Same-sex partners deserve same rights I completely...
Same-sex partners deserve same rights
I completely support AB 205, giving same-sex registered domestic
partners many rights of married couples.
If two people love one another and have the courage to choose to
share their lives, they should be saluted and honored for their
commitment.
I believe such rights are human rights and, therefore, are meant
for everyone. If one group is given legal rights, then all should
receive them.
KIM DE ST. PAER
Irvine
Design board deserves thanks
Holidays! Who doesn’t enjoy a designated day or two off to take a
break from the normal bustle of weekly commitments? In September we
had Labor Day, in October we commemorate Christopher Columbus, in
November we remember our service people with Veteran’s Day, and those
are in addition to the Thanksgiving Day long weekend. Breaks are
great.
Last Labor Day we thought about a group of faithful citizens who
stay the course, week after week, month after month, and for many of
them, many years, with no real break (outside of personal vacation.)
Volunteerism is vital to a dynamic community, and many of our
citizens do a lot to make living here pleasurable.
We are writing to put a spotlight on the Design Review Board, a
group that never gets a break! The board members invest their own
time in long and lengthy meetings, on site visitations, in frequent
phone conversations, all to keep Laguna the delightful place that it
is. We want to thank the board members for their attention to detail
on the decisions they render, working with factions while attempting
to make compromises that are fair, and satisfy serious concerns. What
a job!
Having been through the process we understand what a tumultuous
time it is on either side of the table. That noted, we can see how
valuable the design review process is and the courage of six members
of the board who are giving their best efforts every week. The board
deserves our appreciation.
LAURA AND EARLE WELLSFRY
Laguna Beach
Speak out for the Laguna goat herders
Last Spring you printed a letter from me in which I described the
unfair labor conditions of the goat herders who work in the hillsides
around Laguna Beach.
I am not able to comment on the specific situation in Laguna at
this time. I would like to strongly plead with everyone who was
concerned for the sake of the goat herders to contact our
congressional representatives regarding H.R. 3142/S and S. 1645. The
proposed legislation will be brought up for a vote within the next
week or so.
This legislation would allow workers who have been under a
contract that is similar to guest worker programs of the past to
apply for temporary resident immigration status. As such, they would
then be considered “U.S. workers,” a status that is very important to
them and assures them greater rights and legal recourse when their
rights are violated.
Please take action in order to get this legislation passed. Unable
to speak out for themselves, I’m sure the Laguna goat herders would
appreciate your efforts on their behalf.
MARY DOLPHIN
Laguna Beach
Alta Laguna site needs more input
The Top of the World neighborhood needs help in trying to preserve
public views form the north end of Alta Laguna Boulevard, from the
Alta Laguna Park and the mini view park at the end of the cul-de-sac.
We encourage your readers to go look at the stakes at the lot
farthest north [3355 Alta Laguna Blvd.]. This staking should be
compared to the home under construction at 3345 which we consider a
reasonable compromise where the homeowner will enjoy tremendous
unobstructed 180 degree-plus views while a significant portion of
public views is preserved.
In the past several years, 3355 Alta Laguna Blvd. representatives
have attended numerous public hearings concerning this and the
adjacent property. Mark Singer is the architect for both. The public
and the Design Review Board’s concerns and perspectives were clearly
and exhaustively identified and repeatedly explained at great length.
From the staking of the proposed house it would appear that all of
this exhaustive input has fallen on deaf ears.
Of all the un-built parcels at this end of Alta Laguna Blvd, the
lot at 3355 Alta Laguna Blvd. is by far the most sensitive.
Immediately adjacent to an extremely environmentally sensitive
wilderness area, it is also directly in front of several park
locations from which the public has long enjoyed incomparable and
irreplaceable coastal and canyon views. One need only sit at the
existing picnic bench and the concrete bench to realize the enormous
impact this proposed project would have to long cherished public
views.
It is obvious that the proposed house needs to be re-designed with
greater sensitivity to impact its unique location. It is also obvious
from the house being built on the adjacent lot (3345 Alta Laguna
Blvd.) that the architect has the skills and talents to accomplish
such a design.
Although threatened with lawsuits, the city needs to enforce the
City’s General Plan and Local Coastal Act protection for prominent
ridgelines, public parks, public views, open space values and
environmentally sensitive areas. The city needs to hear from the
public; input should be given to the Design Review Board.
GENE FELDER
President
Top of the World
Neighborhood Assn.
The Coastline Pilot is eager to run your letters. If your letter
does not appear, it may be because of space restrictions, and the
letter will likely appear next week. If you would like to submit a
letter, write to us at P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, CA 92652; fax us
at (949) 494-8979; or send e-mail to coastlinepilot@latimes.com.
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