Letters PAGE 24
I have never developed a commercial property in California . Nor , probably , shall I ever . So , please don ’ t assume that I ’ m motivated by some commercial self interest . I am against Ballot Initiative Q because it ’ s bad for Laguna Beach .
As I ’ ve said in an earlier letter to the editor of the Indy , I believe that the folks who favor the initiative are well-intentioned . But , this is not the right approach . Once an initiative is passed , it can only be fixed by another initiative .
Populist initiatives can sound convincing . “ Leave it to the People .” But , there is a good reason that we are a “ democratic republic .” We are supposed to elect people who reflect our collective will . The laws they pass have consequences . If they pass bad laws , you replace them ( the laws and the representatives ). This distrust of the system is very destructive to our social fabric .
What shall we vote on next ? Whether or not a bank can open on Ocean Avenue ? Where we buy our fire trucks ? It is a slippery slope .
And , it is a very expensive undertaking . The City ( we citizens ) will incur the added burden of conducting these votes . It will add significant expense to any project that is subject to it . So , when you wonder why rents
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are so high ; and why your kids can ’ t afford to shop and live here , this will be a shining example .
One example of a bad requirement in this proposed law is the one requiring a traffic study . I was told that this will cost a minimum of $ 50,000 . That ’ s just added to the costs of a project . And , it triggers the voting requirement at 200 cars a day . That might sound like a lot of cars to some folks , but it ’ s not . It ’ s under 10 an hour .
And , when we realize what a bad idea it was , we can ’ t just fix it . We need to have a whole new referendum .
So , Laguna , please just say
“ No to Q .” Tom Papa , Laguna Beach
The Indy recently published an article about the latest Political Action Committee to be launched in Laguna . So , Let ’ s analyze the Mission Statement of this Political Action Committee , “ Citizens For Laguna ’ s Future ( CFLF ).” Here are their words and my analysis .
They profess to be a “ coalition of concerned , caring residents and organizations committed to protecting our treasured small-town atmosphere and unique quality of life for generations to come .
Me : yes , a deep pocket coalition of many of the same interests who backed Peter Blake , and the “ Liberate Laguna PAC ” was then renamed
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“ Laguna Forward PAC ” during the past four years . All focused on building hotels downtown , two and three story buildings everywhere plus block long apartment buildings along the Canyon and on Coast Highway .
To this end , Citizens for Laguna ’ s Future is committed to :
Resoundingly defeat the damaging Laguna Residents First ballot proposal now known as “ Measure Q .”
Me : they may do that given the incredible amount of money being donated to this PAC and their candidates .
Avoiding the need to increase taxes on Laguna residents by restoring our business district ’ s existing buildings and infrastructure . Giving our small business owners a boost will help generate much-needed new City revenues and create more jobs for residents .
Me : an appeal to Laguna residents who are worried about increasing taxes by advocating changing the structures downtown to generate more business to developers .
Assuring the low scale , welcoming streetscape that is characteristic of Laguna continues and height limits are not breached .
Me : an appeal to residents concerned about increasing density and view preservation . Yet , how often have developers tried to change the height limit and streetscape ?
Helping our firefighters and paramedics maintain fast , fire and Medical
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emergency response times by supporting plans to build a new fire station and renovate existing ones as needed without a public vote which could delay its completion for two years .
Me : implying that measure “ Q ” would require a vote of residents to build a fire station . A false scenario that , if a public structure was proposed , the City would reject and that voters , if presented with such a choice , would reject .
Fully funding our police department to maintain personnel levels and acquire the crime-fighting tools needed to keep us safe .
Me : what does this have to do with Q ? A red herring playing on residents ’ fears . Everyone believes in funding our police !
Uniting our City so , together , we can meet the challenges that face all of us in the decades ahead .
Me : Yes , uniting us like they did by supporting a damaged council member in 2018 .
According to the campaign filings submitted to the City , this PAC has received the bulk of their money from a local opaque “ PAC Protect Laguna Now ”, from The Californian Association of Realtors PAC , the “ Liberate Laguna PAC ” and various development focused individuals . And they want us to believe they are for “ protecting our treasured smalltown atmosphere !”
Armando Baez , Laguna Beach
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Town Crier PAGE 4
Participation will be limited to 10 . This class will be offered in person at the Susi Q Senior Center . Proof of vaccination will be required . Masks optional . Register online at www . thesusiq . org . Click on Susi Q Class Catalog . Those interested can sign up or ask questions at ( 949 ) 715-8105 .
