CITY FOCUS: Laguna finds its twin

Laguna Beach officials approved the adoption of Menton, France, as a sister city, Tuesday.

The City Council endorsed a plan to create a long-term relationship between Laguna Beach and Menton, as proposed by an ad hoc committee that visited the city this winter and came home charmed and awed at the similarities between the two cities.

“It was my pleasure to be part of the delegation that visited this truly remarkable city of history and art that so closely mirrors our own seaside community,” said Karyn Philippsen, president of the Laguna Beach Visitors and Conference Bureau. “The opportunity to partner in art, education, business and tourism is unlimited.”

The plan presented to the council was based on the 50-year-old, Sister-City International Guidelines for creating long-term relationships and does not obligate the city financially.

“I have been asking for a financial plan ad nauseum,” said Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman. “I got one. It’s nice.

“It says right here, ‘No financial burden on the city.’ I am happy.”

While sisterhood is an opportunity for cultural exchange and friendship, it is also an opportunity to increase tourism, which is the top priority for the city’s hospitality industry.

“The visitors bureau will continue to arrange and care for visiting guests that provide promotional opportunities,” Philippsen told the council. “Dignitaries are very similar to press and media guests.”

Philippsen read a letter to the council from French Consulate Attache Didier Rousseliere, who was pivotal in the proposed relationship with Menton, but could not attend the council meeting.

He wrote:

“I apologize that a prior commitment is keeping me away this evening.

“It has been my pleasure to be involved in the first-ever, sister-city project for Laguna Beach. From the moment I suggest[ed] Laguna Beach to Menton, France, they responded favorably and pursued the city of Laguna Beach with complete interest and focus. I knew I was part of a classic sister-city relationship.

“What an ideal match! Two beautiful coastal communities with all the mutual opportunities to flourish and form a cultural, educational and business bond for a long and beneficial future.”

Philippsen was followed to the microphone by Bruce Hopping; Steve Rabago, speaking on behalf of the Laguna Beach Board of Education and the Alliance Francaise; Arts Commissioner Pat Kollenda, a member of the delegation to France; and Ben Blount — all in favor of the proposal.

“I have a warm feeling about this plan, maybe because Menton is the warmest resort city on the Riviera,” Blount said. “Gigi [his wife] and I went to the Riviera on our honeymoon in 1946. We keep going back.”

And Menton is where they choose to stay.

“It is a regular person town,” Blount said. “It doesn’t go in for the ostentation of Monte Carlo. It has a toll road that carries traffic beyond the city. It is protected like Laguna and has beautiful views of the coastline, a festival in August, museums, and beautiful parks.”

Two Menton posters, borrowed from Vintage Posters on South Coast Highway, were displayed at the council meeting — one of them a view of the Menton coastline that clearly evoked Laguna.

When Kollenda asked Menton sisterhood supporters in the audience to stand up, the crowd rose as one.

“Is there anyone here opposed to Menton?” asked Councilman Kelly Boyd.

He had no takers.

Councilwoman Toni Iseman, who was in contact with Menton officials before the council was advised of any intent to pursue sisterhood, took some flak at a previous meeting. But Tuesday’s hearing was smooth as silk.

“When we wanted to have a sister city, we had goals, but I don’t think that we ever imagined a twin,” Iseman said.

A volunteer committee will steer the sister city program for Laguna, determining leadership roles for the organization and defining membership and initial projects that groups, educational institutes or businesses would want to sponsor.

The proposed committee would include representatives from the Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Playhouse, Laguna College of Art & Design, Laguna Beach Alliance for the Arts (and member organizations), Laguna Beach Arts Commission, City Council, City Arts Manager, the visitors bureau, residents, Kiwanis, Rotary and other business organizations, South Coast Medical Center, the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, Alliance Francaise and the French Consulate in Los Angeles. Others will be encouraged to participate, according to the plan.

“This partnership of joint efforts and enlightenment creates a spirit of cooperation and understanding that in this shrinking world will create better world citizens, young and old,” Philippsen said.

For more information, contact the Bureau, (949) 497-9229.