Our summaries. Full answers verbatim below each issue.
Question 1
Election reform and Measure E
Our summary
Opposes Measure E and district elections. Says a majority threshold does not translate cleanly to a multi-seat at-large race; does not explicitly commit to studying other reforms.
Read full answer verbatim
“I'm voting no on Measure E. Term limits don't fix the problem this question identifies. A councilmember elected with 35 percent is elected with 35 percent whether it's their first term or their third. As noted at the question debate, I'm proud to have gotten majority support in 2022. But a 50-percent threshold doesn't translate cleanly to an at-large race where every voter casts three votes. Seal Beach can require it because they elect one councilmember per district. Getting there here would mean districting, which I don't support.
District elections work where neighborhoods are distinct and separated. Laguna is seven square miles, and what decides elections here — the hospital, wildfire mitigation, environmental protection — affects every household. Districts would make representation narrower, not broader.”
Written response · answer only
Question 2
Hospital and emergency care
Our summary
Prioritizes a 24-hour ambulance-receiving ER with a licensed hospital attached; would evaluate operators, land-use leverage and coordination with the Attorney General.
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“My minimum is a 24-hour emergency department in Laguna Beach that can receive ambulance transports. Six in ten of our ambulance transports go to that campus. Under state law an emergency department cannot stand alone, so keeping the ER means keeping a licensed hospital of some size attached to it. Ensuring access to emergency care has been my highest priority and will continue to be if I'm re-elected.
In August, Providence agreed to study a smaller hospital that preserves an emergency room. A study is not a commitment, and I've said that publicly.
As I said during the debate, all options are on the table. We have looked closely at our leverage, including land use. We also are talking to other operators, and most importantly, having close coordination with the Attorney General's office.”
Written response · answer only
Question 3
Forest Avenue Promenade
Our summary
Has no specific objection to complete accounting and says costs are public records; does not describe how a consolidated report would be produced.
Read full answer verbatim
“I am all about transparency, so I have no specific objection to this request. These are all public records.”
Written response · answer only
Question 4
Visitor-generated costs
Our summary
Opposes a restaurant tax; favors higher parking rates, a roughly 500-meter South Laguna pilot, and outside public funding.
Read full answer verbatim
“I'm not supportive of a special tax aimed at restaurants. I rejected this approach in 2024 and 2026. My conclusion is that it would ultimately hurt residents by deterring restaurants from opening.
95% of our visitors do not stay at our hotels and pay transient occupancy tax. We should always be looking to capture funds from visitors, which is why I'm supportive of our work to get Coastal Commission approval for an increase in our parking rates and a pilot to add approximately 500 paid parking meters in South Laguna.
I will continue working to maximize the revenue from visitors via parking revenue.
I would also keep pursuing county, state and federal money for the services visitors use.”
Written response · answer only
Question 5
Emergency preparedness
Our summary
Open to a live neighborhood exercise after consultation with Fire and Police Chiefs; gives no deadline.
Read full answer verbatim
“I am open to this and would want to consult with our Fire and Police Chiefs on the best way to implement these exercises. I'm open to all options to prepare for future wildfire/evacuation.”
Written response · answer only
Question 6
Fiscal priorities
Our summary
Cites $1.5 million in prior cuts, including seven positions, and supports further cuts; names no new specific expenditure or service trade-off.
Read full answer verbatim
“I support doing this and have already done it. As part of our comprehensive efficiency initiative, we identified $1.5 million in cuts (including eliminating 7 positions). We need to continue to make more cuts to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability, allowing us to continue investing in needed public safety and infrastructure investments.”
Written response · answer only
Question 7
Laguna in 10 years
Our summary
Prioritizes emergency care, wildfire mitigation, law enforcement, water and wastewater projects, fiscal balance, permit review and local character; most fears losing the ER.
Read full answer verbatim
“Laguna's next 10 years:
• Retaining access to emergency services
• Continuing to invest in state-of-the-art wildfire mitigation
• Fully funding law enforcement to mitigate visitor impacts and remain the safest coastal city in Orange County
• Water independence (through the Fountain Valley/Newport groundwater well project and potentially Doheny Desalination, which we are still evaluating)
• Successful implementation of the Wastewater Master Plan to mitigate sewer spills; implementation of plan to modernize the Coastal Treatment Plant, allowing us to reduce the amount of treated wastewater going into the ocean. Ocean water quality is critical.
• Structurally balanced budget that allows for long-term fiscal stewardship
• Streamlined review of permits for residents and small businesses
• Maintaining local control (via the Housing Element) to preserve the small-scale character and built environment that defines Laguna
• Protecting our open space and add to it
What I would fear most is losing the emergency room. Once an ER closes it does not come back, and the next several decades of this town would be shaped by that one fact. That’s my main goal to continue working on if re-elected.”
Written response · answer only
