Letter from Sandra P. Totten, citizen of Banning, CA for 20 + Year

Dear Sirs and Madams,

Yesterday, March 9, the Banning Woman’s Club held its monthly meeting. As a member of the Club for 15+ years. I am not the longest time member, but with our attrition rate am getting closer each year. When I started I was the youngest in age but shortest in length of membership. I have been an officer in the past. In 1999 I was awarded the Woman of the Year for help to not only the Woman’s Club but several other agencies in our town. I write the above not for credit, but to explain my interest in fair dealings of any organization I know about. more >>

Letter from Mayor, Bob Botts dated November 24, 2009

All:

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your contribution to a fantastic weekend here in Banning, with the Phineas Festival and opening of the Haven Coffee House and Art Gallery and the reopening of the Fox Theater. As I have told others it is the most significant weekend and event that I have had the privilege of participating in since Ann and I moved here 12 years ago.

Volunteerism in Banning is alive and well, which is what contributed to such a successful weekend. The old adage of “We can get a lot done if we don’t care who gets the credit” certainly applies here. Whatever your role in the weekend was it contributed to the team(s) effort and what I consider Banning really turning the corner. The people driving down Ramsey, people strolling down the sidewalks having come from eating or shopping at the Haven and on their way to the Fox Theater, or coming from the movies to have coffee or lunch at the Haven, that’s what it is all about. Time after time people came up to me and said “this is what it use to be like in downtown Banning!”

I believe it was a thrill for all of us and this is just the beginning. The new Police Facility is almost done and will be dedicated February 5, 2009 with the ground breaking of the new $60,000,000 dollar Mid County Justice Center following not too far behind, and despite the drastic downturn, we are seeing retail businesses inquiring or signing leases in the newly renovated buildings. We are a “Town In Transition” and how exciting!!!

Once again THANK YOU one and all for your contribution to this weekend and for your continuing commitment to making Banning a better place in which to live, work and play.

Bob

Robert E. Botts
Mayor
City of Banning

November 2009

All,

On behalf of the Community Redevelopment Agency, please allow me to congratulate all of you on a job well done. The Alliance's partnership with the city, local businesses and the chamber couldn't have done any better in presenting our city, than what was accomplished this past weekend. I didn't hear one negative comment, only how exciting this is for Banning! The children of the community will remember this festival for the rest of their lives, this is due to your efforts. Parents and grandparents remember that this is the way it used to be in our community and invoked many of the memories they held dear. Please extend our sincere thanks to the Hammer's and the horse drawn carriage(Dan Ellison); to see people waiting in line for an exciting tour of our redeveloped city was incredible to witness. I understand the art gallery had a very successful day of tours and sales, congratulations! The other community based organizations should also be commended and we thank them for their participation in this fun-filled event.
We all were able to witness lines out the door of The Haven coffee house, art gallery/museum and book store. The owner of the Fox Theater has enjoyed all 3 theaters full for their grand opening weekend!
For the 2% of people that don't understand or appreciate your efforts, I ask that you pray for them, they will not enjoy the spirit we all enjoyed last night and over the entire weekend.
Celebrate this success and look to the future for an ever expanding redeveloped City of Banning.

Don R. Robinson
Banning City Councilmember
Chairman, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)