Blessed by community’s generosity

During this holiday season, as we reflect on our blessings, we realize that we have not had time to thank the many people who have helped us through the difficult transition since the Flamingo Road landslide destroyed our Bluebird Canyon home and neighborhood. How would we have gotten through this disaster without our wonderful friends? Our friends provided us with shelter, home-cooked meals, clothing and everyday necessities, including shoulders to lean on.

We give thanks to all of our city personnel for their endless hours of effort immediately following the landslide, including the Fire Department, Police Department, Building Department, the City Council, Ken Frank, Bob Burnham, Charlie Williams and especially Mayor Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider, whose leadership and perseverance directed the city efforts. We appreciate wholeheartedly the generosity of Steve Parks and David Horowitz for providing us lodging.

We are grateful that the City of Laguna Beach has assured us that our canyon neighborhood will be reconstructed and for assisting us with long-term housing. We want to thank everyone who has generously donated furniture and appliances.

We want to extend our gratitude to all of the members of the Laguna Beach and Irvine communities who have generously given us their support. We also extend our gratitude to Morris Skendarian, Horst Nopenberger and the numerous other architects who have donated their time and assistance with the neighborhood plan for Bluebird Canyon.

We want to emphasize that even though FEMA has finally reversed their original denial, this does not mean that the special election Measure A on Dec. 13 is unnecessary. The city still needs millions of dollars for infrastructure repairs and an emergency contingency fund for the future. Please vote Yes on Measure A.

We are fortunate to live in such a caring and supportive community.

* John Gustafson and James Moore live in Laguna Beach.