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File #: 23-1063 MEETING DATE: 12/19/2023
Item Submitted by Mayor Van Der Mark, Mayor Pro Tem Burns, and Council Member McKeon -
Consider Establishing a Monthly Program to Honor the Historic Heritage of the United States, State of
California, and City of Huntington Beach
Request the City Manager to direct staff to implement the 2024 monthly program listed above. In addition,
form a Brown Act committee of 7-9 residents appointed by two Council liaisons to continue developing
twelve-month programs (starting with 2025) designed to celebrate and honor the rich historic heritage of
the United States, California, and Huntington Beach. Each month will be dedicated to a specific theme,
highlighting significant events, landmarks, and influential figures that have shaped the history of our
Nation, State, and City. Through a series of engaging activities utilizing our libraries and media resources,
residents and visitors alike will have the opportunity to explore, appreciate, and preserve the legacy of the
history that led Huntington Beach to be a great American city. (This series would be intended to be free of
any identity politics and political agendas.)
The Committee would meet on a limited basis (1-3 times per year) to develop the twelve-month calendar
with their Council Liaisons and Staff Liaison to ensure that the City has the ability to present the content.
The Committee will then present the calendar to City Council for approval before the start of the year;
amendments may also be presented as needed. The Committee should be able to enlist the assistance of
the Historic Resource Board and City staff within reason via Council liaison requests. All monthly themes
hosted by the City must be included in this approved twelve-month program and will therefore repeal and
supersede all such monthly themes/celebrations previously approved by Council. This effort excludes
proclamations requested by outside groups and presented by the Mayor per Administrative Regulation
512.
City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 1 Printed on 12/14/2023
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CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING — COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS REPORT
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GRACEY VAN DER MARK, MAYOR
PAT BURNS, MAYOR PRO TEM
CASEY MCKEON, COUNCIL MEMBER
DATE: DECEMBER 19, 2023
SUBJECT: CONSIDER ESTABLISHING A MONTHLY PROGRAM TO HONOR THE HISTORIC
HERITAGE OF THE UNITED STATES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AND CITY OF
HUNTINGTON BEACH
ISSUE STATEMENT
We recommend developing a twelve-month program designed to honor the rich historic heritage of the
United States, California, and Huntington Beach. Each month will be dedicated to a specific theme,
highlighting significant events, landmarks, and influential figures that have shaped the history of our
Nation, State, and City. Through a series of engaging themes/activities that utilize our libraries and
media resources, residents and visitors alike will have the opportunity to explore, appreciate, and
preserve the legacy of the history that led Huntington Beach to be a great American city. (This series
would be intended to be free of any identity politics and political agendas.)
Program name ideas:
• "From Pioneers to Paradise: Honoring Huntington Beach's Legacy"
• "Tides of Time: Celebrating Huntington Beach's Historical Tapestry"
• "Legends and Landmarks: Unveiling the History of Huntington Beach, California and the United
States"
• "Huntington Beach Heritage Journey: A Year of Historic Celebrations"
2024 monthly themes:
January — "Founders' Legacy - Celebrating Huntington Beach's Origins" - This month will focus on the
City's founding, the establishment of Huntington Beach, and the early pioneers who shaped its history,
including Talbert, Helme, Slater, etc.
February—"The Revolutionary and Civil War" - How America won its freedom from the British
Monarchy and how the Civil War led to the freedom of slaves in the United States. This will lead up to
the Civil War re-enactment in Central Park in March.
March — "California's History" - Before statehood to now and what it means to be a Charter City
in California.
April — "Rails and Waves-Tracing the History of Huntington Beach's Railroad" -This month explores the
historical significance of the Pacific Electric Railway and its impact on the growth and development
I.
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING — COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS REPORT
of Huntington Beach. This would include the introduction of Henry Huntington, who brought the trains
in and was a member of the Bolsa Chica Gun Club when he first heard of Pacific City, which became
Huntington Beach. (Huntington bought Pacific City in April 1903.)
