Addressing Unmet Needs in State Budget

As your assemblymember, I am committed to being a problem solver, which is why I proudly joined the Problem Solver’s Caucus in Sacramento.

This bipartisan group of legislators shares a common goal of finding practical and effective solutions to address the challenges in our state. While reviewing the new state budget unveiled by Gov. Newsom last month, it is evident there is room for improvement in accelerating housing construction, wildfire prevention, and protecting our beaches.

There was a lack of foresight in creating real incentives to speed up housing construction in California. This omission is particularly concerning, as homeownership becomes increasingly unattainable for Californians, especially young people, seniors and working families.

While there is much more to be done, I look forward to working with other leaders in our community to solve this issue.

The lack of streamlining for wildfire prevention projects is a matter of concern, especially for our communities in the 74th Assembly District. However, I take pride in having secured funding for the Orange County Fire Authority, to purchase equipment to combat wildfires.

Nevertheless, there is still more work to be done, and I believe we can make significant progress in addressing these challenges effectively.

The disregard for coastal and sand erosion programs is another letdown. Our beaches are vital for recreation, sea life, the environment, and our economy. With the creation of the bipartisan Coastal Caucus, I am working with my colleagues to spread the word on this critical issue

Letters to The Editor

REFRESHING PERSPECTIVES FROM A LEGITIMATE NEWS SOURCE

GREG STOLROW, San Clemente that expands far beyond just coastal Southern California.

It was refreshing to see two pieces in a recent edition of SC Times that were balanced and accurate. The Letter to the Editor responding to Ms. Vidrine and her disappointment with the outcome of the council review of applications for Mr.

I am pleased to see that both of my bills that tackle this issue have progressed in the State Senate, and I expect them to become law.

I am pleased with two key budget items relating to education.

There is funding that will go toward ensuring every school can purchase Narcan, ensuring the safety of our students amidst the ongoing battle against the fentanyl crisis.

Additionally, there is funding to ensure reciprocity for teachers who are spouses of servicemembers stationed in California. This measure not only addresses our teacher shortage, but also supports military families. It’s a win-win situation for all.

In local efforts, I recently wrote a letter to the California State Lands Commission in support of the San Clemente Sand Replenishment project, a partnership agreement between the City of San Clemente and the Army Corps of Engineers.

This project aims to place 250,000 cubic yards of sand on city beaches. While we continue working on long-term solutions to combat coastal erosion, the immediate commencement of sand replenishment is a vital first step. Also relating to coastal erosion, I recently wrote a letter supporting the Orange County Transportation Authority in their efforts to improve the rail infrastructure in south coastal Orange County. A pragmatic and fact-based approach is critical in protecting and enhancing our rail corridor. Through a compre -

James’ spot was impactful and accurate.

Any credible and common-sense-oriented person knows housing-first is an ineffective lie. Ms. Vidrine should never be elected, as she would certainly attempt to force us all to believe we dishonor the homeless by logically rejecting her views.

Sharing the thoughts of Mr. Knoblock was also a welcome read. He is a fine man and a dear friend. His wisdom and wholesome concern for our town is wellknown.

Politics and the issues we read about and watch on a state and national level all begin in the neighborhoods and

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hensive study and collaboration with stakeholders, we can develop innovative solutions to address environmental impacts, prioritize safety, and foster regional connectivity. While I also submitted a letter in support of a longterm study looking at possible future movement of the tracks, this new effort will ensure we look at steps to take in the short- and medium-term while addressing concerns of all stakeholders.

Please be sure to keep an eye out for announcements related to my Community Coffees that I will be hosting in the upcoming weeks. I look forward to the opportunity to hear directly from you on issues that matter.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I am honored to represent you in the State Assembly.

Laurie Davies is a small business owner and former mayor who was elected to the State Assembly in 2020 and reelected in 2022. She represents the 74th Assembly District, which includes Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano in South Orange County—down through Camp Pendleton, and Oceanside, Vista and part of Fallbrook in North San Diego County. PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

towns we live. Your paper has the opportunity to be a beacon of objectivity and honesty at a time when the press has become more partisan than the people they cover.

Please continue to carry an honest message of truth and information credibility.

SAVE SEA CLIFF VILLAS LARRY CULBERTSON, San Clemente

Just past the Beachcomber Inn in the Pier Bowl is one of the last extant “villas” that were the showplaces of Ole Hanson’s Spanish Village.

(Cont. on page 8)

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San Clemente Times, Vol. 18, Issue 28. The SC Times (sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the Dana Point Times (danapointtimes.com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch.com).

Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. San Clemente Times is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, 34932 Calle Del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at San Clemente, CA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: San Clemente Times, 34932 Calle Del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624.

OBITUARY Catherine Erickson

Catherine “Chatty Cathy” Erickson (neé Carpenter) joined her Heavenly Father on July 1, 2023. She was born to the late Stephen and Vida Carpenter on March 27, 1936 in Plainview, Minnesota.

