From: Lynne Deakers
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Agenda item #8 and Agenda item 14
Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024 1:41:40 PM
#8: Considering the percentage of eligible voters in our local 2022 election was quite low, I am very concerned that the current block of 4 council members do not accurately represent the majority views of this wonderful welcoming community I have lived in for over 40 years. I take issue with the lack of representation I now have on the vast number of committees and boards of our city.
Of the appointments to committees made by our new mayor, Nataly Moser and Rhonda Bolton have two appointments both to the same committees. That is the extent of my representation. The other four council members who do not represent my views are on the other 32 committees and boards. This is not fair representation of our city’s diverse population and is most concerning to me and a large number of my neighbors and friends who love Huntington Beach. Please be open to more than just your personal views.
#14.
And speaking of personal views, I oppose
Mayor Pro Tem Burns recommendation of a
solidarity statement regarding border issues in the state of Texas. It is not the place of my city council representing citizens like me to issue a stand on issues involving another state’s fight with the federal government.
2/6/2024
14 (24-101)
From: Lynne Deakers
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Re: Agenda item #8 and Agenda item 14
Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024 1:44:50 PM
On Sat, Feb 3, 2024 at 1:41 PM Lynne Deakers <[email protected]> wrote:
#8: Considering the percentage of eligible voters in our local 2022 election was quite low, I am very concerned that the current block of 4 council members do not accurately represent the majority views of this wonderful welcoming community I have lived in for over 40 years. I take issue with the lack of representation I now have on the vast number of committees and boards of our city. Of the appointments to committees made by our new mayor, Nataly Moser and Rhonda Bolton have two appointments both to the same committees. That is the extent of my representation. The other four council members who do not represent my views are on the other 32 committees and boards. This is not fair representation of our city’s diverse population and is most concerning to me and a large number of my neighbors and friends who love Huntington Beach. Please be open to more than just your personal views.
#14. And speaking of personal views, I oppose Mayor Pro Tem Burns recommendation of a solidarity statement regarding border issues in the state of Texas. It is not the place of my city council representing citizens like me to issue a stand on issues involving another state’s fight with the federal government.
Lynne Deakers
From: thomas thomasanderson.net
To: [email protected]
Subject: NO on item 14, Statement of Solidarity with Texas Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024 3:49:50 PM
Dear City Council of the City of Huntington Beach,
Item 14, Statement of Solidarity with Texas, is a huge waste of time and completely inappropriate for a City Council in the State of California to be involved in.
It is an extremely dangerous road to go down when the City of Huntington Beach as a whole seeks to ignore the direction of the US Supreme Court, which at this point has nothing to do with the business of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach.
Why are we taking time and energy to dedicate council and staff time to this instead of focusing on issues in Huntington Beach?
How is taking pot shots at the President of the United States and the Governor of California going to help get our unhoused neighbors off the streets? This is a distraction and an embarrassment; performative MAGA politics should not be on a city council agenda. Personal beliefs of City Council members on this issue should not be brought to council as a representation of our city.
I would like to remind Council Member Burns that only about one-tenth of the Huntington Beach's residents voted for him. This does not constitute a majority in any sense.
Mr. Burns, turn off the Fox News echo chamber get back to trying to fix the very real issues facing Huntington Beach.
Sincerely,
Thomas Anderson,
16444 Bolsa Chica St Spc 22
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
From: tarrik and paula Shawa
To: [email protected]; Casey McKeon; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: No need for Texas solidarity
Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024 4:11:00 PM
Mr. Burns-
Please get on with business directly affecting our residents. Your proposal lacks merit, is wasteful and embarrassing for our citizens.
Council-
Please table this item or vote no if somehow it comes forward for your vote.
Thank you.
Tarrik Shawa
From: Lorraine Gayer
To: [email protected]
Subject: Objection to proposed "Statement of Solidarity with Texas" Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024 4:28:13 PM
Attachments: image.png
From: Mark Dixon
To: [email protected]
Subject: Violation of the Huntington Beach City Charter Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024 9:31:54 PM
Please reply RE our Charter allows the Council to address the interests of a state outside the borders of California, and whether it is legal to make a Statement of Solidarity with Texas.
The proposed Statement does not represent this resident! Thank you.
Mark W. Dixon
21612 Bahama Lane
92646
From: Carol Daus
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: 24-101- NO
Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 10:12:53 AM
Another City Council meeting, another political stunt from the majority council members. A statement of solidarity with Texas?? I shared this with my son, who lives in Texas, and he thought I was making it up. When I told him I was serious, he said, “Doesn’t the Huntington Beach City Council have more important things to do that involve Huntington Beach residents?”
There are city councils that strengthen their cities by ensuring fiscal stability, enhancing city services, improving infrastructure, and fostering a welcoming spirit for residents and visitors.
And then there are city councils that fail residents by taking risks with finances, weakening city services, ignoring infrastructure, and stoking & dividing the community with culture wars. You’ve managed to achieve the latter in just one year.
Your agenda item on Texas is so embarrassing and ill-conceived that even the media appears uninterested in such a rookie stunt, let alone Huntington Beach residents. It’s just political theater and serves no purpose.
While canvassing for ProtectHB during the past few weeks I’ve learned that residents on both sides of the aisle are completely exhausted by the “anti-woke”, DeSantis-style form of “shock” governance on display by the council majority. Many who voted for them feel let down. One older gentleman, a registered Republican, told me that he likens the council majority members to the former Democratic politician and governor of Alabama George Wallace. I’m old enough to remember Wallace, and ultimately his policies destroyed his political career.
Carol Daus
Huntington Beach resident for 29 years
From: Janet Michels
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Item #14 (24-101) on the February 6, 2024 City Council Agenda Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 11:00:23 AM
Dear City Council,
I am writing in response to the inclusion of this item in the upcoming agenda for the city of Huntington Beach City Council meeting. This item does not remotely have anything to do with the critical business of Huntington Beach that the City Council should be focusing their attention on. Mr. Burns has included an item that is not only NOT City business but is also raising an item that is intentionally divisive and will further incite the divisiveness promoted by this majority over the past year. It's time to use 2024 to focus on issues all HB residents will prioritize and support....a balanced budget, support of and replacement of HB City Staff and the attention to infrastructure issues needing attention.
Thank you.
Janet and Mike Michels
HB Residents since 2002.
