Sylvia Robles
Candidate, Grand Terrace City Council
PRESS RELEASE August 30, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information Contact: Sylvia Robles, 951-334-4104
Over 50 supporters gathered at Taco Village Mexican Grill last evening to officially kick-off the city council campaign of candidate Sylvia Robles, who is seeking the un-expired term of former Councilman Jim Miller.
The event was filled with lively discussion on city issues and making of new acquaintances between supporters. Guests enjoyed hot appetizers of taquitos, flautas, enchiladas, rice and beans and of course the traditional chips and salsa.
Candidate Sylvia Robles, discussed her goals to see that Grand Terrace utilizes the limited land it has left for the social and fiscal benefit of its’ citizens. She explained her personal motivation for seeing to it that Grand Terrace expands it library services, fulfills the need for little league ball fields, and restores organized youth recreational activities.
Of equal importance is the quest to end the culture of secrecy in city government. She discussed in detail her concerns since completing her graduate studies of local government abuse of Redevelopment Agency (RDA) powers. Mrs. Robles found it incredible that incrementally the past mayor and council placed the entire City of Grand Terrace in the Redevelopment Agency boundary. This is conditioned on declaring the entire city blighted. It also creates an incentive for the city to enter into commercial capital development and risky financial ventures best left to private investors.
Reputable “think tanks” such as the Public Policy Institute of California, have proven that redevelopment activities do not increase tax revenues nor create jobs. Redevelopment activities create huge debt. The costs of borrowing to entice development are exorbitant and have contributed to California’s budget crisis and the decay in local government illuminated by the recent City of Bell scandal.
Mrs. Robles affirmed her support for a new Stater Bros. Market, but not for the extension of the current inducements from the City of Grand Terrace. Mrs. Robles challenged those who said such sentiments were anti-business. Mrs. Robles, further explained how the current city culture operated with little substantive information provided by staff, allowed and encouraged the lack of transparency and avoided educating citizens via the media and or any other city efforts.
If the citizens understood the complicated RDA debt process and expenditures, said Mrs. Robles, they would show more restraint in encouraging projects that actually cost the taxpayers. They would hold the Mayor and Council suspect for actively pushing and rushing to approve the development agreement with Stater Bros. Markets. There has been little public education of the costs or perceived benefits to the general public.
Mrs. Robles shared with her supporters her shock to recently discover that projected increased sales tax revenues were insignificant. Promised new sales taxes could range from $7,000 a year to a low of $181.00 dollars. The jobs promised are part-time and as is customary in the grocery business, likely permanent part-time positions. Mrs. Robles summarized that the RDA Stater Bros. Market project, if approved, will cost taxpayers $1.23 million over five years and will generate only $105,000 annually in new property taxes; factoring interest costs could further negate how much actual new revenues the city would realize.
Mrs. Robles questioned how we could provide an expanded library, ballfields youth services and more parks with no meaningful increase in revenues. She re-stated her motivation to educate citizens on Redevelopment agency abuses, to work for a more open government and to move the city to a culture of leadership that serves citizens not private enterprise first.
Guests included: Councilman and Mayoral candidate, Walt Stanckiewitz and his wife Monique, council candidate, Bernardo Sandoval and his wife Francine and Mayoral candidate Sally McGuire and her daughter. Mike Morrell, Assembly Candidate and Republican nominee for the 63rd District (which encompasses the City of Grand Terrace) was in attendance with his wife Joanie. Among other notables were, Frank and Eloise Reyes, Ms. Reyes is a resident of Honey Hills and an attorney. Her husband Frank is the Director of a foundation associated with Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Dr. Tom Rivera, Cal-State Professor and his wife Dr. Lily Rivera, also long-term Grand Terrace residents attended in support. Dr. Tom Rivera is a finalist for a seat on the California Redistricting Commission. Colton School Board member Mel Albiso with wife Diane, Ray Abril Jr., former Colton school board member came to show their support and fidelity to Grand Terrace. Mel Albiso has pledged his continued full support to complete the new high school in our city and work to fulfill the amenities promised. Mr. Ray Abril Jr., is honored by the residents support to include him in the naming of our high school and enjoys the friendships made during the high school naming controversy now behind us.
Grand Terrace residents included Richard and Lucia Negrete, Danny and Cynthia Felix. Conrad and Michelina Castell, Ken and Cindi Bidney and Jo Stringfield who have lived in Grand Terrace over three decades. Rosalie Orrick, a strong advocate for library services, Delia Mendoza, a resident of Blue Mountain Senior Villas and the proud parent of one GT’s assigned sheriff’s deputies also came out to show their support. The Grand Terrace City News was also in attendance represented by publisher, Margie Miller and her husband former Grand Terrace City Councilman, Jim Miller.
