From: Sue Welfringer
To: [email protected]
Subject: Oppose #29.25-363 Witch Hunt against the Friends of the Library Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025 8:31:15 AM
Dear 2025 Huntington Beach Mayor and Council,
I never imagined our city being run by extreme bibliophobes. And yet, here we are.
I oppose Item #29 submitted by Councilman Chad Williams, Mayor Pat Burns, and Councilman Butch Twining. Your “independent research” is a stabbing insult to tens of thousands of volunteers who, for over 50 years, have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to purchase books and other materials not in the library’s budget.
I’m curious: what volunteer work you done to raise money for anything other than your political aspirations?
This item is undeniably
a politically based attempt to redirect attention from your poorly planned PORN signs.
Please reconsider this item and do not waste city money and staff time on this worthless witch hunt. It’s bad enough you were irresponsible with funds to call a special election because of political reasons. Stop the irresponsible spending and focus on true matters of our city – business development, beautification, infrastructure, safety, and human services.
Regards,
Sue Welfringer
Resident since 1997 5/6/2025
29 (25-363)
From: Sharon
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Opposed to 25-363
Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025 10:12:37 PM
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important As a resident for more than 25 years, and a volunteer at the Huntington Beach Central Library since moving here, I continue to volunteer here due to the dedication by the wonderful staff and other volunteers, to all those that come to this place.
I have been a member of the Friends of the Huntington Beach Library for more than 20 years, due to their mission in providing enriching programs, building awareness to support the library, and each year provides a financial donation to the city, based on the city's request for Library projects, books, and other educational needs. Over the years, this has totaled millions of dollars.
Now, as a member of the FOTL board, it is incredibly sad that the governing body of the city has chosen to not only try to destroy the reputations of professional, dedicated and educated Librarians with slanderous lies and innuendos, to insult all parents by trying to take away their choice on what their children and teenagers read with a politically appointed other set of parents, but to now try to disparage the FOTL, because they support the library as it is.
The tactics shown by Mayor Burns and Councilmen Twining and Williams in introducing 25- 363, is right out of the same playbook that is being used at the federal level. Create a distraction and make false statements in hopes someone will consider it.
What would be more appropriate would be a Council Member Items Report that just says "Thank you FOTL for your ongoing support of the Huntington Beach Library system." Sharon Hathaway
Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android
From: Mark Tonkovich
To: [email protected]
Subject: 25-363
Date: Monday, May 5, 2025 11:15:13 AM
Dear City Council,
I am not able to attend the CC meeting on May 6th but would like to express my thoughts. In general, I strongly support you on the No Vote on the library and am aghast at the destruction being done to the Vote No signs. I hope the people behind the destruction are caught and penalized. I also back you on 25-363 looking into the information that appears to be campaign finance and charitable violations. Upon review, it should be forwarded to the appropriate parties to address the situation. Thank you.
Mark Tonkovich
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Measure A and B
Date: Monday, May 5, 2025 12:51:03 PM
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important Dear City Council Members,
I am writing today to object to Agenda items 25-336 and 25-337. These items must be voted on by the full City Council and receive majority votes.
Also, Agenda Item 25-363 is not in the best interests of the City of Huntington Beach residents. It is beyond the defined responsibilities of the City Council, and will only invite costly litigation.
Bonnie Benton
From: Jan Madnick
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 25-363
Date: Monday, May 5, 2025 3:45:21 PM
I am appalled at this Agenda Item. In a time when our budgetary issues have/should be the focus of this City Council, you decide instead to wage war on our Non-profit organizations in HB. Last month it was a broad swath of Non-profits under attack by your "special commission". Now, in the heat of the special election, you try to tip the balance towards your stance on Measure A and B by attacking The Friends of the Library. UNBELIEVABLE!!! This non-profit volunteer organization, whose only goal is to help support our incredible library system by offering used books for sale; a lovely gift shop; and providing well-loved programming, plus donating hundreds of thousands of dollars TO THE LIBRARY, is unworthy of your baseless attacks. If YOU ARE really interested in having the IRS investigate organizations that should lose their non-profit status, perhaps your time would be better spent evaluating the non-profit status of Calvalry Chapel at the Harbor. I'm pretty certain that handing out political materials (like signs) to people as they're departing church would be a problematic practice.
Maybe there will come a time when you can actually stop the political theater in HB and actually do the work the citizens expect of you.
I guess I can dream,
Jan Madnick
43 year citizen
From: Elaine Parker
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 25-363 for May 6, 2025
Date: Monday, May 5, 2025 4:38:29 PM
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important This letter is being written to oppose the idea of investigating the Friends of the Library of Huntington Beach for campaign finance violations. It seems nothing more than a political tactic against an organization that does so much for our cherished library.
The Friends, over the years, have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to our library and countless volunteer hours. These dollars and hours have put the Friends of the Library in a most trusted position with the residents of Huntington Beach. The Friends donations have benefited the library, the city residents of Huntington Beach and all others who use and love our library. To think they have violated that trust and done something improper, is legally questionable.
The act of engaging in a limited ballot measure is allowed for 501(c)(3) organizations as long as it is properly reported. I venture to guess that the Friends have done their homework and filed all required reports.
Why is the City Council using taxpayers dollars to pursue this unsubstantiated investigation against an organization that does not happen to agree with the present council? It does seem odd that our elected officials are pursuing this line especially when they have a vested interest in opposing Measures A and B. It appears that the council has a definite conflict of interest.
I urge the council to reject this item which appears to be nothing more than vindictive.
Sincerely
Elaine MacLeod Parker
Some people who received this message don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: [email protected]
Subject: FW: Vote NO, on item 29, a councilmember item re Friends of the Library.
Date: Monday, May 5, 2025 6:57:57 PM
From: Dan Jamieson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 5, 2025 5:52 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Vote NO, on item 29, a councilmember item re Friends of the Library.
[email protected]
Dear HB City Council:
Please remove, or vote NO, on item 29, a councilmember item re Friends of the Library.
The item represents that an “informal” investigation has found possible violations by Friends of the Library in advocating for Measures A & B.
The City Attorney should not be involved in advocating for one side or the other in a political fight. If councilmembers wish to file political complaints with appropriate authorities, they are free to do so on their own. This item does not belong on the council agenda.
Sincerely,
Dan Jamieson
Huntington Beach