Our Laguna -- Barbara Diamond

Barbara Diamond

Ken MacLeod made the symbolic journey Thursday from one side of City

Hall to the other.

The former director of administrative services was welcomed as the

city’s new fire chief at a reception attended by his family, city staff,

all three battalion chiefs and smiling firefighters.

“Our association wholeheartedly backed this appointment,” said

firefighter Dennis Marsh. “Our goal is to improve the fire department and

we feel Ken can help us.”

The new chief spent years in the fire service before taking on

administrative duties first in Dana Point and then in Laguna Beach for

the past year.

“Obviously, they are different kinds of jobs,” he said. “I enjoyed

both, but I really enjoy the public safety challenge.”

Chris Kreymann, the city’s communications expert, said the fire

department’s gain is the administrative department’s loss.

“I am sorry to lose him, but at least he still is working for the

city,” Chris said.

Ken replaces interim Chief Jim Reed, who will take up a new interim

position Friday in Fullerton. Jim is credited with healing some deep

wounds in the fire department.

“We are here today to say good by to Jim, who served the city for

three years and say hello to Ken, whom we hope to have for at least three

years,” said an exuberant City Manager Ken Frank.

Battalion Chief Jeff LaTendresse presented the new chief with a

firefighter’s protective jacket, polo shirt with LBFD painted on and a

white chief’s helmet, minus the front insignia.

The new chief said he had already taken some heat from former

associates in the Orange County Fire Authority on the subject of goats,

the city’s cutting-edge (no, master punster Paul Freeman didn’t

contribute to this column) project to clear vegetation from the slopes

that interface with the city neighborhoods.

“Thank God, [former chief] Rich Dewberry didn’t find brush-eating

pigs,” Ken said.

Ken’s wife, Judy, two of their sons, Ken Jr. and Dave; daughter-in-law

Cindy and granddaughters Lauren, 6 and Sarah, 3, were on hand to see the

changing of the guard. Their youngest son was unable to attend.

The outgoing chief also came in for high praise.

“I’d like to express my appreciation to Jim,” Ken Frank said. “The

fire department has gone through some difficult times. There was a lot of

animosity between the Firefighters Assn. and city management. There were

frequent changes in the department. It was at an all-low three years ago

when we talked to people about an interim chief.

“Jim was the perfect choice. I have only seen him really angry a

couple of times. He’s not as volatile as me and he has brought the

department a long way in a short time.”

The Firefighters Assn. presented Jim with one of his signature polo

shirts, silk screened with the city’s revered 1931 Seagrave fire engine

and a commemorative plaque.

“The front of Chief MacLeod’s helmet and one of his badges were used

for the plaque for ‘Grandpa’ a term of endearment used by the

firefighters for Chief Reed,” said Carrie Joyce, fire department

secretary.

Sharon Reed, Jim’s wife of 42 years, attended the reception.

“We have appreciated the opportunity to be in Laguna Beach these past

three years,” Jim said.

The reception for the two chiefs was organized by Carrie and Carol

Bright, secretaries to Ken Frank and the City Council, assisted by

firefighters.

Crews from stations No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 attended the reception, as

well as Battalion Chiefs Mark Baker and Mike Macy, caught with his hand

in the cookie jar.

“We’re here, but we are on call,” Dennis Marsh said.

And sure enough, engines No. 1 and No. 2 rolled on a paramedic call.

Ready to roll: Capt. Eugene D’Isabella, Kevin Lee, Jeff Priest, Larry

Hammers and Chris Kent, among other firefighters at the reception.

The police department’s contingent included Captain Paul Workman, Lt.

Mike Hall, Detective Richard White, crime analyst Hilda Madrid and court

liaison Robin Levinson.

Also on hand: city department heads Kyle Butterwick, Steve May and Pat

Barry; Code Enforcement Officer Michael Phillips; planners Ann Larson,

Carolyn Martin and Kathy Lottes; building inspectors Doug Miller, Vicki

Bolanis and Rick Bennett; development department staffers Mindy

LaTendresse, Pat Kramer, Janine Benton, Julie Shackleford and Margaret

Brown; City Clerk Verna Rollinger and Deputy City Clerk Martha Anderson;

City Councilwoman Toni Iseman before a closed session meeting and Mayor

Wayne Baglin later.

The Fourth of July is just around the corner, bringing with it huge

crowds, gridlock and potential disasters from illegal fireworks. “Safe

and Sane Fireworks” is an oxymoron this year.

“They will not be permitted,” said Jim Reed in his last official

appearance as interim fire chief before the City Council Tuesday.

Among the measures to be taken to protect the city:

*Fireworks will be confiscated from individuals. Violaters may be

cited and if uncooperative, taken into custody.

*Public Works Department will have a supervisor on duty from 6 a.m. to

9 p.m.

*Four port-a-potties will be installed at Main Beach.

*The city will contact county officials to determine what, if any

special measures will be taken to protect Aliso Creek and Aliso & Woods

Canyons Regional Park, both of which are under county jurisdiction.

*The Marine Safety Department will have 52 people on patrol.

*Five sergeants and 26 police officers will be on patrol. Three

emergency dispatchers will be on duty all day, with backup.

*The Fire Department will set up a two-person first aid station at

Main Beach. Paramedic engines will carry a four-person crew instead of

the usual three, and 11 reserve firefighters will be hired to augment the

usual complement of 13.

*Fire engines will be at the site of all legal fireworks displays

within the city limits.

Displays are scheduled for Heisler Park, Irvine Cove, Emerald Bay and

Three Arch Bay, the latter two to be shot from barges off shore. All will

begin about 9 p.m.

Tip for the day: Walk, don’t drive downtown. Better yet, if it’s

before 6:30 p.m., take the city’s free shuttle service. For more

information, call 497-0746.

* Our Laguna is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot.

Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box 248,

Laguna Beach, 92652, hand-deliver to 384 Forest Ave., Suite 22; call

494-4321 or fax 494-8979.