MAILBAG - April 18, 2008

Brewery not getting fair shake from city

I am a very long-time resident of Laguna Beach and have contributed in many ways to show my gratitude for being so lucky to live here. During the past many years I have not always agreed with the decisions made by the City Council, Planning Commission or city manager, but now they have gone too far and I can no longer remain quiet.

For the past few months, or maybe more than just a few, first the Planning Commission started picking on Jonathan and Maria Thomas aka Ocean Avenue Brewery, and put them through the proverbial hell.

They happen to be a very well-run successful establishment that has survived the high rate of failures in the restaurant business in Laguna Beach. The friendly atmosphere, the good food and the generosity of the owners to offer their support toward any deserving cause made it a favorite to many of us old timers.

Their location is among many other entertainment places that have been a detriment to their continued success. The city manager has instigated a review of the situation and involved the Planning Commission to pursue it, which they did.

After many meetings where many of us supporters attended but were not allowed to speak, the two parties came to an agreement that limited the Thomases in continuing their business by reducing the number of patrons allowed to attend, and other damaging restrictions that were accepted by the owners so they could keep their door open.

Guess what? The City Council is now appealing the decision of the Planning Commission and, from what I have been told, the instruction came down from Ken Frank, our city manager.

It’s time to look into this and stop this madness. Other places in the same situation as the Ocean Avenue Brewery have been granted all their requests. What is going on here?

The time has come to get some answers from these dictators; I want to know what has motivated this unfair behavior toward these fine people who have worked very hard for the past 14 years to make their business a success.

How come they have chosen the Ocean Avenue Brewery as their latest victim? Let’s stop this insanity and restore some sense in our town. In other words, stop the world and let them get off.

Laguna Beach

Why not duplicate the Olympic torch?

In all the discussions about the Olympic torch and Tibet and human rights, I’m struck by something totally different.

In this day of instant, worldwide communication, scarce fuel, soaring prices, and knock-off Vuitton and Gucci bags that are virtually undetectable ... are they really flying one torch around the world?

What’s wrong with having one resident torch per city? Save a few bucks? Save the planet?

Laguna Beach

More trolleys great council decision

Summertime brings the free trolleys and blue and white buses.

Laguna is one of the most dangerous places to ride a bicycle. Our children use the summer trolleys by the hundreds every day to meet friends at various beaches, parks, homes and other destinations, and to take visiting friends with them.

Local adults park their cars near a trolley stop and go by trolley, thereby eliminating looking for parking, valet and parking charges, etc.

Visitors, especially children, often won’t board a free blue and white bus because they want to wait for a trolley. It’s fun and the view is great, but on many nights, the trolleys are filled to capacity.

I think it’s great the City Council is buying three more trolleys!

Laguna Beach