Editorial

Yes, it’s back. And we’re glad.

It won’t be the likeness of whale bones you’ll be seeing at Surf Circle.

It will be a twist on an ancient classic -- “Surfhenge.”

Last week, the Huntington Beach City Council reconsidered its choice of

art for the corner of Beach Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway, kicking

aside a sculpture of whale bones in favor of a more fitting piece

reminiscent of England’s Stonehenge.

For weeks, the Independent’s Community Forum pages have been packed with

letters from residents lambasting the council for choosing what’s

supposed to look like a whale carcass to adorn the city’s gateway to the

beach. In a June 22 editorial, we urged the council to reconsider.

And they did. With a 4-2 vote, the council brought back “Surfhenge.”

If you think you’ve heard the name before, you’re right.

The council first chose “Surfhenge” for the spot last year. But it wiped

out amid criticism from residents.

Then, on May 1, the council introduced the whale bone sculpture -- big,

white bones jutting out from the sand with a tape of bell buoys and

foghorns playing in the background. It was even less popular -- and much

less appropriate -- than the council’s original choice.

And Councilwoman Pam Julien was listening. She decided to raise the

issue.

“While the whale bone piece is striking, it does not represent the

history of Surf City,” Julian wrote in a memo to the council.

We’re not sure “Surfhenge” represents the history of Huntington Beach --

a community practically founded on oil -- but we agree that it’s a better

fit. And we look forward to seeing the finished work.