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By michAeL rAy
I just finished reading two books about President Teddy Roosevelt , one by Susan Berfield , “ The Hour of Fate ,” and the other by Doris Kearns Goodwin , “ The Bully Pulpit .”
The two books note the ruling class hated Roosevelt . Oh , how they squealed when he took them on . He beat J . P . Morgan , who was trying to monopolize major industries , then went on to create national parks , constructed the Panama Canal , regulated drugs , ended the Russo-Japanese War , hosted Booker T . Washington to dinner ( oh , the racist outcry !), created the Square Deal for average Americans ,
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and so on .
Goodwin calls her book “ The Bully Pulpit ” because Roosevelt bullied the powers that be . He called them “ unfit to govern the country ” and ended their unilateral dominance . For this , he was continuously lambasted by the better people . But he got things done . I bring it up because a parallel exists in Laguna Beach . Former Councilmember Peter Blake took on the entrenched interests of Laguna Beach , meaning Village Laguna , which with an authoritarian hand , had ruled this place for forty years . Like Roosevelt , Blake was pilloried by all the good and right thinkers of Laguna , including fellow columnist Billy Fried , who called Blake a “ menacing , gurgling Vesuvius that erupted at every meeting , lava spewing , making chambers feel like a living hell ….”
What they miss is Blake got things done . A partial list :
• Created the Forest Avenue
Promenade .
• Made outdoor dining permanent .
• Eliminated the hated Historic Inventory .
• Appointed a progressive City Manager who cleaned out the deadwood .
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• Amended the sclerotic Downtown Specific Plan .
• Appointed rational people to City commissions like Heritage , Design Review Board ( DRB ), and Planning- --people who helped , instead of opposed , applicants .
• Re-opened Hotel Laguna .
• Perhaps most important , he realistically addressed Laguna ’ s homeless population and , unlike San Francisco , Venice and Los Angeles actually and humanely cleaned up the problem .
Would any of that have happened without Peter Blake ? Probably , but certainly not all . The Council had only a 3-2 majority . Would the other two in the majority , Bob Whalen and Sue Kempf , both more than thoughtful , yet perhaps too moderate , have taken on entrenched Village Laguna interests without Blake blocking for them ?
For they knew one thing : in their next elections , they would have to pay the price in scorched-earth campaigns . But with Blake so “ uncivil ,” they did not . He took the heat , not them , and it cost him his next election .
One can now argue , as did Billy Fried , that our current Council is full of oh-so-harmonious “ adults ” who will discuss weighty manners collaboratively . Fine , but will they get things
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done ? Or will they crumble before the endless Village Laguna onslaught ?
One thing is sure . With Blake calling out lies , hectoring , pushing , and copycatting “ uncivil ” Roosevelt in almost every manner , he accomplished more for Laguna than any half dozen prior City Councils .
I might note one last thing : In his Council race , Blake was up-front . I attended all the debates for the Council races in 2018 . In them , the moderator usually asked for a show of hands of who would support The Promenade , who would address the homelessly honestly ; and who would streamline the Design Review Board . Blake was the only candidate to hold up his hand .
Finally , when asked what he ’ d do to promote civility , Blake stated , “ If you want civility , don ’ t vote for me . If you want progress , do .”
He kept his word . Will our current Council be so bold ?
So Billy Fried and your ilk , you can be self-righteously , and from a distance , condemning of Blake , but you got nothing done , ever , except to suggest e-bikers should rule Laguna with feathers in their hair .
Michael is a Laguna Beach resident and principal officer emeritus of Laguna Forward PAC .
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By skiP heLLeweLL
I had a great time last Sunday — attending three Laguna churches . Started at Laguna Presbyterian , with its historic sanctuary nicely restored . I then popped in at St . Francis by the Sea , with its cozy jewel box chapel . Finally , I attended St . Mary ’ s Episcopal , with its spirited pastor , the Rev . Mackenzie . Besides a friendly welcome , each offered an encouraging message about that transcendental human desire — becoming
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a better person . It ’ s timely because Groundhog Day is next Thursday . Let me explain .
Each Groundhog Day , the Beautiful Wife and I watch a movie of that name , starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell . It ’ s 30 years old , but you might recall Murray plays the character of Phil Connors , an egocentric TV weatherman who detests the annual trip to what he considers a hick town , Punxsutawney , Penn ., to cover Groundhog Day . The enchanting MacDowell plays the producer of his weather program , who , in her innocence , finds beauty in all she sees . In his sarcastic , condescending way , Phil despises everything — except the lovely McDowell . He ’ s strongly attracted to her , but his bad behavior ruins the day for everyone .
The following day is different from every other morning for Phil because it isn ’ t different — it ’ s the same day he ’ s reliving . Poor Phil first thinks he ’ s crazy : he knows he ’ s repeating Groundhog Day , but no one else does . It ’ s as if a day of life is so precious that if one ruins it badly enough , that person just might be required to relive the day repeatedly
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until he gets it right .
Phil goes through a sequence of moods , at first incredulous , then angry , then predatory . He uses the repeating days to learn everything about MacDowell ’ s life for the purpose of seduction . It doesn ’ t work ; MacDowell intuitively senses his insincerity . When , in desperation , he reveals what is happening , she makes an optimistic observation : “ Maybe it ’ s not a curse , Phil . It just depends on how you look at it .” At this moment , Phil takes a fresh look .
What man , overcome with love for a woman , hasn ’ t been inspired to earnest self-improvement ? MacDowell studied French poetry in college ; Phil learns French . She likes music ; he begins piano lessons . Groundhog Day includes an ice sculpture contest ; Phil learns to ice sculpt to capture her beauty . He studies the town to see how he might be of service , running from place to place as help is needed . He exhausts himself daily in the pursuit of — a perfect day .
How long does this last ? By the rule-of-thumb of 10,000 hours to master a complex skill , it ’ s at least 30 or so years , but Phil wasted time in a vicious downward spiral until
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inspired to begin what became an upward virtuous cycle where good inspires greater good . The time is unknown , but by tedious repetition , Phil slowly masters a single day . In the process , he comes to love Punxsutawney and its people . Finally , it all comes together — one day , lived perfectly . MacDowell sees the new Phil and is strongly attracted to him . Happy ending .
We ’ re at the fifth anniversary of “ Finding Meaning ,” so this is my sixth time telling the story of Phil Murray , his love for Andie MacDowell , and the refining process of a man seeking to become worthy of a woman ’ s love . Looking over past versions , I think the story ’ s getting better , but not yet perfect . Like Phil , I ’ ll keep trying . This brings us back to Laguna ’ s churches and their important place in our eternal pursuit of becoming better people . There ’ s meaning in that .
Skip fell in love with Laguna on a ‘ 50s surfing trip . He ’ s a student of Laguna history and the author of “ Loving Laguna : A Local ’ s Guide to Laguna Beach .” Email : skip @ lovinglaguna . com .
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