MAILBAG - Feb. 8, 2008

He heard no anti-gay slurs at meeting

As a senior in this community, I really get concerned when so many of my “peeps” put in writing what we are so often accused of being “” hard of hearing. The nine indignant residents that complained in a recent letter (“Some Sapphire remarks insult gay community”, Feb. 1) must have turned off their hearing aids, because what I heard at the City Council meeting was clearly different than their version.

Nothing disparaging about the character of previous gay establishments was ever mentioned. What was said was the absence of those establishments with their parking problems and the noise caused in the neighborhoods should be of some consolation to the objecting residents.

The comparison was that the Old Pottery Shack had ample parking that negated those previous establishments’ disruptions. The net effect was positive impact for the midtown neighborhoods.

Now for some advice that we oldsters are often accused of giving when nobody wants to hear it. Since you have all gone on record praising these now defunct establishments as “a vibrant, active, historical and creative part of our village community,” I will expect silence from you nine regarding two matters.

Your written praise has contradicted your earlier assertions that these establishments were a disruption to the neighborhoods while demanding preferential parking to keep the public from parking on residential streets. Enough said, along with the $80,000 that has been spent on a simplistic solution to a complex problem.

Also, when the renovation plans for the historic hotel next to the closed Boom Boom Room is presented to the Planning Commission and the Design Review Board, there will be no whining from this gang of nine and their followers. Prove silence can be golden.

DENNIS MYERS

Laguna Beach senior

? Accusations of gay enmity unfair

We were shocked to see this group’s suggestion (“Some Sapphire remarks insult gay community” Feb. 1) that Elizabeth Schneider, who “appeared to echo” Mr. Skendarian’s comments, may not be gay friendly or supportive of our gay community. We are not the only gay couple who are personal friends of Elizabeth, but she has been very supportive of us since the day after the landslide in 2005 when she promised Bluebird Canyon would be rebuilt. She has not only fulfilled that promise, but she also helped us by soliciting the Log Cabin (Gay) Republicans to raise donations for the gay landslide victims. Her previous campaign manager and other personal friends we have met through her are also gay.

Elizabeth could not have possibly meant for any of her comments to be construed to suggest that she “denigrates a vibrant, active, historical and creative part of our village community” of which the group accuses her.

She did not say any of this, and she did not expect anyone to assume she meant any of this by agreeing that Sapphire was a positive addition for the city.

JAMES MOORE AND JOHN GUSTAFSON

Laguna Beach

? Height proposals will up mansionization

The City Council is proposing changes resulting in increased height limits in all our commercial zones. These higher limits, up to 36 feet, result from exempting projects from the widely applauded city wide mansionization ordinances of 2002. A new height limit calculation scheme will promote underground parking and result in additional buildable space and commercial activity.

Why are these changes proposed? By whom? What are the new height limit calculations? How are neighborhoods affected? Are citywide changes desirable? Is commercial being favored over residential (heights, underground parking, etc)?

John Montgomery, Laguna Beach director of community development, will discuss these issues at the Laguna North Neighborhood Assn.(LANO) meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Wells Fargo Bank, third floor community room. All residents and their questions are invited. Refreshments will be served. To reserve a seat, call (949) 494-9638 or (949) 494 9538.

EDWARD MERRILEES

Laguna beach

Editor’s note: Edward Merrilees is vice president of LANO.

? Are gays no longer welcome in Laguna?

The last time I visited Laguna Beach for a holiday was in August and September 2001. I came here because I am a working artist and happen to be a gay American from New York City. I relaxed, took advantage of the landscape, painted, and hosted other artist friends and art dealers, and we had a wonderful time. I had been visiting here regularly for about 30 years, staying in hotels, eating in restaurants, renting beach houses, and buying and collecting art.

What sticks out in my mind is that a friend of mine and I were visiting the Coast Inn and had to get a cab back to the house we had rented for the month. When trying to hail a cab (a practice acceptable in any city throughout the world) we were threatened by the police to be arrested for putting one foot onto the street and putting a hand in the air. It was rather clear that because we were in a gay block was the sole reason for the very hostile policeman. He did not ask kindly, nicely or politely.

We stayed in the house and barbecued instead of venturing out the last two weeks to be safe. It was still especially a great time, because when we returned New York was under attack. I was still innocent somehow and did not know it until after Sept. 11, 2001. Those last innocent days were spent on South Laguna beaches.

I write to you because I am hearing stories in the arts community here in New York, Europe, Chicago and Los Angeles of harassment and campaigns designed to exclude people who might be perceived as gay or gay-friendly. If the intention of these words is that Laguna Beach only welcomes straight artists whose campaign is working and working well. I thought my incident was isolated but now suspect it is part of a larger strategy. In one instance I read of “fears of homosexualization,” a new term of hate linked to the Laguna Beach city leaders. Who knows if that is true.

[Laguna Beach] was the only place I had to go in college where I could be myself in Orange County in 1977-80. Is it true we are no longer welcome? Is Laguna Beach really a place of intolerance now?

I write to help save the integrity of such a great place. Generally, artist enclaves are tolerant of persons who are different. Some even say artists are different entirely. I know I am, most of my friends who live and make a living creating are, even the straight ones.

It has crossed my mind this letter might be good news to you and city leaders and this proves a campaign may be working just as planned. I love it there but we are afraid to come back for a visit.

Perhaps I will put my emotions to canvas and just paint Thousands Steps, West Street Beach, the cliffs and sunsets from memory, but now with inspiration that may be muddied by hatred. I am so very sad.

JACQUES ROSAS

New York, New York

? Music Festival success due to many

The sixth annual Laguna Beach Music Festival has ended, but the excitement of such delightful music and outstanding musicians continues to be the buzz. A big thank you to the many Laguna people who made it the success that it was!

First, we want to thank the lodging establishments and the city of Laguna Beach for funding the cultural arts grant that supports our growth and to all the wonderful donors who support us.

The Festival would not happen without the generosity of Claes Andersen and the Hotel Laguna. Not only did they host the musicians and give us rehearsal space, but they also sponsored the amazing Tuesday salon and the Friday opening night dinner. We also appreciate the Inn at Laguna Beach, Casa Laguna, By the Sea Inn, and Montage Resort & Spa for providing rooms for the musicians.

Thanks also to Laguna Playhouse for acting as the in-town box office and the local businesses who helped: English Garden, Z Pizza, Citizens Business Bank, Coastline Pilot and Laguna Beach Visitors Bureau.

The Festival Board deserves a big thank you: Judith Jelinek and Lauren Packard, co-chairwomen, Diane and Chimo Arnold, Jane Grier, Anita Halton, Joan Halvajian, Ron Harris, Tim Le Pore, Pamela Madsen, Alex Maradudin, Jeff Mistri, Pat Morgan, Nancy Posch, Carol Reynolds, Paul Sochat, Sharon Tetrault and Sheila Woodward. Other fantastic helpers include Sande St. John and her “staff.”

The favorite events for our musicians and composer in residence were the school programs as they are passionate about bringing music to our young people. Outreach programs took place at Thurston Middle School, Laguna Beach High School, Sage Hill School, UCI and Osher Life Long Learning Institute. One sample of the enthusiastic response is the statement of Vick Kahlon at Thurston who wrote, “I thought the performance was amazing. ... I hope the quartet can come to Thurston again to play amazing music.”

The Music Festival, as in all things that we do, is created to enhance the community and we greatly appreciate the extensive community support.

LUCINDA PREWITT

Laguna Beach

Editor’s note: Lucinda Prewitt is president of Laguna Beach Live!