Pico Park / RAJ High School...
To: grandterracenews@
Sunday, March 29, 2009, 7:58 AM
I noticed the posting of Thursday the 26th, in that is essentially what I had mentioned a year ago. Even if every single voter in the city limits of G.T. said NO, the simple majority of Colton residents could overide the vote. Thus I would then think it easy to have City of S.B. come in and annex in the whole of Colton. They have the votes which could override the results the NO opposition by Colton residents.
Much as we may think that our decisions are independent they really are not.
I think the City council of G.T. knew that they could be over-ruled and any instant by the bigger agency.
Now, next fight seems to be as to who will be paying for the widening to Michigan and acquisition of R/W, the scheduled improvements to the OAC area all as required and mentioned in the environmental report, and as guaranteed by the former Planning Director.
Do I smell another Bond Issue coming up?---
On Tue, 3/24/09,
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2009, 5:09 PM
May want to investigate, but neighbor kid went to Soccer practice this morning (Saturday) at Pico Park and was kicked off field by representatives of Colton School District not long after arriving. Was told "This is Our Property Now, you kids got no right...."
Gramps Reply to the above email:
Voter Power...
You are right, the point in this weeks post is that the Mayor's statement of the Importance of the Grand Terrace Support for the Bond or School being built is an example of the inflated ego and lack of political savvy on the part of the Mayor and City. Their conduct predicated and continues to support the action of the CJUSD by not naming the High School after the City so the Mayor of GT and Co can not claim credit and authority over the school. They will do this but their conduct will be all the bolder and more credible if it is named Grand Terrace High School. So although I don't like the idea, I understand why the high school is not Named Grand Terrace High School.
I like Ray... I feel sorry he has been put in to this situation. His "friends" on the CJUSD Board have done him no favors, I hope the public does not hold it against him that they responded to GT Mayor/Council conduct with conduct equally childish. There are other names like Blue Mt. High School, or Gage High School that would not have put him in such a public prickly spot.
Regarding the Pico Park and the CJUSD Employee...
I don't know if this happened or not... If it did, or does I would think the child should ask the workers name and the phone number for the district office where he works and report the problem to the Adult who should have been there with them at the time... or gone home to tell their parent who no doubt was at home... providing adult supervision ah... parenting to the other children in the family.
Then the adult should call the CJUSD and ask about the statements reported and inquire what the policy is regarding the use of Pico Park. Then this should be followed up by a call to the City Hall of Grand Terrace as there was to be a Shared Aspect to the Park's transfer to the CJUSD.. that was to be "Worked Out".
I believe it was Herman Hilkey who said: Shared Facilities work for Elementary Schools but for a High School you have just given away the public use of the park. It will be a locked facility with no public access.... mark my words. So marked and this may be the beginning of it.
Here is what I do know. Children not in the company of an adult are not welcome on the school facilities, be it play ground, office or class room. For CJUSD there is an insurance issue about having unattended children on their property. In addition, there are classifications of employees that are allowed to provide that supervision and custodial or maintenance people are not responsible to supervise children dropped off or waiting for practice.
The problem is perhaps with a child or youth being un-attended by an adult on CJUSD/GT Property.
Once upon a time.... our school yards did not have a fence around them, they did not look like day jails and we were welcome to walk in the halls, play on the grounds any time of they day or year when school was not in session. Long Long Ago.....
Fences keep good people out and actually increase the damage done by vandals who are protected by the fence as they break in and rummage and destroy. If it looks like a jail, soon folks act like criminals. School Environment and the School's non school relationship with the surrounding community is an important aspect to school management. Unfortunately this is often managed in reverse terms. Have a problem, lock out the community. Where the answer should be have a problem, increase community use and access to the facility. More eyes, more connection, more ownership.... less problem...
How is that fence working for you... or against you? This is the question...
For example the Cage Built around the CJUSD CHS Foot Ball Field... does nothing to modify the conduct of the people at a game or graduation,,, it in fact encourages bad conduct as to say it is ok we fence you in, act badly. Where as a more effective approach is or would be a police escort out of the facility for those demonstrating a lack of public civility.
By allowing public conduct to degrade, put up a fence that will eventually be a crush point when a run to the exits happens as a result of the decline of civility and expected social conduct.
I won't go to a Football Game, or a Graduation until there is a standard of conduct that fits the respect one should show to other humans. You can cheer on your team without suggesting they be hurt, killed or stomped on. Perhaps this agression is why there were so many pennalties on our players.... this is a coaching problem... and a school community problem.
You can clap for your graduate, but air horns, and yelling... Please... this is disrespectful... Do you do that in church, or in court? How dare you... and how dare the CJUSD Board allow it and not ask the people to leave, or have the PD Remove the offenders for being a public nuisance. The first blat of an air horn or yell is escorted out of the facility. It would take perhaps 3 times to teach the attendents the new standard.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
From the Email..
Colton Unified School District
is serious about naming the long awaited
Grand Terrace High School,
Ray Abril Jr High School
April 4 Sat 10:00 a.m. Be there....
Groundbreaking Scheduled for New High School
The Colton Joint Unified School District will hold a Groundbreaking Ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, for Ray Abril High School, the district’s third comprehensive high school, on Main Street east of Taylor in the city of Grand Terrace.
Work at the site will begin in April and the school is scheduled to open in Fall 2011.
Ray Abril, Jr., dedicated a lifetime to the children of the Colton Joint Unified School District. He loyally served as a member of the Board of Education for twenty-eight years before his retirement in 2001. He held the office of President for six years and served as Clerk of the Board for thirteen years. Throughout his tenure, his commitment to improving student performance and ensuring student safety was paramount.
Mr. Abril was guided by a single principle while serving on the board: “What is the best for students?” This simple statement lead him through many difficult decisions and exemplifies his focus on improving educational opportunities for all children. Mr. Abril’s involvement extended beyond his duties on the board. He was a familiar face at awards banquets, school carnivals, sporting events, and district meetings.
Mr. Ray Abril, Jr., has been a dedicated leader in the Colton Joint Unified School District. His influence continues to garner the respect and admiration of our communities. The inspiration that he has given our students will continue as we name our newest school in his honor.
is serious about naming the long awaited
Grand Terrace High School,
Ray Abril Jr High School
April 4 Sat 10:00 a.m. Be there....
Groundbreaking Scheduled for New High School
The Colton Joint Unified School District will hold a Groundbreaking Ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, for Ray Abril High School, the district’s third comprehensive high school, on Main Street east of Taylor in the city of Grand Terrace.
Work at the site will begin in April and the school is scheduled to open in Fall 2011.
Ray Abril, Jr., dedicated a lifetime to the children of the Colton Joint Unified School District. He loyally served as a member of the Board of Education for twenty-eight years before his retirement in 2001. He held the office of President for six years and served as Clerk of the Board for thirteen years. Throughout his tenure, his commitment to improving student performance and ensuring student safety was paramount.
Mr. Abril was guided by a single principle while serving on the board: “What is the best for students?” This simple statement lead him through many difficult decisions and exemplifies his focus on improving educational opportunities for all children. Mr. Abril’s involvement extended beyond his duties on the board. He was a familiar face at awards banquets, school carnivals, sporting events, and district meetings.
Mr. Ray Abril, Jr., has been a dedicated leader in the Colton Joint Unified School District. His influence continues to garner the respect and admiration of our communities. The inspiration that he has given our students will continue as we name our newest school in his honor.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
If No One in GT Supported Measure G..
Paww I looked up some numbers at the County Voter's Office... here is what I conclude...
The Mayor's Representation that the School Bonds being passed are a result of Grand Terrace Voters is another overstatement.
IF of the GT Voters who Voted in the last election all voted no the bond would have passed. Even with City Council Members being elected fewer than 3000 votes being cast for the one with the most votes... as an example of how few votes added or detracted from the Bond Measure being passed...
This inflation of importance is the driver behind much of the folly we are experiencing as a community. It is time to get over it...
The Mayor's Representation that the School Bonds being passed are a result of Grand Terrace Voters is another overstatement.
IF of the GT Voters who Voted in the last election all voted no the bond would have passed. Even with City Council Members being elected fewer than 3000 votes being cast for the one with the most votes... as an example of how few votes added or detracted from the Bond Measure being passed...
