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TEMECULA: The quest for 'Quality of Life'
Temecula council moves to define the abstract
By NICOLE SACK - Staff Writer | ∞
TEMECULA ---- Whatever "quality of life" is here, the City Council is ready to preserve it.
And $75,000 has been set aside for the effort.
Last week, the council approved, 4-0, with Councilman Ron Roberts absent, the initiation of what is expected to be a monthslong process of hiring a consultant, forming a blue-ribbon panel of community members, and the eventual crafting of a policy to guide the city as it works to protect the quality of life in Temecula.
But what exactly is quality of life? Is it like the wind ---- being everywhere but nowhere, something that can be felt but never touched?
The council members admitted it's a nebulous concept, but all believe it is important to the residents, nonetheless.
"The phrase is a bit vague," said Councilman Chuck Washington, who suggested the city seek a quality-of-life analysis in February. "I don't want it to be perceived as political double-speak. What we are trying to do is create a framework that encompasses everything from business development to public safety to educational opportunities."
Washington likened the concept of quality of life to a more personal example, such as a loved one.
"You know how you feel about them: You can't just pick one thing," he said. "Same goes for Temecula's quality of life. It's multifaceted."
In the written plan, composed by the city staff members who will shepherd the master plan process, quality of life has a broad reach.
The proposed plan is slated to be a "road map" that defines the city's long-term goals in areas such as the continual maintenance of public infrastructure, public safety, higher education, business retention and attraction and city fiscal stability.
Fortunately for residents, all those areas of interest have already been mapped out with a slew of other plans such as the city's general plan, Youth Master Plan, Cultural Arts Master Plan, the Parks Master Plan, the Trails Master Plan ---- and the list goes on.
"We were trying to come up with a title that encompassed all the things we wanted to accomplish," Temecula Mayor Mike Naggar said of the proposed quality of life master plan. "Really, we should have called it a 'Temecula Sustainability Plan.' But then people would ask, what does sustainability mean? Well, it means quality of life ... It comes down to keeping what we want, obtaining what we want and doing that over the long run."
While the general plan is a mandate by the state of California, a quality-of-life plan is not.
"Most cities do not go any further than a general plan," said Councilman Jeff Comerchero. "I truly believe that one of the things that sets us apart is that good cities don't let things happen by accident. One of the reasons Temecula has been successful is that we plan very well, while other cities plod along one year at a time and only react."
Comerchero said he would like the quality-of-life master plan to focus on preserving the small-town feel of Temecula, and the values of the city. It is expected the plan will take a year and a half to complete.
Besides hiring an outside consulting firm, which will probably happen in January, the city expects to create a Blue Ribbon Committee of professionals in various fields, along with stakeholders in the community, such as residents, business owners and representatives of nonprofit agencies.
Washington and Councilman Roberts will head the effort to recruit up to a dozen members for the Blue Ribbon Committee.
Councilwoman Maryann Edwards says she expects the phrase "quality of life" will mean different things to different people.
"I think most people will say 'quality of life' are the reasons they moved here, such as great schools, great amenities, safety, affordable home prices, great community spirt and clean air," she said.
She added that a major component to the success of the master plan will be getting residents involved and asking, "What is important to you?"
Edwards said she suspects that while many residents will identify many of the same issues, different demographic groups within the city, such as senior citizens, young families and singles, will prioritize those issues differently.
As for nailing down a definition of what quality of life is, Roberts said it comes down to a feeling.
"It is very hard to describe," he said. "But I think you experience quality of life, and Temecula has always been able to make people's lives better."
Contact staff writer Nicole Sack at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2616, or nsack@californian.com.
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You got to be kidding me wrote on Oct 9, 2008 7:26 PM:"Quality of Life" is like doughnut holes. $75,000? Some consultant will be running all the way to the bank!
Geez wrote on Oct 9, 2008 8:14 PM:No wonder they're being investigated. Can the council get any dumber? Oops! I guess they can!
Preservationist wrote on Oct 9, 2008 8:43 PM:Dumb means unable to speak. Sadly, not only can they speak, they can come up with this tripe. "But what exactly is quality of life? Is it like the wind" Breaking wind is more like it.
