LAGUNA BEACH : ‘Cabinet’ Will Seek Funds for Canyon

With completion of a $78-million agreement for the city to buy open space in Laguna Canyon from the Irvine Co., attention is turning to private fund-raising efforts and the creation of a “campaign Cabinet” to be composed of big-money civic leaders who will use their clout on behalf of contributions toward preserving the canyon.

Laguna Canyon Foundation Chairman Michael Pinto announced this week that the Cabinet will be formed. It was described as “a body of influential Orange Countians” intended “to aid the campaign’s visibility throughout the county, as well as its fund-raising efforts.”

Pinto, who has personally pledged $50,000 for purchase of the 2,150-acre Laguna Laurel site in the canyon, said Cabinet members will be asked to make similar donations in order to reach a preliminary fund-raising goal of $1 million by the end of June.

Walter Gerken, former chairman of Pacific Mutual and current chairman of the California Nature Conservancy, will serve as senior adviser to the foundation and will help recruit the fund-raising committee members, Pinto said.

Also, the Robert B. Sharp Co. has been hired by the foundation to organize the fund-raising campaign.

Steve Christensen, a senior consultant with the firm, said the long-term goal is to raise $10 million over the next three years from private citizens, other foundations and corporations.

Although businesses are feeling the effects of the economic recession, Christensen said the canyon will draw financial support because citizens know this may be the last chance to preserve its natural beauty.

Earlier this week, the City Council approved the Laguna Laurel purchase agreement. It also approved the sale of a $20-million bond issue for the city’s $33-million down payment on the property, due June 30.