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.

Please give your name and include your hometown and phone number, for

verification purposes only.