GT City Council/RDA Join BAIL OUT ORGY.

PAWW:

Tax Payers are being told to Bail OUT... Corporation for Better Housing a Private Development Company that distributes all its Profits to its Management and Employees retaining no Profit for is own for distribution to Stock Holders a (501.3) Not for Profit Business... Not a Not for Profit Charity.

Bailed Out for the Cost Over Runs caused by their own action not the actions of Citizens. IT was their action to not communicate sufficiently with the Neighbors and Citizens regarding the Design and Environmental Concerns of the Community. It was their action that caused there to be a insufficient EIR to be filed and contested. It was their action for apparently not paying attention to water connection fees.

NOW is this Bail Out going to be offered to anyone else in the city when they want to develop their property or sub-divide.

I recall a citizen requesting to subdivide their property but being told they had to UP Front Pay for Street and Utilities Improvements and setbacks, PRIOR to any development or map change. The City nor the Redevelopment Agency offered to pay for these fees.

Did the Center for Better Housing say they will back out of the "Deal" made without a bidding process if the RDA/City did not pay for the increased bill?

OH, the Center for Better Housing and the RDA and the City could have avoided all the Court Costs and put the building where it was Planned in the General Plan in the first Place... Even their own EIR said that environmentally due to the location of Public Transportation and Retail Shops the Original Public Approved General Plan to have the Senior Center and Housing Located on Barton Rd in the Proximity of the Terraces where there are services for those needing assisted care was a BETTER OPTION that the City and Center for Better Housing failed to adjust their minds to.

NO the Citizens are not the Cause of Increased Costs to the Project. The Citizens should not have to pay for the added costs. OH sure, some one at the city will say, it is paid with DEVELOPMENT FUNDS.... guess what that means... CITIZENS PAY FOR IT.

SAY NO to any Council Member RDA BOARD Member who BAILED OUT a Bad Contractor.

Let CFBH back out of the Deal pack up their tools and LEAVE.. Do us all a favor would you.

Thanks Jim Miller the lone voice of reason... Thanks for not voting lock step with the others. Thanks for giving your reasons for not doing so.


Additional Blue Mountain senior project funds OK'd

10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 24, 2008

By JULIE FARREN
The Press-Enterprise

The Grand Terrace Redevelopment Agency will pay an additional $740,000 toward completion of the Blue Mountain Senior Villas project. The two-story senior residential facility is expected to open in early 2009.

The City Council, sitting as the redevelopment agency board, authorized the additional money Tuesday night.

The project, approved in 2005, includes a senior center and a park on Grand Terrace Road, south of Mount Vernon Avenue.

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The redevelopment agency and the city agreed in September 2005 on an agency contribution of $8.8 million for the project with Corporation for Better Housing.

Tuesday night's action increased the amount to $9.5 million. Redevelopment agency consultant Ralph Megna said the amount would not increase again.

"It was our goal to make this as inclusive as possible," said Megna.

The total cost of the project has increased from $19.2 million to $21.6 million.

The agency board voted 4-1 to authorize the funds. Councilman Jim Miller cast the dissenting vote.

The amount increased because of water-connection and service fees, some materials costs and construction-related services and expenses associated with ongoing litigation over the senior housing project.

A group called Citizens for Responsible and Open Government filed suit to stop the project.

Miller questioned how the water connection fees could have been overlooked when the plans were submitted. "It looks like we're being asked to pick up those fees," said Miller.

Reach Julie Farren at 909-806-3066 or jfarren@PE.com

PAWW: The Following just FEELS WRONG. I can't put my finger on it... Why does this make the hair on the back of my hairy back stand up?

10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Grand Terrace
Finance director announces retirement

Grand Terrace Finance Director Larry Ronnow will retire Oct. 31 after eight years with the city, officials said Wednesday.

Ronnow began as a contract finance director in October 2000 and was hired full time in January 2001. He was honored Tuesday night by the City Council for his service.

Ronnow will be replaced by Bernard Simon, who was finance director before Ronnow was hired.
--Julie Farren jfarren@PE.com

Gramps Reply:

I don't know why your woolie back has a reaction to the above. Hmm perhaps Bernard Simon has become qualifed now when he was not at time Ronnow was hired to "Help OUT"..

Recall there is insufficient records regarding the Payment for a City Owned car purchased by Steve Berry.

Recall there was a mixing of funds between RDA and City Funds...

Recall the Punishment of the Citizens for not passing increased Sales Taxes, by ending Parks and Recreation Programs. While the City Staff gets higher wages, home improvement loans, and even a house provided. Hmmmm I don't know... follow the money and you may find the answer to your grooming problem. Good Luck.... Pa.