HUNTINGTON BEACH : Council Candidates Speak on Initiatives

City Council candidates at a forum this week stated their positions on the controversial Pierside Village project and dueling ballot measures dealing with sales and leases of the city’s beach and parklands.

Tuesday night’s event, sponsored by the Huntington Harbour Property Owners Assn., marked the first time in the campaign that candidates were asked to take stands on the divisive issues.

One of the ballot items, Measure C, is a proposed City Charter amendment backed by growth-limitation activists that would forbid the city from selling or leasing any beach or parkland without approval of the city’s voters.

A proposal that a council majority placed on the ballot to rival the citizens’ initiative, Measure D, would require a citywide vote before any sales, but would allow leasing of any portion of the beach and parklands.

Councilwoman Grace Winchell, the only incumbent running for one of four seats, reiterated her support for Measure C and opposition to Measure D. Challengers George E. Arnold, Mark Porter and Dirk Voss joined her.

Winchell, sounding a familiar campaign theme that she represents citizens’ concerns rather than those of large developers, said to a roomful of harbor residents: “What Measure C is all about is asking what do you want” built in parks and beaches, “not just what five people on the council want.”

Former Councilman Jack Kelly, an ardent redevelopment advocate, argued against Measure C, which he charged is backed by “elitist” elements in the city, while favoring Measure D. “Developers are being made out to be these bad, evil people, and they’re not. We need them,” Kelly said.

Former Police Chief Earle Robitaille, who also supports continuing the city’s growth through redevelopment, said he generally opposes both measures.

“I dislike government by initiative,” he said. “That’s the worst kind of government you can have.” He added, however, “if I had to make a choice, I’d go for (Measure) D.”

Challenger Linda Moulton-Patterson, who is backed by the city’s major slow-growth groups, said she favors “the concept of Measure C,” but plans to vote against both measures.

Challengers Ed Mountford, Tony Passannante and Steven J. Roy did not attend Tuesday’s forum. Passannante and Roy could not be reached for comment, but Mountford said he opposes both measures.

“We’ve gone initiative crazy,” Mountford said, referring to 28 state initiatives, one county measure and two city proposals on the Nov. 6 ballot. Rather than voters making laws at the ballot box, he said, they “ought to elect responsible representatives.”

Mountford also supports Pierside Village, a proposal to build at least two restaurants, plazas and promenades on 3.5 acres of the parking lot south of the Municipal Pier. Proponents say the project would attract more visitors to the downtown-beach area, while opponents contend it would ruin ocean views.

At the Huntington Harbour forum, Kelly was the only candidate who said he backs the project, which the Planning Commission is scheduled to consider at its Tuesday meeting--on Election Day.

Arnold, Moulton-Patterson, Porter, Voss and Winchell said they oppose the project. Robitaille said he could not state his position “with a yes or no answer.”

The forum also featured city attorney challenger Paul Eugene Mann; 2nd District Supervisor Harriet Weider and her opponent, Westminster Councilwoman Joy Neugebauer.