Our Laguna: Leaders cite accomplishments and goals

Bobbi Coxobbi Cox zipped around Claes restaurant at the Laguna Leadership Luncheon, handing over a microphone to folks who wished to speak and just as speedily grabbing it from them if they exceeded their allotted time.

Civic, community and business leaders were invited to share their major accomplishment(s) in 2009 and their goal(s) for 2010 — or at least as much as they could cram into the time Cox allotted them — no exceptions, not even for the Rev. Colin Henderson. And no lightning struck.

Cox is the Queen of Timers and has no compunction about enforcing the limit. She even takes a back-up timer — just in case.

“You will have one minute, 60 seconds, and you will be timed by the most fearless, most ruthless, person you have ever met,” Cox said in her opening welcome remarks. “You will be well-fed and out of here by 1:30 p.m.”

She made her deadline, pretty amazing considering the event started with a reception at 11:30 a.m., followed by the usual rituals of welcoming, Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem and invocation before speakers even began to share.

Cox, a Laguna Realtor and resident, founded the luncheon in 1997 and hosts it on behalf of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce ad Civic Assn.

“When I was growing up, my goal was to leave a mark,” Mayor Elizabeth Pearson said. “It is the same goal as everyone in this room. I want to thank the chamber for bringing us all together. We should do it more often.”

Newly elected chamber President Chris Keller said the event was a good way to start the new year. He vowed to make changes that would strengthen the chamber.

Cox was the first of the speakers at the luncheon. She rattled off her 2009 accomplishment of presenting her real estate clients with good options in the tough market and her 2010 goal of restoring a historic cottage she owns, well within her 60 seconds.

After the luncheon, when she finally sat down to eat, she said another goal is to conduct a “gentle” ballet class at a Susi Q dance studio, to which she donated $50,000.

I had no problem beating the timer.

My accomplishment — covering Laguna for the Coastline Pilot; my goal — completing my 25th year of covering Laguna for a community newspaper.

Completion of the restoration of Laguna Presbyterian Church and getting back into the Sanctuary Building was the major accomplishment of 2009 for the Rev. Jerry Tankersley.

Tankersley, who gave the invocation, just wants to keep up the good work this year.

City Clerk Martha Anderson said it doesn’t pay to arrive late at the luncheon — you sit at the first table to be given the microphone by Cox, which doesn’t leave much time to edit your comments.

She managed to let folks know that her office established a connection with Orange County that speeds up communications, but she didn’t have time to talk about another achievement — the city’s revised website, that includes live and archived broadcasts of the City Council and other City Hall meetings, plus tons of data.

Fire Department Division Chief Kris Head said finishing his master’s degree was his major personal achievement last year.

“My goal is to take the helm from Mike Macey on March 15,” Head said.

Macey’s goal in retiring is to not drive his wife crazy.

He also added kudos to the police department for a great job the previous week, referring to the traffic collision and shooting on South Coast Highway

“It was a tough situation handled well,” Macey said.

Police Chief Paul Workman took over the department after Michael Sellers left for another job, achieving a personal goal after 34 years with the city.

Kevin Snow said getting the job as marine safety chief was his biggest success in 2009.

Clinic director Dr. Tom Bent, who was named Orange County’s Family Physician of 2009, said the clinic served more patients in 2009 than ever in its 39-year history, without having to cut back services in 2010.

American Legion Post 222 representative Richard Moore, who led luncheon guests in the Pledge of Allegiance, said the post’s goal in 2010 is to continue to serve vets and the community.

Gregg Abel said marrying off his daughter to a man he really likes was his major accomplishment. His goal is to work with Henderson at Friendship Shelter.

Cindy Prewitt boasted that Laguna Beach Live! brought World Beat Music to Laguna in 2009.

She didn’t even mention being named the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club Woman of the Year.

No question in Mayor Pro Tem Toni Iseman’s mind what she thought was the major accomplishment in 2009: the compassionate solution to the homeless issues and restoring beaches and parks to their original purpose.

“For 2010, I am going to make a list of all the little things I haven’t done and do one a day,” Iseman said.

Assistant City Manager John Pietig said participating in the resolution of beach and parks use and in keeping a hospital in Laguna with an operator of stature made 2009 outstanding for him.

Village Laguna representative Ann Christoph listed several activities accomplished in 2009, including the Aliso Canyon Tour, the Charm House Tour and “My Favorite Business” column in the group’s newsletter.

Past chamber President Dennis Junka and Chamber Executive Director Rose Hancock both cited the chamber-sponsored Thursday Night Promenade on Forest Avenue and the biggest-ever Hospitality Night as major accomplishments.

Hancock dedicated the luncheon to Harry Lawrence.

“Keeping Harry alive,” was Zahid Lawrence’s major achievement in 2009 and her goal for 2010.

Laguna College of Art & Design President Dennis Powers reported a record-breaking enrollment of more than 400 students in 2009.

His goal is to find housing for them — “But not in your backyard,” he said.

Among the accomplishments:

 $35,000 raised by the board for local charities by the Laguna Board of Realtors — Event Chairwoman Nancy Pooley;

 Bringing an Emmy to Laguna — Laguna Beach Visitors Bureau Executive Director Judy Bijlani;

 Helping 1,125 animals get need medical attention — Sandra Trulove of R.U.F.F.;

 Getting through the four-month library renovation — Laguna Beach Library Librarian Jenny Gassett;

 Overcoming discomfort in asking people for money — Community Clinic board member Vera Martinez;

Among the goals:

 To get better at it — Martinez;

 Reelecting Pearson to the City Council — Laguna Beach Taxpayers Assn. spokeswoman Ann MacDonald;

 Uniting the community behind city schools — SchoolPower’s Robin Rounaghi;

 Continuing to build the music program at Laguna Beach High School — Laguna Beach Community Concert Band Conductor Bill Nichols.

More than 100 residents and representatives of businesses and community group attended the luncheon. Speakers included Mission Hospital Laguna Beach Vice President Michael Beck, Laguna Board of Realtors President Bob Hartman, Sande St. John, Alan Simon of Firebrand Media, Patriots Day Parade Committee President Michael Lyons, Art Hotel owner Gail Duncan, Gigi Blount, Community Art Project’s Julita Jones and chamber board member Chris Lange, who led the luncheon guests in the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Also on the guest list: American Legion Post 222 Auxiliary President Diane Connell; gallery owner Marion Meyer; insurance broker John Campbell; Visitors Bureau President Karyn Philippsen; Sally’s Fund Executive Director Sally Rapuano; Waste Management’s “Glamorous Garbage Girl” Michelle Clark; past Laguna Beach Seniors President Louise Buckley and Soroptimist International President Diane Hruby; Sawdust Festival President Jim Stanaland; and Boys & Girls Club Pre-School Director Terry Anne Barman.

OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, 92652; call (949) 380-4321 or e-mail [email protected]