SOUNDING OFF:Applauding Laguna’s character

Laguna Beach is a remarkable community, envied by many, and admired by most. Yes, we are located in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Yes, we have tempting restaurants and shops.

Yes, we honor our tradition as an art colony through a vibrant program that brings music, dance, drama and displays of art forms throughout our city. Yes, we care for the most vulnerable among us as evidenced by the many non-profit service organizations established here.

But what is the catalyst that makes all of this come together? It is the character of the people who roll up their sleeves and go to work. We praise our quaint village, but it didn’t just happen. Citizens in this town are always on the alert to preserving its atmosphere.

The Arts Commission is made up of citizens who do the work of providing cultural opportunities for all of us. Without them, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to attend first Sunday chamber music concerts at the Laguna College of Art & Design, or admire benches commissioned to make our walks more friendly.

And without a strong commitment coming from our religious community and others who believe that all people should live with dignity, we would not have created our own Community Clinic, the Friendship Shelter, the Youth Shelter, the Cross Cultural Alliance and the Resource Center.

We should be proud of the accomplishments of our citizens.

And I note with regret the reporting of the last council meeting, during which some council members spoke disparagingly about the most vulnerable in our community, those who have become homeless.

Those men and women should not be regarded as pieces of lint to be brushed from the sleeve of a coat. The remarks of some of the members of the council tarnished the memory of people like Alice Graves, whose efforts helped bring the city’s churches and the Community Services Council together to establish the Resource Center.

Their remarks diminished the hours spent by hundreds of volunteers who make sandwiches, work directly with the homeless, collect food for distribution and provide hot meals in the evening; and the churches who open their facilities for cold weather shelter and give unstintingly from their resources to provide funding.

The caring citizens of our wonderful Laguna Beach are a source of pride. Whatever their cause, they deserve our hearty praise. Without them, there would not be so much to admire about our village.