City Clerk

Deputy City Clerk Lisette Chel announced this week that she will run for city clerk. "I have served as deputy city clerk since 2008, under the guidance of Martha Anderson," Chel said. "I believe my experience will benefit the community, and I am excited to announce my candidacy. " As an elected official, the city clerk is independent and responsible only to the people of Laguna Beach, not to the council or the city administration. Her current post is appointed. "The city clerk's job is varied and needs an experienced hand at the helm to meet regulatory requirements established by law," Chel said.

Martha Anderson is seeking reelection as Laguna Beach city clerk, a post she has served since 2004. The city clerk is a full-time, paid position. Anderson was deputy city clerk for five years under former clerk Verna Rollinger. The city clerk is the city’s legislative administrator, records manager and elections official. In addition to installing elected officials, the clerk swears in promoted police officers and firefighters. A City Hall veteran, Anderson began working for the city 17 years ago, the first five years in the finance and personnel departments and then three years in zoning.

Verna Rollinger probably knows as much about what goes on in City Hall as anyone in town, and now she is in a position to do something about it. Rollinger, who served six terms as the City Clerk before she retired in 2004, was elected to the council in November. It was her second try for a council seat, having lost by less than 200 votes in 2006. “Winning is better,” Rollinger said the morning after the election. Although the council race is non-partisan, Rollinger’s victory was seen as a shift in the political power that swept Democratic candidates into office across the country.

Laguna Beach City Council members will decide whether to accept a legal consultant's suggestion the city deny a man's claim that a police officer mistreated him while he slept in his car on Nov. 30. The matter will go before the council at its regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday inside Council Chambers at 505 Forest Ave. The consultant suggested the city "send a standard rejection letter to the claimant [Leonard Porto]," according to a June 10 letter to the city clerk, available on the city's website.

Laguna Beach had more employees making salaries of $100,000-or-more per capita than any other Orange County city in calendar year 2009, but none were deemed to be overcompensated by the Orange County Grand Jury. A Grand Jury report issued Monday that compared salaries and benefits paid in county cities questioned whether a town of about 23,000 really needs 22 top officials and upper-level employees, not including emergency personnel to run Laguna. The report also gave the city low transparency grades Feb. 1 for making it difficult for the public to find out who makes how much for doing which jobs, but steps were taken this week to make the information more accessible, City Manager John Pietig said.

A candidates forum for the 74th Assembly District will take place from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at Laguna Beach City Hall, 515 Forest Ave. The candidates for the newly redrawn district who will be attending are Assemblyman Allan Mansoor (R-Costa Mesa), a former Costa Mesa mayor and O.C. sheriff's deputy, and Democrat Bob Rush, a Newport Beach resident and activist. The third candidate in the race, Newport Beach City Councilwoman Leslie Daigle, a Republican, told organizers Tuesday afternoon that she would not be participating.

The Laguna Playhouse has been awarded a $6,000 grant for its year-round youth education programs, Executive Director Karen Wood said. The grant, provided by the Festival of Arts Foundation, will offer general support for the theater's youth programs, which include stage productions, school visits and a repertory and conservatory. The foundation has supported the playhouse every year since 1994, according to Wood. "It's so lovely of them to do this every year," she said. "It's so important for the kids.

Barbara Diamond There's still time to join the City Hall Relay for Life team. Forty-three city employees -- four from the Laguna Beach County Water District -- officials and family members, one South Laguna resident and two representatives from A.G. Edwards have joined the team. More would be welcomed. "All of us have or will be touched by cancer," said Verna Rollinger, city clerk and team leader. "The statistics show that, in the United States, one of every two men and one of every three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes.

Barbara Diamond City Treasurer Laura Parisi was the first candidate to pull nominating papers Monday morning for the local election. City clerk candidate Martha Anderson was the second. Neither had far to travel. The papers are picked up and filed in the City Hall office where Anderson is deputy city clerk, just down the hallway from the treasurer's office. Monday was the first day of the nomination period for the 2004 municipal election. The period ends at 5 p.m. Aug. 6 unless no incumbent files for reelection by the deadline.

Friday was the deadline to file paperwork for the November election. Five City Council candidates submitted their papers: •Steve Dicterow, who previously sat on the council for 12 years . •Mayor Jane Egly and Mayor Pro Tem Verna Rollinger also filed papers. •Robert Ross and Bob Whalen round out the five. Ross has been known to question the City Council's and city counsel's expertise at meetings . Whalen has served on the school board, the Little League board and the Boys & Girls Club . Candidates were required to get at least 20 signatures from registered voters.