This inflation of importance is the driver behind much of the folly we are experiencing as a community. It is time to get over it...
A School by Any Name is a School...
Grand Terrace urges school name change
By Stephen Wall Staff Writer
Posted: 03/26/2009 02:41:46 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - The city wants the Colton school board to reconsider its decision to name the new high school in town after a longtime Colton resident.
In a letter delivered to the school district Thursday, the City Council unanimously expresses "dismay and disappointment over the naming process and the ultimate name selection" for the school.
The council "sincerely and fervently requests" that the school be renamed Grand Terrace High School, the letter says.
The school board voted 5-1 two weeks ago to name the school after retired trustee Ray Abril, Jr., who served on the board from 1973 to 2001.
The $82 million campus, on Main Street east of Taylor Street, is due to open in fall 2011. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled April 4.
The Colton Joint Unified School District conducted a public survey requesting nominations for a name. "Grand Terrace High School" was the overwhelming winner. "Ray Abril High School" came in fourth place.
It was "unconscionable" for the board to ignore "the clear mandate" from Grand Terrace residents who were "a driving force" behind the passage of two bond measures that helped provide money for the high school, the letter states.
The city also assembled prime commercially zoned land for the high school and sold property to the district at "a very fair market value," according to the letter.
Residents also sacrificed two sports fields at a city park for the school, and city staff helped two businesses relocate elsewhere in town so the 67-acre campus could be built, the letter says.
The city also paid for off-site infrastructure improvements needed to build the school, the letter states.
The letter notes Abril made "significant contributions" to the district and perhaps should be honored with a facility named after him in Colton.
Patt Haro, the lone board member to oppose naming the school after Abril, said she would ask her colleagues to revisit the decision.
"I believe firmly that the people should be listened to," Haro said. "I believe Ray Abril should be honored. I respect him immensely. I just don't think this is the venue to do it."
Board member Kent Taylor said he stands by the name.
"I support the decision that was made based on all the input I received from Grand Terrace residents and Colton residents," Taylor said.
Taylor said the naming controversy distracts from the "wonderful accomplishment" of Grand Terrace finally getting its own top-notch high school.
-stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com, (909) 386-3916
Some added thought:
When Ken Taylor says.... Distracts from the "wonderful accomplishment of Grand Terrace finally getting its own top-notch high school... there a double communication in his words.
Grand Terrace or the City of Grand Terrace is not getting its "OWN" high school, Top-Notch or Bottom Notch. The High School is to serve students of the CJUSD including some from Grand Terrace and Colton and who knows where else the buses will come from... the High School is a District School not a City School.
The CJUSD could have used Eminent Domain on any part of Grand Terrace including the area mid town where Doug Jacobsen and Jack Brown want to build their Mega Development... There is no need for the City of Grand Terrace to take or offer the lead on providing the Land or the claim they did so at great sacrifice that exceeds the normal rights that the CJUSD could have evoked if it so desired.
It is to the City's Advantage that the relocated businesses stay in Grand Terrace. It is to the City's perceived advantage not to have to operate 2 parks and to put Students as far possible to the end of town. in not only a commercially zoned area but an Industrial Zoned area across the street from a power transmission facility, and rail road tracks. The City does not have a Parks and Rec Department or Youth Program... and they got rid of the crew to keep the park up.
It was to the City's Advantage that they sold land that would have cost the RDA for the poorly planned Outdoor Adventure Center, access roads and other ill thought out plans of the City...
So here we are, the city taking credit for doing all this for "Their High School" and the CJUSD giving the school a name the will attempt to disassociate the school's identity from the City of Grand Terrace. No one should be surprised...
Not one word in the City's Letter to the CJUSD Board welcomes the Students of the District to the City... The letter perpetuates the clear indication that the City Management will continue to claim recognition for, and authority over the High School and doing so if it is named GTHS... all the easier. This is why the name is not Grand Terrace High School....
The CJUSD Board should find a middle ground... perhaps Blue Mt. High School. Or , Almost in Riverside County High School, or Gage Canal High School, or Rail Road Derailment High School, and the mascot could be an Electric Bolt, or a Toxic Cloud, or perhaps an inner tube...
Good luck CJUSD and Residents of Grand Terrace and the District.... this is an example of another terrific pile provided to you from the actions and words of the Grand Terrace City Council... That is who should have their house cleaned... along with the back room deals, and negotiations on land that were so fair.... they could not be done in public... when it was 2 public agencies in negotiations.
Nope... there are no winners here, and If I were Ray Abril, I'd have my name removed from the school because it will be a bone of contention for decades and not a unifying or pleasant remembrance of many years of service to all of the students of CJUSD including those from Grand Terrace.
By Stephen Wall Staff Writer
Posted: 03/26/2009 02:41:46 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - The city wants the Colton school board to reconsider its decision to name the new high school in town after a longtime Colton resident.
In a letter delivered to the school district Thursday, the City Council unanimously expresses "dismay and disappointment over the naming process and the ultimate name selection" for the school.
The council "sincerely and fervently requests" that the school be renamed Grand Terrace High School, the letter says.
The school board voted 5-1 two weeks ago to name the school after retired trustee Ray Abril, Jr., who served on the board from 1973 to 2001.
The $82 million campus, on Main Street east of Taylor Street, is due to open in fall 2011. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled April 4.
The Colton Joint Unified School District conducted a public survey requesting nominations for a name. "Grand Terrace High School" was the overwhelming winner. "Ray Abril High School" came in fourth place.
It was "unconscionable" for the board to ignore "the clear mandate" from Grand Terrace residents who were "a driving force" behind the passage of two bond measures that helped provide money for the high school, the letter states.
The city also assembled prime commercially zoned land for the high school and sold property to the district at "a very fair market value," according to the letter.
Residents also sacrificed two sports fields at a city park for the school, and city staff helped two businesses relocate elsewhere in town so the 67-acre campus could be built, the letter says.
The city also paid for off-site infrastructure improvements needed to build the school, the letter states.
The letter notes Abril made "significant contributions" to the district and perhaps should be honored with a facility named after him in Colton.
Patt Haro, the lone board member to oppose naming the school after Abril, said she would ask her colleagues to revisit the decision.
"I believe firmly that the people should be listened to," Haro said. "I believe Ray Abril should be honored. I respect him immensely. I just don't think this is the venue to do it."
Board member Kent Taylor said he stands by the name.
"I support the decision that was made based on all the input I received from Grand Terrace residents and Colton residents," Taylor said.
Taylor said the naming controversy distracts from the "wonderful accomplishment" of Grand Terrace finally getting its own top-notch high school.
-stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com, (909) 386-3916
Some added thought:
When Ken Taylor says.... Distracts from the "wonderful accomplishment of Grand Terrace finally getting its own top-notch high school... there a double communication in his words.
Grand Terrace or the City of Grand Terrace is not getting its "OWN" high school, Top-Notch or Bottom Notch. The High School is to serve students of the CJUSD including some from Grand Terrace and Colton and who knows where else the buses will come from... the High School is a District School not a City School.
The CJUSD could have used Eminent Domain on any part of Grand Terrace including the area mid town where Doug Jacobsen and Jack Brown want to build their Mega Development... There is no need for the City of Grand Terrace to take or offer the lead on providing the Land or the claim they did so at great sacrifice that exceeds the normal rights that the CJUSD could have evoked if it so desired.
It is to the City's Advantage that the relocated businesses stay in Grand Terrace. It is to the City's perceived advantage not to have to operate 2 parks and to put Students as far possible to the end of town. in not only a commercially zoned area but an Industrial Zoned area across the street from a power transmission facility, and rail road tracks. The City does not have a Parks and Rec Department or Youth Program... and they got rid of the crew to keep the park up.
It was to the City's Advantage that they sold land that would have cost the RDA for the poorly planned Outdoor Adventure Center, access roads and other ill thought out plans of the City...
So here we are, the city taking credit for doing all this for "Their High School" and the CJUSD giving the school a name the will attempt to disassociate the school's identity from the City of Grand Terrace. No one should be surprised...
Not one word in the City's Letter to the CJUSD Board welcomes the Students of the District to the City... The letter perpetuates the clear indication that the City Management will continue to claim recognition for, and authority over the High School and doing so if it is named GTHS... all the easier. This is why the name is not Grand Terrace High School....
