December will be a busy month for a lot of us. It will be at time of holiday shopping, errands, festive moments with friends and family.
December will also be a month of swearing-in ceremonies for those that were elected to their respective offices. I congratulate you all on your election success, now the hard part begins of governing your community. I encourage you all to use your wisdom to bring practical solutions, because it will be a test of your leadership and the mandate that was given to you.
We will wait and see how will policy be shaped by those sitting in the dais, school boards and water districts. It will require strong imagination with limited resources before any governing body, because dollars from Washington and Sacramento will be very limited.
I would encourage everyone to keep an eye on the important and critical issues in the following cities, school districts and water agencies:
Arcadia-How to resolve dual/competing projects surrounding Santa Anita Mall? Which one will sound sweeter and favorable for the city?
Covina-Downtown Park, Housing Issues
Diamond Bar-Resolution on Library Funding, Economic Development and Mitigation of Transportation issues specifically State Route 57/60 Freeway Project
Rosemead-Recall Campaign Begins, WalMart
West Covina-Resolving structural deficits, District Attorney Probe surrounding Councilmember Roger Hernandez, Redevelopment Issues
Walnut Valley Water District-Make Immediate reforms due to State Auditor scathing June 2004 Report, Raise water rates?, What to do with $58 Million Reserves?
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments-Will the agency survive?
All School Districts-How to handle declining enrollment? What will Teacher Unions role will play on retirement and health benefits?
It is going to be a roller coaster 2006 and I encourage everyone to stay tuned. Attend your city council and school board meetings, because it is your community too.
Keep your eye out in this San Gabriel Valley Republican blog. The news will always be ready for you and let the debate begin.
Warmest Regards,
Allen J. Wilson