Mailbag: Gift of Food Pantry isn’t abused
Last week, one of our favorite shoppers at the Laguna Food Pantry reappeared after being gone for quite a while. When I asked where he’d been, he said that he had found a little part-time work.
“But still, why didn’t you come in on one of the days you weren’t working?”
“Because I didn’t think it was fair to take food from families that need it more.”
Conversations like this occur regularly.
I share this story because many residents ask me if people who can afford to shop at grocery stores are merely taking advantage of the pantry’s free food. This rarely, if ever, happens.
Our shoppers are among the most honest, dignified, gracious people I’ve known. Many of them had challenging careers that simply disappeared in 2008. These individuals had always given to charities, not taken from them. Others lost minimum-wage jobs and remain unemployed, despite endlessly submitting applications.
Please encourage neighbors who are going through difficult times to visit the pantry. We pride ourselves on our cheerful atmosphere and welcoming attitude. We provide weekly groceries to anyone who asks for them because we believe that no one should go hungry: https://www.lagunafoodpantry.org.
Andy Siegenfeld,
Chair Laguna Food Pantry
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Resort development should include public trail
I, like many of my Laguna Beach friends and neighbors, was disappointed to learn that the Planning Commission approved the redevelopment plans of the new owners of Aliso Canyon Inn and Golf Course without taking any action to create a pedestrian/bicycle trail connecting Laguna to the water district road leading to Aliso Viejo.
Such a trail — which I understand was a required part of the prior developer’s plans — would provide a safe, relatively flat, path to the hundreds of miles of bike paths and wilderness trails in Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel and beyond, reduce automobile traffic coming into Laguna and allow the public, (not just a handful of wealthy tourists and golfers) to enjoy the aptly-named Yosemite of Laguna.
At various times over the years the metal fencing between the golf course property and the water road has been open, and my friends and I have walked or biked through the enclosure to Aliso Viejo. The canyon route is beautiful and should be open for all to enjoy.
In a recent news article, the new golf course owners’ spokesman is quoted as saying the path was not included in the plans because flying balls would be unsafe and golfers’ views would be obscured. Did the Planning Commission thoroughly investigate these conclusions and the feasibility of the path on behalf of the public it represents?
A simple Google search reveals numerous articles and studies contradicting claims that golf courses and public trails are incompatible. One particularly well-researched 2005 ALTA study, “Trails and Golf Courses: Best Practices on Design and Management,” concludes that, despite golf course owners’ resistance, trails and golf courses co-exist around the country with few reported problems.
Despite the best and laudable efforts of groups trying to increase pedestrian and bicycle safety on Coast Highway and Laguna Canyon Road, these are heavily trafficked roads that will never be entirely safe. On the other hand, an Aliso Canyon trail would be safe and would connect to hundreds of additional miles of safe trails throughout Orange County.
It would be shameful if our elected leaders in Laguna allow this one opportunity to create a trail through Aliso Canyon golf course to be lost forever. I urge our City Council members, bicycle and pedestrian safety advocates and all others who would like to see safer and less automobile-congested streets in Laguna Beach to further investigate this matter and to do what they can to cause any redevelopment of the golf course property to include a public pedestrian/bicycle trail.
Bill Larkin
Laguna Beach
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Permanent shelter represents best of Laguna
I have been following the debate regarding the Permanent Supportive Housing proposed by the Friendship Shelter with interest.
First, I feel the project is a definite step in the right direction for both the shelter and the city of Laguna Beach. I am confident that a positive and workable development will result from this partnership. Second, I am certain that any venture of this type run by the Friendship Shelter staff will be done with care, forethought and best outcomes in mind.
Having been on the board for six years, I have first-hand knowledge of the dedication and professionalism the staff embodies. No group works harder, or with more passion, than it does.
Finally, this endeavor is fitting for Laguna Beach. We pride ourselves on being at the forefront on social and environmental issues. We require our students at Laguna Beach High School to have a minimum of 40 hours of community service and encourage community involvement and outreach at Thurston Middle, and Top of the World and El Morro elementary schools.
This is simply an outgrowth of this commitment. As we, as a community, ponder the impact an undertaking such as this will have, we cannot forget that it is incumbent on each of us to consider the least among us. By supporting the most vulnerable members of our society, we are strengthening our community as a whole. Everyone will benefit in the long run.
I see this as an opportunity to be a beacon for the county, one that may inspire others to tackle the most intransigent problem that we face today. I think that is what “only in Laguna” really means.
Ketta Brown
Laguna Beach