The Voter Engagement Team leadership is Alex, Lorelei and Cathey.
ELECTION RESULTS
The Republicans hold a 14 point Registration advantage over Democrats in HB.
On Measure A we lost by just a 7 points, that means we did move the needle on Republicans.
On Measure B we lost by 14.
On Measure C we won by 7, that means Republicans joined us to defeat that measure.
The expected low Democrat voters happened.
There will be a Democrat (Dave Min-US Congress 47, Derek Tran-US Congress 45, Frances Marquez-OC County Supervisor 1st District) and a Republican on every race we follow.
Don Wagner, OC Supervisor from the 3rd District won a majority. That race will not be in the November ballot.
All three incumbents on the OC Board of Education were re-elected.
HUNTINGTON BEACH LIBRARY IS UNDER ATTACK
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.
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. 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.
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 Orange County Register endorsed our cause on January 16: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vi6pmz91l82e894c5p61o/24-01-16-OCR-Endorsement-End-Huntington-Beach-comic-political-theater.pdf?rlkey=psnhs6engedece7r1hhymoh17&dl=0 On January 21, 2024, Steve Lopez, acclaimed LATimes columnist wrote about us in his paper: edition.pagesuite.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=b0effe4d-be72-4a77-bde9-b164a4e19aba&v=sdk . Also see a video on their YouTube channel. Subscribe to that channel for more videos.
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 NEWS page of this website 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
STEVE LOPEZ, ACCLAIMED LATIMES CAME TO HB AND WROTE ABOUT US ON 1/21/24: edition.pagesuite.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=b0effe4d-be72-4a77-bde9-b164a4e19aba&v=sdk
He followed up with a video!
Save Surf City is running attacks on us. Although this may seem like sharing our platform with them, their propaganda is included here so that we are informed. www.savesurfcity.org/so/11OlFPgp8?languageTag=en&cid=ef5649b2-3925-4eb4-8ded-e25030f89ea4
Work at the Registrar of Voters
Working at the Registrar of Voters during the primary election cycle is really a patriotic act. Explore the possibilities atocvote.gov/about/careers/join
Voter Fraud
Review a study of voter fraud in California going back to the beginning of this century. Remarkably few entries!
The event will be held at the Delhi Center in Santa Ana at 505 East Central Avenue.
Here's the secret it's NOT rampant
HB CITY COUNCIL IS PROPOSING THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION AT ITS OCTOBER 17 MEETING
Regretably the resolution below PASSED 4-3 despite a majority of public comments against it. The reality is that no one quite knows how it will be implemented.
UPDATES
See article from January 24, Daily Pilot/LA Times re the "confusion" of implementing this resolution.
The F5's want to privatize the HB Public Library! Review a 2022 article recounting the city of Fullerton's experience with trying to privatize their library.
Read February 21 article in the Daily Pilot/LA Times reviewing the process that is now in place and the attempts by Council Woman Moser to bring transparency to the actions being taken.
BOOKS "RELOCATED" AS OF FEBRUARY 20
Daily Pilot/LATimes, 11/2/23 by Patrice Apodaca: www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/opinion/story/2023-10-31/apodaca-no-matter-what-they-call-it-theyre-banning-books
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
LETTER FROM ACLU TO HB CITY COUNCIL
OC HUDDLE PROGRAM ON CENSORSHIP, OCTOBER 14, 2023
ZOOM VIDEO (approximately 1 hour)
SO, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PUSH FOR CHARTER AMENDMENTS?
Thank you to those of you who spoke and wrote against this ill conceived plan. Your efforts made a difference. Instead of 13 poorly written and crazily bundled charter amendments, we have three discrete amendments. See below for the likely language that will appear on the March ballot.
A rewrite of an amendment that was on the ballot in 2022. The current city council majority urged a NO vote in this amendment in 2022. Update archaic language in the city charter
Change of election regulations so that in person voters would have to show ID, cameras would be installed to monitor official OCRegistrar of Voters drop boxes, and the addition of 20 residential voting stations. This amendment will most likely have strong legal challenges and require Huntington Beach to pay for holding their own elections. Cost to taxpayers is unknown.
