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| Rancho Cucamonga, California - Friday, July 25, 2008 | ||
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Commentary / Discussion | |||
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Rancho Cucamonga Heading Into the 21st CenturyI predict that the upcoming federal census will declare Rancho Cucamonga a city of 135,000 people. It will also declare the city as much more diverse as it once was. No longer a largely white enclave, the city will probably be listed as 25% to 30% hispanic, 7% black, 8% asian/pacific islander and another 4% middle eastern.Why do I care? I don't, really. Suffice it to say that the city is changing. It's a vibrant city. It is growing in sophistication, cultural awareness and appreciation for the arts. Yet the 80% of the city's population that wasn't here 20 years ago needs to form a sense of community-- a common ground that binds every citizen together into one cohesive body. That sense of identity; that sense of community, is lacking. The key to the 21st century in the Cucamonga Valley will be the desire and ability of city fathers to bring an increasingly diverse and fragmented population together as one. How can they accomplish that? I'll present my views of the most important issues facing Rancho Cucamonga and environs in the next decades: 1) The ongoing construction of the 210 Foothill Freeway extension until 2002 cannot disrupt traffic and quality of life until frustrations reach a breaking point. With a billion-dollar project spreading around a lot of money, local businesses hurt by traffic disruptions should be compensated for their losses. Residents should be kept informed of changes in traffic circulation, particularly if construction schedules are delayed. 2) The freeway will probably be a great benefit, once completed. But how long will it be before it too becomes congested? The worst fear of city leaders will be: with the addition of thousands of new homes and residents by 2002, will surface streets remain congested EVEN WITH the completion of the freeway? That would prove a nightmare. Suggestion: Given the increasing number of truck stops along the 10 freeway and the exclusively residential nature of the new 210 extension, should the new freeway be open to non-truck traffic only? Such an outcome would curb noise and pollution, as well as big rig-related accidents. 3) The environment. Air quality will be an increasingly vital issue, not to mention the water wars that will ensue as water agencies argue over who must pay for contaminated ground water from decades of dairy nitrate pollutants. It appears that consumers will see hefty increases in water rates to pay for the mistakes of others who are leaving for greener pastures. 4) Hillside encroachment. The city and county will be in court to argue the fate of thousands of acres along the hillsides that are slated for development. Though the city is clamoring for more control over its "sphere of influence," the same unfettered growth mentality from the county seems to be embedded at city hall. In other words, the city's pleas for restrained growth along the foothills are likely to fall on deaf ears if thousands of homes continue to be approved in the lowlands. All told, the city will rapidly be approaching it's stated buildout population of 160,000. That figure is not written in stone, however. There's something to be said for slowing down the pace of growth until schools and infrastructure can catch up. 5) Speaking of schools, everyone will benefit from a closer relationship between city leaders and school officials. City fathers have every right to be concerned with the quality of education the young citizens are receiving. Are the children turning into good citizens? Can they read...think...analyze critically? Answers to those questions will determine the quality of the city's workforce for generations. You bet city leaders have the right to be involved in influencing education reform. 6) Crime. Rancho Cucamonga has been recognized as one of the safest cities in the nation (of cities with populations over 100,000). Resources and commitment to instilling parental responsibility will keep Rancho safe. But that will entail many more police officers in the next several years. Will the county continue to be the most cost-effective way to provide law enforcement coverage or should the city consider the pros and cons of establishing its own police department? Those questions require real leadership. Whether or not the children of the city grow up to be good citizens also depends on the examples of our leaders. Are our city's leaders training their children to walk uprightly? Do they have a real commitment to families? 7) Business development, in particular, the proposed mall at the 15 freeway and Foothill, will define the city as an upscale shopping mecca and huge sales tax generator. Great effort should be taken to answer Ontario's aggressive business plan and bring more business revenue into Rancho Cucamonga. The contrast between the north (Rancho) side and south (Ontario) side of Fourth Street is incredible. It hints to a possible deficiency in the city's approach to business attraction and retention. 8) Route 66 is famous all over the world, except in Rancho Cucamonga. We should take advantage of a "natural" resource and use it to the city's benefit. A Route 66 visitor's center with nostalgic displays and drive-in restaurant would be a wonderful complement to the area adjoining the 15 freeway at Route 66 (Foothill). It would be a tourist draw near the new mall or across the street, near a new auto mall. 9) Local festivals and Central Park. What better way to bring the community together and give it a sense of itself than by working together to complete the 100-acre Central Park and use it to host local festivals? The Grape Harvest Festival should be moved back to the harvest season of October and combined with the city's Founder's Day celebration/parade. Recent attendance figures of 3,000-5,000 for the parade are unacceptable for a city of 130,000. The parade should be held at night in conjunction with the Harvest Festival and Carnival at or near Central Park. Local festivals should be rethought, and local officials should not be afraid to adjust their vision if necessary. Those are just a few local issues that will weigh heavily on the minds of civic-minded individuals in the years to come. Let's hope that the next millenium brings this beautiful community together as one body, one mind, and one purpose. Last Update: 1/15/2000 Rex Gutierrez is owner and publisher of The Grapevine Press and a former member of the Rancho Cucamonga City Council. You can reach Rex at rex@citivu.com | |||||
