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“ Our Town , Our Paper ” lagunabeachindy . com APRIL 14 , 2023 | Volume XX , Issue 15

The Laguna Beach American Legion and Auxiliary members met to stuff over 2,000 brightly colored plastic eggs with candy for their annual Easter egg hunt on April 9 . The Easter bunny made a surprise early visit to help with proceedings . The hunt was held the next day , at the Laguna Beach High School baseball field . The Laguna Beach Police Department were on hand to greet the kids and sound their siren to start the hunt . The kids , their parents , as well as the members , had a fun-filled time and enjoyed having a photo taken with the Easter bunny . Photo / American Legion Auxiliary

By Tasmin McGill , Guest Contributor

Integral members of the Laguna Beach community gathered at the Montage resort for the annual Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce State of the City Mayor ’ s Luncheon on April 11 , to hear from chamber and city officials on current issues relating to Laguna Beach .

In his presentation to attendees , Mayor Bob Whalen reflected on the city ’ s uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic .

With California ’ s state of emergency lifted , Whalen and Laguna ’ s residents are looking towards the future while acknowledging the forward steps they made over the last three years .

During the event , Whalen , a 20-year elected official for a variety of boards , organizations , and councils , stated that he often gets questioned about why he has been servicing the community for so long .

“ Some people follow up with the question , ‘ Why do you do this to yourself ?’ But , hearing these questions so often makes me reflect because it really does deserve a thoughtful and honest answer ,” Whalen said . “ In all honesty , it is because if we as city council members do the job we were elected to do , I think it makes a difference in the quality of life for our residents and all of us who have the privilege of living here in Laguna Beach .’

COVID , PAGE 18

By LB Indy Staff

Despite Laguna Beach City Council ’ s unanimous January decision to place a rainbow lifeguard tower at West Street Beach , some South Laguna residents have expressed uneasiness about the idea , saying the beach lacks the enforcement necessary to protect the tower from potential vandalism or arson .

The city received a $ 10,000 donation from Laguna Beach residents Steve Chadima and Mark Porterfield to help fund the artwork , along with a plaque acknowledging Laguna ’ s LGBTQ history , for the tower at council ’ s Jan . 24 meeting .

“ When we found out about it , it was well after City Council had already voted on it ,” 46-year resident Mark Puente said . “ No one in the surrounding area , including Laguna Royal condominiums , was aware that something was going on or that a decision had already been made .”

Puente said he and others in the community were dismayed at the council ’ s decision to move forward with the lifeguard tour so quickly , and not considering the consequences of having a rainbow-colored lifeguard tower located year-round at the secluded West Street Beach , known as Laguna ’ s gay beach .

Puente raised concern that the West Beach lifeguard tower could be a potential target for arsonists , akin to Long Beach ’ s Pride lifeguard tower , which burned down in 2021 in a suspected arson attack but was quickly rebuilt by the City of Long Beach two months later .

TOWER , PAGE 22

THE ULTIMATE REAL ESTATE GUIDE FOR HOMEBUYERS & OWNERS IN NEWPORT BEACH AND LAGUNA BEACH

“ In our world today , many people are simply focused on the transaction and the financial reward . Kelly however , represented someone who places the client at the center and their happiness as a key goal . This was a stress-free transaction .” – KB

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws . License Number 01991628 . All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified . Changes in price , condition , sale or withdrawal may be made without notice . No statement is made as to accuracy of any description . All measurements and square footages are approximate .

Kelly Perkins 949.310.3754 kellyperkins @ compass . com kellyperkinsproperties . com DRE 01932146