This is from Anaheim Councilman Harry Sidhu's e-mail newsletter that popped into my inbox on Friday. Harry points to an OC Register online poll as somehow evidence the Anaheim Council's approval of the general plan amendment is at odds with Anaheim residents. Fascinating.
Here's Harry:
THE BASIS FOR MY VOTE TO DENY AMENDMENTS TO THE GENERAL PLAN AND ANAHEIM RESORT SPECIFIC PLAN:
I recognize the duty that I have as an elected representative to our city's taxpayers. In fulfilling that duty, I cannot support any policy that would ultimately hurt our taxpayers, our local economy, and impact our vital city services. Therefore, I voted to deny the amendments to the General Plan and Anaheim Resort Specific Plan at Tuesday's City Council Meeting. Additionally, it is important to also note that our Planning Commission previously voted to deny these amendments.
Mayor Pringle and I had hoped for a workable alternative that would have maintained and protected the integrity of the resort area. We also proposed a charter amendment that would restrict resort area zone changes in the future without a vote of the people. What is at stake is making sure that our city is economically secure now and in the future.
This resort area zoning change matter has unfortunately been mischaracterized as an affordable housing issue. It is not an affordable housing issue. In fact, our city has taken a leading role in addressing affordable housing needs through implementation of the Anaheim Affordable Housing Strategic Plan.
What is the true issue at the heart of this matter? Quite simply, the true issue involved is ensuring a vision for the future growth potential of the Anaheim Resort which is the prime economic generator for our city and the surrounding Southern California region.
On Thursday, I joined Mayor Pringle and a broad based coalition of community leaders, business owners, and Anaheim residents who are united in support of protecting that vision through a referendum that would overturn the misguided City Council action which passed Tuesday night by a narrow 3-2 vote. The aim is to have this referendum placed on the February 5, 2008 ballot along with the previously announced resort area zoning initiative.
I'd like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the community and business leaders who have joined in support of this referendum effort: Orange County Clerk-Recorder and Former Anaheim Mayor Tom Daly; State Senator Lou Correa; Anaheim Planning Commission Chairwoman Gail Eastman; Former Anaheim City Council Members Shirley McCracken and Frank Feldhaus; Orange County Business Council President and CEO Lucy Dunn; Housing and Community Services Committee Chair and Orange County Black Chamber of Commerce Pres./Exec. Officer Bobby McDonald; Anaheim Budget Advisory Committee Member Patrick Pepper; Community Leaders such as June Glenn, Sally Feldhaus, Andrea Manes, Kay Carpenter, and Pam Starr; Anaheim business owners such as Paul Kott and Donna Reinbold; Anaheim Colony Resident Cynthia Ward; Anaheim Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Margaret Pashko; Anaheim Chamber of Commerce Pres./CEO Todd Ament; Hotelier Bill O'Connell; and Sesquicentennial Commission Chairwoman and business owner Virginia Zlaket.
To those who may try to claim that this action supposedly disrespects the democratic process they are plainly wrong. Our state has a long-standing initiative, referendum, and recall process - a system of direct democracy which became part of the California State Constitution as a result of a 1911 special election called by legendary California Governor Hiram Johnson. For nearly a century, this reform process has provided California voters at the state and local level with the constitutional right to repeal legislative action through the referendum, make their own laws through the initiative, and remove elected officials through the recall.
It is significant to further note that in an online poll that the Orange County Register has been conducting regarding the City Council vote, 70% of those responding to the poll have voiced their opinion that they do not agree with the City Council's decision on the zoning amendments. Thus, folks, ask yourselves why some do not want the people of Anaheim to vote on this important matter. As explained by Governor Hiram Johnson in his 1911 Inaugural Address: "I do not by any means believe the initiative, the referendum, and the recall are the panacea for all our political ills, yet, they do give to the electorate the power of action when desired, and they do place in the hands of the people the means by which they may protect themselves."
I urge every Anaheim resident to thoughtfully consider exactly what this significant resort area zoning matter is truly about and to sign the petition which will place this important referendum on the ballot. In doing so, you will be protecting our quality of life in Anaheim and preserving future growth of the revenue generated in the resort area that so vitally funds our police, fire, parks, recreation, and other related city services. It is the right thing to do under the unfortunate circumstances that have arisen. We must not be short-sighted when it comes to making determinations that will have long-term impact on the future economic security of our city.
Thanks FLowerszzz!
I checked and the $250 gift limit has been raised, I think to $360. Interesting that cities would not stop voting on issues when a member has recently received money/influence, but regional agencies do. A bit strange...
Posted by: just...asking... | May 02, 2007 at 08:42 AM