May, 2008 - A Message from Chino Hills City Councilmember, Ed Graham
(As published in the Butterfield Stageline)
17th Year of Communication and Commitment
I have shared several Graham family chapters in the past and thought it's time for an update on our 22 year old son serving his 2nd tour in Iraq. Brett decided that his job in Iraq was too boring and got transferred into one much more dangerous. So, instead of hanging out with the division command staff, he is now a squad leader of a "Quick Response Force", who responds when another American soldier needs help. As a father I am proud of him and his commitment to our nation. And as a father I wonder what in the world is he doing leaving the relative safety of the 4th Infantry Division camp and going back into the field? The challenges of letting go. So he is riding around Baghdad outside the "wire" each day in Humvees bonding with 14 other men. He is happier and truth be told we all want our kids to be happy. As I travel up and down Grand Avenue and see all those men and women serving our nation, I can't help but salute their sacrifices. And I always salute a banner that is near the top of Grand Avenue, a picture of a young man that is making it tough on his parents.
1) Republicans and Independent voters of Chino Hills! Help Chino Hills by voting for Mayor Curt Hagman for the 60th Assembly district. (Democrats cannot vote for a Republican in the primary). Use your absentee ballots or go to the polls in June because whoever wins the June primary will win the November election. Our community can put a resident into the California Legislature for the first time. We would have a direct pipeline to the Governor! Other reasons to vote for Mayor Curt: He knows about those SCE power lines that would destroy the value of hundreds of homes. He knows about the state's shortfalls in education, illegal immigration, and public safety. His endorsements include numerous safety agencies in three counties, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers, and many other elected officials.
Since this assembly district covers 13 cities across three counties, voting is anticipated to be very light so the Chino Hills voters CAN put him into Sacramento.
2) I, along with Mayor Curt and Councilman Peter Rogers, spent several days in Sacramento meeting with our local legislators. We discussed SCE power line issues, infrastructure needs, and heard reports about the state budget crisis and the prison system. It was well worth the days away from home and the job.
3) Secretary Tilton, in charge of the state's prison system, shared several items that caught my eye; that the inmate population of 170K has about 33,000 mental patients who are extremely under-served and he is required to do something about it. He also believes California should only focus on the medium and high risk re-offenders. California is the only state which places parolees back into prison for an extra 5 months if they receive a misdemeanor. Other states do not do that and this has really added to prison overcrowding. The day I heard him speak was the day after he resigned from office.
4) Delicious fresh fruit, fresh bread, fresh cut flowers, etc. Each Wednesday from now until the end of summer the Chino Hills Farmer's Market is back in business at McCoy Equestrian Center from 4 - 8:30 PM.
5) The SCE transmission lines have now affected our new Community Center proposed on Pipeline next to 24 hour Fitness. If the 500kv lines are approved by the CA. PUC at their proposed location next to all our homes, not only would it ruin over 800 homes but also prevent us from building a badly needed community center. Cars are not being allowed to park near the power lines if they were 500 kV. So we could build a Community Center but not have anyone attend it since parking would not be allowed.
6) Since LA County will not finish the 71 Freeway in Pomona we have petitioned Congressman Gary Miller to see if he can get funds for this segment between the 60 to 10 Freeways. He has support from all the surrounding cities and both counties.
7) CVS Pharmacy will soon build across the street from an already approved Walgreens at the corner of CHP and Peyton. Although I don't approve of another pharmacy at this location I am not allowed to stop it since they have a permitted right to go at that location. However, I did not like the building exterior or its signage and did ask for a review at the council level.
8) Trying to be proactive, the city has started a Water Conservation Committee to plan for a possible drought program. I am the council rep and we have been meeting since January. An ordinance for water conservation has been developed and its approval is beginning the process of review.
9) I encourage you to go to this website < www.ieua.org/water_smart.html > for residential rebate programs for new toilets, HE clothes washers, weather based irrigation controller, rotator nozzles for pop-up spray heads, and especially for landscape turf. Where else can you get money back for doing the right thing for our community?
10) BJs Restaurant is coming to the Commons along with Lucille's BBQ. BJ was headed to Chino but moved to CH at the last moment.
11) I use my credit card to make my Utility bill payment each month, as do many of you. Last month I requested an upgrade to our system so it would accept our credit card payment automatically. That is now being done in a beta test. I will let you know next month where to sign up for this convenient service.
12) 2007 City Volunteer Program - 191 residents donated 2,865 hours of service in various programs. (Even Council Member Graham's 24 year old son, Jarad, is volunteering in the Finance Department). The Sheriff/Police Department had 26,497 hours donated through its citizen patrol, reserves, explorers and search and rescue teams. The Roadway/Park/Trail Adoptions now totaled 39 families helping us. During the summer we had 29,362 hours of summer help through our Volunteen Program. Wow! Thanks to each of you for making our community a better place.
13) Are you using the National DO NOT CALL list to avoid those unwanted solicitations. Cell phones are now included so call this number from your cell - 888-382-1222
14) "National Night Out" is a police sponsored event on Aug. 5, 2008 from 5-7 PM. This is a celebration of neighborhoods within our city and others across the US. Activities last year included BBQs, potlucks, ice cream socials and just about anything that brings neighbors outside to interact with each other.
15) When it comes to overcrowding in a residential property, whether it is from multiple members of one family, or renting rooms out, the City's authority is very limited. The City, by law, cannot regulate the number or persons living in one house. We also cannot dictate whether the occupants are to be related by blood, marriage, or adoption. There have been several cities throughout California that have attempted to regulate the overcrowding issues in single-family residential housing, but have been unsuccessful because their attempts to devise occupancy classifications have generally been found unlawful as violations of equal protection laws, rights of privacy, or state law.
16) However, the City can often regulate the issues that accompany overcrowding in a single family residential. An example that is not allowed is a garage converted to living space without a permit. Additional conditions that the City does have authority over are: a) occupants using the lawn for parking excess vehicles. b) Cars being parked across the sidewalk or driveway approach. c) Trash or visible storage in the front of the property
d) Excessive noise or loud parties.
The City's goal is to partner with the residents of Chino Hills, to help them keep their neighborhoods nice and to help in maintaining property values.
As always, please feel free to call or email.
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