(As published in the Butterfield Stageline...)
For the past 17 years many of you have read about the trials and tribulations of the Graham family through this article. I've written about jobs, kids, parenting, sports, school, illness , opening new chapters of life, and the painful closing of old chapters. We have grown up together. Here's what happened after last month's issue hit the streets. One reader thought I pat myself on the back too much. It's not my intent. Another person wanted me to make nicer comments about others. Must I always be politically correct? And several days later I ran into a Trish and George, who introduced themselves while I was breakfasting at the Taco Factory. She loves my sharing of family "stuff"... those whole seasons of life and our changing dynamics as we age together.
So with all that said, here is a Graham Travel Advisory - another family vacation to Montana. I love these special times with the extended family. I selfishly want my adult sons to build extra memories with Denise and me and between each other. I selfishly want the cousins and nieces to build on these memories too. As I age I worry about the legacy of our family, and the importance of staying connected. It is difficult as children become adults and launch into their own lives. Ahhhh, to play catch in the street again.
Finally, congratulations are in order for Mayor Curt Hagman, as he won a landslide victory for the Republican nomination for the 60th State Assembly seat. His name will appear on the general ballot as the Republican nominee and since the district is heavily Republican chances are strong Chino Hills will have one of their own up in Sacramento. Pretty cool. Thanks for those of you that played a part and voted for him and appreciate your votes again in November.
1) Shoppes update - As one resident said, we are a real city now since the three major restaurants finally opened. Stores will continue to open during the month and parking will be an issue until the 4-story garage opens in November. I enjoy walking around the center and just running into various acquaintances. If you see me wandering the aisles of H & M following the wife, say "hello". I enjoy talking about our community so don't hesitate to stop me.
2) With all the excitement of the Shoppes, please don't forget the other smaller restaurants around town. I still love Roscoe's and have found a new fabulous Thai restaurant next door to them called Swasdee. And don't forget the store that started it all, my all-time fav, Costco.
3) We're moving up! The City Crime Rankings have just been released and Chino Hills now ranks as the 16th Safest City in the Nation based on 2006 FBI crime statistics for cities with a population of 75,000 or more. We were ranked 21st Safest City based in 2005.
4)As you drive north on the 71 and past the Commons site, you see the new building going up. Pei Wei, Wahoo Fish Taco and Corner Bakery are near the Chino Hills Parkway intersection. Ayers Hotel is on the angle of the southern border and "71". Toys and Babies R Us are the large pads right along the "71". BJs and Lucille's are along Chino Hills Parkway.
5) Here's a great family event... the 17th Annual Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Picnic on, surprisingly, Friday, July 4. Big League Dreams will host the event from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and it's FREE! Activities this year will include more teenage activities too: Wagon Parade (Line-up begins at 9:30 a.m. Parade begins at 10:00 a.m.), Water Slides, Inflatables, Arcade Area featuring Rock Band, BMX Stunt Shows, Rock Climbing, Wall Bungee, Trampoline, Live Entertainment, Pie Baking Contest, Arts and Craft Projects, Eating Contests with Prizes, Picnic Games, a Craft Fair, Food Vendors and Face Painting.
6) Concerts in the Park, Movies in the Park are two community events I push heavily too because they build community and it's FREE. Here's the lineup for what is left in July and August:
Concerts in the Park - Wednesdays - 6:45 to 8:15 p.m.
Crossroads Park on Chino Hills Parkway
July 2 - No Concert
July 9 - Misfit Cowboys - (Country)
July 16 - Hotel California - (Eagles Tribute)
July 23 - The Groove - (Groovin' Oldies)
July 30 - Skinny Little Twits - (Top 40's Dance)
August 6 - Orange Colored Sky - (Surf)
August 13 - Mar' ja - (Rhythm & Blues)
August 20 - The Flames - (Motown)
August 27 - The Ravelers - (Classic Rock)
7) Movies in the Park
Tuesdays Hunters Hills Park - 6070 Natalie Rd.
