Latest City Council Meeting Graced by Military Presence

There was a decidedly strong military presence at the start of Tuesday's City Council meeting. But no one objected—in fact, everyone present embraced it.

That is because the military presence was provided by the , the city's adopted Marine unit. Recently returned from a six-month deployment in the Pacific theater, it was represented by its Commanding Officer, Lt. Colonel Kevin Norton, who gave a presentation of his unit's activities.

"It's a privilege to be here—this city is very special to us," Lt. Col. Norton said. "We really couldn't have done it without the people of the city of Laguna Niguel."

"You bring us honor every time you visit us," Mayor Paul Glaab said, returning the compliment.

Starting with a short video and continuing with slides showing his men in such countries as Thailand, South Korea and the Philippines, Norton, declaring that his unit's "mission (was) accomplished," said he and his men "had a blast" while overseas.

"This mission is just the tip of the spear, so to speak, for the strategic return (of U.S. military presence) to the Pacific," he declared.

That mission, the 31st Military Expeditionary Unit (MEU) led by the 1st Battalion, 4th Marine, not only consisted of military training but also involvement in a number of community relations projects, such as a home for the aged (Thailand), a children's center (Korea), a basketball tournament and a preschool (Philippines).

Having the people in those countries see the Marines taking part in their activities makes them see Americans in general--and the U.S. military in particular--in a different light, Glaab said.

"We're putting a different face on America when we do these things," he said, also specifically referring to , where the same Marine unit, under a different commanding officer, was deployed several years ago. Then known for its violence against Americans, Alq'aim has changed since the 1st Battalion, 4th Marine was deployed there and, on its request, Laguna Niguel declared it a sister city.

Some of the slides elicited laughter from the people in the chambers, who reacted to seeing the Marines, mixing with the native people, proudly displaying the city's offical seal wherever possible.

"If they never heard of this city before, they have now," Glaab quipped.

Long after he left the chambers, Norton was complimented again by Glaab, who attributed the success of the city adopting the 1st Battalion, 4th Marine (on Feb. 7, 2006) to Norton's willingness and openness for the city to support him, his unit and their families.

"I'm so proud to be living in a city that is so dedicated," Glaab said. "We have city people who welcomed home these Marines (the first week in June), along with their families, at 3 a.m. with a rousing homecoming."

It was organized by the city's , which also supports the , a Navy frigate usually stationed in San Diego but currently on deployment.

Citing the Military Support Committee, the City Council and staff, Glaab proudly called that homecoming "truly a team effort."

In other City Council business:

• Commendations were given to Alex Sales, for having obtained the rank of the highest rank in the and to Courtney Sales, Gwen Thomas and Monica Swank, for each having received the Girl Scouts Gold Award;
• Plaques were given to the following outgoing members of the city's for their service: Cristina Avila, Allyson Bailey, Grant Campanelli, Allison Gersten, Allison Leibold, Justin Lo, Sahand Saberi and Austin Williams;
• A Crown Valley Parkway landscaping project was delayed as City Council voted to reject all five construction bids as being too high and asked for an extension on grant funding to have been provided by the