From: Erin Spivey
To: Burns, Pat
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: "Heritage" themes
Date: Saturday, December 16, 2023 1:35:56 PM
Pat! What a surprise to hear from you and for you to use your government issued email to insult my intelligence!
You claim "I’m fine with you disagreeing with the measure" and "differences of opinions (which I respectfully accept and appreciate" but then also say that my opinion is "disrespectful and attacks your message and your intelligence" and that "Your message is discredited by such bigotry."
I don't believe both of these can be true at the same
time.
So which is true? You respect your
constituent's difference of opinion? Or you find any difference of opinion
to be a disrespectful,
bigoted attack by people of lower intelligence?
Sadly, I wish my opinion about White Christian Nationalism playing a role here was an assumption!
Yet, your proposed "heritage" months do exactly what groups that support Christian nationalism do: they minimize the roles of people
other than White Christian men,
they remove mention of diversity from any government program, and are anti-inclusion on all levels.
One need simply look at the far right's call to end all DEI (diversity equity inclusion) to recognize it.
I encourage you to read any of the following:
https://www.aaup.org/article/curbing-dog-whistle-politics https://dailyutahchronicle.com/2023/04/24/langley-christian-nationalism/ https://www.christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org/learn-more While the historic achievements of White Christian men are undeniable in our country's founding, our community is much more.
These "heritage" months erase the efforts of all
others.
I wish we lived in a society that is ACTUALLY free of racism, sexism, homophobia, etc, but sadly that is not reality.
As a society we must continue to highlight the input of all members of society, not just those that look like those who signed the Declaration of Independence, until we can live in a country without bigotry.
The point of my original letter was to impress upon you and the rest of the city council that your "heritage" months only focus on the works of White Christian men.
That is not
Huntington Beach.
Huntington Beach is a beautiful tapestry of people of all backgrounds, faiths, and genders.
I want to live in a city that recognizes all of her citizens, not merely the ones that look and talk like you.
I don't expect you to understand this point because you are not interested in hearing this point or the people it represents.
I am deeply saddened that you would resort to name calling and insults rather than address the real concerns of your constituents.
I am saddened but not surprised.
As a Christian myself, I will pray that God opens your eyes and reminds you of your duty to love all of God's children.
Sincerely, 12/19/2023
25 (23-1063)
Erin
On Sat, Dec 16, 2023 at 11:51 AM Burns, Pat <[email protected]> wrote:
Erin, I’m fine with you disagreeing with the measure but why do you have to assume that there is some “Christian Nationalist agenda”. That is disrespectful and attacks your message and your intelligence on the foundation of the item. I value input from every walk of life, young/old, racially varied, gender, religion…even “White, Christian men”. Your message is discredited by such bigotry. Once we can rid our society of such shameful and hateful attitudes and beliefs, the sooner we can live and work together as productive servants to our community and respect differences of opinions (which I respectfully accept and appreciate).
Pat Burns
From: Erin Spivey <[email protected]
>
Sent: Friday, December 15, 2023 12:23 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: "Heritage" themes
To the Huntington Beach City Council,
I am yet again writing to express my dismay at your clear attempts to further marginalize minority groups within Huntington Beach and to further your White Christian nationalist agenda.
This latest resolution regarding months of "heritage" themes is a list of talking points straight out of the alt-right handbook, which seeks to replace the diverse history of the United States with a version that highlights only the input of White, Christian men.
Specifically noteworthy is the line included: "This series would be intended to be free of any identity politics and political agendas."
That is clearly not the truth when all of the people identified in the list of Heritage months are only White, Christian men.
These monthly themes erase all of the contributions made by people of color in HB, California, and the United States. These themes also completely erase the important, vibrant Hispanic and Indigenous communities that lived here in Huntington Beach before the US arrived, and continue to live here!
Also particularly noteworthy is the unsubtle attempt to usurp the Library's independence in setting up their own programming schedule recognizing such months as Pride Month, Asian and Pacific Islander American Month, Women's Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, among others.
Will the four far right members of the City Council now prohibit mentioning these groups during their respective months? What consequences will the library face if they don't adhere to the new White Christian nationalist agenda?
These questions are not hyperbolic as their resolutions claims:
"All monthly themes hosted by the City must be included in this approved twelve-month program and will therefore repeal and supersede all such monthly themes/celebrations previously approved by Council."
The far right council members are so out of step with the public on nearly every issue and they continue to push these culture war ideas that are antithetical to the desires of the Huntington Beach populace. These measures continue to drive away businesses and tourists from our community, as well as drive a wider gap between our residents.
As always, the far right four should be ashamed of themselves.
Erin Spivey
Lifelong resident
From: p q
To: [email protected]
Subject: Monthly historic heritage proposal
Date: Saturday, December 16, 2023 9:28:51 PM
Councilmembers,
As a City we have very critical needs. At present we have an interim City Manager who is also our Police Chief. We have budgetary concerns. Public safety and public works should be our prime focus. Please focus on our immediate critical needs and consider this historic heritage proposal when our critical needs have been met.
Thank you.
Pat Quintana
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: In Opposition to Agenda Item #25-December 19 CC Meeting Date: Monday, December 18, 2023 10:17:52 AM
From: Carol Daus <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2023 10:58 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: In Opposition to Agenda Item #25-December 19 CC Meeting
Dear City Council Members,
I am opposed to Agenda #25 proposed by Mayor Van Der Mark, Mayor Pro Tem Burns and Council Member McKeon for two main reasons:
1) This proposal is a waste of time, money and resources since the city’s schools, library, and arts programs already honor and provide awareness about the rich historic heritage of the U.S., State of California, and City of Huntington Beach. We should leave it to educators and professionals to handle these types of programs, not citizen volunteers who have a political agenda. Plus why are you adding this committee when you recently deleted boards and commissions, citing costs?
