CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

“Save Begonia Park” Signs Stolen

Signs trying to drum up support to save views at Begonia Park were stolen hours after a Corona del Mar man installed them.

“My feet are worn out,” said Kenneth Jaggers, a member of the group Friends of Begonia Park. Jaggers said he spent days asking business owners for permission to place the signs and finished installing the last ones about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. “I went for my morning coffee today and they were gone. It ticked me off. It’s the principal of the thing.”

Jaggers and other members of the Begonia Park group are protesting plans to build a single-family home on a vacant lot near Pacific Drive and Begonia Avenue. Owners Kim and Carolyne Megonigal’s plans, approved last month unanimously by the Planning Commission, will go before the City Council on Jan. 12.

Kim Megonigal said today that he knew nothing about the signs. “They have the right to try to get people to support their cause,” he said. “But I don’t know anything about this.”

Police and city officials were aware that the signs had been taken. Jaggers said the loss was as much as $500.

The only signs that were removed were from businesses along East Coast Highway. Signs in neighbors’ yards were left alone, as were signs by businesses with security cameras.

Park supporter Dan Spletter said he ordered the first signs earlier this month, paying the initial $1,300 cost from his own pocket.

“Then someone would say, ‘Hey, can I get a sign! Those….they can’t do this!’ ”

Spletter said a petition in support of protecting park views has 900 signatures, and as many as 200 supporters could attend the Jan. 12 City Council hearing.

Megonigal said he has worked with the city and tried to cooperate with neighbors — but he has a lot approved for a home, and his plans are within city guidelines.