IMMIGRATION ISSUES

In defiance of state law, the HB City Council voted to declare HB to be a "non-sancuary" city.  See: www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2025-01-22/huntington-beach-city-council-declares-city-non-sanctuary-friendly-to-trump-policies also voiceofoc.org/2025/01/huntington-beach-disregards-californias-sanctuary-laws-directs-police-to-work-with-ice/?sourceid=1043933&utm_campaign=morning_report&emci=85e8c1de-a9d9-ef11-88f8-0022482a9579&emdi=e0f639ab-24db-ef11-88f8-0022482a9579&ceid=195536  There might be possible actions against the OakView community.  Stay alert. 

IMMIGRATION ISSUES

In anticipation of whatever actions #47 will take please turn to this site for ideas and assistance: www.justice4all.org/rapid-response-toolkit/#KYRVIDEOS  See the Voter Engagement page for more resources.

Data on Voter Fraud

Here's the secret it's NOT rampant

OUR LIBRARY UNDER ATTACK

This information is dated but it's useful to keep it "alive" since the issues have not been solved.

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 books that have been removed from the children and teen sections of the library.

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. 1/19/24: FORTUNATELY, THE VENDOR BACKED OFF AT THE LAST MINUTE SO THE ISSUE IS MOOT.  HOWEVER, BE ON THE ALERT FOR CONTINUING ATTACKS ON OUR LIBRARY.

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 and the petition against privatizing the library. See below for opportunities to work on the petitions.  

PROTECT HUNTINGTON BEACH

PROTECTHB.ORG is a new PAC whose mission is to defeat the Charter Amendments on the ballot this March.  Please support this organization.  Go to their website, learn more about it and donate whatever you can.  Hopefully you can volunteer to write postcards and knock on doors to defeat the madness that the F5 have set upon us. The Editorial Board of the OCRegister endorsed our cause on 1/16/24: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vi6pmz91l82e894c5p61o/24-01-16-OCR-Endorsement-End-Huntington-Beach-comic-political-theater.pdf?rlkey=psnhs6engedece7r1hhymoh17&dl=0   A terrific column appeared in the LATimes (1/21/24) on the front page of the California section. Written by famed writer Steve Lopez it chronicles the current madness with a nod to "retirees" turned activists: edition.pagesuite.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=b0effe4d-be72-4a77-bde9-b164a4e19aba&v=sdk  Watch a Facebook video from our campaign.  Watch a video with comments from citizens. 

An editorial in the Daily Pilot/LA Times, October 24, 2023 by nine former HB mayors is a significant rebuff to the current city council.  See full text on the below or go to: www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/opinion/story/2023-10-24/commentary-current-huntington-beach-council-majority-sending-city-in-wrong-direction 

The mayors held a Press Conference at City Hall on November 1, 2023.  See www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2023-11-01/protect-huntington-beach-group-seeks-to-stop-charter-amendments 

See video of Press Conference here: drive.google.com/file/d/1nOvle0g5QfiOCVY9AFkwf5qT1hSWDtiy/view?fbclid=IwAR34pzLHFe8qHyoKw2zdmoZZEyhFOqLSjvLMfXZ_SF3-b3QPEHGTDEI2saE&pli=1  

Just when HATE CRIME is on the rise HB eliminated the Human Relations Committee which was established 25 years ago.  voiceofoc.org/2023/09/new-report-shows-hate-crimes-and-incidents-continue-increasing-in-orange-county/ 

HB 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/ 

The new "conservative" majority block running the HB City Council's actions must be observed closely.  They need to be held accountable for the platform they ran on.  For instance, California State General Attorney Bonta sent a letter to Michael Gates, HB City Attorney warning him to comply with California laws re affordable housing.  Mr. Gates is planning to sue the state to avoid this type of housing. The LA Times has covered the issue. Even the Orange County Register ran an editorial against our city's action. One of the most comprehensive articles comes from the Voice of OC.  On another matter, 11 former mayors wrote in the Daily Pilot against the council's plan to craft an ordinance that limits the flags flown at city hall.  For more information go to the HBCC subpage nested under the Voter Engament page of this website. 

You can read the article by going to  californiahealthline.org/news/article/abortion-bans-teen-childbirth-dangerous/ 

Benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act

The Biden administration on Tuesday launched Cleanenergy.gov, a website that explains how consumers can take advantage of the clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act.   The site provides information on the tax credits that are available for rooftop solar panels, heating and cooling systems, energy efficiency upgrades and electric vehicles. Consumers can also sign up to receive updates about incentives that will become available next year.

LOCAL CANDIDATES SPEAKING AT OUR RALLY ON AUGUST 27th

Thanks to all candidates and volunteers who attended!

OTHER NEWSLETTERS ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY

Huntington Beach Public Library: www.libraryaware.com/19/Posts/View/1bae79ae-b52b-40f1-a05b-476cf075c569?SID=0344576a-d462-422d-83ea-62906ba3b883 

Bolsa Chica Conservancy:  bolsachica.org/conservator-newsletter-spring-2022/