Nothing wrong with airing out the facts...

Nothing wrong with airing out the facts

The heated discussion of campaign financing that took place during

the City Council meeting on May 6 was an eye-opener for me, a

relatively new resident of Laguna as well as the new co-chair of

Laguna’s League of Women Voters.

Both sides expressed the view that they felt personally attacked

by the claims brought forth at this meeting. The stated goal of City

Council members Elizabeth Pearson and Wayne Baglin’s agenda item

(with Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman’s apparent assent) was education

regarding the participation of political action committees in

Laguna’s last election. The stated goal of the agenda item brought by

Mayor Toni Iseman was to bring sunshine to the sources of campaign

funding in Laguna. As the heat cools in the aftermath of this

meeting, perhaps everyone can benefit if both of these goals are

realized.

Compliance with campaign disclosure laws is not easy. Campaign

financing laws are implemented and then they are amended over time in

an effort to plug the holes that those wishing to circumvent the

intent of the law invariably exploit. The result is oftentimes a

complex and convoluted law that, nonetheless, must be followed. Add

to this the fact that the ordinance adopted by Laguna in 1994

(sponsored by the League of Women Voters and Common Cause in order to

close the loophole of unlimited independent expenditures) was

declared unconstitutional in July 2002 and rescinded immediately

thereafter by the city of Laguna Beach. Confusion about what current

law requires and what compliance dictates seemed evident at the

council meeting.

At the very least, a city sponsored “Teach-In” for sitting elected

officials, treasurers of campaign committees and political action

committees, PACs, prospective future candidates for elective office,

community groups and organizations and the interested public should

be held to enable people to understand and comply with current

campaign law. It would be a great public service goal if everyone

were equally informed going into the 2004 election.

As for the goal of sunshine, City Clerk Verna Rollinger indicated

at the council meeting that some municipalities do have on-line

campaign reporting utilizing various software programs. Sunshine is a

healthy element in elections, and researching the feasibility of

implementing on-line campaign reporting for Laguna could have great

benefits. It is possible that such reporting software might alert

treasurers to unintended compliance mistakes before they become a

problem. Additionally, on-line reporting would result in a

better-informed public with plenty of sunshine on the sources of

campaign funding.

The League of Women Voters of Laguna stands ready to help in

shaping a positive outcome for education and sunshine.

LINDA BROWN

League of Women Voters of Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach

I thought the council handled the situation just right.

Money and the emotions that it stirs up will be part of politics

for a long time to come. For some of us it is an end in itself and

others a means to various ends and a mix of every combination of the

two exists all around. But the contest that was played out on Tuesday

night was a nice try to decipher who is primarily looking at ends and

who at means. The mayor’s spreadsheet may not have earned an “A” in

accounting 100 but even if it was close enough, the outlines were

there.

For some on the council it begins to look like following the money

leads to more money while for others when you follow the money you

see that there are some ends for which the money is but a necessary

fact of life. For instance, outlines begin to appear that show

approximately 30% of Elizabeth Pearson’s campaign contributions came

from entities outside of Laguna Beach. Her response was that she has

lots of friends outside of Laguna. A member of Village Laguna

commented that it is nice that so many people outside of Laguna care

so much about the city. Ouch. A nice chunk of Steve Dicterow’s

campaign money was shown to have come from something or someone

related to, could it be, the Montage developers? This is the kind of

information that is bound to make people squirm a little or a lot.

And what about the suggestions that there was something undignified

about the mayor’s “sunshining” this information?

Hiding dirty laundry doesn’t make it go away, it just means that

soon nobody will have any clothes to wear. Mayor Toni Iseman did a

fine job. The others on the council got righteously indignant, took

their lumps and while they weren’t happy about it I think the city is

much better served by not pretending that everyone is on the same

road. Speaking of which, hopefully the council member who said she

had decided to take the high one, let’s hope she likes the scenery

well enough to stay on it.

MARY DOLPHIN

Laguna Beach

After attending the meeting and later watching a tape of the City

Council session of May 6, I am still puzzled by remarks made by

Councilwomen Elizabeth Pearson and Cheryl Kinsman. Both said that

they felt “attacked.”

These comments were in response to Mayor Toni Iseman’s spread

sheet showing campaign donations made to the current council and

subsequent charts presented by members of the public. All of the

figures came from the campaign reports filed by the council people

during and after their elections.

Why on earth would anyone feel “attacked” by simple exposure to

public scrutiny? This fact alone would seem to reinforce the need to

“sunshine” campaign donations and expenditures. I strongly urge the

council to enact some form of Internet reporting so that the public

will know before the election who is donating money and in-kind

services to the candidates.

An informed public is essential to a free society.

