Newsmaker of the Year: Journey from clerk to council

Verna Rollinger probably knows as much about what goes on in City Hall as anyone in town, and now she is in a position to do something about it.

Rollinger, who served six terms as the City Clerk before she retired in 2004, was elected to the council in November. It was her second try for a council seat, having lost by less than 200 votes in 2006.

“Winning is better,” Rollinger said the morning after the election.

Although the council race is non-partisan, Rollinger’s victory was seen as a shift in the political power that swept Democratic candidates into office across the country. It is the first time since 1994 that a Village Laguna-endorsed majority — Rollinger, Toni Iseman and Jane Egly — sits on the dais.

However, Rollinger has extended her hand to those who would have preferred a different outcome to the election. Following a standing ovation when she was seated, Rollinger said, “I would ask those of you who did not support me to give me a chance. If you think I can improve, give me a call. Together, we can do anything.”

This next year will challenge the council, but three issues are at the top of her “to do” list, she said.

“The first one is processing plans for the Aliso Creek project,” Rollinger said.

Open space is dear to her heart. She would need to be convinced that residential uses in Aliso Canyon were in the best interests of residents — her guiding star.

Second, she said, is finding ways to help the business community get through these difficult economic times.

“I have an item on the Jan. 6 agenda suggesting the appointment of two council members, two Chamber of Commerce members and two Visitors Bureau members to make recommendations, after getting input from locals,” Rollinger said. “It will be open to everyone.”

Thirdly, Rollinger said, the council will be asked to implement the recommendations in the Environmental Committee’s Climate Protection Action Plan.

“When deciding how to vote I will ask myself the following questions: Will the outcome maintain or improve Laguna’s quality of life? How will residents benefit? Will our environment be protected and enhanced?” Rollinger said during the campaign and afterward.

She has promised to be vigilant in protecting the qualities that made her want to live in Laguna since 1971, raise her son and daughter here and serve the community.

While serving as city clerk for 29 years, Rollinger started the city’s website to provide residents with better access to information and city services.

She pledged during her winning campaign to listen to the community, set achievable priorities, take advantage of local expertise, avoid expensive consultant studies, set realistic budgets and track expenditures and make City Hall work better for the residents.

Questioned by the Coastline Pilot before the election, Rollinger said the biggest short-term issue is late-night activity in the commercial zone that impacts residents’ quality of life. The cure?

“The council should use the tools it has in the conditional use permit to keep that activity in check,” Rollinger said.

The problem: a specific plan that recommends a “vibrant downtown.”

Long-term, quality-of-life is paramount.

“We should take steps to curtail mansionization and implement the provisions of Vision 2030,” she said.

Many of those provisions have been implemented.

But the fight against pollution goes on. The Village Entrance project has stalled. South Laguna has no sidewalks along stretches of Coast Highway and traffic still snarls.

All challenges that Rollinger is now in a position to address.

BARBARA DIAMOND can be reached at (949) 494-4321 or coastlinepilot@latimes.com.