The CJUSD Board should find a middle ground... perhaps Blue Mt. High School. Or , Almost in Riverside County High School, or Gage Canal High School, or Rail Road Derailment High School, and the mascot could be an Electric Bolt, or a Toxic Cloud, or perhaps an inner tube...
Good luck CJUSD and Residents of Grand Terrace and the District.... this is an example of another terrific pile provided to you from the actions and words of the Grand Terrace City Council... That is who should have their house cleaned... along with the back room deals, and negotiations on land that were so fair.... they could not be done in public... when it was 2 public agencies in negotiations.
Nope... there are no winners here, and If I were Ray Abril, I'd have my name removed from the school because it will be a bone of contention for decades and not a unifying or pleasant remembrance of many years of service to all of the students of CJUSD including those from Grand Terrace.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
More from InTheNews... and a bit of the old brain..
http://www.sbsun.com/letters/ci_11996887
No planning
Under the watch of Steve Berry, acting city manager, Grand Terrace's small-town image has eroded and turned into a free-for-all for outside developers.
He has turned our once friendly and well-informed community into a self-serving, personal, pet project with total disregard for us who love and call Grand Terrace our home.
He has rushed through projects without a clear agenda, focus or goal. With all the building going on in our city, there is still no place to call "the center of town." All projects are inherently chaotic and spread around. None has a common vision; the architecture lacks uniformity and beauty.
His projects only include citizen input when it is too late, lacking in public scrutiny, with no advanced announcements of public meetings.
For example, for his events, he repeatedly mails the same announcements two or three times with bold, red letters on the outside reading "IMPORTANT CITY INFORMATION" announcing the Halloween Haunt. We have never received an announcement like that for public meetings.
To bring in a Walgreens to compete with existing businesses that have already invested in our community is the worst type of city planning.
Steve Berry is sending the message that Grand Terrace is not business friendly. We will not protect their investment by allowing competing businesses, leaving them with no room for profitable growth. In short, creating an "every man for himself" environment.
It saddens me that our elected officials have chosen to allow the chaos by putting our city in the hands of Steve Berry, whose judgment has been very questionable.
Elections are coming up and it should be noted that we citizens are fed up with all the blank looks by some City Council members at the meetings. It is apparent that they do not take their elected positions as seriously as we residents do.
BETTY GUZMAN
Grand Terrace
Colton schools
http://www.sbsun.com/opinions/ci_11996884
Board must listen to those it serves
Posted: 03/25/2009 07:25:02 PM PDT
Grand Terrace's new - and long-awaited - high school will be named after a longtime Colton resident.
Yes. Yes, really.
No matter that 34 percent of the nominations made for the school's name favored Grand Terrace High School. No matter that the cities of Colton, San Bernardino, Redlands, Fontana - most cities, really - have schools named in their honor.
Nope, the Colton Joint Unified School District, which serves students in five cities, voted 5-1 recently to name its newest high school after Ray Abril Jr., a former district board member who lives in Colton.
Let us be clear: We have nothing against Mr. Abril, who served the district with dignity for 28 years.
Nor do we believe Mr. Abril should decline this tribute, as some have suggested in letters printed here. This is an honor that Mr. Abril and his family should be allowed to cherish.
But we can't ignore the frustration that is evident among district families who see the school board's decision as a "slap in the face," as one parent put it.
Grand Terrace has waited a long time for a high school - longer than it should have had to wait, truth be told.
The district began to plan for its third high school back in 2001, when voters approved a $102 million bond. But increased costs and a lengthy planning process delayed progress on the high school; meanwhile, the district spent some $70 million on improvements and costs related to school construction.
In November, the district dared to approach voters again, and voters - parents, grandparents and concerned citizens who want students to have every chance to succeed - approved another $225 million bond to fund actual construction of the Grand Terrace high school and other projects.
For that, we think the school board owes voters. Voters at least have earned the right to state their preferences for the names of schools in their communities, and the right to expect board members to hear them. Really hear them.
This time around, though, board members asked for feedback and then blithely went ahead with naming the school after one of their own, disregarding the very input they sought.
We hope the school board learns a lesson from the public tongue-lashing it's getting in this newspaper and gives the communities it serves a real say in future decision-making.
Quick points to both the articles:
Ms Guzman should be mindful that free and open competition is good. What we have in Grand Terrace is a Redevelopment Agency that has selected a favored few to own and develop the little remaining land in Grand Terrace, and even go so far as to aid in the running off of land owners to make development investment more attractive. It is the Governments intrusion into the rights of property and investment that should be of concern, not to many drug stores. If all drug store investments came into Grand Terrace under an OPEN Market that would be their own risk and fair competition. However, this is not the case for any of the Jacobson Project / Town Center or what ever it is being called now.
Any Businesses that go into that development and if they compete with pre-existing businesses in Grand Terrace, and those businesses prove a loss of income, the City's Redevelopment Agency may be liable to fund those losses for a period of time. Of course Mr. Jacobsen is not held responsible to fund these losses and so he has no motivation not to saturate the community with drug stores which are in fact Liquor Stores in disguise. Check where the profit margins for these stores are, and you will see that the Liquor Sales is what is making the payroll...
Grand Terrace has a sufficient number of retail locations selling liquor for off site consumption. Grand Terrace already has been noted to have a surplus number of liquor licences according to the State Alcohol Control Board. This should be the area of action for those citizens who see no need for more points of sale for alcohol.
I can not agree with the idea that there should be uniform architecture or some city defined design conformity inflicted upon the land owners and business owners... The land owner should have the right to make their property useful to their use. Ugly is not or should not be illegal or codified against. The idea that how you manage or use your property is my business or the governments is counter to the freedom to own property and get full enjoyment out of your property as the owner sees fit. If the use is not a health or fire problem keep off my turf... trespass not with your feet or eyes...
The idea that it is your property values you are supporting with this type of tyranny is in part what caused the hyper inflation of home prices and debt speculation and ta da... our current banking and finance melt down... Let's reverse these nasty traits and practices on a local level.. it is where the air for the bubble comes from... the local government, RDA and City Councils in bed with Realtors, Developers, and Lenders.
Steve Berry is not the beginning of this folly, he was and is well trained to respond to Tom Schwab's directions... He is only a puppet enjoying longer strings of direction... If he has in independent thought it is only on how to have a party that will allow him to have a petty cash fund, or ask for contributions... He like Schwab should be in charge of weed pulling on city lots and no more than that.
Now for the school name: again I agree it should be Grand Terrace High School, and I think that Ray Abril should turn it down and accept a dedication not name. The petty conduct of the City Council of Grand Terrace, and the CJUSD School Board speaks volumns as to answer the question of why GT/CJUSD/Colton is in education mess and sustainable economic troubles both.
Good luck to you all...
Gramps...
No planning
Under the watch of Steve Berry, acting city manager, Grand Terrace's small-town image has eroded and turned into a free-for-all for outside developers.
He has turned our once friendly and well-informed community into a self-serving, personal, pet project with total disregard for us who love and call Grand Terrace our home.
He has rushed through projects without a clear agenda, focus or goal. With all the building going on in our city, there is still no place to call "the center of town." All projects are inherently chaotic and spread around. None has a common vision; the architecture lacks uniformity and beauty.
His projects only include citizen input when it is too late, lacking in public scrutiny, with no advanced announcements of public meetings.
For example, for his events, he repeatedly mails the same announcements two or three times with bold, red letters on the outside reading "IMPORTANT CITY INFORMATION" announcing the Halloween Haunt. We have never received an announcement like that for public meetings.
To bring in a Walgreens to compete with existing businesses that have already invested in our community is the worst type of city planning.
Steve Berry is sending the message that Grand Terrace is not business friendly. We will not protect their investment by allowing competing businesses, leaving them with no room for profitable growth. In short, creating an "every man for himself" environment.
It saddens me that our elected officials have chosen to allow the chaos by putting our city in the hands of Steve Berry, whose judgment has been very questionable.
Elections are coming up and it should be noted that we citizens are fed up with all the blank looks by some City Council members at the meetings. It is apparent that they do not take their elected positions as seriously as we residents do.
BETTY GUZMAN
Grand Terrace
Colton schools
http://www.sbsun.com/opinions/ci_11996884
Board must listen to those it serves
Posted: 03/25/2009 07:25:02 PM PDT
Grand Terrace's new - and long-awaited - high school will be named after a longtime Colton resident.