--
Janet Michels
714.448.3095
From: David Rynerson
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Council member Burns Proposal
Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 1:12:30 PM
HB City Council -
Council member Burns' proposal to sign a declaration in support of Texas's defiance of a Supreme Court ruling just continues to demonstrate the council member's complete lack of qualifications for the job. His lack of seriousness about doing the job he was elected to do is alarming. All he really seems to care about is doing stunts to get attention and to annoy and upset a great percentage of the residents he's supposed to represent.
This proposal has absolutely nothing to do with the running of the City of Huntington Beach, and, as a consequence, it should be tabled without a vote. It's just a piece of immature grandstanding not worthy of anyone who claims to represent or govern our city.
Further, it is in opposition to the rule of law. If Burns really feels this way, he should move to Texas, or maybe Russia, where the respect for democratic institutions matches his. He would not be missed.
Sincerely,
David Rynerson
6272 Newbury Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
From: Caroline Brandenburger
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Regarding 24-101 Statement of Solidarity with Texas Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 3:14:22 PM
To All Huntington Beach City Council Members,
This email is in regards to Mr. Burns desire to adopt a Statement of Solidary with Texas. Why is Mr. Burns focusing attention on MAGA politics that have NOTHING to do with Huntington Beach, CA? I’d much rather see you focus your energy and time into the real problems of Huntington Beach. Some examples include homelessness, infrastructure and safety. Also, PCH between Warner and Seapoint constantly floods when it rains a lot – maybe work on a solution for this problem that effects the citizens of Huntington Beach. The residents of HB don’t want MAGA agendas and politics in Huntington Beach! It is time that you and the council majority start listening to the residents and take into consideration our public comments and concerns. Please stop the nonsense and start focusing on doing something of substance to help the residents of Huntington Beach.
-Caroline Brandenburger
44 year HB resident, home owner
From: Main Email
To: [email protected]
Subject: Statement of solidarity
Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 5:14:40 PM
I am disgusted with the direction of this city council majority. It’s crazy we need an unanimous vote to fly a flag at city hall but they can vote to approve solidarity with another state. The majority cannot stand by to support its citizens who are LGBQT, but can support a state that represents lawlessness. Huntington Beach city council majority thinks it is above the law, can pick and choose the rules they want applied to us.
This city council is temporary and they should not be allowed the power to completely ruin our city’s vulnerable reputation as fair and lawful with this tactic for their personal notoriety.
Denise Wada
From: Jennifer LaBounty
To: [email protected]
Subject: Oppose statement of solidarity with Texas
Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 7:17:39 PM
I am disgusted and alarmed after reading the “Statement of Standing in Solidarity with Texas,” submitted by Pat Burns to the HB City Council for review, signature, and endorsement. This city council has already shown a lack of humanity, critical thinking, and good judgment! Endorsement of this statement is too far! As city officials, you are supposed to use your positions to support and advocate for the ALL the residents of HB, not just your conspiracy theorists who only support their own illogical claims and uneducated self interests.
This is shameful and embarrassing! You must not sign!
Jennifer LaBounty
From: Sheila Ellis
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Road repairs
Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 7:28:55 PM
Attachments: image.png
Rather than the council taking care of the City's unhoused or infrastructure needs, the majority is again fear mongering and sticking their noses where they don't belong. Goldenwest is like a patchwork quilt. But, the council majority feels their energy is better spent tackling a false "invasion."
Huntington Beach does NOT support Greg Abbott's attack on human beings and direct refusal to follow the Supreme Court's order. If you would like to support him, pack up your Trump flag in your truck and join the convoy. Leave the rest of us out of your hateful statement.
The food you eat was planted by, tended to, harvested and processed by migrants doing jobs Americans deem below them. They have paid billions of dollars in taxes, social security, medicare, etc. of which they will never receive any benefit. I would feel much safer living next to migrants working hard to provide a better life for their families than hateful citizens. --
Sheila Ellis
(She/Her)
From: Douglas Hart
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Burns Immigration Letter
Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024 8:07:43 PM
Another City Council meeting, another MAGA performative political action by the Gang of 4. Mr. Burns has proposed that the City of Huntington Beach send a supportive letter to the Governor of Texas indicating that the City supports his actions at the Texas international border with Mexico. These actions, as determined by the Supreme Court, violate the Constitution. The Texas government has chosen to illegally ignore the Court’s order. So, it would seem that Mr. Burns (and presumably the others in the Council majority) support Unconstitutional and illegal actions by a state Government. This suggests that the Council majority might support other Unconstitutional or illegal actions. It is galling that the Council majority seems to think that the residents of Huntington Beach would support something like that. If they, as private citizens, want to send letters to the Governor of Texas, they are free to do that. They, as my representatives, are not. If they are truly concerned about national immigration policy, perhaps they should send letters to the Republicans in Congress that have been, for political reasons, holding up a bipartisan immigration reform bill.
This political letter that falsely represents the positions of the citizens of Huntington Beach should be placed in the circular file where it belongs. Maybe if the Council majority would spend some effort on making the City better and less time on political gestures, they might actually accomplish something useful for the citizens of the City.
Douglas Hart
5221 Chadwick Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: Opposition to Item 14 (24-107) Statement of Solidarity With Texas Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 8:06:06 AM
From: Rick DUFRESNE <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 4, 2024 9:00 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Opposition to Item 14 (24-107) Statement of Solidarity With Texas
Dear HB Council Members, I strongly urge
you to vote no on Mr. Pat Burns, Mayor Pro-Tem,
“Statement of Solidarity with Texas”. (Item 14 – (24-107) I feel the City Council should be focused on improvements in our city of Huntington Beach. Currently there are so many things to focus on, some that come to mine are:
Rhone Lane debacle,
Our upcoming budget short fall,
Suppling the community with the cost if Charter Amendment A passes. (before it is voted on) Finding a new City Manager.
Creative and new solutions to address homelessness
Support/Assistance for our seniors who reside in mobile home parks Besides not being a HB issue, this our political system; Federal Law supersedes State law and State law supersedes local law. So, I believe Governor Abbott is going down the wrong path. Also this issue has gone before the Supreme Court, does not seem right for a governor to disregard the Supreme direction.
Unfortanely, I also believe no matter how public many comments not supporting this statement it will pass by the current city council majority. We have seen this time and again this past year. Please focus on real Huntington Beach issues,
vote no on Item 14 (24-107) on Tuesday evening.
