City should accept gift of beaches

Roger Carter

A lot of our citizens don’t realize the beaches and six stairways to

the beach in South Laguna were left under the ownership of Orange

County when South Laguna was annexed to Laguna. This was a deal made

in hell. In my opinion, if our citizens knew all the facts, they

would be in favor of the wonderful gift the county offered us when

they tried to give us Aliso Beach, West Beach, Tablerock Beach,

Secret Cove and Thousand Stairs beach.

Here are some of the myths we’ve been told:

* We don’t have the money to repair the stairs. Wrong. The

Coastal Conservancy would gladly work with the county or the city to

repair the stairs, but have never been asked. Unless we ask and

cooperate with them, they cannot help. On April 4 at the Laguna

Conservancy meeting, Supervisor Tom Wilson said he will look into

making a request. Why can’t the council contact Mr. Wilson about this

concern? Our council members should be concerned about any public

accessway that is dangerous.

* We can’t afford to maintain them. Wrong again. The Montage is

in South Laguna and is financially helping the city. Why can’t some

of this money go toward trash removal and other maintenance costs --

for the benefit of South Laguna residents, visitors and all of us who

use the stairways. Perhaps the Montage could help repair one of the

stairways, to show what can be done, and please don’t forget that the

city would collect revenue from the food concession and parking lot

fees at Aliso Beach. How much is this per year ?

* We don’t want them because they are a liability. Incorrect.

They are in the city’s sphere of influence and therefore the city

will be named in any lawsuit, which could claim the city manager and

council are guilty of negligence.

Come on, city manager and City Council. Tell the people the truth

and revote and accept some of the most beautiful beaches in the

world. They’re ours in the first place -- the county doesn’t want

them.

Do the right thing.

* ROGER CARTER lives in Laguna Beach.