City Council communicating concerns of Los Alamitos Residents

By Arthur "Art" DeBolt

The City Council should clearly and decisively communicate the concerns of the Citizens of Los Alamitos to the School Board, when School Board decisions will significantly impact the quality of life in the City.

Consequently, each of us as homeowners and as renters have a vested financial interest in the continued success of our schools in educating our children. However, when the legitimate concerns of Los Alamitos residents over School Board decisions appear to be ignored in favor of what is expedient, then I believe it is the duty of the City of Los Alamitos to echo those concerns to the School Board. The decision to locate the Orange County High School of the Arts campus on Bloomfield, between Los Alamitos Elementary and McAuliffe Middle School should be questioned by City officals.

There has been sufficient public outcry by the residents of Los Alamitos over the increased traffic, the loss of playground, soccer and baseball fields at this site. It is the residents of Los Alamitos who will suffer the effects of this decision.

I agree that the presence of the OCSHA program is a "feather in the cap" for our School District. However, I do not believe that serving as the host district for this fine program should be at the expense of the Los Alamitos Citizens by diminishing their quality of life on a daily basis.

The City Council should take an active role in communicating these concerns to the School Board raise their conscience level to include those who have to live with their decisions.

None of the School Board members live in Los Alamitos.