Political Access to Leisure World

I am writing this letter because of my belief in the democratic process and my concern with the manner in which that hallowed process was abused in the Seal Beach Special Election of Jan. 29 regarding a Bixby development in our city.

To put the election results in proper perspective, it is essential to note that the margin for victory for the Bixby development was a slim 56.5% to 43.5%. However, the votes cast in all areas outside of the walls of Leisure World rejected the Bixby project by a solid margin of 67% to 33%.

It is obvious that the Concerned Citizens of Seal Beach, opposing the development with only $900 to offset Bixby and their Citizens for a Better Seal Beach and more than $50,000, performed magnificently. Why, then, were their efforts so successful outside of Leisure World and so poor inside those walls? The reason is that opponents of the Bixby development were not allowed to conduct a campaign inside Leisure World.

Of the countless clubs and organizations represented in Leisure World, only two had the courage to authorize an opponent of the Bixby project to address their members. A note of thanks to the Kiwanis Club and the Democratic Club of Leisure World for their fairness.

Pleas to other clubs and organizations for the privilege of speaking against the Bixby project were either ignored or summarily rejected.

Is this the democratic process at work? Does campaigning fair play only exist outside the walls of Leisure World in Seal Beach?

Isn’t it ironic that an area of our city with 42% of the total registered voters is “off limits” for election campaigning unless you have the money for a campaign by mail and an invitation by the hierarchy of that area to present “the other side of the issue”?

This situation must be halted, whether by action from our residents (including those inside those walls) or by our courts.

SMITTY CLIFT

Seal Beach