Confronting the Issues That Face Laguna Beach Residents, Officials

* I would like to thank Councilman Bob Gentry for his levelheaded and thoughtful handling of the Explorer Scout agenda item.

I appreciate him having brought this situation to the city’s attention, and I appreciate his position. It is a confusing message to our youth to have a city law against discrimination for any reason, including sexual orientation, at the same time the city signs a contract agreeing to the Boys Scouts of America’s policy of discrimination against gays. It is confusing to us adults too.

Because Gentry did not want to see a program beneficial to our youth terminated, he compromised. Compromise has always been Gentry’s long suit. In this case, he once again demonstrated why he has been an elected official for 11 1/2 years.

By contrast, (Councilman) Wayne Peterson is apparently not even aware of the word compromise.

The perfect example was the agenda item that called for an independent analysis of the city’s water system operations and requirements necessary to ensure public safety.

Peterson cast the only no vote. He cast a no vote because he would rather see the city at risk than to agree that the water district cooperate with the city in getting expert analysis.

It has been Wayne Peterson’s position all along that the water district knows best even though Orange County Fire Chief (Lawrence J.) Holms criticized them for failing to provide sufficient electrical backup generators in order to pump enough water during our Oct. 27 (fire) emergency. Peterson voted no knowing that the state has mandated local agencies to cooperate in preparing emergency plans.

Wayne Peterson talks “public health and safety,” but it’s action that counts.

ROSALIND RUSSELL

Laguna Beach

* I have a saying which comes in handy on occasion: “Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they are rarely disappointed.” It works particularly well in Laguna, particularly if you don’t come down on the side of the Village Laguna agenda.

So, when I attended the City Council meeting April 5, just to see if our Village Laguna (now they call themselves Protect Laguna) majority was actually going to vote to delay construction of the reservoir once more. They did in fact delay it again, just as I expected.

Can you believe it? The Protect Laguna majority is going to protect us by delaying construction of the reservoir while they have a consultant review all the information they already have, so that the consultant can come back and help them make this very complex decision of whether or not an extra 3 million gallons of water would help if we should have another disaster.

When confronted with the fact that a study has already been completed, which the city won’t release, (City Manager) Ken Frank, stammered “. . . that was a verbal report.” Could it be that this report didn’t support Protect Laguna / Village Laguna’s position?

Then, we find out that the city paid $3,000 for this “verbal report” that they apparently didn’t like, and that they apparently didn’t like the in-depth “Firestorm ’93 Report” prepared by the Orange County Fire Department.

How could anyone in their right mind deny the need to proceed with construction of the reservoir? But, there they were--Lida Lenney, Ann Christoph, Bob Gentry, (Gene Felder, Johanna Felder, Protect Laguna / Village Laguna), calling for another study, and of course another delay. And, get this, they authorized a whole $850 to have an expert pull everything together that’s been collected to date.

I wonder who is going to interpret the “verbal report” for this expert?

Just hope this ongoing smoke screen doesn’t find us consumed by another disaster when the Santa Ana winds heat up again next fall, while these masters of deception continue compiling their reports. Call your councilpersons and demand that they start construction of the reservoir at once.

STEVE BRIDGES

Laguna Beach

* The Urban Laguna groups preach health and safety, but didn’t bother to attend a workshop to improve the health and safety in our city.

Perhaps, they are not interested in making policy, just criticizing it.

The Planning Commission has scheduled extra meetings, the first and third Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to review and rewrite the City’s Seismic and Public Safety Element of the General Plan. They have reached out, encouraging suggestions and input from individuals and groups. On April 6, the meeting covered hazardous materials; there was a good representation from many of the neighborhood associations around town. I represented Village Laguna.

No one was there representing the Taxpayers Assn. No one was there representing United Laguna. No one was there representing the Laguna Coalition. Doing nothing makes it easier to criticize, and if you notice, they habitually criticize. Could it be just to score political points?

Certainly, we need to work together to improve our community. I hope these groups and others will attend the next meeting which will be at the Council Chambers on Wednesday. The important topic will be Emergency Planning and Response.

GENE FELDER

Laguna Beach