502 replies to this topic

[cw68]

You might lose a little land for profitable building, but it really shouldn't be about the city and district being in the real estate business anyway.  

Surely you jest? That's exactly what our city does.

[maestro]

 

and I gotta tell you. as soon as that corner is built up and a parking lot is put in there for the businesses, parents will use it anyway. Better to have an established in-out.

 

Seems like the council doesn't like kids, or is trying to force the idea of miserable blockage there.

 

Supermom,

Don't worry, the city council plans for the FCUSD "surplus" assets (E. Bidwell & Riley) are dead.     The school district did not even know their contract with Bernau dev. company had expired over a year prior to the creation of the new "mixed use" zone/district.     The law passed for school land is unconstitutional and will never be utilized (unless they re-write it in secret to correct their bungles).

 

The raw sewage pipes in that area are way beyond their capacity, creating horrible problems for those downhill.     Large underground pits were built to stop the sewage from coming up into Bidwell Street.   You can see the tar placed on all the cracks and around the two-manhole pit areas.    You can tell the pit areas by the two manholes.

 

This is an election issue because the council zoned and rezoned to permit about 100,000 flushers in the existing city each day --   HOWEVER they left the city's 1992 sewage pipes as small as they were.      The city mainline is a mere 27" in diameter, and the council is allowing FPA (south of 50) to connect to that same 27" pipe.   

 

It is great to see the vice mayor has spoken so eloquently.    Wish the Bee and Sac Biz Journal would print his letter.

[ducky]

Surely you jest? That's exactly what our city does.

 

Which is why we need some new ideas.

[maestro]

Bizpac?    You just try to discover who the board members are --   who sets their policies?    Try to find a single named person.   Here's their info online.   Do you believe the line about "business friendly political environment".   Bet Intel and Waste Management choke on that, as well as all the small businesspeople forced to bear new taxes and fees:    Civic leaders???    Really???   Bet it's FEDCORP without the redevelopment money.

Protecting Folsom’s Job Creators and Quality of Life

The quality of life that Folsom residents have come to enjoy in Folsom is dependent on the hundreds of small business owners that create local jobs and tax revenue for important public services such as police, fire, schools, parks and trails, and road improvements.

This is why the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee (GAC) serves as the community’s government watchdog monitoring federal and state legislation, and government actions at every level to ensure that Folsom’s employers and job creators are protected from high taxes, and excessive regulation and litigation. This has contributed to Folsom’s business friendly political environment and a high standard of living.

Who we are

Our committee is composed of local business owners and civic leaders that gather in the mornings, on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Should you have an interest in our community and politics, visit the chamber’s calendar for information on the next GAC meeting.

 

 

 

[camay2327]

 

Wake up, Folsom; take your town back

 

By Ernie Sheldon

 

With the Nov. 4 election rapidly approaching the residents of Folsom are faced with a critical decision:  Do you vote the three incumbents back in office and continue to lose control of your city to the special-interest crowd?  Many think that the city is doing just fine, but they don’t know what is going on inside their government. Take it from and insider, it’s just not so!  With the approval of Measure W, the 3,500 acre development south of Highway 50 is moving forward.

 

(City Council member Steve) Miklos and (Mayor Kerri) Howell publicly glow in the important role that they played to make this happen. Re-elect them and you give them the opportunity to keep this city going south of White Rock Road and who knows where?

 

The “South of 50” project is projected to produce 23,000 new residents. Add that to our current population, and our ppulation will be around 106,000 people. Already there are calls for rezones to build more homes, which will bring more people. If this council approves this request, it will add thousands to our 106,000 people. Do you really think the current council will say no to developers? Think again!

 

I don’t want Folsom to become an Elk Grove or Roseville. The Folsom Chamber (our Folsom shadow government) supports large development, large businesses and city expansion. They also control three votes on the council.

 

This city is full of talented people equal to if not better than those on the council. Let’s move aside and give the candidates a chance. Let’s not be afraid to have new ideas presented.

 

OK, Folsom, do you want your city back? Then vote to do something about it. Don’t let developers and large business money take away your right to make changes. Look at the new candidates and vote new.

 

Ernie Sheldon is vice mayor of Folsom

 

I posted this earlier, but the more we get this out the better.

[Roger Gaylord]

I posted this earlier, but the more we get this out the better.