BONNIE HANO

Laguna Beach

To ask or not, that is Lagunans’ task

Why is Councilwoman Pearson et. al

Out to destroy Laguna Village?

Because it opposes developer pillage?

Who is next on the list?

LANO is another green activist.

Where is that out-of-town campaign money coming from?

Let’s come clean as by voters you’ll all be undone!

227 votes give no right to attack 4,796 Village supporters.

In a democracy this seems out-of-order.

GUS MATHIEU

Laguna Beach

Chamber responsible for village charm, too

As I read, the Taxpayers Assn. and the City Council have some

negative ideas about Village Laguna. I too must take exception to the

nice Felder’s statements that Laguna didn’t have a “vision” 30 years

ago.

If you like Laguna today it’s the result of the Chamber of

Commerce’s beautification efforts that go back to 1950. They are

still the watch dog of the city’s charm and cleanliness. I look upon

Village Laguna only as a political organization funded by the Charm

House Tour. In 30 years what tangible objectives have they

accomplished other than political? In contrast, working for the

re-organized Chamber of Commerce Civic committee since 1948, I’ve

seen much that has been accomplished.

That first year our village was a run-down unsightly place. We

actually swept the streets and canyon using the Pottery Shack truck

and we awarded homes and businesses, new or remodeled, that were in

keeping with the “Village Atmosphere.”

With no economic base, tourism was encouraged and paid 60% of our

taxes. Our cultural image needed to be enhanced. The Laguna Art

Museum and the Laguna Playhouse were near bankrupt. They were given a

new start and a new playhouse. A great opera and ballet were brought

to the city. To save a possible catastrophe for hillside homes, the

Third Street hill was created and landscaped.

In 1950 the Beautification Committee / Council was created. By

1980 it had completed 101 projects: It saved the pepper tree and

eucalyptus trees when City Hall was built; planted the vacant area of

South Coast the Highway south with bougainvilleas that can still can

be seen; created the Glenneyre Parking lot, now a structure, on the

site of “tent city.”

All our projects cost the city nothing but our hard work and

financing created the triangle park at Victoria as well as a parade,

show and awards for lighting businesses and hillsides during

Christmas.

In the 1950s Police Chief Stuart asked me to create a park where

there were old houses, the bowling alley etc. That is today’s Main

Beach Park and Boardwalk. During the Korean War Laguna was

overwhelmed with soldiers from El Toro as well as numerous accidents

that sparked the need for a hospital. Fund-raising was an important

job but was done and now we have a “hospital with a heart.”

Before the Santa Ana Freeway existed our Coast Highway was

overwhelmed with traffic and the state proposed a divided highway

through Laguna. A committee of three formed from San Clemente to Seal

Beach. We fought and succeeded. We derailed the idea but then the

state created a highway inland near Big Bend. The solution was the

Toll Road. Easily overlooked are the cement stairs and anodized

railing and mini parks at most street beach ends that save us bare

handed climbing up and down the dirt bands, success this time came

with city help.

In the 1950s and 60s Laguna was overwhelmed with billboards and

sign clutter. In 1965 a stiff sign ordinance was passed by the City

Council with a standing ovation for our workers.

Our never-ceasing efforts created many major and mini parks like

Nita Carman, Bluebird, Lang, Aliso and Top of the World. In the late

1970s Merril Johnson tried to build the Surf and Sand Tower. Our

committee tried to dissuade him, however, there was no ordinance at

that time to stop him. Now there are building height limits. In 1972

final plans were approved for the Main Beach Park. It was dedicated

in 1974 and its bonds were paid off by the city in 1989.

In keeping with our vision to upgrade the Laguna Business district

we created designs for every store on Forest Avenue withthe Village

atmosphere in mind. Every store accepted the free design that is

still seen in Forest Avenue storefronts today.

Our list of improvements are endless. In late the 1960s and early

70s a dynamic committee was formed to create the future “Laguna 1980”

master plan. As shown above, all projects were completed in or before

1980. I see nothing tangible in the vision plans today to equal our

challenges.

I wish I could list the names of our workers, most now passed on

but many alive today. We also thank nature for providing our

beautiful setting of the hills, canyons, ocean and weather. All

Laguna should feel proud, but should know how all these improvements

came about.

HARRY J. LAWRENCE

Laguna Beach

Don’t ruin nature for access to school

We are all very lucky to have Toni Iseman as a councilwoman and

mayor of our town. Her ideas are wonderful and her continued

involvement, watchfulness and receptivity are refreshing and

invaluable. Plus, she gets things done. I support almost all of the

ideas she has proposed through the years she has served on the

council and look forward to her innovative, protective and most

excellent ideas in the future.