May— "The Bill of Rights"— Learning and highlighting the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution that
spell out American's rights in relation to their government (i.e., guaranteed civil rights and liberties to
the individual, freedom of speech, press and religion). This would also include rules for due process of
law, which reserves all powers not delegated to the Federal Government to the people or the States.
June—"History of Independence Day and What It Means Today"— How America won its independence
and became one of the greatest nations in the history of the world. This month would focus on the
drafting of the Declaration of Independence, the Founding Fathers, and all of the events that led up to
its signing as a lead up to Independence Day, culminating with the Huntington Beach Independence Day
Parade. (Tie in to the Independence Day Parade and the Red Car rail history.)
July—"Surf City Showcase:Celebrating Surfing Heritage"-This month would focus on Huntington Beach's
reputation as Surf City and celebrate its vibrant surfing culture, including leading up to the annual U.S.
Open of Surfing. July will also feature "Parks Make Life Better Month", a statewide celebration that
enables the Community& Library Services Department to showcase and promote the value and benefits
of parks and recreation throughout the community.
August — "We Love Our Libraries - Huntington Beach's commitment to books, reading and learning" -
This month would detail the history of local libraries starting more than 120 years ago, through the
Carnegie Library, Main St. Library, and Central Library, which soon turns 50 years old, with an emphasis
on reading and writing activities for the community.
September—"Celebrating Aviation"-This month would focus on the City's aviation history, including the
presence of Boeing and Meadowlark Airport and the history of aviation in the USA, from land to space
with a lead up to the culmination of the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach.
October—"History of Our Military Services"—This month would focus on the Branch birthdays and roles:
National Guard: December 13, 1636; Army: June 14, 1775; Navy: October 13, 1775; Marine Corps:
November 10, 1775; Coast Guard: August 4, 1790; Air Force: September 18, 1947; Space Force:
December 20, 2019.
November - "Black Gold Jubilee: Honoring the Discovery of Oil" - This month would pay tribute to the
significant discovery of oil in May 1920 that transformed Huntington Beach and had a profound impact
on its development and where it is now.
December — "Preserving Parks & Nature - Appreciating Huntington Beach's Ecological Legacy" - This
month would pick up from July's "Parks Make Life Better Month" and further dive into the history of the
wetlands and City parks including Central Park, Lake Park, the Urban Forest, and the Secret Garden.
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING — COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS REPORT
Additional themes—The City should continue to engage in scheduled monthly celebrations that promote
public safety and health. Examples include Pedestrian Safety, Distracted Driving Awareness, Breast
Cancer Awareness, and Autism Awareness. The City will also continue plans for the 2024 Jubilee
Celebrations that will feature special stories and events celebrating the City's heritage each month.
Other calendar ideas for consideration:
January - "The Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln". This freed the slaves in the
States rebelling against the Union. What that meant to America and its future.
July— "Our Pledge of Allegiance and Our National Anthem". A history of each, along with an overview
of the California Constitution.
August-"August 2, 1776" - In Philadelphia, most of the 55 members of the Continental Congress signed
the parchment copy of the Declaration of Independence.
September- "The Constitution of the United States of America".
September - "California Becomes a State and a Part of the USA" - Of course, one of California's most
defining moments in history was when it officially became a state. California was named the 31st state
in the union on September 9, 1850.
October- "Art in the Park: Showcasing Huntington Beach's Creative Legacy" -This month could highlight
Arts Month and the City's artistic heritage, featuring local artists, public art installations, and the role of
the Huntington Beach Art Center.
November - "Waves of Valor: Honoring Huntington Beach's Military Heritage" - This month could pay
tribute to the City's military history, including the role of Huntington Beach during World War II.
(Veteran's Day)
"Opening of the Transcontinental Railroad" -The building and opening of the Transcontinental Railroad
meant it was possible to transport commodities such as coal from California to other states. Eventually,
the invention of refrigerator cars led to California being the number one agricultural producer,according
to the California State Railroad Foundation. California became an incredibly important state, with much
needed goods being delivered to the rest of the country.
"Golden Bear Revival: Commemorating the Iconic Nightclub" - This month could highlight the rich
musical history of Huntington Beach and commemorate the opening and influence of the legendary
Golden Bear nightclub along with other notable local musical venues from Safari Sam's to Night Moves.