Respectfully, A 33 year resident of Huntington Beach
Rick DuFresne,
(310) 480-3713
Sent from Mail
for Windows
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: Statement of solidarity with Texas
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 8:06:10 AM
From: Alan Bonowitz <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 4, 2024 8:32 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Statement of solidarity with Texas
Don't do this.
We supposedly live in a country of laws. What Texas is doing by going against a Supreme Court ruling not only sets a dangerous precedent but is AGAINST THE LAW.
Think about it: By moving forward with this ill-advised piece of performance art, you are licensing local citizenry to ignore laws that you pass. You can't seriously support that?!
Agree or disagree, rulings made by the Supreme Court help establish the law of the land.
Ignoring them invites chaos. When I disagree with one of its rulings, I work to elect lawmakers who will write better laws and/or politicians who are more aligned with my beliefs.
That's what Governor Abbott SHOULD do, and that's what you should do as well.
Think long and hard about the message you are sending. Do not bring additional embarrassment to our community.
Al Bonowitz
4791 Lago Drive Apr 306
Huntington Beach
.
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: 2-6-24 HBCC Agenda Item #14
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 8:06:35 AM
From: Tim Geddes <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 4, 2024 2:40 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: 2-6-24 HBCC Agenda Item #14
Dear Mayor and CIty Council,
I am angered and outraged by the introduction of Agenda Item #14 by Mayor Pro Tem ("Don't call me Commissar") Pat Burns ("Statement of Solidarity with Texas")! Not only does this blatantly partisan statement have nothing to do with Huntington Beach (other than bashing the Council majority's opponents), it is prescriptive and deliberately provocative. Many citizens are disgusted with a misrepresentation being foisted upon our citizenry that purports to reflect our city's views.
It is too bad that we do not have a moderate City Attorney who can provide some sage counsel in steering away from such civically insensitive moves by a rookie Councilman who relishes the brute force approach which comes with his Council majority's apparent blessing. Has the Mayor Pro Tem no shame?! Is he trying to "one up" banning the Pride Flag? Is this not DIVISIVE in the extreme?! Is this really the kind of constructive contribution an elected official is supposed to provide to a community with many real challenges affecting our residents? Or is the Council majority so intent on poisoning the civic well that any attempt at temperateness falls on deaf ears. I urge the City Council to withdraw this Item from the Agenda (I would have censured Mayor Pro Tem Pat Burns for his truculence). It is not in the best interest of our city and its reputation (battered as it is now becoming) to be tilting at partisan windmills in this fashion. What do we gain from this belligerence?!
Sincerely,
Tim Geddes
Concerned Citizen, Homeowner, 40 Year Resident
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: Texas border???
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 8:06:40 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Maros Mark Kocan <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 4, 2024 1:37 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Texas border???
Are you all out and of your mind???
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: Statement of Solidarity with Texas
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 8:07:01 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Neufeld <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 4, 2024 11:27 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Statement of Solidarity with Texas
To those supporting this statement:
Huntington Beach has been part of my life since 1975 when as a young man I moved back to my home state of California. Later, my career took me away from CA in 1990 but returned in 1995 to start my own manufacturing business in Huntington Beach. My business grew into a nice mid-sized business which I finally sold in 2021.
While I was considering different buyers, a foreign company told me something that made me very proud to have my business in Huntington Beach. They said most everyone in the world wants to live in the US; most of the people in the US want to move to California and those who live in California want to live on the coast. My pride swelled in being a long time resident of Huntington Beach.
This Statement of Solidarity with Texas is only one example of the actions the current city council has made since the “Fab 4” have been part of our city council that now actually makes me embarrassed to say I am from Huntington Beach. Our city has become a laughing stock to not only many Californians but many reasonable people across the country. Each of you is allowed to have your own opinion on national politics but your duty as a city council member is to do what is best for the whole of Huntington Beach not just those who think like you do. Publicly supporting the views of any state in conflict with the Federal government is fine as an individual but not as a representative of our city.
The other actions of the “Fab 4” that raise quite a bit of concern with many of the silent majority in Huntington Beach include the non-disclosure of the huge settlement with the Airshow organizer, the divisive actions around allowable city flags, book bans and general MAGA movements. With the actions and attitudes of the majority of the city council, I can only imagine what the next move might be.
According to public records, there are over 100,000 registered voters in Huntington Beach. Local politics seldom bring out many of the voters as proven when the winning number of votes for city council were a little over 20,000.
As each registered voter was allowed to pick four candidates, there were theoretically 400,000 votes that could be cast for city council. 20,000 to 25,000 votes is a very small portion of the available votes to be cast. Perhaps the actions of this current city council will make those who chose not to vote in local politics last time revisit the need to have their voices heard. You have a choice to stop the insanity and bring back patience, reason and pride in our wonderful city.
Thank you for your time,
Dan Neufeld, a concerned long time resident of Huntington Beach Sent from my iPad
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: I support you
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 8:07:33 AM
From: Daniel TAYLOR <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 4, 2024 10:24 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: I support you
City Council of Huntington Beach, CA,
My name is Dan Taylor. I grew up in Huntington Beach and lived in Costa Mesa as an adult. I presently live in Humble (near Houston), Texas now but I still have family in your city.
I support you 100% in your push-back to the State's agenda. The State's plan would ruin your city, for multiple reasons. In the end, it would be very bad for everyone, including the people it is meant to help.
I would even encourage you to push back against the DEI agenda for the simple reason that it will prove to be impossible to keep up with its constantly morphing requirements, which makes it expensive. Additionally, NOTHING beats the Christian Gospel message (particularly as expressed in Catholicism) for solving all manner of discrimination and every other evil idea mankind can come up with.
In closing, stick to your guns and hold your ground. I'm behind you, hoping and praying for your success and very happy that you're fighting back.
Your fellow patriot,
Dan Taylor
February 4, 2024
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: OPPOSED "Statement of Solidarity with Texas" Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 8:12:21 AM
Attachments: CITY COUNCIL 2_6_24.pdf
From: Diana Lithgow <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, February 3, 2024 8:23 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: OPPOSED "Statement of Solidarity with Texas"
City Council Members,
Please see attached letter of opposition for Tuesday's City Council meeting proposal on the Statement of Solidarity with Texas. I have copied it below as well.
Diana Lithgow
------------------
Feb 4, 2024
Re: HB City Council “Statement of Solidarity with Texas” proposal
Dear HB City Council,
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!? The suggestion to adopt and sign a “Statement of Solidarity with Texas” to defy the UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT’s decision that it is the jurisdiction of the US GOVERNMENT and not individual STATES to address US BORDER issues is AGAINST THE US CONSTITUTION.
