I do not know Ruben Flores or the facts outside those reported, but I can at least sense from the article that it could have had a very different lead and title than “Council Candidate’s Business Flouts City Law.” The article notes that during COVID-19, our city has been granting “temporary use permits” which can “legalize the displays,” which constitute the violations.
This is because COVID-19 has been extremely difficult for businesses, especially small ones. Flores submitted the application for the permit, but “the property owner is refusing to sign it,” which apparently is required for the city to grant the temporary permit. The property owner rather than reducing the rental rate also has increased it, from $4,000 in 2015 to $7,850 today, it is reported, citing Flores.
Framing a news article matters. It can shape public opinion during an election year. Is this about a small business scofflaw or a real estate development firm (Heisler Laguna LLC) pushing out a small business for purposes of a hotel development, one that is supported by Flores’ main opponents? I don’t know, but you can gather this tension by reading the whole article, and not just its title or lead.
Greg Shaffer, Laguna Beach
