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Now we will never know . On Sept . 14 , without warning to the neighborhood or others involved , the County began removing all seven existing trees without discretion . To show respect to the neighborhood , the local residents could at least have been given the opportunity to salvage some of the succulents in their minipark in the days before the bulldozers arrived . That didn ’ t happen either .
Hopefully , the community ’ s plea to plant replacement native trees in the project [ endorsed by the City Council ] will not fall on similar deaf ears . Bob Borthwick , Laguna Beach
It would be a missed opportunity for Laguna Beach if Alex Rounaghi is not elected this November .
It is infrequent that a political candidate , regardless of age , is so wellequipped for public office as Alex . As a policy advisor for Supervisor Katrina Foley , he has advanced initiatives like an innovative Fly Friendly program to reduce noise and pollution from John Wayne Airport , cracked down on illegal sober living home operators , and conducted oversight over the County ’ s $ 8 billion dollar plus budget . He has also served on two Laguna Beach City Council committees - Parking &
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very well-resourced city . It ’ s also an extreme fire risk , we simply cannot afford to imperil residents or firefighters by relying on obsolescence or worn-out apparatus that could fail within seconds and make the difference between life or death and a first or medical emergency ,” Chair of the Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Committee Matt Lawson said .
Considering it takes more than two years to construct the custom fire truck for LBFD , resident and former mayor Ann Christoph questioned why funds for a purchase of this caliber had not already been allocated through the “ normal budget process .”
“ It struck me that if it takes two years to build one of these engines , why isn ’ t it in the budget and with a long time to plan for it and make sure the expenditure is going to fit in with all the other expenditures that are already being planned ?” Christoph said during the public hearing . “ I wonder why this has come up almost like an emergency item . It seems like it ’ s something that should have been part of an overall master plan of replacement and take place in that manner .”
There has also been an emphasis on incorporating electric cars into Laguna ’ s vehicle fleet , Pierce Manufacturing consulted on a potential electrical fire engine with a
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Traffic and Housing & Human Services - so knows how our town operates in a way many people who run for office do not .
Alex has received an incredible amount of endorsements ( the only candidate endorsed by both our Police and Firefighters ) because he is capable of effective political leadership . He has the patience and perseverance to accomplish the trying work of negotiation and governance . He has both a strong viewpoint and the capacity to hear other opinions . And his integrity is exceptional .
I would like to add my name to his list of supporters . Kristin Winter , Laguna Beach
As someone who is troubled by the polarization of our country between the two parties , I have to say that if there is a silver lining to the black cloud that is Measure Q , it ’ s that I , a proud Democrat , and the vast majority of my Democratic friends , are in agreement with a large number of Republicans in Laguna that Q has the potential to devastate future small businesses in our beautiful , quaint town , as well as tie us up in litigation for years to come , resulting in more derelict storefronts and exceedingly
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expensive special elections . And yes , I have read and studied the entire ( long , convoluted ) measure before coming to the conclusion that I am a strong NO . Hooray to us for finding common cause . So rare in America these days !
Lynette Brasfield ( just a resident , not in the pocket of developers )
AAUW Laguna Beach stands in solidarity with the courageous women and girls and their allies in Iran , who are being subjected to a violent crackdown by authorities for demanding an end to the systemic persecution of women . Sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in the hands of the “ morality police ,” protests have erupted across the country , in what has been labeled a “ feminist revolution .” The protestors ’ rallying cry “ Women , Life , Freedom !” resonates with our mission of advancing gender equity , and it is incumbent upon us to amplify their voices .
Alison King , Secretary of the American Association of University Women , Laguna Beach
price tag of $ 1.5 million without the infrastructure costs included . While Laguna Beach ’ s city manager Shohreh Dupuis acknowledged that while incorporating electric cars is a goal of the city , they are not prepared to convert all cars just yet .
“ We are looking at a complete study of our entire fleet and it ’ s not just the vehicle purchase itself . It ’ s the infrastructure needed to support it ,” Dupuis said .