"Pier Pioneers: Celebrating the Huntington Beach Pier" - This month could showcase the iconic
Huntington Beach Pier, its construction, historical moments, and its enduring significance as a symbol of
the City. (First concrete pier dedicated June 1914)
IL
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING — COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS REPORT
"Wintersburg: Remembering the Vibrant Japanese-American Community" - This month could focus on
the Japanese-American community that played such a rich part in the City's cultural development while
also having to deal with the community's unfair displacement during World War II.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Request the City Manager to direct staff to implement the 2024 monthly themes listed above. In
addition, form a Brown Act committee of 7-9 residents appointed by two Council liaisons to continue
developing twelve-month programs (starting with 2025) designed to celebrate and honor the rich
historic heritage of the United States, California, and Huntington Beach. Each month will be dedicated
to a specific theme, highlighting significant events, landmarks, and influential figures that have shaped
the history of our Nation, State, and City. Through a series of engaging activities utilizing our libraries
and media resources, residents and visitors alike will have the opportunity to explore, appreciate, and
preserve the legacy of the history that led Huntington Beach to be a great American city. (This series
would be intended to be free of any identity politics and political agendas.)
The Committee would meet on a limited basis(1-3 times per year)to develop the twelve-month calendar
with their Council Liaisons and Staff Liaison to ensure that the City has the ability to present the content.
The Committee will then present the calendar to City Council for approval before the start of the year;
amendments may also be presented as needed. The Committee should be able to enlist the assistance
of the Historic Resource Board and City staff within reason via Council liaison requests. All monthly
themes hosted by the City must be included in this approved twelve-month program and will therefore
repeal and supersede all such monthly themes/celebrations previously approved by Council. This effort
excludes proclamations requested by outside groups and presented by the Mayor per Administrative
Regulation 512.
Environmental Status:
This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections
15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in
the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting
in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal 7 - Public Engagement, Strategy C- Expand and enhance community outreach engagement
opportunities through neighborhood town halls, direct mailers, and videos.
For details, visit www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/strategicplan.
From: Carol Daus
To: suoolementalcomm(alsurfcity-hb.ora
Subject: In Opposition to Agenda#25-City Council Meeting December 19,2023
Date: Thursday,December 14,2023 11:01:27 PM
Dear City Council Members,
I am opposed to Agenda #25 proposed by Mayor Van Der Mark, Mayor Pro Tern
Burns and CouncilMember McKeon for two main reasons:
1) This proposal is a waste of time, money and resources since the city's
schools, library, and arts programs already honor and provide awareness
about the rich historic heritage of the U.S., State of California, and City of
Huntington Beach. We should leave it to educators and professionals to
handle these types of programs, not citizen volunteers who have a political
agenda. Plus why are you adding this committee when you recently deleted
boards and commissions, citing costs?
2) This proposal does not recognize the diverse range of residents in our
city nor the groups that these individuals belong to even though they are also
part of the rich historic heritage of the U.S., State of California, and City of
Huntington Beach. There's no mention of Black History Month, Hispanic
Heritage Month, LGBTQ Pride Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander
Heritage Month, etc. Even women are barely given a mention.
It's laughable (if it weren't so mean-spirited) that just 7-9 residents appointed by
two council liaisons would develop the curriculum. Residents' non-residents and
tourists can see that this reeks of identity politics and politicaiagendas, which is
what you falsely claim you are trying to prevent!
Finally shame on you for designating "We Love Our Libraries" for August after
everything you've done to weaken and wreak havoc within our library system. You
can't even get the month right. The HBPL's summer reading program starts in June
and ENDS in early August. This would be the worst month for that monthly
program. Did you even get any input from our librarians?
Sincerely,
Carol Daus
Huntington Beach resident, 28 years
From: Erin Spivey
To: suoolementalcomm(asurfcity-hb.orn
Cc: CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF)
Subject: "Heritage"themes
Date: Friday,December 15,2023 12:23:00 PM
To the Huntington Beach City Council,
I am yet again writing to express my dismay at your clear attempts to further marginalize
minority groups within Huntington Beach and to further your White Christian nationalist
agenda.
