July 31, 2008
 
Dear Neighbor,
 
Our Central Garden Grove Neighborhood Association Annual Meeting in July was a success!  It was well attended by 125 plus concerned residents.  Elected officials from the state and local levels of our government were in attendance, who provided updated information.  State Senator Lou Correa, Assemblyman Van Tran, and Councilmember Mark Rosen spoke and answered questions. We presented honorary certificates to two of our outgoing board members Janine Fowler and Harry Pearce as well as Councilmember Mark Rosen for their five years of service to our community. We have accomplished our goals of creating communication and exchanging information with our government.  We would like to thank you, our members and residents, for joining us.
 
On Tuesday, July 29th, the City Council reviewed the current synthetic/artificial turf policy in our city. After citizen input unanimously in favor of being allowed to install artificial turf, and after mostly favorable comments by Mayor Dalton and Councilpersons Broadwater, Rosen, Jones and Nguyen, the motion to gather more information in a timely manner was approved.  The current ordinance prohibits the use of artificial turf, however, until the issue is decided at an upcoming Council meeting, any actions against homeowners who have turf currently will be held.
The City Council has also proposed a ballot measure for the November 4, 2008, General Municipal Election, to amend the term limits ordinance to allow a City Council Member who has served two (2) consecutive terms in that office to run for the office of City Council Member after a two (2) year absence, instead of the current four (4) year absence requirement.  On July 29th, this proposal was approved by the Council with Councilpersons Rosen, Jones and Broadwater voting in favor of putting the measure on the ballot and Mayor Dalton and Councilwoman Nguyen voting against it. 
On Tuesday, August 12th, the City Council will review the General Plan.  The General Plan is the “blueprint” for development and goals for our city over the next 15 years. Your comments are important.
 
Save the date!  Join us for our City Council Candidate Forum, Saturday, September 27th at 10:00 am until 11:30 in the Armstrong’s backyard at 12421 Loraleen Street, off Lampson just east of Magnolia.  We will serve a continental breakfast while you will have the opportunity to listen and ask questions of the candidates as well as talk individually after the meeting.
 
Change in phone usage!  Don’t forget, effective August 23rd, you must dial 1-714 when dialing local calls.  All local calls will remain local.  You simply dial 1-714 prior to the rest of the phone number.
 
This is the month to join our association for $10.00 a year.  We provide a monthly newsletter, public notices for projects in our area, and lunch at our annual meeting. Please find a copy of our membership form included with this letter for your convenience or contact our Secretary, Ralph, at 539-7389.  Thank you to those of you who have renewed. Feel free to share our newsletter with your friends and family.
 
Check our website for more details and photos from the meeting.  http://www.cggna.org/
 
Thoughtfully,
 
Robin Marcario, Chair   1-714-534-1428