From: David Rynerson
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Supplemental Communication
Date: Monday, September 16, 2024 6:06:26 PM
The Huntington Beach city council majority continues to fritter away time, energy, and money on frivolous measures, like Tuesday night’s sister city resolution – items intended to distract citizens from their ineptitude and fiscal mismanagement.
They hide real issues, like the egregious air show settlement, under the guise of protecting “pending litigation”.
Yet, that litigation has
not been filed, and we are nearing the statute of limitations.
They create culture war issues where none really exist and import allies from all over Southern California to make it appear that they have strong local support.
In reality, the citizens of Huntington
Beach are exhausted with their grandstanding and ineptitude and want them to focus on the real tasks of running the city like paving the streets, fixing the water and sewage systems, and working to provide community services.
Their endorsed candidates for the November election post disingenuous videos claiming to support the libraries because they realize it’s a third rail issue for the community.
It should not be lost
on anyone that the Friends of the Huntington Beach Library posted a cease and desist statement that made it perfectly clear that the support implied in the video does not exist.
In fact, the candidates
claiming to support our libraries have publicly called the libraries “awful” and the librarians “pedophiles"
and “groomers”.
If they will
lie about something as simple as this, they will lie about anything.
They cannot be trusted anywhere near the levers of power in our city.
In short, it’s well past time for the council majority to start doing their damn jobs, and it would be a disaster for Huntington Beach to elect any more council members who are more interested in culture war grandstanding than in governing.
9/17/2024
25 (24-651)
David Rynerson
Huntington Beach
From: Sean Drexler
To: [email protected]
Subject: Public Comment Agenda Item #25
Date: Monday, September 16, 2024 8:25:52 PM
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important Hello Mayor Van Der Mark and City Council,
My name is Sean Drexler and I am an Orange County resident writing in opposition to Agenda Item #25: Sister City Agreement with Ramat Gan, Israel and the City of Huntington Beach. I ask the council to thoroughly consider the implications of forging a sister city relationship with a city in Israel, the perpetrators of the ongoing genocide in Gaza. At this moment, the recorded death toll in Gaza is over 40,000, though numerous studies estimate it as being well over 300,000. Many ceasefire deals were proposed which would have returned all hostages, all of which were rejected by the Netanyahu administration. Numerous international organizations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International recognize Israel to be a state of apartheid and call for global action to hold the Israeli government accountable. Additionally, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel's occupation of the Gaza strip and the West Bank is unlawful. Innocent civilians have been continuously and violently murdered at the hands of Israeli forces and the bloodshed continues as we speak.
This agenda item may be construed as an attempt to simply show solidarity with the people of Israel at this moment of extreme conflict, but what both Israelis and Palestinians need right now is an end to the bloodshed. By choosing this moment to establish a formal affiliation with Ramat Gan, the city of Huntington Beach is sending the wrong message, a message that doesn't equally respect both populations that have each suffered greatly in this ongoing affront to human rights. Huntington Beach should not adopt the sister city agreement and signal tacit approval of the ongoing slaughter of innocent civilians.
Thank you,
Sean Drexler
From: ven bug
To: [email protected]
Subject: Public Comment Agenda Item #25
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 1:04:59 AM
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important Hello Mayor Van Der Mark and city council,
My name is Ven Martin and I am a Huntington Beach resident writing in opposition to Agenda Item #25: Sister City Agreement with Ramat Gan, Israel and the City of Huntington Beach. I ask the council to thoroughly consider the implications of forging a sister city relationship with a city in Israel, the perpetrators of the ongoing genocide in Gaza. At this moment, the recorded death toll in Gaza is over 40,000, though numerous studies estimate it as being well over 300,000. Many ceasefire deals were proposed which would have returned all hostages, all of which were rejected by the Netanyahu administration. Numerous international organizations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International recognize Israel to be a state of apartheid and call for global action to hold the Israeli government accountable. Additionally, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel's occupation of the Gaza strip and the West Bank is unlawful. Innocent civilians have been continuously and violently murdered at the hands of Israeli forces and the bloodshed continues as we speak. This agenda item may be construed as an attempt to simply show solidarity with the people of Israel at this moment of extreme conflict, but what both Israelis and Palestinians need right now is an end to the bloodshed. By choosing this moment to establish a formal affiliation with Ramat Gan, the city of Huntington Beach is sending the wrong message, a message that doesn't equally respect both populations that have each suffered greatly in this ongoing affront to human rights. Huntington Beach should not adopt the sister city agreement and signal tacit approval of the ongoing slaughter of innocent civilians.