This latest resolution regarding months of"heritage" themes is a list of talking points straight
out of the alt-right handbook,which seeks to replace the diverse history of the United States
with a version that highlights only the input of White, Christian men.
Specifically noteworthy is the line included: "This series
would be intended to be free of any identity politics and political agendas."
That is clearly not the truth when all of the people identified in the list of Heritage months are
only White, Christian men.
These monthly themes erase all of the contributions made by people of color in HB,
California, and the United States. These themes also completely erase the important,vibrant
Hispanic and Indigenous communities that lived here in Huntington Beach before the US
arrived,and continue to live here!
Also particularly noteworthy is the unsubtle attempt to usurp the Library's independence in
setting up their own programming schedule recognizing such months as Pride Month,Asian
and Pacific Islander American Month, Women's Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, among
others.
Will the four far right members of the City Council now prohibit mentioning these groups
during their respective months?What consequences will the library face if they don't adhere to
the new White Christian nationalist agenda?
These questions are not hyperbolic as their resolutions claims:
"All monthly themes hosted by the City must be included in this approved twelve-month
program and will therefore repeal and supersede all such monthly themes/celebrations
previously approved by Council."
The far right council members are so out of step with the public on nearly every issue and they
continue to push these culture war ideas that are antithetical to the desires of the Huntington
Beach populace. These measures continue to drive away businesses and tourists from our
community, as well as drive a wider gap between our residents.
As always,the far right four should be ashamed of themselves. SUPPLEMENTAL
COMMUNICATION
Erin Spivey
Lifelong resident M68tirg Mite: /21/ /f,3
Agenda Item No.; 01-5 (�3'���)
From: Erin SDivev
To: McKeon.Casey
Cc: suDDiementalcomm( surfcity-hb.ora
Subject: Re:"Heritage"themes
Date: Friday,December 15,2023 1:35:26 PM
Dear Casey,
Thank you for your delightfully disingenuous response. I'm not sure what email you were
reading as I never said"a certain version of History". What I did say was that the focus on
listed in your"heritage"months only listed"version that highlights only the input of White,
Christian men." Is this false? Did I miss the part where you included the input of people of
color or people of a variety of faiths? I'm wondering now if your vote to disavow anti-
semitism and support the Jewish people was actually heartfelt.
I am always a supporter of learning and education. In fact I hosted several presentations at the
Main Street Library on the history of Huntington Beach. I'm surprised you weren't in
attendance given your love and appreciation for our city's "heritage." While I was a librarian
there I was happy to promote several local writers as well.
To suggest I am opposed to learning,reading, and writing is laughable as one needs merely to
look at the history of programming I did for the Hunting Beach Public Library. I'm sorry that
we were never able to connect at any of these programs. Do you often attend library programs
so that you are aware of what is being hosted in your city?
I also see no mention of holidays in your themes. So does this mean there will be no
Christmas programming,no breakfast with Santa, or no lovely tree decorations for 2024?no
Halloween programs with trick or treating or pumpkins? How disappointingly out of step with
the public!
Thank you again for this response, it was illuminating. I wish you the day you deserve.
Sincerely,
Erin Spivey
On Fri,Dec 15, 2023 at 12:52 PM McKeon, Casey<Casey.McKeonjsurfcity-hb.org>wrote:
Thank you for your email Erin.
As an advocate for our Libraries, I'm quite surprised you have an issue with a program that
focuses on teaching and learning our City, State and Country's unique history that we all
share.
I'm not sure what you mean by a certain version of History. Historical facts and events are
well documented and clear. Are you against the encouragement of learning,reading and
writing?Is that what you mean by being out of step with the public?
I'm sure you completely read the Agenda item to see that the themes in the months listed are
for the calendar year 2024,whereby the committee will then meet, in a collaborative effort
with the assistance of the Historic Resources Board,to discuss themes for 2025,which could
very well include some of your suggestions below.
In terms of City resources and time, the City already spotlights many themes and events but
in a fragmented way. This program will organize and streamline the calendar of events to
create efficiency and save resources.
