Tomatoes — the fruit of a Yucaipa’s
Elserscountryfarm.com
— comes in literally dozens of varieties
Asset based community development. Connect, contribute and collaborate on creating the neighborhood of our dreams.
It seems it’s not only “we the people” who are revisiting the wisdom of extracting time and revenue out of the local tax base in service to public safety. Maybe this isn’t such a good investment after all. Find out why Corona Mayor Steve Nolan is going it solo for the voters.
On behalf of the neighborhood, the following letter was submitted.
November 17, 2009
John Standiford
Riverside County Transportation Commission
4080 Lemon St. 3rd Floor
Riverside CA 92502-2208
RE: Perris Valley Line (PVL)
Dear Mr. Standiford;
Over 4 years ago on October 13, 2005, the University Neighborhood Association submitted a letter to RCTC supporting the concept of routing the PVL through Highgrove and of establishing a Metrolink station in Highgrove.
Our community continues to support this concept because that location seems to offer greater overall flexibility. In addition to servicing Metrolink traffic from the PVL, the Highgrove station establishes services to existing Riverside and San Bernardino traffic, and opens opportunities to increase the number of potential riders through the expanded capacity and the flexibility to serve them.
Further, Highgrove has adequate land for a station and parking. Plus, the people of Highgrove want the station and support the PVL.
Most importantly: Expanded passenger rail options maximize taxpayer dollars. The development of rail corridors must be looked at in a context that is bigger than a single project. The PVL provides an opportunity to do that with the Highgrove option. Watch the video.
Please take under advisement that while the UNA supports the Highgrove station concept, our own concerns remain. The PVL impact on our neighborhood continues to attract the attention of a growing number of our neighbors.
As you know we have several sensitive receptor uses immediately adjacent to the PVL right of way.
•   Within 500 feet of this project, we have
1.   two elementary schools,
2.   two city parks, a county park, and
3.   several day care facilities.
•   We have a number of public safety concerns
1.   the impact of noise, vibration, and air pollution on health.
2.   the safety of our school children due to the increased rail traffic.
3.   public safety due to hazardous materials now being carried by BNSF.
4. Â Â Â public safety in crossing the rail right of way to access the county park.
In point 4, we refer to the PVL project bisecting our community, including the City and County trails network. Access to the park and trails requires a safe, environmentally sound solution to connect with and enjoy the historic trails into the Box Springs Mountain Park.
Lastly, we are concerned with the PVL impact upon our quality of life.
To be clear, we wish to reiterate our support for the Highgrove solution. However, do not construe that support as an endorsement for the PVL, especially in light of the fact that the EIR is not yet complete.
We remain committed to the healthiest result with the least impact for the biggest taxpayer payoff.
As our last work on the matter of the Highgrove station, if the PVL is really about regional transportation, then it makes sense to locate stations in locations that offer the greatest utility. The Highgrove solution is uniquely located to accomplish just that.
Sincerely,
Gurumantra Khalsa
Co Chair University Neighborhood Assn.
The City of Riverside has earned a distinction that only five other communities in the United States received.
Mayor of Riverside and Chair of Smart Riverside’s Board of Directors Ron Loveridge celebrated this extraordinary accomplishment saying, “The Smart21 designation is a significant honor recognizing that Riverside is a world leader in innovation and municipal technologies.â€
The Smart21 Communities Award specifically cited Mayor Loveridge’s focus and leadership on technology initiatives which has produced a plan for tech-based transformation. Other achievements contributing to the award include partnerships with the City and universities to develop tech parks, incubators, business accelerations and mentoring programs; fiber and wireless networks reaching 80 percent of the City, and innovative programs that connect citizens with technology.
In case you missed it, The Press-Enterprise reports on the story:
City named one of 21 smartest in world
Riverside has been named one of 21 cities worldwide to receive the Smart21 Communities award.
New York-based think tank The Intelligent Community Forum recognized the city for its commitment to broadband, innovation, knowledge-economy, municipal WiFi, Digital Inclusion Program, SmartRiverside technology initiatives, e-waste processing, and collaboration with universities and CEOs.
Riverside shares the distinction with Dundee, Scotland; Tel Aviv, Israel; Ottawa, Canada; and Tallinn, Estonia.
The think tank seeks to share the best practices of communities in adapting to a broadband economy. For more information, go to www.intelligentcommunity.org
From Yes! Magazine.