2) This proposal does not recognize the diverse range of residents in our city nor the groups that these individuals belong to even though they are also part of the rich historic heritage of the U.S., State of California, and City of Huntington Beach. There’s no mention of Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, LGBTQ Pride Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, etc. Even women are barely given a mention.
It's laughable (if it weren’t so mean-spirited) that just 7-9 residents appointed by two council liaisons would develop the curriculum. Residents, non-residents, and tourists can see that this reeks of identity politics and political agendas, which is what you falsely claim you are trying to prevent!
Finally, shame on you for designating “We Love Our Libraries” for August after everything you’ve done to weaken and wreak havoc within our library system. You can’t even get the month right. The HBPL’s summer reading program starts in June and ENDS in early August. This would be the worst month for that monthly program. Did you even get any input from our librarians?
Sincerely,
Carol Daus
Huntington Beach resident, 28 years
From: Julie Ault
To: [email protected]
Subject: Against Agenda Item 25 (23-1063) Meeting date 12/19/2023 Date: Monday, December 18, 2023 5:30:26 PM
Please accept this correspondence as a vote against the adoption of this agenda item. This proposal yet again attempts to strip the professional library staff of its power to provide broad and inclusive educational programming. Particularly offensive in the proposed alternate monthly tax funded programming is holding a civil war reenactment in central park. The civil war was one of the darkest times in our history, where citizens fought against one another and approximately 620,000 died. Glorifying such an event with a reenactment is at best macabre. This sad proposed public event is juxtaposed with the bizarre suggestion of using November to highlight the oil industry, which has left the City with a toxic fumes and other contaminants which impact public safety. Yet again, this seems to be an attempt to overhaul a program that is not broken without establishing a need.
Personal right wing agendas of councilmembers have been pressed on this community already, despite overwhelming opposition from the community. Council members are elected to serve the community they represent, yet this counsel seems to be taking actions for the media attention rather than to provide representation of the citizens on matters of concern in the community. We are watching and will be voting.
Julie A. Ault, Esq.
92648
From: Elizabeth SanFilippo
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Monthly Program of Historic Heritage -- Oppose Date: Monday, December 18, 2023 7:48:10 PM
As a resident of Huntington Beach and homeowner for more than 30 years, I am opposed to the proposal to an establish monthly historic heritage program. While I am in favor of celebrating and learning from history, this approach is unnecessary.
The Huntington Beach Historical Society is a respected nonprofit that has offered great programs and events in our city. They have already scheduled the American Revolution event and the Civil War Days in Central Park in 2024. Civil War Days will occur in September, which does not align with your proposed schedule. For more than 30 years, Huntington Beach has had Civil War Days. If we want to promote Huntington Beach history it should be in cooperation with this organization.
Also, our nation has designated certain months to recognize and respect people including Asian American Month, Black History Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, and Older Americans Month. We need to demonstrate our respect and participate in these observances.
Finally, I am concerned about the cost impact of this unnecessary proposal.
Thank you for your consideration.
Elizabeth San Filippo
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Comment on Monthly Heritage Program, 12-19-23 cc mtg.
Date: Tuesday, December 19, 2023 9:02:34 AM
From: Dan Jamieson <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2023 8:35 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Comment on Monthly Heritage Program, 12-19-23 cc mtg.
Dear HB council:
Please vote NO on the Monthly Heritage Program proposal.
It's unclear why this program is needed. It may be well intended, but it appears to harbor an underlying agenda to end what the council majority feels is too much "identity politics" in existing themes and celebrations undertaken by the city. As such, the proposal would "supersede all such monthly themes/celebrations previously approved by Council." We don't need the city council micromanaging what programs our library or community services department sponsors.
I would respectfully suggest that the council's time and attention would be better spent focusing on the larger issues the council majority ran on. For example, former mayor Strickland and others have rightly pointed out that the county is responsible for dealing with the homelessness problem. The county board of supervisors is still under Republican control, as it has been for many years. Ideally, councilmember Strickland and other Republican members of the council would use their connections with county leaders--and engage with other cities--to ensure the county meets its responsibilities in supporting the unhoused population.
Thank you for your consideration of my suggestions.
Sincerely,
Dan Jamieson
Huntington Beach
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: Bad city publicity and Stupid Themes
Date: Monday, December 18, 2023 10:17:27 AM
From: Linda Moon <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, December 15, 2023 8:50 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Bad city publicity and Stupid Themes
City Councilmembers
You have now made us famous for all the wrong reasons. I suppose that only the minority of you even read the LA Times, but much of the rest of the world has already seen this article, published on the front page of the Times print edition today. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-12- 13/huntington-beach-sticking-it-to-woke-california-at-what-cost-to-residents
Now you wish to honor our "history" per your own distorted interpretation by stupid monthly themes? How about promoting the use of an uncensored professionally run public library so that residents can learn history as recounted by real historians?
Even those who voted for you are seeing the light. You are willing to slash the city services and amenities we rely on to promote your authoritarian evangelical agenda. We are no longer proud to live in Huntington Beach.
Linda Sapiro Moon
Huntington Beach