Homegrown tavern owner Kelly Boyd was returned to the dais after a 24-year hiatus, coming in third in the race for three open seats on the council. Incumbents Toni Iseman and Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider came in first and second.
Pearson-Schneider opined that the one-two finish in the election reflected voter approval of the results achieved by the alliance the two women forged in the past four years, despite political differences.
"I think people like the fact that council members with opposing views have been able to work together and get things done," Pearson-Schneider said.
Former City Clerk Verna Rollinger came in last in the field of four, a crushing defeat for the veteran city official, who had won seven consecutive races for the clerk's post."This is the first election I have ever lost," Rollinger said. "It's not as much fun as winning."
Rollinger was the first to announce her candidacy and ran what many considered a model campaign. Her war chest was second only to Pearson-Schneider's.
Boyd said support from the city's firefighters and his deep roots in the community — he is fourth-generation Lagunan — were the keys to his election. Although he entered the race late, his was the first name on the ballot, by random selection.
Pearson-Schneider said mailers by Laguna Beach Republicans and the Laguna Beach Taxpayers Assn. targeting registered Republicans were instrumental in electing her and Boyd.
Iseman and Rollinger were endorsed by Village Laguna.
— Barbara Diamond
4. Bluebird Canyon
The reconstruction of a Bluebird Canyon hillside, begun almost immediately after the June 1, 2005 landslide, is nearing completion — if all goes as planned, by early spring.
Costs for the completed restoration were estimated in September to be $20.5 million. The good news is that the costs are covered.
