Letters to the Editor

Measure Q was not drafted by people in the know and must be defeated

Measure Q is inherently flawed; it must be defeated [vote no]. It uses language that is misleading; “major development” is nothing like major, “reasonable necessary number of parking” is nothing like reasonable. If you are thinking of voting yes, I urge you to read the actual referendum. It is not benign.

This measure is put forth by people who are not architects nor planners. They seem to simply distrust people who study this, who understand the physical ramifications of zoning codes.

I am a fellow of the American Institute of Architects (less than 2% of America’s architects) installed for the quality of my design work. I have practiced architecture for over 45 years here in California, across the United States, in Canada and in Europe. I have read this measure. I have no stake in this other than being a citizen of wonderful Laguna Beach, where I chose to live and raise my children some 43 years ago.

They propose to put to a citizen vote [who knows when, every two years] on projects that occupy lots of 6,000 sq. ft. or more. That is a little larger than a typical house lot (50’x100’). That is small for a commercial or institutional project. Under this measure:

–Susie Q couldn’t be built.

–Hotel Laguna couldn’t be built. 

–The Sapphire restaurant complex, the Pottery Shack couldn’t be built. 

–The Heidelberg center and The Plaza (Shirley’s Bagels) couldn’t be built.

The size of a building that they call major is 22,000 sq. ft. or more. It is not. Susie Q’s total area is larger than that.

This means virtually no new shopping facilities, restaurants, cafés, anything that gives life to our city.

What we need is a vision of what this city can be. We need to encourage quality buildings and projects that help us arrive at that vision. We need codes that enable the building of a vision. We need to encourage the engagement of talented planners and architects. Our city deserves this, our citizens expect this, and for our children we must be responsible enough to understand how to achieve this.

We can’t afford to have our public places, our public facilities, our civic identity designed by trite soundbite advertising propositions. This requires talented, dedicated professionals, educated and practiced in town planning, architecture, and urban design, having visualization skills, imagination, clarity of vision and boldness. We deserve nothing less! Please vote no!

L Paul Zajfen FAIA RIBA, Architect

Laguna Beach

In Memoriam

Joe Briskey, 78

Courtesy of the Briskey Family

Joseph Allum Briskey, Marine veteran, carpenter, 50-year resident of Laguna Beach, stalwart regular at Main Beach and Crescent Bay, former pitcher for the Utah State Aggies baseball team, known to hundreds of friends all over Laguna Beach as Joe or Jose, died September 16. He was 78.

Joe passed away at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach after a lengthy illness and complications from surgery. His daughter, Lisa Briskey, a Laguna Beach High School graduate, her partner, Martin Byrne and two of Joe’s three grandchildren were at his side.

While a player at Utah State, Joe’s claim to fame was he pitched against a great Arizona State team, one that included future Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson and future major league all-stars Rick Monday and Sal Bando.

Joe loved everything about life in Laguna Beach and was a well-known, friendly presence on the benches and boardwalk of Main Beach. That’s where he spent countless hours visiting with friends and neighbors, occasionally shooting baskets and enjoying the surf, sunsets and passersby.

There wasn’t a person he would not talk to, a dog he would not pet, a sport he wouldn’t bet on, or a friend in need he would not help. May his memory be a blessing.

Born in Park City, Utah, Joe was the son of Tom, a silver miner and Angel Briskey. He grew up in Provo, Utah and attended Provo’s St. Francis High School where he was a two-sport letterman in basketball and baseball all four years and Prom King his senior year. After leaving Utah State, Joe joined the Marines and was stationed at Camp Pendleton. He moved to Laguna Beach in the early 1970s.

Along with his daughter Lisa, Joe is survived by his sister, Bonnie Briskey Andrews of Tucson, Ariz.; brothers Tom Briskey of Seattle, Wash. and John Briskey of Orinda, Calif.; brother not by blood but by choice Tom King of Dayton, Nev.; and three grandchildren: Avery Byrne, of San Francisco; Dylan Byrne of Los Angeles and Olivia Byrne of Long Beach.

