...When All is Said and Dunn

In the past few months, since this paper changed its name to the SGV Weekly from the Temple City Weekly, I have tried to keep my articles reader friendly to everyone, not just to the people in Temple City. But this week I have to focus on my hometown once again and on a topic I have visited a couple of times before.

Last week on the front page of our little paper the headline read “SRO at Council Meeting.” Which council I thought? This paper covers so many cities now that it “serves the West San Gabriel Valley”, I was intrigued. Always one who likes to solve a good mystery, I read on. I was so shocked to discover it was referring to Temple City's City Council. Not!

What were they discussing that would draw such a crowd? It was the continued threat to redevelop Temple City's downtown area and the proposed building of a Jack In The Box restaurant on Rosemead Boulevard. It sounded harmless enough until I got through the article and read what was being proposed and complained about.

In case you didn't read it, what was being proposed was that since the Edwards Cinema has filed for bankruptcy, the vultures have started to circle the property looking to feast on the remains and use it as the “anchor and link in the chain to develop Las Tunas Drive and reverse the fate of many non-performing businesses in the city.” What a bunch of bull! This has got to go down as one of the worst ideas in the history of bad ideas.

First of all, what Temple City really needs is another movie theatre, not to eliminate the only one we have. Wouldn't two be great? One on each end, to anchor our town, make it distinctive? Give people a reason to stay and to come to Temple City? Just because the Edwards is experiencing financial difficulties doesn't mean the city has to become a movie-free zone. Why not approach another theatre chain to fill the space or find out what the Edwards' plans are before we raze the place and put in new businesses?

If we lose the only theatre we have, we will all have to go to Alhambra, Pasadena, Monrovia, or El Monte. I'm sure all of those communities are just salivating over the possibility. I know that driving to any of these theatres would only take about 20 minutes at most to get there, with the possible exception of Alhambra. Even though the physical distance is very short from Temple City to Alhambra, driving there through San Gabriel and the better portion of Alhambra is an exercise in torture. Since we all know San Gabriel and Alhambra have unwittingly become the dumping grounds for the worst drivers in the universe, the driving time to a theater there would be something closer to an hour.

Now to the Jack in the Box complaints. The property owners around the proposed construction site, the southwest corner of the Valu-Mart parking lot, were concerned about increased traffic in the area and felt it would be an unattractive addition to the area. Say what? Have these people actually looked at the area they are talking about? How could a brand new fast food restaurant possibly make the corner of Rosemead and Longden less attractive? It's not like it was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. More like his much less talented cousin Owen Wrong. The area has been going downhill for years and any new addition can only help.

The fact that so many people showed up for a meeting to express their displeasure over a burger joint is what really has me confused, considering the parasite that continues to infest and kill our downtown area. Come on, all you Temple Citians know what I'm talking about, let's say it together, BRIDAL SHOPS! You all know it has grown far beyond just being bridal shops, it's all the peripheral businesses as well, nail salons, photography studios, flower shops, etc.

This situation has gotten way out of control on so many levels. Not just their sheer numbers, but the complete disregard for the needs and laws of the community. If you have ever been walking down Las Tunas Drive and looked inside one of these garment shops or nail salons, it is not an uncommon sight to see or smell someone cooking on a hot plate. Now I'm no lawyer or specialist on zoning laws, but I really don't think you are supposed to be cooking food in either one of these establishments.

I was told a little story just the other day about a bride who was preparing for her wedding. As anyone would think, in her situation and geographical location, she would not have a problem finding someone to help her with her wedding plans, wedding dress, etc. She went into one of these shops and was completely ignored by all of the employees. Telling her, by their actions, that they did not want her business.

It was her assumption that their attitude was racially motivated because she was not Asian.

I know that many of you out there share my disdain for the bridal shop scourge. After I have ranted about it in the past, many of you have approached me and praised me for my article. Going on to voice your support and equal annoyance with the situation and wondering, along with me, what our City Planning Commission and City Council were thinking?

To be quite honest, I am getting a little lonely on the soapbox about this issue. I believe that our City Council doesn't know just how many people actually feel the same way as I do. If they did maybe, just maybe, they might move a little quicker than an arthritic turtle on the matter. I have mentioned it many times in my articles and only once has anyone actually had the guts to put pen to paper and sign their name to show support. That was Katherine La Brado and I thank you very much for it.

Now is the time for the rest of you who have expressed your distaste for this situation to show the City Council that we are all fed up and want something more than lip service and endless meetings on the subject. Take a minute and send a letter or e-mail to the editor of this paper. If you put your name on it he will print it. So, in between forwarding e-mails to your friends, take a minute and let your voice be heard about something that really matters. I know for a fact that the City Council reads this paper and they will read your letters. Here's your chance to not only be in the paper but be on the paper's web site. The e-mail address is info@sgvweekly.com, and their mail address is: SGV Weekly, 9651 Longden Avenue, Temple City, CA 91780.

It's your city and your opinion so let it be heard. Just like any party, the more the merrier.