MAILBAG - Oct. 12, 2000

Bill Borden’s letter in the Independent (“True identification needed

on sources,” Sept. 28) is revealing because he refers to City Council

candidate Debbie Cook as “running on an anti-Garofalo platform.”

This only highlights the fact that Borden is a shameless apologist for

his crony, [Huntington Beach Mayor] Dave Garofalo. As a columnist for

another paper, he wrote several columns defending Garofalo.

Now we all know that he has joined up with the faction that backs

Garofalo and [Councilwoman] Pam Julien. It is part of an effort to make

the next four years a lopsided City Council.

I think that the vast majority of people have already made their

determination about Garofalo’s political ethics.

His influence will continue to be seen in Julien’s voting, if she is

reelected.

Cook is a chance to restore integrity to city government. She has

shown her determination by exposing several of Garofalo’s ethical lapses.

She stuck to her guns and got the job done. I have never met Cook, but

she has shown me a restoration of integrity that might very well mean the

elimination of the Garofalo cronies.

I am not a candidate for any office.

RICHARD MCGRATH

Huntington Beach

I had to chuckle when I read Bill Borden’s comments regarding the

Independent’s reporting capabilities, and your alleged dereliction of

duty. Borden stated that while quoting “community member” Barbara

Boskovich, and “resident” and “environmental attorney” Debbie Cook, the

Independent neglected to state that they were both candidates on the

ballot in November. The quotes from Boskovich and Cook were in articles

unrelated to either person’s candidacy. Should you also have mentioned

their marital status, the type of car they drive, which brand of toilet

tissue they use, and other statistics that Borden deems pertinent?

It seems to me that your reporting is extremely accurate. Barbara

Boskovich is, in fact, a “community member”; it is also true that Debbie

Cook is a “resident” and “environmental attorney.”

By the way, I am not running for any elected position, I have been

married for 22 years (to the same man), I drive an old Volvo, and we lean

toward two-ply, unscented white.

PAM DOMINELLO

Huntington Beach

The fact that Bill Borden had to give up his column in The Wave

because he is running for City Council doesn’t seem to stop him from

getting his views spread by means of this column. As usual, his opinion

is full of distortions and half-truths.

In referring to Barbara Boskovich and Debbie Cook, he said, “In the

interest of fairness, your staff should identify them as candidates for

the offices of the men they are criticizing.” This is not true.

Borden is a critic of Boskovich, who is an outstanding community

member running for a seat on the Ocean View school board. She is not

running against Tarwater, the Ocean View School District superintendent.

Likewise, Borden is a critic of Debbie Cook, who, like himself, is

running for City Council. Unlike Borden, Cook is appalled by the

questionable dealings of Mayor [Dave] Garofalo, but she is not running

against Garofalo as Borden tries to insinuate. Garofalo’s council seat is

not up for election this year.

JUDY CURREN

Huntington Beach

Vouchers provide more than choice

I am a mother of two young girls. I have resorted to home-schooling

because of how bad the public school system has become. I was raised here

in Orange County and have watched the public schools deteriorate before

my eyes. There are so many great private schools out there, but it is so

hard to afford while buying a home and living in Southern California.

Prop. 38 helps everyone, including the public schools.

I would like to be able to make the choice of where my child attends

school and have more control over what is taught to my children. In the

public schools, this is impossible.

School vouchers would force the competition that is needed to make the

public schools what they should be and give the public an opportunity

that they may never have had: to send their children to a school that

teaches what they want their children to learn.

FAITH MASSEY

Huntington Beach

‘Civics’ lesson needed for residents

Once again a local election looms, and it seems that many voters are

either unprepared or unconcerned in dealing with the candidates, issues

and decisions before us. It seems that we all could us a “civics” lesson

on the rights and duties of being a citizen, especially the civic

responsibility of participating in the way we are governed.

It is unfortunate that they don’t teach civics in high school anymore.

It is unfortunate that adults can’t take community college classes on

local or county civic affairs, or that our city doesn’t have a community

leadership program to orient current and emerging civic leaders. We

should have a strong commitment to civic leadership in our city, and we

should be able to devote the energy and the resources to properly prepare

those who seek to guide us in local government or in the community.

Many cities smaller than Huntington Beach have such programs. Many

communities are putting a priority on civic education because it directly

affects both economic and quality of life decisions. Efforts that inform

the public and improve the decision-making process should be both

applauded and supported. As a past board member of the California Assn.

of Leadership Programs, I know what I advocate is doable because I know

others are doing it. Isn’t it time for Huntington Beach to jump on the

bandwagon in offering its own brand of “civics” to its citizens?

Shouldn’t we all be ready for the next local elections?

TIM GEEDES

Huntington Beach

New bus system confuses riders

The ill-conceived, badly managed transit system for Orange County has

caused widespread confusion among riders and bus drivers.

It was once possible to take the No. 1 bus to Fashion Island. We now

have to take the No. 80 bus to Newport Boulevard and 19th Street. At 19th

Street, a temporary sign reads “80 West.” It’s on the wrong side of the

street so a person can wait for an hour before finding that out.

I called and a driver said that he called, but the cardboard sign was

replaced by a durable plastic one, which is still wrong. Drivers are as

upset as passengers.

BEATRICE N. YOUNG

Huntington Beach

Conlosh’s ‘innuendo’ is serious

Fountain Valley City Councilman Chuck Conlosh has, in recent weeks,

implied that his fellow council members and certain individuals on staff

have engaged in some type of wrongdoing.

This is a serious matter, indeed. During an election season, such

innuendo carry the odor of a campaign ploy. In the interest of fairness,

Conlosh owes it to the voters to provide proof of his allegations, or

issue a public apology to those whose reputation he has besmirched.

STEPHEN J. EINSTEIN

Fountain Valley

Writer incorrect with costs

While I do agree with Karen Jackie (“Family involvement not school

vouchers,” Oct. 5) when she states in her letter that parental

involvement is crucial in a child’s education, she is incorrect in her

statement that $4,000 per child is less than the yearly cost in all

private schools.

Both my children attend school at Sts. Simon and Jude, one in

kindergarten and one in the fourth grade, and the cost per year, per

child, is only $2,400. My wife and I do not complain that we pay property

taxes to fund someone else’s child in the failed public school system,

but it would be nice for every child to have the opportunity to attend

either public or private schools.

KEVIN BULLAT

Huntington Beach