“It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?…
It’s a neighborly day in this beauty wood,
A neighborly day for a beauty.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?…
I’ve always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.
I’ve always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.
So, let’s make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we’re together we might as well say:
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won’t you be my neighbor?”- Won’t you be my neighbor by Fred M. Rogers
Hmmmm, I know I have it here somewhere….blog post….updates….something important and meaningful to say to all the beautiful people in make believe lan….er Malibu…. Ah yes, here it is.
An ongoing theme in this blog is me trying to convince some of you that state and local government is a great way to use your talents and a good tract to focus on while at Pepperdine. So today while thinking about all the projects going on I was reminded about how much a part of the neighborhood my job allows me to be. Its something that I think is unique to state and local government (especially the local part) and a real reason to consider “small timing” it if you are at all so inclined.
So first, what are all these projects? Well I won’t rehash old history that you already know and that I have no new news on but of course there’s that big regional hospital I’ve been talking about. No new updates there but its obviously still on the table. Then there’s the assisted living facility, still no new updates (the applicant is currently bogged down in environmental regulation paperwork) but again, still around. What else? Well new to things is a local factory that is a world-wide leader in the manufacture of hydroelectric components has decided that they need to expand their local facility. This company has been bucking the downward economic trends as of late and is actually rapidly expanding their production and size of their workforce. I just had a meeting this morning with some of the local plant managers about expanding an outdoor storage yard at the factory. This new storage yard will allow them some greater flexibility in their process but from my standpoint it means the review of a new storm water management facility and the inclusion of some zoning requirements like security fencing and some well placed screening. Not exactly an earth shattering project but good news for a local company.
Then there’s the local pizzeria. Actually my favorite of the dozen or so we have. They’re currently located in a nearby strip mall and are doing a brisk business. So brisk is their business that they need to expand to a new facility. So I recently had a meeting with the owner where we talked about the possible development of a new construction building for them. Issues like site access and traffic, lot design, allowable signage…..you know, the works! Well it turns out that this new site they had in mind may not work for them after all. Fortunately, they have assured me I’m still welcome for lunch or dinner and don’t have to worry about getting a pizza that fell on the floor.
So where am I going with all this stuff? Pizzerias, hospitals, factories? What’s this mean to today’s hip and cool Pepperdine student? Well I’m trying to show the key benefit to local government. You really get to be a part of your community. You know whats going on and where. You don’t read about that new restaurant in the local paper, you were the guy they interviewed for information about it! You don’t wonder if that old factory will ever get reused, you just had a meeting discussing its future plans. This is what I like so much and what I think could really appeal to a few of you. Its the neighborhood! Its working face to face with the same people who you see at the mall and at the bank and at the gym. Its a cool thing I don’t think you get when you’re part of Fedzilla or even a private organization.
Anyway, that’s all the news fit to print. I’m going to go download some Mr. Roger’s clips. I can’t get that song out of my head.
