P O Box 1879, Garden Grove, CA 92842-1879
Neighborhood Meeting Minutes and Report, July 17, 2010
Meeting called
to order by President Cheryl
Armstrong at 10:35 AM at residence of President Cheryl Armstrong.
Board Members Present: Absent:
Cheryl Armstrong – President Russ McDonald – Treasurer
John Wildsmith – Vice President
Ralph Laudenslayer – Secretary
Robin Marcario – Member
Rod Powell – Interim Board Member
Nearly 100 persons attended the meeting, including several legislators and other local officials. These guest speakers consisted of Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Assemblyman Van Tran, Katherine Feather (policy advisor to Supervisor Janet Nguyen), Lt. Scott Watson of the Garden Grove Police Department, who introduced Sherry Hess of GGPD Crime Prevention, Fire Chief Dave Bertka, Mayor Bill Dalton, and Council persons Bruce Broadwater and Steve Jones.
President Cheryl Armstrong greeted everyone and conducted association business including the following:
1. Ratification of annual membership dues increase from $10.00 to $12.00 retroactive to July 2009. This item was moved, seconded and carried by the CGGNA membership.
2. Ratification of John Wildsmith, Ralph Laudenslayer and Rod Powell as Board members for another term. This item was moved, seconded and carried by the CGGNA membership.
3. A discussion was held regarding changing the name of our organization, but this was deferred.
4. Three traffic signaling options for the intersection of Lampson and Gilbert were discussed. By vote of the membership, the status quo will be maintained.
A
special
Thanks
to
the
Federal,
State, County and City officials who
took time to speak to us.
We appreciate it greatly.
 Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez
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 Assemblyman Van Tran |
 Senator Lou Correa |
President Armstrong then handed the microphone to Vice-President John Wildsmith, who introduced the above-described guest speakers.
- Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez reviewed the origins of the current economic downturn and new efforts to help communities, including $178 million in assistance to Orange County school districts.
- Assemblyman Van Tran reported that he had initiated $10,000 in tax credits for small businesses this year and supported a homebuyers assistance program.
- Senator Correa supported the Redistricting Commission Report, and is focusing on developing jobs and employment regulations.
- The County Supervisor policy advisor spoke for Janet Nguyen and reviewed the website available for countywide events. She reported that 20,000 acres of parkland had been acquired by the County of Orange.
- Lt. Scott Watson announced that crime in Garden Grove is decreasing, but statistics can be misleading. Community involvement is needed to further reduce crime.
- The Garden Grove community service officer reviewed several programs designed to prevent crime, including Neighborhood Watch, Business Assistance, Code Enforcement and the Citizens Academy.
- Fire Chief Dave Bertka reported that his department had handled approximately 11,000 calls this year, despite cutting back staff. More training programs have been added for staff and community groups. Homebound residents can be registered to receive a visit in case of disasters. Fireworks violations were down in the low 20’s last month, probably due to the poor economy.
- Mayor Dalton announced that the new 600-unit “water park hotel” is moving forward and was due to be completed in 2012. The city budget is balanced for fiscal year 1010-2011 with Gilbert Street improvements and general city infrastructure sound.
- Councilmen Broadwater and Jones added that hotels will bring in $4 million dollars per year, with financing in progress.
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Register and vote! It is your right and your duty.
After all is said, we deserve the government we elect.
Vice-President John Wildsmith announced the passing of Garden Grove residents of Ron Rowland, Robert Nootbar and Bob Owens.
President Cheryl Armstrong and Vice-President John Wildsmith recognized the following community activists with special certificates for their efforts in the Arbor Day tree-planting event:
Kai Chang – Brookhurst School Principal/6th graders.
Kurt Tietjen – Garden Grove City Tree Superintendent.
Malabar Apartments staff - $100 dollar donation and tree watering.
Moose Family Fraternity - $100 dollar donation and tree watering.
Living Spring Fellowship - $100 dollar donation and tree watering.
Recognized for their participation in the Strawberry Festival parade were:
Larry Stoner – Donated use of his 1952 flatbed truck used for the float.
Brenda Morales, Roberta Munoz and Phil Buckley and families – Float participants.
Recognized for her ongoing community activism and beautification efforts:
Robin Marcario – CGGNA Board member and Garden Grove resident.
Annual CGGNA Raffle – 15 local vendors provided gift certificates and products valued at $25.00 to $40.00 that resulted in $80.00 in raffle ticket revenue for the Association budget.
Annual Meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m. and those in attendance enjoyed hot dogs, fresh fruit, chips and cold drinks courtesy of President Cheryl Armstrong and the Association. Several public officials remained to answer questions and share information with Association members.
Respectfully submitted,
Ralph Laudenslayer, Secretary