MAILBAG - May 4, 2007

Dead and dying sea life needs response

At this time of the year I am part of the walking crowd and have been distressed at the number of dead birds that have been lying on the beach in Laguna. For the three afternoons that I walked the beach last week I found a dead bird each day, a pelican, a cormorant and another small bird. On Thursday April 26 a dead pelican was found at the Oak Street Beach.

I understand further that the Pacific Marine Mammal Rescue Center in Laguna is being overwhelmed with sick and dying marine life due to the domoic acid poisoning from the toxic algae in the algae bloom.

With the increase in the algae bloom and its occurrence to the degree that we are now seeing it we must have our city, county and state officials pursue the research necessary to reduce the bloom before we are faced with a “Dead Sea” in the Pacific Ocean.

We have been told that the polluted flow from Aliso Creek amounts to 2 million to 6 million gallons a day, which runs directly into the ocean. This inland runoff could be a large contributor to the deadly ocean condition.

TOM GIRVIN

Laguna Beach

Guide dogs must have access

I was surprised and disappointed to learn that a local Laguna Beach casual dining restaurant recently denied access to a blind Laguna resident and his guide dog.

While seating was outside and not at issue, the gentleman was [allegedly] told to tie up his guide dog before entering the building to order and retrieve his meal.

The reason was “health department rules.” This is both wrong and impractical.

Wrong, because Federal and California laws require entry to guide dogs, and health rules do not bar them.

Impractical, because guide dog users cannot leave their dogs tied to a parking meter. It would be like parking your eyes or your arms at curbside.

I hope that the staff at this business will be educated on the importance of guide dog access so that future visitors are treated properly.

LEONARD JOSEPH

Laguna Beach

No need to be disagreeable

As a member of the last oppressed minority in this country, I constantly ask myself the following questions:

In this land of the free, must everyone believe in what the majority believes thus denying themselves of what is really in their own hearts and minds?

Can’t someone be for something without being against the alternatives?

Must the “hotheads” of a point of view define everyone else who shares that same point of view?

Why can’t people disagree without being disagreeable?

Is the playing field level for everyone?

Like it or not, people in Laguna Beach live, work, volunteer and play together, many of whom embrace a religious faith and a few others who for reasons of their own don’t. I invite the reader to also ponder the above questions and to strive toward more understanding and tolerance of each other. This is a humble suggestion from a friendly neighborhood atheist.

NIKO THERIS

Laguna Beach