Thank you again for your email and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Casey McKeon
City Council Member
City of Huntington Beach
714-536-5553
On Dec 15,2023, at 12:23 PM,Erin Spivey<erinisalibrarian@gmail.com>
wrote:
To the Huntington Beach City Council,
I am yet again writing to express my dismay at your clear attempts to further
marginalize minority groups within Huntington Beach and to further your
White Christian nationalist agenda.
This latest resolution regarding months of"heritage"themes is a list of talking
points straight out of the alt-right handbook,which seeks to replace the diverse
history of the United States with a version that highlights only the input of
White,Christian men.
Specifically noteworthy is the line included: "This series
would be intended to be free of any identity politics and political agendas."
That is clearly not the truth when all of the people identified in the list of
Heritage months are only White,Christian men.
These monthly themes erase all of the contributions made by people of color in
HB, California, and the United States. These themes also completely erase the
important,vibrant Hispanic and Indigenous communities that lived here in
Huntington Beach before the US arrived, and continue to live here!
Also particularly noteworthy is the unsubtle attempt to usurp the
Library's independence in setting up their own programming schedule
recognizing such months as Pride Month,Asian and Pacific Islander American
Month,Women's Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, among others.
Will the four far right members of the City Council now prohibit mentioning
these groups during their respective months?What consequences will the
library face if they don't adhere to the new White Christian nationalist agenda?
These questions are not hyperbolic as their resolutions claims:
"All monthly themes hosted by the City must be included in this approved
twelve-month program and will therefore repeal and supersede all such monthly
themes/celebrations previously approved by Council."
The far right council members are so out of step with the public on nearly every
issue and they continue to push these culture war ideas that are antithetical to
the desires of the Huntington Beach populace. These measures continue to drive
away businesses and tourists from our community, as well as drive a wider gap
between our residents.
As always, the far right four should be ashamed of themselves.
Erin Spivey
Lifelong resident
From: Erin Soivev
To: McKeon.Casey
Cc: suDolementalcommCa�surfcity-hb.ora
Subject: Re:"Heritage"themes
Date: Friday,December 15,2023 3:01:47 PM
Dear Casey,
I am relieved to hear that you don't consider month-long celebrations, such as Advent, to be in
contradiction to these monthly"heritage" themes. I am confident the same will apply to all
holidays and notable occasions.
Thank you,
Erin
On Fri,Dec 15, 2023 at 2:35 PM McKeon, Casey<Casey.McKeon@surfcity-hb.org>wrote:
Hi Erin,these are monthly themes and will not interfere with individual programs as you
` outline below.
Have a great weekend.
Casey McKeon
City Council Member
City of Huntington Beach
714-536-5553
On Dec 15, 2023, at 1:35 PM, Erin Spivey<erinisalibrarian@gmail.com>
wrote:
Dear Casey,
Thank you for your delightfully disingenuous response. I'm not sure what email
you were reading as I never said"a certain version of History". What I did say
was that the focus on listed in your"heritage" months only listed"version that
highlights only the input of White, Christian men." Is this false? Did I miss the
part where you included the input of people of color or people of a variety of
faiths? I'm wondering now if your vote to disavow anti-semitism and support
the Jewish people was actually heartfelt.
I am always a supporter of learning and education. In fact I hosted several
presentations at the Main Street Library on the history of Huntington Beach.
I'm surprised you weren't in attendance given your love and appreciation for our
city's "heritage." While I was a librarian there I was happy to promote several
local writers as well.
To suggest I am opposed to learning,reading, and writing is laughable as one
needs merely to look at the history of programming I did for the Hunting Beach
Public Library. I'm sorry that we were never able to connect at any of these
programs. Do you often attend library programs so that you are aware of what
is being hosted in your city?
I also see no mention of holidays in your themes. So does this mean there will
be no Christmas programming,no breakfast with Santa, or no lovely tree
decorations for 2024?no Halloween programs with trick or treating or
pumpkins? How disappointingly out of step with the public!
Thank you again for this response, it was illuminating. I wish you the day you
deserve.
Sincerely,
Erin Spivey
On Fri,Dec 15,2023 at 12:52 PM McKeon, Casey<Casey.McKeon@surfcity-
hb.org>wrote:
Thank you for your email Erin.
