An Open Letter

Dear Neighbor, 

A number of years ago when my wife and I first moved here, we were looking for the ideal place to raise a family.  It was important to us to find a community with quality schools, friendly neighbors, gentle breezes, easy beach access, child friendly parks and open space.  In short, we were looking for San Clemente. 

Recently our community has undergone significant change.  We have experienced rapid growth that has challenged our ability to remain true to our principles of being a small family friendly beachside community.   
This has led some to now compare our city to the likes of Irvine or Huntington Beach.  At the same time I also hear others in the community express a wish to be more like Santa Barbara.  Both comparisons are inappropriate as other towns should benchmark themselves against us, not the other way around.     

As my wife and I try to raise our two young children, I can only wonder what kind of San Clemente they will grow up in and come to know.  I want them to live in a quiet, family focused and environmentally friendly beachside community.  At the same time I also want them to benefit from a vibrant broad based economy that will provide adequate funding to maintain sufficient park space for youth sports and other basics services of local government such as appropriate police and fire response times.   

It is my desire to keep San Clemente true to its culture and values, of being a family friendly beach community.  If you share my vision of our Spanish Village by the Sea, then I ask that you join me in working to maintain and enhance the best of our community.   

 

Sincerely,

John M. Alpay