Negative View Won’t Help Surf City Progress

Re “Surf City May Soon Sport Scruffy Look,” July 26:

The negative, doomsday pronouncements of city officials provide an excellent example of how politicians and government employees handle problems and challenges. First, they want to scold us by implying we have only ourselves to blame because we object to increased taxes, and then, instead of describing what will be done to manage the city, they tell us what can’t be done. How long would that kind of negative, no-can-do philosophy ensure their continued employment as a manager in the private sector?

One would think that at least one senior official would step up with a positive attitude and a plan for more efficient use of funds and personnel. The truth might be that there will have to be one or two fewer observers at the work site, and perhaps a smaller number of city employees driving around in city-owned vehicles.

How does this negative outlook, which predicts a scruffy Surf City, contribute to the success of the new, multimillion-dollar beach resort, which has recently opened? Perhaps managers should manage more and talk less.

Barkley and Lea Yarborough

Huntington Beach