6 lagunabeachindy . com DECEMBER 23 , 2022
I am writing to express my concern about the new city council member , Alex , who is only 25 years old . While I have no doubt that he is a bright and capable individual , I am concerned that he may be more inclined to represent the interests of a few land developers rather than the residents of our town .
As you may know , our town does not have the resources to handle more than 6,500,000 tourists . We do not have sufficient water or services to accommodate this number of visitors , and it is essential that any new development be carefully considered and planned to avoid overloading our infrastructure .
I believe that it is important for our City Councilmembers to represent the interests of the people and not just the special interests of a few developers . I urge Alex to prioritize our community ’ s needs and carefully consider the long-term effects of any development on our town and its residents . We do not need or want more hotels , bars , DUI ’ s , trash , or crime . Alex , you may have a bright future in leadership if you represent the majority of the people and not the special interests of a few developers . Nancee Swensson , Laguna Beach
The Grinch arrived in Laguna last week disguised as Michael Ray . Ray wrote a hate-filled column in last week ’ s edition , and the Indy published it - all in time to steal the Christmas spirit in Laguna . The column was so mean-spirited that it must have been inspired by Grinch-like qualities . And like the Grinch , we must wonder why Ray finds it necessary to be petty and mean and fill his column with lies . An explanation is , “ it could be his head wasn ’ t screwed on just right . It could be , perhaps , his shoes were too tight . But I think that the most likely reason of all . May have been that his heart was two sizes too small .”
Johanna Felder , Laguna Beach
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Wow ! You got the winner of “ Nasty Letter of the Year ” into the Dec . 16 issue of the Independent just in time for the holidays . Bill Anderson , Laguna Beach
Alex Rounaghi exemplifies the controversial rivalry in Laguna , being a millennial politician . And I know the thinking is , “ young people are going to bring the change we need . Out with the old ideas and in with the new . Really ? How ?
My issue with Rounaghi isn ’ t their passion because it is clearly spewing out of every pore .
What concerns me about Rounaghi is the fact that duped voters are incredibly overconfident , with little substance to back that confidence up . Millennials are more entitled and confident than previous generations , taught to believe that their opinions -- no matter how right or wrong -- are more valid due to the social media echo chamber .
And it ’ s these things that are bleeding into Laguna ’ s Rounaghi . Hyper obsessed with image , millennials like Rounaghi treat seniors as challenges to overcome , our community as victims , and they are the sole protectors of the people . Like he has an entire online sphere of “ like-minded ” strangers as justifications for their reasoning and actions .
Rounaghi won , so he ’ s good at this . He ’ s savvy and works the online crowds by using buzzwords , by sharing images to give the perception of them being “ active ” at work , and they have the young generation at their whim .
I know a lot of you are excited about the youngster getting involved in politics , but frankly , I am not . I would not trust most people that age because I still think they need time to grow and get to know themselves . Let kids be kids , let teens ( as annoying as they may be ) be teens , and let young adults be young adults and find
themselves . Now he ’ ll be a puppet or pawn of the machine .
Rounaghi needs time to grow up , and get a real job . He ’ s never been in management or lead positions in a private workplace . Most of these people have never worked a budget before , and some just started paying bills .
We don ’ t need a young inexperienced , overconfident , self-obsessed kid who uses hashtags and TikToks to reach out to constituents . To me , the greatest trait of a leader is that they do not want to be a leader . This guy is using Laguna Beach as a stepping stone . Call me old , but I have insight and education that will take Rounaghi decades to accumulate . Jerry Weintraub Jr , Laguna Beach
Michael Ray ’ s latest “ Guest Opinion ” column , “ The Goodbye Kiss ” ( Dec . 16 ) sets a new low point , even for him . He uses much of his
LAST WEEK ’ S QUESTION
Are you planning on traveling out of town for the holidays ?
- Yes , 85 percent - No , 15 percent Total Votes 313
THIS WEEK ’ S QUESTION
Do you make New Year ’ s resolutions ?
- Yes , and I stick to them - No , they never work
LETTERS PAGE 16
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CITY HALL MEETINGS :
Wednesday , Jan . 4 Planning Commission Meeting at 6 p . m .
HOW TO CONTACT THE CITY COUNCIL
Bob Whalen Mayor bwhalen @ lagunabeachcity . net
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
Sue Kempf Mayor skempf @ lagunabeachcity . net
SECOND AND FOURTH THURSDAYS , 5 PM LOUIS WEIL : lweil @ lagunabeachcity . net KRISTINE THALMAN : kthalman @ lagunabeachcity . net DON SHERIDAN : dsheridan @ lagunabeachcity . net JESSICA GANNON : jgannon @ lagunabeachcity . net DEBORAH NEEV : dneev @ lagunabeachcity . net
Mark Orgill Council member morgill @ lagunabeachcity . net
Alex Rounaghi Council member arounaghi @ lagunabeachcity . net
PLANNING COMMISSION 1ST AND 3RD WEDNESDAYS , 6 PM STEVEN KELLENBERG , steve @ kellenbergstudio . com KEN SADLER : 616-0517 , ken . sadler @ cox . net JORG DUBIN : 497-2618 , jdubinart @ cox . net STEVE GOLDMAN : 203-554-2290 , steveg415 @ ymail . com SUSAN McLINTOCK WHITIN : 838-6317 , whitinsusan @ gmail . com
George Weiss Council member gweiss @ lagunabeachcity . net
Ann Marie McKay City Clerk amckay @ lagunabeachcity . net
Laura Parisi City Treasurer lparisi @ lagunabeachcity . net
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