READERS RESPOND

* AT ISSUE: An open letter from Fountain Valley Councilman Chuck

Conlosh accused colleagues of failing to investigate alleged wrongdoing

by high-level city officials.

Thank you, Chuck Conlosh, for bringing the worst kind of politics into

our civil community (“Flier divides Fountain Valley council,” Aug. 17). I

could not believe my eyes when I read the accusations leveled at the city

officials. These accusations were not backed up by any sort of details or

facts.

Conlosh’s remarks were inflammatory ... and divisive to our community.

If this is the way Conlosh intends on running his reelection campaign, I

would request he move to another community and take his mudslinging

politics with him.

The Concerned Citizens of Fountain Valley is nothing more than a group

of RV owners fighting to retain free RV storage on our streets. Conlosh

has found a group of RV owners willing to help him in his reelection

efforts. His platform is based solely on unsubstantiated claims of

wrongdoing and free RV storage on our streets.

Conlosh is unqualified for office. His remarks have proved this. I am

urging all of the citizens of Fountain Valley to go to the polls in

November and get rid of this loose cannon before he does some real damage

to our city.

PERRY GOLDSTEIN

Fountain Valley

As a local watchdog of our community, I must profess my utmost

admiration for Huntington Beach police officer and Fountain Valley Mayor

Pro Tem Chuck Conlosh.

This fine gentleman is one who is finally taking on the “old boy”

network ... in Fountain Valley.

It seemingly reeks of martial law. We must park all cars in a garage?

And what the heck is next? A “business casual” dress code for anybody

entering Fountain Valley? And make darn sure you drive a minivan with 2.5

kids and a dog, and no long or colored hair, tattoos or body piercings.

If we seek justice with the City Council, we are not only ignored, but

the tapes available are $40 and not compatible with normal VCRs, thus

forcing us to take off work to review the meetings on their machines.

This newly formed watchdog group has their hearts in the right place,

but the CBI [Citizens Bureau of Investigation] in Huntington Beach has

gone down this path many years ago, and I think it is rather unfortunate

that they did not seek advice from the local experts that have “been

there.”

I have not been a city employee supporter in the past, but I

personally support Chuck Conlosh as a leader in our community. Finally,

someone with the guts and wherewithal in Fountain Valley to take action.

JAMES H. BRIDGES

Huntington Beach

I suggest Lourdes Peterson and her organization, Concerned Citizens of

Fountain Valley, change its name to ... Self-centered Citizens Who Refuse

to Take Personal Responsibility for Their Actions.

It’s pathetic that such a tiny group of irresponsible recreational

vehicle and trailer owners have made parking on city streets such an

issue. The spirit of the law dictates that all vehicles will not be

parked continuously on streets for more than 72 hours. Some of the

“concerned citizens” say parking laws that were established in the 1960s

should not be applied to them. RV owners and others have never had the

right to park vehicles on our city streets. The cry that their personal

freedoms are under attack is just baloney.

Have a little respect for others and take personal responsibility for

your actions. Let’s all follow the long-established parking rules that

help to keep Fountain Valley a nice place to live.

LESTON TRUEBLOOD

Fountain Valley

After reading comments from the council members in response to a flier

passed out by Concerned Citizens of Fountain Valley, I was quite shocked.

Are they so unhappy or uncomfortable that we, the citizens, would

actually form a group to keep tabs on council members? Do they expect us

to sit back and do nothing? In regards to my trust in council members, I

have lost this for most of them. Concerned Citizens passed out a flier,

and the council made sure to bash our Mayor Pro Tem Chuck Conlosh, who

seems to be the only truthful council member on our panel. Yes, his

letter is very straightforward; that’s why I asked him to write one for

us. Chuck does not mince words for his benefit.

A committee was formed to give advice to the council on how problems

should be addressed, but instead of advice, these issues are put into

effect by the city manager, with the initial instructions that the city

has a new philosophy on parking. Where did this new philosophy come from?

Did the council ever vote or discuss it? If this discussion occurred, why

weren’t all of the council members informed? Where does the Brown Act

come into play in Fountain Valley?

We explained how hard and impossible it is to get a copy of a council

meeting to listen to. Fountain Valley residents, for the most part, do

work, and I had to take off work and drive from Irvine to make it

possible to listen to the tape at City Hall -- a luxury all residents do

not have at their disposal.

Even our mayor was quoted as saying our record speaks for itself. I

stress justice for a few is not a record I would want behind me.

Please make sure you are involved. Most of the council members have

been there for many years. I think it’s time for new blood in our city

government. Go to council meetings, express your disgust, nip current

problems in the bud before they get out of hand. Councilman Larry

Crandall wanted these views discussed in a public forum. Let’s make it

happen.

LOURDES PETERSON

Fountain Valley