Patch Blog: Last Picture Show?

And it was about 103 Fahrenheit outside when the cleaning crew showed up. Perfect time for a Saturday matinee. What about "The Bourne Legacy" with no stinkin’ Jason Bourne?

I used to go to the movies right here in Temple City. I’m waaay past dating myself (unless you really know me) but when I was a kid, I saw none other than "Old Yeller" at the once proud Temple Theater.

And I’ve written several business plans too. This time around it’s an SBA model. If only government oversight on banks was anything close to what it is for banking clients…

And I wonder if the city of Temple City has ever had a blue print or business plan? We have a City Planner around here but that’s sort of like saying Kobe has a shot selection planner or sharks have a menu.

If you’re inclined to follow Temple City business redevelopment and revitalization you can look it up under the “R”s but search “random” or “repossessed.”

In a town where City Councilors can take a seat with the flip of a coin or go to jail for trading favors for chump change and imaginary condominiums in the sky, nothing ever really changes. It’s like a time capsule looking for a hole (undoubtedly, somewhere near Rosemead and Las Tunas.)

To be charitable, downtown looks like a nice little group of semi-occupied buildings divided by the Las Tunas freeway. A market burned down right in the middle of town over twenty years ago; a flat concrete tombstone, about the size of three hockey rinks, still marks the spot.

A few years ago, we had the chance to remodel the whole joint for about $5 million during a time when construction will never offer up a better price. And since the city wasn’t using any of the more than $30 million reserve to help put the schools in the black, why not?

Apparently, the city has indeed found the cure for insomnia when opportunity is walking forward just around the corner.

The first groundbreaking for that shifting pile of dirt once known as “The Piazza (coming soon) Happy New Year!” was 6 years ago: Seems like 20.

I drive by the blighted corner of Rosemead and Las Tunas every day and I’m happy to report there are now some tractors and trucks shifting the dirt around, doing some serious demolition and grading. Never seen an existing wasteland demolished and I’ve never seen the tractors and trucks actually move. But, then again, we’re only six years in.

And I hate to seem so dang impatient. Shucks, I know we’ve only been in business here for a little over 30 years. I’m just concerned, that with a City Council mostly made up of retired County types and an undeveloped developer, Kobe’s grandchildren could be marching down Figueroa before cars are moving down Las Tunas and through Temple City slower than 60mph.

Sorry to be so freakin' negative. In certain select dental circles, I actually go by “Smilin’ Jack.” Really!

I’m just tired, tired, tired of no stinkin’ progress. When the closest thing to redevelopment is a wind storm blowing down all the trees, you can pretty much rest assured even Mother Nature is getting seriously P-O-ed.

And we don’t even have our own movie theater anymore. But first things first; maybe we should bring back retail first.

Wonder if Jason Bourne would be up for a new identity in a town with no vision? Sounds perfect, huh?

It would be cool having a bottom-liner man of action taking some numbers and making some serious choices around here. Maybe things would start movin’ faster than a speeding glacier. Maybe we’d even have our own Nordstrom. Okay, Macy’s. Okay, Joseph Bank. Okay, Lieberg’s II. You could stroll past beautifully landscaped gardens to The Bourne Legacy. I can see it now...

And that’s what I like about the movies.