THINGS I'VE LEARNED ALONG THE WAY

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER...

I've had a wonderful life.  Here’s a random list of a few things I’ve learned along the way over more than eight decades. It is by no means complete and I present them in no particular order. 

1 - Parental love doesn’t have to be articulated, but it should always be demonstrated. 

2 - There is never enough time. 

3 - With rare exceptions Higher Education is overrated. 

4 - Having the right tool is important. Knowing how to use it is essential. 

5 - Doing your very best is good enough.

6 - Being close to family is more important than big business success.

7 - Learning to read at a young age is a cornerstone to success. 

8 - Being in the right place at the right time is important. 

9 - Using good judgment is more important than having faith. 

10 - Enduring friendships are like having a pocket full of diamonds. 

11 - Find the right companion. 

12 - Work hard. 

13 - Always listen well. 

14 - Do not be afraid to take the next step. 

15 - The occasional step back can provide better footing for the climb ahead. 

16 - Don’t let your technological shortcomings stifle your intellectual achievement. 

17 - Succeed at something so you know you can succeed at many things. 

18 - Just because you haven’t done it in the past doesn’t mean you won’t do it in the future. 

19 - Wear your individuality proudly. 

20 - Always be willing to listen to the other side. 

21 - Cultivate mentors - learn from them. 

22 - Wear humility well. 

23 - Always share the credit. 

24 - Always say “Thank You” for a job well done. 

25 - Never fear the truth - it should be applied like a carefully-iced cake. 

26 - Always vet your “facts”. 

27 - Being available can be more important than being the most qualified. 

28 - Trust your gut. 

29 - A good reputation is like having a blank check for your life. 

30 - A little lust is ok, but true love really matters. 

31 - Yes, you can love more than one person simultaneously. 

32 - Liking a person is every bit as important as loving them. 

33 - Contrary to popular belief, STOP signs and speed limits are not just suggestions. 

34 - Excellent managers and terrible managers are easy to spot. It’s the ones who have not figured it out yet that require your patience. 

35 - True friendship is a rare commodity. 

36 - Don’t raise your kids to be like “the President”, raise them to emulate the most honest person they know - a teacher, coach, pastor, parent, aunt, uncle…. or the gardener. 

37 - Teach your kids to be kind - show them by example. 

38 - Military, or another form of public service, should be mandatory for every high school graduate or drop out. 

39 - Social security benefits should not be taxed. 

40 - Be sure those you love know it. Tell them before it’s too late. 

42 - Pay attention to what politicians do, not what they say.

43 - Winning a political point is not worth losing a friend over it.

44 - Yes, character does count.

45 - You can make a difference - look for a way.

46 - A thoughtless word can inflict a lifetime of pain.

47 - A kind word can create a lifetime of success.

ONCE MORE WE WADE INTO THE FDC MORASS

SPARSE CROWD FOR AN IMPORTANT ISSUE - Last night, once again, I attended a meeting about the future of the Fairview Developmental Center property - more than 100 acres near the center of Costa Mesa that has become surplus land for the State of California and, in theory, is available for new uses, mainly housing.  This meeting, at the Norma Hertzog Community Center, was very sparsely attended.  My guess is that fewer than 40 residents attended.  They were outnumbered by members of the staff and consultants.  I saw Councilman Manuel Chavez chatting with rookie Planning Commissioner David Martinez.  Former Councilman Jay Humphrey sat near me, as did the husband and wife team of activists, Cynthia McDonald and Rick Huffman.  Flo Martin also joined us at our table.  There were several senior staff members in attendance at this meeting, plus many other staffers.

CECILIA KICKS IT OFF - The meeting was scheduled to run from 6-8 p.m., but it was kicked off a few minutes late by Assistant City Manager/Acting Economic and Develop
ment Services Director Cecilia Gallardo-Daly.  Suzanne Schwab of the consulting firm Placeworks  provided the brief discussion, which was basically a walk through the 21 slides projected on the large screen and provided as a handout (copies of which will be included here - some, not all).  A Spanish interpretation was included, which slowed the process down significantly.  I could not tell how many Spanish-speakers were in the small crowd.  As far as I could tell, there was no audio nor video recording of this meeting.

