CITY FOCUS:Council supports health care for vets

Two groups of activists recently asked the City Council to weigh in on national issues. Both appeals were colored by reference to the current war in Iraq, but their level of success diverged sharply.

A group supporting the impeachment of President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney rallied at an intersection near City Hall Monday to plead their cause with passersby and drivers, then took their demands to the City Council. Though more than a dozen spoke to the council in favor of a resolution calling for impeachment, council members were either silent or openly opposed to the idea.

But another group’s earlier call for a resolution on a federal issue succeeded Monday, as all seven members voted in favor of fully funding veterans’ health benefits.

Impeachment rally organizer Lynda Hernandez argued that her cause was a local issue, calling the Iraq war — which she blamed on the Bush administration — a major drain on resources to fix domestic problems.

“If the council takes a courageous stand, as one of the most conservative cities in California, it would make an immediate impact,” she said.

While around 15 people held signs at the rally, another 10 or so joined the group at the meeting.

The mood in the packed council chambers was sometimes tense. When Councilman Don Hansen said “I don’t support your resolution whatsoever” and called one speaker’s mention of fallen troops from Huntington Beach “shameful,” the group yelled out: “Bring them home!”

Rusty Rustan of veterans’ advocacy group Operation Firing For Effect had appeared Aug. 6 to plead for a resolution asking for a state referendum on fully funding health care for honorably discharged veterans. Mayor Gil Coerper then sponsored such a vote for this meeting.

“I wanted the city of Huntington Beach to vote on this resolution, to give them a copy of our resolution tonight, so the city of Huntington Beach can proudly say we back veterans’ health care,” Rustan said at the time.

Though Rustan did not attend this week’s meeting, council members voted unanimously to have staff draw up a resolution as he had requested.

“After listening to everything we’ve heard tonight, I think this resolution is something we should be proud of,” said Councilman Joe Carchio. “Anyone who serves his country deserves the best health care we can give him.”