Coffee Talk
Hello again everyone! This post will be short and sweet, but I do have a bit of news to share with you.
Every second Wednesday of the month, from 9:00 - 10:00-ish, I will host a "Coffee with the Mayor" at Flour Fusion Bakery on Main Street.
This is a chance for residents and business owners to come by and let me know what's on their minds, get answers to their questions, or just come by to introduce themselves to me.
I know how much most people hate the thought of standing at that podium with the camera on them at a council meeting to make a comment.
So...let's take a more informal approach once a month shall we?
I hope if you have the time you'll stop by. The first Coffee is next Wednesday, February 10th, and it's my treat!
Every second Wednesday of the month, from 9:00 - 10:00-ish, I will host a "Coffee with the Mayor" at Flour Fusion Bakery on Main Street.
This is a chance for residents and business owners to come by and let me know what's on their minds, get answers to their questions, or just come by to introduce themselves to me.
I know how much most people hate the thought of standing at that podium with the camera on them at a council meeting to make a comment.
So...let's take a more informal approach once a month shall we?
I hope if you have the time you'll stop by. The first Coffee is next Wednesday, February 10th, and it's my treat!
posted by Melissa Melendez at
12:06 AM
34 Comments:
You are an incredible person and as asset to the City. Opening this blog was one thing but now to put your self out to meet the public that is beyond anyone's expectations, I sure hope that the rest of the City Council members realize that your accomplishments as Mayor are sure appreciated by the citizens of this town. Thank You for all you do!!!!!!!!!!
I drove down Main street Weds morning Feb 3rd about 11am and there was a guy across the street with a bull horn yelling something, but I couldn't make it out. Seemed directed at the City Hall Building. Do you know what that was all about? I called the PD and a couple other city numbers but no one seemed to know anything. Just curious what he was protesting.
It's hard to believe that you have the time for this, but you seem to be an amazing woman, someone we could all use as an example. Thank you for working so hard. I'll look forward to coffee with you one of these days.
Looking forward to coffee talk. I remember the days in Hi and Mayor Fasi with his dog daily sipping his coffee at the local cf shop.. and being open for discussion. Look forward to one of your meetings.
I'm glad you all seem to like the idea, I'm looking forward to chatting with you.
As for the guy with the bullhorn, I've seen him too. Apparently he's a regular out there. I have no idea what he's protesting, but he's pretty harmless and he does have the right to peaceful protest. Maybe one day I'll go down there to see what he's protesting, I have to admit I am curious.
It was probably someone paid by Michael Knight and the Trevi Center & yes Jim wiil show and ditto above.
We have regular breakfast meetings for our office on the 2nd Wednesday each month at Temeku Hills. Sadly, I won't be able to join in at those times with you and other citizens of Lake Elsinore without missing the office meeting.
(1) I am hoping someone will take notes and keep us informed. Great idea, your coffee chats. And, your blog. I'm sure I am not the only one pleased with your accessibility. And, I appreciate the live stream of council meetings on our local community channel, too!
(2) Will your chats be geared toward Lake Elsinore only, or will they include your participation in the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority www.wrc-rca.org as well?
Thanks Susan! Chats will be geared toward whatever everyone wants to talk about, no particular pattern. I'm sorry you can't make it, maybe you can send someone to ask some questions for you. You can always call, email or blog though.
I would like to know if you ever drive around LE at random and really take a look at the condition of our City? As I drove out of LE down Grand and entered into Wildomar on my way to Best Buy and Kohls in Murrieta for some shopping I see that they are repairing Grand Ave from Central to Clinton Keith, I also was aware of how clean the drive was with no trashy houses, roads and so on and it really made me wonder why LE is in the shape that it is in? We have the Stadium, the Lake and yet LE is really in bad shape. The core area of LE, old town is nothing more then a ghetto and I wonder why that is. Any street off of Main is trashed housing and tore up roads?
continued: I wonder where the money goes for road repair? I also would like to know who authorized all these little blue drop off boxes that are popping up all over town that has did nothing more then create an illegal dump site for stuff that won't fit in the box, the box is removed and the trash is left behind. Could you please explain to me why LE remains such a suppressed area, being the oldest town in SW Riverside County and all the other towns around us are booming and we remain at a trashed standstill? You don't see boldly advertising business for the illegals in any other towns and yet they are everywhere in this small town. Thanks
I have to agee with the last comment - bad shape Lake Elsinore. Mayor I know you are doing the best you can - and the old saying goes "Can't built Rome over night". We have been here along time and no more baby steps. Have you seen the Lake Elsinore Casino back wall facing the freeway? The owner decided he wanted his casino to look like the State Line Casino's. We keep inviting certain kind of clientle we won't get reputable companies. I will continue to support you and be your eyes. Thank you!
