Huntington Beach Mayor Has His Say

* Trial by Ink! Absurd! Lynching by Headline--absolutely unnecessary. (“Scores of Garofalo’s Votes Favored Business’ Advertisers,” June 25). One would expect the infamous Poison Pen from a substantially lesser newspaper.

I have given no less than 10 news interviews. I have acknowledged that an incorrect renewal of a DBA [a “doing business as” form] was mistakenly, but innocently, sent in to a newspaper causing the appearance, created by me, that I owned a business I had previously sold. I have stated that a check, one out of a thousand, came in made out to the corporation that I do own and was then immediately and properly endorsed and deposited in the rightful account.

A major political opponent filed (I am told) an 86-page complaint against me with the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). I have responded to the questions I have been given through the city attorney. I have accurately filed my disclosure documents with the appropriate state agencies.

This is about Bolsa Chica, like so many other things in Huntington Beach. It’s about downtown redevelopment and the other issues that keep a really good city from being great. I’m on one side of these and other issues, and a very active if not militant group is on the other. I have opinions. I become the target.

I set the standard. I asked the city attorney for opinions long before the Times-owned sister paper (The Huntington Beach Independent), which I once was publisher of, began destroying my character. I’m obligated, and rightly so, to disclose my business to the proper authorities. I am doing that and will continue to do so. Let the process happen. I have been vindicated on every issue so far determined by the FPPC, including my participation in helping to start a much needed community bank.

In the best case, The Times may have been swayed by an underground press; in the worst case, The Times may have succumbed to some pretty poor reporting standards. I always have been, and will remain, accountable to the authorities in place.

Yes, I led a battle to have my community obtain a Wal-Mart. Yes, I signed the countywide ballot argument in favor of No on J (the jail initiative); what price must I pay for bringing my belief system to public office? When will elected officials in Huntington Beach, who don’t subscribe to environmental militarism and the complete devastation of the concept of property rights, be able to serve without this feeding frenzy on conspiratorial theories?

The end of this story is simple. The path to the truth is a well traveled road. The proper authorities will decide this while I continue to have to defend myself because of a sensationalistic press. All I ask is that the press not continue to try me and let the agencies involved do their job. Every business transaction I do is open to the public. Every client I have is a matter of public record. Not all are held to the same standard.

DAVE GAROFALO

Mayor, Huntington Beach

* I am writing in reference to a July 2 letter from U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) in which he found fault with The Times for your story about Huntington Beach Mayor Dave Garofalo.

It seems our fine congressman wants us to back off and let Dave get back to influence peddling! Wrong, Dana. Let me clue you in. The people of our city are fed up! We don’t want to be pushed around by your redevelopment agency. That’s why “Little Shell” wetland is still standing.

If you really want to do Mr. Garofalo a favor, keep out of it. You’re only making things worse for him. You may not realize it, but your credibility in Surf City is nearing zero.

JOE RACANO

Huntington Beach