Yes. Yes, really.
No matter that 34 percent of the nominations made for the school's name favored Grand Terrace High School. No matter that the cities of Colton, San Bernardino, Redlands, Fontana - most cities, really - have schools named in their honor.
Nope, the Colton Joint Unified School District, which serves students in five cities, voted 5-1 recently to name its newest high school after Ray Abril Jr., a former district board member who lives in Colton.
Let us be clear: We have nothing against Mr. Abril, who served the district with dignity for 28 years.
Nor do we believe Mr. Abril should decline this tribute, as some have suggested in letters printed here. This is an honor that Mr. Abril and his family should be allowed to cherish.
But we can't ignore the frustration that is evident among district families who see the school board's decision as a "slap in the face," as one parent put it.
Grand Terrace has waited a long time for a high school - longer than it should have had to wait, truth be told.
The district began to plan for its third high school back in 2001, when voters approved a $102 million bond. But increased costs and a lengthy planning process delayed progress on the high school; meanwhile, the district spent some $70 million on improvements and costs related to school construction.
In November, the district dared to approach voters again, and voters - parents, grandparents and concerned citizens who want students to have every chance to succeed - approved another $225 million bond to fund actual construction of the Grand Terrace high school and other projects.
For that, we think the school board owes voters. Voters at least have earned the right to state their preferences for the names of schools in their communities, and the right to expect board members to hear them. Really hear them.
This time around, though, board members asked for feedback and then blithely went ahead with naming the school after one of their own, disregarding the very input they sought.
We hope the school board learns a lesson from the public tongue-lashing it's getting in this newspaper and gives the communities it serves a real say in future decision-making.
Quick points to both the articles:
Ms Guzman should be mindful that free and open competition is good. What we have in Grand Terrace is a Redevelopment Agency that has selected a favored few to own and develop the little remaining land in Grand Terrace, and even go so far as to aid in the running off of land owners to make development investment more attractive. It is the Governments intrusion into the rights of property and investment that should be of concern, not to many drug stores. If all drug store investments came into Grand Terrace under an OPEN Market that would be their own risk and fair competition. However, this is not the case for any of the Jacobson Project / Town Center or what ever it is being called now.
Any Businesses that go into that development and if they compete with pre-existing businesses in Grand Terrace, and those businesses prove a loss of income, the City's Redevelopment Agency may be liable to fund those losses for a period of time. Of course Mr. Jacobsen is not held responsible to fund these losses and so he has no motivation not to saturate the community with drug stores which are in fact Liquor Stores in disguise. Check where the profit margins for these stores are, and you will see that the Liquor Sales is what is making the payroll...
Grand Terrace has a sufficient number of retail locations selling liquor for off site consumption. Grand Terrace already has been noted to have a surplus number of liquor licences according to the State Alcohol Control Board. This should be the area of action for those citizens who see no need for more points of sale for alcohol.
I can not agree with the idea that there should be uniform architecture or some city defined design conformity inflicted upon the land owners and business owners... The land owner should have the right to make their property useful to their use. Ugly is not or should not be illegal or codified against. The idea that how you manage or use your property is my business or the governments is counter to the freedom to own property and get full enjoyment out of your property as the owner sees fit. If the use is not a health or fire problem keep off my turf... trespass not with your feet or eyes...
The idea that it is your property values you are supporting with this type of tyranny is in part what caused the hyper inflation of home prices and debt speculation and ta da... our current banking and finance melt down... Let's reverse these nasty traits and practices on a local level.. it is where the air for the bubble comes from... the local government, RDA and City Councils in bed with Realtors, Developers, and Lenders.
Steve Berry is not the beginning of this folly, he was and is well trained to respond to Tom Schwab's directions... He is only a puppet enjoying longer strings of direction... If he has in independent thought it is only on how to have a party that will allow him to have a petty cash fund, or ask for contributions... He like Schwab should be in charge of weed pulling on city lots and no more than that.
Now for the school name: again I agree it should be Grand Terrace High School, and I think that Ray Abril should turn it down and accept a dedication not name. The petty conduct of the City Council of Grand Terrace, and the CJUSD School Board speaks volumns as to answer the question of why GT/CJUSD/Colton is in education mess and sustainable economic troubles both.
Good luck to you all...
Gramps...
Let Me Be Clear... It should be GTHS..
I want to make it clear and simple that I too think the High School in Grand Terrace should be called, Grand Terrace High School, or Blue Mt. High School or something the Citizens of the CJUSD supported in greater popularity than Ray Abril Jr. High School.. in Grand Terrace. It is clear why they left out the Jr. in Ray's name.
I want to make it equally clear that it is the actions and words and resentments between the CJUSD School Board and the City Council and City Management of Grand Terrace that caused the CJUSD School Board to not name the High School, Grand Terrace High School.
They want there to be no further misrepresentations of administrative authority over the schools in Grand Terrace, including the New High School. Steve Berry in Washington asking for support for "Our High School", in his position as City Manager is an assumption of administrative authority which disrespects the School Board. Further more it could actually cause the loss of support for the school.
The City Council putting the High School on its 2 Do List and then taking public credit for each advancement in the progress is disrespectful from the position of the larger CJUSD. It is not a school for Grand Terrace, it is a school in Grand Terrace.
Do we need the school yes. Colton High School is a great school for 2,000 students. Colton High School is a Good School for 3000. CHS is over populated. This situation is counter productive for any of the students or staff that attend that facility. Spinning off some of that school's population to a different facility is a requirement for every students benefit, not just the benefit of the Grand Terrace Students. IF the total goal of education for all the students were what is the goal sought by the City Council's words and actions, and not just for the students of Grand Terrace.... some of the School Board Members may have overlooked the other social ineptitude of the City Managers and Council Members in Grand Terrace.
The CJUSD has more than just the needs of Grand Terrace Students in mind when it addresses district wide needs. The past public statements of the City Council Members and City Managers of Grand Terrace neglect to be inclusive of this broader service area or student population and often makes a "Our Students" and "Their Students" type statements like as if "Our Students" are intrinsically better then "Their Students".
The Students of Colton High School need to have a population split... not because of an Us and Them, but because the right size for a school population is between 2 and 3 000. Grand Terrace Citizens should be as happy for the students at Colton High School that with the opening of an additional High School, Colton High School's student population will better fit that facility and allow for improvement in matriculation at that facility.
The current population density at Colton High School is counter productive and that is what is being addressed by the building of a new high school for the district.
Perhaps, some Grand Terrace Parents and Politicians will pledge to support improvements at Colton High School so that the students attending their will also benefit from the population split and better use of the Colton High School Campus and the resources available to it.
There are features and programs at Colton High School that if not burdened by excessive population can cause a parent within the CJUSD to desire to have their student attend that facility for their education... High Quality Educational Opportunities should be available to all students at all schools, but not all school programs have to be the same.... A high school may not have a Football Team, or a Marching Band... Perhaps a New High School has Ballroom Dancing and Computers. Perhaps another school could focus on Industrial Arts and repair of Green Technology School. Perhaps one could have medical educational focus. and so forth...
Education delivery methods need to change, and all this bother over a name is petty. There are real big educational challenges that the CJUSD and the Parents and Students need to focus on. SO... friends, I too think the CJUSD School Board should suck it up, name the High School in Grand Terrace, Grand Terrace High School, and get on with demanding the high quality of services and expectations of that High School be mirrored or reflected onto the other schools in the district. The School Board should also continue to call upon the Citizens and Politicians of Grand Terrace to support and aid all schools in the CJUSD not just those within the city's boundaries. Then, all have stepped up to a higher level, above self interest and pettiness.
I hope the CJUSD School Board shows more maturity and re-designates the name, it is not to late to respect the District Wide Support for the name Grand Terrace High School as the school's name. It is fair of them to expect the City Manager and City Council of Grand Terrace to stop overstepping their boundaries of authority in their representations with regards to the public schools in Grand Terrace.
The relationship of the two authorities could be put to the better services of the community and school district. Every Parent and Citizen in Grand Terrace should feel they have an obligation to ALL schools in the CJUSD not just those in Grand Terrace.
You don't float a boat by putting water on the deck.