Cho ’ s Academy Expands Donation Based Yoga to the Community Starting the week of Sept . 12 , Cho ’ s Academy of Laguna Beach will be hosting donation-based yoga classes six days a week .
“ Donation-based does not imply a sub-standard quality ,” said Jacob Cho , owner of the Academy . “ All of our teachers maintain their own personal yoga practice , and each teacher brings something unique and special to the table regarding their respective classes .”
The new classes range from Vinyasa Flow to Kundalini Yoga , as well as Restorative Flow . Four of the new instructors teaching at the Academy are graduates of Dharma Yoga House , three of which just finished their teacher certification in the recent summer months with Laura Love , founder of Dharma Yoga House . Laura is known throughout Laguna Beach for her outdoor Saturday Vinyasa class at Treasure Island Park .
“ Our teachers are trained in vinyasa flow , but the essence of our training is
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founded in Bhakti Yoga ,” Love said .
Founded in 2009 , Cho ’ s Academy has continued to offer martial arts and yoga to our community . “ These practices have changed my life for the better in profound ways , and I encourage members of our community to also benefit from these very accessible disciplines ,” Cho said .
The studio offers donation based classes of Vinyasa on Monday , Wednesday and Friday at 9 a . m ., and Kundalini on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a . m . Sunday Restorative will be held at 6 p . m . More information is available at chosacademy . com / more-yoga .
High Holiday Services / Events in Laguna Beach With the High Holidays approaching at sundown on Sept . 25 , Chabad of Laguna Beach will again host inspirational Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services open to the community . Reservations are necessary .
The services , which will include prayers for the wellbeing of all humanity — a key theme of Rosh Hashanah — will also be centered around hearing the sound of the Shofar , the central observance of the holiday . English / Hebrew prayerbooks , warm and friendly atmosphere , soulful cantor , and Jr . Congregation program . For service schedules , seat reservations , Yizkor memorial service and High Holiday mega site , please visit www . chabadoflaguna . com or ( 949 ) 499 0770 .
Artist in Residence Concert Sept . 24
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at 5 p . m . The public is invited to attend a free concert presentation of musical compositions by Dr . Pamela Madsen , “ Laguna Beach Suite : from the Canyons to the Sea ” performed by the Eric Dries Trio with vocalist Meloney Collins . The concert will be held at the Festival of Arts , 650 Laguna Canyon Road .
Alcohol is permitted with a meal . Guests should bring their own blankets and / or beach-chairs for seating . Guests are asked to follow all other Festival of Arts house rules .
Funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach .
GoFundMe set up for local sushi chef Yuji Hiraoka was a longtime Laguna Beach sushi chef who worked at San Shi Go for 18 to 20 years . He left Laguna a few years ago to work at The Madison Club in La Quinta and was killed in a car accident on his way back from Coeur d ’ Alene , Idaho , on Sept . 6 .
Lindsay Smith , chef , and owner of Nirvana Grille , has set up a GoFundMe page to help his wife , Victoria , and cover the memorial service costs . You can find the page by searching “ Passing of Sushi Legend Yuji Hiraoka ” on Gofundme . com
Yuji and Victoria had their first date at Nirvana Grille in 2012 . A celebration of life is planned Oct . 23 in Laguna Beach , and another will take place in La Quinta on a date to be announced . There may also be a paddle out and a golf-related event , as he loved the sport .
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Joelle Pedue hired as new Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce Marketing and Events Manager Joelle Pedue has joined the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce as the New Marketing and Events Manager . She started on Aug . 8 and has quickly proven to be an asset to the community .
“ In a short time , Joelle has proven her ability to understand the nuances of her new Chamber position ,” said Erin Slattery , President and CEO of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce . “ We both grew up in the Girl Scouts supporting and serving our local communities . I look forward to working with her in this new role .”
“ I am excited to be a part of the Chamber . I am very passionate about helping others , especially those in my community ,” said Pedue . “ My family ’ s pizza restaurant has been a part of the Rancho Santa Margarita community since before I was born . I know small business and Laguna has always held a special place to my heart , my grandma lived here in the 50 ’ s .”
Pedue grew up in Rancho Santa Margarita , and her family ’ s business is a long-time Chamber member . Pedue now resides with her husband of four years in North Laguna . They look forward to many years as Laguna Beach residents .
Erin Slattery has been training Joelle Pedue on the joys of Chamber events and both Slattery and Pedue look forward to putting on a fantastic Taste of Laguna this year .
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