Lifeguards deserve better treatment I feel the...

Lifeguards deserve better treatment

I feel the city needs to step up and acknowledge the incredible

job our understaffed lifeguard department has done and support their

need for more full-timers.

Will City Manager Ken Frank wait until we have a preventable

drowning until he acts? Will the city wait until it is sued by a

disgruntled employee who for years has been putting in full-time

hours at part-time pay?

The Laguna Beach Lifeguard Assn. will celebrate its 75th

anniversary in September. Not sure if Frank should be invited.

JIMBEAU ANDREWS

Laguna Beach

Don’t wait until a drowning happens

I fully support increasing the number of full-time lifeguards and

giving benefits to some of the part-time lifeguards. The city should

encourage retention of dedicated year-round public safety staff. This

adds to the quality and professionalism of its staff and the

reputation of the city.

Too often a city will delay costly action until enough injuries,

accidents or fatalities occur, confirming a need for additional

expenditures. Whose life is the Laguna Beach city administration

willing to risk with its cost saving measures? Is it the swimmer or

kayaker who lives down the street, the relative who begins each

morning surfing, the scuba diver who lives in the next town over?

While I agree that every California agency must be prudent with its

money, public safety is a primary responsibility. Public safety for

beach users is just as important as police or fire protection for

landlubbers.

As a frequent visitor to Laguna Beach, to scuba dive and also to

shop and dine, I hope that my voice will be heard. I do not live in

Laguna Beach but I certainly spend money there and I expect city

services for public safety to meet the demand of the population that

lives, works and visits there.

The economic health of the city depends partially on the visitors

who frequent Laguna Beach. Protect public safety by supporting the

lifeguards’ needs.

DEBBIE KARIMOTO

Mission Viejo

Presumably you are receiving many e-mails (or faxes) that

encourage the city to hire additional full-time lifeguards and to

make available benefits that most civic duty positions are entitled

to.

As a visitor to Laguna and the surrounding areas my family and I

are comforted to know that there are properly trained and experienced

lifeguards on duty. This is a very important factor in allowing my

family to enjoy the beach area. As you know, the ocean can unleash

surprising currents, surges, rip currents, waves, etc. Having a

lifeguard present certainly adds a peace of mind that enters into our

decision into which beaches we visit and enjoy.

I fully support the call to hire additional full-time lifeguards

and also support the necessity to make available at least some

benefits. The lifeguards hold an important position and anyone

rescued, or assured by their presence, can certainly attest to their

vitality in allowing the general public to enjoy the beaches.

PAUL H. KIM

Riverside

Hurray for ‘Music Man’ production

The Laguna Beach High School production of “The Music Man” was

absolutely wonderful!

Kudos to all at Laguna Beach High School and the Laguna Beach

Unified School District who support such an outstanding performing

arts department. The quality of the singers, actors, dancers and pit

orchestra players was phenomenal. Directors Mark Dressler, Teri

Ralston, Roxanna Ward, Tod Kubo and Wand Hendricks worked together to

create a highly professional production.

“Music Man” Christian Marriner was a wonderful Harold Hill,

singing and dancing with perfection in the highly complex song

“Trouble” and all the other lengthy and demanding numbers. Marian the

Librarian, Christina Schuller, sang so beautifully her music

transcended the stage. Laura Fryer, Mrs. Peroo, convinced me she was

from Ireland, Jesse Fair, the Anvil Salesman, was hilariously

capable, and Amaryllis, Sophia Tupy, is a sixth grade Thurston star.

The entire starring and supporting cast, colorfully costumed amid

fantastic sets, played their parts with conviction and perfection.

It is inspirational to see what can be accomplished with strong

school support, highly qualified teachers who can work together,

talented students, and a community that appreciates the life-long

learning that the performing arts contribute to their children’s

education. Laguna Beach is truly blessed!

CAROL REYNOLDS

Laguna Beach

Signs of holidays should be allowed

I don’t understand why crosses, Easter and Christmas banners art,

etc. cannot be displayed.

It seems like every other type of organization can display things

but Christians are being singled out and told they can’t. (Which is

against the right of free speech.)

The reason America was started is so people can worship God.

Stores make lots of money around Christian holidays, but will not say

Merry Christmas or Happy Easter.

Tolerance seems to be one-sided too. Something to think about.

KATHY REILLY

Laguna Beach

Of course the city should allow an Easter banner to be displayed

on the Festival of Arts grounds. The city allows advertising for all

sorts of events. Why should an Easter service suffer discrimination?

The banner that was proposed was tasteful and appropriate. It

would have been displayed for a reasonable period before the Easter

service and removed immediately afterward. The purpose of the banner

is to invite anyone to attend; admission is free.