 

https://m.facebook.c...367224893316691

 

Just posted this on Facebook with a "boost" on it. It will draw attention.

 

Feel free to share.  

[camay2327]

 

https://m.facebook.c...367224893316691

 

Just posted this on Facebook with a "boost" on it. It will draw attention.

 

Feel free to share.

 

Roger, you have my second vote.... Good Luck.

[Barb J]

WOW!!! Go Ernie!! I pray this has the impact that it should!!

Barb J

[Roger Gaylord]

 

Roger, you have my second vote.... Good Luck.

 

Greatly appreciate the support! I won't let you down. 

 

-Roger

[tony]

Well, that is why i think they should turn it into a parking structure.

 

alleviate the over population, the traffic jams. parents would have more options to head up to riley or turn onto E Bidwell if they had a parking structure there.

 

And the added benefit is that there is already crossing with a light for safety- for students.

 

and I gotta tell you. as soon as that corner is built up and a parking lot is put in there for the businesses, parents will use it anyway. Better to have an established in-out.

 

Seems like the council doesn't like kids, or is trying to force the idea of miserable blockage there.

 

traffic easing could be enhanced with a common sense approach to multi-area access -- and like I said- if done appropriately and tastefully- it could be an added benefit for large events like rodeo, veterans day parade, Halloween pumpkin night, ice skating, folsom live,  etc.

How about rather than spend $12-$15 million on another parking structure (that's what the city just approved for one on Trader's Lane) we spend a small fraction of that on improving the bicycle and pedestrian facilities leading to the school, and then put some effort into encouraging kids to walk and bike to school?  Nearly 25% of morning commute traffic is parents driving their kids to school, and for Sutter Middle School, easily half of those kids live within 2 miles of school, a long walk or a very easy bike ride. Nearly every morning, as my kids and I bicycle past Sutter (and then Theodore Judah) we are passed by a neighbor driving her middle school child 4 blocks down Persifer Street to Sutter, and often by another driving their child less than two blocks to Theodore Judah. And we wonder why we have an obesity problem in this country!

[cw68]

How about rather than spend $12-$15 million on another parking structure (that's what the city just approved for one on Trader's Lane) we spend a small fraction of that on improving the bicycle and pedestrian facilities leading to the school, and then put some effort into encouraging kids to walk and bike to school?  Nearly 25% of morning commute traffic is parents driving their kids to school, and for Sutter Middle School, easily half of those kids live within 2 miles of school, a long walk or a very easy bike ride. Nearly every morning, as my kids and I bicycle past Sutter (and then Theodore Judah) we are passed by a neighbor driving her middle school child 4 blocks down Persifer Street to Sutter, and often by another driving there child less than two blocks to Theodore Judah. And we wonder why we have an obesity problem in this country!

 

Thank you for bringing this up. Another option is to spend the money towards making the bus more affordable. I spend $600 a year to have my kids take the bus to school, which I do partly because they walk 1/2 each way to the bus stop, which is a really good way to start their mornings (though the heavy backpack needed because there are no lockers doesn't help their backs) but mainly because the traffic at the school is ridiculous. I agree that we should be spending money towards public transportation and bike/ped safety.

[Roger Gaylord]

 

Thank you for bringing this up. Another option is to spend the money towards making the bus more affordable. I spend $600 a year to have my kids take the bus to school, which I do partly because they walk 1/2 each way to the bus stop, which is a really good way to start their mornings (though the heavy backpack needed because there are no lockers doesn't help their backs) but mainly because the traffic at the school is ridiculous. I agree that we should be spending money towards public transportation and bike/ped safety.

 

This reminds me; in the last couple of candidate forums I mentioned the idea of a bike rental system spread throughout Folsom; folks could rent a bike from a self service kiosk; ride to another spot in the city then drop off at another kiosk; there would be several of these throughout Folsom. Partner this with a focus on bike/ pedestrian safety improvements and connecting both sides of Folsom to the existing bike trails this would be a great method for creating a new revenue source while easing traffic a bit; also increases activity level in Folsom. I've seen this done is other cities (mostly through out Europe) and it's efficient and fun. Food for thought.