STOP THIS MAGA GRANDSTANDING NONSENSE AND GET BACK TO HB CITY BUSINESS!
You are wasting our time, our money, and our much needed focus on something that has NOTHING to do with your role as a City Council.
We will see you Tuesday night at the Council meeting to address this face-to-face during public input time,
Diana and Douglas Lithgow
41-year Homeowners Huntington Beach City
19841 Flagstone Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
714-964-4145
Diana Lithgow, PhD, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Professor of Nursing
College of Graduate Nursing
Western University of Health Science
909-469-5523 (CGN Office)
[email protected]
Feb 4, 2024
Re: HB City Council “Statement of Solidarity with Texas” proposal
Dear HB City Council,
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!? The suggestion to adopt and sign a “Statement of Solidarity with Texas” to defy the UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT’s decision that it is the jurisdiction of the US GOVERNMENT and not individual STATES to address US BORDER issues is AGAINST THE US CONSTITUTION.
STOP THIS MAGA GRANDSTANDING NONSENSE AND GET BACK TO HB CITY BUSINESS!
You are wasting our time, our money, and our much needed focus on something that has NOTHING to do with your role as a City Council.
We will see you Tuesday night at the Council meeting to address this face-to-face during public input time,
Diana and Douglas Lithgow
41-year Homeowners Huntington Beach City
19841 Flagstone Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
714-964-4145
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: Statement of “Solidarity with Texas”
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 8:13:31 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Dee Turner <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, February 3, 2024 4:29 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Statement of “Solidarity with Texas”
Questions for the city council MAGAs:
Why can’t you work to solve the city’s problems instead of attempting to support secession which, btw, is completely illegal under our Constitution. It’s not enough for you to spend millions of our money on lawsuit settlements that should have been litigated and won? It’s not enough to waste millions more against the state on housing issues which 17 other cities have already LOST??? Newsflash, Mr. Gates—being a charter city doesn’t supersede state law, something you would know if you’d paid any attention in law school. Oh wait. You’re the guy who gave $7 million away on an issue we would’ve WON, again, if you’d learned anything in law school. The guy who wants to grandfather his wife in to a City Clerk position despite her being utterly unqualified. Yeh, let’s do a two-fer election for you both! (Who taught you at Chapman—Eastman???) This majority on city council reeks of wrong headedness. No, it’s straightforward corruption.
Could you please stop being MAGA for just the bit of time and money it would take to actually manage the city? Fix the potholes instead of trying to ban library books. This is not Fahrenheit 451.
You people have your priorities completely wrong. Quit wasting money that’s not yours to waste. Quit trying to make our city as base as MAGA and as utterly, incoherently wrong.
You clearly don’t represent me.
Concerned Citizen
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: February 6 Agenda Item 14 (24-101)
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 8:15:37 AM
From: Michele Burgess <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, February 2, 2024 8:34 AM
To: Burns, Pat <[email protected]>
Cc: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: February 6 Agenda Item 14 (24-101)
I appreciate your response, though you're speaking only for yourself and others with your view. I'm pretty sure that's not the opinion of the majority of Huntington Beach voters and you shouldn't be telling Governor Abbott it is. Write him a personal letter of support if you like, but don't drag our city into the controversy. We have enough problems here the way it is. None have to do with people crossing the border illegally in Texas, and a state governor flouting federal law.
Michele Burgess
On Friday, February 2, 2024 at 07:10:17 AM PST, Burns, Pat <[email protected]> wrote:
Ms.Burgess, sorry that we have different views on the matter of which you wrote. The open, negligent, and disrespectful open borders affects us all and puts all our citizens and communities in the USA at risk in many ways. Our laws are being ignored, our quality of life is greatly at risk and being eroded by every person entering our country illegally, and illegal entry is not being regulated….today the Biden Administration is suppressing the rights of Texas to protect itself, what or who is next. Our country is being threatened by the open borders and the threat is being ignored by the Biden (and Newsom) administrations. Was stand strong together or fall to ruin. Pat Burns Sent from my iPad
On Feb 1, 2024, at 2:42 PM, Michele Burgess <[email protected] > wrote:
A STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY WITH
TEXAS????
What on earth is wrong with this city council?
Partisanship seems to be the answer. The City
Council is supposed to represent the best interests of
the people of Huntington Beach, not only the
interests of those who vote Republican.
Why, then, is time being wasted composing
Democrat-bashing statements of solidarity with a
Republican governor in another state intent on taking
away the rights of numerous groups — including
women, people of color, LGBQT+ people, and
immigrants?
Comparing the Biden administration’s purported (not
actual) “open border” policy and Governor
Newsom’s housing mandates to Governor Abbott’s
horrific treatment of undocumented immigrants is
false equivalency. Neither Biden nor Newsom are
violating federal law, erecting razor wire that
endangers human lives, dumping undocumented
immigrants in other cities, or joking about shooting
immigrants if only it weren’t illegal.
Councilman Burns needs to quit injecting his
personal political beliefs into the City Council
agenda and concentrate more on things that actually
affect us right here in Huntington Beach — like
balancing the budget, resolving the homeless
problem, maintaining our city streets and
sidewalks, and doing something about the
speeding/noisy vehicles taking over our streets —
threatening our safety and disturbing the peace.
The misguided Statement of Solidarity with Texas
should be voted down and thrown in the trash where
it belongs. It’s one man’s opinion, not the general
consensus of the majority of citizens in our city.
Let’s not turn Huntington Beach into another Texas
or Florida. Enough damage has already been done
with the flag policy and library books. We’re
becoming the laughingstock of the nation.
Ms. Michele Burgess
Huntington Beach resident since 1961
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: City council duties
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 9:02:11 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: nora pedersen <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 5, 2024 8:54 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: City council duties
As an almost 40 year home owner in Huntington Beach, I would like you to know that when I vote for city council candidates, it is in expectation of a better tomorrow for our community. I am deeply disappointed about the council four for ignoring infrastructure needs, community services and a sane budget. It is time for you four to listen to the community. Do not privatize our libraries! Do not support racism in Texas. Do not bring expensive law suits to HB by ignoring state housing mandates. Do your job. Listen to all of us not just Christian White Nationalists. We are a diverse community and you are to represent all of us.
