6 lagunabeachindy . com MARCH 31 , 2023
The day begins for a tiny wine shop busily setting the canvas as a backdrop against the bustle of tourists on a warm spring day in Laguna Beach . It is the first nice day in weeks , and everyone is out to enjoy the warm sun and Mediterranean Laguna climate .
The shop owners are busy setting up in anticipation of the afternoon festivities . Easter crafts and gnomes adorn the windows while the smell of paella wafts through the air in preparation for today ’ s Spanish wine tasting . A classical guitarist tunes his guitar in the corner of the small shop as a slurry of arpeggios rings out . Above the guitarist on the walls are impressionistic paintings celebrating the rich plein-air history of Laguna Beach . This may be what the founders of Laguna Beach had in mind over a century ago !
As the wine paints guests ’ palates with bright delicate flavors , they tap their feet to the percussions of flamenco music . Meanwhile , a couple makes room at their table for another they ’ ve never met - and will likely soon become their new best friends . Across the room , a cork pops to the shouts of “ salud ” and the clinking of glasses .
And then it happens . A guitarist takes a break as a man from the street walks into the shop , sits down and starts strumming the guitar . The crowd whispers amongst themselves as they recognize the famous local classical guitarist in awe , his contemporary grinning in admiration . In just an instant , the small wine shop completes the masterpiece on canvas .
Laguna is a melting pot of the senses . It combines art and culture with amazing food and wine in the most picturesque , idyllic environment on Earth . Many great experiences like this happen every day in Laguna Beach , and we are blessed to be part of it ! All of us have the opportunity to be painters on the big Laguna
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Beach mural . Get out there and paint something ! Doug Vogel , Laguna Beach
I want to thank councilmembers Orgill , Rounaghi and Weiss for voting for transparency in city government and allowing residents to view the body cam footage for themselves of the city manager ’ s traffic stop . It took courage to buck the practice of the former council majority to hide everything from residents . It is a new day !
It ’ s disappointing that Mayor Whalen and Pro Tem Kempf didn ’ t seem to fully understand the significance of their positions on a public records request supporting transparency in our city government . Their denial of access to public information confirms they are officially anti-transparency public officials .
This means we can ’ t rely on them to represent constituents without their personal opinions and bias overriding the laws to protect us . These two councilmembers exposed their favoritism of a city employee . Denying the public request suggests that those they select to serve don ’ t have to answer to anyone and are above the law . Looking back over their terms and alliances , Whalen and Kempf haven ’ t taken their
LETTERS , PAGE 21
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TOTAL VOTES - 78
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CITY HALL MEETINGS :
Tuesday , April 4 , Laguna Beach City Council Meeting at 5 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
OTHER ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES :
REP . MICHELLE STEEL , 1113 Longworth House Office Building , Washington , DC 20515 . 202-225-2415
ASSEMBLYWOMAN COTTIE PETRIE-NORRIS , 19712 MacArthur Blvd . Ste . 150 , Irvine , CA 92612 . 949-251-0074
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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