EDITORIAL:

For the last six years, Bruce Garlich has been a steady hand at the Costa Mesa planning commission.

In his tenure, he’s seen a number of major developments and initiatives come and go. He’s helped push through improvements to the Westside, the development of the Home Ranch project and the 1901 Newport development. He’s listened to debates over two-story houses and grappled with what to do with the dearth of playing fields for the city’s youth.

And through it all, Garlich has been a reasoned voice, a pragmatist attempting to be heard amid a cacophony of often angry voices.

Garlich, of course, has twice tried to parlay his planning commission experience into a seat on the City Council. And twice he found himself on the losing end of the ballot.

But politician is just a small role he plays.

The retired aerospace engineer is active in the Costa Mesa Senior Center and has been a volunteer tutor, reading to school children on the Westside. Those who happen to be at the Toshiba golf tournament, which raises so much for Hoag Hospital, may see Garlich out there volunteering to monitor the crowds.

And for all of that, we have become great admirers.

So it was with some sadness that we learned last week that Garlich has decided to end his association with the planning commission, citing personal health reasons.

Whatever the reasons for his departure, it’s certain that Garlich’s leadership will be missed at City Hall. We wish Garlich a speedy recovery and hope that this time away is temporary.