The recent Grand Terrace City News featured several things that should be a guide to future City Management/City Council and Redevelopment Agency's actions and planning. In addition there are a few things at the end of the list that are end of summer advise.
First: Soccer Parents and organization stepped up and cleaned the park their children will be using for the Soccer Season. This is a great thing. Deep cleaning of tables and the snack bar in addition to park clean up was done by a team of volunteers of all ages. Parents and children worked together and made a day of the effort. Could the Soccer Team organize their participants in a way that they take on nearly all the maintenance of the park with perhaps the exception of mowing, and repairs to irrigation? Could the Base Ball Teams take on Pico Park in the same way? Corporation for Better Housing takes care of the Susan Petta Memorial Park as their residents are the majority benefactors of that park. Yes all these parks are public, but should not the people who use the park the most be willing to help with the upkeep of the park?
In addition, the general public needs to learn or re-learn the good rule of leaving a public place better than when you came. All people who see trash or debris on the ground could bend over and pick it up and put it in a trash can. Walkers abound in GT.. How about walking with a trash bag and some grippers... You don't have to slow down, just pick up what you can without breaking your pace and soon your bag will be full.
Second: The Lions Club's public service activity served over 300 people by providing eye glasses and eye health screenings. The terrific effort of the Lions Club is yet another example of how citizens as individuals and groups can rally the resources and people to a community need. The fact that so many needed assistance is also a reality that should not be unrecorded. Grand Terrace is often touted as being immune to the economic reality of the problems that are associated lower incomes. With high home costs, utilities, and the cost of commuting to work, many citizens are working paycheck to paycheck. Many don't have medical insurance, many do not have dental and vision plans even if they have some sort of medical insurance.
So when the City thinks about adding a tax, or fee, or fine, they should keep in mind, some folks in GT don't have that extra 20.00 this month. There are homeless and near homeless in Grand Terrace. Grand Terrace needs to think about More Jobs or a increase in Real Income, not just more places to spend the same money we currently generate.
Third: Wallgreens and a business to be named in the future, a development brought to GT by Dr Hu. Dr Hu has a plan. He did not use or abuse the Redevelopment Agency's power in the use and development of his property. He has not asked for waivers of taxes. He has paid all the fees required. His project moves forward, without public financed bonds, and tax deferrals funding it.
Dr Hu demonstrates an example of proper or natural slow but sure economic development oh dare it be said... capitalism with out government involvement, and the use of property rights of individuals. Go forth and prosper Dr. Hu. Good luck in doing what your doing Dr. Hu.
Fourth: The Concert featured at Colton's Flemming park is an example of some of the wonderful live fine arts available in our area. Redlands Bowl, Roosevelt Bowl (Perris Hill Park), Flemming Park, University of San Bernardino, Court St Concerts, are just a few free or near free family / community building arts experiences nearly all of us can afford. Car pool, take a bunch of your kids friends, be a neighborhood hero. It is a small investment in gas, and a grand shared experience. Take your own dinner or snacks. If you have a buck or two, pitch it into the offering bucket. Everyone can be a supporter and or consumer of these local arts productions. When you attend any of these events, you will take away not only an arts experience but a community experience.
Fifth: School has started: It is HOT. Keep SAFE. Our hottest part of the year is end of August, first weeks of September. Watch out for the added pedestrian traffic, and the mommy traffic around schools. Be PATIENT with drivers and pedestrians.
Sixth: Have extra water in your car. If you see someone who looks parched, offer them a cup or bottle of water, you may be saving a life. Watch for children and pets left in cars during the day. Keep extra water in your car in the event your car breaks down and you yourself get stranded.
PS: I have gone North for the Summer so I only know what I read, and recall of AUG/SEP in GT. Canada in Summer is great!!!
