EDITORIAL: Questions for 2008

Now that 2008 is here, we’re looking ahead to stories and issues we’ll be watching closely over the year. There are a lot of questions to be answered as the year begins. Here are some, in no particular order.

 Sister City: Can proponents of partnering with the French city of Menton recover their footing and get broader support for this worthwhile project, or will it become mired in bickering?

 Senior Center: When will it open and will the center be acceptable to Third Street neighbors who are convinced it will be a detriment to the neighborhood?

 Village Entrance: Will the city get a workable project that will solve rather than worsen traffic problems?

 Preferential parking: A vote is due in April on this divisive issue; will residents support such a plan and if it is implemented, will they like what they get?

 Limits on formula-based businesses: Will this idea retain traction and become part of the business landscape in more areas of Laguna? And if so, will it help or hurt the local business community?

 Bluebird Canyon rebuilding: The first home went to Design Review in late 2007, so we’ll be watching as some dozen property owners bring plans forward to restore this devastated neighborhood.

 Homeless: The homeless task force has worked for months on this issue; what do they propose and what will be the direction of homeless services in Laguna — more emergency services for street-dwellers or more efforts to get people off the streets?

 Dredging: We’ll be interested to see what the City Council subcommittee learns about the dumping of dredged-up sediment from Newport’s Back Bay into the ocean off Laguna, and if it could affect the city’s water quality and marine environment in decades to come.

 Aliso Creek Inn redevelopment: This issue is due to heat up significantly as Athens Group seeks approvals from the city and Coastal Commission for a major project in this sensitive canyon area.

 Aliso Creek restoration: We’ll be watching to see if the $45 million in funding for the SUPER project comes forward, and if it will actually clean up the toxin-laden stream.

 Day Labor Site: If the city purchases the site, as expected, opponents of its use as a hiring center can be expected to keep up the fight to close it down. This one won’t go away soon.

 Boom Boom Room: Efforts to reopen this gay landmark continue, but economic forces seem to hold sway. Will an angel come forward and restore the heart of gay Laguna?

Let us know what issues you think are most important, or any that we may have missed.