 In the November issue of Ladera Times, as Editor and Publisher of that publication I wrote an op-ed piece voicing my opinion about LARCS intent not to approve next year’s Taste of Ladera in Founders Park. In this issue we give LARCS the opportunity to respond and share its point of view with our readers. Below are the questions that were posed to LARCS President, Carol McCormick, and her responses.
Q: First, tell us briefly about yourself, Carol:
A: My husband Jett and I have lived in Ladera for 10 years now with our three children Lindsay, 23; Jett IV, 21; and Kevin, 15. Our home is in Oak Knoll Village. I was actually born in Chicago but came to California when I was two and a half. I attended college at USC where I met and married Jett.
We love the Ladera lifestyle and over the years, I’ve enjoyed volunteering in a range of community activities, from the PTA and Football Boosters of San Juan High School, to the Ladera Ranch Wine Tasting Club and as a Board member, and now president, of LARCS.
Q: Can you clarify the role and responsibility of LARCS?
A: LARCS stands for Ladera Ranch Community Services. We’re a non-profit organization with five independently elected directors who serve as volunteers. LARCS is responsible for planning and putting on all our community events such as July 4th, the Summer Concert series and our recreation programs and classes. We also put out the quarterly “Roots and Wings” Newsletter to all Laderians. I think our LARCS mission statement nicely sums up our purpose: “Connecting neighbors to build friendships, share experiences and shape the future. . . together.”
Q: As you know, there has been some controversy about LARCS turning down Taste of Ladera in 2011. It’s a popular event, so why did you do this?
A: Just to clarify, LARCS never actually turned down Taste of Ladera because it never formally applied. But that aside, as an event, Taste of Ladera is a success story and the organizers should feel proud of what they have achieved. In seven years, we understand Taste has grown from a one-day event of some 4,000 people to a two-day event of some 20,000 people. So far so good. . . but part of our responsibility as the LARCS Board is to continually make sure that this community is not exposed to unreasonable risk, financial, or otherwise – from any event held in our community. “Unreasonable risk” is not just determined by the five members of the LARCS Board, but also by a team of experts that includes legal and insurance representatives. During the summer we reviewed all aspects of our community events at length and determined that LARCS had to update its approval criteria. This decision wasn’t about any one event, but about every current and future event that might be brought to us.
Q: You suggest that insurance is a factor in this policy change, yet everyone carries insurance, LARCS, LARMAC, and the Taste of Ladera, the latter of which is willing to carry more, so why is it an issue?
A: How ever much a third party is willing to carry regardless of the event, the community still has some risk of financial exposure. Q: Some have said that cancelling Taste will have a big impact on the charities that benefitted.What is your reaction to this? A: Taste not taking place in the Ladera Ranch community should have no impact on a non-profit’s decision to participate in the event as a fundraising opportunity at another location. We certainly encourage community outreach that will support non-profits. In addition, all of our LARCS events are open to any Ladera-based charity that wants to apply and at no cost to them.
Q: In light of the “dust up” is there any way that LARCS would reconsider its event approval policy in the case of Taste of Ladera?
A: We believe that our current events approval policy is right for the times, for our staffing resources and for the appropriate protection of our community. Our revised event policy does allow for one-day events up to 5,000 people at the Town Green. We welcome and will fairly review applications from any event organizer who is willing to work within these guidelines, including the Taste of Ladera.
Q: You claim that LARCS’ limited staff resources factored into your revised approval process. Could events like Taste of Ladera solve the problem by paying for additional staff?
A: It’s kind of a moot point since LARCS does have the resources to amply staff one-day events as per our new policy. Certainly our staff resources were taken into account.
Q:What about the events that LARCS has that have more than 5,000 people?
A: These are events over which LARCS has complete oversight and management, unlike third party events in which our involvement is much more limited. With LARCS sponsored events we have control of attendance, staffing, what is served, security, permitting, etc., these and other elements that can constitute community risk.
"Policy Not Aimed at Taste of Ladera"Q. For readers who may not know, what events does LARCS put on now and are there new ones planned for the future?
A: We have four seasonal signature events each year -- Spring Celebration, Fourth of July, Harvest Festival, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony in December. In between we hold a number of smaller events such as the Concerts on the Town Green and the adult Beer and Wine Festival. The big four started about 10 years ago and we still get a great resident turnout. In terms of ‘what’s new’, LARCS added a Family Camp Out this year. It was a sell-out so we’re going to add a second one next summer. We also did one for dogs called Mutt Mingle which was also great fun!
Q.What kind of events will LARCS approve?
A: It’s really simple, LARCS wants to cosponsor the kind of events that reflect LARCS mission statement to “connect neighbors to build friendships, etc.” They’ve always got to be fun and OK for the whole family to attend. From an operations point of view, they have to comply with the guidelines we’ve discussed. We’re certainly open to good ideas and welcome them.
Q. I have to ask you, do you think its right that five people (that is the LARCS Board) should be able to dictate what events take place in the community?
A: C’mon Jim, the first part’s a question you could just as easily ask of the U.S. government! But sticking to the LARCS Board, don’t forget we were elected by residents to represent their best interests and all of us work as volunteers. We try to make decisions about special events that we believe will appeal to the majority of residents, not just the vocal minority. We don’t always agree and we recognize that our decisions will sometimes disappoint. It’s a real mischaracterization to say we “dictate” what events take place! In fact, we started using Survey Monkey last year (the online program) specifically to increase resident feedback. We look at all the input and are taking it into consideration as we plan for next year’s events and beyond.
Q: Is LARCS planning to hold its own version of a Taste of Ladera event?
A: No, we have our hands full with what we are doing already. We wish the Taste of Ladera organizers well with a new location and are confident that those residents who wish to attend absolutely will.
(Editor’s Note: Application forms for the LARCS Cosponsored events are available through the LARCS offices at 949-388-8300.) |
If you're not listening to Ladera Times Editor and Publisher Jim Schmitt's weekly talk show, "Open Mike" on 
There was a standing-room turnout of residents at the LARMAC public board meeting Wednesday to voice optinions and urge LARMAC to take action. Six residents spoke in favor of holding the Taste of Ladera at Founder's Park, while one resident, who lives across from Founder's Park, said she wants the event moved because of the noise.
