From the Email InBox:

Revenues are projected at $23million.
Spending is expected to be $21.8 million.

The most significant spending item is $9 million set aside in the redevelopment budget for the proposed senior housing project, City Manager Tom Schwab said. Sales-tax receipts continue to climb, Schwab said.

Dear Grandpa,
Just read the Grand Terrace News. $9 million is being given to a"non-profit agency"? What is not being said by Schwab? There is a major profit or they wouldn't be doing this. I would just like to saythat most of those beds in the Senior Housing Project will be paid for by the US Government by low income, or no income seniors. I can't see where the seniors of our wonderful City will benefit.

Therefor, the only motivation for this project is money. And for whom? Hodge Podge building continues in Grand Terrace. There is no real plan that is acceptable to the citizens of GT. While Mayro Ferre concentrates on flowers, and allows Schwab and Koontz to do any thing they please, remember will have to live with it.

Why hasn't a real offer been made to Jo Stringfield. As far as I can tell by the contracts publicized on your blog, there were so many conditions that you couldn't call it an offer. Jacobsen is making deals with the Stater Brother shopping center tenants, so you know Schwab has made a deal with him.

What happened to the town meetings and including the citizens? While this isn't Mayberry ( I like that image) the citizens of Grand Terrace like the idea. So why isn't our City Council representing the citizens? Why aren't the streets being fixed, but Maryetta gets a signal light to help her get onto Barton Road easier from Honey Hills?

Dear Reader:

All good questions.... and points.

The GT Seniors were sold on the Senior Center/Blue Mt. Senior Villas as being available to them and other GT Seniors in the future. This now seems to not be the case. Limited parking for the residents and shared parking with Residents, Senior Center and Public Park Users will limit the serviceability or availability of use of the "New Senior Center" by our Local Seniors.

Yes the Corporation for Better Housing may be registered as a "Non Profit", but that does not mean that the Board of Directors, and the people "Working for the CFBH" aren't driving expensive sports cars and live in expensive homes and will be pulling a part of the "INCOME" or Profit from the Blue Mt. Senior Villas and putting it into their pockets. CFBH is not Habitat for Humanity. CFBH is registered as a 503 (c), Charity but it does not operate like a charity and anyone who shares this concern should report them to the IRS and the State Franchise Tax Board. The classification should be a Not for Profit Professional Association.

Just one Reminder, Jo Stringfield desires to live in her family home and be free to manage, use, improve, and OWN that family asset without the City playing Developer's Friend, or Dictator. You are right that Jacobsen never offered a Clean or Unburdened Offer and Showed the Money on the Barrel Head so to speak. The approach of Jacobsen/Schwab and their agents is and no doubt will continue to be problematic for Grand Terrace residents and business owners alike.
Moving businesses out of one shopping center to a "New" shopping center is not productive, and may result in the RDA being asked to pay for lost business and rent due to the RDA's involvement in the Jacobsen Developments around town. The City/RDA did use the threat of the use of Eminent Domain to soften negotiations for Jacobsen. This may in some courts make the projects accountable for all RDA regulations and considerations to those who are adversely affected by the actions of the RDA.