Voice of the People: Are We Doomed to Repeat History?

To: Grand Terrace City Council Members Re: Your letter stating your decision to go to ballot in November to increase homeowners taxes by 5 percent for six years with no accountability to the public. In 1996 the same measure failed in Grand Terrace because the City was not being financially responsible even with the Redevelopment Agency Money. Are we doomed to repeat history? Millions of dollars have continued to be wasted. Numerous plans and studies have been made costing the citizens. There just never seems to be enough, according to the information given to the public by the city. Scare tactics like losing our parks, policemen and street care has been my experience with City Government. Pensions were given out like candy, automobiles, and houses, and paying millions for ex-mayor’s homes. Medical expenses are being paid as well as stipends that the city cannot afford. Therefore, I support Darcy’s commitment to live within our means. “If we don’t have it, we don’t have it." If you don’t have a plan to increase income, then you have no plan. Wasting thousands of dollars to put this issue on the ballot without a plan seems incurable. You are not telling me or showing me how you will spend my money. Isn’t there already a fund to repair the streets? Yet the streets are not being repaired. More empty promises.