Thursdays - Hidden Hills Park - 2000 Rancho Hills Dr.
Shows begin approximately at dusk or 7:45 p.m.
July 8 & 10 - Horton Hears a Who!
July 15 & 17 - Firehouse Dog
July 22 & 24 - Alvin & the Chipmunks
July 29 & 31 - The Bee Movie
August 5 & 7 - Surf's Up
August 12 & 14 - Nim's Island
8) Several years ago a developer wanted to put in senior housing on vacant land on the north side of Albertson's (Soquel Canyon) but our Measure U would not allow him to increase density in this area. A proposal for a medical office building of 27K square feet is now proposed by a developer. It is at the start of the process.
9)We continue to monitor Brea's "Canyon Crest" Project which runs along the Brea/Chino Hills border. I know city staff is monitoring the process closely and commenting whenever the law allows input from affected agencies.
10) This summer one 2-story medical office building and four 1-story offices are being constructed for the Heritage Professional Center in front of Chino Hills High School.
11) Water concerns continue to mount up and down the state since March and April had their driest months in California since 1921. MWD has officially declared a water supply alert on June 13 which now calls for "extraordinary conservation." The state instituted a mandatory 30% cut for agriculture and they are also spending $6 million on adverting to tell every homeowner to cutback on watering one day a week. In Chino Hills, we have been planning since January to meet this decree. The council started a "Water Supply Reduction Committee" composed of staff, city commissioners from each commission, and myself. We reviewed documents, heard water presentations, and through discussions have resulted in a targeted ordinance to address this crisis. It has voluntary and penalty stages based upon decisions made by our water suppliers.
12) Traffic safety at the intersection of Soquel Canyon Parkway and Slate Drive has become a priority for me based upon the numerous complaints. The City has conducted an investigation and determined the intersection satisfies the legal warrants for installation of a traffic signal. The intersection is the #1 priority location to receive a traffic signal this fiscal year. The recommended priority list is tentatively scheduled for review and approval by the Public Works Commission at their July 2, 2008 meeting.
13)I think a shuttle to the Metrolink stations would be valuable for residents. Public transportation in Chino Hills is operated by OmniTrans who are a separate entity which provides all of our public transit. However, they offer little service in our City. Our Council has historically voiced concerns since we are underserved but OmniTrans responds that the ridership is so low that there is apparently not a need. Perhaps they could be convinced that if the specific needs of Chino Hills residents were better understood, they could have a well used route like to the Metrolink stations. Hmmmm.
14) Chino Hills is blessed to have honored 234 volunteers at the annual dinner in late April. These folks serve because they want to and the entire city council is very appreciative of their donation to our community.
15) OPUS will be removing all of the Shoppes exterior parking meters with the exception of those adjacent to Trader Joes and Forever XXI. The interior meters were allowed by our agreement but the management company went overboard and placed them on the outside areas, which was never approved.
16) For our OC commuters, Orange County Transit is studying a connection between the 241 toll road rolling directly into the 91 toll lanes. A final feasibility study will be done by end of summer.
17) The high foreclosure rates have brought on another regional problem with homes that have pools. When not kept up, pools become green and a breeding haven for mosquitoes that can carry West Nile virus. For the first time in the Inland Empire, a dead crow was tested and found with the West Nile virus. So call Vector Control for green pools and dead birds at 635-0307.
18) Here are some statistics about our city:
Incorporated 12/1991 with pop of 42,000.
Current pop. of 75,267
Named 15th safest city in US by FBI crime stats
Ranked 68th of top 100 places to live by CNN/Money magazine.
City boundaries - 46 square miles
Median age 32.7
Average household income 106,187
Family size averages 3.41/home
48% are married couples with children under 18
85% homes are owner occupied
22,018 total homes (includes apartments, condos)
39% of residents have bachelors degree or higher
As always, please contact me at the above shown below.
Yours in service,
Council Member Ed
and is not a part of nor affiliated with the City of Chino Hills.