Disagree but Get the Facts First

I would like to correct some misinformation contained in a letter published Feb. 2 from Ronald Hobbs of Huntington Beach, which attempted to link a development proposal by the Huntington Beach Union High School District to the successful campaign led by our (Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Assn. of Realtors) association last summer to defeat the property tax for school maintenance proposed by the West Orange County Schools Finance Authority and four school districts in the Huntington Beach, Westminster and Fountain Valley areas.

First, our association has not taken any position on the high school district’s proposed development plans and there is no relationship between the two issues.

Second, Mr. Hobbs’ assertion that members of the Huntington Beach Planning Commission were involved in our campaign to protect local property owners from the attempted misuse of the Lighting and Landscape Act by the school districts is simply incorrect.

In addition, I am pleased to report that several major developments have occurred since the rescission by the school districts of the tax: First, our association was honored by the California Assn. of Realtors with the 1991 Member Mobilization Award for our members’ outstanding efforts to inform the community about this issue; secondly, the California Supreme Court has agreed to address the illegal use of the Lighting and Landscape Act, and third, both Sen. Marian Bergeson and Sen. John Lewis have introduced legislation to address the use of this law and ensure that property owners are protected from misuse.

FLORENCE LUBOW-BELL, Huntington Beach. Florence Lubow-Bell is president of the Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley Assn. of Realtors.