Development Article and response

Growth plans open rifts in Grand Terrace
By PAUL LAROCCO The Press-Enterprise
GRAND TERRACE -


http://www.pe.com/localnews/sanbernardino/stories/PE_News_Local_B_grand26.a1825.html

Everyone should read this article. Everyone should try to get a copy of the Revised Plan for the OAC, ASE, Town Center, Manhole Builders and High School. Everyone should consider the revenue facts of the proposal with the added expenses of additional city expenses incurred, including the additional law enforcement required for the school, and OAC and Town Center.

It is interesting that the President of the Camber of Commerce is quoted as being supportive of the development. However, she was not asked about the latest proposed development of the Manhole Builders near her home.

How odd it is to say we need to draw people into Grand Terrace. This is a real change from a bedroom community, to a tourist or commuter destination. Perhaps we should put a toll booth on each entry point of the city. It isn't that the people don't come to Grand Terrace, they don't stop and shop, and pay sales tax. We have plenty of traffic.

Here is a reality to consider. While the city is considering increased wages for the employee's the top employee's city provided home has increased in value by 90% in five years. This gain of asset value should off set the rational to providing the top man at the city a raise. With the constant declared need for additional money, why not put those wages to other Needs first. There should be no raises of wages for any City Employee earning more than 50.000.00. There should be no increase in Wages for the City Manager.

Here is a reality to consider. The more the home sales turn around and are reassessed at current market price the tax revenue goes up. So it is in the interest of the City to have citizens dissatisfied and move out of town. It is in the interest of the realtor to have the homes sales as that is their revenue source. Even when property values go down, and people lose their jobs or the economy slows they will be in the position to sale on the down side of the market when people default on the loans.

Big questions are not being answered. What other options for police services are available and what is the cost performance evaluation of the different agencies. Perhaps Colton Police Department is better near to provide the services. Colton Police Department provides campus police to Colton High School. Colton Police Headquarters is closer than the sheriffs so the dreaded shift change overlap can be reduced. Perhaps the cost of current expense for law enforcement could be better spend and additional services provided.

Yes Development is Going to Happen. The question is how it is done, the choices made, and the sustainability of the development and the real improvement of the community as a whole. Perhaps Grand Terrace should ask how many of its citizens will be working in the OAC, Town Center, Manhole Builder, and all. Are these projects sustainable by the citizens of Grand Terrace or are they dependant on trancient drive through commuters. Is Grand Terrace going to be one big Pit Stop? The debate is healty. Persons who resist debate are to be questioned as to their motives and reasons.