MAILBAG - Jan. 25, 2008

Senator ‘bullying’ city on day labor issue

I’ve never liked a bully. And bullying is how Sen. Tom Harman’s opinion piece (“City rigged hiring site purchase price,” Coastline Pilot, Jan. 18) comes across to this Lagunan.

Instead of dispensing misinformed commentary from the front page of your paper and threatening to throw his weight around in a purely local matter, should Harman really want to do something positive to help solve the illegal immigration problem in this country, then I respectfully suggest he instead band with like-minded elected officials and work equally hard to pressure the federal government for real immigration law reform and enforcement.

Until federal law is changed to deal with realities on the ground, localities are left with no option but to develop local responses to local conditions. That is exactly what Laguna officials have done.

Regarding Harman’s assertion that Laguna Beach City Manager Ken Frank and the Laguna Beach City Council “rigged” the appraisal of the current day worker site, the senator is just plain wrong.

Caltrans District 12 officials followed a long standing property disposal process by appraising this thin sliver of remnant property with difficult access and offering it to the public through competitive bid. They had no takers.

The reduced acquisition price is an entirely appropriate valuation conclusion given the size, shape and realistic potential future use of the property. This is nothing shocking.

Caltrans’ files are replete with examples of ill-sited and configured remnants of state rights-of-way sold with similar valuation reductions.

It is only because Laguna proposes to use this remnant for a day worker center that I believe Harman’s interest was triggered. His comments provide nothing but publicity for the senator, divide the electorate and simply retard progress toward real immigration law reform.

ROBERT M. ZUR SCHMIEDE

Laguna Beach

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Why is El Moro beach still fenced?

On occasion I drive down PCH into Laguna and have noticed after two years there is no activity to open the beach at El Moro.

There was such a condemnation to move the trailers and people out so the public could enjoy the beach. However, the beach is entirely fenced off, and no one can get to the beach without walking a great length from Scotchman’s Cove.

Where is the public frustration to open this beach? Is there any timetable for anything to happen so we can once again enjoy this beach?

ERV MEYER

Huntington Beach

A lot at stake for Trestles with toll road

On Feb. 6 the California Coastal Commission will determine the outcome of one of our valuable resources: San Onofre State Beach. The Transportation Corridor Agencies are proposing the extension of the 241 Toll road 16 miles, where it would merge with the 5 Freeway at Oceanside. The extension of this toll road is another one of those big agency projects that is being forced upon the people despite the people making it quite clear that they do not want it. This is why it is so important you attend the Feb. 6 Coastal Commission hearing at the Oceanside City Hall, City Council Chambers, 300 N. Coast Hwy., Oceanside.

The TCA will tell you that the toll road is a “good” idea. The TCA will tell you that we “need” the toll road to relieve current traffic congestion. I’m sure the TCA would build a mighty fine road. Residents have to decide whether the exchange is worth it.

There are several unique California qualities at stake. San Onofre State Beach is home to the famed “Trestles” State Beach. Trestles has been a local surf spot since I can remember. Next to Trestles is the San Mateo campgrounds.

San Mateo Campground is one of the few affordable, family state campgrounds left where you can actually camp, without having made reservations more than six months to a year in advance. The proposed toll road will degrade and threaten the water quality in this area. The toll road will present safety hazards and degrade the quality of the camping experience due to its proximity through the campground. The toll road would prevent any further possibility of expansion of this campground in the future. It would permanently eliminate chaparral and coastal sage scrub resources, which have higher inhabitant densities in the coastal region.

This road would create an additional barrier between San Diego and Orange County, which share many cultural along with other resources. The TCA wants to mitigate removal of the sensitive resources in this area with money.

All the money in the world cannot create a world-renowned surf spot or replace the valuable assets that are at the proposed roadway site.

The TCA could explore other options but has chosen not to do this. Since the TCA has proposed creation of this roadway in the Coastal Zone the California Coastal Commission must review the project being proposed. Californians voted to establish the California Coastal Commission. Attend the Feb. 6 hearing to make sure they do the job you’ve asked them to do.

DEVORA HERTZ

Laguna Beach