Elizabeth Pearson
Name: Elizabeth Perason
Age: 58
Birth place: Ft. Benning, Ga.
How long have you lived in Laguna Beach? 27 years
Occupation: marketing consultant
Education: bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in marketing and minor in British literatureat– Baldwin Wallace College, Cleveland (Berea), Ohio
Previously elected or appointed positions: two-term councilwoman, three times as mayor; three-term planning commissioner
Community organizations you belong to: All in Laguna Beach: Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Plein Air Painter’s Assn., Laguna Live!, Festival of the Arts, Friends of the Library, Laguna Beach Taxpayer’s Assn. and the Woman’s Club. Formerly, a board member (10 years) and president of the North Laguna Community Assn. Supporter of the Community Clinic, Mission Hospital Laguna Beach, the Friendship Shelter, the Laguna Relief and Resource Center, Laguna Beach Seniors, Laguna College of Art & Design.
What is the most critical issue now in Laguna Beach? The local economy, including:
a) Ensuring that our local businesses and artists not only survive, but also thrive.
b) Attracting new businesses to fill our empty storefronts.
c) Balancing our budget every year without having to lay off critical public safety staff.
d) Ensuring that there are revenues to ensure that the quality of life of our residents is maintained.
How would you resolve that issue?
a) Economic development efforts
b) Continuation of the Business Improvement District so that the Visitor’s Bureau can continue to market Laguna Beach as a tourist destination -- and so that our major arts institutions are ensured continuity.
c) Continued support of our artists and arts organizations.
d) A friendlier City Hall with less red tape.
e) Continued maintenance and preservation of our quaint downtown, our open space and clean ocean waters -- so that visitors will continue to find our town beautiful and unique.
e) An expansion of our arts districts to include more business areas in our arts and retail marketing.
What qualities would you like to see in a new City Manager?
a) Strong financial management skills.
b) An open mind -- and the ability to listen.
c) Flexibility.
d) The ability to attract, support and retain good talent. Also, the willingness to delegate and manage to performance standards.
e) An appreciation of our community values.
f) Some crisis management experience might also be helpful, considering our history of disasters.
The three incumbents have all signed each others’ nomination papers. Why do you think the incumbents are all supporting each other?
Because, during these tough financial times, we need experienced policy makers who have been engaged with –- and understand -- the community. Proven leaders who are fiscally prudent … who have the ability to focus on the community’s critical priorities and to “keep the trains running on time.” I believe the three incumbents know our community extremely well and have the track records to deal with the demanding challenges now before us.
What qualities do you bring to the table?
a) An understanding of the values of the community
b) A strategic and decisive mind
c) A proven ability to “get things done”
d) A creative problem-solver.
e) A consensus-builder, including a willingness to reach across the aisle and compromise
e) Someone who has a track record of taking action and leading in a crisis.