Hueneme Pilot

Submitting letters to the editor

The Hueneme Pilot welcomes letters to the editor. Letters may be submitted by mail or e-mail but must contain the writer’s name and contact information for verification.

In the event of space limitations, letters from local addresses will be given priority.

Please limit letters to no more than 300 words.

Letters for the print edition should be received at least five days before publication. E-mail letters to huenemepilot@yahoo.com.

Citizens should get involved in planning

To the editor:

The people of Port Hueneme (that’s you and me) have an important opportunity in the next several months to participate with the City Council to establish the city’s direction for the future.

The City Council will consider and approve the city’s 2009/2010 Strategic Plan probably during May 2009. Although the people will not vote on the Strategic Plan, we have the opportunity to influence council members’ votes.

Snail mail, e-mail, telephone, and/or visit council members with your individual recommendations on important items you want included in the new Strategic Plan.

Read the existing Strategic Plan on http://www.ci.port-hueneme.ca.us/Government/StrategicPlan.pdf. The existing plan has six initiatives, each with several vital factors and proposed projects. This is the city’s roadmap to the future.

Your suggestions needn’t be formal initiatives, vital factors and proposed projects. Just tell City Council what is important to you. Tell them what’s in your heart to make Port Hueneme better and improve the quality of life in Port Hueneme. Be proud of our city and participate in its governance.

Questions? Contact me at mrosenbluth@roadrunner.com

Murray Rosenbluth

Port Hueneme

Murray Rosenbluth is a retired Port Hueneme mayor and councilmember.

What do parking

fees pay for?

Hueneme people:

Here are the figures on annual beach passes, according to Greg Brown, community development director:

According to my count, this FY to date (2008-09), we have sold 165 passes (69 annual resident, 89 annual non-resident, and 7 resident seasonal) and collected a total of $10,387.50 of which $3,712.50 was from residents.

According to my count, last FY (2007-08) we sold 149 passes (58 annual resident, 52 annual non-resident, 18 resident seasonal, and 21 non-resident seasonal) and collected a total of $7,956.25 of which $3,237.50 was from residents.

Those are some facts on the parking.

We have over 22,000 people in Port Hueneme. To me it doesn’t seem worth it. It kind of proves my point that the paid parking is just a way of making our beach private to those that live out there.

Since (parking meters) went up in the early ‘80s, the city really was done nothing but gone downhill.

$10,387.50 – what does that pay for – the machines, the paper that goes in them? Surely it doesn’t pay the 800K they use on the dog walk to lighthouse or the 700K for the building on Market Street.

The reasons for paid parking are to keep a small group of residents happy but that same group runs the city while others pay for it. I hear our council say they are worried about our health. Well, open the beach so we all can use it without paying to park. Duh!

Rick Swinehart

Port Hueneme