Mailbag: Candidates must step up on issues

Kudos to the Independent on its Looking Ahead article for 2016 (“Vote on Poseidon among issues,” Jan. 7) outlining important local issues on the docket for 2016. The key was the last section on the citywide 2016 election this year.

Candidates for City Council in November have been put on notice that there are issues that must concern them and positions that must be established. This wasn’t done last election, when the thrust of the campaigns was simply to dislodge the incumbents over issues like fireworks and plastic bags. We didn’t have positions from the winners on Poseidon, the potential development of the Rodgers senior center site, high density development along the Beach and Edinger Corridors, affordable housing concerns, the plight of manufactured housing homeowners, and other pressing issues. Now, we must.

It is up to the electorate and the local media to demand attention from prospective City Council candidates on issues outlined in the article. It is incumbent on organizers of candidate forums this year to make sure that candidate positions on these issues are squarely addressed. We should not be surprised after the vote if we elected leaders who don’t serve the public interest or listen to the community. If it is to be, it is up to we.

Tim Geddes

Huntington Beach