Political Briefs

Candidate Kicks Off School Board Campaign

Carol Normandin described the reasons for her candidacy for one of the three open seats on the Laguna Beach school board to supporters this past Sunday, Sept. 14.

Normandin, who ran an executive search business, spoke about her belief in public education and her eight years helping raise funds for the school district through Schoolpower. Through fundraising, classroom volunteering and being a parent of children in Laguna’s schools, Normandin believes she is knowledgeable about the issues that matter most to parents, teachers, administrators and taxpayers.

Normandin said two-term incumbent Theresa O’Hare informed her last month she would not seek re-election and encouraged her to run. “I talked it over with my husband and three kids. When my 10-year old son said, ‘Mommy, it doesn’t matter if you win or lose. It matters if you run!’ I went to the Orange County Registrar of Voters and filed,” she said in a statement.

“The District enjoys an excellent credit rating and has strong reserves, and I will guarantee that both are protected and maintained,” she said. “Finally, I want to establish LBUSD as one of the best districts in the country in terms of an all-around education based on the whole student concept

Normandin can be reached at [email protected] or (949) 342-4724.

Candidates Face Quiz on Canyon Issues

The Canyon Alliance of Neighborhoods Defense Organization will host a forum for the candidates for Laguna Beach City Council at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Boys and Girls Club, 1085 Laguna Canyon Rd., focusing on Laguna Canyon issues and solutions.

The forum will be filmed for later webcasting by CANDO board member Michael Fowlkes.

Village Laguna Announces Endorsements

Village Laguna endorsed incumbent Toni Iseman and challenger Rob Zur Schmiede for the upcoming City Council election, the organization’s president announced this week.

Zur Schmiede, however, who describes himself as an independent, said in a letter to the editor he has asked the organization to remove his name from Village Laguna signs because they imply he is running with Iseman as a team. “The support of my candidacy by any organization only implies that they endorse what I stand for, not the other way around,” he said.

Village Laguna members voted after deliberating for three months after reviewing each candidates’ qualifications, experience, temperament and leadership, said Ginger Osborne, who leads the group dedicated to protecting village character and open space.

Seven candidates are vying for three seats in the Nov. 4 election.