I called Mayor Pearson-Schneider’s office, and this is not a hoax:

Laguna Beach, CA (PRWEB via PR Web Direct) June 14, 2005 — Mayor Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider announces an effort to aid recent victims of Laguna Beach’s landslides.

“It is the City’s goal to repair the hillside, the infrastructure and the roads in the landslide area. In addition, we want to create a ‘pad’ for each homeowner to build a new home,” said Mayor Pearson-Schneider.

The fundraising effort is called “Adopt a Landslide Family.” Private donors, large companies, associations, unions and others are being asked to raise $150,000 for each of the 20 affected families through their employees, members and other avenues. Families are expected to be homeless for over two years. The funds will be used as follows: $3,000 per month per family for living expenses for 30 months – for a total of $90,000. An additional $60,000 of the funds would be used for geology surveys and initial architectural planning. “We will accept family contributions on a cumulative basis,” added Pearson-Schneider.

The Mayor is partnering with the Laguna Beach Relief & Resource Center, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions will be tax-deductible.

As none of these homes were worth more than $5,000,000, Mayor Pearson-Schneider likely saw them as a blight on the city anyway.

Update: won’t you join me in offering this to the people of Laguna Beach:

The Tiniest Violin