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There was a time when we swept our own curbs, and we can return to self sufficiency, provided that savings is used in some way other than increasing the City Manager's Compensation package.
GrandTerraceNews is a BLOGNews Forum for Grand Terrace
Jo Stringfield has not stopped the construction of a new Miguele's, the City Manager and Jacobesen Family Holdings have been the cause of the delay and change of location from here to there, and so forth. Jo is exercising her rights, it is inappropriate to suggest she should not be allowed to "Upset the apple cart". We are or should be thankful in this country we have a citizen who will stand up for our property rights, while standing up for their own. The despicable use of threats of the use of Eminent Domain, made by the City Manager/Director of the RDA, represent a violation of Jo's Civil Rights, and the Civil Rights of every land owner forced to negotiate under those "terms" or "conditions". The citizens of the city, no Nation owe her a debt of gratitude for her determination.
The business relationship and government practices used for the "Town Center" are all now suspect and will no doubt end up in court as the Citizens should demand that proper procedure is practiced. Part of the requirement which no one wants to admit to is that there is a requirement for more Low and Moderate Income housing which must be planned for "Non" Seniors, when ever residential RDA land is sold. What was the plan for the Mystery Library and the Real Cost of Operations of the Development. Will the Town Center actual create a tax income that will pay off the debt, pay for additional police, and have anything left over? No numbers have really been provided for expenses related to the "development". More Drug Stores, More Bars equal More Crime.
Perhaps we should look at the Big Kmart as an example of what it will be like with a single store anchor like a Lowes. That site is not generating sales tax revenue for the City of Colton, and it has better freeway access.
The Outdoor Adventure Center was negated due to the lack of a sufficient traffic plan to complement the OAC Specific Plan. The decision in no way said everything else was fine, but that was sufficient to negate the OAC Specific Plan and reverts the area back to its prior Zoning, and Condition prior to the OAC Specific Plan.
What does that mean? Well once again the City Manager/Director of RDA entered into a no bid, development debacle, which included the changing of the freedom to fully enjoy the value of the property. The OAC Specific Plan so limited the land use, it made sale and development almost impossible as it was dependent on a "Single Developer" for the entire project. Property owners who wanted to sell their property found buyers would back out during escrow as they realized they could not get Conditional Use Permits as their use was commercial, but not in compliance with the OAC Specific Plan. This put the control over who could sell property, at what price, and to who in the hands of the City Manager/Director of RDA. This is not full enjoyment of property rights, a Civil Right, a Federal Right.
Now that this OAC Specific Plan has been dissolved the City may be obligated to compensate all those who sold their property during that time a compensatory compensation for the violation of their Civil Rights. It will be interesting to see how this resolves. Remember the genesis of this fantastic experience must rest directly at the feet of the City Manager/Director of the RDA and the City Council which did not exercise better oversight and judgment.
On to Virginia's Letter to Mrs. Hathaway:
Virginia, you seem to not understand Mrs. Hathaway's opinion. Mrs. Hathaway as an individual is against having any fireworks. She so stated. She headed a committee and the committee provided a revised Firework Ordinance which was then gutted by the City Manager. She as an individual was not happy with the result, but she presented the work of the committee.
Virginia, your going to find many more people in agreement with the ban all fireworks opinion, now that we have had, increased enforcement and still had problems and a bad weekend, and a fire. You are correct the sports teams should find a different way to earn money. The firemen make about 4000.00 for a well attended pancake sale and this builds community interaction, not fires, fear, and noise. (Ok, it also builds our waist lines but we can walk that off easier than repair a burned child).
Your suggestion that Mrs. Hathaway as an individual desires fireworks not only is an error, but if it were true, she like you has a right to her opinion. But, please get her position on the topic correct. The Opinion Pole regarding the matter is part of the Fireworks Committee's Effort to collect input this is not a negative thing to do. I find the poll insufficient as it does not require the city to disclose all costs and calls regarding the sale of fireworks, it does not require the sports teams to find other funding plans.
In addition to the fines for illegal fireworks being fired off, those individuals should at a minimum be publicly shamed for putting us all at risk. Their names and addresses should be published along with their photographs. It is not a joke, it is not funny, to light a sky rocket. It is an assault with a potentially deadly weapon. Should Firework fire kill someone it should be considered arson, or at least the same as shooting a gun in the air and kildidn't someone. Just because it didn't have that end result the potential, and yes intent was there. No one accidentally lit off a sky rocket.