Alright, let me start off by saying that our town is not a master planned community like some others, so we've certainly had our growing pains. Now, do I drive around town? You bet I do, all the time. That's how I see the dumpsters with graffiti painteed on them, the yards that are full of broken down cars, and the homes that seem to think every day is garage sale day.
I also see all of the new homes and how nicely kept they are. Over 48% of the homes in LE have been built within the past 15 years.
We just awarded a bid for $340,000 for new sidewalk construction in the downtown areas, so that's some progress we need.
Remember that about 80% of Grand Avenue from Lakeshore Drive to Corydon is in the county.
You're right, there are a number of roads in town that are in desparate need of repair, the one heading into my neighborhood being one of them. Staff has identified the roads in need of repair and we are working on getting the money to fix them.
I will tell you that one of the reason we passed a new ordinance relating to hauling in and out of developments was because I believe those trucks do plenty of damage to our roads. Yet they have not been held responsible for paying for their fair share of the damage. That's going to stop.
The blue clothing drop boxes...it's funny you mentioned that because I have been wondering the same thing. I've had some removed from our parks. I don't know who they belong to, there is no name or number on them that I can see, but they do seem to be everywhere. When they're on private property the owner should have them removed if they didn't authorize their placement. I suspect that businesses think the city allowed it, or they just don't know who to call. I'll check into it and let you know what I find out.
In short, I think our city staff need to get more agressive in handling these types of problems. Of course, they need direction from the council to do so. You may want to contact the other council members to share your concerns with them.
I am curious about your comment regarding "boldly advertising businesses for illegals". Can you expand on that for me?
We have a lot of work to do, I know. Do me a favor though. When you see something that's not right, please report it. We can't fix it if we don't know about it. And feel free to post a comment or email me anytime about what you're seeing. I appreciate the help, I really do.
I wish I could say it's all going to be fixed tomorrow. We are doing our best, and we need your help. Come have coffee with me on the second Tuesday of the month at Flour Fusion from 9-10:30 and let's talk.
I'm glad to hear about downtown's improvement 340K - however; who will stop in to see if the surrounding areas are still junk.
Thank you for your response to my inquiries. I would love to come and chat with you over coffee but I have a business to run and cannot make it to Flour Fusion for coffee. I don't understand why the city has to scramble for road repair money when I would assume that there is an allowance for such repairs, in all the years that I have lived here I don't believe that Heald street has ever been repaired, but I will wait to see progress. As far as "immigration services" right on Graham there is a house that has placed advertising flags surrounding the property that advertises several services, I have seen others but cannot recall them and will have to get back to you. I do agree that the City staff needs to be more aggressive, we have code enforcement, and a public safety department that should be addressing these issues that the City has and staying on top of them to see that those in violation comply to the laws and warnings. There is no reason for a neighborhood to be ghettos in our town with the different departments that we have that are responsible in seeing that this doesn't happen, and yet these neighborhoods didn't just pop up like this, they have been this way for some time. We have waited for many, many years for LE to turn around and yet all we get are reasons why it does not, and nothing changes, things just progressively deteriorate. Thanks for your response and I will keep my eyes open to see some progress in the town, soon!!
