Definition of ‘fair’ cheats the public Thank...
Definition of ‘fair’ cheats the public
Thank you for your detailed report on the Feb. 11 council item
regarding the Alta Laguna lot (“City goes on way on Alta,” Feb. 21).
I’d like to add a couple of additional interesting facts.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson voted against the same changes in
2001 when she was on Planning Commission. And Planning Commissioner
Norm Grossman, though he was the lone dissent in January, actually
made the motion for denial on Jan. 8.
It’s a crying shame how the council majority of Steven Dicterow,
Cheryl Kinsman and Pearson voted. As I wrote to the Coastline on Dec.
5, 2001, the public views from Alta Laguna have been under attack. In
this case, the council majority has chosen to trade protections on
public views to avoid a legal battle. We, the hikers, bikers,
sunset-watchers, neighbors, baseball and tennis players, residents of
Laguna Beach and Orange County, have been cheated by the council
majority. Good existing protections for public views have been
diminished. Pedestrian safety has been compromised despite the
concerns of the Planning Commission, staff and some council members.
This vote was about avoiding a lawsuit, not about an environmental
review. The approved mitigation is weaker than existing mitigation,
which goes against everything I know concerning environmental
reviews.
The City Council has a moral obligation to protect the precious
resources of its constituents. This majority is slaughtering the
hard-earned protections of an irretrievable resource, while also
showing a lack of concern for pedestrian safety. No future amount of
tax dollars will buy back a public view, a park, open space or an
injured or dead pedestrian. Remember this next time you’re up at Alta
Laguna Park: One out-of-state developer will enjoy huge profits,
while the we, the people, will be looking at more stucco instead of
hillsides and the sea. And that appears to be this council majority’s
definition of “fair.”
JOHN ROBINSON
Top of the World
Time for the people to fulfill the Vision
The City Council has finally seen fit to accept the Vision
Committee report, and not a minute too soon. City Council action was
long over due.
Why it took so long is beyond me. More than 2,000 residents took
part in setting goals for what “we the people” want our city to be
like in the year 2030. Kudos to councilwomen Cheryl Kinsman and
Elizabeth Pearson for recognizing that the work of the Vision
Committee was a well-developed and well-presented plan for our
future.
My hope is that this plan, like some in the past, will not
ultimately gather dust in the bottom drawer of a filing cabinet in
some remote corner of City Hall. It is up to “we the people” to see
that it does not.
DONALD KNAPP
Laguna Beach
Aliso Creek Plaza parking suggestions
As a recent stop-by walker and short-term parking (nine times in
two weeks), I observed the problems around the Montage Resort and Spa
area. It is complex.
For workers at the Colony condos, they could park perhaps on the
grass in front. For aesthetics, a green, solar screen could be rigged
up over those cars so it looked decent.
Aliso Creek Plaza should not tolerate people like me who’d use the
public beach for long periods. Hotel key employees might be allowed
to use the many empty spaces under it which had been saved for valet
parking. Busing by hotel from Aliso Beach is great. The area of
three-hour parking should be one- or two-hour limits in some areas.
The Plaza has to monitor its own lot and ticket non-shoppers. The
city should work with shops at the Plaza to police that problem.
JOHN NEWORT
Monarch Beach
City perfectly ethical in Driftwood decision
I just cannot let Robert Harman’s letter in your March 7 edition
(“Council needs to fulfill role as protectors”) go unchallenged. In
my mind, his letter shows both factual errors and incredibly poor
judgment.
In the first place, the City Council did not change the point of
entry for construction vehicles from Driftwood Drive to the access
road onto Ocean Vista. It was the city staff who recommended that the
access road be used for ingress-only traffic. There are several
possibilities for the use (or non-use) of that road, and many
citizens have expressed their opinions about what they think is best.
But the council has not yet taken any action.
Harman then accuses the council of acting on hearsay and special
consideration to friends. That is a strong statement with no evidence
presented, and, I am positive, totally without foundation. After
watching the council for a long time, there is no question its
members go out of their way to listen to everyone who wishes to be
heard. They may occasionally get it wrong (at least from my point of
view), but immoral -- never.
