EDITORIAL

I , too , wish to add my voice to oppose the proposed massive parking structures at the South Laguna Third Street locations . The construction , pollution , and carbon footprint these recently proposed parking plans would create is not a solution for the already congested areas .

In fact , quite the opposite effect will be the result of large parking structures being constructed on current South Laguna playgrounds and replacing an ecological estuary that has already been proposed with a parking lot .

Furthermore , the proposed parking structure on Third Street is not fiscally viable . Why would the City ever consider a structure to be bought and paid for by the City of Laguna Beach that reverts to the church after the City incurs all the costs ? None of these proposals make any sense at all .

I want to invite you all to come to South Laguna on a nice sunny day and have a look at the beaches around Aliso Creek and Treasure Island . These beaches are already saturated and overcrowded . There are parts of the proposed “ Parking Plan ” that do make sense .

I advocate for off-site parking and free shuttles into Laguna using our existing trolly infrastructure . Once shoppers , beachgoers and diners get to Laguna using our free trollies , they can go to any or all of our beaches , the Village , and the Canyon / Sawdust at no charge .

We should expand these types of services / ideas instead of bringing additional automobiles into our City . These parking structures would serve the opposite effect of what we need and what the residents want and deserve in Laguna Beach .

The two South Laguna parking

structures and the proposed Third Street parking structure would assuredly produce severe negative repercussions for Laguna Beach residents . I ask all City Council members to be advocates for the residents and not fall into line with the unsound , defective proposals currently being circulated and put forth . Claude Morgan , Laguna Beach

It was a pleasure to watch the first full meeting of the 2023 City Council on Jan . 10 , where speakers were treated respectfully , and the Council had congenial discussions at the dais . For the past four years , what was allowed to occur at each City Council meeting was a failure of leadership and that lack of leadership falls to the mayor and mayor pro tem .

We are all aware that the fear of losing that third vote prevented them from imposing legal disciplinary actions . Many of us will not easily forget the part they both played in not maintaining civility . Sadly , this was perpetuated by rotating the mayor and mayor pro tem positions between them for years and not allowing for the long-standing council tradition of rotating those positions through the Council .

What we were put through during those four years is painful to remember . It ’ s especially painful for me because I was a target just about every time I spoke .

It was painful for Village Laguna , the nonprofit civic organization whose primary mission is to Preserve and Protect the Village Atmosphere and , without a doubt , it was painful to the residents of Laguna Beach .

We all endured the abuse for the last four years regardless of whether we were the target or not .

The Mayor ’ s and Mayor Pro Tem ’ s responsibility should have been to protect citizens from the perpetrator instead of protecting the perpetrator .

It ’ s evident that during these years , the mayor and mayor pro tem had little comprehension of what it took to return to council meeting after meeting after being verbally abused time again and knowing to expect more of the same but nonetheless , some stood up to speak their truth despite the abuse . But sadly , many did not .

Hopefully , this chapter is behind us , and come next December , the mayor and mayor pro tem will give up their tight grip on the Council and allow the regular rotation to resume . Johanna Felder , Laguna Beach

LAST WEEK ’ S QUESTION

Would additional downtown parking prompt an increase in visitor traffic ?

- Yes - 82.6 percent ( 96 votes ) - No - 17.2 percent ( 20 votes )

Total Votes - 116

THIS WEEK ’ S QUESTION

Were you happy to see City Council ban the use of balloons in Laguna ?

- Yes , it ’ s great for the environment - No , it will negatively affect local business

To vote , visit the poll tab at lagunabeachindy . com . Submit poll questions to clara @ firebrandmediainc . com .

MANAGING EDITOR Clara Beard clara @ firebrandmediainc . com

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A publication of

PUBLISHER EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Steve Zepezauer

CREATIVE & MARKETING DIRECTOR Tracy Powell

CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER / PUBLISHER Scott Sanchez