Former councilman and Marine Room owner Kelly Boyd’s letter encouraged a vote for his preferred council candidate. He was moved to write after seeing the “horrible” ad by Alan Boinus of “Advocates for Laguna Residents.” He failed to note what he found “horrible.” The ad is an eye-catching cartoon criticizing Bob Whalen’s 12 years on the council.
The ad spotlights the $14 million Downtown Action Plan that would remove many trees on Broadway and Forest Avenue; the $2.7 million paid for Ti Amo restaurant without an appraisal for a fire station that was later deemed unsuitable; the $23 million for St. Catherine’s school, purchased without a plan; $13 million for the Blake-DuPuis parking structure plan negotiation with the Presbyterian Church that, after lease ending, the city would own nothing; the plan to turn the library into a parking structure, paying almost $1 million for Village Entrance Parking Structure after “Let Laguna Vote” proved a few years ago parking structures could not pay for themselves.
The ad also illustrates Whalen keeping power as mayor or mayor pro tem for most of his 12 years on the dias and shows Laguna Beach roads and beaches overwhelmed by visitors. Yes, it is “horrible,” but all true.
Boyd was a businessman, and Whalen, although a gentleman, consistently voted for policies for businesses and tourism, and residents have suffered. Their ilk should certainly vote for the candidates promising parking structures, but I support Councilmember George Weiss, who has been consistently working for residents and environmental and animal activist Judie Mancuso for city council.
The Fair Political Practices Commission requires periodic reporting. The FPPC goal is to minimize influencing government officials, then enriching oneself. Boyd revealed that my wife and I have contributed to “Advocates for Laguna Residents.” We’d like to be complimented for being good citizens; we certainly have no opportunity to make money by addressing political issues. If you think voters have the right to know about candidates’ records, please join me in donating via Zelle to AdvocatesforLagunaResidents@gmail.com.
Also, in his letter, Boyd criticized me and my wife and made Village Laguna guilty by association since we are members. Recently, Mayor Sue Kempf said downtown looked shabby. I think it looked shabbier before Chris Keller purchased the Marine Room. Councilmember Mark Orgill reported that San Diego got business owners to maintain the appearance of their buildings by shaming them. The Whalen-Kemp approach is different, authorizing $300,000 in the “Commercial District Beautification Ordinance” to incentivize the businesses. That’s just another $300,000 of taxpayer money not used to protect the quality of life of Laguna residents.
Gene Felder, Laguna Residents First and Laguna Canyon Conservancy Treasurer, Top of the World Neighborhood Association President
