Dear Neighbor,

Our Annual Neighborhood Meeting was informative and illustrative of an engaged group of over a hundred residents communicating with our appointed and elected public servants. We heard from Assemblyman Tran, Orange County Supervisor Nguyen and City Council Member Broadwater as well as both Police Chief Polisar and Fire Chief Bertka.  In attendance were also City Councilmembers Jones, Do and Mayor Dalton as well as former Councilmember Rosen. We conducted a fun raffle of prizes from several of our local businesses and collected over a hundred pounds of food for the Orange County Food Bank. www.ocfoodbank.org  We would like to thank you, once again for joining us in a successful meeting!

This Tuesday, July 28th, at 6:30 p.m., the City Council will decide whether to dissolve the Main Street Parking District. The downtown businesses created, purchased and have maintained this special parking district to provide parking for their businesses. The public is welcome to participate and give their opinions about this decision. For additional information contact Scott Weimer at 714-534-0994, www.savehistoricmainstreet.com/default.asp

Additionally, this Tuesday, July 28th, the City Council may create a community garden at 8th and Garden Grove Blvd. There could be 35 garden parcels rented at $45.00 per year to residents and community groups. This garden could be a welcome addition for our youth and other volunteer organizations.  http://gardengrove.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=3&event_id=207&meta_id=18540

At our annual meeting, Police Chief Polizar discussed the Citizen Academy, an entity which educates residents about the activities, policies and principles of the department and how we can better participate.  The Citizen Academy meets on Wednesday evenings for 11 weeks from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. beginning this September 9th. If you are interested in participating or would like additional information, contact Cindy at 714 741-5760 by July 31, 2009.

The Public Hearing for the Water Rate Increase is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25th at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room at 11300 Stanford Ave. The rate increase is proposed because of the drought and increased reliance on more expensive Metropolitan Water, and also because of the diversion of fresh water to protect the Sacramento Delta smelt fish.  In addition, it has been proposed to permit the City Manager to increase or decrease the unanticipated water rate charges for the next five years! You may formally protest by mailing a letter stating “I/we protest the rate increase.”  This letter should include your printed name, full street address and an original signature. Mail to: City of Garden Grove, P.O. Box 3070, Garden Grove, CA 92842. For detailed information, please call the City Clerk at 714 741-5520 or call our Water Rate Inquiry Hotline number at 714 741-5520. You can view a video at:
www.ci.garden-grove.ca.us/?q=pw/watercommodityadjustment

We have a new President of the CGGNA, Cheryl Armstrong, who has opened her home for our meetings and been a vital and integral part of our Board for years.  Our new Acting Vice President is John Wildsmith.  He has conducted our backyard City Council Candidate Forums and the recent raffle, and has been a member of our board.

We need volunteers to join our board.  We are looking for residents who are interested in offering their views and time to our association. Our next board meeting is Tuesday, August 18th, 6:30 pm, at 12421 Loraleen Street, off Lampson just east of Magnolia.  Join us!

It has been my pleasure and honor to serve for four years as your President. In accordance with our bylaws, we are giving other members an opportunity to serve our community goals of providing better communication and involvement in our local government.

Feel free to share our newsletter with friends and family.  www.cggna.org

Thoughtfully, Robin Marcario, Past President, 534-1428