However , electrical vehicles were discussed as a potential option for the Marine Safety Rescue vehicles that are getting replaced .
“ I can tell you that I ’ m not alone in my frustration with the slow pace of the city ’ s effort to address sustainability issues and to adopt measures that support the objectives that the city has already laid out ,” Environmental Sustainability Committee member Steve Chadima said .
It was originally proposed that Toyota 4Runners would be purchased to replace the necessary vehicles , but the council requested 4-1 that Dupuis inquire about hybrid vehicles from Irvine-based automotive company Rivian as a push towards incorporating electric cars sooner rather than later .
“ This to me is a great opportunity to take an easy early first step in transitioning our vehicle fleet to electric
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vehicles , where it ’ s appropriate ,” Chadima said .
With the budget approved and moving forward , residents can expect the new fire truck to arrive in July 2025 following the 30-month timeline it takes to construct it .
“ Our fire equipment is mission critical , particularly given the fire risks we face . We need the best . I don ’ t think there ’ s any dispute about that , or should they be in the interest of our community . We need and deserve the best ,” Vice Chair of the Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Committee Tom Gibbs said .
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for or objections to initiatives and candidates before making your own choices . As one of my fellow LCC Board members aptly says , we need to remember Laguna Beach is a community , not a commodity . Please VOTE !
Gayle is the President of the Laguna Canyon Conservancy Board of Directors , a 38-year resident , 32-year real estate broker , a past president of the Laguna Board of REALTORS , past president of the Woman ’ s Club of Laguna Beach and proud graduate of the city ’ s Citizens Police Academy and CERT programs .
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“ I ’ ve been working with other outside agencies for grants and other improvements to Laguna Beach , and I ’ m good at that . And I have a good temperament to serve the community . I ’ m an issue-focused and fact-based person . I always have been . I can look at things dispassionately as issues before the city council . You don ’ t see me getting emotional . You don ’ t see outbursts from me . I always keep the community at the forefront of my mind . Serving on City Council is a serious job for serious people .”
Kempf is against Measure Q , a proposition written by local political action committee Laguna Residents First , requiring a public vote on certain large-scale development and major hotel remodels .
Kempf has received endorsements from Planned Parenthood of Orange and the Laguna Beach Firefighters Association .
Councilmember Peter Blake
Blake moved to Laguna Beach in 1986 and found his footing as a local waiter before eventually opening up his current art gallery soon after . In 2018 , Blake said he became increasingly frustrated with the increase in low-level crime , lack of property rights , and the inability of young people to open a business .
“ I was complaining to my wife one day , and she said , ‘ why don ’ t you do something about it ? Why don ’ t you run for office ?’ I never imagined that I would be a politician ,” Blake said . “ As it ’ s pretty obvious in the way I write and the way I talk to people . I have a hot temper . I speak my mind and I don ’ t care what anybody thinks . I ’ ve been playing chicken with the voters for four and a half years . They want to vote for me . They vote for me on my terms , or else they don ’ t vote for me .”
Since his four years in office , Blake is proud of initiating the single-use plastic ban , reducing homelessness by 60 percent , fighting for property rights , free speech as well as including American flag imagery on Laguna Beach Police cars . City ’ s efforts in increased engagement during African American History Month . He is running on a similar platform this time and continues advocating for better dining and retail experiences .
“ I this town being quaint , but that doesn ’ t mean it has to be some hokey tourist trap town ,” Blake said . “ I don ’ t understand why we can ’ t have better galleries , why we can ’ t have a better restaurant , better clothing stores , better everything . That ’ s what we need .”
Like Kempf , Blake is also against Measure Q ,
“ Q an attempt to usurp the voter and to take control of this community via ballot box planning and a ballot initiative ,” Blake said . “ That pretty much takes us back to the days when Village Laguna controlled this community .”
The Lincoln Club , Greater Laguna Beach GOP , Nancy ’ s List and the Laguna Beach Firefighters have endorsed Blake for re-election .
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