95 replies to this topic

[camay2327]

Love Folsom, I go along with you on this.

[tessieca]

Ditto to Love Folsom. We're better off fighting our own city hall than the board of supervisors.

[melloguy]

Most Folsom residents know growth will occur in the region, it's just a matter of how it is planned. Our council is and has been dominated by developer-supported or related members. So, the planning process has been focussed on maximizing the value of development and the generation of tax revenues. While these are fine capitalistic qualities, it does not always bode well for the community/environment. There needs to be some balance to the “scrape it, pave it, build it” mentality of our council and planning commission.

I believe Bob Fish and his group provide a valuable alternative view of how our City should be developed. I also believe that it is a view shared by a majority of our citizenry. It would be a blessing to have two or more council members who shared this view.

[EDF]

Mellow Guy...

you are right... we need to get a couple of "newbies" on city council...

Jeff Starsky and Eric King are up for "re-electin" next year...

While I don't have anything against Eric because I think he will listen, Starsky has to go... He's abrasive enough that he makes me look like a "sensitive" guy..

With the referendum coming up regarding the right of Folsom voters to decide the future of South of 50, now might the time to recruit some candidates that will endorse it and run a campaign based on it..

From my experience in past campaigns around here, this one will be one ugly contest.... lots of developer money with slick campaign brochures extolling the virtures of their vision....

Its time for the "grass roots" to come out again...

[NRB]

EDF, I must admit that I am surprised you are in support of this effort. Maybe only because you and I rarely hold the same opinion on things. But as far as I am concerned, you are a good ally to have.

I also agree with mellow guy. Our council has been pro-developer for quite some time. I hope Bob's group is looking for a viable candidate or two that they/we can support.

[EDF]

NRB...

Just because I am a knuckle draggin neanderthal conservative doesn't mean I don't like fresh air and open spaces...

I've been involved in neighborhood issues since I moved here...and got screwed by the developers...

In earlier posts I have talked about Lexington Hills where I used to live... the open space, parks and trails are there not because of the good will of the city, but because a bunch of us got together and got in the faces of city hall...

We need to do this again... Oh sure the so called "mainstream" City Hall crowd is going to throw out the "tree hugger" label on us, but they are the ones out of touch..

If you remember, anything that the developers want, they get... but anytime we the citizens want something... such as a community pool... well then... all of a sudden they are "fiscally" responsible and have to find a "money" stream... remember that fight...

How many times did we have to fill the council chambers on that one...

Make no mistake about it, this is going to be one ugly, nasty campaign because the developers have big $$$$ in options out there...

Our side is not saying "no" to development... its just the kind of development...

For example... if they say 30% will be left as open space... lets define open space... is a golf course or front yards of single family homes to be counted as credit to open space or are we talking about "passive" uses such as the way it exists now....?

If we are talking about leaving 30% of it the way it is now and then we have some active parks etc ON TOP of that... well... I can support something like that...

However, they need to PAY FOR ALL of the infrastructure... including the schools...

[cybertrano]

1000% no more improper development. I agree with NRB, EDF, Melloguy.

I voiced enough opinions concerning this subject already. I don't need to repeat myself.

[NRB]

EDF, I couldn't agree with you more! My main concern aside from the open space issue is the impact any development will have on our traffic, air, schools , water supply, sewers etc.

It most definitely will be an ugly fight. What burns me is how the council paints this pretty picture with most of them saying they want a private university or business campuses. But the truth of the matter is that if developers want to make the big bucks (I haven't met one yet that doesn't) then they will push for housing developments. The developers own the land and , let's face it, the city has a very long record of doing whatever the developers want.

Just beware folks! Do you really feel the city has it's residents best interest at heart and not its bottom line? If they do have our best intrests at heart then they wouldn't mind letting the residents vote on it!

Just my opinion.

[slowthegrowth]

I happen to be one of those who is new(er) to the Folsom area (almost 3 years now) and, as a bicylist and Lexington Hills resident, gets to benefit from the fine work that Mr Fish and others have done to protect the wetlands and provide some of the best trails I've ever seen.

My wife and I have watched, as we all have, the destruction of the hills on the North side of the Bidwell exit/Hwy 50 and the reduction of these beautiful rolling California hills to a series of switchbacks and eventually, housing development after housing development. The ONLY redeeming value has been that lack of any development on the Scott Rd side. We can still drive on that side and find ourselves back in some of the most pristine environments still left in the Sacramento area.

We believe that we heard that the Deer Creek area (West of Latrobe, South of 50, North of Scott) was going to be a "protected area" where only recreational facilities (read: trails/parks) would be allowed. Has anyone else heard about this?

[EDF]

There is a meeting tonight at 6:30 at the Round Table Pizza on Riley across from the aquatic center if any one is interested in getting involved with the referendum.

Members of ECOS will be there along with Bob Fish...

I might even show up....

[NRB]

EDF, even though I'm dying to meet you face to face, I can't make the meeting tonight. My hubby is coming home tonight after being in New Jersey for the last few weeks. I think he might feel slighted if he came home to a babysitter! If you go would you fill us in on what we missed?

[melloguy]

See Bob's e-mail from Oct. 22 re: the meeting. I believe it was last night, not tonight. It would be nice to get a summary of the meeting on this board if anyone reading this was there.

[EDF]

Yea I think you were right... I just looked at my scribble and I had written down wed... but some lame reason thought it was tonight...

we'll have to wait until Bob updates us...

I hope he isn't dissappointed by the lack of attendance... The ECOS group needs to see folks show up...

I feel the sentiments are with our side of the issue, ie, letting the voters decide what kind of development, but we need to get more folks to participate...

sorry about the "misinformation"....

[valdossjoyce]

Just a quick update before I run to my next deposition. The meeting was held last night. About a dozen folks showed up. David Mogavero of ECOS led the meeting and consensus was reached on a few issues.

One was the education of Folsomites is a priority. The only real issue on this was whether to spend limited resources at this time to educate a large number of people, or to target those most likely to share the views of the group. Method would be with a flyer.

Another priority is getting volunteers fired up to work on this. There are so many different tasks, that whatever your talents & time will allow, there's a job you can do. Current needs are for people who can design, write, or print a flyer. If anyone knows a printer who would donate the printing of the flyer, that would be great. Maintaining a website, once created, is a huge job that's still unfilled. In the future there will be a need for people to hand out flyers, gather signatures, host small neighbor gatherings in their homes for informational/educational purposes. Perhaps even phone banks once election time comes near.

Bottom line: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. People who care and are willing to commit a little of their time, and blood, sweat & tears, should make themselves known now, even though they may not be needed to do their piece until later. Those who have absolutely no time to commit can send money. Those of you who were once nvolved in your own neighborhood or community groups when a specific issue brought you together: come forward so that every part of our community is represented.

Next meeting is November 10th. Bob Fish will provide details.

[cybertrano]

I will help out with the Website, printing, etc. John and I are the Web/Internet technology kids. I can do anything with Web stuff.