The Voter Engagement Team leadership is Alex, Lorelei and Cathey. 

PROTESTING ELON MUSK

Watch our Democrat leaders protesting Elon Musk's takeover of our digital data: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZXyEUFfwb8&t=2739s 

LIBRARY PETITIONS UPDATE

Both HB petitions to repeal the Children's Library Book Review Board and to prevent privatization of library services were successful.  We obtained enough signatures for the City to react.  The petitions may be up for a vote on June 10th of this year. Various progressive groups will mount a unified campaign to support the petitions.  VOTE YES ON BOTH BALLOT MEASURES!  Look for your mail-in ballots soon.  A new organization will spearhead the campaign: www.ourlibrarymatters.org/  Please consider donating to the campaign.  For updates go to their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/OurHBLibraryMatters/reviews 


IMMIGRATION ISSUES and OTHER ABUSES TO COME

In anticipation of whatever actions tRump will take please turn to this site for ideas and assistance: 

HUNTINGTON BEACH LIBRARY IS UNDER ATTACK

This information is dated but 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.  

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.  Many of us signed the library petitions against privitization and book citizens's review board. The petitions will be voted on probably this June.  A new group has been created to run this election: www.ourlibrarymatters.org/   

"RELOCATED BOOKS"

See this slide presentation depicting the books that have been "relocated" from the children and teen' section. See below for a sampling of these "relocated" books.

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 

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!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=43EAlZb6geo 

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 

Voter Fraud

Review a study of voter fraud in California going back to the beginning of this century.  Remarkably few entries!

Data on Voter Fraud

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

LETTER FROM ACLU TO HB CITY COUNCIL

OC HUDDLE PROGRAM ON CENSORSHIP, OCTOBER 14, 2023

ZOOM VIDEO (approximately 1 hour)

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. 

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/ 

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

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/ 

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

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

Dave Min  US 47

Derek Tran US 45

OTHER US/CA REPRESENTATIVES

Open               CA Senate 36 – Election in February

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

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




HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL


Tony Strickland,             Term ends in 2026 

Gracey Van Der Mark,   Term ends in 2026 

Pat Burns,                      Mayor, Term ends in 2026 

Casey McKeon,             Mayor, Pro Tem,Term ends in 2026 

Don Kennedy                Term ends in 2028 

Butch Twining                Term ends in 2028 

Chad Williams               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

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Sweet & Savory Photos -- We had fun and yummy, yummy food!

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