Federal grant is not enough

The more than $1.6 million the city will get from the federal

Department of Housing and Urban Development’s grant program won’t

cover the many community groups’ requests for funds, which exceeded

the pot by about $250,000.

The City Council and Citizens Participation Advisory Board held a

joint study session Tuesday to hear from community groups that have

applied for a share of the funds provided by the federal Community

Development Block Program. Organizations hoping for assistance

include previous recipients like the Community Health Care Centers

and new applicants such as the Therapeutic Riding Center.

The board did not recommend funds for any of the new applicants,

which also included the Alzheimer’s Assn, the Huntington Youth

Shelter, YMCA and Women Helping Women receive funds. The board’s

chairman, Gerald Lipson, said there was not enough money to spread

among new groups.

“Our board feels that if we divert more funds to new applicants,

it would really hurt existing programs,” Lipson said.

It was also recommended that smaller amounts than requested be

doled to the groups that do get money.

Project Self-Sufficiency, which assists low-income, single parents

in achieving economic independence, asked for more than $100,000, but

the board recommended that it get $60,000.

Adult Day Services and the Community Services Program, a group

geared toward keeping young people out of gangs, are on the list of

those that would get less than they asked for if the board

recommendations are heeded. An exception is the Children’s Bureau --

the board recommended the council grant its full request of $53,000.

Police Chief Ken Small lobbied for the Community Services Program,

and said it was a critical tool to help police improve safety in the

Oak View Neighborhood.

“I would like to stand up and tell you that the Huntington Beach

Police Department can solve the gang problem at Oak View, but the

Police Department can’t solve the gang problem,” Small said. “It

takes a multi-tiered approach to solve a gang problem.”

The Community Health Care Center requested $75,000 for 2005 after

having its allocation cut three years in a row. For 2004 the

organization received $12,000. But the full $75,000 is essential for

the clinic to survive, Community Services Director Jim Engle said.

“We can make it work if we get ... $75,000,” Engle said.

The council will vote on the board’s recommendations in August.

Tree repair and replacement to begin

A large-scale concrete repair and tree replacement project will

begin over the next few weeks on nine city streets.

Signed petitions were collected from homeowners requesting the

city to remove and replace the trees and to repair the damage to

curbs, gutters and sidewalks. Petitions for the current project

streets were received in 1994.

About in $500,000 Measure M funds, the half-cent sales tax to fund

transportation improvements in Orange County, will allow repair to

Sunlight, Rambler, Thunderbird and Sparrow drives.

The remaining five streets, Emerald Lane, Cypress Avenue, Fir,

Michael and Darsy drives, are in a designated Community Development

Block Grant Enhancement Area, and a grant worth $380,000 will provide

funds for repairs.

Project Self-Sufficiently honors 35 single parents

Project Self-Sufficiency, a program that assists low-income,

single parents in achieving economic independence from governmental

assistance through a network of community and county services, will

honor 35 single parents on June 15.

Several single parents will be recognized at the event for

finishing an important goal in their lives. This year, there are six

single parents receiving a bachelor’s degree from local colleges,

eight with an associates, one nursing degree and various

certificates.

In addition, the Project Self-Sufficiency Foundation, a nonprofit

organization, will also be awarding Educational Scholarships donated

by the community. Several local organizations helped to raise the

scholarship money. This year, the Foundation is responsible for a

record amount of $50,600. Due to their efforts, this Huntington Beach

program has gained national recognition as one of the best in the

country.

The June Recognition will be held at St. Wilfred’s Church on June

15 at 5 p.m.