February
19, 2007
Dear
La Habra Heights Resident Voter,
As
we decide our vote for City Council, I believe it is important to know
incumbent Fred Klein’s voting record.
During
council deliberations on the general plan, Fred Klein voted against
definitions and/or a glossary. This means such important words as “significant”
and “primary” have no meaning and the policies and
ordinances may have very liberal interpretations.
Fred
Klein is anti-volunteer, substantiated by his voting record. He voted against
my proposal that each council member adopt a city commission/committee and
just attend their meeting quarterly, promote their interests and let them know
they are appreciated. This included such citizen volunteer committees as
Public Works, Park and Rec., Planning Commission, Emergency Preparedness and
others. A 4-1 vote was a clear signal to residents of La Habra Heights that
the council does not care or support volunteers. Fred Klein rejected, along
with three other council members, to solicit volunteers for the council
sub-committee regarding the new fire station and city hall. He did not want
the expert advice from resident active and retired firefighters. His mind was
made up and he does not listen to others. He voted to purchase the
Hacienda/West property from the county “As Is” for $480,000. He did not
want to offer a lower price or thoroughly investigate the property prior to
purchase. That is okay with him, it is your money. Should the city use the
property, it is going to cost the residents at least $1,500,000 to remediate
soil conditions.
Fred
Klein has voted to raise your taxes each year I was on the council and every
year thereafter. I quote him, “It’s only a pizza a week.”
Fred
Klein wants to build a City Hall and Fire station at Hacienda/West, even
though that location will INCREASE response times to many residents. If a
call comes in during gridlock on the two-lane Hacienda Road, we are all in
serious trouble, but Fred does not care. He does not care about an East and/or
West side small station so the community will experience faster response
times. He does not care about responding to a fire in Powder Canyon quickly in
order to keep it from spreading. He ignores the pleas from experienced
resident firefighters that say we must reduce response times and give all our
residents equal fire protection. We are all paying the same fire tax!
Fred
Klein has been on the City Council since 1994. It is time for a change. Fred
Klein does not heed extensive resident surveys; he does not listen to
residents. It is time for Fred Klein to retire from the Council.
We
need a change. We need a council that represents and listens to the
residents, not just promotes their personal agenda.
Thank
you for taking the time to read this opinion.
Sincerely,
Ed
Borrowe
City
Council 01-05