Huntington Beach Scandal?

[Forest Spyder]

From Paintball Magazine

"In California, when the NPPL came to Huntington Beach, CA, it needed to acquire permits from the city government to hold the opening NPPL event for 2003 on the beach. After the event, local press reported that the councilperson Pam Houchen 'earned $5,000 leasing a downtown office to the National Professional Paintball League while approving a change in city law that enabled the league to hold a tournament next to the city pier' and her husband 'received 20,000 from the league for a remodeling job while she voted on the legal change.' These allegations remain unresolved at press time. The NPPL's historic event on the beach ranks among the greatest events in all paintball history"

Well, not anymore. Thoughts?

[Magnus55]

Never heard of it until now.

My thoughts: when you cross anything with politics stuff like this is bound to happen. I can't say I approve of what they did, but it's a part of living in a capitalist society, he who can pay the most, wins.:|

[Blacksheep]

You gotta put food on the table...God knows it's getting harder and harder these days.

[Forest Spyder]

Well, this is going to put a bad spin on paintball, at least in California now, since they're bribing politicians.

Well, this is dissapointing, since WDP sponsors the NPPL Super 7 Series, and I supported the NPPL because of WDP's decision. I mean, i know that's a little rough on WDP, but they should have either known about it, or did know about it. Whichever is worse, is up to you.

[xm65]

It would seem to me that such is the nature of the beast... in this case politics. What is the diff. between this and Congressmen taking money from private industry while considering legislation that directly effects the afore mentioned industries intrests? Its sick I agree, but that seems to be the way things work.

[Army]

The only city ordinance that was changed, AFAIK, was to allow the discharge of guns (yes, BB guns and paintball markers fall under this city law).

Many events are held next to, and on, the pier, so I don't think that was a problem. The remodeling allegation seems a little farfetched to me, especially for $20,000.

The rent issue isn't unusual. If she happened to own the property, she can rent to anyone. I'll bet the rented office space is also rented to other event organizers for their venues.