As I understand her proposal for traffic improvements near the

intersection of El Toro Road and Laguna Canyon Road, she is

suggesting that the city swap a parcel of city-owned land (to the

south of Anneliese pre-school). An improved drive-in entrance for the

school would then be built off El Toro Road in order to abate traffic

problems encountered leaving and entering the school. Both parcels

are natural watershed areas.

I need to express that I am not in favor of this idea. It is most

unusual of me to stand on the other side of Iseman, but this time I

feel a huge need to speak out. First of all, I love the Anneliese

pre-school. It’s a wonderful place, and I know the drive-in entrance

is complicated and presents safety issues. A better solution is

definitely needed. But not this one. Not this one!

The land swap she is proposing in order to improve traffic

conditions for the school goes against all the definitions of what

the term “open space in perpetuity” means to the citizens of Laguna

Beach. We are enriched by the ring of open space surrounding or town,

a vision that our city has manifested -- at great expense to be sure

-- for the benefit of our quietude, solitude, recreation and general

well-being. Any Realtor in town will tell you that there is

incredible monetary value to an ocean view. It calms the soul, and

gives respite after the business of our lives in commerce and daily

activities. The same is true of our precious open space. Whether we

hike in it or not, it’s very presence behind our homes gives a great

cushion between us and the hectic pace of one part of our lives.

This open space is one of the things that makes Laguna Beach

unique as a community. We have spent our treasury ensuring it to be

there, and we need to guard and protect it so that it shall remain

thus for future generations, who will need that calm wild place more

than ever.

Don’t hand it over to the county’s protection so you can build a

driveway for Anneliese on the county-owned land off El Toro Road. The

county parcel needs to remain untouched wetlands in order to protect

our valuable watershed, as well as flood control protection as a

reattainment area.

I know the council gave considered attention to the Army Corps of

Engineer’s proposal to do extensive flood control in the Downtown

area and came to the conclusion that it was not a good idea. The

council voted against that flood control idea in favor of leaving

things alone upstream. Please consider the road construction you are

proposing at Anneliese pre-school in the larger arena of messing with

the natural state of flood protection that eventually affects the

Downtown of Laguna Beach, not to mention potential flooding at the

school you are trying to help and all the homes and businesses

located along Laguna Canyon Road, which are particularly susceptible

to flooding when natural reattainment areas are modified, made

smaller or paved over. All the residents of the Sun Valley

neighborhood, my neighborhood, have direct experience with this.

The rancher who owned the parcel between Phillips Street and

Anneliese pre-school gave his land to the city of Laguna Beach to be

used as “open space in perpetuity.” He did not ever want a chunk of

this land to be swapped of to another owner’s keeping to make it

convenient to build a new roadway. He passed away with the feeling

that his gift was a wondrous thing for people of this city for all

time. That’s what “in perpetuity” means. Don’t diminish this

rancher’s vision and his gift by this land swap and road building

project. It is not the right thing to do.

This city land can be used for much-needed passive water

reattainment, as a beautiful natural riparian environment, as part of

the entrance experience of driving into Laguna Beach, as a place for

study of nature, as recreation land for hiking and enjoying the

natural environment, and as flood control mitigation. It was given to

the city for these purposes, not to the county. Iseman is a great

protector in our city. I implore her to rethink the Anneliese traffic

control problem. Let us keep this parcel of land in city ownership,

standing together to protect and nurture our precious open space.

OLIVIA BATCHELDER

Laguna Beach

Many should chip in on parking problem

Re: “What should the city, Montage and the Aliso Shopping Center

do about parking in the area?” (Coastline Pilot, May 2)

Add to the list the county and the public.

The county could help by building a multi-level parking garage on

the east side of Aliso Beach. There is room for three or four levels

that beachgoers could use. Seems upside down right now. The county

owns the park but forces the city to provide much of the parking. End

the free ride. If you ask where the funds could come from, start by

reducing the county employees loafing at the park instead of doing

their jobs.

The public could stop parking illegally and pay at the meters.

The Montage could build more parking over the existing public

parking area, although since it now has grass on it, it is likely

sacred land never to be touched again.

The Albertson’s Shopping Center parking could be expanded by

adding at least one or two levels. Gates could be put on the lots

with tokens to exit free if obtained at one of the shops. Otherwise

ticketing and towing would take the edge off illegal parking.

My physics professor in college had the best slogan when teaching

laws of physics. “Gentlemen,” he would retort, “there are no free

lunches!” We are trying to override a law of physics by getting more

mass in an area than can be accommodated. Something has to give, a

view, money out of the pocket, sacred grounds, protected homes, you

name it.

