Seeking a porpoise-ful solution

Who knew a 12-foot dolphin statue could so fervently rankle Corona

del Mar residents?

Evidently, the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Committee had some

idea. They decided to go beyond city staff member’s initial approach

of sending 600 notices to residents near Inspiration Point and

brought the issue more prominently to the public’s attention.

The public responded loudly, saying Inspiration Point is inspiring

enough without a statue of one of the ocean’s more cuddly creatures.

While Inspiration Point appears to be the perfect spot in the city to

bear a tribute to Corona del Mar’s 100-year history, the chosen

emblem is apparently a little much for residents.

Kudos to the Centennial Event Committee for answering residents’

complaints and dropping its plan. But the question remains: where

will the dolphin go?

Few sites in Corona del Mar would accommodate a statue (and time

capsule) of this size. Inspiration Point would, but perhaps the city

needs to think smaller -- not in terms of the statue’s size, but its

proposed site.

Inspiration Point is sacred to some residents -- which is likely

why officials chose it in the first place -- but its status strictly

as a favorite viewpoint is worth being preserved as residents wish.

City parks are traditionally used as spots for monuments and statues,

and while the city may have been looking to trump tradition and go

the extra mile, this looks like a good time to side with the norm.

Perhaps the statue could be placed in a park, thus eliminating the

view issue.

Wyland is a world-renowned artist capable of designing a statue

worthy of commemorating Corona del Mar’s centennial, but a spot has

to be found quickly if it’s to be ready for the festivities in

October.

The executive director of the Centennial Event Committee has said

its placement could be delayed until next year, but this is an issue

that ought to be handled before the celebration.

The issue’s been blown into something more controversial than

necessary; it’s time to simplify things and move on.