Mailbag: Public must speak out about low-flying planes

As a reporter in Laguna Beach for almost 30 years, I have written numerous stories about low-flying commercial airplanes out of John Wayne Airport, periodically bombarding the city with noise, beginning with the closing of the El Toro Marine Air Base.

The low flights reportedly save fuel and time as the flights do not go out so far out over the ocean before turning back over land, resulting in lower altitudes reached before flying over Laguna.

Complaints by the city and its residents were ignored by airport and FAA officials early on. Each episode of noisy, polluting low flights eventually stopped, at least for time, only to begin again.

As happened in the past, the recent low flights started sporadically and then increased, probably because of no public outcry.

However, for more than a week now, I have been awakened at 7:10 a.m. by the early flight out of John Wayne Airport. The low flights continue throughout the day and into the night.

People who object to the unnecessary low flights should contact City Council members and also complain to airport and FAA officials.

The number for the John Wayne Airport Noise Office is (949) 252-5185. Emails may be sent to NoiseInfo@ocair.com.

To complain to the FAA about low-flying aircraft, call the local Flight Standards District Office in Long Beach at (562) 420-1755. Press “0” and ask for the Operations Officer on Duty.

Barbara Diamond

Laguna Beach

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Traffic signal near LCAD confuses drivers

Last Friday at noon I was headed to the 405 on Laguna Canyon Road when, suddenly, the traffic came to a complete stop in front of Ganahl Lumber.

The traffic crawled until it got past the pedestrian light at Laguna College of Art + Design. As I was creeping up to the light, I could see it was malfunctioning because, first, it would flash its yellow lights, then its reds, then the red would go solid, but for only a moment. After which there would be no lights and then a moment later the cycle would begin again.

It’s a wonder traffic moved at all. As I continued to drive out, I noticed the traffic coming in was backed up well past El Toro Road. I made a mental note not to return via Laguna Canyon Road and to avoid the road as much as possible in the future.

The good news: There must be many drivers who feel as I do. What about all those drivers that don’t originate in Laguna Beach and use Laguna Canyon Road as a short cut to the toll road? Will they eventually become fed up with the traffic jam caused by the signal that is confusing, even when it isn’t malfunctioning?

If so, we may end up with less traffic in the canyon. That is the good news, plus perhaps, those council members who are hell bent on widening the road might finally see the light (pun intended).

The pedestrian light that Caltrans installed after the tragic accident that killed an LCAD student was installed to avoid further tragedies. This was a good thing to do, but it has never worked well for the road and needs to either be better managed or replaced with a traffic signal.

How about moving the pedestrian crosswalk to the entrance of the school’s parking lot and have a traffic light serve a dual purpose?

Johanna Felder

Laguna Beach

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Replace Haggen with Stater Bros.

I would love to see a Stater Bros. store in Laguna Beach. We have one up-scale store in the Pavilions/Vons. And we have good ol’ Ralph’s, always there, always open, and always close. So instead of an upscale Gelson’s, why not a plain, old ordinary Stater Bros.? Good selection, good prices, very friendly, and locally owned.

James S. McBride Jr.

Laguna Beach