[NENA] FW: More on Barstow

Tue Mar 18 12:22:44 CDT 2008

Stuart,
  I've been a member of NENA since 1991. There has always been opposition to a bridge over the arroyo at Barstow, just as there has always been opposition to building more homes on 1 acre of land, and opposition to the paving and widening more of our neighborhood streets. 

  I can't figure-out why you are just now hearing about this opposition. How long have you been a member of NENA, or a member of this neighborhood?

  You bet my opposition is based on personal desire. That's where I start: My desire for a higher quality of life. However, I'm not opposed to studies, surveys, debates and votes to determine whether or not the majority of my neighbors wants a bridge built over the arroyo at Barstow.

  You might try driving around and looking at those homes which back-up to, or face a major arterial street. You can see for yourself the negative impact on those homes.

  Your argument that I, and others who live along Barstow, will just have to accept higher traffic volumes so you don't have to drive one-half of a mile in a different direction, is unacceptable. 

  There are no problems that I am aware of with police, fire and medical access. Do you have specific studies which demonstrate a problem in these areas? If so, I'd like to read them.

  Your best argument seems to be a personal desire to drive faster, so you can get somewhere sooner. By the way, there is not a single area in our neighborhoods that is 'landlocked'. 

  As to our children, they can now walk along that section of Barstow to Desert Ridge and La Cueva and back, and their parents don't have to worry so much about the risk and danger of increasing, speeding traffic. We will lose that safety factor if a bridge is built. 

  I have different idea: Why don't we support the city removing the concrete barriers blocking the entry-point at Barstow and Sabo, and let these cars drive through your neighborhood? Would you support that as an alternative to building a bridge at Barstow? How many of your neighbors would support that?

  When I built my house in 1991, I was told a bridge across the arroyo would never be built. What did your developer/real estate agent tell you when you bought into the neighborhood? By the way, those agents were supposed to give you copies of our convenants, too.

  What kind of arroyo crossing bridge was built on Ventura? On Wyoming? I don't know of any.

  I rarely drive south on Barstow in respect for my neighbors. Also, I avoid the intersection at Barstow/Alameda, as well as the Desert Ridge MS area. Instead, I drive down Oakland (over speed humps put there to slow down high school students who like to speed down the street) and then over to the stop light at Alameda, then over to Wyoming. That isn't a problem for me. Why is going a half-mile a problem for you?

  Barstow used to be alot more special than it is now. Before that La Lave developer -contractor traded land with the Flood Authority, built more homes, blocked upper Oakland and concreted the arroyo, we had a more natural access across the arroyo. 

  Unfortunately, we lost that natural beauty and access, and now have a steel walking and biking bridge over the arroyo. 

  Now, you want to take that away, and replace it with an automobile bridge? Not if I can help it.

  Respectfully,
Ingram

Maxon Stuart B Contractor AFOTEC/A3Z <Stuart.Maxon at afotec.af.mil> wrote:

John, 
I have been a subscriber to this NENA net list for years and was not
aware of this position until last week...All I have heard so far is
rhetoric and opinion...What hard evidence do we have to support your
assertion that it is the best decision for the community overall...Has
the city done a traffic study?...Have we conducted a survey or
petition?...Show me the data and I will accept it...If you have none, I
will fight you to the end...

We have new neighborhoods (NENA) that have formed on the landlocked side
since you formed your position...I do not believe they even have
situational awareness of your position...Do they have less right...to
have easy access to city arterial streets...to have rapid and dependable
access to police, fire, and medical services...to not have to drive .5
miles east or west to gain access to a southbound road...I am their
neighbor...my rights are forfeit as well...These are rights you
obviously take for granted...

What about the residents who live along Wyoming and Ventura that must
forever absorb the traffic you are diverting to them...Do they not have
children as well? 

You and I both chose to live along a main arterial street...We knew that
when we bought our homes...I accept it...you reject it...You can't live
in the city and expect a rural setting. 

What is so special about Barstow that we must block it...As far as I can
tell, every arterial street from Tramway to the freeway has an arroyo
crossing...Except Barstow...What is different? The only thing north of
the arroyo are homes...with people like you and I...who just want live
and share the same service and convenience you have now... 

For the most part the association has done pretty well for our
community...I have applauded some of the decisions and have disagreed
from time to time...I have remained mute and have accepted the
results...Until now...Until I see the data and know that your position
is the truth, I will simply believe it is your own personal desire...

Respectfully
Stu Maxon

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