IID rate increase takes effect this month ...

In November 2014, IID’s Board of Directors held public rate hearings to consider a proposed retail rate increase to its electric rate schedules. The overall average rate increase of 7.4 percent in retail electric rates to be effective January 2015 was approved by the board. It will cost the average family a little of $10.00 per month ... Read the full story here ...

Yesterday was a very rewarding day ...

I had the pleasure of accompanying 11 of my associates from the office out to Oasis School in Thermal. For the past 6-7 years we have been supporting 3 of the 4 Fourth Grade classes plus the Special Ed Class at various times of the year. At the start of the year, we augment their learning capabilities by providing much needed school supplies to get them off on the right start. At summer, we provide books for summer reading and other items for health and fun; however, at Christmas, our direction changes and we like to surprise them with little things to brighten their day plus a new soccer ball for each student. That was our goal today and while we accomplished it, we all came away with so much more given to us than we gave. There is no substitute for true feelings and the spirit of giving. While we brought them gifts ... we came away with such a sense of Christmas spirit that we all spoke of for the remainder of the afternoon. The wonderful welcome they give their "Fairy GodMothers and GodFathers" as they call us is enough to get your spirit going; then the thoughtful looks as a Christmas story is being told; followed by pure joy in their eyes as the little gift bags are distributed; and then the broad grins as the soccer balls are passed out ... Truly the wonder of Christmas before our eyes ... and all of this before the cookies and juice boxes are distributed ( a true wonder in today's age)... Some re-wrapped toys in the tissue paper to give to family, some spoke of taking the cookies home to share and one boy asked us to not only put his name on his soccer ball but to add his brother's name ... All of this is true confirmation for me that Christmas is alive and well here in America and worldwide ... Santa Lives :)

North La Quinta Maintenance District Update

It has been some time since we've heard anything about the proposed North La Quinta Maintenance Assessment districts. Just recently, I was able to reach out to the Public Works Department to inquire about the status. I was informed that after the survey results were received and reviewed by the Public Works Department and discussed at length at the City Council level, the decision was made last May to table the issue and possibly revisit after the November elections. If you were not aware, the results were that the interest of North La Quinta homeowners to approve the establishment of the Maintenance districts was limited to the minority with only approximately one-third being interested in establishing the districts and taking on the additional taxes annually that would have been required to cover the expense. Those results were received very well by the majority ... While no one on either side of the issue including the city of La Quinta is pleased with the current condition of the identified areas, the current goal is to investigate different landscaping design options which will not be spectacular but better ... The question is: How soon will the condition of the areas be revisited? This is what I wrote up to inform you of … and now there is evidence of what we can likely expect. I know the time change may limit the ease of noticing changes for many of us however have you noticed the pathway area from Wakefield Circle down to Adams street/Blackhawk Way was under renovation. The trees have been trimmed and the grass was replaced with decomposed granite earlier this week.

Speed limits and safe driving in Desert Pride

Many residents have been noticing the driving habits of our neighbors, guests and Vendors (Contractors, Landscapers, etc.). They have been reporting the less than safe issues to the City of La Quinta. I have been contacted by the City to put together a formal notice of the issues and a request for action, including but not limited to more speed limit signs, locating the digital read out trailer to make drivers more aware, painting the streets (maybe with a large yellow “CAUTION” in particular areas and possibly speed bumps or humps. Whatever is going to be requested, it must come from a majority so we really need to come together as a community to address the situation. Please keep in mind that while one resident may not mind a speed limit sign or bump/hump at or near the front of their home, another might not be in favor. While we’ve been asked to voice our concerns, that doesn’t mean whatever we request is going to be approved. We all have heard about budget issues and those likely won’t change unless these particular items might come from a different area of the budget. What this means is that I need feedback from one and all at your earliest convenience. Share your ideas and thoughts about our development’s traffic concerns and email them to me. I will organize the data and hopefully we can get together en masse maybe at our Community Park on a Saturday morning/afternoon, if desired. When you email, please use the following email Roger@RogerASullivan.com and provide, name, home address, phone (if you want) and your thoughts on the issue. I promise you I would never sell info and I will never send you anything unless it’s in regards to the community.

Next Door Neighbor

Do you know about NextDoorNeighbor – it’s free Nextdoor is the private social network for you, your neighbors and your community. It's the easiest way for you and your neighbors to talk online and make all of your lives better in the real world. And it's free. Thousands of neighborhoods are already using Nextdoor to build happier, safer places to call home. People are using Nextdoor to: • Quickly get the word out about a break-in • Organize a Neighborhood Watch Group • Track down a trustworthy babysitter • Find out who does the best paint job in town • Ask for help keeping an eye out for a lost dog • Find a new home for an outgrown bike • Finally call that nice man down the street by his first name Nextdoor’s mission is to use the power of technology to build stronger and safer neighborhoods. More info on Core values, Manifesto, Privacy, Safety, Nextdoor Guidelines for Neighborly Behavior, etc. you can read here: https://nextdoor.com/about_us/ Email me and I will send you an invitation Roger@RogerASullivan.com We are Nextdoor. We are simply you and your neighbors, together.

Interesting ...

Here's some interesting information to be aware of especially with the Holiday shopping season approaching ... WARNING FROM POLICE THIS APPLIES TO BOTH WOMEN AND MEN BEWARE OF PAPER ON THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR VEHICLE--NEW WAY TO DO CARJACKING (NOT A JOKE) Heads up everyone! Please, keep this circulating.. You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. You start the engine and shift into reverse.. When you look into the rearview mirror to back out of your parking space, you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift into Park, unlock your doors, and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view. When you reach the back of your car, that is when the carjackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off. They practically mow you down as they speed off in your car. And guess what, ladies? I bet your purse is still in the car. So now the carjacker has your car, your home address, your money, and your keys. Your home and your whole identity are now compromised! BEWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USED. If you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window, just drive away. Remove the paper later. And be thankful that you read this e-mail. I hope you will forward this to friends and family. Remember a purse contains all kinds of personal information and identification documents, and you certainly do NOT want it to fall into the wrong hands. Please keep this going and tell all your friends and family ...

Let's be careful out there ...

It has come to my attention that auto burglaries and break-ins are on the rise. This doesn't coincide with schools being back in session however it does make sense that certain nefarious characters need shopping money for the holidays, drugs, alcohol, etc. At least one of the unfortunate auto owners had kept their mailbox key in the car for convenience and that was taken as well. Outside of the extra effort required with the Post Office, plus the expense, it's highly possible that some mail might have been removed from their box. This unfortunate situation is a great reminder for all of us to keep and eye on our property AND our neighbor's property. If you see someone acting suspiciously, you can: a) call your neighbor; b) hit the alarm button on your car if parked outside to get some attention; c) *carefully * walk out front and let them see you noticing them; d) taking down any license # or physical description; e) call the non-emergency number of (760) 836-3215 ext 5; and f) if it appears to be a more dire situation, of course 911 Remember that it doesn't need to appear to be a suspicious individual ... many times, these people pose as pool guys, landscapers, air conditioning repairmen and anything else that might not attract attention ... so if you don't recognize that so called vendor you've probably seen next door or across the street 100 times, it's likely to be a problem waiting to happen ... Whatever you do, be careful ... your safety is first and foremost ..."