"Godspell" at Laguna Playhouse - don't miss it
Editor: Don't miss "Godspell" at Laguna Playhouse this weekend! I just saw this most entertaining, thought provoking and moving musical! Donna Inglima's inspired direction of this very talented youthful cast provided a most welcome departure from the drumbeat of current financial and political news. Full Story
Poor road repairs on Summit Drive
Editor: As a resident of Laguna Beach and Arch Beach Heights specifically for the past 35 years, I would like to thank the city for allocating tax revenue for regular street repairs throughout our lovely city. I am somewhat disappointed and concerned, however, by the poor workmanship of the repairs on Summit Drive a couple of weeks ago. Full Story
A little history about Chateau De Relaxo
Editor: Re: Wes Correll letter 10-24 [Disrepair and dangerous conditions]. The structure at the south end of 1000 Steps Beach was originally built by a Mr. Kane. The road on the property that comes down to the beach was used by the South Coast Water District when they were building the sewer line that runs through the base of the cliff. Full Story
The differing views of Ed Peterson and Ed Petersen
Editor: There is another Ed Peterson [Petersen] with differing views in Laguna Beach regarding Palin. Each time the political rhetoric gets active in the Editor's Letters, Ed Petersen "comes out of the woodwork" with a conservative stance. The two of us share the same name, but have 180-degree different views on most topics. Full Story
Three Republicans or three Democrats?
Editor: If you vote for Jane Egly and Verna Rollinger, and they win next week's city council election, we will have three Democrats on our city council. If you vote for Cheryl Kinsman and one of the two ladies above, and Kinsman wins, you will have three Republicans on the Laguna Beach City Council. Full Story
Cheryl opposes Prop 8
Editor: I have been a gay activist for most of my adult life. I served for many years on the board of Aids Services Foundation. I was one of the original founders of the Log Cabin Club. Until my retirement two years ago, I worked for Kinsman & Kinsman, Certified Public Accountants, in their Laguna Beach office. Full Story
A dithering current Council majority needs a new direction
Editor: We are a nation athirst for change. Not just in Washington, but right here, in Laguna. Our City Council is stuck in neutral, running on empty. It needs a new direction, a new majority to effect the needed change. I urge you to vote for Verna Rollinger and Jane Egly on November 4. Full Story
Impressed with our incumbents' ability to get things done
Editor: I have been following our local election forums and discussions. Over the past few years I have been impressed with our incumbents and their ability to get things done for our city. While Jane has received her very deserving share of accolades, I believe Cheryl has not been as fortunate in getting the credit due her for her service to our city. Full Story
Our elected City Treasurer (CPA) gives us financial expertise
Editor: Thank goodness this crazy election season is about to end. In a recent letter to the Editor, the writer apparently attempted to rewrite the qualifications for a seat on the City Council. Right off the bat, he dismissed the value of 29 years experience as City Clerk of our fair City. He emphasized the need for a background in accounting or law. Full Story
Parking at Verna's
Editor: I would recommend that voters go by 825 Park Avenue. Verna Rollinger and her 3 tenants, in her private home, park all their cars protruding on the right of way. Pedestrians have to leave the sidewalk and on to the street in heavy traffic as they pass her house. Full Story
Parking with Verna
Editor: Laguna is a small town, with some big problems - one is parking. Recently City Council listened to a plea from residents to approve preferential parking permits to keep visitors and business employees from parking in the neighborhoods. A consultant's study disclosed to nobody's surprise that there were simply not enough parking places to go around. Full Story
The two South Lagunas
Editor: South Laguna Beach is basically divided into two parts. There is the Free South Laguna part and the Gated South Laguna part. Driving along PCH in South Laguna you see many Cheryl Kinsman posters hanging from buildings. Driving along the back streets of Free South Laguna there are very few Kinsmen posters. Full Story
Financial leadership
Editor: The next few years will be perilous financial times for local government. With property values falling, property tax revenues are likely to shrink. The poorly managed state government, combined with a recession, which has only begun to hit, guarantee that the state will resort to its traditional solution of making up shortfalls by raiding local tax revenues. Full Story
Jane is immune to influence peddling
Editor: I know where my vote for City Council will go on Tuesday - to Jane Egly. I know that by voting for Jane, I will be voting to elect a person who understands the special problems confronting our unique city, and she understands how the majority of us feel about these problems. She is a proven consensus builder on our City Council. Full Story
A voice of reason
Editor: Last Friday I received a copy of a mailing from Village Laguna endorsing their candidate Verna Rollinger as well as Jane Egly for the Laguna Beach City Council. The copy included an antique photo of the Fire Department as well as the Lifeguard Tower and various photos of Police and ambulance vehicles, and a picture of the South Coast Hospital Emergency Room. Full Story
A welcome breath of fresh air around city hall
Editor: I have been surprised that some recent writers have tried to discredit Verna Rollinger's credentials for city council because she has 'only' 29 years of experience as city clerk to her credit. Full Story
