Service For Former Mayor Donn Hall Set For Saturday

CITY PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCES SERVICE
As reported here previously, former Costa Mesa Mayor and recent Chairman of the Planning Commission, Donn Hall passed away earlier this week. The following is the complete text of the Press Release issued by the city regarding a memorial service for Hall on Saturday, March 14th.

March 10, 2009

Costa Mesa, California - MEMORIAL SERVICE SCHEDULED FOR DONN HALL

In light of former Mayor, Council Member and Planning Commissioner Donn Hall’s many years of dedicated service to the Costa Mesa community, a public memorial and remembrance service has been planned for Saturday, March 14, 2009. The service will begin promptly at 2:00 p.m. at Estancia Park, located at 1900 Adams Avenue in Costa Mesa. The services will be held in front of the Estancia Adobe and parking will be available in the Estancia Park parking lot.

Mayor Allan Mansoor released the following statement to offer condolences on the death of former Mayor, Council Member and Planning Commissioner Donn Hall:

"Donn Hall was truly a remarkable Costa Mesan -- a caring individual who immersed himself in the community and its development over the last 40 years. He had a very long and distinguished career in public service. Donn saw Costa Mesa’s population grow from 77,200 in the 70s to almost 114,000. He weighed in on many City business items over those years and was a tremendous champion for property rights. We are very saddened by his death. His strong leadership remains an inspiration. I would like to extend my personal condolences to his wife, Trudy, and his family. He will be greatly missed by all of us who had the pleasure to work with him."

DIDN'T KNOW HIM, BUT ADMIRED HIM
I did not know Donn Hall personally, although I've watched him in action on the dais as Chairman of the Planning Commission in recent years. His gruff, curmudgeonly demeanor hid his big heart. It became predictable that he would invariably stand up for the little guy. I was particularly impressed with his practice of trying to insure that every person speaking before the commission would be treated with respect and fairness. Sometimes that involved reining in a commissioner who seemed intent on flogging an applicant. He always made me smile.

PANIAN ON HALL
Long time educator and community activist, Hank Panian, has published a Townhall entry in the Daily Pilot paying homage to Hall which does an excellent job of briefly summarizing Hall's contributions to Costa Mesa. You can read that piece HERE.

HE WILL BE MISSED
Hall influenced many people in our city, including a generation of elected and appointed leaders, and certainly did set a benchmark for decorum on the dais. One can only admire the decades of dedicated service he gave to our city. Our condolences go out to his wife, Trudy, and his family. As many before me have already said, he will be missed.