Denise and I are still emotionally tied into all those who bravely serve our country even though our loved one has returned. On Memorial Day I finally did what I thought I should do for many years... and that is attend a ceremony to honor our military dead. I attended two ceremonies, one in Chino and a major event at Riverside National Cemetery. The Chino event was mainly to support the local American Legion that was sued by boxing promoter Don King for showing a fight on their TV without buying a commercial license. Don King is a donkey's behind for suing these veterans that gather for social activities. (I wanted to use the word ass but Denise said it was inappropriate for this article so I had to change the word). At the National Ceremony I stood to pay homage to the recently fallen vets and was proud to honor their duty to our nation. Words cannot express my grief for those families and how fortunate we are not to stand on that side of the line with them. Both ceremonies were special in their own ways. But the biggest difference was within me for I was thankful to finally spend a national holiday going beyond the traditional bbq's and family gathering. On Memorial Day, I stood for my family in honoring those vets that are gone. I stood for those currently in active duty, whose families will not see them next year. I stood for my father who served in the Army and for my son that followed in his footsteps. I stood for our nation, our ideals, our freedoms. I hope as time goes on one member of the Graham extended family will continue to spend time on our special American holidays to "stand post with our fallen".
1) Now that the special election is over the heavy lifting to fix the CA government must begin. So how do we repair the years of fiscal mismanagement in Sacramento? It can only be resolved with considerable pain. Citizens always say they want to streamline government, but they don't want any cuts that affect them personally. No matter where you cut, someone screams. As an insider to state government, I can attest that 'chaos' is an appropriate term to use. Years of dysfunction, discord and partisan polarization have led to perpetual deficits. How do we stop the destructive tax-and-spend cycle that the California Legislature is addicted to? California has always been able to attract the best and brightest from around the country and world. We should be able to figure out how to make things right.
2) A new feature in the Utility Billing system enables residents to set up their online account to automatically pay their monthly utility bill via credit card. The Finance Department will have inserts placed in utility bills starting May 15. We expect all of our residents to be notified of this new feature by June 22.
3) The Guv's badly defeated "Yes on Prop 1A" campaign had raised $15.7 million. That comes out to an extremely expensive $11.84 for every 'yes' vote it received.
4) Commercial news around town:
a) Arby's restaurant plans are still moving through the process. They will occupy the grass space near Lowe's at the Commons. b) Holiday Inn Express at Soquel and '71' is anticipated to be open for business in late November 2009. I think there is only one guy that works on the project so maybe '09 is too optimistic. c) Ayer's Hotel at the Commons will open in late June. Many more work on this project. d) Country Club Medical Plaza, next to the Albertson's on Soquel Canyon, will be open by November of this year.
5) My beef with Caltrans is never about money.... It's about the lack of respect they afford our community. Maybe I am ignorant of the 'real' reasons but I know this.... The 71 freeway, its on and off ramps, and its landscaping is the worst in SoCal. I am hoping their governmental rep will respond to give us an answer. I will save a paragraph for them in next month's issue.
6) And a resident had a clever suggestion after she saw freeways in Arizona consistently cleaned by low-risk prisoners. Now, right next to the'71' is a state prison. Governor? Caltrans?
7) Speaking of Stimulus dollars, SanBag, the governmental agency that funds freeways in the Inland Empire, will receive $129 million out of CA $2.2 billion allotment from Uncle Sam. All of it will go to continue building the 215 freeway in San Bernardino.
8) Our city has a Community Foundation that will raise money for various needs around town. Your donations to events are tax deductible. The first gala is on June 6th at City Hall and is open to everyone. Tickets are $100 and all proceeds will are headed to the children's section of our library. Check the local papers or give me a call if you are interested in attending.
9) I attended two stimulus package meetings presented by government agencies that are responsible for doling out the money from the feds. After listening to nine hours of it, I came away as confused as everyone else in the room. The presenters are even trying to get their heads around the billions coming to CA and the process that will dole it out to the locals. It is a crazy time to be in government.
10) If you build it, they will come. The CH Library circulation rose 76% from last yr, and people through the door rose 141%, from 18K to 43K in one month.
11) This year we are spending $1 million on street slurry seal and repair. This will allow us to slurry every street about once each 7 years.
12) Swine flu! Remain calm people. CH was notified from public health that one case was acknowledged in our city but no specifics were given. The county health department has stopped its regional Emergency Center and is no longer tracking this issue.
13) Our drought situation has caused MWD to again raise their rates by 20% effective in September. And they anticipate another 20% increase in January. I can assure you, as a member of two regional water agencies, I and the other elected officials are monitoring our water supply with diligence. Residents of Chino Hills have already stepped up and we were recognized for being #1 in water conservation.
14) "National Night Out" is a great event for neighbors in every part of the city. Last year we had 27 area parties to commit our pledge to fight crime in Chino Hills. This year's event for our nation is Tuesday, Aug. 4. Sign up with the city and join Chino Hills in maintaining its #13 standing as safest city in the nation.
15) Under the 'hmmm' category there is the US Fish and Wildlife Service. They released an Economic Analysis of Critical Habitat Designation for the California Red-Legged Frog. Their findings include estimated costs to residential developers for conserving habitat within the 50 proposed areas covering 1.8 million acres in 28 counties between $597 and $860 million through 2030. The land that said habitat is to be maintained is 70% private, 20% federal, and 6% state.
16) The Chino Hills Farmers Market meets each Wed 4-8 pm at the Shoppes. Check out the organically certified food, and go buy something else too.
17) Is it "Summer" yet? Yes.
Feel free to call, email, or stop me in any store/restaurant.
Yours in service,
Ed
