From In the News: PE / SUN

Grand Terrace Heads for Calm
Press Enterprize

10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, August 11, 2009
CASSIE MACDUFF

He was Grand Terrace's finance director from 1994 to 2000, leaving for a job in San Jacinto, so he was gone during most of the tumult.
He was still on board when the utility tax measure failed, forcing the city to lay off a police officer and end recreation programs.
But he wasn't around in 2004 when Berry and Schwab pushed for a 123-acre outdoor recreation center with dirt-bike trails and a lake for testing jet skis and speedboats. The proposal stirred up a storm of protest among residents, who complained it would be too noisy and bring too much traffic.
Simon wasn't around in 2005 when city officials threatened to use eminent domain to oust two holdouts where they wanted to lure a Lowe's home improvement center (also unpopular with residents who complained it didn't fit the city's small-town feel).
Nor was he around in 2006 when disgruntled citizens mounted a recall effort against Mayor Maryetta Ferre and Councilwoman LeeAnn Garcia for supporting the big development deals. (The effort failed, lacking enough signatures.)
That gives Simon a relatively clean slate to start re-establishing residents' trust in City Hall and calming jittery city workers.
City workers are eager to "move on and forget about this soap opera ... and just go about the business of providing service," Simon said.
"There is a great change in atmosphere," said Ferre, citing a letup in phone calls, e-mails and people coming to her door. "There's a definite sense of calm at City Hall."
Councilman Walt Stanchiewitz agreed: "Things have settled down, people are smiling again."
Of course, there's still the matter of the felony charge against Councilman Jim Miller, who's accused of voting on payments for city ads in his wife's newspaper.
"Jim's matter will be a distraction ... until the courts deal with it," Stanchiewitz said.
But the search is on for a new city manager. Ferre said she hopes one will be on board by Nov. 1.
Meanwhile, Simon has helped to calm the waters, she said. "He's the person we need to tide us over."


Cassie MacDuff can be reached at 951-368-9470 or mailto: cmacduff@PE.com

Grand Terrace helps seniors fix homes
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/13/2009 03:03:14 PM PDT


GRAND TERRACE - The city wants to help needy seniors fix up their homes.
The City Council on Tuesday approved a partnership with San Bernardino County for a senior home repair program.

"It sounds like it would be very beneficial for our seniors," said Mayor Maryetta Ferre.
County officials came up with a plan that allows small cities such as Grand Terrace to jointly pay administrative aspects of the program.
The county gets federal Community Development Block Grant funds that are distributed to the city.

Grand Terrace was alloted $16,281 in federal money for the program in 2009-2010. The city's contribution is estimated at $4,583.

Under the program, homeowners 60 years and older can get one-time grants of up to $5,000 to correct code violations and health and safety deficiencies.

Many people who get help have no other way to take care of broken water heaters, plumbing leaks, leaking roofs and electrical problems, city officials say.
To qualify for the grant, an applicant's household income cannot exceed 80 percent of the county median income.

For one person, the annual income limit is $37,300. The maximum income for a two-member household is $42,650 per year and $47,950 a year for three people.

City staff members plan to inform seniors of the program through the senior center, mobile home parks and on the city's Web site.

If the number of participants exceeds the available funds, staffers will ask the council to consider augmenting the program with redevelopment money.

Councilman Walt Stanckiewitz said the program is needed in Grand Terrace.
"We've got an aging community," Stanckiewitz said. "This is a program that could become critical. It's laid out to help people who can't help themselves."
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com. (909) 386-3916