Don't let a few power starved letter writers… shape our future
Editor: Looks like Village Laguna and the South Laguna Civic Association are at it again. Their hatchets are sharpened and out there in full force, and they are pointing them directly at Cheryl Kinsman, for no other reason than they want to control the City Council with their "No Growth, Anti- Business, Anti-Everything" policies. Full Story
Cheryl wanted "youth to be involved"
Editor: From my view, the City's Environmental Committee deserves the immediate unwavering support of Laguna's City Council as well as the immediate attention of every Citizen. Full Story
Cheryl has worked hard for all
Editor: With the election upon us, I felt it important that I weigh in on the current City Council election race. Specifically, I want to encourage you to support Cheryl Kinsman. Here's why: There are probably very few people in town who have known Cheryl as long and as well as I have. Full Story
Cheryl missed the kayak
Editor: According to Cheryl Kinsman, Laguna Beach is split into two parts: Three Arch Bay, where Cheryl and her family live, and the rest of the City. The location of many issues before council will determine how she votes. Cheryl has a proven track record of always voting in favor of development, no matter what, as long as it's not in Three Arch Bay. Full Story
Annoyed by huge political signs around town
Editor: Are your readers as annoyed by the huge signs around town as I am? I think we should all agree to vote against politicians who plaster the town with huge signs. Big signs are not in keeping with the quaint Laguna Beach we all love. Although political free speech and legal, these signs would not be permitted for a business under the City's sign ordinance. Full Story
Important to have someone with Cheryl's fiscal representation
Editor: This letter is written in strong support of Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman for reelection in November. Cheryl Kinsman has worked tirelessly for the citizens of Laguna Beach on numerous important local issues, but most importantly in working to preserve our local Hospital and 24 Hour emergency room. Full Story
Present Council is doing a good job
Editor: I have been impressed by the ability of the present members of the City Council to come together on critical issues affecting the City of Laguna Beach. Full Story
"Stealth donor list"?
Editor: I am disgusted that Council member Cheryl Kinsman has apparently been caught skirting the spirit of the campaign finance disclosure laws by encouraging $99 donations for her reelection campaign - just $1 below the $100 amount that would require open disclosure of the name of the contributor. Full Story
The kind of people who are supporting Cheryl…
Editor: John Selecky (Letter, "What is Cheryl Hiding," October 24, 2008) whom I don't know apparently does not know me, at least not well. Full Story
Cheryl understands importance of DRB
Editor: I am an Architect practicing in Laguna Beach and a member of our City's Design Review Board. I understand the importance of how design affects a community, both good and bad, and I believe that Laguna Beach deserves high quality projects that are compatible with not only the neighborhoods but the entire community. Full Story
The water district caused delays in Top of the World reservoir construction
Editor: As a member of the Laguna Beach Planning Commission who voted in 1993 to support the actions necessary for the Water District to build a new water reservoir on the knoll in Top of the World, I need to set the record straight: David Diggins is incorrect in his claim (Letter, 10/24/08) that Village Laguna fought the construction of the reservoir. Full Story
Water District proposing "unfair differential rate structure"
Ed. Note: This letter was sent to LB County Water District Pursuant to Proposition 218, I am protesting both the proposed increase in the water rate and the service charge being considered by the Laguna Beach County Water District. Full Story
If Council's Osborne decision was political - it's a sad commentary
Editor: I have never before felt compelled to write a letter to the editor of your paper but I feel compelled now to do so, because of the City Council's improvident and inexplicable removal of Tom Osborne from the City's Environmental Committee. Full Story
Neither Egly nor Iseman voted for Osborne
Editor: Poor Tom Osborne was not appointed to a city committee. There were 10 qualified applicants for three positions. The five council members voted for three applicants. Poor Tom only received one vote. Full Story
Osborne spousal support
Editor: In her campaign literature, Cheryl Kinsman continues to claim credit for other people's work. In her most recent mailer she states, "…I initiated Laguna joining the Mayor's Climate Protection Act [sic]. That's also why I am committed to implementing the recommendations of the city's citizen Environmental Committee. Full Story
Yes vote on Prop 8 "…can protect our children from the gay agenda."
Editor: There is a powerful gay movement sweeping through this nation like a wildfire burning out of control. The activists behind this movement deceptively portrayed themselves equal to the civil rights struggle. Self-abasing terminologies such as equal rights, justice, and tolerance are used to prey on the unsuspicious public to side with their cause. Full Story
If Yes on 8 wins, gays and lesbians will continue to fight for their rights
Editor: As a Christian I am appalled at the amount of money that has been spent on Proposition 8. Both sides have raised over 60 million dollars to battle each other. Full Story
No one has the right "…to take my rights away."