I agree with Harman that the Driftwood development has split the
neighborhood into factions . And that surely makes it impossible for
the city leadership to completely satisfy every single faction. The
action so far by the council has been to try to bring the various
parties closer to a solution, certainly not to foment name calling.
Harmon seems to think that his view on the project, and the use of
the access road in particular, is the only definition of “community
needs.”
He then goes on to compare 110 homes on upper Ocean Vista with 10
homes on upper Driftwood. A look at the streets quickly shows that
all traffic to the project has to pass through the intersection of
Driftwood and Ocean Vista. The rest of the trip could continue on
either Driftwood or Ocean Vista -- it would be driver’s choice. The
only apt comparison is from the intersection to either (1) the
Driftwood entrance to the development or (2) the Ocean Vista access
entrance. There are 10 houses on Driftwood and six on Ocean Vista. To
claim that 110 houses on Ocean Vista can be compared to 10 houses on
Driftwood is nothing but a red herring.
Harman next says that the action of the council reeks of ethics
violations. That is strictly his opinion. And in my opinion, he could
not be more wrongheaded. It is not correct that testimony has shown
conclusively that construction traffic on Ocean Vista would create
substantial inconvenience and potential danger. In fact, the city
staff has stated that, “this access and circulation design will
provide more convenient, safe and direct access to all homes within
the project and distribute traffic more evenly and efficiently.”
It is reasonable to believe that the staff, trained in such
matters, knows more about this than does an anthropologist. Whether
it is the very best solution is something the council will decide.
But to suggest that, if the council decides that the access road
should be used for more than emergencies, this amounts to a failure
of the council to meet its ethical obligations; oh my -- that is the
height of arrogance on Harman’s part.
BILL RIHN
Laguna Beach
First Thursday anniversary, first class
First Thursdays’ fifth anniversary event was amazing. But where
was the follow-up news coverage? There certainly was enough to report
on. The gallery art always leaves even me speechless, but did you see
what I saw at the post-event f the Festival grounds? I felt like an
extra in a Fellini movie -- navigating around the Scarlette Sisters
on stilts, watching exploding wrist corsages from Balloon Diva and
the gyrations of Kimberly Bixler.
Of course this was all topped off by the orchestral maneuvers of
Elvis Schoenburg and the “Miss Thang” in platinum wig.
The canyon temperatures plunges, but the heat from this event kept
the crowd there until closing. Thanks to First Thursdays, the
galleries, the volunteers and the sponsors -- our legacy as an art
colony continues to thrive.
MIKE TAUBER
Laguna Beach
A review of Supervisor Wilson
Since Supervisor Tom Wilson was kind enough to send me his State
of the County speech, I am returning the favor by sharing my review.
Printed in large type, it was 20 pages long. While it was very
easy to read, why didn’t he use both sides and save perhaps thousands
of sheets of paper?
However, he is to be congratulated on his optimism and what
appears to be a commendable job as chairman.
His big accomplishment and ours is to keep the airport off the El
Toro base land. Most of this property is open space with a variety of
uses.
Golf courses and the other open space uses will require large
quantities of water to maintain their green. Runoff should be
designed to go into lakes within the golf course. I hope that the
sports park will contain tennis courts, lawn bowling and a skateboard
area, as well as sports fields. Does education mean a school or
college? What about having a “bark park?”
The Trabuco development is an example of what should not occur in
the future. A recent lawsuit could put an end to “paper water”
projections in the state. This ruling states that developments’
environmental impact reports in the future will have to show that
they can find enough water. It is good that he plans to work
diligently to clean up our beaches and the runoff they receive and
meet the state standards.
Wilson applauds the straightening of Laguna Canyon Road; I just
don’t see what the big deal is unless they enlarged the Laguna Lakes
in the process. Forty years ago, Canyon Road was a particularly
beautiful drive before they started straightening it because there
was a line of trees on both sides. Then came Irvine, Laguna Hills,
Aliso Viejo, etc. -- smog and congestion.
Unfortunately, human services are being cut back because of the
budget deficits in the state and county. He has had a more efficient
and effective communications system implemented to coordinate state,
county and city emergency services.
Overall, he is doing a good job under difficult circumstances.
