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REDISTRICTING NEWS

Who is funding the campaign against the redistricting planned to counter the Texas redistricting?: laist.com/news/politics/redistricting-election-california-newsom-mailers-prop-50 

AIR SHOW UPDATE

Daily Pilot/LA Times, August 18, by Matt Szabo: www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2025-08-18/huntington-beach-air-show-secures-5-year-coastal-commission-permit?sfmc_id=6532a37925b3640666c0af3f&utm_id=41214086&skey_id=9cba6c7368a097cc4ec2c721d29519185569c794cc9ea3635ad5f1ec88d69679&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NLTR-Email-List-TimesOC-20250820&utm_term=Newsletter%20-%20TimesOC  

UPDATE ON SYMPHONY OF FLOWERSLAWSUIT

Please see full press release for our victory, although temporary, on the Symphony of Flowers event.  It is postponed so that the organizers can present a current environmental report.  There will be no Symphony of Flowers event this Fall.  It was slated from September 2025 through February 2026: 

For Immediate Release:

September 3, 2025

Protect HB Prevails in Challenge to Central Park Festival of Flowers Project Approval

Huntington Beach, CA – Protect HB (PHB) has successfully safeguarded Huntington Beach Central Park from what could have been serious environmental and financial risks tied to the proposed Symphony of Flowers project for 2025-2026.

On March 27, 2025, PHB filed a Petition for Writ of Mandate in Orange County Superior Court, citing violations of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The petition directly challenged the City of Huntington Beach’s approval of the contract with Flowers of the Sky Entertainment LLC.

At issue was the City’s reliance on a 1999 Environmental Impact Report (EIR)—a master EIR prepared over 25 years ago. The outdated report failed to contemplate or evaluate the scope and impacts of the Symphony of Flowers project. Instead of conducting an initial study, supplemental EIR, or subsequent EIR, the City approved the project with only an addendum to the 1999 master report.

“CEQA requires meaningful public participation and a thorough review of environmental impacts before projects of this magnitude move forward,” said Cathey Ryder, chair, PHB. “The City attempted to bypass these requirements, and our action ensures that Central Park will not be put at risk without proper oversight.”

According to Ryder, “Protect HB will suspend (not dismiss) the petition for a Writ of Mandate. This will allow time to negotiate for a new contract that will do a much better job of protecting Central Park. The good news is that there will be no Symphony of Flowers in Central Park September 2025-February 2026.”

In addition to environmental concerns, PHB raised financial protection issues. The approved contract did not require a performance bond from the promoter. Citing the promoter’s involvement in the contentious termination of a similar event in Canada, PHB warned that a disputed termination in Huntington Beach could have left Central Park damaged, with the City—and taxpayers—bearing the costs of clean-up and restoration or engaging in costly legal disputes.

Protect HB asked the court to rescind the project approval until a complete and transparent environmental review is conducted, accompanied by safeguards such as a performance bond to protect city resources.

This victory underscores PHB’s commitment to ensuring Huntington Beach projects comply with environmental law and protect the community’s financial interests.

Media Contact:
Protect HB
Cathey Ryder

(714) 470-1353

hbcitizensforgoodgovernance@gmail.com

Timeline of Events

3/27/25 Court confirmed that they had received the petition and the legal documents from our

CEQA attorney.

3/31/25 City of HB and the Real Party were served with the notification that the petition had

been filed.

4/3/25 The Court set a status conference for May 2 to discuss procedural matters.

4/4/25 The City “denied” our request to prepare the Administrative Record for this case. This

meant that we would not have to pay to prepare the documents, and that the City would have to

pay for its preparation.

4/25/25 The City wanted to move the Case Management Conference ( CMC) to June 6, which is

after the City existing deadline to prepare the administrative record.

5/30/25 The City requested a 30 day extension to prepare the Administrative Record.

6/2/25 First CMC scheduled for June 5 11am Santa Ana Courthouse.

6/2/25 City announced a Mandatory Settlement Conference for June 10 9am at the City

Attorney’s Office

6/10/25 Mandatory Settlement Conference items proposed by the City and the Real Party were

presented. The Protect HB Team agreed to review and offer our own proposal.

6/12/25 Protect HB Leadership Team met via zoom with our CEQA attorney and determined

that the City and Real Party offer DID NOT adequately address our concerns about protecting

Central Park.The wildlife protection, noise and light mitigation efforts did not meet the standards

proposed by the California Fish and Game Department.

6/20/25 Protect HB Leadership Team sent our counteroffer to our CEQA attorney for review.

6/30/25 Protect HB counteroffer was emailed to the City Attorney.

7/17/25 City Attorney set up a call with the Protect HB CEQA Attorney.

7/28/25 The City and the Real Party responded to the counteroffer and still did not protect

Central Park. The contract states that the Real Party will engage their own legal representative,

but no such person appeared to exist.

