Stephen Flock |
| History Our family moved to Twentynine Palms 32 years ago. I feel very fortunate to live in this quiet desert city, where we can still enjoy our surroundings and the company of those who share our unique lifestyle. I recently retired from a career in law enforcement after serving with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the San Bernardino County Marshal's Office and the California Highway Patrol. Additionally, I have worked as a carpenter, construction superintendent, and general contractor. I have been involved in the art community and participated in aviation and equestrian activities. I am a military veteran, having served as a member of a United States Air Force Combat Control Team. I belong to the following organizations, Joshua Tree National Park Association Twentynine Palms Artist Guild Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council Twentynine Palms Elks Lodge 29 Palms Pistol and Rifle Club Economic Growth It is essential that we find ways to minimize the cost and inconvenience, along with revenue loss, we are experiencing, as we see our retail sales go to other communities. At the same time we must generate additional interest in markets that our unique location attracts. The more obvious examples are tourism, art related businesses and retirement living. While it may not be reasonable to expect large-scale industrial growth in our city, we have been able to attract smaller businesses whose owners enjoy our desert lifestyle. Examples of possible future businesses include manufacturers of off road equipment and accessories, military equipment, furniture construction, and aviation related goods. The city currently has a study underway that will identify businesses that have a high chance of success in Twentynine Palms. The Chamber of Commerce is doing a branding survey and similar studies are being conducted basin wide. I suggest a committee representing all interested organizations be formed to share the information gathered and act upon it. This committee would include representatives from city government, the chamber of commerce, realtors, property owners, innkeepers and service groups. By working together, participants can assume responsibilities appropriate to their expertise and avoid duplication of effort while insuring all of the city's needs are addressed. General Plan The current surge in residential growth has brought attention to our General Plan. I view our city's General Plan as a document that citizens, and those wishing to invest in our city, can rely upon to give them comfort in knowing the investment of their time, money, and lives will not be jeopardized by changing goals and influences. I believe we have a good General Plan, which should continuously be refined to improve public safety, protect our natural resources and maintain or improve our quality of life. Changes that undermine confidence in our General Plan and city government must be avoided. The building boom we have experienced may soon disappear. If so, it will be easy to ignore the need for continued planning. Any slow down in building should be viewed as a chance catch up and be ready for the challenges that lie ahead. Conclusion Citizens of Twentynine Palms can be thankful to be host of the headquarters for the Joshua Tree National Park. We can take pride in being the home of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. We have one of the only cities left in Southern California that still has the ability to determine its destiny and maintain an identity that separates it from the rest of the creeping sprawl. While there can be no doubt we will continue to grow, how we shape that growth is vital to our future. Is it selfish to want to preserve our way of life? I don't think so. I want families in future generations to be able to be welcomed into this community just as my family was. I also want them to be able to breathe the same clean air I breathe, and look in awe at the distant mountains as I do. I want them to be able climb on a horse, walk down a sandy wash, or take a Sunday drive through a beautiful, unpolluted National park if they choose. I want them to experience the priceless sense of family I do as I encounter my fellow citizens downtown. I want them to feel as safe in their homes as I do. I want those future generations to be proud of their city and the hard work and planning that built it. It appears that personality conflicts, past injustices, and differing visions of our future have interfered with our city's ability to give its citizens the confidence in city government they deserve. If there is one thing I would like to give Twentynine Palms, it would be a return to the days when we worked together as a family. We didn't always agree but we treated each other with dignity and respect. Achieving this goal will require an effort from the whole town with our city council setting the example.
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