Dear Neighbor,

Sheldon Singer, Grand Marshal for our Strawberry Festival and lifelong community leader, recently passed away.  He was one of the founders of the Strawberry Festival which provides nonprofit organizations a venue to raise revenue.  He gave us vision as an optometrist and the vision of a better community through community service.  He will be greatly missed.  Our prayers are with his family.

The City Council decided to initiate the process of abolishing the Main Street Parking District in order to “streamline” decision making. This District predates the incorporation of our city.  The parking areas surrounding Main Street were purchased by the business owners, and the goal of the District’s is to maintain parking for downtown Main Street.  Public hearings will be held before making a final decision. http://www.savehistoricmainstreet.com/

Can mosaics combat graffiti and beautify Garden Grove?  The City Council permitted a local resident, Robin Marcario, to apply tile and glass mosaics to a public bus bench to create “a permanent garden.”  The bench is located on Chapman just east of Euclid in front of the First Christian Church.  It is located along the parade route and was ready for the Strawberry Festival Parade this year. Let our City Council know what you think. Leave a message with City Council Secretary, Pam Haddad, at 714-741-5103 or email pamha@ci.garden-grove.ca.us

A Ross Dress for Less is set to join the Promenade Shopping Center at Chapman and Brookhurst.  It will replace the former Pic & Save/Big Lots store.  The space is being renovated and expanded for their grand opening in September, just in time for school shopping.

Today’s commentary in the OC Register, “Idea No. 1: Right Time to Reform Redevelopment” highlights the need to change current state redevelopment law which diverts property tax revenue to subsidize development. At this time only city councils control which areas are put into redevelopment agencies and how the money is spent.  http://headlines.ocregister.com/articles/redevelopment-28632-state-tax.html 

Union Chrysler Jeep Dodge on Trask and Brookhurst is slated for closure.  The City Council acting as the Redevelopment Agency had recently given the dealership $270,000 in forgiven loans in hopes of saving the dealership. Furthermore, the city stands to lose valuable sales tax revenue annually with this closure.

Online Fireworks Poll:  Go to Garden Grove Journal www.ggjournal.com to vote. 

Our annual neighborhood meeting is scheduled for Saturday July 11th at 10:00 a.m. at the Armstrong Barn at 12421 Loraleen Street, off Lampson just east of Magnolia. We look forward to hearing from our elected representatives from the federal, state and local levels.  We will have a hot dog lunch immediately following the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

There will be a raffle of nice prizes from several of our local businesses, including Doug’s Grill and Azteca’s Mexican Restaurant on Main Street, El Pollo Loco on Brookhurst, Goodyear on Chapman, Alma’s Beauty Salon, Beehive Dance Studio and See’s Candies!  Shop Locally! 

Also, this year we are sponsoring a food drive at our annual meeting.  Please bring a can or two of food to support the local food bank, Community Action Partnership, 12640 Knott Ave, GG, 714-897-6670.  This is our once a year neighborhood meeting where you can come to ask questions, talk with neighbors and get involved.  See you there!

Thoughtfully,    

Robin Marcario, President   534-1428