Opinion
Recreation Allowed in Reserves

    Editor, There have recently been concerns raised regarding the potential to limit non-extractive recreational activities (surfing, diving, kayaking, etc.) in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) like a reserve proposed in Laguna Beach. Full Story
A Convenient, But Misplaced Target

    Editor, Thanks to Kelly Boyd for holding his ground against the tide of those that voted yes on asking the state to declare all of Laguna's coastline a marine reserve. Full Story
Another Step for Fish Protection

    Editor, Hooray for the City Council banning fishing to bring them back. Now let's get really progressive and ban plastic whose toxicity destroys our ocean creatures. Mike Mang Laguna Beach Full Story
Sea Life Trumps Economics

    Editor, Ted Reckas's article entitled "Mayor Fishes for Angler's Support" in the June 26 issue of the Laguna Beach Independent spoke to Kelly Boyd's efforts to organize his fishing supporters to pressure the members of the MLPA to not increase the area of a Marine Reserve beyond Heisler Park. Full Story
Admiration for Boyd's Stance

    Editor, I am writing to convey my disbelief, sadness and frustration regarding the City Council's almost unanimous vote to ban all fishing and make our Laguna Beach coast a Marine Reserve. I never imagined we would be discussing a law that would mean there would be no more fresh fish and lobster delivered to local restaurants straight from the docks in Dana Point Harbor. Full Story
How Will We Answer?

    Editor, Once, smoking was acceptable anywhere-supermarkets, banks, offices, airports, restaurants. Now, it's not. Once cars didn't have to have seatbelts. Now they do. Once it was o.k. for your big V8 to expel all sorts of smoke and pollution. Now it's not. Full Story
Reeling in the Myths

    Editor, I am a sportfisherman and Laguna resident who fishes along the Laguna coast from my kayak over 50 days a year. While attending the MLPA meeting at Aliso Creek Inn on July 1, I introduced myself as sportfisherman to a supporter of the Laguna fishing ban. He said, "stop calling yourselves sportfisherman. There is no sport in what you do. Full Story
Protection Comes With a Cost

    Editor, When H. L. Mencken uttered the words "No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public," he must have had in mind Laguna Beach City Council's support for a state marine reserve. Proponents of declaring all of our coastline an SMR now inform us that it won't cost us a penny, so that's not really an issue. Full Story
Expect a Backlash

    Editor, I am employed in the recreational boating industry, which is heavily dependent on sport fishing. Denying access to the waters adjacent to the two primary ports in Orange County (Dana Point and Newport Beach) will adversely affect our business, which is already in dire straits given the current economy. Full Story
Laguna Museum Loses Yet Again

    Editor, Once again the Laguna Art Museum and the Orange County Museum of Art find themselves mired in a muddle tainted by improper ethical practices, incompetence, and possible illegalities. Full Story
Expecting a Blowback

    Editor, Where is the outrage? Why are there not letters of protest? Do we not remember or do we not care? I am referring to the sale of eighteen paintings which had belonged to our Laguna Art Museum. Do you remember that in 1996, the Laguna Art Museum merged with the Newport Harbor Art Museum and became the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA), combining both collections? Full Story
Opponents of a Traffic Signal

    Editor, The Emerald Bay Community Association has embarked on an ambitious effort to slow traffic "leaving" Laguna Beach by adding a half traffic signal to south bound Coast Highway at its main gate ("Emerald Bay Signals for Its Own Green Light," July 3 edition). Not all the residents are behind this effort. Full Story
Whimsy Loses in Fight Over a Tree

    Editor, When I was 11, as a summer project, my dad and I built a tree house. I had wanted a tree house ever since I was little, but I had to wait for the tree to grow big enough. Now, the city is requiring us to tear that same tree house down. But why? Who exactly is the tree house bothering? It's not blocking anyone's view or in anyone's way. Full Story