Growth and opportunity or stagnation and slow deterioration, this is the question. The choice for you, the voters, could not be clearer. On one hand, my campaign, Grand Blue Rising, has been all about economic growth and opportunity for all, whereas my opponents preach status quo, or blowing up City Hall and starting over.
No one truly familiar with City finances can dispute the fact more revenue is needed and, since we cannot cut or tax our way to prosperity, new revenues that come with new, desirable development is the only way for Grand Terrace to realize its considerable promise as a community. With new development on the horizon, we have our best opportunity to control our destiny and become what our founders envisioned us to be, the “Jewel of the Inland Empire”.
One of my opponents believes it is virtually impossible to gain City approval for important development applications. If this was true, why is it that at least 84 single and multi-family infill homes have been approved for construction over the last two years? And, if our development approval process was impenetrable, how is it that the Animal Clinic was successfully retained in town with a new facility and new eateries like Kaz Ramen, Oldalberto’s, Woody’s and Sweet Life Bakery were able to successfully navigate our process and open for business?
Just last week, the City announced Grocery Outlet, a successful grocery store chain with over 300 stores, as the new tenant in the old Stater Bros., building. All the above projects, plus construction of the $105 million Barton Road interchange and the submission of a 131-acre plan of development along Interstate 215, will lead an objective observer to conclude Grand Terrace is on the right path to economic sustainability.
Do you want new storm drains on Michigan and Van Buren and new parks, soccer fields and other public amenities in the western part of town that largely lacks these facilities and amenities? How about the extension of Commerce to Taylor Street with the added benefit of taking the majority of north/south traffic, including high school traffic, off Michigan? I am the only candidate with 35-years of public sector development experience, a proven track record of success and the ability to lead my colleagues into successful public/private partnerships that can secure our future as a community.
Grand Terrace leaks sales tax to other communities in many important areas, from casual dining to apparel and from home improvement supplies to general merchandise stores. Indeed, out of 25 categories surveyed, Grand Terrace leaks sales tax to other communities in 23 of them. Want more revenue for “The Blue Mountain City”? The answer is simple but not easy to execute as our first 40 years have shown. Develop and faithfully execute a business attraction program that will bring to the Grand Terrace marketplace goods and services for which we currently have to leave town to access.
My track record demonstrates I am uniquely qualified to lead the City's efforts at capturing a much better share of generated sales tax revenues. Need proof? Consider that I previously worked for another city, with considerably less population density than Grand Terrace, which was losing $70,000 of every $100,000 it could have generated in sales tax. Over a 4-year time period, my department completely eliminated this sales tax leakage and increased the city’s General Fund budget by $6 million annually, which enabled the Council to approve 5 new deputy sheriff positions in one fell swoop.
We can have similar results if we have the resolve and political courage to stay on course, fight through the inevitable adversity and make Grand Terrace the city it has always promised to be. Vote for experience. Vote for community benefit versus personal benefit. Vote for progress rather than the status quo. Vote for me on November 6, 2018 and ensure Grand Terrace will fully blossom into that “shining city on the hill”, our Grand Blue Rising.
Henderson: City Council 2018
www.kenhendersongt2018.com
kenhendersongt2018@gmail.com