ANDY WING
Laguna Beach
Just trying to show some love of country
It was with great interest I read your March 7 editorial titled “A
great day in Laguna,” showcasing the wonderful display of patriotism
in last weekend’s Patriots Day Parade.
It also seemed most coincidental that your “Question of the Week”
immediately above the editorial solicited input about the Design
Review Board. Please allow me to introduce you to the most
ridiculous, painful and frustrating design review process my neighbor
and I have been subjected to over the past 14 months, all because we
want to show OUR patriotism by flying our flags. Unfortunately, and
unimaginably, the city of Laguna Beach is attempting to prevent us
from our patriotic right to do this.
On Dec. 31, 2001, we gathered together friends and family to
proudly hoist the U.S. flag and flags from Canada and South Africa
into the air, complete with our respective national anthems. It was a
wonderful moment filled with joy, pride and patriotism.
About two weeks later, I was notified by the city of Laguna Beach
that a neighbor had registered a complaint about the lighting effect
on our flags. He claimed our 25-watt vertical lights disrupted his
nighttime view -- despite the fact his house sits more than 100-feet
above and away from the flags. To make a long story short, we
reluctantly agreed to extinguish the illumination in order to
maintain harmony in our beautiful neighborhood. We were told at the
time that, provided we turned off the lights, the city would not
bother us further on the matter.
Unfortunately, and, quite amazingly, particularly in light of all
that is going on in the turbulent world around us, the city continues
to demand that we remove our flagpoles. They cite, as their
jurisdiction, some archaic city code that states a “structure” cannot
be erected within a property setback zone. Firstly, our flagpoles are
not “structures,” they are just flagpoles. Secondly, in installing
them, I deliberately made them to be temporary in-nature, such that
they can be removed easily and instantly at any time.
Now, after 14 months, four agonizing Design Review Board chidings,
numerous meetings, phone conversations and several lengthy
(unanswered) written communications, the city is STILL demanding we
remove the beautiful flag display from our residential properties.
Despite the plea I made directly to the Mayor Wayne Baglin in
August 2002, all our efforts to proudly display our flags are still
being challenged. In fact, in October 2002, I received a “final
notice” from the city’s senior code enforcement officer clearly
stating that, unless the poles were removed by Oct. 16, 2002, the
matter will be referred to the city attorney. That action has, at
least for the time being, been temporarily suspended as I have agreed
to return to the Design Review Board on March 20.
Making the matter even worse is that despite sending four e-mail
messages, four letters and two personal phone calls directly to our
new mayor, Toni Iseman, pleading for her support, I have not received
even the simple courtesy of one acknowledgement from her or her
office over the past 3 1/2 months I have been attempting to
communicate with her.
In closing, please understand that ALL we want to be able to do is
to peacefully fly our beautiful flags. We have long ago eliminated
the source of concern that had been raised by our one or two
neighbors, yet, for some peculiar reason, the city simply will not
let us go on this profoundly insignificant issue.
Given the tragic and calamitous circumstances immediately facing
us on the world stage, it is beyond comprehension how Laguna Beach’s
elected officials, and their appointed representatives, can be so
self-absorbed that they can and would even consider attempting to
deny us our basic right to fly our flags.
KEVIN KROFT
Laguna Beach
Support outweighs personal politics
The American Legion is an organization of men and women who
served, or are serving, in the United States Armed Forces in time of
war or national emergency. Their motto is “For God and Country” and
they have fought to protect and defend their country, its citizens,
and our way of life; even the rights of those who peacefully protest
against our government
There are more than 500 members of the Laguna Beach American
Legion Post and we are not impressed with the recent paid
advertisement in the Coastline listing the names of people who are
not supporting our country and seem to believe that more inspections
in Iraq will ensure the safety of our country. It distresses us that
in the current crisis the protesters are, (most of them unwittingly)
aiding and abetting our enemy, an act which will surely result in an
increase in the casualties among our troops and force us to kill even
more of the enemy.
We concur with the following statement made by United States Naval
hero, Commodore Stephen Decatur in the early 1800s. “Our country in
her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be in the right;
but our country, right or wrong.”