Enshrine the current flag ordinance, limiting the flags to flown, into the charter and requires a unanimous vote of any future councils to change. NOTHING in our current charter requires a unanimous vote
WHAT NEXT? WE NEED TO GEAR UP A HUGE CAMPAIGN AGAINST AMENDING THE CHARTER IN THE MARCH PRIMARY. Be sure to check in to ProtectHB website protecthb.org/ for fundraising and planning. Ballots will be mailbed February 5. For the exact language you will see on the ballot this March click here.
WHAT ARE THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES?
Any changes to the City Charter are PERMANENT and nearly impossible to reverse because any changes would require new amendments thve to be voted on by HB citizens. This would be a costly endeavour and huge workload for HB City staff.
One of the proposed amendments is a change from elections being run by the OC Registrar of Voters (one of the top ten registrar offices in the nation) to city run elections. This would create myriad problems. See questions below. Has a cost analysis been done? Was there fraud in the last election (which brought the F4+G)? Is this a solution in search of a problem? Or is this another part of the power grab?
Below is a letter from Rob Bonta, CA Attorney General informing the HB City Council of the implications of changing elections protocols.
Our state senator Dave Min's comments on HB City Council issues.
Another amendment would limit the flags that could be flown in city venues to the US, California and MIA flags. Currently the MAGA F4+G instituted a city ordinance on this issue. This is interpreted as a repudation of flying the Pride flag that has always demonstrated our city's inclusiveness. BUT it also means that should we be fortunate to be designated as a 2028 Olympic venue for surfing, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FLY THE OLYMPIC FLAG!
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
TRUMP INDICTED FOR JANUARY 6 CRIMES
Go to Joyce Van's substack detailed analysis of what the indictment and the law entails: joycevance.substack.com/p/how-to-read-the-indictment
Just when HATE CRIME is on the rise HB eliminated the Human Relations Committee which was established 25 years ago. See: voiceofoc.org/2023/09/new-report-shows-hate-crimes-and-incidents-continue-increasing-in-orange-county/
UPDATE
There seem to be discussions to expand the Air Show to five days and to land planes on the actual beach! (2/22/24)
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.
HB CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Agenda for meetings 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 look at the HBCC subpage under this page.
HB City Council thinks the Interfaith Council is too political. The current policy is for the mayor to select who gives the invocation at council meetings. Read the article here.
HB COMMUNITY CAFE is hosted by Council Member Natalie Moser at the HB Public Library on the last Wednesday of the month. Early registration is suggested. Seats fill up fast. Sign up here: hbpl.libcal.com/event/9298157
Join the Voter Engagement Team by emailing: voters@orangecoasthuddle.com
PLEASE COMPLETE THE VOLUNTEER FORM HERE
GET TO KNOW YOUR DEMOCRAT NEIGHBORS
The California Democratic Party has a great tool that will help up build the ground effort to inform Democrats and get out the vote. They have created an app called Neighbor to Neighbor. Once you dowloaded and enter your information it gives you names and addresses of registered Democrats in your neighborhood. We need to get to know them, let them know about the issues and get them out to vote.
Watch a tutorial on the app here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiAMGKTFPBk
BIGGER THAN ROE march on January 22, 2023 in Long Beach
New 47th Congressional District
HOW CAN DEMOCRATS/PROGRESSIVES WIN ELECTIONS?
Watch this seminar to learn how an activist group is seeking to reach the greater population that is not focused on political issues and unaware of how politics affects their community. It is a model geared to busy people who have access to social media and targeted to communities in battleground states. The premise is to create news communitieas via local journalists reporting on community news that will include political issues. The group is the Courier Newsroom. Take a look; it's inspiring work.