Plans for a Celebration of Life are pending.

Letters to the Editor

Rounaghi brings new ideas that our town needs

If there is one thing I have learned from the countless city council meetings I have attended, it’s that we need new ideas in this town. No more hidden agendas and trying to keep things the exact same. 

I am proud and happy to say that I will vote for Alex Rounaghi. Alex knows our town and he and his family have watched it grow. He appreciates its unique character and recognizes the need to protect our town from fire, address parking demand, help our buildings downtown that have seen much wear and tear and improve the safety of many areas. He is willing to listen and respects the opinions of those who are knowledgeable and experienced. 

Since graduating from Laguna High, he has been involved in multiple positions to learn how government works including at the county and in our Laguna Beach city government. He clearly has integrity and will not be swayed by special interests. He has gotten some great endorsements from groups – like police and fire department among others. 

I say we need the dynamics of some new and young ideas. Alex has the ideas and the skills and experience to execute them.

Ganka Brown

Laguna Beach

Letters to the Editor

Measure Q equals immeasurable harm

Do you want to see development come to a near halt in our village?

Do you want small shop owners who have a creative idea that will contribute to Laguna’s charm say, “I’m out – I don’t have the money or time to lobby for my project with a general election?” 

Do you want to be going to vote on projects when you really don’t know much about them? Will you be equipped to cast the vote on someone’s future hopes? 

This is the risk we take if we vote yes on Measure Q – a well-intentioned ballot initiative, but poorly written, complicated beyond any reasonable measure, and most importantly, will lead to more closed store fronts because people with good ideas will not take the risk or the time to face what measure Q requires – “a majority vote by the majority of our electorate.” 

An impartial analysis of that requirement done by the city attorney of Laguna Beach says this does not mean a simple majority vote on election day – up or down. It means the majority of all registered voters in our community must say yes. Think about that – it means on any one project, at least 80 to 90 percent of “yes” voters on any project would be needed to reach the 51% required for ALL registered voters in our town. 

The authors of the ballot initiative, Laguna Residents First, say the word electorate was really meant to be a simple majority vote. If that’s the case, why didn’t they say so. This to me only illustrates the poor wording and confusion of the ballot initiative in the first place. 

Look – many of the people who think Measure Q is a good idea are friends of mine. I understand their worries about large scale development that might harm our town’s uniqueness along the coast of Orange County. I applaud them for wanting to do something. However, their first try at a ballot initiative like Measure Q is a disaster in the making. 

Please, do yourself and our community a big favor and vote NO. If Residents First, who are advocating for Measure Q, want to try again with a better written ballot measure, more power to them. Measure Q, however, needs to go in the trash heap. If not, I’m afraid we will look up in three years and see more empty store fronts, no new creative projects that make our town a great place to live, and a town run by people who want to live in an idealized past, not investing in a future that can revive our charm and uniqueness as a community along the sea.   

Douglas Wilson

Laguna Beach

Parents of school-age kids need representation

If there’s one thing that recent candidate forums have made clear, it’s this: we all love Laguna. We agree that it’s vital to maintain our town’s cultural, architectural and artistic heritage into the future. Our uniqueness is a major contributor to our strong property values. 

My endorsement by the Orange County League of Conservation Voters proves how much I value preservation.

Here’s what sets my candidacy apart: I care deeply about one of the most neglected constituents in Laguna Beach – parents of school-age children. I know because I am one. That’s a major reason why I’m running. My sons are 5 and 7 and I want them to enjoy the wonderful childhood here that so many long timers have experienced. 

Our population is aging. Certainly, our seniors deserve attention. But I want to be sure we also attract new families so that we aren’t overwhelmed with only investors and second homeowners. As of today, about 40% of our residential properties are non-owner occupied and that’s concerning to me. 

We’ve budgeted $1.3 million over the next three years for park improvements. Yes, pickleball should be part of the conversation – but the needs of families must be addressed, too. I can lead that effort.

