Answer to 38 emails from New Readers:

Have I read Terrace Truth...? Yes... I find it to be one man's opinion... an opinion based on no research other than to read the city web page.

Is there ONE GrandpaTerrace or Many? Yes There is the web master site monitor who posts all the input from the other Grandpas who contribute to the site.

Why is there no open comments posted like on other blogs? I want children to be able to read the blog, and some times I have to redirect some language. I also had to stop folks from posting links to not related sites and products, and spam control.

Do you support the AES POWER PLANT and the GT High School?

The Power Plant is a Pre Existing Use and Site, and the New Updated Plant is an imporvement over the old one which in theory could be fired up if needed. However, I would like it better if it were a more innovateve mixture of technology. I also know that the Power Plant has little to do with Grand Terrace's Power Supply as it feeds into the BIG GRID.... not just to GT. I also know a bit of income will result and the city will enjoy the increased income and needs it to pay off the Debt that Mr. Schwab has made for us.

I would encourage all citizens to hold the Sheriff and City in account for the data they provided the AES application. I find some of it to be un true. A 4 minute Responce time for the Sheriff is not a reality, not even close. We know that is a fiction, and yet it is provided as part of the facts in the AES application. I find fault with the City Manager, City Council and School Board for not being ON TOP of this. I have had several ask me for links to the state web site, or downloaded reports, because STAFF did not provide the information to them.

I am for building a High School. I am for building many Small High Schools rather than one Mega Detention Center aka High School. An EFFECTIVE population for a High School should not EXCEED 2000 students. I also don't think that ALL high schools must have HUMUGUS FootBall Fields, Music, Dance, and other activities can be accomplished in less space, and with less physical risk to the participants, and annoyance to the neighbors of the school. I don't think that commercial property across from a power plant is a good place for a High School.

Why do you support change of the the Council? We aren't being well served by the council we now have. It is kind of like if you were a puppy would you stay with an owner who beats you daily if there may be a friendly human on the other side of the fence. Sure that human on the other side of the fence is an unknown, but it comes to a point a change is worth the risk, when the known has gotten bad enough.

Do you really think everyone should have a goat? NO... That is just an extreme example of how the City Code will limit an individual's rights and then not impose the same time of restrictions on business or their friends. A goat, is less noise and smell than a Doberman, or a Semi Tractor delivering lumber. A goat, eats weeds, a dog eats dog food. A goat can produce meat and milk. A dog produces.... Well... I let you fill in that one.

I do think any one who wants a goat, or a chicken should be able to have a goat, or a few chickens, rabbits. I think that folks should be encouraged to have fruit and nut bearing trees, and reduce high water use ornamental yards. Frugal and Practical.

A forward looking City should look into a mixture of development which will add to sustainable and respect all forms of economic activity. Retail and consumerism and OVER dependence on Raising Housing Prices and thus greater and greater debt is a road to HOVERVILLE, (For those of you who don't remember, these were the encampments of homeless prior to and during the great Depression. Add a dust bowl, or an additional burden on the economy and poof we have problems we are not well prepared for as as city, or a community.

Why only recall Ferre and Garcia, and not Cortez and Hilkey and Miller?

Well, Cortez and Hilkey were up for re-election so they could not be recalled.

Miller is new to the council and is being given a chance to see the writing on the wall so to speak. He is showing potential.

Ferre and Garcia are eligible for recall as they were not up for re election. Ferre running for Mayor is a way to avoid recall, if she wins the mayor she also will be party to picking her replacement on the council, the voters may not get an elected replacement until the next election.

Why do you dislike Mr. Schwab? I don't like people who lie. I don't like people who take personal advantage of a situation to provide themselves with income and perks greater than should be reasonable for the work they do. I don't like people who make back room land deals, and run up debts that others will have to pay for down the road.

I don't like any one who tries to force people off their land, to give or sell it to some one else.

Why is the tone of your blog the way it is? The tone of the blog is the harmonic inverse of the counterpoint of the Council and Schwab and others offended by this blogs tone. IF you took their writing, quotes, and statements, and put your name as the subject, or did a role play and switched actors you will find their tone to be more offending. Virginia Harford never answers the points raised but complains that she doesn't know who Grandpa is... so those offended by the tone are hearing their own tunes played with them as the melody.

When a Council Member calls citizens who bring a Law Suit .... Eco Terrorists... That tone is wrong. When Bill Hays is asked "His Purpose of LIFE".. or who appointed him to monitor the Council? OR even attacks on a unnamed writer as a defense to what is being said rather than not addressing what is said, is a tone that should be noted.

When the Stop Clock is more important than what is being said .... That tone is wrong.

When Zones and Plans Prohibit the development or restrict the use of property of a land owner, and then those are tossed out to aid a Developers desires... There is a tone problem..

When donations to GT Days, and Concerts are made by Developers and Suppliers with issues before the Council and Planning Department... that sets a bad tone.

Protect your Property Rights, Individual Freedom, and Your Right to Speak. INSIST on a Well Run Government.

Why do you list the arrests?

I list the arrests because the City Refuses to. There were several statements by Tom Schwab and members of the Council that it would be bad for our City's Reputation and Housing Prices if the REAL facts were available.

I still can't get the Calls into the Dispatcher, as a result of the City Manager/City Councils directive to the sheriff... BUT, I can report on the Arrests recorded on the booking log.

This information shows that Drugs, DUI,and Vehicle Code Violations are the Arrests Made. Of course where you have Drugs, and DUI, or Drinking you have families in distress, theft, graffiti, and youth without proper parenting being given to them.

This information also demonstrates the time it takes to book one person who is arrested and the need for additional officers to cover the town.

This information also is a protection as during these times, people could go missing or be arrested by the government and it not be reported.

Do you think there should be a total investigation into the finances and contracts of the city?

YES, and if Criminal Charges are the result so be it. IT is important that Government is held more in account than individuals.

Do you support the idea every house should have a Business Permit?

YES, and that should be a given, with out a fee. The Permit would list a business and put you in a directory. IF more people would work from home, more parenting time will be available, less hours will be spent on freeways, it will result in a real reduction in the commute. When a home costs 400.000.00 you should be able to use that investment for more than just sleeping. Homebased businesses should not be forced to be the new black market. GT could become a city of Homebased Businesses, even if no sales taxes resulted, the benefit in the increased Parenting Availability would off set a great deal of the cost of Youth Programs needed to cover the commute hours. Home based Businesses can be flexible so Parents can Parent.

Child Care, Assisted Living, Group Homes, all are important to the community and should be known and not forced to operate in the shadows, because getting a permit to operate is problematic.

Ebay sellers, Tutors, Craft Makers, or other home based business should all be encouraged no facilitated to be part of the local economy, and health of the community. IF Grand Terrace were an Island what would we need for our community? That would be a way of thinking how to have a sustainable city. IS it Possible for GT to be Self Sufficient? I think so.. IF we wanted to make it so we could. Without giant Debt..

Well keep reading... there are over 1000 posts and some of those have many support documents...

Gramps..