Why would the city give away prime real estate?
So, Mr. Caruso has once again had a temper tantrum. Only this time
he did it in an open forum rather than behind closed doors in one of
those famous "closed sessions" the city is noted for to keep the
prying eye of the public uninformed. As they say, don't let the door
hit your backside as you leave, Mr. Caruso.
Let many of us in Glendale say it again. No to closed streets; no
to unchecked congestion; no to a postage stamp park; no to our "Jewel
City" having as its anchor store a Target. No to the big giveaway of
millions upon millions of prime real estate, for which the value
continues to increase annually. Why would this city give away it's
prime real estate? It's time for some fiscal responsibility. It's
time for Glendalians to think of future generations.
This city needs more councilmen like Frank Quintero. Mayor
Quintero stood up for future Glendalians. Frank Quintero is not for a
giveaway of the city's prime assets. Once the heart of the city is
given away, it's gone forever.
Mr. Caruso stood up at the council meeting and said that Mayor
Quintero "won." Mr. Caruso is wrong. Glendale won. We Glendalians
still have our prime city land, and that's good because they ain't
making any more. Even the Chinese more than 100 years ago were smart
enough not to sell Hong Kong, it was on a lease. Our prime city land
must be on a lease. We cannot give away our prime assets to outside
interests.
Lastly, the city charter is Glendale's "constitution." For an
interloping business interest to refer to it as a minor procedural
inconvenience to be circumvented at will is outrageous. This type of
bullying cannot be, and was not, tolerated by our courageous City
Council.
CAROLE WELING
Glendale
One company, one mayor, one angry resident
As a new resident of Glendale, I was so thrilled to hear that the
new Town Center was going to be built downtown. Glendale is in need
of a face-lift and this project seemed ideal. The Grove at Fairfax
and The Commons in Calabasas are beautiful developments that Rick
Caruso has developed.
My disappointment has now turned into anger. It is unbelievable
that one company, General Growth, and one mayor can stop this
project. I will hold both accountable to the decay of our city. I
will no longer shop at the boxed-in Galleria. I will also do
everything possible to help defeat Mayor Frank Quintero.
Glendale will now be viewed as anti-business and anti-competition.
I can only hope that Mr. Caruso will develop a similar project nearby
