Quality of life in El Dorado Hills

By Justin Masters

Ideas surrounding maintaining and enhancing the quality of life in El Dorado Hills

• Village oriented communities accomodating to families, and also encourages pride in our respective neighborhoods and overall community.
• High quality of education in our schools.
• An active and vibrant sports program for our children.
• Diverse number of organizations that cater to many tastes and interests.

Many of us have dedicated long hours to the success of our occupations and similarly enjoy the fruits of our labors. It is this backdrop upon which I wish to paint a portrait of what my goals are as a board member of the EDH Community Services District.

Many of us are aware that the EDHCSD has undergone a period of weakness associated with rising costs and diminished fees. It is necessary to look upon the citizens for additional resources. However, we become justifiably skeptical when we are asked solely for money to throw at our problems.

I believe that through the education, encouragement and efforts of our citizens - young and old - that we can make our existing funds go further. Some will involve personal sacrifice in forgoing programs with minimal interest, while others will require us to stretch to attain goals that benefit the community as a whole.

What are some of the ways in which this can be accomplished?

1. Involvement of our community youth in planning and participation of community affairs and in volunteer activities. Families and friends often contribute and assist to assure success. Neighborhoods working together bring a closer sense of community by building bridges and friendships. Community organizations and retailers can sponsor recognitions for outstanding effort. Our local newspapers can also highlight their efforts, making the community aware of their efforts as well as the availability of any new resources. When is the last time you recall something of an uplifting value being presented in the news?

2. Review our current range of programs offered, and their self sustenance. Bring in new programs of a wide variety on an infrequent basis to stimulate personal growth and interest in other areas. Upgrading CSD's computers will not only enhance productivity for those staff members who support our community, but will also allow for the dissemination of information via the internet as well as being able to use CURRENT software for scheduling and administration! Other improvements I'd like to see would be the re-opening of Bertelson Pool as well as a wider use of our existing parks to allow more of our area youth to participate in popular sports programs.

3. Encourage developers to understand the perceived community value that comes with intelligent development of space for parks and recreational activities. We are all aware of the lack of level sports fields in our hilly terrain. Developers are often looking to squeeze that last buck out of any flat terrain, and frequently those steep hills and stream beds become the leftover "donations" towards our parks and recreation programs. By demonstrating increased long term property values in our community through enhanced quality of life and available resources, developers would be more inclined to further enhance those values, and in turn command a higher premium in their home sales.

4. Many of us are frustrated at our county government for what appears to be indiscriminate development in the face of a lack of water, infrastructural requirements, recreational areas and business. By encouraging the EDHCSD to expand their sphere of influence, we can (in cooperation with interested community groups) lay the groundwork towards incorporation. This brings the level of control and accountability to our local leaders, who are much more responsive to our local needs.

5. Revive a consistent and fair level of CCR enforcement. Many of us can point to instances where such violations lower our property values. Those violating the CCR's often point to other scofflaws as justification for their own violations. The CCR's apply to our individual villages, and as such, require each of us to adhere to the rules set forth in them. Sure, it's easy to point to others to justify our own poor behavior. But isn't it better to lift each other up, instead of taking the path that leads us all down? The cost of CCR enforcement has gone up dramatically and probably reflects growing frustration with other scofflaws and engenders the attitude of "How much can I get away with?" rather than "What message does this send to others?" We all need to be accountable for our actions! After all, we moved into this area voluntarily with knowledge about the CCR's in existence that maintain our property values didn't we? If we don't make a change on our own accord, fines may be levied. (Or in the instance of incorporation, city ordinances will be enforced with ticketing and fines.)

All of these ideas require money and effort. I believe that many of us in the community care enough to be willing to help out in small ways to accomplish many of these goals! Like you, I want the best environment for my family to grow up in! With your assistance, we can do something about it! Without it, we have no right to complain about what we are left with!

I ask for your support in electing me to a board member position at the EDHCSD.

Thank you,

Justin Masters