From: Sarah SHEHADEH
To: [email protected]
Subject: Sister City with Israel
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 7:45:28 AM
[You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
I say absolutely not. This city and a lot of others in a majority say hell no. Realize the fact that if you do propose a relationship with Israel, many problems will rise within the community. If your city cares at all, you would resign the proposal and do what is best…
Think about the people.
From: Rehab Alnajjar
To: [email protected]
Subject: 9/17 agenda meeting
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 8:03:02 AM
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important
DO NOT GO FORTH WITH THE ISREAL SISTER CITY
1. HB SHOULD NOT BE GETTING INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE
2. HB WILL ONCE AGAIN BE THE LAUGHING STOCK, MAKING OUR COUNCIL
LOOK BAD
3. PEOPLE WILL DIG IN TO THE REAL REASON WHY THE COUNCIL WANTS
THIS, I KNOW WHAT THE REAL REASON IS, THIS CAN AND WILL LEAD TO
THE COUNCIL BEING REMOVED FROM THEIR SEATS
4. YOU ARE MAKING IT UNSAFE FOR MIDDLE EASTERN PEOPLE TO ENJOY HB
5. THIS IS AFFECTING BUSINESS IN HB AS MANY OTHER FORUMS POST DO
NO NOT VISIT RACIST HB
PLEASE TAKE MY CONDIDERSTIONS TO HEART
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From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Support of Agenda Item 24-651
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 8:59:59 AM
From: Bella Brannon <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 16, 2024 6:56 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Support of Agenda Item 24-651
Honorable Council,
My name is Bella Brannon and I am a Jewish resident of Huntington Beach. I am writing in support of Agenda Item 24-651 submitted by Mayor Van Der Mark and Councilmember Strickland.
Ramat Gan is a beautiful city that, like Huntington Beach, is known far and wide for its incredible beach and the kindness of its people. Ramat Gan has a rich history that reflects the triumph and splendor of Israel: the world's only Jewish nation and the only democracy in the Middle East. From shared values to the potential for increased tourism and cultural exchange, Ramat Gan is an ideal partner for Huntington Beach. This initiative not only symbolizes a meaningful international bond but also offers valuable business and community-building opportunities. Many of our neighbors have seen the value of honoring multiple sister cities, with LA recognizing 25 sister cities. This is a worthwhile, tried-and-true effort for the city to pursue.
Personally, I wish to thank Mayor Van Der Mark and Councilmember Strickland for this effort. Israel means to me the homeland of my people, the safety of my friends and family, and many of the values I hold dearest. As a Jewish American, the past 11 months have been nothing short of heart-wrenching. Two of my closest friends found out that their family members were murdered on October 7. In response, students at my university of UCLA applauded the very Hamas terrorists who killed my friends' family members, burned babies alive in their cribs, and took 8 Americans hostage. Since, I have received threats, been spat on, had my door vandalized, and been stalked — simply for being a proud Jew.
Huntington Beach has been a source of solace for me these past months as my university has erupted into chaos and moral bankruptcy. I’ve cherished the many opportunities to return home, be with my loved ones, and find comfort in our beautiful town. It means the world that the city I call home is standing with the place my people call home.
Thank you and G-d bless,
Bella