Changes needed in government powers
I live in an 80-year-old house, which is owned and operated by an
84-year-old man -- both are in need of constant repair.
As a resident curmudgeon of our once-upon-a-time bedroom
community, I remember leaving the Bob's Big Boy drive-in and turning
north on an adjacent street, where a Saturday night ritual occurred.
High school students honked as they passed a police car parked
directly across the street from the home of man who headed the
American National Socialist Party. If they stopped in front of the
house the officer flashed a red spotlight. That was the signal to
move on.
Organized in New York, under the leadership of George Lincoln
Rockwell, their paramilitary brown uniforms, "Heil Hitler" salutes
and Nazi Swastika armbands were not popular so soon after the
holocaust.
He moved to Glendale and when asked, "Why Glendale?" He replied:
"Whenever I appealed for funds more money came in envelopes
postmarked Glendale, Calif., than any other city in the nation."
Glendale's political conscience has improved. Former President
Bill Clinton carried Glendale twice and Rep. Adam Schiff beat Jim
Rogan for Carlos Morehead's old seat in Congress. Being a registered
Democrat became socially acceptable. We are learning not just to
accept, but benefit from an influx of migrants who make us the third
most populous city in the county.
More people -- more problems. Our Tuesday night town meeting
concept is out of vogue.
The 21st century demands professional leadership.
Our new (two years in construction) police building was grossly
over budget and violated our building codes. And no one was
responsible.
Our traffic is a mess. Not to worry. We are revamping the
sidewalks on Brand Boulevard to accommodate the hundreds of people
who will be attracted to the Americana at Brand project. At a cost of
$77 million of "free public land" to a private developer to
"eliminate blight." By a margin of 15,506 versus 14,961 this was a
self-inflicted wound by 545 voters.
Our city is overpopulated and overdeveloped. And we are all
responsible.
I am reminded of the warning chanted by the "Music Man," "You have
trouble, trouble' trouble right here in River (Jewel) City!" And it
cannot be fixed by forming a Boys' Band. No man in $6,000 silk suit,
square toed shoes and thousand-dollar wristwatches will either.
We need:
An all-mail ballot in our next election. Perfect paper trail,
cheaper by far, 59.1% of the votes cast for the top eight candidates
