MAILBAG: Mission should listen to residents

Many Laguna residents spoke up recently at the attorney general’s public comment meeting. Most of those speaking support the purchase of the hospital by Mission (“Hospital sale still up in air,” May 1).

Yet, many also expressed concerns in regard to the missing Foundation assets, adequacy of physician resources and hospital services, as well as opposition to development of the land above Sunset Avenue.

As a newcomer to our community, Mission appears to be getting an earful and, if not already, is becoming aware of Laguna’s commitment to a “community” hospital and its valuable hillsides and open space.

When only 40% of Laguna residents use the hospital, this is not the time for Mission to add unnecessary controversy between themselves and residents.

Working together, communicating openly and resolving these issues is the best path to a successful community partnership with Mission.

JINGER WALLACE

South Laguna

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Bicycles an important mode of transport

On April 24, Don Lowry wrote a letter about biking (“Bicycle lanes won’t work in Laguna Beach,” Mailbag). Here’s a recap: Don’s been “an avid bicyclist for 45 years” and does not ride the streets in Laguna Beach. Lowry enjoys bike riding on “safe bike trails” throughout Orange County. Lowry says Caltrans is not going to “reconfigure Coast Highway” or “Broadway.” Lowry says bike riding in Laguna is a “silly idea.”

I think there are roughly three categories of bike riders:

1. Recreational road riders, who like paved roads and typically use a 10-speed.

2. Mountain bikers, who ride cross country, rough terrain, rocks, dirt, etc.

3. Bike riders, who use their bikes for transportation: going to work, riding to school, doing errands such as banking, shopping, etc., short five- or 10-minute trips that support local retailers.

My focus is on the bicycle as transportation. For example, I ride to the video and the hardware store, etc. As a demonstration of what bike riders can do on residential streets, there is a group of bicyclists who meet at 9 a.m. the third Saturday of each month at Park Avenue at Legion Street. The ride is eight miles round trip.

We bike south to Nyes Place, then north to the last signal in North Laguna, where we cross North Coast Highway, then back to the center of town. This ride uses relatively safe residential streets as compared to Coast Highway. We do not ride on Coast Highway. One ride is worth 1,000 words.

MICHAEL HOAG

Laguna Beach

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Lifeguards deserving of high esteem

Both history and an unsurpassed tradition of heroic excellence repeated themselves a day before Mother’s Day here in Laguna Beach (“Three pulled from ocean,” May 15).

Lifeguards Josh Bynum and Travis Lowry risked their lives for complete strangers in nearly the exact spot that former guard Patrick Quigley did 10 years ago on Mother’s Day.

It takes a type of guts 99% of us just don’t have. Kudos should go to civilian Mike Gillette, who initiated the rescue.

Unfortunately, the incident a decade ago resulted in both adults expiring and the child was the only survivor. Thankfully, Saturday’s multi-party, lifesaving effort had no fatalities “” a testimonial to our guards’ fortitude and commitment to duty above personal jeopardy. This is why our lifeguard service is renowned internationally.

For those who don’t remember or weren’t here, in 1998, Quigley was honored with the Heroic Acts Medal of Valor award by the U.S. Lifesaving Assn. for his role in saving lives during the Laguna mudslides.

In 1999, he once again received the Heroic Acts Medal of Valor award for his heroic rescue attempt of a mother, daughter and boyfriend from the ocean on Mother’s Day. As of today, Quigley is the only two-time recipient of the Medal of Valor award in the United States. He lives and runs his stock/bond trading company in Phoenix. Quigley donates his money and time to the Pat Tillman Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

This is why today, and every day, we should keep these daring men and women who go into harm’s way for us and our families in the highest esteem. Armed with little more than their own innate courage, Bynum and Lowry are proof that the torch has been passed to a younger generation of guards, that our Marine Safety Department still proudly responds when city emergencies occur.

For me, knowing them both personally, it’ll be a big hug when I see them.

That’s the least I can do, but hopefully city officials will find a special way to honor them.

ROGER VON BÃœTOW

Laguna Beach