Grazing not good for wildfire protection The...

Grazing not good for wildfire protection

The South Laguna Civic Association has long been concerned with

finding appropriate methods of fuel modification in sensitive

hillside habitats. Important goals have been to explore ways to

prevent wild fires while at the same time preserving protected

plants, supporting wildlife and their habitats, and minimizing

erosion of steep hillside terrain. It is widely recognized that,

while goat grazing is relatively low in monetary cost, there are

significant environmental and biological costs associated with goat

grazing.

Some of the issues associated with goat grazing include fecal

contamination, destruction of Southern Maritime Chaparral, and

degradation of soil resulting in increased rain runoff and erosion.

In addition, the goats often introduce highly flammable nonnative

plants by seed transport via defecation.

We believe that the issue of responsible, eco-sensitive fire and

erosion protection is much bigger than just South Laguna. In fact,

appropriate fuel modification and reduction, without resorting to the

use of goats, should apply to all of Laguna Beach -- and even beyond

our city limits.

Laguna residents interested in innovative solutions that protect

habitat while addressing fire/flood concerns are encouraged to assist

in this important effort. Please call 499-6367 for information on

time/location of the SLCA Fuel Modification Zone organizing breakfast

meeting.

BILL RIHN

Bill Rihn is president of the South Laguna Civic Association.

Five-star digs deserve better lot

[The following letter was sent to James Bermingham, general

manager, Montage Resort & Spa.]

We have dined in your excellent restaurants many times, and have

been impressed with the food and ambience. And from what we have

observed in general, the atmosphere of your hotel is, or at least

approaches, five-star class. Well done.

However, as a Laguna resident, what is disturbing is the parking

lot across the street. It looks like a used car lot. One would think

a classy place such as yours would erect as beautiful a parking

facility nearby.

AL CORNELIUS

Wants answers on lifeguard returnees

Year after year we are told how short handed and in need of funds

the Laguna Beach Lifeguards are. And yet this year the supervisors

have chosen to cut all of the returning second-year lifeguards. Why?

Laguna Beach is a world-renowned destination. Wouldn’t it be in

the best interest of both the locals and the tourists’ safety to have

the most experienced lifesaving personnel on the beach, especially in

the summer?

Why, then, cut those individuals who have successfully completed

an entire summer of employment?

Unless there is a returning lifeguard with a serious health issue

that would impede his or her job performance, then the investment our

community made in training that lifeguard should be reaped the

following year. The duty of a lifeguard here in Laguna Beach is

obviously one of the most difficult jobs in the world. The level of

job responsibility these individuals have is just below that of a

firefighter or paramedic. Would you rather have a rookie or a

seasoned professional when given the choice in your rescue?

These “heroic” individuals are returning to support this city with

knowledge, experience and devoted service under their belts, and

should be revered for coming back. Not dismissed.

It really makes us and others who reside here question the wisdom

of those in power of the Laguna Beach lifeguards.

Perhaps some answers for us Laguna Beach taxpayers?

BRYNDON ELLING

Editor’s Note: Mark Klosterman, Laguna Beach Marine Safety Chief,

who runs the lifeguard program, responds that there have been no

across-the-board cuts in seasonal lifeguard positions and that 90% of

the seasonal lifeguards hired in senior and supervisory positions are

returnees. Some who served as lifeguards last year did not make it

through the rigorous training process, howeverThe department is fully

staffed with some 90 summer lifeguards.

Chamber festival gives thanks

Thank you for the fine job covering the Laguna Beach Chamber Music

Festival and special thanks also to the many other Laguna people who

made it the success that it was. First, we want to thank the lodging

establishments for funding the Cultural Arts grant that began the

festival three years ago and continues to support our growth.

The festival would not happen either without the generosity of

Claes Anderson and the Hotel Laguna. Not only did he host Christopher

O’Riley and give us rehearsal space so the public could observe the

coaching, but Claes also sponsored the wonderful opening-night dinner

and evening salon. We also greatly appreciated Casa Laguna hosting

radio personality Rich Capparela, and local families Judith and

Howard Jelinek and Judy and Paul Sochat, hosting the young musicians.

Special thanks also to Laguna Playhouse for acting as the in-town

box office, Laguna Art Museum for providing the venue for the evening

education program, residents Joe and Jane Hanauer for sponsoring

discount tickets for Laguna seniors and Sharon Olney at the Senior

Center for coordinating this, and to the English Garden for providing

the stage flowers.

Local residents who served on the festival committee deserve a big

thank you: Chimo Arnold and Joan Halvajian, co-chairs, Diane Arnold,

John Benecke, Eric Dries, Judith Jelinek, Pamela Madsen, Pat Morgan,

Lauren Packard and Carol Reynolds.

Lucinda Prewitt

President,

Laguna Beach Live!

Film Society screenings a treat

I cried like a baby viewing the recent Laguna Beach Film Society

movie “Mad Hot Ballroom”.

What an unbelievable school program New York City has, where 6,000

fifth-grade students develop discipline, teamwork, and self-esteem

learning ballroom dancing. It was very touching as the dance

competition progressed to the finals with those fifth-graders making

lots of wise and funny comments.

Lovers of cinema should mark their calendars each third Thursday

of each month. Receptions start at 6 p.m. with wine and hors

d’oeuvres. Those who stay after the film can participate in

discussing it with guests who often include the film’s director or

actors.

GENE FELDER