I just read Michele Monda’s letter—cannot believe she actually wrote that much less believes it—but then Village Laguna and their followers are not happy that we, at last, have a city manager who is independent. Remember the fiascos we had with Ken Frank and yes even John Pietig who promised he would be neutral, in the end, wasn’t. I am proud that Shohreh Dupuis is working for all of us and she certainly is not the cause of these departures. If she were then more staff at city hall would be leaving or should be leaving because of their secret support of Village Laguna, especially in management positions, but some of these folks are needed by Village Laguna to help their friends who may have an issue at city hall.
I believe that many people are leaving because they are many inconsistencies in our ordinances, some of the people are hired close to retirement age (10 years or less) and are often promoted over others who have been working here for years and have done a good job. Laguna is known for its liberal pay policy, excellent health and retirement benefits. Why not work here for a few years and retire much better off had one stayed in their old job. We have seen this especially in the Fire and Police departments.
I know that Village Laguna wants to take control of our city again and bring back horse and carriages and keep tourists out—please wake up to reality and deal with that in an adult way—deal with parking, upgrading infrastructure, get a fire station built in South Laguna. The list goes on. What you don’t want to spend money on but you still want to fix up the moldy, crumbling sewage processor (AKA the Digester) that is of no value and no one can think of what to use it for. Is that a good use of a million dollars or more.
With the election coming on you are holding recruiting events now in Bluebird Park and other places. Ruben Flores who probably will run again is claiming to be a world famous landscaper. There are people in Laguna, Dana Point, and Newport Beach who have not heard of him including many who are wealthy and well known living in these communities. What Flores is known for is blocking cars parked on Coast Highway by his shop with the big orange planter, giving passengers a difficult time while getting out of their cars.
When one finger points at one person, four other fingers point back, Michele Monda. Are you planning to run again too?
Ganka Brown, Laguna Beach