Nora Pedersen
Huntington Beach
Sent from my iPhone
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: Constitutional Violation
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 9:14:29 AM
From: Bobby Britton <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 5, 2024 9:09 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Constitutional Violation
Honorable City Council,
The proposed resolution for tomorrow's City Council Meeting, reference showing solidarity with Texas, is wrong. Texas is violating the constitution and voting to show solidarity does nothing, absolutely nothing positive for the constituents of Huntington Beach.
Put your efforts into issues of relevance in our City, no more political grandstanding. Instead, focus on your first 90 days in office contract that has not yet been completed.
Mr. Burns, I think your proposal is grossly irresponsible. I respectfully ask that you do not bring it up tomorrow night.
Respectfully,
Bobby Britton
619-944-1523
From: Chris Varga
To: [email protected]
Subject: Statement of Solidarity
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 9:41:30 AM
City Council Meeting 2/6/24, Agenda Item 14 (24-101)
I would like to voice my opposition to Councilman Burns Statement of Solidarity with Texas. This has no place in our city council meeting. This is just a political stunt. Once again, our four conservative council members will probably approve this item, because that is what they do. Probably precoordinated with the other members of the posse in violation to the Brown act. Stop wasting the city time on useless statements. Political show.
In the mean time how about fixing our roads and infrastructure! How about hiring a real city manager, if you can find somebody that will tolerate the posse and work for the best interests of the Huntington Beach citizens!
Sincerely
Chris Varga
Huntington Beach
P.S. – No on all Charter Changes! Stand up and vote these down. Show the posse they don’t have a clue what the majority of people in this city want.
From: Maureen Bekins
To: [email protected]
Subject: Opposition to Statement of Solidarity with Texas Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 12:10:41 PM
To Huntington Beach City Council Members:
As a homeowner in Huntington Beach for 46 years, I write to tell you I am embarrassed for my City. I am not in favor of the City of Huntington Beach sending a Statement of Solidarity with Texas as requested by Council Member Pat Burns. I feel this is yet another personal political item that our collective City Council Members should not be spending time considering. If the Council has run out of city governance items to focus on, I’m sure the citizenry would be happy to help provide items of actual concern within the City of Huntington Beach.
Respectfully,
Maureen Bekins
5752 Woodboro Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
From: Mary Martin Jim Aspaas
To: [email protected]
Subject: Comments for the HB City Council Meeting Feb. 6, 2024 Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 1:02:28 PM
To the members of the Huntington Beach City Council,
I am opposed and embarrassed by the Statement of Solidarity with Texas that a number of you have proposed. Why are you making statements such as this? The State of Texas has continued to be immoral in their approach to people who are seeking asylum due to many serious reasons. They are dumping these refugees all over the U.S., putting up razor fences and causing the deaths of many innocent men, women and children. This country's only original people were the Native Americans, everyone of us are immigrants, both legal and illegal. None of us, unless we are American Indian, are non-immigrants, including you.
Your statement is contrary to the Constitution and I do not want my city to speak for me against President Biden and Governor Newsom with such ridiculous analogies: "a 17 year old schoolyard bully slapping down an 8 year old child". Your statements do not sound like you are trying to "respectfully work together" but are extremely biased, are part of a far-right political agenda and do not represent me. Deal with more important issues in Huntington Beach instead of wasting your time and my taxes on your ridiculous extremist agendas.
Sincerely,
Mary Martin
17201 Hague Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
From: laura sire
To: [email protected]
Cc: Van Der Mark, Gracey; Strickland, Tony; [email protected]; Kalmick, Dan; Bolton, Rhonda; McKeon, Casey; Burns, Pat
Subject: Texas - Really?
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 1:54:41 PM
Mayor and Councilmembers,
This is Laura Sire. 60 year plus resident of Huntington Beach. I’m writing not only on my own behalf, but also in response to the feedback I’m receiving from many weary and frustrated residents, friends and family living in Huntington Beach.
Please stop the stunts and incredibly divisive politics. You have been elected to govern the city of Huntington Beach, but are NOT succeeding at doing this. The reckless spending, litigation, and ongoing culture wars are so destructive to our City and its citizens. You 4 who vote
as a block are the ones I speak to as you appear to have a deathgrip on the Council. You need to work with the tireless and dedicated Council members , Moser. Kalmick, and Bolton.
Thank you,
Laura Sire
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
From: Juana Mueller
To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Council agenda item - Statement to Texas
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 2:18:38 PM
Dear Huntington Beach City Council,
I am OPPOSED to sending a statement of solidarity with Texas to their Governor. That is NOT the job of our City Council.
In our City we have plenty to concentrate on. We have big infrastructure needs, departmental staffing needs, budgetary needs, Park needs, homeless needs, . . .etc., etc.
I want to see my City Council addressing and taking care of those needs. That should be taking all your time to find creative solutions, not sidestepping to get involved with another State.
I certainly agree that we need to work together, respectfully, citizens and Council, for the good of Huntington Beach, California, and the United States of America. We have good founding documents to guide us and if we follow the rule of law we will prosper and have a great City.
Respectfully submitted,
Juana Mueller.
From: susan lopez
To: [email protected]
Subject: City council meeting 2/6 agenda item regarding "Statement of Solidarity" Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 2:28:56 PM
Dear Council Members,
I am writing regarding council member Burns agenda item to request the City Council adopt and sign a Statement of Solidarity with Texas.
I am strongly not in favor of this request. As a 19 year resident of Huntington Beach I take offense to council member Burns assumption that residents of HB would be in favor of supporting this statement. I agree that the border issue in this country is one of utmost importance and one that has not been properly addressed by our government in many years. Instead of addressing border security through legislation, some members of the US Congress (who are the ones to enact such legislation) have continued use it as a political issue.
I do not agree with council member Burns statement. I would also like to know why our council are not working on the real issues of our city which include homelessness, mental health accessibility, and our fiscal problems instead of giving their time to adopting a statement that has nothing to do with our city.
I am asking that the council not agree to adopt this agenda item request from council member Burns.
Thank you,
Sue Sternberg
HB resident
From: Judith Lewis
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: City Council Action re Solidarity with Texas
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 2:48:25 PM
City Council Action re Solidarity with Texas
Unbelievable. Just how far are some members of our Huntington Beach City Council willing to go to show their support for unlawful and illegitimate political actions? The proposal by Councilmember Pat Burns to pass a “Solidarity with Texas” resolution is preposterous and a waste of Council resources and time.
