Category Archives: Social Capital

City Of Our Dreams, Public Policy, Social Capital

UNA Apr 2023 Meeting Agenda

April 12, 2023 admin Leave a comment

Map and Directions To Crest Community Church
3431 Mt Vernon Ave, Riverside, CA 92507

1. Welcome – Introductions 5 min.

2. Nora Update 15 min.

3. Highland Elementary Name Change 20 min.

Hello,

My name is Denise Allen, and I am a teacher at Highland Elementary School, and also have lived in the neighborhood for 30+ years. I am unable to attend the April UNA meeting, but I was asked by the principal of the school to get input on a possible name change to the elementary school.

The Riverside Unified School District is considering a name change for Highland Elementary School effective next fall. The District would like to change the name of the school to honor the Harada family of Riverside, a prominent Japanese-American family who were interned during World War II.

From Wikipedia:

The Harada House is a historic house in Riverside, California. The house was the focus of a critical application of the California Alien Land Law of 1913, which prevented foreigners who were ineligible for citizenship from owning property. The state of California attempted to seize the property from the family in California v. Harada, but the Haradas ultimately won the case and retained ownership of the house. The house, created in 1884 and built upon by the Harada family, was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1990^[4] and is currently overseen by the Museum of Riverside.

The Harada House is located on the east side of Riverside on Lemon Street. A book has been written on the Harada history: The House on Lemon Street.

There will be a community meeting on Friday, April 28th at 5:30 p.m. at Highland Elementary School to present the possible name change and receive community input. I was wondering if you would be able to announce this at the UNA meeting next week? The district also plans to mail out flyers to neighborhood homes, but it is helpful for people to know as early as possible if they have questions or input.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions, input, or other thoughts about this process for the school district leaders.

Thank you,

Denise Allen

Highland Elementary School

Riverside Unified School District

3. Council Updates 20 min.

4. UCR Updates 10 min

5. Announcements 10 min

6. Speaker Suggestions 2023

Neighborhood Issues & Resources

Follow Our Courts

US Covid Atlas

Riverside Neighborhood Partnership

Neighbors Better Together

City Of Our Dreams, Environment, Open Government, Resoration Economy, Social Capital

RTRP Vote To Find Funding For Undergrounding

January 17, 2023 admin Leave a comment

We Need Your Voice!

We were told unequivocally that undergrounding the high-powered transmission lines near Hidden Valley (Ward 7) was not possible. For fifteen years they said it was a “DONE DEAL” to place the lines overhead.

TRUTH: It was NOT a “done deal”. Truth is, they never told us the truth about any of it. This in spite of at least one public comment demanding an underground option from the start.

What a difference fifteen years of neighbors being organized , collaborative and effective in pursuing common desires. Add your voice at tomorrow’s City Council meeting.

MOTION to FIND the MONEY to underground this project will be made Tuesday, January 17^th by Councilman Chuck Conder. It is important for you to SHOW UP and show support for this motion.

We NEED action! You can speak during “Open Comment” or come to support your neighbors who are speaking and support the council members who want to see this project UNDERGROUND!

COME! Let our City know that you DO NOT want these lines overhead.

Where: City Council Chambers next to City Hall

When: Tuesday January 17, 2023

Time: 6:15 pm

Parking: FREE in the evenings, handicapped available

BACKGROUND

RRR is the neighborhood group most impacted by this. They have been fighting to have this project undergrounded since 2017 via:

EDUCATION
INFORMATION
FORUMS
SOCIAL MEDIA
COMMUNITY MEETINGS

We were not giving up! Councilman Steve Hemenway (Ward 7) took the lead when he was elected in 2019. Due to his diligence, perseverance and educating himself on this project, there is now hope to underground these lines.

He brought Councilwoman Cervantes and Councilman Fierro onboard; but these 3 council members were outvoted to change the project.

Councilman Conder now realizes that undergrounding is the “superior project”, and he will bring a motion before our Council on Tuesday to FIND THE MONEY to do so!

Please come and show support for these 4 councilpersons who have listened and responded to residents. They deserve our public support. This is a defining moment in the history of Riverside.

Steve Hemenway Ward 7
Clarissa Cervantes Ward 2
Ronaldo Fierro Ward 3
Chuck Conder Ward 4

City Of Our Dreams, Environment, Green Energy, Social Capital

RTRP Transmission Lines Along River Vote

November 14, 2022 admin Leave a comment

URGENT City Council to vote on this TUESDAY Nov 15

We have a chance to get these underground!

New consultant finds it is AFFORDABLE!

Do you care about transmission lines being placed overhead at Hidden Valley and behind the homes of many Ward 7 residents?

Independent consultants have found that under grounding can be AFFORDABLE! SCE said lines would cost ~ $57 million per mile;

Los Angeles and San Diego placed lines in a similar project for $11 million a mile.

Every rate payer in Riverside has been paying for these for 12/18 years on RPU bill (Reliability Project)…we have the money. Also, consultants say grants are available to minimize the cost.

Speak Now! It is time to be heard!

Our City Council will be voting on this project on TUESDAY November 15^th! What you can do:

Write to EVERY council member and express your thoughts. You can address one email to all members and include the city clerk.
You can call every council member NOW! You can THANK Councilman Hemenway for giving us this opportunity.
You can attend the meeting and speak if you would like or support those who do speak. (I will get the time to you this week)
You can call into the meeting, if you can’t attend, and speak

If you want these lines underground, NOW IS THE TIME to write, call and be heard! Here’s a link to make an e Comment for agenda Item #20

This is a critical juncture; you must speak up NOW! We have a chance of under grounding based on the findings of the Independent Consultants brought in by Councilman Steven Hemenway.

Chuck Conder – cconder@riversideca.gov

Phone: (951) 826-5991

Mobile: (951) 990-9718

Clarissa Cervantes ccervantes@riversideca.gov

Phone: (951) 826-5991

Erin Edwards eedwards@riversideca.gov

Phone: (951) 826-5242

Gaby Plascencia GPlascencia13@gmail.com

(951) 782-0330

Perry, Jim J. JPerry@riversideca.gov

(951) 826-5991

Ronaldo Fierro RonaldoForRiverside@gmail.com