Sunset residents rights denied
Having just reviewed the Independent News article published on Aug. 25, concerning the injunction ruling by the court, there remains ambiguity over whether or not an appeal will be filed within the next 30 days.
Apparently not only are voter rights at stake, but apparently there have been many misgiving occurrences by Huntington Beach officials using suspicious tactics and filings to delude LAFCO into denying our application even after we were advised back in September that we were one step away of receiving the right to vote for incorporation.
In follow-up to gone-by news related to the Sept. 2, 2010 article, Sunset Beach residents bought its fire station, placed three women on the board, and then filed its injunction.
Hopefully, we will continue to fight for what is right, the right to be free, and the right to remain Sunset Beach!
Jansese Johnsen
Sunset Beach
Rossmoor’s Last Commercial Property
Los Alamitos has long coveted Rossmoor Village shopping center, the “fourth corner” of Los Alamitos Boulevard and Katella Avenue (home to the Fish Company, car wash and other businesses). With help from our elected Supervisor John Moorlach, Los Alamitos is effectively starting the process to annex this corner.
Note that they have no interest in Rossmoor, only $600,000 in sales and property tax revenue from the commercial businesses in Rossmoor Village.
The long-term impact on Rossmoor would be twofold. First, it would severely undermine our ability to remain independent, either unincorporated or as a future city should residents ever desire to pursue that option again. Second, we would lose major bargaining power if we were ever to be annexed by Los Alamitos or Seal Beach.
The short-term impacts are more immediate. The county would be giving up over $600,000 in tax revenue to Los Alamitos. What can we expect? For starters, reduced levels of service, and probably reduced funding for the RCSD as well. Some of the county services we currently receive could be transferred to Los Alamitos, an idea promoted by Mr. Moorlach, allowing Los Alamitos to effectively control the services to Rossmoor. If we think the new services provided by the city are unsatisfactory, our only recourse is to complain to our elected supervisor, who has already decided to throw us under the bus.
Many people are still unhappy about the loss of Rossmoor Center to Seal Beach in the 1960s. If the citizens of Rossmoor don’t sit up and take notice, the same thing is about to happen again. Those interested in preserving Rossmoor Village as part of Rossmoor can become involved in the Rossmoor Preservation Committee by sending an e-mail to rpc@rossmoor-rha.org.
Michael V. Sanders
Rossmoor
Root of education problems
In response to Mr. Cohen’s letter, “Stop our state education plummet,” in the Sept. 1 edition of the Sun, I would like to offer some insights into the deterioration of our State College system, and more broadly all publicly operated segments of the state: entitlements, medicare, education, pensions, welfare, etc.
The [financial] burdens of the state are significantly greater than our revenues. Progressive Legislator’s in Sacramento for decade’s have expanded the breadth and depth of spending profligacy. Many want to raise taxes to cover the [perennial] shortfall. California is already considered the worst state in the nation to operate a business (taxes/regulations). Increasing taxes would further push producers to greener pastures.(Texas, overseas, etc.). We must begin to cut spending.
Here are a couple thoughts on higher education. We track too many kids to college. While I support the analysis that you presented regarding the earnings potential of college graduates, what needs to be factored is: The preparedness (or lack thereof) of high school graduates, the number of college dropouts (estimated at 45 percent), and the number of both graduates and non-grad’s with high student loan debt. student loan debt just surpassed credit card debt ($550 billion).
High school students unprepared to handle the rigors of college could be tracked to trade, or service programs. this would free up resources at the state college level that could better focus on the students who would most benefit from the great institutions that you were part of supporting. a win for college-capable, and for non-college-capable kids. i just read, and would recommend an op-ed written by a community college English teacher. Google: “The Atlantic in the Basement of the Ivory Tower.”
Earick Ward
Seal Beach
Where is District # 3’s Councilman????
In response to Mr. Dampman’s suggestion of “ contacting your councilperson,” I have done that very thing, at least three times, over the course of Mr. Gordon Shanks’ tenure and he has not ONCE had the common courtesy to respond! Am I not paying his wage as a Seal Beach city resident of District Three?? I have sent three letters and or called Mr. Shanks regarding different concerns and he has never answered my questions. I know I am not the only one who is not part of his “group” but what are we getting in return for his $8,000+ salary that is paid by his constituents? Mr. Shanks, please take a lesson from our new District 3’s Planning Commissioner Robert Goldberg and answer your mail/messages! Mr. Goldberg must be commended on his PROMPT and COURTEOUS response to our concerns about a recent issue in our district.
Kathy Parker
Seal Beach
Alarmed at city employee benefits
Regarding Mr. Dampman’s response to the article regarding the 18 city employees salaries:
It is refreshing to hear that someone else is alarmed at not only the compensation, but in particular the incredible pension benefits awarded the listed city employees (“Seal Beach posts officials’ salaries,” Sun Newspapers, Thursday, Aug. 25). In this current economy, myself and most others in the private sector would feel they won the lottery if they were able to receive such guaranteed pensions and benefits. For life.
Unless enough of us speak at the council sessions and complain, they will continue to vote themselves cost of living raises, step raises, and other “automatic” compensation upgrades. We are currently in one of the most challenging economic periods in history, and many of our city employees continue to live in their own world, feeling impervious to the economic reality that is outside their “bubble.” I am also weary of the Council claiming that they need to provide this level of compensation and benefits to attract quality candidates to our city. There are many, many qualified individuals available, and at a relative bargain, who would be more than willing to fill all the positions.
Mark Dennison
Seal Beach
