50 years unfurl

Deirdre Newman

A new flag unfurled as city officials kicked off Costa Mesa’s 50th

anniversary Monday by turning the spotlight on the volunteers who

have helped the city run for half a century.

While the exact anniversary of Costa Mesa’s incorporation was

Sunday, Monday kick-started a year full of festivities that will

culminate with a celebratory dinner in June 2004.

As city officials reflected on 50 years of history, they

emphasized how important volunteers are to keeping the city running

smoothly.

“Volunteers help extend and expand existing city programs by

providing skills, expertise, fresh ideas, objective viewpoints or an

extra hand,” Councilman Chris Steel said. “Volunteers bring with them

varied backgrounds, interests, experience and skills that are of

great benefit to the city.”

Costa Mesa was incorporated in 1953 after a failed attempt in

1947, Historical Society historian Mary Ellen Goddard said.

City Councilman Mike Scheafer, who cast the deciding vote on the

new flag, raised the new city emblem at the ceremony. It features

Costa Mesa’s “City of the Arts” motto below the words “Costa Mesa” on

a tableau of a mesa overlooking the ocean. The city’s colors of blue

and gold are emphasized, along with magenta and gold. The old flag

featured the city’s previous motto, “Hub of the Harbor Area.”

The flag-raising, accompanied by a trumpet, was anti-climatic, as

the flag just hung there motionless, all furled up, for a few

minutes. A gust of wind finally unfurled the flag in all its colorful

glory, inspiring a loud round of applause.

“What a great-looking flag,” said Scheafer, who focused his

comments on the city’s ability to maintain its quaint charm.

“[We] celebrate a diverse and tolerant community,” Scheafer said.

“Costa Mesa is a place for everyone. It embodies a small town

atmosphere, but allows for change.”

Steel also lauded the city for its diversity.

“We’re fortunate to have diversity here,” Steel said. “It’s very

reflective of the state and the county.”

Byron de Arakal, a volunteer who serves on the Parks and

Recreation Commission and a former Daily Pilot columnist, said he was

moved by the ceremony.

“I’m not one to get too emotional, but it was really touching to

me because I think Costa Mesa, having reached kind of a middle-age

point, I think fundamentally at its core, it still stands for people

to come to a town and make their own way by having the freedom to

make the choices to pursue a business or raise a family,” de Arakal

said. “It’s corny, but it’s what an American city ought to be.”

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa and may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at deirdre.newman@latimes.com.