Editorial: Give thanks for past
What does Laguna Beach have to be thankful for this Thanksgiving?
A lot, actually.
Aside from the obvious, beautiful surroundings, gorgeous sunsets and ocean and canyon views, Laguna Beach has been gifted with creative people. From the city’s inception (actually preconception), artists have been drawn to its scenic vistas and they, in turn, have imbued the city with a sense of free thinking and appreciation for beauty. The “plein air” movement that thrived here has engendered a culture of preservation and love of the natural world.
There is also a culture of creative camaraderie and love of the past that has allowed the city to improve and progress without uprooting that sense of history, and the “village” charm of the city and its quaint neighborhoods.
To get an excellent sense of the history of the city over the past 30 years, read retiring City Manager Ken Frank’s “Top Ten City Accomplishments.” No. 1 is on this page; the last nine can be found in the last nine issues of this newspaper.
Frank outlines the major battles Laguna Beach has faced during his tenure, from the last quarter of the 20th century into the first decade of the 21st century. Many of these involve the battle against over-development and the struggle to keep green space in and around the city, and to keep the integrity of the city intact.
Frank will soon pass the baton to Assistant City Manager John Pietig, his own choice as a successor. Pietig, who has been Frank’s top lieutenant for more than nine years, is ready to step in and take the reins when Frank steps down in December.
It is fitting that the city dedicated a new view park in Arch Beach Heights on Monday. This passive, open space area is an example of the stewardship not only of Ken Frank but of Laguna’s elected and appointed city officials, and the community that supported them. It is a place of infinite views of the Pacific and a place of calm reflection.
On Thanksgiving, Laguna Beach can reflect on its past and present with a sense of wonder and accomplishment. And that is something to be thankful for.