Bullet Threats Do No One Any Good

* Amid the anger, anxiety and search for answers regarding threats against the Seal Beach mayor and planning director (March 15), some erroneous assumptions have been made about development issues and Native American concerns at the Hellman Ranch property.

The dispute over Hellman Ranch development so far has centered on just one issue: Who is to receive the city’s archeological consulting contract?

People have been led to believe otherwise. According to several misleading reports, there is a heated dispute between Native Americans who don’t want burial grounds disturbed and a city that wants development to occur.

But it’s at best premature to debate this issue, because we haven’t even gotten past the question of which archeological consultant is to lay out a rational way to study the site.

Native Americans representing both the Juaneno and Gabrielino tribes are now assisting the city in selecting an archeological consultant. Until that is done, nobody really knows if the site contains any historic or sacred artifacts.

If it turns out the site does have remains or important artifacts, they will be handled with sensitivity and as set forth by law.

From day one of the development proposal, the City Council has publicly promised to honor and respect Native American interests at Hellman Ranch and to do everything necessary within the law and within standards of respect and decency to preserve any significant Native American artifacts if they are found to exist.

The bullets in the mail and other mean-spirited intimidation efforts against Seal Beach officials may or may not be connected to the archeological issues at Hellman Ranch as many have assumed.

Whether or not this is the case it is a reprehensible act and one that will not further Native American or any other interests.

KEITH TILL

City Manager

Seal Beach