Our Laguna: Lagunans offer suggestions for Santa

Laguna folks pride themselves on giving back to the community. So it's no surprise they came up with some dandy ideas for gifts — cost not to be considered — for the city in the New Year.

Mayor Jane Egly: "Fewer cars and more walkers and bikers."

Egly is an advocate of the Complete Streets movement that espouses the notion that streets are for everyone, regardless of age or means of locomotion.

Residents in cities across the country, including Laguna Beach, are asking their elected officials to endorse and implement policies that make streets safe for all users, from bicyclists to public transportation riders, drivers and pedestrians.

Bob Josephson said making Forest Avenue pedestrian-only from the highway to Glenneyre Street would be a start.

Councilwoman Toni Iseman would make more room for pedestrians and cyclists, not to mention parking spaces, with the gift of shuttles from peripheral parking areas for all 52 weekends a year.

Ridership on the summer trolleys that shuttle from the ACT V Parking Lot to downtown has taken a quantum leap since Iseman convinced the council to make the rides free.

On City Councilman Kelly Boyd's list: "A tree safety and view ordinance that the community would accept."

The city used to have a tree ordinance, but it was all bark and died a lingering death from disuse and dissatisfaction.

Mayor Pro Tem Verna Rollinger's gift: "Continuing cooperation with the California Coastal Commission."

South Laguna resident Richard Picheny: "Verna Rollinger."

Incumbents Rollinger and Egly are running for reelection in 2012.

Waste Management spokeswoman Michelle Clark: "I'd like to be able to pronounce Laguna as one of the greenest cities in the state."

Laguna Beach Community Clinic Director Dr. Tom Bent: "A family doctor and good health for every person who lives or works in this community."

Clinic board member and Planning Commissioner Anne Johnson: "A substantial and sustainable endowment for the clinic."

Village Laguna founder Arnold Hano wants excellent acoustics in walls and ceilings in restaurants so people can talk and be heard — as if folks don't listen when he speaks.

Writer Bette Anderson: "Continued amity on the City Council."

"Lagunatics" lyricist and Laguna Beach Seniors President Chris Quilter: "An assisted-living facility — we don't have one."

The former South Coast Medical Center had tentative plans for such a facility, but it was opposed by neighbors.

Volunteer Sande St. John: "The Village Entrance."