Increasing RDA Debt Levels

First look at the past use of Debt. Was the money spent well. No.

Second was the money spent as it was supposed to be spent. No. The RDA funding the "General Fund" or giving the city a loan never intended to be paid back (sic) Tom Schwab. This is not legal use of the funds. Why has no one been charged with a crime?

Third look at the grandiose pie in the sky plans or objectives for the expanded debt and test of reason says it is unsustainable.

This is like a friend or a relative who asks for 20.00 and never pays you back. Then comes and asks for 200.00. You know he spent the last 20.00 on a party, and the 200.00 is for who knows what.

Nope.. The RDA and the City of Grand Terrace should not raise the debt level and any bonding agency should not fund or sell those debt bonds if it does. This is the time to live within our means. That is what the city tells the citizens. Well do it.

Begin to rebuild trust in the City/RDA by a complete accounting for every dime Mr. Schwab and Mr. Berry spent. A complete accounting and review of the building and running of the Senior Apartments and Senior Center. If there is a way to recover funds do it. Even if you have to claw back on the inflated incomes and retirement packages paid to Schwab and Berry. Or if there is proven fraud on their parts it may be a civil case where damages can be attached to a judgement and their assets subject to sale like Bernie Maddoff's.

Until there is LEADERSHIP on the City Council and in the City Hall, the citizens will not support an expanded debt level or the Development Plan/General Plan. These duo plans are not for the Citizens Benefit. They benefit developers and a select few retail type businesses. Increase in Retail Stores will not provide sustainable economic viability. It will increase blight and empty stores. You must increase the Income of the Population and or Produce a Export to increase Economic Value. Shifting current sales from one store to another will not be an increase in the total economic health of Grand Terrace. Burdened with debt it will sink the city.