The Concern is the City, not the Land Owners

Grandpaterrace received an Email:

"It saddens me to read the citizens of GT lowering themselves to the Cities level and below. Let us know forget what fine neighbors, friends, family and long term citizens the Dodson Family has been in our community. Let your final good bye be good words about them as they prepare to move from GT after generations of their family being raised here. And by the way...You may want to do your homework and see that more than one parcel of property was purchased in this transaction, more money was not made by this family because of any wrong doings.....

The Dodson's are very good, honest people. They have worked hard, made a modest living, raised their family and few others along the way, taken care of their elderly to their last breath, never complained about any of it and never asked for help.

After Grandma passed on and Daddy retired their dream has been to sell the GT property and build a home close to their children and grandchildren up the hill. Year after year has passed since then....

The city has chosen to interfere and interrupt the quality of life for the Dodsons for several years. Changing the property zoning to commerical, allowing a storage company to move in across the street, Interferring in sales of the property, not approving specific commerical use of the land even though the property was zoned commercial, empty promises month after month until finally their recent purchase of the Dodson property.

It doesn't make sense to build a home any more....because that would take a year or more so instead of getting their dream they will settle for buying a home close to the kids. At least one can take comfort in knowing that they will live the rest of their lives close to family and be able to continue to take care of themselves and loved ones as they always have.

Happy Trails to the Dodson family....until we meet again...

And so I must ask....who among themselves will the citizens of GT choose to attack next?? Maybe the ex-Mayor.....as he has sold his home too.... "

Grandpaterrace's Public Reply:

The writers of this blog have nothing but sympathetic feelings for any Land Owner in the City of Grand Terrace. The issues raised with any land transaction in the City of Grand Terrace are with the City's Methods, and Dealings. These are the concerns of the Citizens and Writers of this Blog. These issues should be discussed and investigated.

Shame on the Citizens of Grand Terrace for NOT taking a more effective stance against the Redevelopment Agency's Actions, the Planning Commissions Actions, and the Recommendations of the City Staff and Tom Schwab which have given the citizens questionable land and development deals done in back rooms.

This is our concern. Anyone doing business with the city does so under a cloud of suspicion. There is not one city transaction above suspicion due to the attitude and practices of the Council, and City Manager, Planning Department, and City Staff.

Reply to Grandpa's Clarification recieved by email:

Dear Grandpa Terrace,

Thank you for your note. I understand the issue is with the city. I totally agree, our shady city government needs a shake up! It's not elementary school anymore Mrs. Ferre.....it's not because your the principal and you said so.... What a terrible example to our children....misrepresentation, lying, manipulation etc.... What did the school board never tell us about.... What a disappointment!

Look out Terrace View Elementary...she will probably approve the 120 low income apartment complex right between you and the Sr. Center too! The Shell station can't sell liquor close the an elementary school but we can move the potential for drugs, gangs etc. right next door!

The majority of what is written in the blog is negative, with mention of the Dodson's and no statements in their favor and/or support, readers may interpret them as a part of the issue. I simply wish to have everyone fairly represented.

The Dodson's requested to lease back the properly from the City because their new home was not closing for 60 days after the GT property. The city refused and said they must be out immediately.

An added twist to the plot....is the relationship between Gene Carlstrom, Terra Loma and the Dodson's. It seems our dear Realtor plays both sides of the fence.....they are related....Uncle Gene.... Perhaps money is more important than family.....higher commission, management fees, maybe a kick back or two......who knows....

Ironic isn't it....the cities management company wouldn't allow the Dodson's to lease back for 60 days. This is the same manager who didn't bat an eye in hard times at staying free of charge, paying no rent or utilities for months on the Dodson property.