Laguna Beach City Council members will decide whether to accept a legal consultant's suggestion the city deny a man's claim that a police officer mistreated him while he slept in his car on Nov. 30. The matter will go before the council at its regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday inside Council Chambers at 505 Forest Ave. The consultant suggested the city "send a standard rejection letter to the claimant [Leonard Porto]," according to a June 10 letter to the city clerk, available on the city's website.

Ocean Foundation in need of volunteers The Laguna Ocean Foundation is seeking volunteers for its TideWater Docent program, which educates residents and visitors about the ecology in Laguna's protected tidepools. Docents volunteer at Crescent Bay, Shaw's Cove, Heisler Park, Wood's Cove, Goff Island and Treasure Island, all part of the Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve. Those interested have to attend one two-hour classroom training session and participate in on-the-job field training led by a professional, according to a news release.

The Laguna Playhouse has been awarded a $6,000 grant for its year-round youth education programs, Executive Director Karen Wood said. The grant, provided by the Festival of Arts Foundation, will offer general support for the theater's youth programs, which include stage productions, school visits and a repertory and conservatory. The foundation has supported the playhouse every year since 1994, according to Wood. "It's so lovely of them to do this every year," she said. "It's so important for the kids.

The following is from the April 23 City Council meeting. All council members were present. * PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS The public is allowed to speak on any subject not on the agenda. Speakers generally are limited to three minutes, but the time can be adjusted by the council. •Billy Fried of La Vida Laguna pronounced the Earth Day Kelp Fest on April 20 the "perfect intersection of art and activism. " Fried, a Coastline Pilot columnist and ardent supporter of bicycling for recreation and transportation, reported that he and several residents attended the Arts Commission meeting on April 22, to request that the commission allow artists to build beautiful sculptural bike racks.

Four down, one to go and the City Council candidates will be done with scheduled forums for 2012. City Council candidates will have had a week and a half off between last week's forum and the upcoming forum, sponsored by Top of the World Neighborhood and Temple Hills Civic associations and set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chambers. At last week's forum - held Oct. 12 by the League of Women Voters, Laguna Beach Woman's Club, the American Assn. of University Women and the Susi Q - questions were taken from the audience and screened to avoid duplications.

Friday was the deadline to file paperwork for the November election. Five City Council candidates submitted their papers: •Steve Dicterow, who previously sat on the council for 12 years . •Mayor Jane Egly and Mayor Pro Tem Verna Rollinger also filed papers. •Robert Ross and Bob Whalen round out the five. Ross has been known to question the City Council's and city counsel's expertise at meetings . Whalen has served on the school board, the Little League board and the Boys & Girls Club . Candidates were required to get at least 20 signatures from registered voters.

A candidates forum for the 74th Assembly District will take place from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at Laguna Beach City Hall, 515 Forest Ave. The candidates for the newly redrawn district who will be attending are Assemblyman Allan Mansoor (R-Costa Mesa), a former Costa Mesa mayor and O.C. sheriff's deputy, and Democrat Bob Rush, a Newport Beach resident and activist. The third candidate in the race, Newport Beach City Councilwoman Leslie Daigle, a Republican, told organizers Tuesday afternoon that she would not be participating.

Deputy City Clerk Lisette Chel announced this week that she will run for city clerk. "I have served as deputy city clerk since 2008, under the guidance of Martha Anderson," Chel said. "I believe my experience will benefit the community, and I am excited to announce my candidacy. " As an elected official, the city clerk is independent and responsible only to the people of Laguna Beach, not to the council or the city administration. Her current post is appointed. "The city clerk's job is varied and needs an experienced hand at the helm to meet regulatory requirements established by law," Chel said.

Laguna Beach had more employees making salaries of $100,000-or-more per capita than any other Orange County city in calendar year 2009, but none were deemed to be overcompensated by the Orange County Grand Jury. A Grand Jury report issued Monday that compared salaries and benefits paid in county cities questioned whether a town of about 23,000 really needs 22 top officials and upper-level employees, not including emergency personnel to run Laguna. The report also gave the city low transparency grades Feb. 1 for making it difficult for the public to find out who makes how much for doing which jobs, but steps were taken this week to make the information more accessible, City Manager John Pietig said.