We Deserve A Break Today

What is it going to take for you people?

Do we need to put a Big Mac in front of the City Council for you to listen to how dire the situation could be over the next few months? Flash the Golden Arches up in front to get you to realize there are bigger (Filet o') Fish to fry in Loma Linda?

WE GET IT! You don't like McDonald's. Now, can we move on to more pressing matters? Or you are actually ready to do something about it besides complain?

Because, you see, the state Supreme Court gave the cities a big lump of coal just after Christmas by upholding the elimination of Redevelopment Agencies. That's millions of dollars a year to the city and county that could have gone to helping create the projects that renew area's and make them viable again.

Could have gone to projects that serve the public good. Community centers. New libraries. Riverside County built a new public swimming complex in the Rubidoux area that is used for everything from exercise to public high school sports (it's located next to Patriot High School).

Wouldn't some of those things be nice to have in Loma Linda? A new community center behind the Civic Center, perhaps? Upgrades to the library?

See, there's a slight problem with that, now. The land the Civic Center sits on, and the immediate area around it, was controlled by the Redevelopment Agency. Not any more. All those assets could have gone to the state without the legal wrangling done at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

Oh, ya know, I forgot. The hospital and university provide a lot of those services. The Drayson Center's an amazing space, full of parks and pools and activities. And all those hiking trails, too. Great stuff.

But here's a news flash. Not everyone in the city gets to use them. And, if you haven't noticed, the things that used to only hear about happening in places such as San Bernardino, Fontana and Rialto, well, they're creeping in closer.

That wasn't in the rundown areas off of Redlands Boulevard in the north end of town. This one was smack dab in an area that features newer homes and gives off a more middle-class feel. And don't tell me that the shootings in Redlands in the past year weren't a little too close for comfort.

And that's where the Redevelopment Agency could have stepped in. More activities for children. Safer places for them to go. And, with tax money generated by a potential McDonald's, the funds to pay for people to staff them. And, probably, the chance to teach the children that while McDonald's is fun, it's best in moderation.

But I did mention stepping up and doing something about it, didn't I?

Don't know if anyone's noticed, but it seems to be election season. And, lo-and-behold, there are three seats available on the Loma Linda City Council during the June election. That seems like the perfect way for someone who wants to make changes for the good of the city to get involved. And a chance for you to remove those evil, evil people who approved that even-more-evil restaurant (which, they didn't -- they only approved the center it will sit in).

And then, maybe, you can learn about what's going on in the city besides the stupid, meaningless Golden Arches coming to town. And how much up the creek without a paddle it might be without a Redevelopment Agency.

Because if all you care about is coming to the city to complain about the fast food restaurant, you're a part of the problem -- not the solution.

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