Your right safe isn't sane does not exist. If it not safe for a Public PARK it is not safe for kids in a street, or cramped back yards. We do not need another year of firework mayhem in Grand Terrace.
Your closing "we have a wonderful little city that we hope to preserve and protect", conflicts with your promotion of Lowes, removal of property rights, and so forth. It makes one ask what are you suggesting needs preserving, and protecting? We had farms, animals, farm houses, little businesses, and freedom in Grand Terrace. We thought we owned our property in Grand Terrace. We thought we would be better served by our own city government than that of Colton. The only thing that seems to be protected in Grand Terrace is the Perpetual Employment of the City Manger/Director RDA, Tom Schwab.
Virginia, I don't have your phone number but if I did, the above is what I would say to you. I would also suggest that these issues raised are in part the cause for the Recall Effort. Accountability for the above issues falls on the City Council. They are to exercise the judgment and oversight in these matters. They just have not done so, and it is getting to the point the city and citizens can not afford any more of the same maleficent conduct.
Gramps.
HEARING RE: WRIT/CEQA. 07/25/2006 - 8:30 AM DEPT. S8
JOHN P WADE PRESIDING.
CLERK: ROSEMARY ROJAS
REPORTER: BETTY KELLEY
COURT ATTENDANT LARRY RUSSELL
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APPEARANCES:
ATTORNEY RAYMOND W JOHNSON PRESENT FOR PLAINTIFF/PETITIONER.
ATTORNEY JOHN ROBERT HARPER PRESENT FOR DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT.
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PROCEEDINGS:
ARGUED BY COUNSEL AND SUBMITTED.
ACTION CAME ON FOR HEARING ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE (CEQA).
PETITION OF CITIZENS FOR A BETTER GRAND TERRACE GRANTED
PETITIONERS REQUEST FOR JUDICIAL NOTICE OF RESPONDENTS MUNICIPAL CODES AND GENERAL PLAN IS
DENIED.
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THE WRIT IS GRANTED DUE TO RESPONDENTS FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES AND THE
FREEWAY ACCESS PORTION IS THE TRAFFIC ELEMENTS HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY MITIGATED. RESPONDENTS
ARE ORDERED TO VACATE ALL APPROVALS AND CERTIFICATIONS.
PETITIONER TO PREPARE THE WRIT.
STAGE AT DISPOSITION: ALL OTHER JUDGMENTS BEFORE TRIAL.
COURT NOW RULES -- STAT CASE FOR 2C REPORT. CASE DISPOSITIONED ON 07/25/06.
CASE DISPOSITIONED BY JUDGMENT
ACTION - COMPLETE
=== MINUTE ORDER END ===
Perhaps, all those prior land owners who had a problem selling their land and homes because of the restrictive use included in the OAC Specific Plan may have an action against the City for the loss of value to their property.
Perhaps, the city did over pay for the Dodson Property. Perhaps there was more to Mr. Hilkeys Protest about the price negotiations done by Friend, Employer, and Campaign Manager, of the Council Members Gene Carlstrom of Terra Loma Realty.
Perhaps there will be a EIR required for ESSCO now that the EIR for the OAC can not be used as a EIR Overlay, as suggested by City Manager Tom Schwab, and the Planning Department.
Perhaps there was just cause to the suit, and it was not a "Frivolouse Law Suit" as characterized by City Manager Tom Schwab, and Council Member Ferre, and Council Member Garcia in the Press. Perhaps their desire for citizens not to be involved in the government or checking things would have served their interests but clearly the Judge found problems with the plan, or the process of how the plan was developed and placed upon the property owners. This speaks to the malfeasance and incompetence of the city's management, and council oversight of that management.
For a Fact it means that the Judge has determined the Law Suit had Merit, and was in fact decided on in favor of the Plaintive. This Means the Council was Wrong in supporting or approving Staff Recommendations. It will be interesting to know the Specific reasons for the decision when the formal decision is written, PERHAPS the City will Post it on their Web Page.
If you want a copy of the suit emailed to you... Grandterracenews@yahoo.com OAC Suit Request.
Remember this is the same Judge that is hearing the other GT City Cases. More decisions are pending. ESSCO and Blue Mt. Senior Villas still have all or portion of their cases under consideraton, and review.