HB Independent Interview.

By Rex D Ricks

This article appeared in the HB Independent on 10/07/2004

What is the biggest issue facing the city?

    Besides the imminent threat of airport expansion, we have a lack of community. One should not just look out for what is best for their own immediate precinct or demographic group. Otherwise, we become a Balkanized city. As one who played college baseball and cross country, an important lesson I learned is, there is no "I" in "team!"

So let's all speak up for each other, whenever we see that a neighbor's quality of life is threatened. A little good karma goes a long way. The seeds we plant today is the harvest of tomorrow.

Considering such issues as the sports complex lawsuit and the improperly converted condominiums, do you agree with criticism that the city has been mismanaged? How would you run the city better?

I am a grass-roots community activist and have not earned a dime for my efforts. I am simply here to protect the city I grew up in since 1973. I am neither a sellout, nor a resume builder, and I will not enrich myself at the public trough.

Recently, I was recruited for a sales position. But knowing that I was running for office, I asked not to work in Huntington Beach, lest anyone accuse me of having a potential conflict of interest. I will disclose that my brother has a business in town (Surf City Sound). But, he will not be getting any special favors from me, if I am elected.

The sports complex issue could have been avoided by simply finding a trustworthy contractor within our own city. In fact, our city should make an effort to first award contracts to firms within Surf City, that way the tax revenues and economic stimulus helps our own city.

Another thing is, elected officials need to be just as prudent with taxpayer dollars as they would with their own personal funds. Since I have a math background, I am really good with numbers. I will look for the most logical ways to make our city become more efficient.

Given that the future of the Bolsa Chica is unclear, what is your position on development on the upper portion of the mesa and other environmental issues facing the city?

An ecosystem is a living body. It needs to be kept whole, and not carved up. For example, if a person had a mere 2% of their parts removed, and it happened to be the heart and the liver, they would die.

Plus, we should appreciate all living things for their intrinsic value, not their utilitarian value. That latter mentality has contributed to the exploitation of women, children and minorities throughout history. Therefore, I oppose any development of the mesa. Hearthside should take the Proposition 50 money and run, rather than protract this thing.

Also, there should be a World War II memorial at the wetlands (with the foundations preserved), since it was a coastal defense base. For example, San Francisco has parks at the former coastal defense sites of Fort Funston, Fort Miley and the Presidio. There just might be some grants out there for historical preservation of the Bolsa Chica coastal defense area.

What direction do you think development - such as the Strand, Pacific City, Bella Terra and a third hotel proposed between the Hilton Waterfront and Hyatt - should be headed in the city?

I believe in allowing people creative individuality with their homes and businesses (so long as it does not pose a nuisance.) I sure would not want our city to be micromanaged like Irvine. But at the same time, we should limit future growth, rather than have a contest with Irvine on who can grow their city the fastest.

We cannot indefinitely pave our way to prosperity. We only have so much land left. What's next? Fill in the ocean, or resort to high rises? We simply cannot accommodate every single person in the world who wants to live here.