SURFING SOAPBOX: When Laguna isn’t Laguna

Driving around the streets of Laguna Beach doesn’t seem to have the same appeal that it used to. Gone are the people who used to smile and wave as they drove by.

Replacing them are the ever- speeding, in-a-rush, stop-sign-running jerks. Any day you want to see people time and time again run a stop sign, just hang on the corner of Calliope and Glenneyre.

For that matter, maybe anywhere along Glenneyre Street will do.

Be careful not to be run over by all of the dump trucks that now barrel along our streets, the ones that once seemed to pass by on the Coast Highway.

But go figure — it all makes sense, since our entire town seems to be getting another makeover; or another hillside is being cut into for another home.

See Diamond Crestview for more information.

Maybe a new reality show on MTV could be called, “Laguna Beach Nip and Tuck, Take Two.”

Who cares if our beaches are crusted over with garbage?

Or that there are no residents’ parking spots allocated — just keep bringing the herds in to our beaches and streets.

Don’t worry that our lifeguards are understaffed and underpaid. Ditto for our fire department — which doesn’t even own a ladder truck and has to rent fire trucks.

It’s gotten so bad for our fire department that I see cars and trucks with “Laguna Beach Fire Department treated unfairly” or something to that effect. That’s a pretty big statement.

Wouldn’t you agree?

So when is our city going to begin taking care of its own?

After all, we are in an election year with new candidates running.

Because I will tell you who cares, we do.

The residents.

Peace.