6 lagunabeachindy . com DECEMBER 30 , 2022
It was with great disappointment to read the letters to the editor of the Indy this past week , who strongly voiced their opposition to our newly elected councilmember , Alex Rounaghi . The strong assumptions expressed were based on pure conjecture and age bias , so I would like to share my experience of collaborating with Alex Rounaghi for the past two years .
After elections are over , it is natural to wonder how those newly elected officials will perform in their new leadership roles . We can never really know unless they are incumbents because it is new territory when someone steps up to serve others with civic leadership .
I know Alex to be an extremely hard-working individual , putting in long workdays at the Orange County Board of Supervisor Katrina Foley ’ s office , while also dedicating evenings and weekends as the Chair of our Housing and Human Services Committee and voluntarily serving beside me as the vice president to our Laguna Beach Democratic Club . Alex has great academic intelligence but also emotional intelligence , which is extremely valuable , yet often missing from those in leadership positions . He has demonstrated his ability to listen thoughtfully and with compassion before making a judgment or providing advice . He seeks facts and data before providing advice , guidance , or decisions . He is a stalwart believer that every individual deserves respect and a voice in the process .
Alex ’ s experience working within city government began in high school , and his experience since graduating from Dartmouth , he has been focused on creating policy solutions here in our City and our county . Alex Rounaghi ’ s character is in stark contrast to the individuals judging him based on his age and stereotypical assumptions .
Alex did not win this election with the “ millennial or developers ” vote .
Letters LETTERS CAN BE MAILED TO : EDITOR @ LBINDY . COM
In fact , he won the most votes of any candidate this election year .
I am extremely proud to have supported Alex in serving our community , and I look forward to his balanced , thoughtful approach to the difficult decisions a leader must make in local government . He is a gift to our City , and should be applauded for giving his time and knowledge to help us tackle the big issues before us .
Gwen McNallan , Laguna Beach Democrat Club President
Regarding the letters about Alex Rounaghi in the Dec . 23 , 2022 , Laguna Beach Independent . A bit harsh , don ’ t you think ? Alex Rounaghi has been in office for approximately one week . Geez . As Waylon Jennings says : Let the man sing his song ! And thanks to Billy Fried for a continuing balanced perspective . Fred Droz , Laguna Beach
It ’ s been 10 years exactly since I was last in Laguna Beach on Christmas Day .
And not much has changed when searching for a place to have my Christmas dinner - many restaurants closed for the day and those that remain open too busy to attend to me - sad to be ignored by restaurant staff for over 20 minutes . I was the guy with three small dogs , by the way , hope the restaurant in question feels just a little remorse for their behaviour .
Once again , that lovely restaurant C ’ est La Vie on Pacific Coast Highway came to my rescue , and I enjoyed an excellent four course dinner with my canine compatriots . Big shout out to this excellent restaurant and their waiters , all uniformally friendly and uniformed as well - classy place and they always try to accommodate even with no reservation . I was seated immediately .
Hopefully , it won ’ t be 10 more years before I come back to Laguna for Christmas !
Just so you know , this isn ’ t a rant against Laguna Beach , as I absolutely love the place !
Its only problem is the same as the rest of coastal Southern California , too many people want to enjoy its many charms and delights .
I live in Calgary , Alberta , Canada - the temperature was 7.7 F when I left to drive to California , and on Christmas evening , it was 56.3 F - in Laguna - Calgary is a great place to live , just not in the winter !
One thing we don ’ t have in Alberta is rats , as we pride ourselves on keeping them out of our province . In Laguna , I have personally seen a rat almost as big as one of my miniature rat terriers , and you have some even bigger than that , not all of them rodents !
Finally , to all Laguna residents , count your blessings as you truly are blessed to live in the wonderful Laguna Beach .
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 18
To vote , visit the poll tab at lagunabeachindy . com . Submit poll questions to clara @ firebrandmediainc . com .
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PUBLISHER EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Steve Zepezauer
CREATIVE & MARKETING DIRECTOR Tracy Powell
CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER / PUBLISHER Scott Sanchez
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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REP . MICHELLE STEEL , 1113 Longworth House Office Building , Washington , DC 20515 . 202-225-2415
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FIFTH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR LISA BARTLETT , 333 W . Santa Ana Blvd ., Santa Ana , CA 92701 714-834- 3550 , Lisa . Bartlett @ ocgov . com
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