[NENA] FW: More on Barstow

Tue Mar 18 18:16:56 CDT 2008

Based on the varied responses to this thread, it is very clear that  
the Barstow crossing is an issue with several aspects that need  
further exploration.

Instead of individuals launching off into varied directions, I think  
it would be most beneficial if we approach this issue as a community.   
Although we all maintain our right to speak from our own perspective,  
we also need to remember that our voice in this issue will be stronger  
as a group.

There is not immediate threat that the bridge will be built in the  
next six months, so we have some time to research all the issues put  
on the table so that a decision is made based on all of the facts when  
we have them.  There are valid reasons for wanting another crossing  
across the La Cueva arroyo, and there are valid reasons for opposing  
another crossing.  Until all of the facts are in, it is difficult to  
assess what would be the most beneficial for our entire community.

Perhaps it would be productive for anyone who wants to be involved in  
this issue to attend NENA's next general meeting so that a logical and  
reasoned course of action can be devised.  I can see this including  
formulating a group to recommend which studies and research should be  
requested from the city, which entities of government need to be  
contacted for needed information, and devising the best way to  
disseminate this information to the most residents possible.

There is time and room enough for all of us to have our concerns heard  
and addressed.  Let's work together to make sure that whatever happens  
is truly based on the needs and wishes of the community and on as many  
hard facts as we can possible obtain.

Lisa Abeyta
Membership Chair, NENA

On Mar 18, 2008, at 12:24 PM, Maxon Stuart B Contractor AFOTEC/A3Z  
wrote:

>
> John
> Fair enough...I think we have finally framed the issues...
> Stu
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Ingram [mailto:ingram1ja at yahoo.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 11:23 AM
> To: Members at noreste.org; Maxon Stuart B Contractor AFOTEC/A3Z
> Cc: ingram1ja at yahoo.com
> Subject: RE: [NENA] FW: More on Barstow
>
> 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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