Heavens Gate its not wrote on Oct 9, 2008 9:31 PM:"small-town feel"? Temecula? Not in this lifetime with the horrendous traffic and the mega mall. If the City really wanted a small town feel they should have shut the gates a long time ago. Sorry Guys and Gal, you can't even come up with the same goal, so try selling your bridge to no where somewhere else.
yeah right wrote on Oct 9, 2008 10:21 PM:It must be nice to always have a blank
check anytime you have a whim to spend
some money... It is becoming sad and
every citizen needs to start paying
very close attention and start asking questions to the "money spenders".
Keith wrote on Oct 10, 2008 12:33 AM:I love these blogs. They keep the angry and miserable people indoors in front of their computer screens while the rest of us are out enjoying our beautiful city. A great quality of life is synonomous with Temecula. That's why people have come here with their families and businesses. It's a great place and not by accident.
Consultant wrote on Oct 10, 2008 6:04 AM:Quality of Life is being able to drive through town without some brain-dead goober running a red light in front of you, and savoring an ice cold brew.
Now, fork over the 75 G's.
Preservationist wrote on Oct 10, 2008 7:11 AM:Keith Keith Keith. See, you already have Quality of life. Since your happiness is all that matters to you, you can plainly see why $75,000 is a colossal waste of public funds. As you said, . “A great quality of life is synonymous with Temecula.” So why spend $75,000 for what you regard are undoubtedly just a few “angry and miserable people indoors in front of their computer screens”, who I’m sure as far as your concerned there is simply no pleasing? Now stop wasting your time reading these nasty old blogs, and just go out and keep enjoying the beautiful city.
Most of these negative. wrote on Oct 10, 2008 7:35 AM:bloggers are probably from San Diego County and wish they could live in our great city. This is a great town, we now it and if you do live up here and don't like it, by all means move.
Another Temecula Loser wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:13 AM:Temecula has always been a mess,starting with traffic and ending in traffic.You cannot fix it now.The view can be beautiful at times,depending on who is parked next to you on the streets.
To me its wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:21 AM:...that the roads seem to meander, around the vulumtiously landscaped hill sides, it's as though there is something new view around every courner. (But the city didn't cause this...it's was here as a town)
...that it has it's own unique sence of history, and the people who lived here for a long time promoted it becoming a city and guided their wants as it began to grow as a city. (But the city today didn't cause this...those designs were here as a town)
...that is has quick access to the freeways. (But the city didn't cause this...it was here as a town)
...that my private property rights are respected. (But the city didn't cause this...it was here while this was a town...and are deminishing)
Convience is only important in areas where the area is ugly, unsafe, confining or conjested.
There is far more to the quality of life than, sunshine, clean water and air... affordable housing, adiquate food supplies, privacy rights, self protection, education, freedom to practice any religion, freedom to not practice any religion, governmental decent, communication, phyiscal and mental entertainment, comfortable climate, visual stimulation or the lack of, auditory stimulation or the lack of....etc.
Preservationist wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:23 AM:I can't speak for the others, but I live here, own property here, and have a business here that has been undermined by all the rules and regulations that redevelopment has imposed. Quality of life? We don't need spending $75,000, we just need to replace the city council.
First time blogger wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:28 AM:Just proposing this is a colossal waste of public funds and time. This guarantees none of them will get my vote. Any more of this stupidity will guarantee a no vote from me in the future.
Purely Political wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:35 AM:This is on the Agenda so Chuck can go on and on and on about how wonderful he is, all the great things he plans to do... this is pure campaigning! And he's doing this all on the city's time, at the city's expense ($75,000?, thats nothing to them!). He should be tending to the peoples business... not campaigning on the city's time. I am perfectly happy to be responsible for MY quality of life!!! Just say no to the "Chuck Wagon".
ShawnP wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:01 AM:Reply to "To Me Its" at 8:21 ---
Quick access to the freeway? Are you on drugs? I live a mile-and-a-half past Pechanga casino; from my house to the 15 is 4.6 miles. It takes me 15-20 minutes just to go that far, due to 11 (count them) traffic signals, not to mention the traffic volume.
