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Coffee with Peter

By James Utt

In early January, it never would have occurred to me I would one day say the following: “I am glad Peter Blake is on the City Council.”

Oh, I had read about this fellow. Never voted until this pasted election, launches vitriolic attacks, will destroy the character of Laguna Beach. So, some weeks back, I referred to him in a column as “Hurricane” Peter Blake and criticized what I thought to be his “style.” Not content with this, I decided to poke the bear more directly with an email. In retrospect, some of my comments to him were injudicious, if not snarky. Peter responded with, well, let’s say, a very forceful email of his own. I fired back. After hitting send, I thought, “Great, now I am engaged in a feud with the most outspoken city councilman in recent memory. How will this end up?” I envisioned a Burr-Hamilton like duel on the football field. Instead, Peter’s next email was an invitation to have coffee with him at Anastasia.

I spent nights thinking about what I would say when we met, even what I should wear. Impress with some Armani and Italian loafers, or perhaps chain mail armor, just to be safe? Peter arrived dressed casually and with a smile. We were soon joined by his talented artist wife, Stehpanie.

And so it began, the conversation between the snarky columnist and the person who had garnered the most votes in the recent election.

Having a grandfather who was a congressman, being a social science teacher, and, having followed affairs of government all of my life, I have been around and met countless government officials. I had never met an elected official like Peter Blake. As he explained to me, he is completely transparent. He hides or holds back nothing. He gives out his phone number, he will meet with just about anyone, and he speaks with a convincing sincerity, candor, and passion. What you see is who he really is. This is off-putting to some, refreshing to others.

He ran because he was frustrated with the way things were going in his beloved town. And, because he makes his views known, often forcefully, he has made enemies. When they attack him, he responds in kind. This would, perhaps, make him a poor choice for Ambassador to the United Nations but might be just what a City Council needs.

As our conversation continued, I became more and more impressed with his honesty, energy, and, yes, sense of humor.

Specific issues were raised on the morning we met. Of course, the Design Review Board came up. He called them “insufferable,” and wants their members to have less discretionary power.

After reading about people in town who have had terrible trouble with this group, I tend to think Peter is on to something here.

He is for term limits for council members. I could not agree more. Sorry, Ms. Iseman.

Our views on the sale of marijuana in town are also in accord.

As our meeting came to an end, I had the feeling that I had just met a man who cares deeply about our town and is very concerned where it is headed. He thinks the status quo is strangling our diversity. And, yes, he can be temperamental and over the top sometimes. But still…

In a podcast he did some months back, he said in the campaign literature he puts out, he does not list those that endorse him. He wanted voters to vote for him because of what he stands for rather than who backs him.

Thinking back to when I called him “Hurricane” Peter Blake, I now see him more as a person who sees our city government as a very stuffy room. Windows need to be opened to let in some desperately needed fresh air. He is trying to force open those windows.

It is often amazing what can happen when two people, who believe they have completely divergent views, sit down and actually talk to each other. Do you think Peter Blake is a disruptive force in our city government? Call him up and schedule a coffee meeting with him.

 

James Utt is the author of “Laguna Tales and Boomer Wails.” He now fully endorses Peter Blake.

 

 

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3 COMMENTS

  1. I love this! Thanks for taking the time to share this with your readers.

    The “stuffy room” analogy is creative and spot on.

    Peter is meeting with LB citizens tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. in the Wells Fargo Building, 3rd floor, to discuss the homeless issue in Laguna Beach if you’re interested in attending.

  2. I champi0n James Utt for his willingness to meet with someone of differing views and then acknowledge that individual in a positive manner. Perhaps if our local and federal lawmakers had that attitude, we all would be better off! Never miss Mr. Utt’s column. Great Insights!

  3. I say kudos to James Utt. If our politicians, local, statewide and federal could meet minus preconceived perceptions of each other and leave with mutual respect, we would all benefit!

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