Editor: No on 8: All of my adult life I've heard "family values" like some hotelier mantra. One would think the church would embrace and celebrate the gay community's commitment to love, fidelity and marriage rather than in sighting separation, bigotry and hate. Now we have a large section of society facing the possibility of having our rights taken away. Full Story
Prop 8 has much to do with education
Editor: I was astounded by last week's letters in opposition to Proposition 8 and by their tone and sentiments. I have lived in Laguna Beach most of my life. My family moved here when I was two years old and I attended and graduated from Laguna Beach schools. Full Story
Say no to hate, and no, to Proposition 8"
Editor: The initiative to take away the rights of gays to marry goes against everything our country is supposed to stand for. Proposition 8 is un-American. It violates the core principal of our democracy. Is everyone "created equal" or not? This is the question you have to ask yourself on Election Day. Will you stand up for freedom and equality, or hatred and bigotry? Full Story
Be careful how you vote on Prop 8
Editor: What the backers of Proposition 8 fail to tell the voters is that this mean spirited, hate filled bill would deny gays and lesbians their constitutionally guaranteed civil and equal rights. Why stop with gays and lesbians? Full Story
Saving faith
Editor: Bravo to both [Letters 10-24- 08] Rev. Herbert C. Chamberlin "Open and Affirming" congregation) and Rev. Lillian Lobb (Why Are Mormons, Catholics, and Evangelicals so upset?) for expressing a refreshing rational position from clergy about California's Proposition 8. Full Story
Redefining traditional marriage is not the answer
Editor: I have discussed Proposition 8 with many people from all walks of life. I have learned that most people believe in the importance of both traditional marriage between a man and a woman, and tolerance for all people. Opponents believe these two ideas are in conflict. They are not. Full Story
Love your neighbor as yourself - vote no on Proposition 8
Editor: While taking my grandson to a soccer game the other day we drove by a flock of young parents waiving Yes on 8 signs while horns honked in agreement. It was a very naive way to teach their young children the true meaning of being a bigot, "a narrowminded person who is intolerant of beliefs other than his or her own". Full Story
If you follow a just and loving God - vote no on Proposition 8
Editor: Laguna Beach has supported diversity, individuality and tolerance for decades. As we drive around town, it's heartening to see that inclusive spirit expressed in the ubiquitous yard signs that urge Vote NO on Proposition 8. Full Story
8 reasons for no on 8
Editor: Why you should vote No on Proposition 8. 1. Do it for our Federal Republic Yes, Federal Republic. We do not live in a democracy. A Federal Republic is based on the idea that majority rules but minorities have rights. No majority has the right to discriminate against anyone for any reason. Full Story
Incredible statements
Editor: Your article "Athens Plans Setback for Driftwood" [10/24/08] included some incredible statements by Mr. Rick Zbur, of the law firm Latham and Watkins, about the recent decision by the Coastal Commission to deny, "vested rights" for the proposed Driftwood development. Full Story
Steady streams of attacks
Editor: Poor old Latham & Watkins, brought down by unpaid volunteers. That is not the way it is supposed to work. Apparently, not everyone understands that a steady stream of attacks by highly paid lawyers is supposed to overcome a steady stream of volunteer opposition based on merit. Full Story
Coastal Commission, Athens Group, Driftwood
Editor: Let's set the record straight about the Coastal Commission hearing and 12-0 vote to deny Athens claim to vested rights at Hobo Aliso Ridge on Oct 16. The Athens Group does not have vested rights to the Driftwood Estates (Hobo Aliso Ridge) property - this was the unanimous vote of the Coastal Commission. Full Story
Experienced viewpoint
Editor: I read with interest the article in the October 24 Independent regarding the Coastal Commission's denial of "vested rights" claim by the Athens Group. Having seen Mr. Zbur represent other clients in this part of the state (San Mateo County), I was surprised at his characterization of Penny Elia as a "de facto" member of the Coastal Commission staff. Full Story
Zbur's lament
Editor: Mr. Zbur's lament is laughable. You see Mr. Zbur, unlike folks of your privilege; words (and constancy) are really all we have. Things money can't buy. Merle Moshiri Huntington Beach Full Story
Rebuffed Democrats
Editor: I feel honored that the most right-wing Republican in the city chose to slime me in your pages. It doesn't warrant a response from me, however. If I can instead influence the less rabid among us to examine how the nation came to this critical juncture, I believe the result will be less negative. Full Story
Our letter policy
Letters to the Editor are important - it's a Laguna Forum Letters to the Editor have been a community right in Laguna Beach for a long time and this paper will provide space to all who wish to express their opinions on just about any subject - whether it deals with a local issue or not. Full Story
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LBHS Football Book 2009
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