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For the last 14 months, I have had the privilege of serving you as the president of TERA. Eagle Rock has been my home for nearly 30 years and leading an organization that works to keep Eagle Rock the great community that it is has been an honor. However, that leadership role requires a great deal of work and a significant time commitment; a commitment that I am afraid that I can no longer make. Consequently, I am stepping down as the president of TERA. However, I am not walking away from TERA. There is still work to be done and I will continue to serve on the TERA board as the Immediate Past President. Rest assured, there will be no leadership vacuum. The board has already met and selected someone to man the helm. And, as you will see below, it is someone that we are all familiar with and someone who will continue pointing TERA in the right direction.
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Greg Merideth, Immediate Past President
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In response to Greg's decision to step down the TERA Board asked me to serve as President once again. Please join the board and me as we extend our appreciation to Greg for the leadership role he provided. I am so happy that Greg has agreed to remain on the Board, continuing to be our tech go-to guy.
As we celebrate our day of giving thanks, we have much to be thankful for. Reflection naturally leads to an awareness of the things for which we should be thankful. In that spirit I would like to reflect on the things that confronted the community 5 years ago and how they played out over time, with a special hope to find things for which we should be thankful.
- The proliferation of marijuana dispensaries was still very much on our mind.
- Since then the number of dispensaries has declined and the State has attempted to develop more effective legislation.
- The Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan was under attack based on ordinances that the City Council was considering. TERA and many other organizations loudly voiced their opposition to such legislation. It did not move forward.
- The Vons at Figueroa and La Loma was in the early stages of planning. The company's initial approach was to simply add commercial space and a minor face-lift to the store. TERA, the Council Office and the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council participated in several meetings with Vons Management, encouraging them to re-think the project, giving it a more distinct Eagle Rock identification, designing the new space to be more "street-friendly" and make more significant enhancements to the market that would result in an upscale and more enjoyable shopping experience. Vons heard us and responded. Today the corner of La Loma and Figueroa is a vibrant multi-purpose shopping center with an Eagle Rock monument occupying a key location at the corner.
- Occidental College planned to upgrade and add functionality one of its historic structure, Swan Hall. However, in many ways the proposed approach was not compliant with the accepted guidelines for historic preservation earning TERA's opposition to the project. The College went back to the drawing boards and incorporated generally accepted historic guidelines in the project. TERA approved. Thankfully, Swan Hall stands today, both a proud link to the history of the college and an important part of the life of the school today.
More contemporary reflections of things for which we should be thankful include the following aspects of life in Eagle Rock.- According to the Mapping Project completed by the Los Angeles Times, within the community known as Northeast Los Angeles, Eagle Rock is the most diverse, has the highest income, the highest level of education and the highest percentage of residents who are home owners. These are undoubtedly characteristics that make people want to move here.
- Our primary commercial corridor continues to thrive. The vibrancy of the Boulevard has caused rents to increase, unfortunately in many cases forcing long-term merchants to relocate to more affordable areas. The good news is that when space is available, new businesses are attracted to the neighborhood; store fronts rarely remain vacant for long.
- Further upgrades to Colorado Boulevard will be possible based on the $2M funding already secured and the potential of an additional $9.5M being secured by the end of the year.
- Eagle Rock continues to be an extremely attractive community with property values often rising faster than in other areas of Los Angeles.
- Activism remains robust in Eagle Rock. This is demonstrated by the large number of community-based organizations. One of the most significant indicators of Eagle Rock community activism is the above average participation in elections.
- A large variety of community-oriented events is offered through the year. Event alternatives include Concerts in the Park, July 4th celebrations, Eagle Rock Family Film Night, Eagle Rock Night Block Party, weekly Farmers' Market and many more.
- Social Media has become the marketplace where one hears the temper of the town. A brief review of the Facebook "Eagle Rock Neighborhood Group" and "I Love Eagle Rock" reveals many community passions that make this a better place to live. Some of the more common threads are.
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- Affection for animals including dogs, cats, iguanas, peacocks, those who are lost, found, or needing a home.
- Support for schools, especially Dahlia Heights and Eagle Rock High School
- Looking out for each other
- Many have deep roots back to when they were born.
I am sure that every reader can make contributions to this list. As you make your personal reflections on Thanksgiving Day, I hope you will include the community of Eagle Rock in the things you give thanks for. "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." John F. Kennedy
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Bop Gotham, President
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The Member Benefit Program has continued to grow in 2015. Please refer to this newsletter or go to www.tera90041.org for a full list of merchants and discounts provided to TERA members.
Your support is essential to sustain our efforts to preserve and improve the quality of life in Eagle Rock. We can't do it without you! To join or renew your membership online via PayPal or credit card, visit our website at www.tera90041.org, or mail the enclosed envelope with your check or credit card information today. We look forward to working together, continuing a tradition of over 25 years working for the betterment of Eagle Rock. If you would like to get more personally involved in TERA please send me a note indicating your interest ( president@TERA90041.org). Thank you for your past support.
Membership Has Benefits!
Discounts are available for TERA Members at participating merchants (see list below.) Look for the TERA Membership Decals at merchant locations. Just show your active membership card. Click on http://www.tera90041.org to see the member benefits offered by each merchant. If you are a merchant and would like to participate in this program, which includes free advertising in the e.letter, please email us at president@tera90041.org.
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The timing could not be better for an addition to the list of those who generously provide benefits to TERA Members. Herb West, widely known in Eagle Rock for his extraordinary talent as a photographer, and also for his extreme generosity in covering many community events on a pro-bono basis, is now offering a 15% discount to TERA members. For instance, the cost of a portrait would be reduced from $176 to $150. This is time to get that family photo ready for holiday sharing. See ad below for more information.
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Shop Eagle Rock Merchants
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SoundLife Music Lessons
30% off of first month of music lessons
323.825.9566
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