54 replies to this topic

[4thgenFolsomite]

HistoryMatters and Maestro are not the same people though. 

[FolsomEJ]

I know.  Maestro hijacked this thread for her agenda.

[maestro]

Another thought as to why history matters is because tourism is the biggest industry in the world.  The more that  a community does to enhance its distinctiveness whether that's natural, architectural, cultural, or artistic, the more people want to go there.    Folsom's history includes in part, the gold rush, railroad, pony express, powerhouse, Folsom prison and Johnny Cash.  Preserving the Chinese Culture is also part of the heart and soul of Folsom.

 

For example, the San Antonio River-walk is the most visited place in the state of Texas.  It is the basis of their multi-billion dollar annual tourism industry and it's the single defining characteristic of San Antonio.  Many years ago the city thought so little of the small river they wanted to put it underground in a culvert!

 

Just as the  San Antonio citizens had a different vision for their city which proved extremely beneficial, we too have a similar opportunity to hold on to something of value.

 

 

 

 

The Folsom Historic District Plan & Guidelines envision the Leidesdorff area, River Way, etc, as part of a public PASSIVE area, consistent with the river below and the federal Conservation Zone (CA state park).

 

The council showed zero regard for this environmentally-friendly, passive usage HD Plan.    Four of them acted as though the HD Plan does not even exist as a Zoning Overlay.      It's a plan to stress the natural beauty, not pave over the riversides with concrete, bars, parking, etc.

 

History Matters mentioned San Antonio making good use of a Plan.     The Folsom HD plan cost a million $$ and much discussion in its time.     The idea of making a passive quiet attraction next to state park, and walkable from the Folsom history museums   --   that was at the foundation of the HD Plan.       Too bad the council four  showed no respect for the HD Plan.   Perhaps Deborah can remind them.     "Those who don't know the past are doomed to make the same mistakes."

 

Wouldn't it have been great if that 111' wide freeway bridge below Sutter st. were instead a scenic city street/bridge?     The American River Canyon is magnificent -- so whose idea was it to put tons of high-speed concrete there?    Oops, same people who can't respect the HD Plan????        If more folks read that HD Plan, they would appreciate the thought that went into it.     What we have today is nothing like what 1990 Folsom residents envisioned:  something beautiful, and appropriate to the American River location.      That would attract many folks, and respect the past as well, and provide our visitors and children a chance to see a riparian habitat.

 

 

 

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[maestro]

I know.  Maestro hijacked this thread for her agenda.

 

 

 

Not correct, you who represent the old-time "powers".

 

Deborah has her expertise and I have mine.      I sued the city as private enforcer of the Clean Water Act, and that is my expertise.   Thanks to the mentoring of City Engineer Bob Blaser (1980s to 1992), I know a lot about what is in the ground.   

 

I won a federal NPDES Permit on city sewer conveyances, at considerable cost and effort, and exposure to retaliation.    If the state enforced NPDES Permit, the Leidesdorff mess could NEVER happen.       There's no point in another civil lawsuit to enforce the Clean Water Act.      My associates and I pursue  appropriate enforcement methods, based upon known sewage flows, known pipe Standards for certain known flows, etc.      I use Public Records and sworn Engineer Records which no doubt are beyond your opinionated outlooks.    

 

Deborah & I both want the same thing:  respect for the laws by the "permanent council" persons.    She and Paula appeared on camera to educate folks --  that is a good thing for everyone who drinks water and likes laws obeyed -- as well as those who value history and tourism.     If you object to a full story, too bad for you.   Don't read sewage stuff.

[FolsomEJ]

I represent myself alone.  I'm relatively new to Folsom, but I love almost everything I see around me.

 

I'm very happy with the quality of life here.

 

I think that bridge is a great addition to the region, and it is very tastefully constructed.  It looks beautiful from the trail system.

 

Folsom isn't 5000 people anymore.  Its a growing city.  It isn't perfect but it is VERY far above average.

[supermom]

I would be intersted to see the plans proposal, and to see if it includes skirting around the Mormon ruins 

 

I think that even with a structure like this-there could potentially be two sides

 

A) destruction of a valued historical site or destruction of a great view

B) a chance to grandfather protections in and have an outside deep pocket fund a way to add the site to the historic society and implement tasteful construction to complement the site.

[Steve Heard]

all of the people I know who are concerned about our heritage are just aching for there to be more tourism promotional work, especially directed at cultural tourism.  I would guess whoever complained in that Telegraph article was more concerned with one of the big Sutter Street music events, like Folsom Live.  But I don't think of that as tourism. 

 

I know there are some who are very supportive, it just seems that those in opposition are usually the loudest.

 

It wasn't just the Telegraph letter (actually several were published on the same date) and I've heard it so often while on the Commission and as an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce. 

 

One was against a winery opening up on Sutter because it would bring more people and because 'we're not even known for wine'.

 

There were similar complaints against revitalizing the streetscape in the Historic District. They didn't want more people coming.

 

When Don Chaddock was the editor of the Telegraph, he told me that he was constantly being pushed to do stories about the perceived problems in the Historic District.