Thank God that we still have religious freedom in this country. I

appreciate that the city allows a church to conduct an Easter sunrise

service at the Irvine Bowl. With or without the banner, I expect that

many will choose to come and celebrate.

With so much talk about tolerance, I just wish there was more

tolerance of the Christian values on which this nation was founded.

PETER MOORE

Laguna Beach

Tide pools need better enforcement

I was down at the beach recently and was involved in an incident

that left me feeling very helpless.

I saw a family in the tide pools collecting shells. The father

carried a bucket full of shells and the children had shells filling

each hand. When I explained that this was a “no take zone,” the

father responded that they were just playing with the shells. When I

pointed to the new tide pool signs and further explained that they

should observe the shells and sea-life only in their natural habitat

and not to pick them up the father said “get out of my face.” When I

told him that he could be fined up to $1,000 as posted on the signs,

he said “go ahead and call the police.”

I got the lifeguard to come and help, but as we were approaching

the family, the lifeguard was called away to help an injured

beachgoer with a dislocated shoulder. The lifeguard did as he should

do and as is proper when instead of dealing with my incident, he

responded to the emergency. But what was I supposed to do then?

The shells were dumped in a pile high on the beach when the family

left, but what good is that? What Laguna needs is someone dedicated

to enforcing the rules.

MARION WILKINSON

Laguna Beach

I am not a resident of Laguna Beach and therefore tend not to take

your beautiful beaches and spectacular weather for granted.

I drive 100 round-trip miles to enjoy the natural beauty of Laguna

Beach and last year decided to start paying back for the enjoyment I

have received over the years. I have been a volunteer docent at the

Laguna Art Museum for a few years and with the opening of the Montage

Resort and the beautiful park created by the city I became more aware

of the old Treasure Island beach and specifically the tide pools.

With the opening of the Montage Resort, the tide pools are no

longer the best kept secret in Laguna Beach. This summer the tide

pools at low tide will be enjoyed by many residents, visitors and

school children who are naturally drawn to them. Last year, I joined

a new group of volunteers (Laguna Beach Tidewater Docents) organized

to raise public awareness concerning the tide pools and to educate

visitors about various species living in the tide pools. However, the

tide pools are very vulnerable to damage from visitors and many do

not realize that the tide pools are in a Marine Protected Area

(similar to the Heisler Park beaches).

Visitors cannot legally remove animals from the tide pools.

Docents are at the tide pools during low tide (weekend) periods and

typically greet more than 100 visitors per hour. We provide pamphlet

information and usually can answer most questions concerning the tide

pools.

Most visitors don’t realize that the tide pools are in a protected

area and when informed, they usually are happy to comply with the

“don’t remove” restrictions. However, volunteer docents cannot

enforce marine restrictions and the primary duty of lifeguards is

public safety. Therefore, Laguna Beach is left without a full-time

enforcement and education person. If we are to protect this vital

resource, the city should create a position of marine

enforcement/education officer.

Laguna Beach residents need a wake up call to realize that with

the growth of the city and the increased number of out of town

visitors, the tide pools are in danger of being permanently damaged.

You don’t need additional restrictions, just a coordinated program of

education and full time protection from a marine

enforcement/education officer.

JACK BOLTA

Covina

Trying to address all the ocean issues

All the heated discussion regarding the ocean lately makes one

consider just how important it is to our little seaside town.

Stating the obvious? Sure, but in recent weeks there have been a

torrent of letters written about more issues than usual. Here’s just

a sampling: The trees that are blocking the viewing of it, the

pollution and contaminants flowing into it, the indigenous creatures

being pulled out of it, traffic preventing us from getting to it,

budgets reduced for those that are here to protect it. These are all

huge issues.

It would be so nice to have simple answers for all these topics,

but if human history is to be our guide ... well, things tend to get

complicated.

What is it about the ocean that merits all this passionate

discussion?

We have to ask ourselves that question and examine our individual

answers. Some answers might include the solitude and excitement of

surfing, swimming, drifting in it; the laughter of children playing

at the shoreline, the love of nature, increased property values,

waking up to its ever-changing hues of blue and green, searing orange

and red sunsets dropping behind Catalina, etc, etc.

Whatever our reasons it’s probably a good idea to see if our love

of the ocean matches our willingness to do our part to work together

to protect it. I (like others) am a “late bloomer” with regards to

getting involved, so I’m making up for some lost time.

It’s time for the big summer rush of tourists and inlanders to

come and energize the local economy and shorelines with their own

reasons to enjoy the ocean. Hopefully all of us locals can have the

gumption, fueled by our passion to be in Laguna, to set a good

example with trash disposal, respecting tide pools etc. As for the

more complicated issues, stay tuned.

