Bruce Garlich Resigns From Planning Commission

The Daily Pilot and the Orange County Register report today that, earlier this week, Planning Commissioner and former city council candidate Bruce Garlich resigned his seat on the commission for reasons of personal health. His term would not have expired until 2009. According to reports, his seat on the commission will be filled from the pool of applicants to be considered for the two seats available this year - those held by Chairman Bill Perkins and Commissioner Jim Fisler.

Having gotten to know Bruce over the past few years has been a high point of my life and I'm proud to call him my friend. He's a man of intelligence, energy and integrity and his mature leadership on the Planning Commission will be sorely missed, as will his participation in the numerous volunteer organizations that he serves. Hopefully, he will return to these activities in the near future.

This is bad news for the City of Costa Mesa, because Bruce's steady hand on the commission, both as a commissioner and as the chairman, kept it focused and on track. During his six years on the commission he set the example for others by doing his homework, acting as a mentor and always keeping the debate focused on the issues and not personalities.

Please join me in wishing Bruce and his wife, Marietta, the very best as they navigate through the next few months. We hope he has a speedy recovery from his ailment and is able to return to all his interests at full strength soon.