I believe as a father, Little League coach, PTA and Laguna Beach Parents’ Club member, with experience on city boards and task forces, as well as in corporate management of teams and budgets, I am well positioned to represent families in this town.

–Let’s think about what kids need when we debate uses for St. Catherine’s. Is a pool or skate park a possibility? Can we offer more after-school activities that focus on music and the performing arts and perhaps tutoring for those who need extra help? How can we partner more with our Boys & Girls Clubs and School Power organizations? 

–Let’s improve our parks with more shade areas, increase bike path connectivity and partner with Laguna Canyon Foundation on educational hikes in our wilderness areas.

–Let’s plan resident-focused experiences, like a “Welcome to Summer” community event along the lines of our Winter Hospitality Night, which is such a great success and a wonderful way to build community.

–Let’s be sure to focus on fire safety, which matters above all else: Let’s underground those utility lines. Let’s make sure our evacuation centers are properly maintained – for example, the Susi Q should be equipped with a generator. We shouldn’t wait until a fire threatens our homes to put these measures in place.

Let’s encourage local small businesses that serve family needs – whether it’s as simple as a store where I can buy back to school necessities or a pizza place to celebrate youth sports achievements. Let’s not strangle new projects with more regulations than are needed.

Let’s get those bathrooms built near our beaches, especially in South Laguna!

Those are just a few ideas. Every day I talk to many parents and, of course, my kids and kids’ friends. They feel as I do – that we are incredibly fortunate to live in this amazing place. That we want to keep our wilderness and beaches pristine and the village feel of our downtown. That we want Laguna to prosper into the future – and we need to align our plans to make sure that happens. 

At the relatively young age of 39, I’m neither naïve nor jaded. I think that working together, we can make Laguna even better, and with my Design Review Board, Affordable Housing Task Force and corporate team-building experience, I believe I have the skill set that’s needed to bring people to the table to talk. I would be honored to get your vote.

Louis Weil

City Council candidate

Laguna Beach

Letters to the Editor

Concerned with candidate Weil’s take on certain groups of people

After listening to a number of council forums, some statements made by candidate Louis Weil are chilling.

He has claimed to “tolerate” homeless people, rather than being sympathetic and understanding of their individual plights. Weil constantly refers to protecting his children from that “unsavory” element. Yes, it is too often we hear profanities in public, but they’ve become part of our lexicon, the dumbing down of America. That doesn’t mean we approve of them.

I have two grandchildren, and the anger and ugliness we hear oftentimes expressed by homeless people is frightening.

After I cross the street to protect my kids, I take time and use that opportunity to explain that there are different causes for people to behave with unwarranted anger and pain. We are thankful for opportunities we have, our achievements, and we try and understand that for whatever reason, some people may be forced or chose to live and sleep on the street and eat out of garbage cans. 

And so, a dialogue begins.

I also heard Mr. Weil state that “old people are ok.” Was he referring to his in-laws, the MacGillvrays, Mr. Joe Hanauer, the Shopoffs, Mr. Honarkar, Mr. Ray, Mr. Goldstein?

Perhaps at the next forum, Mr. Weil might clarify which people he considers both “old” and “okay.” What about we who are becoming “less young?”

Jahn Levitt

Laguna Beach

Lauding Marrie Stone’s coverage of the forum

Brava to Marrie Stone! Her transcription of the September 10th City Council Artist Forum was informative, clear and a boon to voters. As one of those who have attended each of the City Council Candidate forums and tried to madly capture each candidate’s messages and quotes, it was a relief to read this accessibly organized transcription. Thank you for including it in the paper.

The only two things missing were some comical moments, such as CC member Blake’s suggestion for the Laguna Art Community to get rid of the use of the word “festival” (watch out Cannes Film Festival!) and his put-down of Candidate Orgill’s past artist work/live space housing. Candidate Orgill’s closing remarks about how his one-year free artist housing project helped launch a local artist/developer, Louis Longi, did create laughs.

Well done and thank you for this service to the community!

Deborah Laughton

Laguna Beach