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February 24, 2006
IT'S A "BUNCH OF BUNK" THAT CHICO'S STREET SYSTEM WILL BE KNOWN AS THE "ALLIGATOR EXPRESS".
As we bump along Chico’s Street System, we’ll notice that the streets have numerous places where the pavements have cracks that look like the back of an Alligator. This is one of the first signs that the streets will begin to get “chuck-holes��?, particularly during periods of sustained rainfall--we haven’t had that in several years, but we may still have substantial rainfall before the spring season begins.
I’ve had a number of residents ask about the Alligators and my response has been that the City just isn’t appropriating enough funds to do an adequate job of maintaining the streets. The City will probably not be in a position to rebuild the streets, for sometime. But they can use methods to prevent the “chuck-holes��? until the streets can be reconstructed--there are already enough “chuck-holes��? to require the realignment of our autos by the end of the rainy season.
My suggestion to the residents, which have spoken to me, is to call the Director of General Services, the City Manager or members of the City Council--GOOD LUCK.
Posted by at 06:46 PM | Comments (0)
February 16, 2006
IT'S A "BUNCH OF BUNK" THAT ENLOE HOSPITAL SHOULD IMPROVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS A BLOCK OR MORE FROM ITS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
It's not uncommon for people who need or want improvement(s) to their property to find some reason to have someone else pay for it. It could be the City, County, State or Federal Governments, or in more recent years try to "stick-it" to a private developer--in this case Enloe Hospital.
Those of us that live in the City and have paved, curb to curb, streets and sidewalks have paid for them at the time that we purchased the property. Or, in many, many cases, property owners asked the City to form an Assessment District so that the improvements could be paid for by the property owners over a sustantial period of time--to lighten the burden in any one year.
With Enloe Hospital agreeing to construct substantial additional parking facilities, it's doubtful that the adjacent unimproved streets will be seriously impacted by the Enloe Hospital expansion. Inevitably, each resident sees additional traffic on its streets as the City grows, as we have and will in the future.
The Planning Commission should "quit" trying to pile-on additional costs to Enloe Hospital expansion, one which will be a long-term benefit to all of the Chico Urban Area residents.
Posted by at 11:20 AM | Comments (0)
February 09, 2006
Jon Luvaas, as usual, is full of bunk-Planning Commission Meeting of 2/8/06.
POOR Jon Luvaas was quoted in the 2/9/06 edition of the E/R as having said, during the Planning Commission hearing concerning Enloe Hospital's future plans; "82 ½ -year-old people that are going to die in a year-and-a-half anyway" need not worry about getting to the Hospital if it takes more time for the helicopter to land at the Chico Municipal Airport rather than on the roof of the hospital.
JON has always had the problem of "not putting his brains in gear before opening his mouth".
I must admit that his statement was very insensitive and disturbing to me, since I may be disposed of in just about 1 year based upon his statement. On the other hand, he may be gone before that--at least from the Planning Commission. That will give him plenty of time to get his personal affairs in good order.
Posted by at 02:00 PM | Comments (0)
February 06, 2006
ITS A BUNCH OF BUNK--THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE DOWNTOWN PLAZA
I think it is very unfortunate the City threw away the original plans for the redevelopment of the Downtown Plaza (plans that were underway for several years) before the present City Council decided to demolish the Plaza and allow the hired building and landscape architects (along with the Art Commission) to figure out a way to spend approximately $4,000,000 (yes, 4 million) and cover the Plaza with some concrete monsters (Bathrooms and Band Shell). And a $250,000 Chess Board and accompanying art, all towards a project whose plans none of us have seen.
All of the trees, both in the Plaza and surrounding streets, have been removed except one tree has been preserved off-site so that it can be returned to serve as a Christmas tree. The new Plaza Plan includes removing all curbs and sidewalks, narrowing Main and Broadway Streets and providing less street parking that will require citizens to back-into diagonal spaces and drive out into the lanes of traffic.
I know that the project was supported by some of the Downtown merchants and property owners since they liked the idea of the Bathrooms so that non-customers would not be using their facilities. The cost of care and maintenance of the Bathrooms, however, will become a substantial ongoing expense for the City.
If the Council followed the original plans that were underway for several years, they could have made a number of desirable improvements for probably a lot less than $1,000,000.
I know the City used grants and redevelopment funds for the reconstruction of the Plaza, but I believe those funds could have been used to improve much needed park facilities in other areas of the community.
I wish the Council would look across the street from the Plaza and beautify the exterior of the Old Municipal Building now, and install landscaping in the bare land surrounding it. I know that I will be told that the City is developing plans for remodeling the building and bringing it up to present day building codes (as it should be). But, the exterior of the building and landscaping can be done now and easily be coordinated with the future reconstruction of the interior of the building that may be years away.
Posted by at 08:45 PM | Comments (0)