Elections on the menu

Village Laguna names new officers as Doug Reilly steps down as president.The election of new officers was the entrée in a business meeting held by Village Laguna at their annual holiday Potluck Dinner.

Doug Reilly stepped down in the middle of his two-year term as president, to be succeeded by Ann Caenn, who will serve one year.

It is widely rumored that Reilly is making time to organize a campaign for former City Clerk Verna Rollinger to run for City Council next year.

When asked if that was the case, Reilly responded: “I have a lot of projects at work [he works for the city of Laguna Woods] and I want to be available to do the work and available for anything that happens here in Laguna.”

Caenn was on the slate recommended by the nominating committee. No nominations were offered from the floor.

Elected by voice: Liza Stewart, vice president; Bonnie Hano, corresponding secretary; and Darrylin Girvin, recording secretary. There was no candidate for treasurer.

Board members for the New Year include Barbara Dresel, Ann Christoph, Ginger Osborne, Bette Anderson, Cathy Fry, George Keplinger, Helen Krugman, Sal Maddi, Charlotte Mazarik and John Monahan.

The terms begin in January.

The membership also voted to donate $2,000 toward attorneys fees to support the appeal of a residential project on Mar Vista.

“We are trying to stop or alter the huge house called Villa Mar Vista,” project opponents spokeswoman Lisa Marks said.

Marks said approval of the project was an example of how the city ignores the California Environmental Quality Act and zoning laws in order to speed projects along.

“We need to hire an environmental attorney to get the attention of the city manager and the council,” Marks said.

The Village Laguna board had previously authorized a $500 donation, but members’ approval was need to increase the donation to $2,000.

Members were also asked by Sieglinde Johnson to sign a petition asking the Public Utilities Commission to hold open meetings on the future of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. She received a positive response.

Among the membership at the potluck were five former mayors: Charlie Boyd, Phyllis Sweeney, Sally Bellerue, Christoph and Councilwoman Toni Iseman, all members of Village Laguna.

“And there may be future mayors here tonight,” Reilly said.

The meeting ended with a standing ovation for Reilly.