A year ago, it would never have occurred to anyone that a list of New
Year's wishes should include that America not suffer a second deadly
attack on its own shores. Now, it rises to the top of any such list and
makes a list of hometown wishes here in Huntington Beach seem, maybe, a
little less important given the fortune we are blessed with just by
calling Surf City our home.
Still, along with the continued safety and prosperity of our
community, there are small wishes to hope will come true in 2002:
* Clear improvements in the city's water quality. An ongoing struggle,
Huntington Beach officials were forced last year to admit to past faults
and pledge money to clean up any remaining sewage residue from years of
leaking sewers. Along with a new sewer usage fee, there should be more
than enough money to make strides in cleaning up one of the city's most
precious resources: its water.
* A convincing, well-reasoned argument from the Huntington Beach City
School District that persuades voters to support the $30-million bond
planned for the March 5 ballot. The money is badly needed and there is
matching state money to be had -- if the bond passes.
* Restoration of the Bolsa Chica wetlands that doesn't ruin Bolsa
Chica State Beach. Plans now call for a tidal inlet at the south end of
the wetlands, which would cut through the beach and potentially open it
up to polluted runoff from the wetlands. Both sides of Pacific Coast
Highway need to be protected.
* An end to the feud over building on the Upper Mesa. Signal Landmark
should realize that the Bolsa Chica needs to remain as it is and someone
-- the city, the county, the state, Washington -- needs to give the
company fair-market value for the land. And then that needs to be the end
to it.
* And finally, a new, successful mall at Huntington Center that both
revitalizes the area and adds always-needed money to city coffers.