After moving to California in 1954, Cathy soon found her way into the heart of NASA Engineer, Donald Erickson. The two planted roots in Westchester where they welcomed their two children, Amelia Weinstein (Jason) and Carl Erickson (Julie). The family of four would eventually find themselves in Valencia the city that remained Cathy’s home sweet home, even after tragically losing her “Don” to cancer in 1984. Luckily, our outgoing, Chatty Cathy was not alone for long as her “sweetheart” George Richard Strauss gave her a second shot at love. George easily made her swoon with his adoring renditions of “You Are My Sunshine.”

Cathy also never hid her love for her grandchildren. She was quick to ask any of her five (Danielle, Samantha, Kyra, Ryan, and Brett), “Why is grandma such a lucky old lady?” to which she would promptly get a response of, “Because she has five gorgeous grandchildren.”

A private family ceremony will be held at Eternal Valley Memorial Park in Newhall, where Cathy will be interred.

(Cont. from page 7)

Comprising two lots totaling 18,339 square feet, 402-404 Pasadena Court was named Vista de las Olas (View of the Waves). Wealthy socialite sisters Bertha and Emma Wierk commissioned its construction in 1927. A subsequent owner renamed it Sea Cliff Villas.

The mansion itself is quite impressive, over 3,000 square feet of elaborate architectural detail spilling over the cliff from Pasadena Court to Avenida Victoria. But an equally important “character-defining feature” of this property is the garden that flows down the steep bank to a hexagonal tile pool and patio.

A runnel carried water from a wall fountain on the side of the house to the pool below. Twin tile stairways adorn the sides of the runnel. The property is spectacular. The city’s 2006 “Historic Resources Survey Update” reported that the property appears eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Nevertheless, a proposal has been submitted to the city to transform this property into a 48-seat restaurant, ninecar parking structure, nine-suite boutique motel, with swimming pool, spa, fitness room, executive meeting rooms, and concierge service.

This project would demolish the garden, destroying the historic integrity of the property.

A similar project about 22 years ago included a historic preservation report from Chattel Architecture. It stated, “The gardens are an integral part of the overall composition and of the property.” The report emphatically concluded that the demolition of the historic garden would have a significant impact.

The Coastal Commission ended up denying the project, in part because it was not visitor-serving. They wrote, “The commission would be interested in promoting and reserving the site for a primary visitor-serving use, such as overnight accommodations. Due to its setting, the site would be particularly conducive to a bed and breakfast. Other development options include a museum or community center.”

Yes. Start by restoring the garden, then convert the house into a nice B&B or, even better, a historical museum.

There are many other concerns regarding this project and the negative effect it would have on the Pier Bowl. But for starters, the city needs to obtain an independent historic preservation report and to require that that an Environmental Impact Report be done.

RESPONSE TO MOTEL PROPOSAL AT SAN CLEMENTE PIER JACKIE DOOLEY, San Clemente

Thank you for the article on the proposal to build a motel, restaurant, and swimming pool on the historic Vista de las Olas (aka Sea Cliff) property overlooking the pier.

As one of the great surviving Ole

Hanson-era homes, with gardens deemed “character-defining” in a past city report, its future is of enormous interest to those who value our city’s enviable historic and coastal beauty.

The home and its site are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Would that remain so if this project is implemented?

Your article was written just prior to the meeting of the city’s Cultural Heritage Subcommittee (not the Design Review Committee cited in your article), so I’d like to focus on public comments made at that meeting on the 28th.

Roughly 30 locals attended, and more than half spoke. Myriad issues were raised, some calling into question assertions made by the architect and consultants. Stability of the slope is of central importance.

We’ve all been shocked, but perhaps not surprised, by the numerous slides on our problematic coastal slopes, most recently those at Casa Romantica and on Buena Vista. Can site stability survive the addition of substantial buildings and a swimming pool?

Clearly, the owners and builder think so, but the public needs strong and clear evidence. And the city will ignore any lack of certainty at its peril.

As for street parking, the businesses will have dozens of staff and other workers. Where will they—not to mention visitors drawn to the public restaurant and oceanview terrace—park their vehicles in an area that is already far beyond capacity for both neighbors and visitors?

The Pier Bowl lot isn’t the solution; it’s already beyond capacity during summer months and beyond. Many comments were made by neighbors on Victoria, Cazador, and Pasadena about parking, congestion, noise, and odors from garbage dumpsters.

Is the current owner being a responsible caretaker of this historic home, at present? Are changes being made without proper permitting? Clearly, some renovation work has been going on. Drive by and take a look. And why was the area’s zoning changed without informing residents?

If this project goes forward at all, it should limit lodging to the existing house, drop the swimming pool, and preserve the historic gardens.

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San Clemente Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or information written by the writers. Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday morning. Limit your letters to 350 words or less. Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published.