The blue boxes are marked "helping hands". I would assume that is who is responsible for the placement, there is one sitting on the edge of an open field on Lincoln right off of Riverside Dr. as I write this note. Also you commented that 80% of Grand is county from Lakeshore to Corydon? I am confused then, it is my understanding living in the North end of town that Machado is the dividing line for the City and County, for instance the High school and everything behind it up to Machado is Lake Elsinore City, everything on the other side is County or the Cleavland National Forest. When driving down Riverside Drive there is a sign across the street from the old military school building that thanks you for visiting LE, so one would assume that to that point you are in Lake Elsinore and after that point it is County? I don't agree that from Lakeshore to Corydon is County. I also agree with the previous post that throwing money at Main Street is not going to make the people come there, I just recently visited there and I am here to tell you I won't be back. I thought I was in little Mexico, other then the few eateries on one side of the street there is really no reason to go there, unless of course your in need of a pinata or so Mexican pastries. Three antique stores and only one open on a Saturday afternoon?
I really enjoyed chatting with you and the ladies up at Flour Fusion. It was really great to open dialog with you and other concerned residents. I really appreciate an opportunity to chat with you in a more relaxed venue. I'm one of those who can't stand to be in front of the camera. :) I hope to see you there again soon. Best Wishes
Hmmmmmm I guess Mayor you're not going to respond to the previous posts?
Megan - I really appreciate your eagerness to talk to everyone. It seems you like the idea of this type of meeting, so I would encourage you to perhaps hold one of your own to speak with folks about your interest in making marijuana dispensaries legal. The Coffee with the Mayor meetings are for resident to come talk to me about concerns and issues, so I would ask that you not use it as an opportunity to take advantage of the crowd to further your cause. I'm sure you understand.
Regarding the Immigration place on Graham...the sign issue has been addressed. The temporary banners are approved, BUT they can only be up for 30 days a period, and only four periods are allowed per year. Each period of time must be separated by 30 days, and a permit is required each time at a cost of $50.00
The signs mounted to the building need approval and a permit from the planning department. They were sent a second notice last week.
As for Grand Avenue, sorry but it really is 80% county. If you click on the following link
http://www.lake-elsinore.org/index.aspx?page=162
it will take you to the city website. Scroll down to City Transportation and click on the City Street Map. What is inside the yellow line is city, what is outside is county.
I think I addressed the Blue Box issue, and as far as the looks of the city, I can tell you I've been working with the city manager and code enforcement on those issues. They have ramped up their efforts on everything from billboards that are ratty looking and in shambles to illegal signs like the one you mentioned. Some people are not happy about it, but sorry, cleaning up means just that, cleaning up. And that's what we intend to do.
As far as Main Street, we need private investment down there, not public funding. But we have to do our part and keep it neat, clean and safe so people will want to open up a business down there. The shops on Main Street make their own hours, we have no control over that. So if they want to close the doors in the middle of the day on a Wednesday, there is nothing we can do to stop them.
There have been complaints by many about the stores on Main Street closing during a sponsored event downtown. Why anyone would close when they know a lot more people are going to be walking about is beyond my comprehension, but that's what has happened in the past.
It drives me crazy when my husband and I go to dinner on Main Street and we have to leave when we're done because all the shops have closed by 5:00. I don't get it.
So, I hope I took care of covering everything, if not, I have a feeling you'll let me know! :)
I guess you'll have to copy and paste the link, sorry!!
Thank you for your response. It is very reassuring to know that you do listen and address the issues that are posted here and I not only appreciate it I'm sure others that live here are glad to hear that the various departments are motivated to address issues in our City. You are an asset to the City and to all of us that reside here, and I also would like to thank you for listening to my rants. I think if all of us that live here are the Cities eyes and ears and report what we see maybe someday this town can return to the quaint resort town it once was.
Mayor, I'm sorry if it seemed I infringed on your meeting. I assure you that was not my intent. I hoped to have a 5 minute one-on-one with you to discuss what topics of research interest you and/or your council members. You invited me to a table with other women, I'm assuming you know them. Their questions were like rapid fire. I'm not complaining, they were great questions and nice people. I answered them to the best of my ability, but my true intent was to speak with you. I heard you offer the opportunity and I was excited to speak with you on a more human level, instead of under pressure. I'm sorry it didn't work out that way. Hope you are having a great week.
