Laguna Beach

Ann Christoph’s commentary on Jan. 10 suggests the tentacles of Orange County politics reached into our little town and corrupted our elected decision makers. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, I have witnessed both leadership and residents of our seaside community transcend narrow partisanship repeatedly. Republicans and Democrats joined hands in the “Save the Canyon Effort.” Members from both groups walked our precincts, pasted “No Toll Road” stickers on windshields and voted to tax themselves to purchase the open space in Laguna Canyon and at Main Beach. They serve side-by-side on the boards of our many neighborhood associations and nonprofits. When raising money for AIDS Services Foundation, the Community Clinic or just a local citizen in need, our citizens from all parts of the political spectrum join hands to help out. And, in assessing local leadership, we examine their past service to our community, their respect for its diversity, and their vision for its future.

As both a lifelong Democrat and a Laguna Beach resident who loves this city and everything it stands for, I do not share Christoph’s parochial vision. I believe the true spirit of Laguna Beach is tolerant, generous and fiercely independent. I hope it will always remain that way whether confronting narrow-mindedness from without or within.

ANNE JOHNSON, Laguna Beach