OUR CURRENT REPRESENTATIVES
OTHER US/CA REPRESENTATIVES
Michelle Steel US Representative 45 – Republican
Janet Nguyen CA Senate 36 – Republican
Dave Min CA Senate 37 – Democrat
Diane Dixon CA Assembly 72 – Republican
Tri Ta CA Assembly 70 – Republican
LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES
Progressive candidates are highlighted in blue
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
Andrew Do, 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
HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL
Tony Strickland, Mayor Term ends in 2026
Gracey Van Der Mark, Mayor Pro Tem, Term ends in 2026
Pat Burns, Term ends in 2026
Casey McKeon, Term ends in 2026
Dan Kalmick, Term ends in 2024
Natalie Moser Term ends in 2024
Rhonda Bolton Term ends in 2024
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
COSTA MESA CITY COUNCIL
John Stephens, Mayor, Term expires 2024
Jeffrey Harlan, Mayor Pro Tem, Term expires 2024
Andrea Marr, Term expires 2026
Manuel Chavez, Term expires 2026
Loren Gameros Term expires 2024
Don Harper Term expires 2024
Arlis Reynolds 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
SEAL BEACH CITY COUNCIL
Thomas Moore, District Two (Leisure World, College Park West & Rossmoor Center), Mayor, Term expires in 2024
Schelly Sustarsic - 2023 Mayor Pro Tem, 2020 Mayor, District Four (College Park East & Town Center), Term expires in 2024
Joe Kalmick - Council Member, 2021, 2022 Mayor, District One (Old Town & Surfside Colony), Term expires in 2026
Lisa Landau - Council Member, District Three (Hill, Coves, Bridgeport & Heron Pointe), Term expires in 2026
Nathan Steele - Council Member, District Five (Leisure World), Term expires in 2026
Sign here to ask your city council members to make it easier for households to switch to solar.
LOCAL CANDIDATES SPEAKING AT OUR RALLY ON AUGUST 27th
Thanks to all candidates and volunteers who attended!
D588AD8C-5C05-4861-9981-23534178328C.MOV
DEMS WIN IF WE VOTE!
See March Primary voting data below
RPReplay_Final1659496978.mov.3GP
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Sweet & Savory Photos -- We had fun and yummy, yummy food!
REDISTRICTING
Every 10 years the maps that determine how our communities will be represented at the county, state and federal level are redrawn. The maps are now final. Go to www.wedrawthelinesca.org/map_viewer to see the new district maps. Check the categories you are interested in at the box at the right side of the page. We will need to vet the candidates to prepare for the next election cycle in 2022.
We already have a new map for the Orange County Board of Supervisors (see below). Some of us will have a new Supervisor representing us until the next election.
Stay tuned for updates. Join the Voter Engagement Team since registering new voters and engaging current voters will be crucial to the 2022 elections.
Find your new districts by going to ocvote.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html? appid=96072186974849878121d52f4c0a50f0 and put in your address.
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CA Assembly Districts
Diane Dixon, R represents AD 72
Tri Ta, R represents AD 70
CA Senate Districts
Janet Nguyen, R represents SD 36
BE WELL HUNTINGTON BEACH
HB City Council approved a pilot program: Be Well Huntington Beach modeled after a successful plan from Oregon that divers mental health and other non-violent 911 calls to a team of professionals trained to managed such emergencies. Go to the web page https://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/residents/bewellhb/ for updates on the program.
Keep up with local city news by going to the Huntington Beach City Manager’s newsletter at: https://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/announcements/announcement.cfm?id=1579 and clicking on the PDF file.
OC District 2 Supervisor Katrina Foley has a newsletter which you can find at http://bos.ocgov.com/legacy2kf/newsletters/vol1issue2.html (This district is in flux. Updates will follow.)
OUR MISSION
ELECTIONS MATTER! ALL elections from school board, water district, city council, county officials , state offices and federal offices are important. Our leadership team gathers information on candidates and organizes meet-and -greets to give voters an opportunity to make informed decisions on their ballots. We plan canvass events, postcard projects and phone /text banking opportunities to support candidates that align with our shared values. We host community service events to reinforce our commitment to our community.
Join us! Go to voters@organgecoasthuddle.com
