Commentary: I have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving and the holidays fast approaching, I thought it might be a good time to mention that for which I’m thankful this and every year.

As a mayor, I’m thankful to represent the exceptional citizens of Costa Mesa. I’m thankful for all those individuals who reach out to me and share how much they care about their city and its future. I’m thankful for my fellow council members, who share my vision for what Costa Mesa can become, and to make the tough decisions needed to get there.

I’m thankful for those who care enough about Costa Mesa to spend their valuable time on Tuesday nights providing us with public input.

I’m thankful to our leadership team, CEO Tom Hatch, City Attorney Tom Duarte, Police Chief Rob Sharpnack and Fire Chief Dan Stefano, whose leadership, tenacity and vision are impressive to watch.

I’m thankful for assistant city CEOs Tamara LeTourneau, Rick Francis, Ernesto Munoz, and all the city department leaders who work tirelessly behind the scenes on the many tough issues we face, such as, how to help the homeless, how to best regulate group homes and how to engineer public places.

I’m thankful for our rank-and-file police and firefighters, who work every day to help uphold our laws, protect the vulnerable and earn our trust. We are all grateful for our general employees, who work behind the scenes to make this town a better place for residents and businesses alike. People like Gaetano Russo, who starts his shift daily at 4 a.m., cleaning, painting and polishing our city’s public areas.

I’m thankful for our active military members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard and the veterans, including members of my own family who have served, and especially those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

I’m thankful for residents Julie Mercurio and Bruce Krochman, both of whom had the vision to create the Costa Mesa Public Square Facebook page, where well-meaning citizens have a forum for city issues, feedback, debate and civil dialogue. I’m also thankful for Costa Mesa TV, and the “Costa Mesa Minute.”

I’m thankful for all those who walk with the mayor or attend our regular meet the mayor sessions. The input and suggestions I get from those who attend is essential, if not priceless.

I’m thankful for our exceptional schools and sports programs. I’m especially thankful for our school trustees and their downstream vision that has given us people like Estancia High School teacher and football Coach Mike Bargas, who has dedicated his life to the next generation in many quiet ways.

I’m thankful for the Rene and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts and South Coast Repertory for bringing us world-class stage productions.

I’m thankful for the OC Fair and the Pacific Amphitheatre, and the four-week-long annual summer extravaganza that puts our city in the spotlight.

I’m thankful for South Coast Plaza , Metro Pointe, the Camp, the Lab, SoCo and Harbor and Mesa Verde Centers, the Orange County Marketplace, and all the great shops and merchants, action sports manufacturers, restaurants and centers that make Costa Mesa second to none in dining, retail and entertainment.

Oh, and I’m especially thankful for Skosh Monahan’s and its venerable owner and former mayor, Gary Monahan.

I’m thankful for our elected leaders at the federal and state levels, especially Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) and state Sen. John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) and my great friend, former mayor Jim Righeimer.

I’m thankful for the longtime mentorship provided to me by what I refer to as life coaches: George and Julie Argyros, the Gianulius and Lucas families, and Lew Schmid.

I’m thankful for my health, for the Palm Harvest Church community and my strong faith in God.

Finally, I’m eternally thankful for the love and companionship of my family, especially my wife, Robin, and our sons Cole and Hunter.

Together, the Mensinger family would like to take this time to wish you all a happy Thanksgiving and a blessed Christmas and holiday season.

STEVE MENSINGER is the Mayor of Costa Mesa.