Mayor,
Thank you for keeping the dialogue going. I know that it is an impossible task to try to please everyone. The one item that is in the forefront of everyone's mind now is the fact that the guy who was arrested for the murder of Chelsea King lived in Lake Elsinore and bears a striking resemblance to the guy who made at least one attempt to abduct a girl here. As a member of the Citizens Corps, we contacted the Sheriff's department at the time of that attempt to offer to help patrol the school areas. We were told at that time, there was no one to supervise us and our efforts to help were turned away. All of us have completed a background check and been sworn in by the city. I know there is some efforts now to establish a citizens patrol. We really need to get behind this to help protect our kids. Anything you can do to help remove the bureaucracy would be much appreciated.
Jim - I'm not sure why you would need supervision if you're not even on school grounds. The streets around the schools are public streets and anyone can conduct "surveillance" on them. Apparently the guy trying to pick kids up was and I'm sure he didn't ask first if it was okay.
Did you ask if you could be on school grounds, or just around the school? Do you remember who you talked to?
That doesn't make any sense to me at all, and honestly, there were many of us parents patrolling the areas around the school, and we sure didn't ask permisssion!
Let me talk to the police chief to see what the deal is. But I could still use answers to the questions I asked. You can always email me too if you don't want to post.
Thank you VERY MUCH for the info!
Jim - I'm not sure why you would need supervision if you're not even on school grounds. The streets around the schools are public streets and anyone can conduct "surveillance" on them. Apparently the guy trying to pick kids up was and I'm sure he didn't ask first if it was okay.
Did you ask if you could be on school grounds, or just around the school? Do you remember who you talked to?
That doesn't make any sense to me at all, and honestly, there were many of us parents patrolling the areas around the school, and we sure didn't ask permisssion!
Let me talk to the police chief to see what the deal is. But I could still use answers to the questions I asked. You can always email me too if you don't want to post.
Thank you VERY MUCH for the info!
Megan - you are absolutely welcome to talk to me any time! Maybe I misunderstood your intentions, but it seemed like you came to the meeting with the hopes of being able to educate the folks in attendance. My point in my earlier post was let's let keep the get-together on target, coffee with the mayor. You were a delight to speak with.
I just read on the Sheriffs press release site that they will be conducting yet another DUI patrol again this week. In light if the current events of the death of two young girls possibly by a sex offender from our area perhaps the LE Police Department and the Sheriffs Dept should spend a bit more time watching over the over 3,000 sex offenders that are here in LE. I am aware that the saturation patrols are a Government Grant but really do they have to conduct them every week. It's just revenue for the City which seems to get more attention then the crime in this town!!!
Madam Mayor Melendez
Thank you for your hard work and great intentions. We will all be better off in this great community having you as our leader. Keep up the good work.
I just wanted to let you know that the house on Graham that conducts Immigration services and other things is still flying his illegal flags and signage and it has been the stipulated 30 days???
Regarding the DUI check points - when these occur, we still have the same number of officers on patrol. So it's not a situation where our officers are busy checking for drunks instead of out looking for bad guys.
The police chief and I had conversation about the sex offenders. When they're actually notified they're in our town, either by way of the offender registering with the local PD, or being notified by the releasing agency, the police dept keeps a close eye on them.
Unfortunately, I found out that our police dept isn't always given a heads up, which is ridiculous if you ask me.
And there are not over 3,000 sex offenders in LE. There are actually 66.
About the house on Graham - I've spoken with Code Enforcement. The guy claims it's his constitution right to have all of those "state" flags out there. I disagree, and will talk to the city attorney about that.
Regarding the registered sex offenders, according to Megans Law web site for the zip codes of LE it provides names and addresses for over 3,000 offenders in our area. I don't know how often that this site is updated, it could be out of date but as of last month I did an extensive search through the list and it was huge for LE, my interest was motivated because if John Gardner had tried to abduct the girl in October, the location was about four blocks from my house and it really concerned me because I walk everyday. Not quite sure who it is that maintains the Megans Law site but there are pages and pages of registered offenders on there with a LE address, so my question would be is the site correct or does the PD not want us to know how many walk among us?
I too have seen the house on Graham and all the flags and advertisement that the Owner has for Immigration services, I find it to be offensive and also tacky when entering a main street in our city with this kind of advertising, it really projects a bad image for my town and would like to see it removed like the other poster.
Regarding the sex offenders, what web site are you looking at? According to the official state website www.meganslaw.ca.gov there are 66, not 3000, which is what the mayor had stated. If you have a different source, please educate us.
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