 

I recall when one city leader even said that Folsom Live, which puts a lot of 'heads in beds' at the hotels, should be for locals, not for outsiders. How do you prevent that?

 

Anyway, I could go on, and I know these people are in the minority, but it was just very frustrating hearing all of the complaints.

[4thgenFolsomite]

I hear what you are saying and I see a common thread with the complaints you mention.  They are all related to alcohol in the HD.  That is a whole separate issue.  I would LOVE to see more promotion of Folsom for cultural tourism, especially historic.  We have some great resources here that I think are currently underutilized.

[maestro]

Doesn't anyone vocally regret the council ignored the Folsom Historic District Plan & Guidelines,  a very expensive and well-thought-out  planning tool?    (Except Ernie).

 

The HD is still a viable legal zoning overlay with some great ideas to preserve local history and environmental.

 

It would be nice if Deborah's lawsuit submitted this document for the Court's consideration because it is a viable/valuable illustration of preserving what matters.        The city began on a river;    most cities celebrate this.

[ducky]

I hear what you are saying and I see a common thread with the complaints you mention.  They are all related to alcohol in the HD.  That is a whole separate issue.  I would LOVE to see more promotion of Folsom for cultural tourism, especially historic.  We have some great resources here that I think are currently underutilized.

 

We do have a tourism bureau.  I believe they are funded by the hotel tax.

 

pdfs.citizenaudit.org/2014_06_EO/68-0451036_990O_201306.pdf

 

and

faqs.org/tax-exempt/CA/Folsom-Tourism-Bureau.html

[supermom]

As I have recently learned--Negro bar and mormon island were started as part of the gold rush and granite mining before the city was founded. The city itself was founded as a depot for the train. We owe our heritage to the miners (both gold and granite). 

 

So by allowing the mormon island and negro bar areas to be irresponsibly treated .. we are abusing the historical significance of our fore fathers and destroying a monument that should be preserved for our future generations. 

 

I would love to see the mormon island and negro bar areas encapsulated for future generations. 

 

The meredith hotel is the site of the first large party Folsom had when the railroad arrived

 

Sacramento capitol's dark granite construction comes from Folsom....

We should be marketing those facts for tourism and using those sites as historical markers.

[ducky]

As I have recently learned--Negro bar and mormon island were started as part of the gold rush and granite mining before the city was founded. The city itself was founded as a depot for the train. We owe our heritage to the miners (both gold and granite). 

 

So by allowing the mormon island and negro bar areas to be irresponsibly treated .. we are abusing the historical significance of our fore fathers and destroying a monument that should be preserved for our future generations. 

 

I would love to see the mormon island and negro bar areas encapsulated for future generations. 

 

The meredith hotel is the site of the first large party Folsom had when the railroad arrived

 

Sacramento capitol's dark granite construction comes from Folsom....

We should be marketing those facts for tourism and using those sites as historical markers.

 

Isn't Mormon Island under Folsom Lake when it actually has water in it?

[supermom]

 

Isn't Mormon Island under Folsom Lake when it actually has water in it?

aye, it is

But if Lenon can dream of world without religion; I can certainly dream of the dam wall around the ruins  

[Steve Heard]

I hear what you are saying and I see a common thread with the complaints you mention.  They are all related to alcohol in the HD.  That is a whole separate issue.  I would LOVE to see more promotion of Folsom for cultural tourism, especially historic.  We have some great resources here that I think are currently underutilized.

 

One problem with that is that many of our historic assets are hours of operation.

 

The Powerhouse visitor center website says to contact the park for hours.  I made the mistake of dropping by and found it closed. 

 

Pioneer Village is only open 4 hours a day. I remember taking visitors there a couple of years ago and it was locked when it was supposed to be open. 

 

Folsom History Museum, open 5 hours a day. 

 

The Wells Fargo Assay building has a beautiful granite and iron storefront, but it is apparently permanently closed.

 

The antique rail car is only open Saturdays and Sundays.

 

Although some of the antique stores are gone, it was not unusual to go to Sutter and find them closed, because the owner felt like it.

 

How do you promote that? "Come to Historic Folsom, and hope we're open!"

[4thgenFolsomite]

typically when I am going somewhere to visit a museum or historic site, I check their website for hours.  promotion means to plant the seed, not provide all the details.  if more people come, I can guarantee those venues would be open more.  on the flip side, museums don't need to keep restaurant or store hours.  they are an attraction.  you plan a visit around them.  so you see when they are open, you visit and then you shop and eat at restaurants nearby. 

 

we recently organized a small group called Folsom Area Museums (FAM) because we have some great resources here.  This includes the powerhouse, the prison, the historic railroad, the history museum, pioneer village and the Murer House.  we are planning a Heritage Lollapolooza on May 2, Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm, where all venues have something special going on and are either free or reduced price to get in. 

 

by the way, Steve, when was the last time you were in the museum?  you say the wells fargo assay building is always closed, but its really open whenever the museum is open.  its a part of it.  They have to control entry, so people come in through the museum front doors and the changing exhibits are inside the assay building.