Ed Laird pulls out of the chamber

Theresa Moreau

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- Local businessman Ed Laird has resigned from the

Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce, saying he is disappointed the

chamber is not standing behind Mayor Dave Garofalo.

Laird, a longtime friend of the mayor and owner of Coatings Resource

Corp., said he approached members of the chamber with two requests -- to

support Garofalo and to stop advertising in the Independent, which has

been critical of the mayor. The chamber did not support him, he said.

“They said, ‘We support Dave,”’ Laird said. “They love Dave, but they

said he’s on his own. ‘Cut him loose.’ I’m speaking metaphorically.”

Garofalo has said he sold his publishing business, the Local News, to

Laird in early 1998.

Laird, who has been a chamber member since 1991, said he also asked

other chamber members to stop advertising with the Independent, but he

was met with a negative response. The Independent is also a chamber

member.

Chamber President Joyce Riddell said she received Laird’s resignation

in the mail Monday. The letter, dated July 28, did not offer a reason for

his departure, it merely stated the resignation was effective

immediately, Riddell said.

“He attended all events. He was a sponsor of various programs,”

Riddell said. “Ed was a great supporter of the chamber programs. He was

very active. He’ll be sorely missed.”

Riddell said Laird has been the chairman of the marketing committee,

co-chair for two years at the Surf City Festival and generally

participated in many aspects of the chamber.

A former planning commissioner who resigned after a one-year stint,

Laird has recently pulled papers from the city clerk’s office for a

possible run for a seat on the City Council in November’s general

election.

Several members of the chamber were contacted for their reaction to

Laird’s resignation; however, no one wanted to comment on the situation.

Riddell, who said that many members do not yet know of Laird’s

announcement, will present his resignation at the next board meeting,

Aug. 24, when his notice will receive an official vote.