Musk and tRump Accomplishments

AIR SHOW SCANDAL

For a review watch this short video on the city's probably illegal million dollar settlement with Code 4, the company that runs the airshow.  Outrageous!   www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMPtTkOnvVw 

4th of July HB Parade

Please go to our NEWS page for updates on the attack of HB Public Library and Cultural Center by the MAGA 4

HUNTINGTON BEACH LIBRARY IS UNDER ATTACK

The information below is dated but it's useful to keep it "alive: because the issues have not been resolved. January 18, 2025

ATTACKING THE LIBRARY COLLECTION

The Huntington Beach Public Library, a stellar organization in the county has been under attack since the MAGA city council took over.  Late last year the council passed a resolution to remove "objectional" items from the childrens and teen section of the library.  The reason, paraphrasing, is to protect young readers from "pornography" and "obscenity." No criteria was set for the removal process and for the alternative access to these materials by those who wish to use them.  On the February 20th meeting, Council Woman Moser attempted to bring transparency to the process, but her resolution was not passed.  Read an unbiased review of this action in the Daily Pilot. Many more articles are archived in the From the Press section of this website. 

The MAGA majority is moving forward to create a 21 person "review" board to evaluate childrens books. How often will they meet?  What criteria will be used to appoint these people? What criteria will they use to review these books? How many books have to be purchased for the process?  What happens to the books that will not be purchased for the library? The Community and Library Services Commission met on April 10, 2024, where these questions were asked but not answered because everything is in process.  Here is a sampling of the children's and teen books that have been "relocated."

PRIVATIZING THE LIBRARY

Incredibly, the MAGA majority has decided that it would be a good thing to privatize the library.  As such they will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to firms such as Library Systems and Services (a for profit entity).  The RFP is in the process of being written. Over 30 citizens spoke at the April 10 commission meeting decrying this move and asking pertinent questions such as: will we have the same services, will we be eligible for government grants, will we able to keep the hundreds of volunteers who staff many programs and services, how much money are we actually saving?  There were few answers although an astonishing fact is that the library's budget hasn't increased in the last five years.  HB spends $27 per citizen per year for library services. Hardly a huge amount.  It's the price of an average hardback book. One book check out by an HB tax payer takes care of that amount.  

WHAT CAN WE DO?

Attend council and commission meetings, contact the council members (call, email, make in-person appointments, attend protest meeting (See Protect HB for activities and opportunities),join the Friends of the Library and donate, talk to your friends and neighbors--most people lead busy lives and are not well informed on local issues. Sign the petitions to undo the "citizens review board" that will censor children's books anda petition against privatizing the library. See the top of this page for opportunities to work on the petitions. Ultimately, it is imperative that we re-elect our current sane council members this November.  Go to Dan Kalmick, Natalie Moser, and Rhonda Bolton's web pages to donate and volunteer.

RELOCATED BOOKS AT HBPL

Click here to send your emails:  city.council@surfcity-hb.org and supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org  

WHAT ARE THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES?

Below is a letter from Rob Bonta, CA Attorney General informing the HB City Council of the implications of changing elections protocols.  

What can you do about this?  

Attend the meetings and voice your opinions.  If you can't attend in person, call, write or email the city council members repeatedly if need be.  You will find their emails at  www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/government/elected_officials/city_council/

 Also, keep up with what the press coverage is by going to our internal page: sites.google.com/view/orange-coast-huddle/voter-engagement/from-the-press 

Friends of the Huntington Beach Library have been actively supporting HB library since 1971. The recent threats from the HB city council shines a spotlight on their efforts to educate, organize events and raise funds benefiting our community treasure. Members of the Orange Coast Huddle are pleased to share their link in support of them. Please visit their site and more importantly their store in the library to help. 