DR. DENNIS MYERS

Laguna Beach

El Morro tenants say ‘Bad idea’ -- surprise

In a full-page ad, El Morro tenants assert that leaving the State

Park is a “Bad idea” (Laguna Beach Independent, May 9). After 24

years of resistance to moving from this private playground on public

land at ridiculously low rent, how else would we expect them to

describe moving from this paradise? As a good idea? Now that would be

big news, worthy of a full-page spread!

In the meantime, several tall tales being told need debunking:

1.) No, the campers will no more endanger the school children than

trailer park tenants; talk with Concordia Elementary School parents

about the location of San Clemente State Park next to their school.

2.) No, seawall construction on the beach will be reduced, not

increased. When the 75 trailers are removed, so will the rip-rap

placed there to protect them. Only the protection for the enlarged

public access tunnel under Coast Highway and the lifeguard station

will remain.

3.) No, we should not alter the public use of parklands purchased

with State Park Bond funds any more than “development” in our

Wilderness Park / Greenbelt would be tolerated.

4.) No, this well-heeled, tenant campaign to “stay” in the park

bears no resemblance to the Sierra Club grass-roots campaign to

prevent a 60 year private resort contract in the Crystal Cove

Historic District of the Park.

5.) YES, a 30-year lease extension and tenants plans for land they

don’t own is a “bad idea”.

So much for double-speak from yet another highly-paid public

relations firm. Tenants selfish motives and increasing desperation to

stay are all too transparent. Such misleading ads are an insult to

the public who voted for the park bonds. It is clearly time for the

tenants to “move on”.

EDWARD J. MERRILEES

Laguna Beach

Don’t limit creative public design ideas

Regarding Laguna bench designs (“Should the Arts Commission put

stricter guidelines on bench designs or placement?” Coastline Pilot,

May 2), the designs should not have more restrictions. Functional art

must “win” on both criteria -- “function” and “art.”

However, if in the unanimous decision design of the board, an

artist’s design needs a suggested alteration of a particular material

(not form), perhaps there can be a second step that would allow an

artist to resubmit an alternative material (or not). Then it would be

up to the board to approve or deny the final design.

More importantly, I believe the city should allow designs and

concepts from the general public as well -- not just someone

designated an artist. As in the World Trade Center Memorial Contest,

if a general concept or design is chosen the board retains the right

to ask for an architect or artist to assist in the final fabrication

of the piece.

JUDY GRAY

Laguna Beach

Big Bend is in need of tender care

I am sympathetic to the letter written by Derek Ostensen on the

need to preserve Big Bend (“Big Bend is bad place for skate park,”

Coastline Pilot, April 25).

It is inappropriate for a skateboard park, soccer field, a staging

area and storage facilities. It is contiguous to beautiful cliffs,

watercourses and dedicated open space stretching up into the canyon

heights. Prior to the city’s purchase of land, there were plans to

restore and preserve this pristine area and to permit community

organic gardens and other uses compatible with environmental

concerns.

A couple years ago some interesting landscaping was placed on the

adjoining privately-owned property. Today, we see substantial

movement of dirt, and the two sites filled by debris, piles of dirt,

gravel and construction materials, trucks and other vehicles. The

area is an eyesore for all and a blatant example of insensitivity and

ignorance of the need to restore Big Bend to its natural condition.

Lagunans of all persuasions should be able to agree on this goal.

Likewise, the parking lot at ACT V has become unsightly. The city

should be aware that most of us drive by these sites everyday and

that these uses seriously conflict with our image of Laguna Beach as

a special and beautiful place to live.

RON CHILCOTE

Laguna Beach

Festival board doing community wrong

Having retired after exhibiting 32 years at the Festival of Arts

and being a supporter of the principles for which Village Laguna

stands, I was understandable interested in the loss of the grounds

for the annual Charm House Tour.

Frankly, the board’s action makes me feel that it wouldn’t have

been such a bad idea if the Pageant had moved to San Clemente. Then

again, they never have had a record supporting freedom of speech, of

which I had a taste 45 years ago, but that’s another story.

I do have the question: Just who does the Festival board think the

grounds belong to? Laguna does not need dirty tricksters in charge of

a public park, that’s for sure.

I’m not a member of Village Laguna, but if I was I’d say they

should be exploring the option of playing hardball on those tennis

courts with a lawsuit for damages and to establish their right to use

the park when they were scheduled.

By the way, I don’t always agree with Village Laguna.

It’s also interesting that it is Pageant money which keeps the

Chamber of Commerce alive through the city grants program and that

they won’t let Village Laguna display its poster.

Every once in a while freedom of speech eats it in this “art

colony!”

ANDY WING

Laguna Beach

The Coastline Pilot is eager to run your letters. If your letter

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