On Feb. 8, we attended the City Council Meeting.  I knew prior to this meeting that they would vote on and pass through the decision to start the process of placing the new Fire Station and City Hall on the corner of West and Hacienda.  I was told by a reliable source that the Mayor had informed them of this. We were told at a previous meeting that we, the community, would be given a survey to get the opinions of the community prior to this vote and yet we were not offered this voice.  In my opinion, this had been voiced many times prior to this time by the majority of the community, but the majority of the City Council didn't like the opinions of the community so they couldn't hear us.

The City Council is elected to represent the community.  Our Organizational Chart clearly shows that the community is at the top of the chart, then the City Council, then the City Manager.  To watch the process of how this city is being run would appear to have the City Council and the City Manager on equal standing and above the community. 

This community is full of intelligent, successful individuals who clearly know what is best for them and what is acceptable to them.  By placing a combination Fire Station / City Hall on West and Hacienda, we have further exacerbated response times to the East and West sides of town.  The Councils argument is that it is only by a 3rd of a mile. Peak traffic times and any other delays could make a significant difference even if it is by less than a mile.  For those of us who live on the East and West sides of this community, this is unacceptable.  For anyone who is in the midst of an emergency, whether it is fire or medical, a few minutes can truly make the difference between survival and non-survival. 

We have been told to depend on La Habra or County services.  What kind of a plan is that for our city.  We should be able to protect our own community.   

If the City Council could hear the citizens of the community who elected them to represent them, they would understand that we don't feel that a new City Hall is an emergency.  We do feel that we need a new Fire Station, but feel that it can be downsized, and we could use some sub-stations in this city.  To add a City Hall to our Fire Station at this time is going to be costly, it is unnecessary, and it is going to cost our community in taxes.  The price being quoted to us now is not going to be the end price of the undertaking.  It will go up. 

The community has spoken in many forms and the site we want our new Fire Station on is it's current location.  We don't need a new City Hall at this time.  Why does the City Council not hear this? Perhaps they have forgotten their responsibility to this community.   

We were told at the Council Meeting on Feb. 8, that the expert the Council hired to speak to us says it can't be done at it's current site.  It seems to me that every side and every opinion could find and hire an "expert" to get up and present an argument in favor of whoever they represent.  It can be done at it's current site.  Our Fire Station has existed there for many years.  We don't need large amounts of parking and again we don't need a new City Hall at this time.

 Thank you,

 Karen Vipperman