He is not
representing the citizens of Huntington Beach in this matter. Governor Abbott’s actions are unlawful and declared so by the Supreme Court. We are still a democracy and a nation of the rule of law and we do not support secessionist activity.
Any Council member who lends their signature to this document should be removed from office for malfeasance. This is illegal, unjustified, harmful and contrary to the law.
Judith Lewis
Huntington Beach Resident
Retired Captain L A County Sheriffs
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: HB City Council - OPPOSED to Statement of Solidarity with Texas Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 2:58:00 PM
From: Lee Marie Sanchez <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 5, 2024 2:43 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: HB City Council - OPPOSED to Statement of Solidarity with Texas
Dear Members of the Huntington Beach City
Council
In the 52+ years that my family has lived in
Huntington Beach, I am at a loss as to why
something which has no reason to be addressed
by our Huntington Beach City Council is being
submitted for a vote.
I am baffled as to why Council Member Burns has
written, and submitted for a vote of the
Huntington Beach City Council, a "Statement of
Solidarity with Texas." Mr. Burns is calling on our
city to ignore the direction of the United States
Supreme Court to the State of Texas. This is the
kind of politics which was an argument for our
Southern States regarding secession from the
United States and helped to precipitate the Civil
War!
I am completely opposed to our Council even
considering such a ludicrous statement. Please
return to the business of leading and caring for
our city.
Sincerely, Rev. Lee Marie Sanchez (retired and
voting)
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: Opposition to Agenda Item 24-101
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 2:58:35 PM
From: MARILYN Boehm <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 5, 2024 2:34 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Opposition to Agenda Item 24-101
I am outraged at this City Council's Statement of Solidarity with Texas. First of all, you do NOT speak with all the residents of HB. I am opposed to this blatantly political measure. The comments, such as Biden's "dereliction of duty" and failure to protect our borders, threatening the "sovereignty of the United States," could not be any more egregious. Why is our City government distracting residents from City business by getting involved in culture wars on a regular basis? What happened to your promise to deal with homelessness? I thought it was the policy of the GOP to be LESS involved in peoples' lives, not more.
BTW, Gracie's parents came from Mexico and Ecuador to improve their lives.
Did THEY immigrate LEGALLY?
Stop these continuous CULTURE WARS and do YOUR JOBS in our City!!! Marilyn Boehm, 30 year resident of HB
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: no on 24-101
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 2:58:56 PM
From: Barbara Richardson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 5, 2024 1:39 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: no on 24-101
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
I would like to ask you to please vote no on item 24-101, declaring solidarity with Texas. This is a very
divisive item and will further drive a wedge between city residents. All this item does is to stir division between two political parties. It does absolutely nothing to actually help our city. I would encourage city council members to focus on city issues such as the continuous flooding on Graham between Warner and Heil whenever it rains, putting a turn signal at Graham and Heil, and installing a DIP sign at Goldenwest and Heil to warn drivers. There are so many ways for you to improve our city. Declaring solidarity with Texas is not one of them.
Thank you
Barbara Richardson
51 year resident
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: Statement of Solidarity With Texas
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 4:13:33 PM
From: Suzanne Hart <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 5, 2024 4:04 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Statement of Solidarity With Texas
We are writing in opposition to your absurd declaration of solidarity with Texas! In your declaration you blather on about government overreach, and yet you believe that you and your self-serving group of minions can dictate to me what books we may read? This reeks of hypocrisy! Or does self governance only apply to you and your political agenda?
As citizens of Huntington Beach, we implore you to get off your political, attention mongering high horse and deal with Huntington Beach's true needs such as homelessness, our deficit, (which you appear to be increasing at a breakneck speed) and loss of city services. Huntington Beach's issues should be your ONLY concern!
Chris and Suzanne Hart,
25 year residents
From: Pam B
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Agenda item 24-101
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 4:45:55 PM
February 5, 2024
Honorable City Council Members and City Attorney,
I am writing in response to your proposed “Statement of Solidarity with Texas.” I have been a resident of Huntington Beach since 1960. Let me be clear that I do not stand with the illegal
and immoral actions of Governor Abbott. You do not speak for me.
Immigration and border protection are the sole responsibility of the federal government. The actions of Texas have prevented Border Control from performing their duties, and has resulted in needless death and harm to migrants. These cruel and performative acts diminish our humanity and our standing in the world.
The fact that some of our council members have no problem with breaking federal law, do not honor the U.S. Constitution, and applaud a governor who defies the Supreme Court is extremely disturbing. The fact that you want to broadcast your disrespect for the rule of law in the name of our beautiful city is abhorrent.
Your role as City Council members of Huntington Beach is solely to run our municipal affairs efficiently, and that role ends at the borders of our city. Certainly, your time and resources can be put to better use here in town.
Pamela Beard
8447 Leeward Dr
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
714.536.5181
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: Tomorrows Agenda
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 5:32:10 PM
From: Chris Alsop <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 5, 2024 4:24 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Tomorrows Agenda
The statement of solidarity of Texas on tomorrow night
's agenda is a joke, right? With all the issues
in HB this is what's on the agenda? That's another state. This is ridiculous to say the least!
Chris
Get Outlook for iOS
From: Sharon Hathaway
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Statement of Solidarity with Texas
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 6:07:43 PM
I am not in support of this statement. There are so many city issues that need the attention of the City Council that it is amazing to me that Mayor Pro Tem Burns feels that taking time to support a position of any state should supersede the needs of Huntington Beach. If the Mayor Pro Tem wants to support the state of Texas, he should send a personal email of support. The idea that this requested action rises to the level of the City Council, or to assume that the residents of Huntington Beach would agree to this action only signals how the current majority members of the Council are using their elected position to project their personal views and further their own agendas. Respectively, to the entire Council, please do not sign this statement.
Sharon Hathaway, HB resident
From: Patricia Goodman
To: Mary Martin Jim Aspaas
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Comments for the HB City Council Meeting Feb. 6, 2024 Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 7:38:12 PM
Perfectly said, Mary, thank you for speaking.