I want to make it equally clear that it is the actions and words and resentments between the CJUSD School Board and the City Council and City Management of Grand Terrace that caused the CJUSD School Board to not name the High School, Grand Terrace High School.
They want there to be no further misrepresentations of administrative authority over the schools in Grand Terrace, including the New High School. Steve Berry in Washington asking for support for "Our High School", in his position as City Manager is an assumption of administrative authority which disrespects the School Board. Further more it could actually cause the loss of support for the school.
The City Council putting the High School on its 2 Do List and then taking public credit for each advancement in the progress is disrespectful from the position of the larger CJUSD. It is not a school for Grand Terrace, it is a school in Grand Terrace.
Do we need the school yes. Colton High School is a great school for 2,000 students. Colton High School is a Good School for 3000. CHS is over populated. This situation is counter productive for any of the students or staff that attend that facility. Spinning off some of that school's population to a different facility is a requirement for every students benefit, not just the benefit of the Grand Terrace Students. IF the total goal of education for all the students were what is the goal sought by the City Council's words and actions, and not just for the students of Grand Terrace.... some of the School Board Members may have overlooked the other social ineptitude of the City Managers and Council Members in Grand Terrace.
The CJUSD has more than just the needs of Grand Terrace Students in mind when it addresses district wide needs. The past public statements of the City Council Members and City Managers of Grand Terrace neglect to be inclusive of this broader service area or student population and often makes a "Our Students" and "Their Students" type statements like as if "Our Students" are intrinsically better then "Their Students".
The Students of Colton High School need to have a population split... not because of an Us and Them, but because the right size for a school population is between 2 and 3 000. Grand Terrace Citizens should be as happy for the students at Colton High School that with the opening of an additional High School, Colton High School's student population will better fit that facility and allow for improvement in matriculation at that facility.
The current population density at Colton High School is counter productive and that is what is being addressed by the building of a new high school for the district.
Perhaps, some Grand Terrace Parents and Politicians will pledge to support improvements at Colton High School so that the students attending their will also benefit from the population split and better use of the Colton High School Campus and the resources available to it.
There are features and programs at Colton High School that if not burdened by excessive population can cause a parent within the CJUSD to desire to have their student attend that facility for their education... High Quality Educational Opportunities should be available to all students at all schools, but not all school programs have to be the same.... A high school may not have a Football Team, or a Marching Band... Perhaps a New High School has Ballroom Dancing and Computers. Perhaps another school could focus on Industrial Arts and repair of Green Technology School. Perhaps one could have medical educational focus. and so forth...
Education delivery methods need to change, and all this bother over a name is petty. There are real big educational challenges that the CJUSD and the Parents and Students need to focus on. SO... friends, I too think the CJUSD School Board should suck it up, name the High School in Grand Terrace, Grand Terrace High School, and get on with demanding the high quality of services and expectations of that High School be mirrored or reflected onto the other schools in the district. The School Board should also continue to call upon the Citizens and Politicians of Grand Terrace to support and aid all schools in the CJUSD not just those within the city's boundaries. Then, all have stepped up to a higher level, above self interest and pettiness.
I hope the CJUSD School Board shows more maturity and re-designates the name, it is not to late to respect the District Wide Support for the name Grand Terrace High School as the school's name. It is fair of them to expect the City Manager and City Council of Grand Terrace to stop overstepping their boundaries of authority in their representations with regards to the public schools in Grand Terrace.
The relationship of the two authorities could be put to the better services of the community and school district. Every Parent and Citizen in Grand Terrace should feel they have an obligation to ALL schools in the CJUSD not just those in Grand Terrace.
You don't float a boat by putting water on the deck.
GT In the News...
http://www.sbsun.com/letters/ci_11988791
Waste of time
Posted: 03/24/2009 09:09:01 PM PDT
The headline on a recent (March 14) report that the name the Colton Joint Unified School District board had decided for the new high school "irked" GT residents was putting it mildly.
More appropriate would be "outraged."
If 124 people voted to name the school Grand Terrace High and only 17 voted for Ray Abril Jr., isn't that a clear majority in favor of the first name?
Instead, the school board went ahead and announced that it was going to be Ray Abril Jr. High School. It is pretty obvious that they had decided on the name beforehand. So why put on the charade and waste everybody's time?
The last time I checked, we were still living in a democracy. Who made the school board emperors? (I thought John Weeks had reserved that title for himself).
The citizens of Grand Terrace have fought long and hard for a high school. Why would they be denied pride of ownership?
And Mr. Taylor, the citizens of Grand Terrace elected you because they felt you would represent them. Well, with your vote you have proven them wrong. I hope everybody remembers that come election time - I sure will!
HANNI BENNETT Grand Terrace
Naming rights
Posted: 03/22/2009 05:48:46 PM PDT
To members of the Colton Joint Unified School District:
I have been a citizen of Grand Terrace for more than 35 years. My husband and I graduated from Colton High School, as did our six children. I am angered and saddened regarding your naming of high school No. 3.
You asked for suggestions for the name and yet disregarded the most popular name, that being Grand Terrace High School.
High school No. 1, Colton, and No. 2, Bloomington, are named after the cities they are located in, why change now?
You are choosing to honor one man while dishonoring a whole city.
Ray Abril always used the name "Ray Abril Jr." Why not use the "Jr." now, are you honoring him or his father?
Why not name it Eulis Hubbs (father of Ken Hubbs) High School? He served as president of the Colton Joint Unified School Board, was a citizen of Grand Terrace, and is deceased.
Or Dr. Owen J. Cook High School, former CJUSD superintendent, Grand Terrace resident, and recently deceased.
Mr. Abril, Mr. Hubbs, and Dr. Cook all are good men who served the school district well, yet
Grand Terrace High School is still the most logical and fitting name.
Why not change the name of Colton Memorial Stadium (home of one of the greatest football programs around), to Ray Abril Jr. Stadium?
Your approval of a high school in the city of Grand Terrace took many, many years. Why so quick to name it, with very little notice to the citizens, and allowing so little time for input at the school board meeting?
You say Bloomington needs a new high school desperately; well the citizens of Grand Terrace, along with Colton and Bloomington, have paid taxes and passed bond measures to fund all schools in the district.
I hope you will listen to the citizens you claim to represent and change the name to the more appropriate and fitting Grand Terrace High School.
KATHY BOWLER Grand Terrace
High school name upsets Grand Terrace residents
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/13/2009 03:04:03 PM PDT
Updated: 03/13/2009 08:37:52 PM PDT
Grand Terrace: High School No. 3 finally has a name.
The Colton school board voted 5-1 on Thursday to name Grand Terrace's new high school after longtime Colton resident Ray Abril, Jr.
Patt Haro voted no. Marge Mendoza-Ware was absent.
The vote upset many Grand Terrace residents who waged a grass-roots campaign to name the school after their city.
"I wish they would have gone with the will of the people," said Ed Gregor, a retired Bloomington High School teacher who lives in Grand Terrace.
The $82 million high school is expected to open in September 2011 at the corner of Main and Taylor streets.
The Colton Joint Unified School District last month asked the public to come up with nominations for the new school. Seventy-three different names were submitted.
Grand Terrace High School was the winner, receiving 124 of the 365 nominations. Ray Abril or Ray Abril, Jr. High School came in fourth place, garnering 17 votes.
A large contingent of Grand Terrace residents came to the meeting to try to influence the board's decision. Eight speakers favored naming the school after the city. Their comments were greeted by applause and cheers.
Grand Terrace Councilman Walt Stanckiewitz told the board that elected officials must follow the wishes of voters.
"If you're not going to consider the results of your request for votes, why did you ask the public to participate?" Stanckiewitz said.
As a compromise, Stanckiewitz suggested naming the school Grand Terrace High School, but dedicating it in Abril's honor.
Abril, 76, served on the Colton school board from 1973 to 2001.
Board member Robert Armenta, Jr. called Abril a positive role model who made "a significant and long-term difference" for all students in the district.
"While I can certainly understand the thinking on both sides of the `what to name the high school argument,' it is my belief that our schools are for our students," Armenta said.
Gil Navarro, a San Bernardino County school board member, spoke in support of Abril.
"We need more role models for Latinos who are the majority of this district," said Navarro, whose remarks were booed by members of the audience. "This is not about a city. This is about naming a school after someone who has contributed to the school district."
Several Grand Terrace residents vowed Friday to fight to rename the high school.