[mac_convert]

 

This reminds me; in the last couple of candidate forums I mentioned the idea of a bike rental system spread throughout Folsom; folks could rent a bike from a self service kiosk; ride to another spot in the city then drop off at another kiosk; there would be several of these throughout Folsom. Partner this with a focus on bike/ pedestrian safety improvements and connecting both sides of Folsom to the existing bike trails this would be a great method for creating a new revenue source while easing traffic a bit; also increases activity level in Folsom. I've seen this done is other cities (mostly through out Europe) and it's efficient and fun. Food for thought.

And how do you suppose children will rent these bikes? A credit card? They don't have them and we shouldn't be encouraging the use with credit cards as they are easy for people to amass debt when they purchase things they cannot afford. Who is going to purchase and maintain the bikes? Folsom is so hilly while I own two bikes I don't consider riding my bike 5 miles to or from work because I have a HUGE hill to climb up when I would go home. Now if I still lived in Davis, I wouldn't think twice about riding my bike 5 miles to work!

[ducky]

How about rather than spend $12-$15 million on another parking structure (that's what the city just approved for one on Trader's Lane) we spend a small fraction of that on improving the bicycle and pedestrian facilities leading to the school, and then put some effort into encouraging kids to walk and bike to school?  Nearly 25% of morning commute traffic is parents driving their kids to school, and for Sutter Middle School, easily half of those kids live within 2 miles of school, a long walk or a very easy bike ride. Nearly every morning, as my kids and I bicycle past Sutter (and then Theodore Judah) we are passed by a neighbor driving her middle school child 4 blocks down Persifer Street to Sutter, and often by another driving their child less than two blocks to Theodore Judah. And we wonder why we have an obesity problem in this country!

 

How about rather than spend $12-$15 million on another parking structure (that's what the city just approved for one on Trader's Lane) we spend a small fraction of that on improving the bicycle and pedestrian facilities leading to the school, and then put some effort into encouraging kids to walk and bike to school?  Nearly 25% of morning commute traffic is parents driving their kids to school, and for Sutter Middle School, easily half of those kids live within 2 miles of school, a long walk or a very easy bike ride. Nearly every morning, as my kids and I bicycle past Sutter (and then Theodore Judah) we are passed by a neighbor driving her middle school child 4 blocks down Persifer Street to Sutter, and often by another driving their child less than two blocks to Theodore Judah. And we wonder why we have an obesity problem in this country!

Tony, you are a great advocate for cyclists.   I applaud you for it, but I must chime in.  You are a man and you don't face the same challenges a woman or young girl does riding alone or even walking alone.   I jog, and I have to say when the time change comes it is pretty dark out there.  I was thinking to myself how creepy it was and how I was violating all my training to not be in the wrong place at the wrong time alone when I pass this poor girl all of 90 pounds wet making her way to what I assume is FHS for a zero period class.  She looked scared out of her wits.  Maybe her parents had no choice.  Riding in the dark is a dangerous proposition, flashy lights or not.  There are many homeless in our neighborhood and not all of them are nice people.  No way I'm letting my child make his or her own way to school if I'm leaving anyway on my way to work and can drop her off, especially in inclement weather.

 

My child walked to Sutter Middle, but even in crosswalks and with staff waiving a sign people would drive on through, most talking on their cellphones, without stopping for the students crossing.  What we need are better crossings in that area and it doesn't take millions of dollars to do that.  Most of the children I see riding bikes are on Riley and on the sidewalk, the way I would want my child to ride regardless of what is considered the "correct" way.  I have absolutely no problem stepping off the sidewalk so a child or even adult can ride by because I can see the oncoming traffic and they can't.

[tony]

And how do you suppose children will rent these bikes? A credit card? They don't have them and we shouldn't be encouraging the use with credit cards as they are easy for people to amass debt when they purchase things they cannot afford. Who is going to purchase and maintain the bikes? Folsom is so hilly while I own two bikes I don't consider riding my bike 5 miles to or from work because I have a HUGE hill to climb up when I would go home. Now if I still lived in Davis, I wouldn't think twice about riding my bike 5 miles to work!

 

I don't think Roger was suggesting bike sharing for kids. I suspect it just jogged his memory.

 

I'm a bit skeptical of the possibilities for bike sharing in Folsom, mostly because it's too small, too suburban and most of the roads are too scary for the casual riders who are most likely to use bike share. That said, the City of Sacramento is currently working on getting a bike share program. Bike share programs have been very successful, not just in Europe, but in US cities such as Denver, DC, Boston, NYC, Miami, Boulder, Minneapolis and the Bay area.