MAILBAG - Aug. 11, 2006

Canyon is too denuded by goats

I have one question to ask of someone in our hall of justice in the state of Laguna Beach: Why are the goats allowed to chew down to the canyon floor at the canyon entrance?

The destruction of all vegetation looks almost as bad as after the Laguna fire. It’s time to raise the grazing to a higher level at Laguna Canyon and Forest Avenue. I’m sure the goats won’t mind.

L. GIBBS

Laguna Beach

Numbers belie city’s allowed noise level

I am writing regarding your front-page story, “Fuming over burger smell,” (Coastline Pilot, July 28). In addition to the complaints regarding the smell, residents complained of the noise of the exhaust system.

The noise was measured at 63.9 decibels, 3.9 decibels over the limit. Louis Kirk of the city’s enforcement department said, “Bringing it [the noise level] under the limit wouldn’t be much different, it’s such a small margin.”

The difference between 60.0 db and 63.9 db represents a difference of over twice the level of sound intensity.

This more than doubling of the intensity exceeding the 60 db limit should be important to the complaining neighbors, as well as Kirk’s comment that it’s “such a small margin.”

DON BARDA

Laguna Beach

Church plans could use a miracle

I don’t know why St. Catherine of Siena Church bothers with mundane entities such as the city planning commission and the City Council (“Revisiting St. Catherine,” Coastline Pilot, Aug. 4).

Those are for common landowners who have to pay property taxes. St. Catherine can go over the city’s head and solicit help from a higher authority. They have an old book in which it is written that bread loaves can be multiplied and water turned into wine.

Why don’t they petition for a 25,421 square-foot school to turn into a 42,420 square-foot school? Wham, just like the book says it used to happen! But golly, what if that doesn’t happen?

That leaves the embarrassment of wanting to enlarge a school to paean a belief that doesn’t work anymore. Maybe their efforts are better directed toward feeding those who are destitute and starving on this overpopulated planet.

NIKO THERIS

Laguna Beach

Religious groups should provide parking for patrons

As far as I know, people attending functions on the campus of a religious institution still need to arrive in the same way that people arrive at all functions. A large majority of people will arrive by car. Therefore, it only makes sense that if religious institutions are expanding, they should also be required to expand their parking.

SUE MOORE

Laguna Beach

Possible loss of Boom Boom ‘shocking’

I was shocked to hear that the Coast Hotel and Boom Boom Room were sold. My question is, who allowed the sale?

I feel great sorrow to perhaps see the Boom go by the wayside like many other gay icons, and that is what the Boom is — “an icon.” I have very fond memories of the Boom Boom Room and Laguna. I have lived in Lake Arrowhead most of my life and have traveled down to Laguna on many occasions to enjoy the free atmosphere of the city and electric night life of the Boom.