Dear Neighbor,

Our Annual Neighborhood Meeting was a resounding success.  We had nearly 100 residents in attendance communicating with our appointed and elected public servants. We heard from Federal Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, State Senator Lou Correa, State Assemblyman Tran, and Mayor Dalton as well as City Council Members Jones and Broadwater. There were representatives from Supervisor Janet Nguyen’s office, code enforcement, traffic commission, police and fire to answer questions. We conducted a fun raffle of prizes from several of our local businesses, and collected 100 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!

 

On the 4th of July there was a reading of the Declaration of Independence in the Garden Grove Amphitheater where each year two Shakespeare dramas are performed during the summer. http://www.shakespeareoc.org/current_ season.php.  There were over 200 in attendance. In years past the patio seated over 100 persons comfortably. This year the amphitheater was filled with attentive listeners of this important declarative document stating our specific reasons for separation from British rule. http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document  I would highly recommend everyone attend this enlightening event next year. It is free to the public and lasts only half an hour, giving us the opportunity to reflect on the truths that “we are created equal…with certain unalienable rights including life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” http://www.ocregister.com/news/declaration-256354independence-resident.html

 

On July 6th the Garden Grove Traffic Commission denied our request to have solar powered blinking stop signs installed at the intersection of Gilbert and Lampson. Contact Traffic Engineering at 714 741-5193 to offer your comments to improve the intersection.  During the Annual Meeting a vote was held regarding putting in a blinking stop sign, and the majority voted to leave the intersection as-is with the 4-way stop signs.

Also, during the Annual Meeting, the subject of changing the name of our organization from Central Garden Grove Neighborhood Association to City of Garden Grove Neighborhood Association was brought before the membership.  This was brought up because of several inquiries recently, including during the Strawberry Festival Parade, as to whether anyone in the city could join the CGGNA.  There were a few folks who liked the idea and a few who wanted to keep our name unchanged thus remaining a neighborhood association addressing the concerns of our local neighborhood.  It was an interesting exchange of ideas and it was decided to table the subject at the time.  We are therefore seeking input from the general membership (meaning you!) regarding this subject.  You may contact me, or any of the Board members, to express your thoughts.  Thanks.

 

The 200-room Residence Inn near the Marriott Hotel here in Garden Grove has filed for bankruptcy re-organization. It was described in the OC Register that any hotel chain which bought property in 2006-2007 is struggling financially at this time.  Read more at http://lansner.ocregister.com/2010/07/19/2-o-c-hotels-enter-bankruptcy/73415/

 

Our Brookhurst Triangle has become an illegal dumping ground. You can contact City Manager Matt Fertal at 714 741-5100 to comment. You may read the article Vacant lot site of illegal dumping 'blitz', Orange County Register, July 2, 2010, by going to http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-256089-brookhurst-dumping.html

 

Good News! The Farmers Market will be returning to Main Street.  Sunday August 1st will be the grand opening. 

 

The City Council passed an ordinance on July 13 to put into play rules that stores with 10 or more customer shopping carts must follow.  It was brought up that around 800 shopping carts a month end up on Garden Grove streets and sidewalks.  For more details, please go to http://ggjournal.com/2010/07/14/corral-those-cart-says-gg-council/

The CGGNA is looking forward to the new year and we are discussing new civic projects.  (Don’t forget to fill out your “Bright Idea” form – see back of this newsletter!)  However, we do 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 17th at 6:30 p.m., at 12421 Loraleen Street, off Lampson just east of Magnolia.  Please consider joining us!

 

For those of you who have renewed your CGGNA membership, thanks a bunch!  We urge those of you who have not done so to please renew as soon as possible.  An application and return envelope are enclosed for you folks. 

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

Respectfully, Cheryl Armstrong, President

 

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