MAILBAG: Laguna a hangout for drunks, homeless

On Feb. 24, when the weather was not cold and raining, after we went to the public library “” which seems to be a homeless hangout “” my daughter-in-law and I took my 2-year-old granddaughter to Heisler Park for a walk.

At 10:30 in the morning we were greeted by a drunk publicly urinating into the flowers in full view (all the parts of him we didn’t need to see) and then falling backward in a stupor, drunk on the sidewalk! One of the public safety men collecting money from the parking meters came right over when I talked to him and apologized. He must have called for help because when we came back, all the homeless in this area were gone, except the poor man sleeping on the bench clutching his wheelchair.

Sadly, I am sorry to hear what the town has been forced to do.

KATHY DIXON MULVANEY

Westfield, N.J.

? Why is Newport law firm suing Laguna?

Cindy Frazier’s column “Homeless burden must be shared,” (Feb. 20) was excellent. After reading it, I wondered why such a prominent law firm in Newport Beach like Irell and Manella would want to alienate their customers in Laguna Beach? They were the architects who overturned an 80-year-old law? Did they do it because “they” think “we” need to change?

Don’t they know how many of their clients live here? Maybe the principals don’t even know about the pro bono work a couple of their lawyers have done to over turn Laguna Beach city law. They’re making too much money off their corporate clients if they can afford to overturn a city’s law pro bono!

I wonder why a law firm that thinks of itself as so “elite” (as they promote themselves on their website) and represents clients like Paramount, Viacom, TiVo and Wynn Resorts, would take action that questions with unmitigated audacity the city of Laguna and extorts a change in an 80-year-old law. Because they found a pro bono “cause”? Elite? No, obnoxious.

What has the city done to Irell and Manella to raise their ire? Did they lose out on some city work, or is it just repressed anger? I wonder why Irell and Manella has so much power over the City Council members that they roll over like old dogs? Maybe there could be another firm pro bono to defend the laws they were elected to defend?

The people of Laguna should take this opportunity not to use Irell and Manella. Take your estate planning, real estate transactions, civil litigation, everything out of Irell and Manella. Use a firm that respects our long-standing city laws. Use one of your neighbors. You also obviously have better choices for your kids than to send them to UC Irvine’s new law school.

LOU VOLPANO

Laguna Beach

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Church leaders applaud law repeal

As leaders in Laguna’s faith community, we are encouraged by the repeal of the municipal anti-camping ordinance.

We trust that this is a step toward treating the homeless people of our town with dignity and compassion, and addressing their needs, and the needs and concerns of our entire community.

It is our hope that we can now start on the real business of taking action on task force recommendation No. 2: a multiservice center, including housing.

For those interested in learning more, visit www.lbhomeless.org.

DEACON EDDIE SALGADO

St. Catherine of Siena

REV. KENT DOSS

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach

REV. B.J. BEU

Neighborhood Congregational Church

REV. ELIZABETH RECHTER

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

Cycling has many benefits for everyone

Here is a list of reasons why everyone can support bicycling and bicycling infrastructure.

Adequate daily physical activity equals better personal health, reduces medical costs for everyone directly and indirectly. Cycling improves traffic safety and neighborhoods become safer.

Cycling creates a better environment: reduced air, water and ground pollution; less noise, less disruption of natural ecosystems; reduced greenhouse gases and global warming; improved accessibility; and increased economic integration of all groups young and old; as well as reduced auto congestion, parking needs and energy use.

MICHAEL HOAG

Laguna Beach