Beveridge Says He Was Misrepresented

Following Dianne Klein’s Sept. 1 column on the Pacific Wildlife Project (“A Neighborhood Flap in Laguna Niguel”), I want to make a few points that she failed to include in her column. While she promised to present both sides of the PWP issue, she chose to leave out some important items we discussed and much of her reference to me is sarcastic and biased. Instead of focusing on a potential solution that was presented to her, she chose the low road, and has inflamed neighborhood resentments and inspired harassing hate calls.

For almost two years, I have quietly been urging the City of Laguna Niguel to relocate the bird facility in an appropriate location outside of our neighborhood. I never claimed that the PWP was not a worthy cause, only that it is completely out of line in this residential location.

Ms. Klein also failed to note that I originally took exception to the project because of the obnoxious discharge, presumably bird sewage, being washed across the sidewalk and into the gutters. I have noticed small kids splashing in the gutters on numerous occasions. The Health Department had that eliminated. I still want to know where the daily sewage of up to 100 birds is being flushed.

Now, I am the bad guy because I want to uphold the value of my home and neighborhood. I am painted as a real estate speculator and an insensitive bird hater. I have been ridiculously accused of being a deforestation and whale-killing advocate by a so-called Greenpeace activist. Well, I’m not ashamed of the fact that my wife and I have improved the condition of our own home dramatically in four years and that I expect the city to uphold the existing codes which provide us all with the minimal building standards by which we live.

I want to know how many people out there would be offended by this facility in their neighborhood? I don’t think Mayor Wilson or any other City Council member would allow this situation to exist where they live.

ED BEVERIDGE,

Laguna Niguel