On Mon, Feb 5, 2024 at 1:02 PM Mary Martin Jim Aspaas <[email protected]> wrote:
To the members of the Huntington Beach City Council,
I am opposed and embarrassed by the Statement of Solidarity with Texas that a number of you have proposed. Why are you making statements such as this? The State of Texas has continued to be immoral in their approach to people who are seeking asylum due to many serious reasons. They are dumping these refugees all over the U.S., putting up razor fences and causing the deaths of many innocent men, women and children. This country's only original people were the Native Americans, everyone of us are immigrants, both legal and illegal. None of us, unless we are American Indian, are non-immigrants, including you.
Your statement is contrary to the Constitution and I do not want my city to speak for me against President Biden and Governor Newsom with such ridiculous analogies: "a 17 year old schoolyard bully slapping down an 8 year old child". Your statements do not sound like you are trying to "respectfully work together" but are extremely biased, are part of a far-right political agenda and do not represent me.
Deal with more important issues in Huntington Beach instead of wasting your time and my taxes on your ridiculous extremist agendas.
Sincerely,
Mary Martin
17201 Hague Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
From: Elizabeth SanFilippo
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Statement of Solidarity with Texas -- Oppose
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 8:49:22 PM
I am a Huntington Beach resident and a home owner for over thirty years and am opposed to the proposed Statement of Solidarity with Texas.
The City Council should focus its time and energy on issues specific to Huntington Beach, such as infrastructure and local public safety, rather than engaging in the politics of other states. Further, we should not support a state that does not respect the authority of the US Supreme Court.
Thank you for your consideration.
Elizabeth San Filippo
From: Sue Welfringer
To: [email protected]
Subject: Oppose Item 24-202 by Pat Burns Statement of Solidarity with Texas Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 9:22:54 PM
Dear Mayor Van Der Mark, Pro-Tem Burns, and Distinguished Council Members:
While I am still spinning with the news that council majority is considering privatizing our libraries, this email addresses a different concern: I strongly oppose Mr. Burns’ Item 24-101. This council has no business making a politically fueled statement on behalf of the Huntington Beach residents. This is wrong on so many levels but one you should be most concerned about is how our tourism industry will be affected. Check in with a hotel sales director to learn more. Seriously.
When we bought our HB home in 1997, councilmembers cared deeply about local issues. I miss those days and those people (whose political parties were unknown to me.)
With all due respect, please do not pass this item.
Regards,
Sue Welfringer
Resident since 1997
From: Buffie Channel
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Agenda item 24-101
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 11:24:13 PM
Once again, the City Council majority concerns itself with matters that have nothing to do with governing the city of Huntington Beach.
Pat Burns claims he’s against a political or partisan agenda on certain items, then crafts this completely political and partisan declaration??
Bahahaha.
Mr. Burns is declaring our city should be against obeying the law. He is declaring that our city should go ON RECORD against the ruling of the Supreme Court.
You do not speak for us, Mr. Burns.
Your hypocrisy is shameful and the city has no business inserting itself in a National matter, nor in the business of another state.
Please, City Council, this is embarrassing. Get back to business working for all of your constituents and leave your political posturing to your personal time.
Get back to work on Huntington Beach problems.
Do not sign this juvenile political stunt.
Buffie Channel
35 year resident
From: meobrien
To: [email protected]
Cc: Roxanne LaForce
Subject: Statement of Solidarity with Texas: OPPOSE
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024 11:32:43 PM
I am OPPOSED to this statement! Get back in your lane, City Council. Huntington Beach does not need more negative publicity to advance your personal agenda in defiance of the Supreme Court. HB needs you to work on HB issues.
Margaret O'Brien, 50 year HB resident
From: Diane
To: [email protected]
Subject: Oppose Item 14
Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 1:04:34 AM
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
I vehemently oppose your silly political statement claiming to be in solidarity with Texas and Governor Abbott with regard to immigration. Huntington Beach councilmembers should be focused on the governance of this city, not on the politics of a state that is hundreds of miles away.
However, if you truly cared about the volume of immigrants approaching the southern border of Texas, you would not be making simplistic, political statements, but would be advocating for solutions. A much more productive statement would be one that urges Congress to evaluate and negotiate the bi-partisan immigration bill that is coming from the Senate just this week. Instead of distracting your followers with this finger-pointing statement, you should be passing a statement opposing former President Trump's efforts to derail the actual progress that is being made on the immigration issue after 30 years of stalemates. We currently have the opportunity to solve many of the key sticking points and serious concerns that have plagued our border states, but we are now confronted with politicians in Washington who don't really want to solve the problem, but would rather maintain the problem as a political cudgel.
Please do the job you were elected to and focus on Huntington Beach. As the OC Register says, stop with the culture wars.
Sincerely,
Diane James
From: Kathey
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda item #14
Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 2:58:30 AM
Mayor Van Der Mark, Mayor Pro Tem Burns and members of the City Council:
I strongly support agenda item #14, expressing support for Texas! The open border is an invitation to disaster and it is high time that measures are taken to close the border and protect our citizens. Texas is leading the way in this effort and I believe that we should show strong support for them! PLEASE VOTE YES ON AGENDA ITEM #14!
Thank you!
Kathey Haas
Sent from my iPhone
From: Scott Malabarba
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: in opposition to "statement in solidarity with Texas" Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 7:49:59 AM
Dear HB City Council,
Thank you, as always, to council members Kalmick, Bolton, and Moser for your courage and integrity -- you are appreciated!
To the others -- I am writing in opposition to this proposed "statement in solidarity with Texas".
Greg Abbott's rhetoric deliberately echoes the Confederate talking points that preceded the Civil War and is deeply unpatriotic (if you love your country you don't talk about tearing it apart just because you didn't get your way). The border crisis is terrible and unprecedented, but it is not an invasion and it's a gross misuse of words to call it such.
You regurgitate the weird Fox News talking point implying that elected officials should face criminal charges for not being good at their jobs.
You might want to be careful with that one -- thousands of us HB think you're mucking it up badly.
Casting the governor of Texas as a victim of bullying is just comically bad. Bullying is what he does to the migrants he traffics to distant cities as a political stunt or leaves to drown. Bullying is what he does to the more than twenty-six thousand rape victims that he would force to give birth.
Casting yourselves as victims of bullying is just as dishonest. Bullying is what you've done to library staff and many city staff and residents, and what you've attempted to do to your own fellow council members when they've questioned and criticized you. Ignoring state housing law because you think you're such a special snowflake that it doesn't apply to you and then feeling the consequences when that law is enforced is not being bullied.
I don't doubt that you'll pass this agenda item and embarrass HB on the national stage yet again. But know that you do not speak for the people of HB.