Wendy Baker, who lives in Grand Terrace and is the mother of a seventh-grader in the Colton school district, called the board's decision "a slap in the face" of Grand Terrace.
The cities of San Bernardino, Redlands, Fontana and Colton have high schools named after them, she noted.
"I am very sad," Baker said in an e-mail to board members. "You could have named the library or the gym after this person. Instead you took Grand Terrace's identity away."
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com
(909) 386-3916
Waste of time
Posted: 03/24/2009 09:09:01 PM PDT
The headline on a recent (March 14) report that the name the Colton Joint Unified School District board had decided for the new high school "irked" GT residents was putting it mildly.
More appropriate would be "outraged."
If 124 people voted to name the school Grand Terrace High and only 17 voted for Ray Abril Jr., isn't that a clear majority in favor of the first name?
Instead, the school board went ahead and announced that it was going to be Ray Abril Jr. High School. It is pretty obvious that they had decided on the name beforehand. So why put on the charade and waste everybody's time?
The last time I checked, we were still living in a democracy. Who made the school board emperors? (I thought John Weeks had reserved that title for himself).
The citizens of Grand Terrace have fought long and hard for a high school. Why would they be denied pride of ownership?
And Mr. Taylor, the citizens of Grand Terrace elected you because they felt you would represent them. Well, with your vote you have proven them wrong. I hope everybody remembers that come election time - I sure will!
HANNI BENNETT Grand Terrace
Naming rights
Posted: 03/22/2009 05:48:46 PM PDT
To members of the Colton Joint Unified School District:
I have been a citizen of Grand Terrace for more than 35 years. My husband and I graduated from Colton High School, as did our six children. I am angered and saddened regarding your naming of high school No. 3.
You asked for suggestions for the name and yet disregarded the most popular name, that being Grand Terrace High School.
High school No. 1, Colton, and No. 2, Bloomington, are named after the cities they are located in, why change now?
You are choosing to honor one man while dishonoring a whole city.
Ray Abril always used the name "Ray Abril Jr." Why not use the "Jr." now, are you honoring him or his father?
Why not name it Eulis Hubbs (father of Ken Hubbs) High School? He served as president of the Colton Joint Unified School Board, was a citizen of Grand Terrace, and is deceased.
Or Dr. Owen J. Cook High School, former CJUSD superintendent, Grand Terrace resident, and recently deceased.
Mr. Abril, Mr. Hubbs, and Dr. Cook all are good men who served the school district well, yet
Grand Terrace High School is still the most logical and fitting name.
Why not change the name of Colton Memorial Stadium (home of one of the greatest football programs around), to Ray Abril Jr. Stadium?
Your approval of a high school in the city of Grand Terrace took many, many years. Why so quick to name it, with very little notice to the citizens, and allowing so little time for input at the school board meeting?
You say Bloomington needs a new high school desperately; well the citizens of Grand Terrace, along with Colton and Bloomington, have paid taxes and passed bond measures to fund all schools in the district.
I hope you will listen to the citizens you claim to represent and change the name to the more appropriate and fitting Grand Terrace High School.
KATHY BOWLER Grand Terrace
High school name upsets Grand Terrace residents
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/13/2009 03:04:03 PM PDT
Updated: 03/13/2009 08:37:52 PM PDT
Grand Terrace: High School No. 3 finally has a name.
The Colton school board voted 5-1 on Thursday to name Grand Terrace's new high school after longtime Colton resident Ray Abril, Jr.
Patt Haro voted no. Marge Mendoza-Ware was absent.
The vote upset many Grand Terrace residents who waged a grass-roots campaign to name the school after their city.
"I wish they would have gone with the will of the people," said Ed Gregor, a retired Bloomington High School teacher who lives in Grand Terrace.
The $82 million high school is expected to open in September 2011 at the corner of Main and Taylor streets.
The Colton Joint Unified School District last month asked the public to come up with nominations for the new school. Seventy-three different names were submitted.
Grand Terrace High School was the winner, receiving 124 of the 365 nominations. Ray Abril or Ray Abril, Jr. High School came in fourth place, garnering 17 votes.
A large contingent of Grand Terrace residents came to the meeting to try to influence the board's decision. Eight speakers favored naming the school after the city. Their comments were greeted by applause and cheers.
Grand Terrace Councilman Walt Stanckiewitz told the board that elected officials must follow the wishes of voters.
"If you're not going to consider the results of your request for votes, why did you ask the public to participate?" Stanckiewitz said.
As a compromise, Stanckiewitz suggested naming the school Grand Terrace High School, but dedicating it in Abril's honor.
Abril, 76, served on the Colton school board from 1973 to 2001.
Board member Robert Armenta, Jr. called Abril a positive role model who made "a significant and long-term difference" for all students in the district.
"While I can certainly understand the thinking on both sides of the `what to name the high school argument,' it is my belief that our schools are for our students," Armenta said.
Gil Navarro, a San Bernardino County school board member, spoke in support of Abril.
"We need more role models for Latinos who are the majority of this district," said Navarro, whose remarks were booed by members of the audience. "This is not about a city. This is about naming a school after someone who has contributed to the school district."
Several Grand Terrace residents vowed Friday to fight to rename the high school.
Wendy Baker, who lives in Grand Terrace and is the mother of a seventh-grader in the Colton school district, called the board's decision "a slap in the face" of Grand Terrace.
The cities of San Bernardino, Redlands, Fontana and Colton have high schools named after them, she noted.
"I am very sad," Baker said in an e-mail to board members. "You could have named the library or the gym after this person. Instead you took Grand Terrace's identity away."
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com
(909) 386-3916
Saturday, March 21, 2009
High Schools Name is Fault of City Council
It is clear that there is a giant Rift between the Colton Joint Unifided School District School Board and the Grand Terrace City Council and City Management.
CJUSD Board no doubt resents every time the City Management or City Council represents themselves as being in charge or responsible for the functions of the CJUSD or Board of E...
For example.
The City Council put in on its list of Priorities... The New High School.... they have over stepped.
When the City Council, Mayor or City Manager solicit funds, or speak as a Lobbies for the High School in Washington DC or in the Press.
When the City Council, Mayor or City Manager say and are quoted in the press that the school is "Our" High School, for "Our Students" for "Our Community"...
They have over reached their authority, diminished the authority and position of the School Board and School District Authority and Responsibility and Accountability for the providing of educational facilities for ALL of the School Districts Students. The City of Grand Terrace Management and City Council Members are in a way taking credit for the work and efforts being done by the CJUSD and will continue to take ownership if the Name of the School is Grand Terrace High School.
That is the real reason why every other site outside of Grand Terrace was tried first. That is why the Name of the School was pre-decided not to be Grand Terrace High School by the Board of Education. It would have been nice if the PUBLIC was aware that the name was not acceptable as an option in the "Name the High School Survey". It would be nice if the Public will to have the school named after the town where it is would go forth, and the battle of territory of CJUSD/Board and the GT City Council/City Managers could be made public and resolved.
Why:
Well when the City Manager represents he is making a request for school support, he is not the person that support can flow through. The funding agency will discredit him and the validity of the need for the funds requested, so when the CJUSD makes a pitch for the needed support the funder may already be resistant to the request due to the City Council or City Manager having had the first interface.
SO... bottom line here is that the City Council and City Manager must stop stepping on the toes and territory of the CJUSD and School Board Functions and Egos. They must stop taking credit for the High School being built. News about the school should come from the CJUSD... not the City Council or City Management. IF the City of Grand Terrace has been of assistance or supported this or that about the school that news should come from CJUSD Information Officer, not Steve Berry City Manager, or Mayor Ferre.
So folks of Grand Terrace, the reason the High School is not being named Grand Terrace High School is:
The City Council, Mayor, City Manager have demonstrated time and time again, that they will take credit for there being a high school in Grand Terrace, and attempt to take credit for all that may be good about the high school. "Our High School", "We will Build Our High School". "We will have a High School for "Our Students"... are all statements and attitudes that are offencive, to the CJUSD, and the Board of Education, and the entire CJUSD Population.
The City Council, Mayor, and City Manager are playing the "US/Them" or Yours/Ours" game to bolster their egos, and political importance when the fact is GT Students have been hosted in the City of Colton for like EVER... did you ever hear a member of the School Board say we need to Keep Colton High School for "Our Colton Students". Did you ever hear a Colton City Council Member or Mayor make such a claim? Do you see the Mayor of Colton step on CJUSD Authority? NOPE...
