Business leaders speak of new hopes for the future

OUR LAGUNA

Ninety minutes, 90 speakers. Whew!

Everybody at the annual Leadership Laguna Luncheon got a word in,

with three minutes to spare. The luncheon was held Jan. 22 at the

Hotel Laguna. Business, community and civic leaders shared their most

important achievements of 2002 and their goals for 2003.

“We are the entertainment at this luncheon,” said Realtor Bobbi

Cox, event chair for 16 years.

The luncheon is sponsored by the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce.

A SAMPLING:

Newly elected President Ken Delino reported that the chamber was

instrumental is getting the parking meters changed to three hours.

The free shuttle bus from the ACT V parking lot to Downtown ranked at

the top of Mayor Toni Iseman’s accomplishments in 2003.

Dave Connell, representing American Legion Post 222, listed “a

few” of the post’s accomplishments in 2002, which ranged from

organizing the annual Easter Egg Hunt to entertaining 100 veterans

from different VA facilities at the Pageant of the Masters and dinner

at Tivoli Terrace..

“They couldn’t have done it without the VFW,” said Veterans of

Foreign Wars representative Grant McCombs, who led the Pledge of

Allegiance at the luncheon.

The Rev. Jerry Tankersley said his major accomplishments were

celebrating his 30th year as pastor of Laguna Presbyterian Church and

the birth of his first granddaughter.

The blockbuster “Surfing Heritage” exhibit last summer was a major

accomplishment for the Laguna Art Museum. “is now touring the

country,” curator Tyler Stalling said.

MORE ABOUT THE ARTS:

Linda Dietrich, who represented Laguna Outreach Community Arts,

said LOCA’s goal is to continue Art Escapes classes for adults this

year. Dietrich, who also serves on the city Arts Commission, cited

Brown’s Park as one of the commission’s visible accomplishments.

“We had the best summer show ever, and the Winter Festival had a

banner year,” said Rebecca Meekma of the Sawdust Festival.

Festival of Arts representative Sharbie Higuchi said everyone

already knew the Festival’s major accomplishment: being in town.

“Our major accomplishment was the mural on the Latitude 33 wall,”

said Julita Jones of Community Art Project, which arranges the

installation of public art on private property. “Our goal is to find

another site.”

IN 2002:

Waste Management representative and chamber board member Tim

Flanagan said his major accomplishment was getting the city’s 45%

diversion from dumps to recycling certified by the state.

The defeat of a commercial airport at El Toro was a major

accomplishment, said Megan Macdonald of Supervisor Tom Wilson’s

office.

Laguna College of Art and Design President Alan Barkley reported

the college registered 300 full-time students, a growth of 70% in the

past five years.

The Assistance League’s Turnabout Shop made the most money ever,

thrift shop chair Anne Hyde said.

Keeping the lights on and avoiding bankruptcy were Edison’s most

important accomplishment, Steve Nelson said.

Laguna Board of Realtors representative Gayle Waite said the board

donated more than $40,000 to local groups.

The Laguna Beach Resource Center served twice as many people in

2002 as the year before, said Sande St. John.

Rick Wilson reported that the Laguna Beach chapter of the

Surfriders Foundation worked with the city to produce an

informational brochure on ways to protect our beaches and waterways.

“I extricated myself from New York,” Gerard Vanderline said.

Stacie Mackenzie opened Glamour Boutique across from Ralph’s

Market.

GOALS FOR 2003:

Ebell Club President Mitchellene Channels said the club’s goal for

2003 is to raise as much money as it can for seniors and kids. “Kids

do not seem to be a priority with the city,” she said.

Friends of the Library board member Diane Connell reported that

the group’s goal is to make up as much as possible the budget cuts of

93%. “We have to increase memberships to make up the funding,”

Connell aid.

Assisting the merchants in the area is the goal of Kay Moes of

Citizens Business Bank.

Patriots Day Parade Committee President Charlie Quilter said he

hoped the merchants in town enjoy the 18,000 visitors the parade will

bring to Laguna Beach. A brunch will be held Feb. 2 to raise funds

for the nonprofit parade.

Chris Palmer of state Sen. John Campbell’s office said the

senator’s goal is to balance the state budget on time without raising

taxes.

Laguna Canyon Foundation representative Jon Brand said the

foundation is working this year on creating an interpretive center

for the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, which is now 17,000 acres.

Friends of the Sea Lion is sheltering 19 young pups and a

membership drive is underway, Chris Lutz reported.

South Coast Medical Center will move ahead with its cancer center.

“We are purchasing the medical building to put it in,” said Gary

Irish, center chief executive officer.

GOALS MET/GOALS SET:

“My goal for 2003 is getting more parking Downtown,” Councilwoman

Elizabeth Pearson said. “My biggest accomplishment in 2002 was

getting elected.”

Devika Odgen achieved her goal of moving to Laguna in 2002. Her

goal for 2003: get a job.

“We wrapped up the acquisition of Laguna Canyon in 2002,” said

Carolyn Wood. “This year, we want to make sure the rest of the canyon

looks good.”

The Community Clinic got a face-lift in 2002 and added dental

services, Erika Waidley said. “In 2003, we will roll into a town a

medical van, which should answer some of the challenges of parking at

the clinic,” Waidley said.

Chamber and Laguna Beach Woman’s Club board member Veronica Nice

said the club is taking nominations for Woman of the Year. The club

celebrated its 85th anniversary last year, reported President

Kimberly Salter.

“We were responsible for that mess last year,” Laguna Beach

Rotarian Hank Gillebaard said of the bicycle Grand Prix held

Downtown. “We want to do it again this year.”

* 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.