6 lagunabeachindy . com MAY 12 , 2023
I guess the wild west has finally arrived in Laguna . That ’ s what immediately came to mind when I read about the Mo gang and the Cohen gang roaming around downtown Laguna starting fights . With guns present , it could have turned into a shootout at the OK Corral . I miss the peaceful artists who had Plein Air paint-offs . Michele Nelson , Laguna Beach
It was a disturbing spectacle , not unlike a scene out of “ A Clockwork Orange .” Armed thugs from opposing camps battling it out in the lobby of the century-old Hotel Laguna . One has to ask , how was Laguna ’ s “ jewel in the crown ” landmark allowed to evolve into such a toxic soup ? For years , despite clear evidence portending imminent trouble , why did our City Manager and our City Council choose to sit on the sidelines and sleep at the wheel ? Why , time and again , did they turn a blind eye time to a pattern of brazen disregard for municipal building codes and policies ? No approved plans , construction without permits , failure to pay contractors and workers and bullying those who called for a public review . The writing was on the wall for everyone to see . Still , they bought the snake oil when any observer with the slightest sense of veracity knew they were being played . Our public stewards , entrusted to act in the residents ’ interest , botched it . And their inattentive leadership will impact our community for decades to come . What has happened to the Hotel Laguna is a shameful embarrassment for a once proud city . Randy Lewis , Laguna Beach
The Promenade , which runs as Laguna ’ s main street and vista to our Main Beach Park , is graced with mature shade trees that reflect the street ’ s name , “ Forest Avenue .” Couples , families and walkers gather beneath these trees to visit each other and our unique shops and to enjoy meals both inside and out along Forest Avenue . Next week on Wednesday , May 17 , from 6:30 to 8:30 p . m . at the Susi Q Community Center , residents will have the opportunity to provide additional
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feedback on what they would like our Forest Promenade to look like . Let ’ s hope that this time instead of picking pavers and light fixtures at the Promenade meeting , we can share large concept ideas . For example , the most successful promenade in Southern California , using resident and visitor feedback measures , is the Palisades Village Promenade in the Pacific Palisades on 15225 Palisades Village Lane . What characteristics does that Promenade have that might work for our Forest Promenade ? And how can we best keep and utilize the trees that gave Forest Avenue its name to make Laguna ’ s Promenade a uniquely beautiful spot for us and our visitors to gather ? Let ’ s remember to keep our Forest Avenue view one of waves , trees and distinctive walker-scaled restaurants and shops that invite you to enter , linger and enjoy . Deborah Laughton , Laguna Beach Editor ’ s Note : Deborah is the spouse of Councilmember George Weiss and publisher of Methodology and Statistics .
For over two years , I have provided ADU consulting services to residents wishing to create an ADU on their prop-
LETTERS , PAGE 18
theIndyPoll
LAST WEEK ’ S QUESTION
Do you think there has been an increase of car and motorcycle racing through Laguna Beach recently ? - Yes , 85.5 % ( 53 votes ) - No , 14.5 % ( 9 votes )
TOTAL VOTES 62
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Do you plan on attending the city ’ s public workshop on the Forest Promenade next Wednesday at the Susi Q ?
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PUBLISHER EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Steve Zepezauer
CREATIVE DESIGN DIRECTOR Tracy Powell
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CITY HALL MEETINGS :
Tuesday , May 16 , 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 Pro Tem 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 Councilmember 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 Councilmember gweiss @ lagunabeachcity . net
Ann Marie McKay City Clerk amckay @ lagunabeachcity . net
Laura Parisi City Treasurer lparisi @ lagunabeachcity . net
OTHER ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES :
REP . KATIE PORTER ,, 1113 Longworth House Office Building , Washington , DC 20515 . 202-225-2415
ASSEMBLYWOMAN DIANE DIXON , 19712 MacArthur Blvd . Ste . 150 , Irvine , CA 92612 . 949-251-0074
FIFTH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR KATRINA FOLEY , 333 W . Santa Ana Blvd ., Santa Ana , CA 92701 714-834- 3550 , Lisa . Bartlett @ ocgov . com
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