Editor,
This last week has been a profound civics lesson for us all. We are reminded that in a democracy, the plurality or majority of votes determines the winner and the course of the next term.
The lesson of democracy should be brought into clear focus here in Laguna where the indisputable winner was not the candidates running for City Council, but the candidate who ran for treasurer – Laura Parisi. Laura was the biggest vote-getter in Laguna with 6,170 (66.6%) of the vote, garnering more votes than any other candidate running in a contested election, including Bob Whalen and Steve Dicterow.
Laura ran on her stellar record and her position that the job of treasurer should be full-time against her opponent Anne McGraw, who felt the city’s $100 million investment fund was capable of being handled by a part-timer. It is noteworthy that every Councilmember (except Toni Iseman) sided with McGraw.
Yet, Laura clearly got a mandate and vote of confidence by Laguna’s voters. It is time we all respect the democratic will of the voter, including the City Council, and give our treasurer what she has asked for to do her job. The job of treasurer should be full-time.
Alan Boinus, Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach
Oh No! Here we go again. I wonder how much the citizens of Laguna Beach will pay this time in consultants and studies to prove once again that this is a Part Time Elected Position.