The State : Eastwood’s Sweet Victory

Carmel is going to have an ice cream parlor, something it has not had for nearly 18 months. A Planning Commission packed with appointees of Mayor Clint Eastwood approved the new business. The ice cream cone became a symbol of the actor-turned-politician’s battle with the old city government when he ran for mayor. Photos of Eastwood wearing a baseball cap and licking a cone became familiar. Among other things, the old regime claimed ice cream parlors would increase water use and litter. “You better have raspberry there,” said Ken White, commission chairman, after the unanimous vote to approve Michael Lajigian’s application for the parlor. The decision, ending 17 months of political maneuvering, was met with applause from the audience. “This is one of the happiest days of my life,” Lajigian said, adding that he will begin sales within a week.