Comments for Laguna Beach Independent Newspaper, The "Indy" - Laguna Beach News

Comment on Japan’s Ex-Leader Reverses Stance on Nuclear Power by Marge Redmond

Marge Redmond — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 23:45:33 +0000

I am shocked that the rest of the newsmedia-world has not even mentioned this. Thank you to the Long Beach Independent for keeping us informed!

Comment on Obituary: Nina Mack by Yirma Cook

Yirma Cook — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:10:09 +0000

Nina Mack had a wonderful heart and always cheerful. It got me by surprise to hear the news that she passed away. Se loved and cared for homeless animals. Rest in the Heavens Nina Mack. We miss you a lot .

Comment on Fresh Living by wordpress.com

wordpress.com — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:31:35 +0000

There are a few things we need to go over real quick. kill’ a zombie. Along the various groups of survivors the doctor manages to outlive, he finds that the infection may have been started by a food processing plant and an additive that is found in nearly every food and beverage.

Comment on Burnt Up Over Bright Bulb by patti

patti — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:58:49 +0000

suggestion…visit your neighbor w/a gift…perhaps a nice bottle of wine as a peace offering…kindly explain your situation and suggest a lower wattage or even a colored bulb of their choice that you would of course provide (available at coast hardware)…if they refuse at least you tried…i had a similar problem and after months of frustration did just that and it worked! took a while to build up the courage to knock on the door but i am so glad i did…best of luck.

Comment on Village Entrance Moves Ahead, Finally by Roger E. Bütow

Roger E. Bütow — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:41:44 +0000

Dana:
Great point!
As a 40 year South OC builder plus knowing the difficulties regarding compliance with the new, much stricter storm water Permit (NPDES) ratified by the San Diego Regional Board (Cal/EPA) on May 8th, major excavation will need to be focused on dry weather periods to avoid surface water quality impairments, violations that result in significant fines. Cal/EPA can, in some instances, stop construction completely while more permanent remedies are negotiated.
I was asked, and joined for a 1 year period, the inner circle of the task force that created this new permit which will be in effect soon. Wet weather is not only more problematic for installation of the VERY deep footings necessary to support such a monolithic structure, but they will be drilling down and probably piercing the envelop of the aquifer which isn’t far from the street level.
It is “perched” close to the surface, is basically a subterranean stream….And if we get back into an El Niño cycle, it could stretch the project timeline out tremendously. This protraction will not only cost more money but the permit requires extensive and expensive logistics/devices to protect the fragile receiving waters of the Pacific. They’re called Best Management Practices (BMPs), and new Hydro-modification requirements in the Permit will restrict off-site migration of not only runoff volumes but pollutants too.
Also, the Point of Discharge (POD) zone is immediately adjacent to Heisler Park, which is listed as an Area of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) by the same State Water Resources Control Board. That is the highest level of protection enjoyed by any coastal zone because of its fragility, its species vulnerability regarding toxic runoff.
Unaddressed by this project’s supporters is the incredible gamut of hydrology and water quality protection hurdles it must overcome without becoming a veritable Laguna version of the movie “The Money Pit.” (Pun intended).
I’m a professional land use and regulatory compliance advisor—-I can’t envision how or why Cost Benefit & Risk Assessment metrics haven’t been integrated in the planning, in cost projections. It’s a crap shoot, a pig in a poke. The eventual cost over-runs could be in the millions. And during rainy periods the excavation work could be delayed or halted altogether—Creating a traffic nightmare for Canyon drivers.
As happened at the Lifeguard HQ, and also down at The Montage Resort, subterranean rock formations might hold things up, require blasting or more aggressive, VERY noisy drilling techniques. All of these things take time hence money.
Then what about the increase in air pollution? Heavy duty, belching construction diesels during the building phase added to visitors vehicles which will be slowed or halted, thus the prevailing air currents will drop increased contaminants onto Canyon businesses, Art-A-Affair, Sawdust Festival and other Canyon residents at least as far as the Boys & Girls Club, probably further.
It’s a fiscal and environmental house of cards, predicated upon ideal, pollyanna building and funding terms/conditions. Rolling the dice using other people’s money isn’t sound, prudent governance.

