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“ Our Town , Our Paper ” lagunabeachindy . com OCTOBER 21 , 2022 | Volume XIX , Issue 42
Meet Laguna Beach City Council Incumbents :
Mayor Sue Kempf and Councilmember Peter Blake
Council Mulls Fire Engines and Hybrid Fleets for Laguna
By Clara Beard | LB Indy
Mayor Sue Kempf and Councilmember Peter Blake both seek a second four-year term on the Laguna Beach City Council . They ’ re running against five challengers , Louis Weil , Alex Rounaghi , Mark Orgill , Jerome Pudwill and Ruben Flores , for three empty seats at the dais .
MAYOR SUE KEMPF
Born in Fort Wayne , Indiana , Kempf moved to California where she received a Master ’ s degree in business . She began a management career in technology , and retired as President of Mirion Technologies in 2017 . After moving to Laguna with her wife , Cheryl Sykes , in 2006 , Kempf served on the View Preservation Committee , the Emergency Disaster Preparedness Committee , the Economic Development Task Force , and the Planning Commission before being elected to City Council in 2018 .
While serving , she said her greatest accomplishments were the creation of a Fire Mitigation Plan , state-of-the-art ambulance service , the downtown Promenade , a
DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT IS A HIT FOR LAGUNA BEACH SCHOOLS
Hundreds Turn Out for SchoolPower ’ s Dodgeball XI
By LB Indy Staff
More than 370 costumed players on 48 teams ducked , dodged , and dived for balls at Laguna Beach High School on Oct . 12 for SchoolPower ’ s 11th annual Dodgeball Tournament . Returning for the first time since 2019 , this year ’ s event focused on connecting the community and included more students than ever before .
“ We ’ re thrilled to be a part of such a creative and exciting tradition ,” said Shannon Nash , first-time coach of the El Morro Maniacs . “ The kids will always remember this epic event .”
LBHS ’ s Dance Company kicked off the event with a choreographed routine . Adding to the energy were Dodgeball chairs Christy and Brian Rayburn and their planning committee of SchoolPower trustees , plus hundreds of parent coaches , volunteer referees , and cheering spectators . Music , food trucks , and face painting in the LBHS courtyard boosted the excitement .
Hueston Hennigan presented the event . Meital Taub Luxury Group , Kimball Orthodontics , Ballesteros Real Estate Group , Hobie Surf Shop , and The Ranch
Neighborhood & Environmental Protection Plan , an Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance and Downtown Specific Plan , the work to strengthen development restrictions on height , mass , and scale .
If re-elected , Kempf ’ s priorities for the next four years would be to underground Laguna Canyon Road for safety , implement a comprehensive Climate Action Plan , pass the City ’ s first Master Parking Plan , make the best use of the St . Catherine ’ s school property and build affordable housing .
Kempf said that one of the main reasons she ’ s running is because she understands how City government works .
CANDIDATES , page 38
at Laguna Beach joined as Court Sponsors . The popular event raised $ 10,000 for SchoolPower , the non-profit education foundation that has raised money for Laguna Beach public schools since 1981 .
Repeated throughout the afternoon was an appreciation for how the event brings people together . Jill Nugent , parent of players on Oompa Loompa and Ball Busters teams ( both division winners ), highlighted that the event connects kids in a special way , saying , “ It ’ s fun to see the kids com-
DODGEBALL , page 3
By Tasmin McGill , Guest Contributor
Laguna Beach ’ s Fire Department is retiring its 17-year-old engine following the City Council ’ s approval of the proposed budget during the Oct . 18 meeting .
While the expected lifespan for fire engines typically ranges from 10-15 years , LBFD ’ s oldest engine has surpassed that and is nearing the end of its fiveyear reserve timeframe . The American LaFrance engine model was acquired in 2005 and is rated 44.45 on the city ’ s Vehicle Replacement Model Guideline , making the task of purchasing a new vehicle one that “ Needs Immediate Consideration .”
Replacing the vehicle will come with a hefty price of just over $ 1 million . However , for a city with an elevated threat of fires , it is a necessary purchase .
“ The replacement cost of fire engines is high and some might find it difficult to justify , but the cost of deferring these costs , repairing or attempting to upgrade older fire trucks have consistently proven higher in cost and fiscally irresponsible ,” Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Committee member Bill Niccum said when the public hearing opened .
“ In these inflationary times , we are a
INSIDE
HORIZON , page 38
COASTAL REAL ESTATE GUIDE
The Ultimate Real Estate Guide for Homebuyers & Owners in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach
LOUIS WEIL , page 24
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