December 7, 2009, meeting

Here's the meeting announcement* from Al:

As of this date [Nov. 25], I am not sure if Councilman Miller will be with us. So we have 4 topics for discussion assuming he does not come. If he does, we will do as many as time allows.

1. Should the alleged 9/11 terrorists be subject to a military or civilian court? Why? Should the prisoners in Gitmo be housed there or should it be closed and the prisoners be brought to a prison in the U.S.?
2. Do you think that the right lane on Jefferson at the entrance to Shadow Hills be made a mandatory right turn lane? If so, should our club start a petition drive to be presented to the HOA and the city of Indio to make it happen?
3. Should the UN be reconstructed or should we just get out because it has been ineffective?

Also, 2 developer presentations are scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 3, at 4 and 5:30. Those will likely come up for discussion at our club's meeting on the 7th. ... The question came up again about the legality of golf carts driving on or crossing 40th street. One wonders if prospective buyers are informed about this unresolved problem. The executive golf course in Phase 3 opens to residents on 12/8 and to the general public in January.

CA law re golf carts: on Local Highways and Crossing Zones

November 9, 2009, meeting

Indio City Councilmember Glenn Miller was scheduled but could not attend the meeting; he was our guest speaker in April of 2008. Here are the covered topics*:

1. Should a draft system be instituted for all men and women ages 18-25 for two years to serve their country in one of the following areas: (1) armed services, (2) medical, (3) peace corps, (4) school aide, (5) community organizer in the inner cities and any other area that volunteers would be helpful. As in the draft we had during World War II, those not able to participate due to physical, mental or economic conditions could apply for an exemption. Would you be in favor of such a program? Why or why not?
2. Congress has been talking about extending the $8,000 tax credit or refund to first time home buyers. There have been proposals to also give repeat buyers who have had their home for at lease 5 years a smaller tax credit. How do you feel about this legislation?
3. Is there established law concerning holiday displays in public places, and if so, does it also apply to quasi-public places like our own community?

Regarding item #3:

Newsweek: Jesus vs. Allah

ACLU: Christmas Law

Slate: Crèche Test Dummies

Nativity scenes on public lands are illegal, rules the Supreme Court. Except when they're not.

The only reference I found in our governing documents to holiday displays is in our rules and regulations from Sept. 2007, where it states:

HOLIDAY DECORATIONS

Exterior holiday decorations are permitted. The design and quantity of the decorations shall be in good taste, and the Design Review Committee, in its sole discretion, has the right to determine if such decorations are contrary to good taste. Exterior decorations may be put up no more than ten days prior to the holiday and must be removed within five days after the holiday, with the exception of Hanukkah or Christmas exterior decorative lights, which may be present between Thanksgiving Day and January 10th of the holiday season. Holiday decorations should not cause light glare or other safety hazards related to vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

Evidently, these restrictions are meant to apply to the outside of member homes, but could be taken as a guideline to displays in common areas such as clubhouse interiors.

Notes

• We bloggers write this blog at our own behest. It contains our observations and recommended links regarding some of the topics covered at some of the club meetings.
• The club leadership chooses and announces topics in advance of meetings. If you're a community resident and would like to get meeting notices, please submit your email address at one of our meetings or join the group's mailing list at Google Group SCSHTD. Once you start getting email notices from the club, you can suggest topics in email replies to the meeting notices. Alternatively, you can give a legible paper copy of the suggested topic to any officer of the club at one of our meetings. Topics are picked by an 'agenda committee', and club members volunteer to serve on that committee.
• We apply 'labels' (or tags) to the blog entries in an attempt to categorize the topics; there's a click-able list of the labels on the right side of the blog.