"Those People" by Mr. Schwab

Please Read the Press-Enterprise Article

In the article:GRAND TERRACE: Officials addressed concerns about Miguel's Jr., but do not agree with them.
12:51 AM PST on Tuesday, March 8, 2005
By PAUL LaROCCO / The Press-Enterprise
RESTAURANT


GRAND TERRACE - ............................................
City Manager Thomas J. Schwab said last week that he is halting already-approved plans to bring a Miguel's Jr. fast-food restaurant to the corner of Barton Road and Canal Street. ......................
"We don't want people to think we support anything like that," Schwab said of the noise and pollution concerns. "We actually still think the restaurant is compatible, and wouldn't cause any of those problems, but we've got to work with those people, too."

BLOG COMMENTARY

Several things about the article concern me. First and foremost the Planning commission not hearing out the concerns of the local citizens have motives that should be investigated completely. Second, the quote attributed to mr Schwab " .... but we've got to work with those people, too." is troublesome coming from a public official, speaking for a community. The praise "Those People" is derogatory, prejudicial, and at it's least offensive suggests a feeling of elitism on the part of the City Manager. This is a basic attitudinal flaw that does not serve the City of Grand Terrace.

The City's Redevelopment Agency Purchased the land intended to be used. Here again, the total history of that land purchase and the relationship with the community's citizens, and land use will continue to be distasteful for any enterprise trying to locate in the Town Center Project.

Drive Up Windows have been denied in the past, has there been a change in zoning, planning, and are all restaurants now able to upgrade? Do we really want to look like Mt. Vernon Ave, just below the hill? It is not attractive, and most of the drive troughs struggle to make their lease payments.

If the previous owners of the property weren't forced to surrender to the pressures of the city, the mentioned property could have had a natural development or transition, which may have included more senior housing.