Readers deserve balanced review I think it...

Readers deserve balanced review

I think it is irresponsible for you to publish a one-dimensional

movie review for the anarchist movie “Fahrenheit 9/11.”

I disagree with the liberal Bush-bashing evaluation given by

mud-slinging Jim Erwin.

I thought I was reading a movie review out of the left-wing Los

Angeles Times.

In case you haven’t noticed, we live in America, where open, fair

and balanced discussion should take place in a Democratic society.

You have tilted that balance unfairly in an election year the

direction of liberalism.

Shame on you.

STEVEN BROOKS

Huntington Beach

Review and movie a must-read, must-see

I would like to echo the sentiments expressed by Lois Vackar

(“Review of ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ on the money,” July 8) in her letter

complimenting Jim Erwin’s review of “Fahrenheit 9/11”. I think it is

one of the most important movie reviews I have seen in the

Independent.

I saw “Fahrenheit 9/11” on the first day of its release in Orange

County, and I can’t remember the last time a movie I attended

provoked more clapping, cheering, laughing and other demonstrations

of emotion among the audience members. It was a powerful and

insightful film regardless of one’s views on its maker, Michael

Moore.

“Fahrenheit 9/11” truly is a must-see for all voters who plan to

cast their ballots for president in November. I think Jim Erwin’s

treatment of the movie is a must-read for all who intend to do so.

TIM GEDDES

Huntington Beach

City did residents disservice this July 4

I just finished reading letters and articles (“Day shakes, doesn’t

stir,” July 8; “Fireworks show doesn’t make waves,” Editorial, July

8) in the Independent about how amazing the Huntington Beach City

Fourth of July Fireworks show was, and I began to wonder if I was

watching the same show.

Parked behind the Seacliff Village strip mall parking lot, I was

straining to see the fireworks behind City Hall. I knew it would be

crowded at the beach, but I figured with my 33 years’ life experience

in Huntington Beach, I would be able to find a spot to watch with a

clear view. But an unfortunate string of events that included

inadequate parking, closed streets (Pacific Coast Highway) and a city

more than willing to give parking citations to cars five minutes

before the fireworks show started prevented us from seeing much of

anything.

It’s sad that the city of Huntington Beach promotes an event so

much that it alienates its own residents. At least we didn’t pay $50

to be herded onto the pier for the 20 minutes of unorganized

pyrotechnics . I would have loved to share with my 19-month-old

daughter a special occasion and start a new Huntington Beach family

tradition in the city where her parents and grandparents grew up. The

city seems more interested in promoting itself as the biggest event

outside Las Vegas and making money than catering to its residents.

Sadly, this is the last Fourth of July I will spend in Huntington

Beach.

DON J. PETERSEN

Huntington Beach

City on the wrong track in condo issue

I find that one of the more interesting revelations to come out of

this whole apartment- to condo-conversion controversy is that the

city of Huntington Beach actually has an ordinance establishing the

“proper” ratio of rental housing to owner-occupied housing. The city

wants to make sure there is a “proper” amount of rental stock so

low-income housing is available. It is nothing less than left-wing

social engineering. Along with the low-income housing comes the need

for more police, code enforcement, parking enforcement, etc. What the

city should be encouraging is single-family, owner-occupied housing.

It never ceases to amaze me that a city as conservative as

Huntington Beach can have such liberal City Council members. I think

what has caused this is that even conservative Huntington Beach

voters want to preserve the Bolsa Chica, and because of that we end

up electing council members who are much more to the left than the

general population. Now that the end may be in sight to preserving

most of the Bolsa Chica, maybe we can elect council members who are

more in touch with the residents’ politics.

JIM L. BANKS

Huntington Beach

Skip electronic and use absentee ballots

There is a simple solution to the electronic voting machine. The

absentee ballot. One doesn’t have to be out of town to use this

method. Once a voter discovers how convenient it is, voting in the

comfort of one’s own home, they may never want to vote by any other

means. There will also be a “paper trail,” which the voting machine

doesn’t provide.

We speak from experience because we have been using this method in

the last several elections. You may apply for a permanent absentee

ballot through the Registrar of Voters, Orange County, online or by

calling (714) 567-7600.

MARY ANN AND RUSS GORDON

Huntington Beach

Sellers of condos should be accountable

I cannot understand why the Huntington Beach City Council has

determined that the homeowner is responsible for condo-conversion

fees. The sellers had to know those were apartments and not condos.

The sellers should be tracked down, prosecuted, fined and sued for

the fees due the city. This includes the current council member, who,

if involved, should resign her office.

JOHN AIGNER

Huntington Beach

City is victimizing its own residents

Obviously the Huntington Beach condo owners are being victimized

twice -- the second time by their own elected representatives. (Not

an unusual situation, unfortunately.)

MICKIE BURRUS

Huntington Beach

How can City Councilwoman Debbie Cook come up with blaming the

citizens who thought they were buying condos for the lack of low-cost

housing in this city? What kind of arrogance is this? The City

Council wants to add $20,000 to the already outrageous fees to

convert the condos. Unbelievable!

The city ordinance passed by the then-City Council is a joke. If

it has no provision to police the issue, why have it at all? Is not

this one of those vague laws the courts love to throw out all the

time?

The city is just begging to be sued. The title companies and real

estate people involved are who the city should be looking at. Maybe,

if the police chief ever finishes his investigation, some of these

crooks can be jailed. But I’m not holding my breath.

CURTIS CAMPBELL

Huntington Beach