Playa Del Norte No Gracias

The Music Man Comes To San Clemente, Episode 1
I don't think I've met Jim Kempton (SCT Wavelengths), but I've only ever heard good things about him. People have gone out of their way to tell me how much theylike Jim. When he writes of SC's lost development opportunities, it's true. Another truism is, "Timing Is Everything." Timing dictates every positive-negative event that ever happens. Or doesn't happen.

Good Timing is when stuff you want, like, or wish for - come true. Bad Timing is thinking you're standing in the right place for all your hopes and dreams to come your way, instead the opposite happens. San Clemente, from its inception in 1927, has experienced better than average Timing. Ham Cotton, bringing Ole Hanson here was brilliant Timing. Ole Hanson leaving in 1929 was bad Timing. Had Ole stayed another 20-years, SC would be a different place today. But that's timing. Besides, what's here (or not here), compared to elsewhere, continues to be SC's drawing card.

San Clemente is not yet "over done, over-cooked, or packed to the gills." It's a matter of Timing. So, is the Nixon Library not being here a missed opportunity? Mr. Kempton thinks so. What it really is - was plain old bad Timing. Or good Timing. Either way, its Timing was off.

Try to imagine Ole Hanson's unmet plans for SC had he not left in 1929. Missed opportunities?
No, just bad Timing. When Ole left, his power to get things done his way, left with him. In today's Timing, what will happen at North Beach after our March 8th election? No one but Time knows. And it's not telling.

For sure, one side will applaud and one side will frown. It's all in the Timing. Whatever the result, San Clemente will go on being the almost-perfect beach town Ole dreamt up 3/4 of a century ago. Leaving it to us, to interpret his clear-vision of ocean views for everyone - keeping San Clemente the best place to live, at the beach. For me, NO on A does that. Time will tell.

Jerry Collamer
San Clemente, CA 92672