News and Notes from Tustin Councilwoman Deborah Gavello

September 2009

I just toured Citrus Grove Park. -Sept. 24th ( Jamboree/Portolla/Tustin Ranch Rd) It is going to be beautiful. Hopefully it will open to the public in January. The view from the top of the hill is amazing, you can see all the way to the ocean.

Water rates were brought back to the council for the second time.

The only new option was to make the increases different amounts over the same five-year period. The vote stayed the same 3 to 2 and did not pass. I voted with the majority to deny the proposed increases. I asked for options, I have asked for decreases in expenses, I asked for less grand capital expenditures, and selecting the most urgent ones now and others later as the economy improves. I have been telling the staff what I want for months; however, they haven’t made any changes. I believe the changes needed to make this a good long-term decision, are going to be more complex than what has been presented to us so far. Read the articles that are linked on the web site to learn more details about what is occurring. Why could the Romans and Greeks build structures that last thousands of years, and in Tustin we have many that can’t last a century? Stay tuned, as it will get interesting. 

This is the worst recession since the Great Depression. It is sad that people has lost their jobs, lost a good portion of their retirement, and are struggling to just keep up on paying their mortgages. We received over a hundred letters of protest, and of course, no one wrote saying, “Please increase my rates.” How does one engage the public more in this process? Very few people watch the council meetings live or on the streaming web, or archives, very few people read the paper, so how to reach the citizens and ratepayers on this subject is challenging.

 

 

A Happy New Year to all our Jewish residents. Tustin has two Jewish communities: Temple Bnai Israel and Chabad of Tustin. I thank the Tustin Police for keeping these places of worship safe during the high holidays. I feel sad that all people aren’t free to pray without fear of attack or terrorism, even in Orange County. The threat is real, and security is important. 

Tustin’s finances are still not where I believe they need to be. I have read 5 other cities investment policies, and how and who they use to make their investments. I will discuss this in more detail from the dais.

We have a note from Bank of America that doesn’t follow our policy, and B of A is under some really hot water right now, for not being up front with shareholders in regards to paying the huge bonuses to the Merrill Lynch executives prior to the purchase. This note should never have been purchased. 

Please continue to buy in Tustin, the tax dollars go back to our general fund and help us pay for services. When you have a choice of providers for the same service please try and pick your “home town” provider. 

Please stay involved and connected to Tustin. Let me know how I can best communicate with you. 

 

Deborah Gavello