By Louis Weil
It’s been just a few weeks since I announced my candidacy for a seat on the City Council. I’ve been gratified by the response. I want to emphasize that my candidacy is focused on understanding different viewpoints on the issues that matter most to Lagunans, and for that reason, I welcome residents’ input and promise to listen thoughtfully to locals’ concerns.
Laguna Beach is a generational home for my extended family, and a place where my wife and I plan to raise our two young boys. As a councilmember, I want to represent the best interests of residents, seeking a balance as we work together to make Laguna an even better place to live, now and in the future.
Candidates are often accused of “political speak”—so in contrast, I wanted to be sure that voters know exactly where I stand on the issues.
Recently, the community has been engaged in several discussions about development, from the library site to commercial development (Red Dragon), as well as parking issues. I want to share my two cents on those.
Library: I supported the decision to purchase the site, as our community will benefit in the long term as the key stakeholders of this vital location. I was also encouraged by the extension of initial term with the library, which provides an appropriate time frame for community to evaluate the site for further improvements for the community.
As a councilmember, I would encourage the development of a comprehensive strategy to further evaluate potential opportunities for all community assets.
Commercial Development: On April 26, the council evaluated the application for building and restaurant use for the halted Red Dragon Restaurant. This project has been going on for more than seven years now and circumstances have changed along the way. In its current state, the building is very much the right fit for this location and will add appeal to the overall streetscape. I, along with other speakers, am encouraged to see this come to completion, yet there are several details to still be ironed out, with parking, of course, being the focus. This situation demonstrates once again that we need long-term, consistent approaches to these kinds of projects.
As a councilmember, I would promote efforts to align, simplify, and clarify our municipal codes, policy documents, elements, and master plans.
Parking: The strategic parking working group brought forward a great public-private parking solution by The Montage that could be quickly implemented. This is a great starting example of small “right-fit” parking solutions. The city has and should continue to identify areas to balance our parking resources throughout town.
As a councilmember, I would promote efforts to find right-fit parking solutions that help address today’s needs, and at the same time, evaluate each site’s potential to serve multiple needs, with residents’ needs coming first.
As a forward-thinking, independent, and experienced candidate, I feel I have the expertise to focus on better, more balanced decisions; better safety protocols; better environmental practices; better infrastructure; and better public service to ensure a unique, vibrant community for current and future generations.
For more detail on these elements please see my website at louisweil4citycouncil2022.com.
I look forward to your support and the opportunity to work together, strengthening the fabric that makes Laguna Beach so special.
Louis is a Laguna Beach Realtor and member of the Design Review Board.
Louis refused to answer direct questions about his past and most recent party affiliations on a Nextdoor thread. I cannot vote for another slippery politician who refuses to answer simple questions.
Joe, I did open that feed and personally answered a majority of the posted questions over a two-week span. Then the conversations of the feed drastically changed, and the post were no longer questions. At that point, I decided to turn it off. Since then, I have been active in the community, showing up to personal and organized meet and greets. Where I have been answering questions and discussing my campaign priorities. If you or anyone has a direct question, feel free to email me at [email protected]
Louis, you never answered any questions on nextdoor, you would not answer the simple question of why you were running, what do you stand for, what organizations do you belong too ? your intentions?..no you flipped the post on and off and never answered anything then went around asking in private messages who people were..you are not political material when you cannot answer a question. Not sure the family money will buy you this one.
Barbara,
Forgive me but I have to ask if this the same Barara or Brook G. the alias writer from the Next Door.
Yes, I did respond to the rational for turning the post on and off. Even in this open digital world, I have to lead by example and turn my attention to my family from time to time. In life and for the campaign family comes first to me.
As to your questions, for Organizations, I explained, I am a member of the Laguna Beach Board of Realtors, The Laguna Beach Chamber, I coach Little League, I am on the Design Review Board Member, I also volunteer and attend/ support various non-profits organizations throughout town…
My intentions and priorities are well laid out on my campaign website. Louisweil4citycouncil2022.com
I respect your comment on political material as it is important for each voter to decide that. Politics in general and the pulse of our community seems to be more polarized now than ever. I aspire to get the community back to a place where we work together, discuss our issues, and move forward with balance.
As for professional experience, I have professionally worked for 3 fortune 500 companies, I now run my own Real Estate practice. I have public serving experience and real-world work ethics, training and respect, I am a Father, I am running my own campaign, I am writing my own responses and letters, I am meeting with the residents and the many organizations throughout town.