Learn about the issues re church and state from this thoughtful and lengthy article from the Anti-Defamation League:la.adl.org/news/me-southern-california-church-leaders-pushing-political-extremes/ 

HOLDING ELECTED LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE

In February we sponsored a program on this extremely timely topic.  HB is a hot spot right now, but other governmental entities are also vulnerable.  In any case, the right thing to do being concerned citizens is to keep informed and act on issues we care about on behalf of ourselves and our community.  The program slides are available by clicking here.  Learn how to

•  Find your city council's agendas and subscribe to them

•  Offer comments at meetings 

•  Contact your representatives and more.

Thanks as always for your activism. Hundreds of emails were sent to the city council, and the chambers were full of folks ready to speak (and support other public speakers)!

And we made a difference:

-The libraries will not be closing, and hours will not be reduced.

-Beach and park maintenance will not be compromised. 

-The popular Circuit downtown shuttle service will continue through 12/31, and possibly beyond if they receive grant funding.

-The police will get a 3 year contract that includes a 5% salary increase each year. Competitive salaries will hopefully help fill the current 30 vacancies in our HB Police force.

-The City Attorney will add 4 employees to his office.

-The City Treasurer will get $100,000 to remodel the office.

-The city will be increasing fees and fines. Other revenue sources will be considered as well.

The next meeting will be July 18, which means we have a few weeks to rest. We will keep you updated on any further developments.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

Agendas are available at huntingtonbeach.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx  City Council meetings are broadcast live on YouTube. Search for the live session or the archives. The city website is www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/ 

Same Grassroots Action

New Huddle Name 

In February 2017, after the first Women’s March, a group of strangers responded to the call, “First we march, then we huddle.”  We were united in our goals to become more politically active and to counteract the actions of the newly elected president.  We agreed upon the issues we would focus on and formed our action teams.  We persisted!

Since that time, we’ve continued to pursue our goals and have learned that the challenges that concern us are best corrected by electing like-minded officials and providing community service opportunities.  We are most effective when we work together to educate the public and encourage the electorate to vote. We have determined that a PAC is the most appropriate structure for our organization.

For archived issues of our newsletter go to: us15.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=fefda7d67dd51caf8aad96c88&id=b4f9961904     SIGN UP FOR THE NEWLETTER BELOW.

Janet Nguyen  CA Senate 36 – Republican

Open               CA Senate 36 – Election in February

Diane Dixon     CA Assembly 72 – Republican 

Tri Ta                CA Assembly 70 – Republican 

ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Doug Chaffee, Chairman, 4th District:  Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia, Stanton, portions of Anaheim, and unincorporated communities.  

Donald P. Wagner, Vice-Chairman, 3rd District: Anaheim (portions of), Irvine (portions of), Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Orange (portions of), Rancho Santa Margarita, Tustin (portions of), Villa Park, Yorba Linda, and the Unincorporated Communities of Modjeska, North Tustin, Silverado, Trabuco Canyon and Williams Canyon

Janet Nguyen, 1st District, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove (portions of), Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, La Palma, Seal Beach, Westminster, and the Unincorporated Communities of Midway City and Rossmoor

Vicente Sarmiento 2nd District. Anaheim (portions of), Garden Grove (portions of), Orange (portions of), Santa Ana, Tustin (portions of), and the Unincorporated Communities of North Tustin

Katrina Foley, 5th District, The Cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Irvine (portions of), Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, and Rancho Mission Viejo

FOUNTAIN  VALLEY CITY COUNCIL

Kim Constantine, Mayor, Term expires 2026 

Glen Grandis,     Mayor Pro Tem, Term expires 2024 

Ted Bui,               Term expires 2024 

Jim Cunneen       Term expires 2026 

Patrick Harper     Term expires 2026

NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL

Noah Blom, District 5,         Mayor, Term expires 2024

Will O’Neill, District 7,          Mayor Pro Tem, Term expires 2024

Joe Stapleton, District 1,     Term expires 2026 

Brad Avery, District 2,          Term expires 2024

Eric Weigan, District 3,        Term expires 2026 

Robyn Grant, District 4,       Term expires 2026 

Lauren Kleiman, District 6,  Term expires 2026