Old Foothill Farms Community Task Force Report - May 23, 2007
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN – Public Meeting May 24th, La Entrada School - The first stage of the Community and Economic Development Strategy plan
for which we received the $240 thousand grant is completed, and the consultants are now looking for your input. What do you want to see along the Auburn Boulevard Corridor? What kinds of businesses should be encouraged? What is the best use for the many vacant buildings and lots throughout our community?
The preliminary proposal suggests several things the community will like, including the designation of at least one County staff member to be the “point person” for anything having to do with Old Foothill Farms – no more questions about which office to call. Developing some public meeting space for the residents was proposed also.
Designating separate zones throughout the corridor – one for warehouse and storage, one for light industrial, one for retail, etc. – is one of the recommendations that would result in a more attractive and coherent appearance, and would group businesses together to make shopping and using the services easier. More focus on getting big-rig trucks and trailers to park outside the area was included in the recommendations.
The proposal also calls for the introduction of a better grocery center, whether that means upgrades to our existing store, or actual invitation to a new store.
Several of the local merchants were part of the steering committee meeting, including our long-time neighbor The Bird Shop, our local Subway store, and one of the owners of large commercial properties along Madison Avenue.
The May 24th meeting is your chance to steer the course of our neighborhood for a long time to come, so please plan to attend. La Entrada Continuation School is at 5320 Hemlock Street, just across Auburn Blvd., and starts at 6:00 p.m.
THE SHERIFF STANDS UP OLD FOOTHILL FARMS – After several years of less-than-perfect relations with the Sheriff’s Department, it was beyond exciting when Mark Manoff was able to get Sheriff John McGinniss to agree to appear at a meeting of the Old Foothill Farms Community Task Force. He was unable to make the March meeting, but confirmed for the April 11th meeting, six weeks in advance. We announced his appearance at our meeting on March 14th,
Approximately March 21st, Supervisor Susan Peters’ office emailed a notice they had received from the Sheriff’s Department regarding a Zone Meeting for Old Foothill Farms scheduled March 27th. We have looked forward to Zone meetings for our area for a long time, but I was concerned that the Sheriff would not want to appear twice in less than three weeks at the same location.
The Sheriff’s appearance for our April meeting was confirmed again through Supervisor Peters’ office and through the Neighborhood Services office. The outgoing POP Sergeant announced the Sheriff’s appearance at the April 11th meeting at the Zone Meeting on March 27th.
On the evening of April 11th, 74 residents of Old Foothill Farms waited at Pioneer School to hear Sheriff McGinniss and have the opportunity to ask questions and express concerns. Our new POP Sergeant, who seems enthusiastic and truly interested in our community, was there, as was Troy Mohler, our longtime POP Officer. As the hour grew later, Sergeant Ryder was on his cell phone, frantically trying to determine where the Sheriff might be.
Finally, at 7:15, Sgt. Ryder reached the Sheriff – at a Rotary meeting. Per Sgt. Ryder, who was as disappointed as we were, the Sheriff was very sorry about the “mixup” and would make another date to come out and speak to us.
To date, not one person from the Sheriff’s Department has contacted us to apologize to the 74 persons who came to see the Sheriff – not the Sheriff, not the Patrol Commander – nor has there been a specific offer of another appearance date.
If you find all of this as disrespectful as I do – though typical of the rather disinterested attitude of the Sheriff’s Department toward our community – call the Sheriff’s Office of Information at 874-5021, or email him at sacsheriff.com.
On the evening of April 11th, 74 residents of Old Foothill Farms waited at Pioneer School to hear Sheriff McGinniss and have the opportunity to ask questions and express concerns. Our new POP Sergeant, who seems enthusiastic and truly interested in our community, was there, as was Troy Mohler, our longtime POP Officer. As the hour grew later, Sergeant Ryder was on his cell phone, frantically trying to determine where the Sheriff might be.
Finally, at 7:15, Sgt. Ryder reached the Sheriff – at a Rotary meeting. Per Sgt. Ryder, who was as disappointed as we were, the Sheriff was very sorry about the “mixup” and would make another date to come out and speak to us.
To date, not one person from the Sheriff’s Department has contacted us to apologize to the 74 persons who came to see the Sheriff – not the Sheriff, not the Patrol Commander – nor has there been a specific offer of another appearance date.
If you find all of this as disrespectful as I do – though typical of the rather disinterested attitude of the Sheriff’s Department toward our community – call the Sheriff’s Office of Information at 874-5021, or email him at sacsheriff.com.
See you May 24th!
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