BAIT AND SWITCH - The State of California originally told us the entire site was available for our consideration, with the exception of 15 acres of prime real estate earmarked for their Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Heliport.  Over the months the heliport was abandoned, but they kept the entire 15 acres when all they actually needed was around 2 acres for an office building and warehouse.  And, according to the consultants and staff members last night, the State is unwilling to relinquish the prime site overlooking our golf course and move the site closer to the Harbor Blvd. entrance.  Of course, that makes a lot of sense, so they, naturally, won't do it.  In fact, the EOC could, and probably should, be located elsewhere - like a perfect 20 acre site in Tustin in an industrial area close to 3 freeways.  Nah, that makes too much sense.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE - Not only that, but last night we learned that the State also has decided to retain another 20 acres for "other uses", including infrastructure for managing services for developmentally disabled folks - just as the entire site did before the State declared it surplus.  So, that now leaves us with only 80 or so acres for which we can plan for much-needed housing.  It is that remainder on which the current schemes are based.

3 CONCEPTS - The consultants presented slides with three concepts - Fairview Promenade, Fairview Fields and Fairview Commons, images of which are included.  The Promenade involves just under 115 acres and provides for 2,300 units.  The Fields is just over 115 acres and provides for 3,450 units and the Commons is similar in size but provides for 4,000 units and less park space.  You can see the breakdown along affordability lines on the images provided.

WANDER AND ASK QUESTIONS - Following the presentation, which took about a half hour including translation, the attendees were encouraged to wander among the 5 “stations” set up and manned by staff and consultants to answer any questions.  Those “stations” were Land Use Concepts and Project Information; Housing; Mobility and Traffic; Open Space and Parks and Infrastructure and Site Development.  Images are included.  One staggering fact provided in the last slide is the estimate of more than $250,000,000 for site preparation costs - Demolition, Remediation, Infrastructure/Utilities, Streets/Landscaping, Grading and Impact Fees.

NEXT STEPS AND SURVEY - We were also provided with “next steps” and encouraged to provide input via a survey.  We are encouraged to provide feedback by email to FDCHousingPlan@costamesca.gov.

MORE MEETINGS - Tonight, Thursday, July 25th, there will be another similar meeting at St. John the Baptist School beginning at 6 p.m. and will cover the same information.  There will also be a virtual meeting in both English and Spanish on July 31st.  We were also informed that there will be a “pop up” meeting for Spanish-speakers at Iglesia Harbor Church on August 1st, also at 6 p.m.  Here’s a link with more information, including the information necessary to participate in the virtual meeting next week: www.FDChousingplan.com

SURVEY - I have not yet completed the survey, but will go online to do so. Question #4 is interesting.  It asks “Do you support allowing up to 4,000 dwelling units in the preferred plan?” and you are asked to respond by checking either “More” or “Less”..  I would have thought the more appropriate choices would have been “Yes” or “No”.  On the positive side, we were not burdened by being expected to place “stickers” on the charts this time!

MY TAKE - I was disappointed in the small turnout for this meeting.  This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our City to create a new, special place for much-needed housing but only a few people showed up to hear the latest iteration of the plan.  I was also very disappointed that the proposed EOC is still on this plan, occupying the most prime piece of real estate on the entire site.  And, we are told, that construction on that ill-advised facility will start sometime next year!  Yikes!  I was pleased to see two of the plans included a second road from Harbor Blvd. into the site.  One thing that is not clear is whether there is a plan to provide emergency access to the site from the Fire Station on Placentia directly across the golf course rather than require emergency responders to drive around to the main entrance(s).  I encourage you to attend one of the other meetings scheduled or participate in the virtual meeting next week.

LINKS - I’ve written about this issue several times.  I’ve provided links to those individual entries below, just in case you want to refresh your memories.

Fairview Developmental Center Zoom Meeting 11/7/23

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/36907480/8516859097711182567

The Future of the FDC - The Resident’s Concerns 11/5/23

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/36907480/2282036690955319612

“Visioning” the Fairview Developmental Center 11/4/23

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/36907480/4364873693775678026

My correspondence Regarding the Proposed EOC 10/13/23

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/36907480/5777558731070983448

FDC Emergency Operations Center Meeting 9/29/23

https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/36907480/4450809590635044181

SAYING GOODBYE TO A FRIEND

AN UNEXPECTED DEPARTURE

On Wednesday, January 12, 2024, my friend, Allen Klosowski, unexpectedly passed away of natural causes in his home in Newport Beach, about a mile from my home. On Saturday, January 27, 2024, a warm cloudless Southern California day, my Sweet Susie and I joined a small group of friends and family at his gravesite to send him on his final journey. 

