Remembering a tragedy
Unfortunately, Seal Beach had to pause in early October to reflect on one of the saddest chapters in the town’s history: the first anniversary of the Salon Meritage shootings. A ceremony was held at the iconic Seal Beach Pier. Retired Pastor Don Shoemaker, who was a Seal Beach Police Department chaplain when the worst mass murder in Orange County history occurred, spoke at the event. Current police Chaplain George Vogel offered a benediction during the ceremony. Candles were provided for the occasion. Hundreds of community members attended the event to remember. A committee continues to work on a memorial for the eight murder victims.
On a higher, brither note—a kite festival
The 16th annual Seal Beach Kite Festival attracted large crowds to Seal Beach, just as it has for many years now. The event now features hundreds of kites and has become California’s largest kite festival.
Vacation rental issue returns
The vacation rental issue was once again the focus of local politics as the City Council voted unanimously on Monday, Oct. 22, to ban new vacation rentals. Supporters of the ban said the conditional use permits were not working. The Seal Beach City Code did not allow vacation rentals before 2010. District 1 Councilwoman Ellery Deaton expressed concern about illegal vacation rentals continuing following the ban on legal vacation rentals.
Founders Day 2012
Seal Beach celebrated its 97th Founders Day, which included a salute to the “Hometown Heroes” of the Naval Weapons Station. The base joined the Seal Beach community in 1944. As part of the celebration, the base held an open house aboard the USS Sampson guided missile destroyer. Entertainment included music from the Hank Barto Quartet from Leisure World as well as the Los Alamitos High School Jazz Band.
Sunset Beach loses in court
Neighboring Sunset Beach lost the legal battle to stop the community’s already completed annexation by Huntington Beach. The Citizens Association of Sunset Beach challenged the annexation on the grounds that residents were not allowed to vote on whether to accept the tax increase that CASB said would be imposed on Sunset Beach residents as a result of the annexation. The Howard Jarvis Association joined the suit, but the 4th District Court of Appeal rejected the argument that Proposition 218 granted Sunset Beach residents the right to vote on new taxes. The annexation of Sunset Beach appeared to be a settled issue.
Leisure World sued
Leisure World Executive Director Dan Schaeffer sued the Golden Rain Foundation, the organization that runs the retirement community, accusing his employers of slander, creating a hostile work environment and retaliating against him for complaining about his work environment. On Tuesday, Oct. 16, Leisure World Tim Bolton issued a formal statement about the lawsuit that ended by saying, “Unfortunately, the Board of Directors cannot discuss the case during its investigations, which is necessary to ensure the defendants are legally protected; however any inquiries should be directed to the Foundation’s president, Tim Bolton. “
Schaeffer had long been a controversial figure in the retirement community. He was suspended in 2011, and then given a new job title and an 18-month contract. The assistant to the executive director of Leisure World, Ms. Kevin Dognoncevic, filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the Golden Rain Foundation. She accused a board member of making what she apparently considered to be an inappropriate remark and the board member, Denis Craig, said that on the advice of his attorney the only comment he could make was to deny the accusation.
