Laguna Woods Celebrates Cityhood in Style

It was part birthday celebration, part graduation party, part political rally and--for a few--the occasion for an afternoon nap.

At Wednesday’s commemorative incorporation of Laguna Woods, Orange County’s newest city, nearly 600 residents gathered at the local United Methodist Church to celebrate the official birth and attend the inaugural council meeting of the nation’s only gated city for seniors.

As the Laguna Hills High School band played a melodic prelude, residents streamed into the church.

All were proud citizens of Laguna Woods, whose residents earlier this month voted to create the 3-square-mile community with an average age of 77.

On a stage, state, county and city officials congratulated one another and presented a series of proclamations acknowledging the newborn city.

“Happy birthday!” bellowed State Sen. Bill Morrow (R-Oceanside). The crowd cheered and applauded, some setting aside the magnifying glasses they were using to read fancy programs.

Once the self-congratulatory speeches were over, the council members proceeded to elect their mayor and mayor pro tem--both within a minute.

The ceremony was almost blinding, with cameras flashing nonstop, and residents pressing forward for a better view. The speechifying began in earnest when each council member stood to commemorate the occasion and to remind the crowd of his or her political platform--causing some to nod off.

While council members talked about their opposition to an international airport at El Toro, or about dangerous traffic intersections in Leisure World, some residents perused a four-page history of the city printed in the program.

“Everyone thinks the minute you turn 65 you don’t have any brains anymore,” Councilwoman Ann M. Snider said, pounding on the podium. “But we’ve lived though it all. We’ve lived through the country’s Great Depression, global conflict, and we’ve done it through old-fashioned ways.”