MAILBAG - Sept. 15, 2006

School capacity will remain the same

St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School enjoys a 50-year tradition and history of providing a Catholic education in Laguna Beach.

As we embark on our project to modernize our 50-year-old facility, we wish to re-assert our commitment to neighbors and the overall community that we are dedicated to working with the regulatory agencies to abide by all environmental laws that affect this project. Furthermore, it was our project biologist who confirmed the existence of the migratory gnatcatcher. St. Catherine’s is proactively addressing sensitive environmental issues.

Additionally, because of our desire to be a good neighbor, we have already redesigned a portion of the project to reduce view impacts.

Most importantly, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School is not requesting to increase the number of students we are currently allowed to serve. Erroneous statements about doubling the size of our facility are incorrect and misleading.

PATRICIA PREROST

Principal, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School

Group has no position on Aliso Creek cleanup

It has been erroneously reported that Laguna Greenbelt, Inc., is opposed to the so-called SUPER project to address erosion and pollution problems of Aliso Creek.

We wish to set the record straight: The board of directors has not considered the issue, and we have no position for or against the project at this time.

ELISABETH M. BROWN, Laguna Beach

Seniors require natural light to grow

I am a 60-year-old woman who took a job at a call center two years ago. I lasted six months.

This was due to the fact that there were absolutely no windows in the office, and it became terribly claustrophobic.

Natural light is very important both physically and mentally as we age.

Please rethink this design for our senior center.

JANE MOBUS KNIGHT, Laguna Beach

Outlaw marijuana for medicinal purposes

Re: “Should medical marijuana dispensaries be allowed in Laguna?”

An absolute and definite “no” on the above question.

We have a bad enough time with illegal drugs in this city, so now we are considering opening the door to legalizing illegal drugs. What will be next — legalizing heroin? We have enough “stoned” people walking around and driving around. We don’t need to add to the danger.

I believe that most people accustomed/familiar with this drug are the ones who want it so badly for “medicinal” purposes. The message would be: It’s OK to use the stuff, because my Grandma smokes it!

Save this town and our children, some of whom may already have a problem with this narcotic, and oppose medical marijuana dispensaries in Laguna Beach (and anywhere else).

P.L. WILSON, Laguna Beach

Medical marijuana users need safe place

Marijuana dispensaries absolutely should be allowed. It is inhumane toward those in need to not have a safe place for them to receive their medication. In addition, it is a very poor use of public resources to have our local authorities bothering what is a privacy issue.

BILL LaPOINTE, Laguna Beach

Wilson took no steps on beach staircases

This Monday, Sept. 11, Fifth District Orange County Supervisor Tom Wilson [spoke] again at the Canyon Conservancy dinner.

Last year, when he spoke to the “conservancy” he said he was going to Sacramento that week and when he returned would look into what the Coastal Conservancy in Oakland could do to grant funds for repairs for the six beach stairways in South Laguna now owned by Orange County.

I believe, if he were Pinocchio, he would have a very long nose. He has known for years some of the stairways need repairs, having walked them himself, and he knows that Totuava Bay beach, a public beach in South Laguna with no access, could have a new stairway paid for by the Coastal Conservancy if requested by the city and the county.

He also knows that the Aliso Beach parking lots, owned by the county but offered along with the stairways to the city last year, bring in hundreds of dollars every hour on a warm day.

Only Councilwoman Jane Egly voted to accept the stairways and parking lots in 2005 when they were offered to the city by Orange County.

Supervisor Wilson has done nothing — zero, zilch — as far as making South Laguna’s beach stairways safer and providing access to Totuava Bay beach the whole time he has been in office.

ROGER CARTER, Laguna Beach

Breaches of etiquette regarding Old Glory

Last March, a proud old American veteran took issue with parade watchers who showed disrespect for this nation’s flag.

Now, this old American veteran takes St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School officials to task for improperly displaying the nation’s flag to students reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

This is clearly seen in the photograph accompanying the article “Bird halts school plan” (Coastline Pilot, Sept. 8). (See Public Law 94-344, the Federal Flag Code).

NIKO THERIS, Laguna Beach

City should permit pot dispensaries

As longtime Laguna Beach residents — more than 50 years — my wife and I with five children and 14 grandchildren are in favor of allowing medical marijuana dispensaries in Laguna.

RITCHIE AND GHINKA WILSON, Laguna Beach

School renovations will help students

It’s unfortunate that the badly needed remodeling of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School has been delayed again. The school is proactively addressing environmental concerns. But it’s important to remember that our kids are a vital resource as well. St. Catherine’s students excel at academics but do so in a soon-to-be 50-year-old facility that is in serious need of renovation.

St. Catherine families have raised the money necessary to modernize our school. I hope the city works diligently to help resolve the recently discovered environmental issue and help preserve St. Catherine’s school, which has been for 50 years part of the fabric of Laguna Beach.

ELLEN KRAVITZ, Laguna Beach