I have been the luckiest person in Seal Beach. First I was elected to the City Council in 2014. Last year my council colleagues elected me to be mayor for 2016. This whole experience of being a council member has been the most exciting and all the time the best adventure of my life.
I live in District Five, which I define as the west half of Leisure World. The eastern portion of Leisure World along with College Park West and a portion of the condos at the Shops at Roosmor are within District Two, where an election campaign is under way.
Leisure World is a gated community of active living seniors over 55 years old. Very few residents are ready to become stationary. There are nearly 9,000 people who are active in many ways. Of course, some remain in the working world, others volunteer for the many worthwhile organizations scattered throughout the OC. There are nearly 250 clubs where anyone can fit in and take on new friends and activities. The different ethnic groups have many activities; everyone is invited. My immediate neighbors come from five different countries. Actually, it’s just like the neighborhood you may live in.
Many of you driving on Seal Beach Boulevard noticed the white cover over the globe. After months of lively discussion the globe has been restored. The structure was installed in the early 1960s. Over the years it was painted, but structural issues were not attended to. There were islands and portions of the continents that fell off the globe and were not replaced, mainly because we knew it needed structure repair. Well, this year, up went the white covering and the repairs started. It took time, primarily because there aren’t many other globes like ours to learn from. So, Leisure World had to invent the repair system for this historically significant structure. There will be a ribbon cutting on Oct. 8. Parking is non-existent, ride your bike or park in Boeing and walk over. I hope to see you there.
We are coming to a time of the year that will be fun and busy for all of us. Don’t let the busy overshadow the fun, let’s all enjoy the remainder of the year.
Sandra Massa-Lavitt is the mayor of Seal Beach and the councilwoman for District Five (Leisure World).