Surfrider Foundation is having a beach clean-up from 9 a.m. to

noon on April 17 at Main Beach.

CHRIS WILLIAMS

Laguna Beach

Protect the beach, ditch the Styrofoam

My name is Lucy Kramer and I am 11 years old. I have lived in

Laguna all my life and I spend a lot of time at the beach.

I was reading last week’s letter to the editor about our

spectacular beaches and I greatly agree. Today, while I was at the

beach, I noticed two main things: There was Styrofoam everywhere

(Styrofoam is 100% nonbiodegradable) and the other thing I noticed

was how many people were stealing shells and rocks and little sea

treasures from the beach. So, I decided to be a mini-docent like the

ones I have been hearing about.

I approached a family and told them that they couldn’t take shells

and rocks from the beach. They immediately put down their loot and

they graciously apologized and thanked me for informing them. While I

was being a mini-docent, I realized how important it is. Next time

you’re at the beach, why don’t you be a mini-docent too. And while

you’re at it, let’s get rid of Styrofoam in Laguna!

LUCY KRAMER

Laguna Beach

Jeanette Dilley deserves attention

Because of Jim Dilley’s courage and leadership preservation of

Laguna Canyon became a reality.

For the newcomers to Laguna Beach and all of us old timers who

remember Jim and Jeanette Dilley, they owned and managed the most

wonderful little Dilley’s Book Store for years across Coast Highway

from Hotel Laguna. From floor to ceiling, it was packed with every

book anyone would ever want. If it was unavailable they would send

for it , and it would be delivered promptly.

Time came for the Dilleys to retire, and their store was sold,

sadly. Jim passed away soon after. Now, at age 93, Jeanette has

continued to live in their little home in South Laguna. She has been

an inspiration and fine example of courage and determination to her

neighbors walking regularly every day and using the bus system to do

her errands since she gave up driving.

One of her main priorities for years has been to support and

attend the monthly meetings of the Laguna Canyon Conservancy that

honor Jim and the work he did to save the Canyon. She has had to miss

the past three meetings due to a fall that put her in a neck brace

and into South Coast Medical Center then Mission and now into an

assistant living facility until she can return home.

She would be very pleased to receive notes of recognition and

healing she so deserves at this time especially.

For her address please contact the Coastline Pilot.

MG NELSON

Laguna Beach

Take care approving design guidelines

The design of the first house at Treasure Island is bound to set a

precedent for all the houses that follow and we know that it will be

given close scrutiny.

We hope that in considering the proposal for the home on Shreve

Drive the City Council will bear in mind that the guidelines for the

tract are maximums and, even when the building heights fall within

those guidelines as they do in this case, will treat problems of view

obstruction for neighbors as they would be treated anywhere else in

the city.

According to the “Design and Construction Guidelines for the

Laguna Beach Resort,”

Following the Design Review Committee review proposals for

development shall be subject to the City’s Design Review process as

set forth in Section 25.05.040 of the Laguna Beach Zoning Code. These

Guidelines represent the maximum allowable development permitted. The

actual development allowed by the City, as with all applications, is

subject to final approval.

Contrary to this understanding, the applicant’s architect (who

also serves on the tract’s Design Review Committee) argued before the

Design Review Board that its authority was limited by the guidelines,

and a memo from the director of community development echoed this

argument by pointing out that the board could legitimately consider a

number of details of the project (including landscaping and

aesthetics) but not the building envelope. We hope that the council

members will reaffirm the city’s policy of giving all residents’

concerns full consideration under the design review component of the

zoning code.

With regard to the view obstruction for neighbors presented by

this project, it seems to us unnecessary for the highest parts of the

roof to be parallel rather than perpendicular to the coast and

located at the most westerly end of the structure. Both of these

features maximize the impact on neighbors’ views. We hope to see

adjustments to the building height to restore view equity for the

residents impacted by the design.

We are also concerned about the scale of the project, which seems

to us inconsistent with the developers’ earlier commitment to limit

houses in the tract to one story. This house has a full basement,

including maid’s quarters, opening into a well on the south edge of

the lot. This adds 1,600 square feet of habitable space to a house of

already enormous proportions.

When the City Council voted to include in the guidelines a

prohibition of “walkout basements,” the intent was clearly to prevent

the addition of habitable space underground. The applicant argues

that according to the building code a “walkout basement” is one that

creates a two-story facade, whereas a “true basement” may have access

to the outside if that access is in a hole in the ground below the

level of the main floor. We hope that council members will reject

this violation of the intent of the provision -- which if approved

will no doubt serve as a model for many others (beginning with the

one that has since been approved for the lot next door).

GINGER OSBORNE

Laguna Beach

The Coastline Pilot is eager to run your letters. If your letter

does not appear, it may be because of space limitations, 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.