BUENA PARK : Veterans’ Hall Faces Shutdown

Navy veteran Ray Czarnecki was eligible to join a Veterans of Foreign Wars post after he finished his combat duty in World War II, but he wanted to get away from military life for a while.

Retired for more than 15 years and with his children grown, Czarnecki decided to join Buena Park VFW Post 8954. Now he considers it his second home.

Army veteran Stan Delmore of La Habra, an artillery man who served two tours in Vietnam, found immediate relief coming to the hall. A victim of post traumatic stress disorder, he still finds it hard to trust anyone but a fellow veteran.

Since 1964, the modest building on Homewood Avenue, with its tin siding bedecked with an American flag, has been a gathering place for veterans from all over Orange County.

But, embroiled in controversy for the last two years, the post is on the verge of being shut down after 27 years. The Planning Commission on Feb. 20 voted to revoke its operating permit, leaving the 450-member organization with one final option--pleading with the City Council for a reprieve.

“It is not just about a bar. It is not just about drinking,” said Delmore, sitting in the main hall decorated with the pictures of 28 former post commanders. “It isn’t anything but four walls . . . but it is ours.”

However, city officials say shutting them down is the only thing they can do to stop a growing nuisance.

For two years, neighbors have complained that excessive trash and noise result when the hall is rented to outside parties. Police records, dotted with incidents ranging from minor fights to a gang shooting, attest to the residents’ complaints.

In 1985, 12 people were arrested at a wedding when a pushing match between two ushers escalated into a 100-person brawl that included the bride and groom. In 1989, another wedding ended with a drive-by shooting. No one was injured, but the incident left neighbors frightened and angry.

“My 9-year-old son was standing in the window that night (when) gunshots were fired,” said Bob Madison, who lives next door to the hall. “He could have been hit.”

In a petition given to the City Council, the residents outlined their concerns.

“They leave alcohol containers on our lawns . . . and use our property as bathroom facilities,” the petition stated. “Many of us are homeowners and have lived here since the veterans bought the property and, in respect for our veterans, have kept silent. We feel we can do so no longer.”

Under mounting pressure, the City Council eventually placed several restrictions on the veterans’ operation. They weren’t allowed to rent the hall to outside groups and also were required to provide a parking lot.

For the last year, the post has abided by most of the restrictions. But with no land available to construct a parking lot in the residential area, the post is unable to completely fulfill its obligation to the city.

City officials say they have no choice but to shut the facility if all of the restrictions are not met.

“Staff really has no option but to recommend revoking the use permit,” said Rick Warsinski, assistant director of the city Developmental Services Department. “It is a nuisance to those people who live there.”

Post members questioned why the parking problem has become an issue after 27 years. But, according to Andrew Arczynski, assistant city attorney, “that requirement has always been there. Why no one has enforced it is anybody’s best and worst guess.”

The veterans have obtained written permission to use a vacant lot across the street for parking, and even neighbors who complained have signed a petition saying cars on the street are not a problem.

Since word of the possible eviction has spread, some of the residents, including Madison, have softened their stance somewhat.

“I don’t know if shutting them down is the right thing to do,” he said. “We are not trying to get rid of the veterans, we are just trying to get rid of a problem.”