7/31/25 Protect HB Leadership Team met with our CEQA attorney via zoom to review the City

and Real Party redline of our proposal. Once again, we determined that it did not protect Central

Park.

8/4/25 Protect HB submitted a counteroffer that still asked that the City and Real Party to follow

the mitigation standards recommended by the California Department of Fish and Game.

8/11/25 The City Attorney communicated via email to our CEQA attorney that they were waiting

for a response from the Real Party to our counteroffer.

8/18/25 Email from City Attorney to our CEQA attorney that read as follows:

“Hi Michelle, Mr. Becerra outlined the following as a possible path forward. I am paraphrasing his words, some of which you and I will have to discuss lawsuit implications.

Protect HB to suspend (not dismiss) their lawsuit to give all parties the next few months to work

together to address the issues raised in the Lawsuit. Working together we can address in a new

contract the issues of community meetings, neighborhood parking protections, bike parking and

other community focused issues. The final solutions can be addressed in the new contract

between the City and Symphony of Flowers. We are not proposing to operate during the bird

nesting season. We believe working together we can address the sound, light and water basin

concerns. If an agreement is possible that Protect HB is comfortable with, Protect HB will

withdraw their lawsuit at the adoption of the new contract. . .let’s discuss ASAP when you have a moment.”

8/24/25 The City Attorney sent an email to our CEQA attorney stating “Hi Michelle. We received an email from Glen indicating they will not be doing a show this year. Let’s discuss next steps this week.”

9/3/25 Protect HB will suspend (not dismiss) the Writ of Mandate. This will allow PHB, the City and the Real Party (the promoter) an opportunity to come to an agreement on a new contract to protect Central Park. There will be no no Symphony of Flowers event this year.

VOTE YES AND YES on A and B

WE WON--WE WON--WE WON--WE WON

We did it! The Protect HB Leadership Team credits this win to the dedication of hundreds of volunteers who worked tirelessly on the Vote YES campaign. The voters in Huntington Beach made it clear that government overreach on the operations of the Huntington Beach Public Libraries was unacceptable. Our Public Libraries do matter and voters, across party lines,overwhelmingly said so with their vote. Let us use this opportunity to find ways to work together to hold our elected officials accountable. Thank you Huntington Beach for supporting Democracy.

Please RSVP at admin@orangecoasthuddle.com 

VOTER ID ISSUES

California Attorney General's Newsletter: oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-and-secretary-state-weber-urge-appellate-court-resolve?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery 

BOOK BANNING NATION WIDE

Our local MAGAites are using a national playbook.  The assault on books and libraries is one of their goals.  Read the following for a taste of what might be coming: project2025truth.com/book-ban/ 

Michael Gates Update

In his role at the US Department of Justice he has brought suit against the OC Registrar of Voters alleging fraud. 

HB in the News

Read a comprehensive, front page LA Times article (12/15/23) on what our new City Council is doing to Huntington Beach:  www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-12-13/huntington-beach-sticking-it-to-woke-california-at-what-cost-to-residents  For earlier press coverage go to our Press page.  And, go to the Protect HB YouTube channel for the latest coverage. Watch a short video on the Air Show settlement scandal.

Voice of OC, 5/21/24 by Noah Biesaida: voiceofoc.org/2024/05/huntington-beach-threatens-ca-auditor-with-lawsuit-over-airshow-settlement-probe/?emci=fa58b5d2-9a17-ef11-86d0-6045bdd9e096&emdi=1d1a3a3e-3b18-ef11-86d0-6045bdd9e096&ceid=195536 

Go to From the Press page for previous articles. 

LA Times Editorial Board, 10/30/23: www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-10-30/editorial-huntington-beach-panel-censorship-city-libraries 

Daily Pilot in LAT, 10/14/23 by Matt Szabo: www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2023-10-13/huntington-beach-city-council-to-consider-review-board-to-stop-some-books-from-hitting-public-library-shelves 

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

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 

RELOCATED BOOKS AT HBPL

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.

lHOLDING ELECTED LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE

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

1.  Find your city council's agendas and subscribe to them

2.  Offer comments at meetings 

3.  Contact your representatives and more.

State Senator Dave Min introduces bill to ban off shore drilling

Read about it here. 

Orange County Progressive News Outlets

Voice of OC    Independent, free, but donations are highly encouraged. Award winner.

Orange Juice Blog  A bit more edgy. States it has conservative contributors.

Democratic Club of West Orange County.  Official club associated with the Democratic party.

WE WON!!! NOW HANDS OFF OUR LIBRARY

We did it! The Protect HB Leadership Team credits this win to the dedication of hundreds of volunteers who worked tirelessly on the Vote YES campaign. The voters in Huntington Beach made it clear that government overreach on the operations of the Huntington Beach Public Libraries was unacceptable. Our Public Libraries do matter and voters, across party lines,overwhelmingly said so with their vote. Let us use this opportunity to find ways to work together to hold our elected officials accountable. Thank you Huntington Beach for supporting Democracy.

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