citizens to use to make sure that government is responsive to their wishes and needs. Additionally, I vow in future elections to never vote for a candidate who sends negative hit pieces out on the opposition candidate. This not only demeans the election process but keeps good candidates from wanting to enter the political arena.

Lynn Lorenz

Newport Beach

Healthcare should put people over profits

I found the commentary by Rep. Adam Schiff from Burbank (“Why we fight for universal health care,” July 9) to be thoughtful, reasoned and objective. Devoid of the usual bombast of ideology and rhetoric from both the right and the left, it said what I think most Californians feel about healthcare. Any proposed policy must do three things. It should cover our healthcare needs. It should be affordable. And it should work for both patients and providers.

Above all, it should not put profits over people. This is as personal as programs get.

We should be electing politicians and officials who strive for solutions to our problems and work for the common good. This is not happening in Congress at the present time. It has become far too partisan. We in California have the opportunity to lead the way, and our representatives should be part of the solution and not part of the problem. We need more Adam Schiffs of both parties to soberly assess what works now and what is needed to build a healthcare framework for the future that meets the three criteria mentioned above.

I can’t vote for Mr. Schiff here in Orange County. But I can hopefully vote for someone like him to bring reason and responsibility to Washington. D.C.

Tim Geddes

Huntington Beach

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