As an advocate for our Libraries, I'm quite surprised you have an issue with a
program that focuses on teaching and learning our City, State and Country's
unique history that we all share.
I'm not sure what you mean by a certain version of History. Historical facts
and events are well documented and clear. Are you against the
encouragement of learning,reading and writing?Is that what you mean by
being out of step with the public?
I'm sure you completely read the Agenda item to see that the themes in the
months listed are for the calendar year 2024,whereby the committee will then
meet, in a collaborative effort with the assistance of the Historic Resources
Board,to discuss themes for 2025,which could very well include some of
your suggestions below.
In terms of City resources and time,the City already spotlights many themes
and events but in a fragmented way. This program will organize and
streamline the calendar of events to create efficiency and save resources.
Thank you again for your email and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Casey McKeon
City Council Member
City of Huntington Beach
714-536-5553
On Dec 15, 2023, at 12:23 PM,Erin Spivey
<erinisalibrarian@gmail.com>wrote:
To the Huntington Beach City Council,
I am yet again writing to express my dismay at your clear
attempts to further marginalize minority groups within
Huntington Beach and to further your White Christian nationalist
agenda.
This latest resolution regarding months of"heritage" themes is a
list of talking points straight out of the alt-right handbook,which
seeks to replace the diverse history of the United States with a
version that highlights only the input of White, Christian men.
Specifically noteworthy is the line included: "This series
would be intended to be free of any identity politics and political
agendas."
That is clearly not the truth when all of the people identified in
the list of Heritage months are only White, Christian men.
These monthly themes erase all of the contributions made by
people of color in HB, California, and the United States. These
themes also completely erase the important,vibrant Hispanic and
Indigenous communities that lived here in Huntington Beach
before the US arrived, and continue to live here!
Also particularly noteworthy is the unsubtle attempt to usurp the
Library's independence in setting up their own programming
schedule recognizing such months as Pride Month,Asian and
Pacific Islander American Month,Women's Month,Hispanic
Heritage Month, among others.
Will the four far right members of the City Council now prohibit
mentioning these groups during their respective months?What
consequences will the library face if they don't adhere to the new
White Christian nationalist agenda?
These questions are not hyperbolic as their resolutions claims:
"All monthly themes hosted by the City must be included in this
approved twelve-month program and will therefore repeal and
supersede all such monthly themes/celebrations previously
approved by Council."
The far right council members are so out of step with the public
on nearly every issue and they continue to push these culture war
ideas that are antithetical to the desires of the Huntington Beach
populace. These measures continue to drive away businesses and
tourists from our community, as well as drive a wider gap
between our residents.
As always, the far right four should be ashamed of themselves.
Erin Spivey
Lifelong resident
Mr. Amory Hanson
8102 Ellis Avenue
Apartment 121
Huntington Beach CA 92646
December 19,2023
The Mayoress of Huntington Beach
2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach CA 92648
My Dear Madam Mayoress,
I am writing to express my support for the Mayoress and Councilman Burns and McKeon's proposal for a twelve
month program to honor Huntington Beach and the United States'history.I believe this program will provide
unique opportunities for all to learn about history at the libraries.
For the name of the program,I would like to express my preference for"From Pioneers to Paradise:Honoring
Huntington Beach's Legacy."However,all names proposed by the Mayoress and Councilman Burns and McKeon
are excellent.
Sincerely Yours,
Mr.Amory Hanson
CC:The Honorable Patrick Burns
CC:The Honorable Rhonda Bolton
CC:The Honorable Daniel Kalmick
CC:The Honorable Casey McKeon
CC:The Honorable Natalie Moser
CC:The Honorable Anthony Strickland
Switzer, Donna
From: Michael Gioan <digithings00@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2023 7:40 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)
Cc: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org
Subject: Cancellation of Black History Month,Women History Month, and other ethnic
celebrations...
Mr. Burns,
Mr. McKeon,
Mr.Strickland,
Ms.Van der Mark,
Shame on you for these decisions! Not that I'm very surprised considering the openly white supremacist fascism you
have demonstrated so far,Council Meeting after Council Meeting. Now go celebrate your pathetic white Christmas in
the honor of your fake white Jesus.
