DUI suspects don’t deserve shaming

Apparently we have a city councilman in Huntington Beach who is unfamiliar with the United States Constitution, much less the concept of “innocent until proven guilty.” Councilman Devin Dwyer likes the idea of publicly “shaming” those who drive drunk, and, per your report (“Council approves garden lease,” Nov. 18), that applies to arrestees. I mean, why wait for a conviction or a plea when everyone knows that the police wouldn’t arrest you if you weren’t guilty. Right?

Gene Axelrod

Huntington Beach

City fumbled cell tower issue

It should be noted that the city was under no legal obligation to allow cell towers in our public parks (“Judge holds fate of cell towers,” Nov. 18). For whatever reason, the city allowed T-Mobile to place its towers in our parks. Had the city taken the time to consider and evaluate the negative impact of these towers on the parks and the surrounding neighborhoods, it would have (should have) denied the projects. The city made a mistake. As a result, unless trial results indicate otherwise, the city may be obligated to honor agreements it made with T-Mobile.

However, the city’s first obligations are to its residents, and as evidenced by the voting results on Measure Q (a resounding “no”), the residents don’t want cell towers in their neighborhood parks. As such, regardless of the outcome of any suit by T-Mobile, the city has to correct its mistake and prevent by whatever means necessary the construction of cell towers in our neighborhood parks. If this, at the worst, means paying T-Mobile to go away, then the city should step up and do it. It owes it to its residents to own up to its mistakes and do the right thing.

Don Obert

Huntington Beach

Car show an instant classic

I’m not sure if you made it out to the Surf City Beach Cruise on Saturday, but it was successful beyond our beliefs (“Classics fueling this charity event,” Nov. 11). We had over 240 vehicles pre-registered for the show, but between 400 and 500 showed up. We took up over a mile of the beach in Huntington Beach.

There were thousands of spectators from all over at the show, plus media organizations from all over the world and numerous local media groups, along with specialty automotive media. I also provided interviews to media groups from Italy and New Zealand, among others. Over 500 of the West Coast’s best classic cars and hot rods came to the show.

I need to thank all the local community volunteers who helped organize and manage the show, because without them, this great community event could not have occurred. We worked on the planning for this show for over a year.

Next year, we are hopeful that we can get support from the local business community. I would like to thank this year’s great sponsors who made this show possible. This list includes Jack’s Surfboards, Meguiar’s, Danchuk Manufacturing, Hurst Performance Vehicles, AAA of Southern California, DeLillo Chevrolet and D&P Classic Chevy.

Thank you for your great article and pre-show coverage, as I’m sure this was very helpful in getting the word out to the community. Clearly, this event was not only fun for all, but a great economic boost for the local community. We look forward to next year’s show – a bigger, better event.

Darryl Nance

Huntington Beach

Show mercy on day of thanks

While President Obama is pardoning two turkeys for Thanksgiving, every one of us can exercise that same presidential power by choosing a nonviolent Thanksgiving observance. It shows our compassion for an innocent animal and our concern for our family’s health. It’s a most fitting way to give thanks for our own life, health and happiness.

The 270 million turkeys killed in the U.S. each year have nothing to give thanks for. They breathe toxic fumes in crowded sheds. Their beaks and toes are severed. At the slaughterhouse, workers cut their throats and dump them into boiling water, sometimes while still conscious.

Consumers, too, pay a heavy price. Turkey flesh is laced with cholesterol and saturated fats that elevate the risk of chronic killer diseases. Labels warn of food poisoning potential.

This Thanksgiving, I won’t be calling the Poultry Hot Line, or wondering how that turkey lived and died. Our Thanksgiving dinner may include a “tofurky,” lentil roast, mashed potatoes, corn stuffing, stuffed squash, chestnut soup, candied yams, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and carrot cake. An internet search on vegan Thanksgiving and a visit to my local supermarket will provide me more recipes and delicious turkey alternatives than I can possibly use.

Henry Redfield

Huntington Beach