Supervisor candidates Bartlett and Ming outline what they would do for Laguna

The race for Orange County supervisor representing District 5 — which includes Laguna Beach — is heading into high gear.

Dana Point Mayor Lisa Bartlett and Laguna Niguel Councilman Robert Ming emerged from the June 3 primary as the two finalists to replace termed-out Pat Bates — who is running for state Senate — in the November general election.

Bartlett and Ming know the county well — each grew up in the O.C. — but take slightly different approaches when it comes to one topic on the minds of many Laguna Beach residents: homelessness.

Bartlett, a partner in a real estate investment firm, favors a regional approach to decreasing the number of homeless people living on Orange County’s streets, saying cities can’t tackle the issue on their own.

“I support a larger shelter in the region,” said Bartlett, 54.

A countywide approach that includes nonprofit organizations is critical to addressing homelessness long-term, she said.

Dana Point does not have an overnight emergency shelter like the Alternative Sleeping Location in Laguna Canyon, but Bartlett said churches have opened their doors.

“If we are able to approach this as a regional issue, opening up the conversation with nonprofits, residents, and experts, we will find the most fiscally responsible and effective long-term solution,” Bartlett said in an email.

Ming, like Bartlett, said nonprofit organizations will be critical in the fight against homelessness, but prefers that individual cities take the lead in addressing the problem because local leaders know their towns best.

In an email, Ming, senior vice president and associate general counsel of an international brokerage and investment banking firm, said empathy is critical.

“Homelessness is a multifaceted issue,” said Ming, 44. “We clearly need to be compassionate for the homeless, but we also need to be careful about crime. Residents need to feel safe on the street and in their public places, both during the day and at night.”

As for traffic, both Bartlett and Ming said regional solutions will be needed to address infrastructure.

Bartlett expressed enthusiasm for an eventual trolley route through Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente that she said should get people out of their cars.

Ming noted a strategy being actively promoted in Laguna this summer — peripheral parking — as a way to relieve gridlock.

“Regarding downtown traffic, it is important to remember that a high percentage of it comes from tourists,” Ming said of Laguna Beach. “I think those tourists would be happy to park at a central location and use public transportation to get around downtown. The challenge is finding where to put the parking that won’t upset the unique artistic and historic feel of the area.

“Laguna Beach is a very unique community, and I don’t want to ruin that” by being heavy-handed, Ming said in a separate phone interview.

Both candidates tout their fiscal responsibility while in office, noting the cities they serve have balanced budgets with no debt.

In 2009, the Dana Point council agreed to pay off all of the city’s unfunded pension liabilities, Bartlett said. Today, Dana Point has no debt and a balanced budget.

Bartlett defended her role as Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency board chairwoman despite having come under criticism. She said she followed a 2008 provision that gave her authority to sign certain contracts involving amounts higher than $25,000 without a public hearing.

According to a February Voice of OC article, Todd Spitzer, county supervisor and Transportation Corridor Agency board member, criticized the practice, calling it “an incredibly abused resolution” and adding that “the real intent of that resolution was to shield contracts from the full board and public at large.”

Bartlett said she did nothing improper.

“I operated under a board-approved policy,” Bartlett said of the rule.

Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency board members, including Bartlett, voted unanimously in February to halt the practice, the Voice of OC reported.

Bartlett and Ming each began on the council in their respective cities in 2006 and have served two mayoral terms. Bartlett still holds the title.

During the primary race for the Orange County Board of Supervisors seat last month, Ming edged out Bartlett, receiving 21,747 votes while Bartlett tallied 19,999, according to the county registrar of voters.

Laguna Beach City Council members are split in their endorsements for District 5 supervisor, according to each candidate’s web pages. Council members Toni Iseman and Kelly Boyd support Bartlett, while Mayor Elizabeth Pearson and Councilman Steve Dicterow support Ming.

In addition to Laguna Beach, District 5 includes Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, the Shady Canyon community in Irvine, Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores and Wagon Wheel.

Election Day is Nov. 4.

To learn more about each candidate, view their web pages at https://www.lisaforsupervisor.com and https://www.robertming.comhttps://www.robertming.com/.