Councilwoman Bolton,
Councilman Kalmick,
Councilwoman Moser,
Thank you for your continued decency and dedication to HB.You are the only ones deserving of the title of Council
Member. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Michael Gioan
562-897-2745(direct)
1
Switzer, Donna
From: Deb C <debdebc51@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, December 22, 2023 9:52 AM
To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org
Subject: Despotism
I've read that the city council of Hi to from Beach would like to block all women's rights parades, black history and gay
pride. Instead you think it's important to teach about the civil and revolutionary wars. Unfortunately many small minds
and people can only recognize freedom and heroism when it's at the end of a gun.There are many heroes in history that
did not brandish a gun or a sword but made incredible changes for the better of humanity.Shame on you who seem to
be Small minded, Prejudiced and Ignorant. Keep America us Free
Sent from
•
Switzer, Donna
From: Deb C <debdebc51 @gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, December 22, 2023 9:55 AM
To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org
Subject: Fwd: Despotism
Sent from
Begin forwarded message:
From: Deb C<debdebc51@gmail.com>
Date: December 22, 2023 at 12:52:25 PM EST
To:SupplementalComm@surfcity-hb.org
Subject:Despotism
I've read that the city council of Huntington Beach would like to block all women's rights parades, black
history and gay pride. Instead you think it's important to teach about the civil and revolutionary wars.
Unfortunately many small minds and people can only recognize freedom and heroism when it's at the
end of a gun.There are many heroes in history that did not brandish a gun or a sword but made
incredible changes for the better of humanity.Shame on you who seem to be Small minded, Prejudiced
and Ignorant. Keep America us Free
Sent from
1
Switzer, Donna
From: Judith Lewis <judilew22@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, December 22, 2023 5:12 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); Bolton, Rhonda; Moser, Natalie; Kalmick, Dan; Burns,
Pat; Strickland, Tony; McKeon, Casey; Van Der Mark, Gracey;
supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org
Subject: Partisan Council Meeting
I watched again in disbelief your December 19, 2023 Huntington Beach City Council
meeting. Item 5 was a disgusting "power and retribution" move to exclude the non-
Maga's on the Board from representation on the 2024 Council Liaison List. You limited
Bolton and Moser to 1 or 2 committees and excluded Kalmik from any
representation. Rightfully he should have been Mayor. How petty and uncivil of you.
Disgusting behavior by the Mayor and the majority members.
Agenda Item 25 is a blatantly partisan move to eliminate recognition of any minorities or pride
week, and women's suffrage. You are going to only feature white male American history. The
clues are in two sentences
1. This series would be intended to be free of any identity politics and political agendas.
2. Repeal and supersede all such monthly themes/celebrations previously approved by
Council.
This is a joke because the proposal in 25 is an obvious political agenda, namely anti-identity
politics. Identity politics developed as a reaction to the failure of civil rights legislation to
eliminate identity-based inequities and injustices of various minority groups. This council
proposal is a Maga political agenda item as was the rewritten human relations position and
banning the Pride flag. You are pretending we are all equal Americans regardless of continuing
discrimination against certain groups.
Not satisfied with just library book banning, you have now banned all City celebrations like
Black History Month, Women's History Month and Pride month to replace them with monthly
"history" lessons developed by non-expert councilmembers and city staff and excluding HB's
Historical Society. (You claim you haven't done the latter, but you made your decisions on
content before consulting anyone at the Historical Society.)
Your comments like "oh we could have black history included next year" and "I can't
understand why the chair of the Historical Society would be upset" show just how devious and
hypocritical you are being.
City Councils traditionally are nonpartisan, doing what is best for citizens regardless of political
party. You four Maga members are using your City Council positions not to benefit HB citizens
and handle local government business, but rather as a platform for your very partisan Maga
propaganda. You're not fooling anyone.
Ju0400
4057WarnerAvenue
Huntington Beach-.CA:92649
Retired;C A County Captain
26 yeariesident Huntington Beach
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