Why are GT Citizens So Skeptical?

Did you read Colton Senior Housing On Hold? The Colton Senior Palms Apartments has so many problems which should have been avoided by proper city review and planning during the planning and construction. The seniors lived in poor conditions on day one and now are being evicted. They were told they all had to agree to take $31,000 to move. And, if they all didn't agree it was going to go down $5,000 per month. In the paper it said, they ALL rejected that amount. They have no place to go. They sold their homes and thought they could live there till they died.

The city of colton "contributed" money to the project, and gave the developer a long term lease on the property and the management rights. Unfortunately the word obligation was not defined specific enough to cover the rights of the residents. Rights like good housing, and a right to live there till they die.

Of course, no senior in the Blue Mt. Senior Villas, will have any of those protections. Seniors must be "Active". Which can be defined to mean able to run down 2 flights of stairs during an earth quake, fire or other disaster. Not in need of medical or other living assistance such as meal preparation other than the lunch served daily at the Senior Center. If you get cranky, incontinence or immobile you had better planned for other living arrangements. Seniors should not consider this a better option than living with family, or moving into a hotel with services. At least at a hotel, they change the sheets, and provide house keeping.

The city of Grand Terrace's record thus far has not garnished much trust that the Senior Villa, OAC, TC or GTI Property will be developed properly. Lets look at there record. Town Hall, roof problems, walls needed replacing, and designed in such away it is dependent on AirConditioning or it is a "Green House". Current Senior Center, has enjoyed continuous problems with the roof. The Rollings Park, sod and grass not installed to specifications. Mt. Vernon and Grand Terrace Road island, the lack of attention to safety impact on adjoining properties, the planting of a palm tree right under utility wires, (they only have two or three years before they have to be removed). The planting of visual impediments on Barton Road, shrubs along the GTI's sidewalk.

Should we trust the backroom negotiations and plans without full disclosure of not only the plans and specifications of the building. No. Should we trust the contractual agreements between the City, CRDA, and the Developer, and Management Company without full and complete discussion of the services to be rendered, and the contractual obligations and remedies to the city and the seniors living in the housing. NO... Should we assume the city's building inspectors will be proficient at inspecting the construction. NO..

Should we question those governing us, spending tax money, and providing "Services". YES

This may take more than THREE minutes.

The Three Minute rule prohibits the citizens of this community to fully address their concerns to the city. Therefore it may be possible that any decision made by the Council and Planning Commission where such a limit was placed on an agenda item may be invalid. If a concern was not brought to council because the speaker was cut off from bringing it forward during the meeting because of the 3 Minute rule, there may be legal recourse to redress the issues silenced by the use of the 3 Minute Gag.