There is another problem brewing. That problem is that the CJUSD has a relationship with Colton PD to provide services to all schools in the CJUSD... Grand Terrace City Council will not like Colton PD operations in GT... as GT doesn't want to even look at the possibility that contracting for PD Services with the City of Colton may be more effective than a contract with the Sheriff's Department... NOT EVEN LOOKED AT... why... The Council / City Management has a HIGH RESISTANCE to anything "COLTON".
This is what YEARS of GT Snobbery and Prejudice make. Lets remember that in addition to CJUSD many of us rely on Colton Parks and Rec Activities for our youth... For many years Grand Terrace was Included as being "Local Resident Rates for Pool and other Recreation Use". Bad will caused by the Continuous Snubs and Over Reaching of our own GT City Council and City Managers have cause a change in this traditional and long running relationship of service to both communities.
I do hope that Egos get done with this and Ray Abril declines the honor. The CJUSD sucks it up and names it like other High Schools have been named, in each of the towns... Colton, Bloomington and now Grand Terrace... the first school of that type should be named after the Location of the School.
I hope in the future, when the CJUSD is Offended by the transgressions of the GT City Council they have the intestinal fortitude to make a point of it. It does not serve anyone for the GT City Council and its Representatives to Over Step, Over Reach, and take claim of credit or responsibility for Schools in Grand Terrace. This is a fraud of sorts they need to be held accountable for, and stopped.
What is Clear.
The people of Grand Terrace and even those of the district who participated in the Name The School Survey wanted the School Named " Grand Terrace High School ".
The School Board is supposed to be a representative of the People in the management of the Schools so Please hear the people and name the school "Grand Terrace High School".
Deal with the City Council's Conduct in a different way.
Or Perhaps, have the land annexed to Colton and call it South Colton High School... or Perhaps
USCGT High School.... United South Colton Granat Terrace High School...
CJUSD Board no doubt resents every time the City Management or City Council represents themselves as being in charge or responsible for the functions of the CJUSD or Board of E...
For example.
The City Council put in on its list of Priorities... The New High School.... they have over stepped.
When the City Council, Mayor or City Manager solicit funds, or speak as a Lobbies for the High School in Washington DC or in the Press.
When the City Council, Mayor or City Manager say and are quoted in the press that the school is "Our" High School, for "Our Students" for "Our Community"...
They have over reached their authority, diminished the authority and position of the School Board and School District Authority and Responsibility and Accountability for the providing of educational facilities for ALL of the School Districts Students. The City of Grand Terrace Management and City Council Members are in a way taking credit for the work and efforts being done by the CJUSD and will continue to take ownership if the Name of the School is Grand Terrace High School.
That is the real reason why every other site outside of Grand Terrace was tried first. That is why the Name of the School was pre-decided not to be Grand Terrace High School by the Board of Education. It would have been nice if the PUBLIC was aware that the name was not acceptable as an option in the "Name the High School Survey". It would be nice if the Public will to have the school named after the town where it is would go forth, and the battle of territory of CJUSD/Board and the GT City Council/City Managers could be made public and resolved.
Why:
Well when the City Manager represents he is making a request for school support, he is not the person that support can flow through. The funding agency will discredit him and the validity of the need for the funds requested, so when the CJUSD makes a pitch for the needed support the funder may already be resistant to the request due to the City Council or City Manager having had the first interface.
SO... bottom line here is that the City Council and City Manager must stop stepping on the toes and territory of the CJUSD and School Board Functions and Egos. They must stop taking credit for the High School being built. News about the school should come from the CJUSD... not the City Council or City Management. IF the City of Grand Terrace has been of assistance or supported this or that about the school that news should come from CJUSD Information Officer, not Steve Berry City Manager, or Mayor Ferre.
So folks of Grand Terrace, the reason the High School is not being named Grand Terrace High School is:
The City Council, Mayor, City Manager have demonstrated time and time again, that they will take credit for there being a high school in Grand Terrace, and attempt to take credit for all that may be good about the high school. "Our High School", "We will Build Our High School". "We will have a High School for "Our Students"... are all statements and attitudes that are offencive, to the CJUSD, and the Board of Education, and the entire CJUSD Population.
The City Council, Mayor, and City Manager are playing the "US/Them" or Yours/Ours" game to bolster their egos, and political importance when the fact is GT Students have been hosted in the City of Colton for like EVER... did you ever hear a member of the School Board say we need to Keep Colton High School for "Our Colton Students". Did you ever hear a Colton City Council Member or Mayor make such a claim? Do you see the Mayor of Colton step on CJUSD Authority? NOPE...
There is another problem brewing. That problem is that the CJUSD has a relationship with Colton PD to provide services to all schools in the CJUSD... Grand Terrace City Council will not like Colton PD operations in GT... as GT doesn't want to even look at the possibility that contracting for PD Services with the City of Colton may be more effective than a contract with the Sheriff's Department... NOT EVEN LOOKED AT... why... The Council / City Management has a HIGH RESISTANCE to anything "COLTON".
This is what YEARS of GT Snobbery and Prejudice make. Lets remember that in addition to CJUSD many of us rely on Colton Parks and Rec Activities for our youth... For many years Grand Terrace was Included as being "Local Resident Rates for Pool and other Recreation Use". Bad will caused by the Continuous Snubs and Over Reaching of our own GT City Council and City Managers have cause a change in this traditional and long running relationship of service to both communities.
I do hope that Egos get done with this and Ray Abril declines the honor. The CJUSD sucks it up and names it like other High Schools have been named, in each of the towns... Colton, Bloomington and now Grand Terrace... the first school of that type should be named after the Location of the School.
I hope in the future, when the CJUSD is Offended by the transgressions of the GT City Council they have the intestinal fortitude to make a point of it. It does not serve anyone for the GT City Council and its Representatives to Over Step, Over Reach, and take claim of credit or responsibility for Schools in Grand Terrace. This is a fraud of sorts they need to be held accountable for, and stopped.
What is Clear.
The people of Grand Terrace and even those of the district who participated in the Name The School Survey wanted the School Named " Grand Terrace High School ".
The School Board is supposed to be a representative of the People in the management of the Schools so Please hear the people and name the school "Grand Terrace High School".
Deal with the City Council's Conduct in a different way.
Or Perhaps, have the land annexed to Colton and call it South Colton High School... or Perhaps
USCGT High School.... United South Colton Granat Terrace High School...
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Do you Smell IT?
Grand Terrace pushes for stimulus funds
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/17/2009 04:12:47 PM PDT
Grand Terrace: Acting City Manager Steve Berry is in the nation's capital this week to make sure the city isn't left behind when federal stimulus dollars are divvied up.
Haven't we been told over and over again that GT is Financially Sound and We are able to RIDE out the down turn because Mr. Schwab and Mr. Berry are so good at their jobs?
Berry met Tuesday with representatives of Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, and Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, to discuss three of the City Council's top priorities.
Berry could meet with representatives here at their local offices and not cost the city the expense of travel.
Berry requested federal help for a proposal to bring a fiber-optic network from Loma Linda to Grand Terrace. He also sought support for technology partnerships at the city's new high school and pushed for funds to create a wilderness park on Blue Mountain.
This asking method is better done at local offices where the staff can aid in the filling out of funding Grants, where a quick visit does not produce the actual applications.
This may be why the High School is not named Grand Terrace High School. Steve Berry or the City of Grand Terrace has no standing to negotiate for the High School. If the school was called Grand Terrace High School, this miss use of authority or over-statement of authority will continue by the City Government. The City Council, Mayor, and Schwab/Berry have made it impossible for the School Board to name the High School, "Grand Terrace High School"...
"There's a tremendous amount of money flowing out of Washington right now," Berry said Tuesday afternoon after meetings with congressional aides. "We want to make sure we get our fair share of the stimulus package."
Now this is child like logic. Gimmie Mine... Who cares if it could be needed more some other place or used for a community that is not in good financial status like Grand Terrace is or so we have been told. No Stimulus money should come to GT unless the City Mangers, Department Heads and City Attorney take a 20 percent pay cut, and the Council stops getting a monthly check for auto expense without showing they actually drove on city business.
