Issues

• Satisfaction Survey
• Safe City Plan
• Street Repaving Program
• Community Center
• Military Support Committee

   The best way to evaluate whether an elected official is doing a good job is to ask their customers - the voters. Elections give us a chance to do this, but sometimes it is helpful to have a more detailed answer from our customers to find out what they think. That is why the city commissions a survey every two years. We want to know how we are doing in a whole variety of areas as a way to find areas to improve and evaluate our performance. This year, the survey was again a resounding affirmation of the way the city is being managed and the satisfaction or residents have with their city. 99% of the people surveyed say they think the quality of life in Laguna Niguel is either excellent or good. Alone, that is an astounding statistic, and something we should all be proud of. The full report provides a fascinating look into the services the city provides and people's satisfaction with those services. View the full report from the City's website here.

   Public safety is the most important job of government and in Laguna Niguel, we take that obligation very seriously. Through our partnership with the Orange County Sheriff's Department, we have been able to bring crime rates in the city to an all time low. Nevertheless, we are always trying to improve, which is why every year we evaluate where we are and develop a plan on how to achieve an even greater level of safety for our residents. The evaluation and plan is contained in our annual "Safe City Plan" and we are always looking for new ideas on how we can improve. To view the safe city plan, click here.

   When I first ran for city council, I knocked on thousands of doors to introduce myself to residents and find out what their concerns were. One of the most common comments I heard was a request that the city repave the older residential streets. So, as soon as I got on the council, one of my top priorities was to see that our residential streets received the treatment they deserved. That first year was dubbed the "Year of the Street" and we embarked upon a five year, $30 million street repaving program - the largest street repaving program in the city's history. Now three years into the program, we are already seeing the benefits and we are steadily moving through the list of neighborhoods that need attention. Last year when I was Mayor, I discussed the program at length in my State of the City address. You can view the 2009 State of the City address on video here.

   Two projects that will have a great benefit for residents are finally under way and I'm thrilled to tell you that both are progressing nicely and are under budget. Our library is a great asset to the community but has long been in need of additional space and renovation. Through a partnership with the County of Orange, we have recently received approval of the remodel plans for the library and are looking forward to construction beginning in the very near future.

   The new City Hall project is also a very exciting development that has been long in the making. Thanks to the foresight of our leaders in prior councils, we have been setting aside funds so that one day, the city would no longer need to pay rent but could buy a home of its own. With an economic downturn and construction costs at all time lows, now was the time to build. We began an extensive process of seeking public input on what people were looking for and would benefit from. The results are very exciting and will include a new community room for public use, historical exhibits and artifacts for school field trips, an amphitheater for use by our scouts and other civic groups, a true emergency operations center that can be activated in case of any large scale disasters that may strike the city, and a secure place to house our police services group, in addition to practical and functional space for our city staff and council meetings. We plan to pay for the entire project in cash and will be doing it without any cuts in regular services and while maintaining the 5 year $30 million street repaving program mentioned above. To see a brochure summary of the plans, click here, and to see a photo journal of the progress, click here.

   Like our police and fire make sacrifices to keep us safe at home, our service men and women in the armed forces lay their lives on the line to protect our safety and security. It is critical that we continue to remember their service and sacrifices, and that we make sure they know we honor, respect and appreciate their service. That is why I am so proud of the Laguna Niguel Military Support Committee. Together with my co-Chair, Mayor Lindholm, we have the privilege of working with some simply outstanding volunteers who have made this one of the most dynamic and productive military support committees anywhere. From care package drives, to baby shower gifts, thank you cards to welcome home gatherings, programs for the wives to awards for the enlisted, we believe that actions speak louder than words, and these actions speak loud and clear. To see some of our recent efforts, visit the LNMSC website here.