MAILBAG - Oct. 26, 2006

Lies need to stop in Measure T campaign

I am appalled by the tactics of several of the opponents to Measure T.

When the panel met two weeks ago to debate this issue, one of the opponents flat out lied on public television. When the debate ended, this person was contacted about that lie and stated that they were “caught up in the moment.”

On Oct. 18, there was a letter in the newspaper from another panelist who stated that the proposed senior center had suddenly ballooned to 50,000 square feet and that it will be located right in the center of Central Park. It’s time for these lies to end. I have no problem with people having different opinions on an issue, but when they have to resort to lies, I lose all respect for them.

Building a new senior center is an asset to this city and to its residents. Hopefully everyone who lives here will have the ability to grow older and will be able to use the facility and services that the senior center provides. Remember, Measure T is about securing land to build the center. It is not about cost, it is not about design. Those studies will be made once the land issue is settled. Doing those studies before securing a location would be fiscally irresponsible.

I certainly hope that the residents of Huntington Beach will look at the facts instead of the opposition’s myths and lies. Please join me in voting ‘yes’ on Measure T.

CATHY MESCHUK

Huntington Beach

New center creates opportunities

In the current discussion of Measure T on our ballot, one issue has not risen to the spotlight. This is the concern we all must have for creating cross-generational settings in our city.

Using the dirt area at Goldenwest and the Huntington Beach Library for the placement of the proposed senior center provides an excellent opportunity to create such a space. If we were to use the space, which is currently used by remote vehicle aficionados, to attract seniors, there would be a natural connection with younger generations. The fact that the Shipley Nature Center is located near the mound of dirt and last year welcomed more than 13,000 students from Orange County schools creates opportunities. When seniors become involved in the nature center, everyone benefits. We miss much by the lack of connection between youth and experience.

Shipley Nature Center is a draw for people in this city and the surrounding area. It is rapidly becoming known as an environmentally responsible example of how we may live in harmony with nature. The senior center could be an environmentally responsible building with native plantings, energy-efficient heating and lighting systems and, thus, a perfect complement to the nature center. If the space is approved, we can begin to work on such an idea and create a showplace for our city and county.

I urge us to consider the potential benefits of using this site and vote ‘yes’ on Measure T.

KATHRYN E. GODDARD

Huntington Beach

Center would be big boon with little bad

We have long been supporters of the Amigos de Bolsa Chica Land Trust on environmental issues, but after the debate on the senior center and the misinformation on this issue, we think that this is a blatant case of misplaced priorities.

Does the “open space” argument trump the needs of seniors when Central Park has given the nod to dogs, horses and Frisbee players? Does the “open space” argument have much validity when you are talking about five acres of a vacant excavation lot out of a 356-acre park?

Does voting for Measure T “spell trouble for our parks and beaches” as their flier puts it? No. But a ‘no’ vote certainly spells trouble for our seniors.

Save our seniors. Vote “yes” on Measure T.

AL and OLGA WROBEL

Huntington Beach

Senior center a win-win necessity

Every campaign has the responsibility of providing the voter with the facts and the truth. If we expect our voters to make informed decisions, they must be able to believe the information provided by each campaign.

The facts regarding Measure T are very simple. There is a need for a new senior center, and both sides agree to that fact. We cannot provide services for our current senior population at the present site, and certainly it is not large enough to accommodate future needs. The fact is that we can have a new senior center that will not place a burden on the taxpayer or require bonding.

If you vote “yes” on Measure T, we will have the land to build a senior center, and a recent action by the City Council will allow the park fees that the developer of Pacific City owes the city to be used to build the center. It is the first time in my history with the city that we have a need and a solution on how to meet the need without raising taxes or bonding. It is a win-win.

The opponents say build on the current site. It has been shown that the current site cannot accommodate the size building needed without building underground parking — a very costly endeavor and one that creates a burden on the surrounding neighborhoods. The seniors are only asking for five acres in Central Park out of 356 acres. We can accommodate horses, Frisbee golf, dogs, and I ask: Why not seniors? The building could be environmentally designed on only one acre, with four acres for a parking lot that is already in the master plan for that area of the park and the rest in landscaping.

Our city is fortunate to have 8- 1/2 miles of beaches, thousands of acres of wetlands, a park in almost every section of the city and playing fields on every school site. Many of the same seniors who fought for this open space are now asking for you to support Measure T, which will only take five acres out of 356 acres of Central Park. This is a win-win for all of us, building a badly needed new senior center without raising your taxes.

SHIRLEY DETTLOFF

Huntington Beach

Must be better way to build new center

Recent coverage of Huntington Beach’s proposed senior center has left two important questions unanswered:

1. What’s going to happen to the existing senior center that’s located just a couple of blocks from the beach on Orange? The seniors I’ve talked with all like the current location. They weren’t eager to be so far inland as would happen if the center were moved to the park.

2. Why didn’t the city consider existing locations with buildings already on them, such as vacant elementary schools? Corona del Mar has a senior center on Marguerite that’s the former home of an elementary school.

Apparently, our neighbors to the south are far more environmentally conscious and financially astute than we are; why not dramatically reduce the environmental impact and expense and take advantage of unused property instead of developing on vacant land?

As is typical of our city’s current leadership, the only proposal going up for a vote is whether to develop this center on this piece of land. The environmental, fiscal and moral cost is far more than the estimated $23 million we don’t even have.

Voters should send a message to the city that we expect more than another developer’s self-serving project. Those who support this expensive proposal need only look across the street to the sports complex for a preview of coming attractions. What a shame.

BETH WOLFORD

Huntington Beach