Meeting on Blue Mt. Senior Villas
by Corporation for Better Housing
Wednesday August 24th, 2005
Community Room of the City Hall
5:00 to 7:30
by Corporation for Better Housing
Wednesday August 24th, 2005
Community Room of the City Hall
5:00 to 7:30
The Corporation for Better Housing sent an invitation to a Public Meeting to address the seriously limited issues raised at the City Council Meeting regarding the proposed development of Blue Mt. Senior villa's, and the Susan Petta Park.
Several observations regarding the letter must be made.
It's contents suggests that the issues being discussed at the meeting are the only ones which are holding up a Yes Vote of the City Council. Perhaps this is wishful thinking on their part, or it is a Development which has already gotten "Approval" in the back room meetings of the Planning commission and Redevelopment Agency Meetings. Which is it?
It's contents suggest a limitation on the people who have a right to speak at this meeting as being only those who spoke at the Council Meeting or who live on Brentwood. This is not true, the entire community should be notified of the meeting and its purpose. This development regardless of it's proximity to your home or the amount of your tax dollars going to pay for it is Your Business. It is YOUR business if you are 18 and hope to move in when you are 55.
The envelope the invitation arrived in was the official envelope of the City of Grand Terrace. Now this could have been done so the "City" would not be accused of disclosing the names and addresses of individuals. However, who paid for this mailing and the envelopes used? Most "Speakers" at the meetings give their entire address, and the citizens who do not attend the Council Meeting could have received the mailing as a bulk letter to "Residents", or "Occupants" rather than targeting only a few individuals.
This is an example of how the city runs. It speaks to a few, caters to a few and in this case is trying to placate a few. The city does not attempt to share full information with the citizens, and provides excellent services to a few of its citizens while neglecting the broader populations concerns. Is Cash the Motivation?
The invitation should have included a statement on how much they have contributed to the GTDays Committee's Fund, a disclosure that the President of the Corporation for Better Housing is a Realtor and Property Manager, with a separate Corporation, which everyone should watch out for as being an entanglement in the Deal being made. Look out for tie in contracts with the development, who is being paid to manage the development.
The limited issues being discussed did not include one of the major objections to the project. The zone change needed to allow such high density housing on that site. This zone change request could be interpreted as influencing a local government, when it is combined with the contributions made to the GTDays Committee. This act may be a violation of their status requirements in the IRS Code which qualifies them as a "Charity". Yes there are many types of Non profits. This corporation is listed as a "Charity", not a Non profit which distributes all its income, a suggested by the Council Member's comments. http://caag.state.ca.us/charities/index.htm link will take you drieclty to the California Attorny General's Site regarding http://partners.guidestar.org/partners/cadoj/index.jsp this "Charity" put in the name Corporation for Better Housing. Very Interesting?
Several observations regarding the letter must be made.
It's contents suggests that the issues being discussed at the meeting are the only ones which are holding up a Yes Vote of the City Council. Perhaps this is wishful thinking on their part, or it is a Development which has already gotten "Approval" in the back room meetings of the Planning commission and Redevelopment Agency Meetings. Which is it?
It's contents suggest a limitation on the people who have a right to speak at this meeting as being only those who spoke at the Council Meeting or who live on Brentwood. This is not true, the entire community should be notified of the meeting and its purpose. This development regardless of it's proximity to your home or the amount of your tax dollars going to pay for it is Your Business. It is YOUR business if you are 18 and hope to move in when you are 55.
The envelope the invitation arrived in was the official envelope of the City of Grand Terrace. Now this could have been done so the "City" would not be accused of disclosing the names and addresses of individuals. However, who paid for this mailing and the envelopes used? Most "Speakers" at the meetings give their entire address, and the citizens who do not attend the Council Meeting could have received the mailing as a bulk letter to "Residents", or "Occupants" rather than targeting only a few individuals.
This is an example of how the city runs. It speaks to a few, caters to a few and in this case is trying to placate a few. The city does not attempt to share full information with the citizens, and provides excellent services to a few of its citizens while neglecting the broader populations concerns. Is Cash the Motivation?
The invitation should have included a statement on how much they have contributed to the GTDays Committee's Fund, a disclosure that the President of the Corporation for Better Housing is a Realtor and Property Manager, with a separate Corporation, which everyone should watch out for as being an entanglement in the Deal being made. Look out for tie in contracts with the development, who is being paid to manage the development.
The limited issues being discussed did not include one of the major objections to the project. The zone change needed to allow such high density housing on that site. This zone change request could be interpreted as influencing a local government, when it is combined with the contributions made to the GTDays Committee. This act may be a violation of their status requirements in the IRS Code which qualifies them as a "Charity". Yes there are many types of Non profits. This corporation is listed as a "Charity", not a Non profit which distributes all its income, a suggested by the Council Member's comments. http://caag.state.ca.us/charities/index.htm link will take you drieclty to the California Attorny General's Site regarding http://partners.guidestar.org/partners/cadoj/index.jsp this "Charity" put in the name Corporation for Better Housing. Very Interesting?
Charles Brumbaugh 818-905-2430
Corporation for Better Housing15490 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks. CA 91403.Charles Brumbaugh. (818) 905-2430.
Lynx Realty & Management, (818) 905-2430, 15490 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
In addition: The City Councils 3 minute rule may have precluded you from addressing real issues. This limitation on your right to address the council may constitute a violation of your rights. In addition it may open the door to law suits on issues not raised at the Council meeting as the limit on the time may not have allowed the issue to be raised. Thus violating your right to raise a particular issue.
Recommended Actions:
Go to the Meeting of the Corporation For Better Housing. Speak to them on the issues which concern you. Speak to them regarding issues beyond those which are so limited by the Council. Take with you a document stating your issues, have them sign that they have received the issues you wish to raise.
Include things like fire escapes and back up generators.
Restroom for the Park Facilities.
Budget information for the maintenance of the park. How many man hours will it take to maintain that park? Who will be paying for it. We seem to have a problem with maintaining a lawn, and restrooms as it is.
Parking at the park during "Public Events"
Wider Drive Way Cut in's
Bond for Performance? If they build a disaster like the Colton Palms Senior Development, who pays?
Could they put this project in the Town Center? ( it would not require the land cut in, and 3 stories).
In addition: The City Councils 3 minute rule may have precluded you from addressing real issues. This limitation on your right to address the council may constitute a violation of your rights. In addition it may open the door to law suits on issues not raised at the Council meeting as the limit on the time may not have allowed the issue to be raised. Thus violating your right to raise a particular issue.
Recommended Actions:
Go to the Meeting of the Corporation For Better Housing. Speak to them on the issues which concern you. Speak to them regarding issues beyond those which are so limited by the Council. Take with you a document stating your issues, have them sign that they have received the issues you wish to raise.
Include things like fire escapes and back up generators.
Restroom for the Park Facilities.
Budget information for the maintenance of the park. How many man hours will it take to maintain that park? Who will be paying for it. We seem to have a problem with maintaining a lawn, and restrooms as it is.
Parking at the park during "Public Events"
Wider Drive Way Cut in's
Bond for Performance? If they build a disaster like the Colton Palms Senior Development, who pays?
Could they put this project in the Town Center? ( it would not require the land cut in, and 3 stories).
