Events to be Celebrated for GT 40th Anniversary

At the past Grand Terrace City Council Meeting, city staff presented to the council and residents the possible itinerary of events to be held this coming year to celebrate its 40th Anniversary of existence as a City.  City Manager G. Harold Duffey led the discussion by stating that city staff is proposing that the City should take a more active role during this year’s events such as, the City’s Historical and Cultural Committees’s Annual Art Show and Country Fair, Community Days, Veterans Day, and Movie in the Park.  Back in 2008, the City of Grand Terrace celebrated its 30th anniversary and used the theme of All Things Grand.  All Things Grand represented a partnership with community organizations to highlight the positive and close-knit relationships within the community.  City staff is proposing that the City utilize the same methodology to celebrate the City’s 40th Anniversary.  There are ten (10) events that are being proposed to take place during the year, many are modified versions of past successful events.   The majority of the events already have an organization overseeing the activity, and staff will look to partner with that community organization to enhance the event. At the same time, staff is recommending the Council develop an anniversary committee dinner team to work with the Historical and Cultural Committee to determine if the Annual City Birthday potluck is the only event the City wishes to formally celebrate the 40th Anniversary.  The 30th Anniversary celebration included both a City Birthday potluck and a Gala Dinner.  The Committee would consist of one member appointed by each Council Member and the Anniversary Dinner Committee shall meet with the Historical and Cultural Committee to determine if their ideas and concepts fit within the Annual City Birthday potluck.  Staff is to report back to the Council on the Anniversary Committee’s findings.   The fiscal impact is being estimated at approximately $7,000, while the total cost of all programs is estimated to be approximately $43,800.  The majority of the additional costs are expected to be offset by donations or appropriations which was already provided by the City Council in this year’s budget.  City staff has provided some good ideas to look forward to in celebrating our 40th birthday.  Further breakdown of those 10 events will be coming forward in future editions of the paper.