Comment on City OKs Village Entrance by Village Entrance Moves Ahead, Finally | Laguna Beach Independent Newspaper, The "Indy" - Laguna Beach News

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:57:04 +0000

[...] on the project intermittently over the last 10 years. They presented diverging plans in March. In a 4-1 vote with Iseman dissenting, the council favored Pearson’s option, largely the same as that [...]

Comment on Write Stuff 4/19/13 by The Write Stuff 6/14/13 | Laguna Beach Independent Newspaper, The "Indy" - Laguna Beach News

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:21:59 +0000

[...] book is a compilation of quotes that smashes stereotypes about older women and provides evidence that there is a full, rich adventure still to come after [...]

Comment on Village Entrance Moves Ahead, Finally by Dr. Ari Grayson

Dr. Ari Grayson — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 06:05:50 +0000

We the citizens of Laguna Beach need to remember with our votes that “fiscal conservatives” Steve Dicterow, former Festival of Arts Board, Elizabeth Pearson, former Playhouse Employee, and Bob Whalen voted to put us in debt for 25 years to add just 200 parking spaces. It’s insulting for these people to put our money where their mouth is – without allowing us to actually cast a vote and voice our opinion. Councilwoman Iseman previously presented a proposal that was far less costly (-$17 million) and far more pragmatic. If the proposal approved by Pearson, Dicterow, and Whalen is so good, why do they lack the confidence to put it to a public vote?!

Comment on Village Entrance Moves Ahead, Finally by Roger E. Bütow

Roger E. Bütow — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:09:01 +0000

3 CC members elected by only 20–25% of the registered voters should NOT be making this decision. Many of those votes that elected them are redundant because voters are cast for multiple persons.
I think that it was the French politician Clemenceau who said that war is too important to be left to the generals: This is too important to be left to our special interest politicians—–what might actually be a minority of our voters.
A special election, an initiative would probably get a higher turnout than a regular one anyway.
To those who voted for it: What’s wrong with listening to the voice of the larger demographic, not your constituents and voting base? What are you afraid of?
If anyone files a legal challenge, count me in as an enviro-consultant who is offering his services gratis.
I’ll gladly file an amicus brief.
Vic Opincar & others were correct: This is a fiscal black hole, comes at a time when our infrastructure (streets, sewers & storm system) needs serious $$$. This is a frivolous, imprudent and reckless expenditure that has NOT been proven to be the will of the people.

Comment on Village Entrance Moves Ahead, Finally by Roger E. Bütow

Roger E. Bütow — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:36:24 +0000

When we wanted to decide whether or not to tax ourselves for a $20 million open space expenditure last year, it was placed on the ballot as an initiative. And it required a 2/3 majority for passage.
This is double that expenditure, and as per usual, these capital improvement projects ALWAYS end up costing more. ALWAYS.
So why isn’t this placed before the voters like the open space one?
And shouldn’t it have required a 2/3 or more CC majority, meaning 4 votes to pass NOT 3?
Each City Council member is only elected by about 20-25% of the electorate maximum, so those seated CC members represent that proportion.
They do NOT represent nor speak for 2/3 of the residents.

Comment on Village Entrance Moves Ahead, Finally by Les Miklosy

Les Miklosy — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 23:27:48 +0000

Thank you Mayor Boyd and Councilwoman Iseman for your votes, may a public referendum someday be realized.

Comment on Village Entrance Moves Ahead, Finally by Dana LaRose

Dana LaRose — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:35:12 +0000

I hope that no matter what the decision ends up being, that the construction does NOT begin in the summer! The traffic is horrendous and our town is known for doing road construction when its “high season” around here! Its not like we live back east and the work can’t be done in the winter!!!

Comment on Footing the $42 Million Bill for a Village Entrance by Andrea Adelson

Andrea Adelson — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:20:42 +0000

All opinions are welcomed.

Comment on Footing the $42 Million Bill for a Village Entrance by Dave

Dave — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:15:52 +0000

Do the comments have to be positive to get published?

Comment on Footing the $42 Million Bill for a Village Entrance by Dave

Dave — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:31:58 +0000

Wider roads and additional parking always lead to more congestion, not less. Residents will have higher tax bills and lower quality of life. All so visitors can have a fun day out with junk food and a Laguna T-shirt.

Please God let these greedy central-planners never set their eyes on South Laguna where I live. Historians will be able to come to Solag and see what Laguna was like in its halcyon days.