When the powers that be decided to turn this place into an overpopulated, overdeveloped and overcrowded metropolitan city (cha-ching!), they should have at least made sure all of the roads were ready first; too bad they weren't in the pockets of the traffic construction industry, like they are with the developers.
januaryM wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:07 AM:Please save your $75K...ask the citizens what "Quality of life" is....then take a clue from them.It's FREE.
I live in Escondido...."Quality of life" was lost a long time ago.
It began with a council that spent like money was free....they did not listen to the citizen's...our city posted a _ $9.8 million deficit for 2007,we are now known nationwide as a city of racists.Seen on CNN.Escondido city of shame.
GIVE your citizens quality first ...then you won't have to market it as a city of quality.....it will be a well known fact.
Orwell wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:36 AM:Welcome to Chucks "Brave New World". These guys have already planned us into Gridlock. i want to trust one of them with my "quality of Life?
Doc Laine
Duhhhh wrote on Oct 10, 2008 3:19 PM:I wasn't smart enough to notice I was driving thru an other nation to get to a freeway.
Maybe the city surrounding the little nation might want to build a road to get around it, instead of tempting our addictions by making us drive past it.
The big city didn't want the little nation to have it's own freeway exit through the hills behind it.
Maybe the big city and the little nation are in kahoots???? Duhhh I don't know.
DW wrote on Oct 10, 2008 4:09 PM:I fail to see the purpose of spending money on this and I'd like to know what type of 'consultant' will produce this. I'll do it for $50K.
Im with DW wrote on Oct 10, 2008 5:17 PM:The only person in town who will have their quality of life improved by this exercise is the paid consultant.
Citizen of San Diego wrote on Oct 11, 2008 1:54 PM:To the blogger who said most of the negative comments are just jealous of you guys who live in Temecula...BWAHAHAHAHA! I live 10 miles from the beach and ten miles from my job and seven miles from the thriving downtown nightlife. There are a couple of people who work at my company making the horrendous I-15 commute twice a day. These people (as well as my Temeculan sister) all moved to Temecula because they were priced out of this city.
Preservationist wrote on Oct 11, 2008 10:49 PM:"Citizen of San Diego", San Diego is a beautiful city. And frankly, if house prices are adjusted downward in San Diego, like they are here in Temecula, I wouldn't be suprised if some of those making the commute from San Diego everyday, might considering buying closer to work, and not have to deal with a long commute. I keep hearing the idea is to make Old Town more like San Diego's gas light district. Why settle with a second rate immitation, when you can simply live a lot closer to the actual gas light district?
to Most of these negative. wrote on Oct 13, 2008 12:57 AM:Yes, I admit, I am from San Diego county...but not a San Diego Country residents who wishes he lived in Temecula, but one who was fortunate enough to escape Temecula.
Temecula is nothing more than a place with cheap housing to vaguely satisfy the American Dream, until you finally have made it in the world.
Resident wrote on Oct 14, 2008 3:32 PM:What quality of Life does Temecula have??? For those of us that wish we could pack and move and can not due to the housing downturn and that have lived in areas where your jobs are not more than 20 minutes from home and also where you can get the best medical care this area cannot offer I say you all need to get your heads examined. This place has nothing but cookie cutter homes and strip mall after strip mall and no public safety!
That is not a good quality of life in most people's opinion.
Preservationist wrote on Oct 14, 2008 9:11 PM:Gee resident, I thought all those problems were being solved with the construction of an 80 million dollar civic center.
Trafficula wrote on Oct 16, 2008 7:39 PM:Temecula quality of life stinks. It does not take 75k to figure that out. Traffic, congestion, and mini-mall after mini-mall. I have lived here for 6 years and let me tell you buying in Temecula was the worse mistake I ever made!
Citycouncil-gal wrote on Oct 17, 2008 7:12 AM:Well, Trafficula, All those problems will be solved with that new 80 million dollar civic center. However, for the magic of the civic center to work, we all must believe. Now clap your hands and repeat after me-I do believe in the civic center!
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