Berry's lobbying activities coincided with the National League of Cities conference that started Monday and ends today.
Remember the League of Cities is the Political Action Committee that likes Redevelopment Agencies and the power to use Eminent Domain to remove people from their property to then turn it over to other private parties... Yes, GT has not done that but they have threatened to do so... So you citizens are paying for our City Management to learn of ways to abuse your property rights to the advantage of Developers.
Berry heard speeches by several Cabinet officials, including Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan.
Berry said he was encouraged by his meeting with Baca and his staff regarding plans to collaborate with public and private institutions to bring a technology focus to the new high school in Grand Terrace.
Again, Berry has no standing to represent the interests of the new high school... He doesn't even have children who will be attending classes there. Mr. Bacca should know this. The City would not receive funds for a project at the high school.
"Ultimately, we must continue to reach out and incorporate new technologies, so we can best ensure that students receive the education necessary to prepare
them for the 21st Century workforce," Baca said in a statement.
On Saturday and Sunday, Berry attended a crisis-management course put on by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Mr. Berry should have flown in Friday, and returned on Sunday. Attending other events and meetings should not have been funded by taxpayers when those meetings are not in the interest of the citizens, or or beyond the scope of city management.
The city receive a grant from FEMA for the training, which included information on how to respond to natural and man-made disasters. The federal grant paid for Berry's expenses, except for meals and ground transportation. The council approved up to $800 for the trip, which included the $360 conference fee.
Citizens paid 800.00 additional dollars to aid the city management and redevelopment types to carve away at your property rights.
The City Management should not have Three stories. One for local consumption..." we are doing ok" we are financially sound.... then lay off people to save money... after of course giving a raise to both City Managers...
Then the representation that The City of Grand Terrace needs Stimulus Funds. Nope, perhaps a business in Grand Terrace does, but prior statements of the City Management and Council suggest that any extra money received would not be out of NEED but GREED... is this what we want to teach our children? Is this how we want to live.
The need in GT is for jobs that provide sufficient incomes to live in GT. This is not the goal for the city management. We do not need to continue being consumers only or a bed room community. If that is our future, the Stimulus Funds should go to the places where employment happens... as that may be Sustainable.
It may be time that the City Council and City Management has a House Cleaning and they are swept out of office as the Citizens are growing tired of their lies and over reaching and self indulgences.
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/17/2009 04:12:47 PM PDT
Grand Terrace: Acting City Manager Steve Berry is in the nation's capital this week to make sure the city isn't left behind when federal stimulus dollars are divvied up.
Haven't we been told over and over again that GT is Financially Sound and We are able to RIDE out the down turn because Mr. Schwab and Mr. Berry are so good at their jobs?
Berry met Tuesday with representatives of Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, and Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, to discuss three of the City Council's top priorities.
Berry could meet with representatives here at their local offices and not cost the city the expense of travel.
Berry requested federal help for a proposal to bring a fiber-optic network from Loma Linda to Grand Terrace. He also sought support for technology partnerships at the city's new high school and pushed for funds to create a wilderness park on Blue Mountain.
This asking method is better done at local offices where the staff can aid in the filling out of funding Grants, where a quick visit does not produce the actual applications.
This may be why the High School is not named Grand Terrace High School. Steve Berry or the City of Grand Terrace has no standing to negotiate for the High School. If the school was called Grand Terrace High School, this miss use of authority or over-statement of authority will continue by the City Government. The City Council, Mayor, and Schwab/Berry have made it impossible for the School Board to name the High School, "Grand Terrace High School"...
"There's a tremendous amount of money flowing out of Washington right now," Berry said Tuesday afternoon after meetings with congressional aides. "We want to make sure we get our fair share of the stimulus package."
Now this is child like logic. Gimmie Mine... Who cares if it could be needed more some other place or used for a community that is not in good financial status like Grand Terrace is or so we have been told. No Stimulus money should come to GT unless the City Mangers, Department Heads and City Attorney take a 20 percent pay cut, and the Council stops getting a monthly check for auto expense without showing they actually drove on city business.
Berry's lobbying activities coincided with the National League of Cities conference that started Monday and ends today.
Remember the League of Cities is the Political Action Committee that likes Redevelopment Agencies and the power to use Eminent Domain to remove people from their property to then turn it over to other private parties... Yes, GT has not done that but they have threatened to do so... So you citizens are paying for our City Management to learn of ways to abuse your property rights to the advantage of Developers.
Berry heard speeches by several Cabinet officials, including Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan.
Berry said he was encouraged by his meeting with Baca and his staff regarding plans to collaborate with public and private institutions to bring a technology focus to the new high school in Grand Terrace.
Again, Berry has no standing to represent the interests of the new high school... He doesn't even have children who will be attending classes there. Mr. Bacca should know this. The City would not receive funds for a project at the high school.
"Ultimately, we must continue to reach out and incorporate new technologies, so we can best ensure that students receive the education necessary to prepare
them for the 21st Century workforce," Baca said in a statement.
On Saturday and Sunday, Berry attended a crisis-management course put on by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Mr. Berry should have flown in Friday, and returned on Sunday. Attending other events and meetings should not have been funded by taxpayers when those meetings are not in the interest of the citizens, or or beyond the scope of city management.
The city receive a grant from FEMA for the training, which included information on how to respond to natural and man-made disasters. The federal grant paid for Berry's expenses, except for meals and ground transportation. The council approved up to $800 for the trip, which included the $360 conference fee.
Citizens paid 800.00 additional dollars to aid the city management and redevelopment types to carve away at your property rights.
The City Management should not have Three stories. One for local consumption..." we are doing ok" we are financially sound.... then lay off people to save money... after of course giving a raise to both City Managers...
Then the representation that The City of Grand Terrace needs Stimulus Funds. Nope, perhaps a business in Grand Terrace does, but prior statements of the City Management and Council suggest that any extra money received would not be out of NEED but GREED... is this what we want to teach our children? Is this how we want to live.
The need in GT is for jobs that provide sufficient incomes to live in GT. This is not the goal for the city management. We do not need to continue being consumers only or a bed room community. If that is our future, the Stimulus Funds should go to the places where employment happens... as that may be Sustainable.
It may be time that the City Council and City Management has a House Cleaning and they are swept out of office as the Citizens are growing tired of their lies and over reaching and self indulgences.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Economic Stimuli...?
Resident Property Manager (Grand Terrace)
Reply to: job-h5prw-1060781871@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]Date: 2009-03-04, 5:02PM PST
Property management firm is looking to hire a professional individual as Resident (on-site) manager. The manager will oversee the day to day operations of a 120 unit senior apartment community, advertising and filling vacancies, screening and qualifying tenants. The manager will supervise the maintenance and leasing staff, and report to the regional supervisor on a regular basis. The ideal candidate will have experience in property management, preferably with affordable housing or tax credit programs. Bilingual (English/Spanish) is desired.
We offer a competitive salary and good benefits, and housing. The property manager will be required to live on site. All candidates must pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of two (2) years of property management experience, good organizational and communiciation skills, be a "people" person, a problem solver, a great leader, and knowledgeable in dealing with vendors. Prior experience in apartment "lease ups" is a plus!
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Location: Grand Terrace
Compensation: $14.00 per hour to start, plus housing. Benefits eligibility after 90 days of employment.
OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.PostingID: 1060781871
Reply to: job-h5prw-1060781871@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]Date: 2009-03-04, 5:02PM PST
Property management firm is looking to hire a professional individual as Resident (on-site) manager. The manager will oversee the day to day operations of a 120 unit senior apartment community, advertising and filling vacancies, screening and qualifying tenants. The manager will supervise the maintenance and leasing staff, and report to the regional supervisor on a regular basis. The ideal candidate will have experience in property management, preferably with affordable housing or tax credit programs. Bilingual (English/Spanish) is desired.
We offer a competitive salary and good benefits, and housing. The property manager will be required to live on site. All candidates must pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of two (2) years of property management experience, good organizational and communiciation skills, be a "people" person, a problem solver, a great leader, and knowledgeable in dealing with vendors. Prior experience in apartment "lease ups" is a plus!
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Location: Grand Terrace
Compensation: $14.00 per hour to start, plus housing. Benefits eligibility after 90 days of employment.
OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.PostingID: 1060781871
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)