Sincerely,
Scott Malabarba
HB resident.
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: NO on Agenda Item # 14: 24-101 - Stop Campaigning and Start Governing Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 7:56:24 AM
From: Paula Schaefer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 5, 2024 8:57 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: NO on Agenda Item # 14: 24-101 - Stop Campaigning and Start Governing
Mayor and City Council Members:
VOTE NO on this ridiculous statement of solidarity.
Mayor Pro Tem Burns
- stop campaigning and start governing. Your duties are to the City - not to national issues that do not affect the City.
This "issue" has nothing to do with your duties as elected officials of Huntington Beach. In your legislative platform - there is no mention of border walls or invasions of immigrants, so why is this item being proposed for a vote by the City Council? This "statement of solidarity" directly contradicts the issues that you are voting on in your legislative platform as shown in Agenda Item # 12 (24-078).
This is nothing more than a disingenuous attempt to link the author's claim of state government overreach to the border problem, which is a national issue.
Paula A. Schaefer
HB Resident
--
Paula Schaefer
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Item 14
Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 8:21:18 AM
I and my husband support Mayor Pro Tem Burns request that the City Council adopt and sign a Statement of Solidarity with Texas (PDF) in defiance of the Federal Government.
We were visiting our cousins last Christmas. They live near the border and it is out of control! If you don't believe me, then go down to the border and see for your self. Stop watching the liars on CNN.
Sincerely,
Luanne and Michael Shoup
From: Celeste Rybicki
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Burns’ love letter to Texas
Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 8:34:45 AM
Hi,
I’m just writing to ask that our Mayor Pro Tem quit playing politics and actually do something to help our city. I know he’s said time and time again that “we can’t help everybody” but as an HB resident I would appreciate it if he could spend more time fixing our streets and all the flooding that makes it unsafe to drive and helping all the people experiencing homelessness in this weather (that I thought they were going to house in 90 days like 365 days ago) and a lot less time helping Gov Abbot break the law.
And also please stay away from our library.
Celeste
15 yr resident, mother of 3
From: Steven C Shepherd Architect
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Statement of Solidarity? Nope. Just A Declaration of Surrender (Agenda Item #14) Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 8:43:21 AM
The United States is struggling to deal with a humanitarian crisis at our southern border. The current situation has been decades in the making, and the challenge has only increased over time.
Americans have a history of successfully confronting and overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. At this moment, we should embrace the spirit of our past achievements, focus our abilities as a nation, and once again act to solve this difficult yet not impossible task.
Together, Americans can do anything.
Rather than embracing our American tradition and "can do" attitude, Mr. Burns' statement relies on baseless accusations and zealot-like hyperbole to suggest our community align with a much darker narrative. In the Abbott/Burns telling, sinister forces are bullying white-hatted heroes from protecting their fair maidens from marauding migrant hordes (and affordable housing!).
That is nothing more than self-serving poppycock!
In a moment when we should channel our abilities to roll-up our sleeves and address a hard problem, Mr. Burns' statement offers little more than a platform for excuses as to why we can't or won't live up to our abilities as Americans.
Burns' statement is a declaration of surrender rather than a statement of solidarity.
Isn't Huntington Beach better than that?
Steve Shepherd
Huntington Beach 92646
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: Please pull Agenda Items # 5 and # 14
Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 8:56:16 AM
From: Pat Goodman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 8:52 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]>; Van Der Mark, Gracey <[email protected]>
Cc: Fikes, Cathy <[email protected]>
Subject: Please pull Agenda Items # 5 and # 14
Agenda Item #5 is a request to provide Amicus support with regard to Gloria Johnson, et al. v. City of Grants Pass. Such a move sends a negative signal to the city of the good work provided by the Homeless Task Force to address issues around homeless services in our city.
Agenda item #5 would turn the clock back on addressing homeless services in our country and Huntington Beach. City Council Strategic Policies for the past 8 years have been driven by the law that overturned policy could arrest people who slept in public areas without providing shelter beds.
We’ve proven as a society that this type of housing policy does not work to address the housing needs of people. Jails do not provide housing. We invested millions of dollars from various funding sources in Huntington Beach to address the housing needs of unhoused people. It's working! Let’s keep moving forward to address this systemic, generational problem that offers all involved in the issue dignity and respect.
Please pull Agenda Item #5 from tonight's agenda.
Agenda Item #14
I don't know where to begin on this one. In my humble opinion the Huntington Beach City Council has no business to be involved in the federal policy of immigration other than to support the Constitution of the United States. Please pull this item. I believe it is a distraction to the work the city council is responsible for: public safety, clean water, infrastruction, parks, beaches and libraries, housing needs.
Please pull Agenda Item #14 from tonight's agenda.
Pat Goodman
Huntington Beach, CA
From: Estanislau, Robin
To: Moore, Tania
Subject: FW: Solidarity With Texas
Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 8:58:14 AM
SC
From: chris macdonald <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 7:59 AM
To: Estanislau, Robin <[email protected]> Cc: Pat Burns <[email protected]>
Subject: Solidarity With Texas
Dear Huntington Beach City Council,
I agree with Mayor Pro Tem Pat Burns Item 14 on Solidarity With Texas.
From,
Chris MacDonald
Huntington Beach Resident
Virus-free.www.avg.com
From: Harry McLachlan
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Statement of Solidarity
Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 8:59:36 AM
Huntington Beach Special City Council Meeting January 6, 2023 Agenda Item 24-101
I’m Harry McLachlan, I live in Huntington Beach.
Once again the citizens of Huntington Beach are presented with yet another item by the conservative city council members reflecting their own personal and political agendas.
Proposed by councilman Burns, author of the flag-banning charter amendment, it is yet another attempt to generate publicity in their effort to kow-tow to their demented orange idol and his cadre of fascist mini-mes.
You do not speak for me.
You do not speak for the citizens of Huntington Beach.
Our city has no business “standing in solidarity” with a state that is attempting to obstruct the federal government and ignore an order from the Supreme Court, regardless of the constant drivel being churned out by Fox “News”, OAN, Newsmax, and of course, Epoch Times.
What’s next Councilman Burns? A “Statement of Solidarity” with the poor “hostages” currently indicted or imprisoned for their roles in the “peaceful protest” that took place in Washington D.C on January 6 th,
2021?
It is time to stop your ceaseless repetition of perceived grievances against fabricated enemies.
Please drop this absurd agenda item in its entirety.