Redevelopment in Monterey Park

Mayor Sam Kiang and Mayor Pro-Tem Fred Balderrama of Monterey Park voted against the Atlantic Square project because it was too costly. Council members Marie Purvis, Betty Couch and Judy Chu voted for it.

This project costs taxpayers (through bonds issued by the city’s Redevelopment Agency) approximately $15 million. We will get $500,000 back in additional property and sales tax per year.

Kiang wants to get an in-house attorney because we spend $500,000 a year for legal fees. (Council members) Couch, Purvis and Chu object.

Since the city of Monterey Park adopted the Redevelopment Agency, it has cost the taxpayers millions of dollars. This agency costs approximately $1.5 million to administer including attorney’s fees.

Oh well, if it’s political, it doesn’t have to make sense.

The Montebello school board is cutting back because of a budget cut. Many children in Monterey Park attend schools in the Montebello school district. Too bad we can’t use the money we squander on the Redevelopment Agency to help alleviate the problem.

LEN GUSTAFSON

Monterey Park