THREE QUARTERS OF A CENTURY OF FRIENDSHIP

I have known Allen from the first day of kindergarten. He and I were classmates through elementary school, junior high school, high school, and a couple semesters of junior college. We were schoolmates, but not buddies.

SEPARATE PATHS

Our paths diverged as he went on to the University of Southern California and I went into the United States Army to fly helicopters.  They didn’t re-converge until a decade later, when we met up at a high school reunion. He had been our Senior Class President and, as such, he was charged with trying to round up classmates for reunions. We would talk infrequently - we each were going about leading our own lives. 

TRAGEDY RE-CONNECTED US

In 1986 his wife, Jeannie, passed away of lung cancer and her 3 children moved in with their father. From that time until a couple years ago Allen and I would meet for lunch once a week and chat about common interests - old school days, old friends and his beloved USC football teams.   Saturday I learned that he had regular, but less frequent, lunch meetings with other old chums and business associates. 

SELFLESS GENEROSITY

I also learned of his selfless philanthropy, both in terms of cash and as a mentor to many, particularly veterans. Several speakers at his gravesite told us about his generosity and encouragement, all of which made me even more proud of my friend.  For example, his long-time assistant, and now the executor of his estate, told us his thoughtfulness and professionalism as her boss and friend. 

We heard from the man who purchased his business and about how Allen continued to stay in touch with his old clients to smooth the transition. 

One of his USC fraternity brothers spoke of their fun times together and their continuing friendship.  

One young veteran, who had been considering the seminary, spoke about the mentoring he received from my friend which resulted in a return to college and a successful career as a Director of Employee Wellness at a resort. 

We learned of another veteran he sponsored at the USC Marshall School of Business and now works in clandestine activities for the US Government. And, we learned of his generosity to the USC Norris Cancer facility in Los Angeles that resulted in a wing of that facility being named for him and his late wife, Jeannie.   Allen was very humble about these activities. 

AND HE WAS STUBBORN, TOO

From conversations with those attending the service, and who later joined us at Allen’s home for refreshments, there were a couple common threads. One was his kindness and generosity, as mentioned above. The other was his stubbornness. To say that my friend was firm in his opinions, on almost any subject, would be a major understatement. Those observations had been presented with light-hearted admiration, not criticism. 

YOUTHFUL STORIES SHARED

Allen was a pretty typical kid in our youth. When I announced his passing to classmates I heard from a few of his close friends from those early days, sharing stories of escapades of their time together. He and I did not share a social life in high school - my focus was elsewhere - but he had a very active, fun time as a teenager. 

POLIO CHANGED HIS FOCUS

Allen contracted polio as a teenager and simply disappeared for awhile. When he returned to school he seemed to have a tighter focus on academics and service. I mentioned he was our class president, but that was only part of it. He participated in many service-oriented groups. That focus stayed with him all his life. 

A PROUD, GRATEFUL TROJAN

Allen was proud of his time at USC and as a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, where one of  his “brothers” was actor Tom Selleck.  He maintained a close relationship with some of those men, one of whom spoke today. He has been very generous to the school, trying to repay the opportunities it provided to him. 

EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL

Allen was a very successful businessman, operating a financial advisory practice for decades before selling it and retiring a few years ago. He wrote a book - Personal Financial Fitness, a practical guide to improve the health of your wealth - which is in it’s 5th edition. By helping others improve their financial health he earned a very good living, the proceeds of which he has generously shared over the years. 

WITH SOME UNHAPPY ELEMENTS, TOO

We also learned of the sad, inexplicable estrangement from his step-daughters for more than 3 decades.  They came to pay their respects to him.

REST IN PEACE, MY OLD FRIEND

So, Saturday we laid our kind, generous, stubborn friend to rest with his dear Jeannie. His positive impact on those in his life, and beyond to future generations, will endure. Rest in peace, my friend.