Legionnaires have been personally involved with war, they know war
and they hate war. They learned in the Vietnam War that the enemy is
not always in front of them; the enemy is often times at their flank
or at their rear; and worse, too often back at home. Our comrades in
arms do not need a repeat of that sad and costly lesson.
JIM LAW
Adjutant,
American Legion Laguna
Beach Post 222
Some direction on how to keep safe, please
In the face of international events, I have begun to think the
unthinkable.
What do we do in case of war?
I address this question to our elected officials. What plans has
the city made for any disaster that might come from San Onofre or
North Korea? We have heard via the media that we should buy plastic
and duct tape. What do we do with it? We learn also from the media
that families who taped off a “safe” room began to suffer from the
build up of carbon monoxide, a lethal gas.
In the 1960s, during the Cuban missile crisis, people were told in
detail how to get ready. Many dug shelters and stocked them with food
and water. Gratefully, they were never needed. But in other
countries, notably England during World War II, the civil defense
saved so many lives.
I am old enough to remember the effects of World War II on the
home front. People were called upon to make sacrifices. Gun defense
units were set up on a nearby hill. We brought the soldiers apple
pies to bolster their spirits. We had practice blackouts. At the
sound of a siren we drew the blackout window shades and extinguished
all lights. My father put on his civil defense armband and went out
into the night. I wanted him to stay with us as we huddled under the
strongest table we had, our dining room table. Everyone knew there
were German submarines just off the coast. Oil slicks on the ocean
gave mute testimony to their success in sinking ships.
In our current situation we feel helpless. No one is asking what
we hope for. No one is telling us what to do.
Those of us who live in Laguna know we are not eligible for the
iodine tablets that will be given to those who live within 10 miles
of San Onofre. What will happen if the wind blows the radioactive
cloud our way? The headlines of the L.A. Times Nov. 12, 2002 tell a
sorry tale: “Handout of Radioactive Pill Delayed.” The editorial,
“Pill Disaster Plan Could be a Disaster” begins, “Just how stupid can
Californians be? The way the state figures it, too stupid to follow
simple instructions that would save their lives in a nuclear
disaster.”
The original plan -- to give each of 200,000 people within 10
miles of San Onofre a pill to take in case of radiation exposure is
on hold in favor of one that would put pills in local hospitals so as
to encourage people to evacuate to the nearest source of the pill.
Think of the traffic jam!
The Times suggests that people be given the pill, costing pennies
each, and that extra stockpiles be held in schools and hospitals.
What implications does this have for those of us who live in Laguna
Beach within 14 miles of the reactor?
Public safety is of utmost concern to elected officials. Perhaps
there has already been discussion of these matters. Information
mailed to each resident would be helpful.
I do not envy city officials in this situation, but wish I them
well.
LIDA LENNEY
Former Laguna Beach mayor
An embrace for the Bammer family
Nancy I’m sorry for your loss!
Never did you want to hear
That News that Call, that Word,
That your daughters not here
It’s not fair
Life taken so early and taken in fear
Parent ... You did, to the complete and utter end
You let her grow you taught her all you know
You had to let her be
You had to let her go
Mother I’m sorry
I feel your loss it’s beyond what can be endured
It’s beyond your control
Nancy and Steph, and Daddy and Bro
Please Please Please let Jen’s spirit Grow
She is special,
We are lucky to have known
The woman you brought up so beautiful and bold.
She shined in my heart and everyone she looked at
She shined in the theirs
Laguna Beach!
The Bammer Family
Reach out to them they are in the time of need
They are strong only because of our hold
Sometimes we don’t know what to say
When people need us in a very special way
Even a “Hi” with a signal of sigh
A wish and a hug can go so far and wide
I know this family they have hearts of gold
They will smile and acknowledge everyone
And never tire of giving compassion or education or just being in
the moment
They Will seem very strong
But remember Laguna Beach we need to embrace
The trials and sorrows that we have to face
When there is trials for our fellow sisters and brothers
It effects us and we have to stick together
Because this is your community and every beautiful creation that
comes from us
Is blessed with Us.
So we pray, Lord look over our youth we need
They are the young and the meek
They try so hard to meet
Life’s complicated demands and the impossible hopes for tomorrows
dreams
Let us all pray for harmony
HEIDI BOUNDS
Laguna Beach
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