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Health & Fitness

Coffee Bars, Banners and Positive Attitudes

As new owners of Webster's Community Pharmacy, we want to share the news and excitement of our remodel, and plans for making this community landmark the place to be in Altadena.

Lately, I've been spending more than a little time with the folks from LA County Regional Planning.  Between meetings for our remodel, banner violations and Fancy Food Truck Friday permits, a lot of communication has gone back and forth. Here is my take:

LA County is steeped in protocol and "in the box" thinking.  If I had hoped for anything different, I was wrong.  It's not that the people who work there don't want to be helpful and supportive, it's that the system that they work under doesn't allow for much side-stepping.  

We do have an active and helpful network of representatives in Supervisor Michael Antonovich's office.  I always get return correspondence and a lot of follow-up e-mails from the staff.  There are plenty of people who are aware of our unique challenges in Altadena; especially the few, yet mighty complainers who continue to weigh in on every sign, banner, sidewalk board, etc.  

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We are in the process of reapplying for our Fancy Food Truck Friday Temporary Use Permit.  Even though it's JUST a reapplication, we have to start all over again - fill out all the same forms, draw the same maps, pay the same fee and go through the same channel of approvals.  Does this smack of red tape?

Perhaps I'm putting on my Pollyanna face, but I know, that in spite of all the obstacles  we will ultimately come to terms with all of the LA County rigmarole.  It boils down to a positive attitude and a lot of perseverance.   I'm pretty sure that when I read between the lines of some emails, and see the half-smiles of staff members at the downtown office, I detect a frustration level that we all share.  This is not about the people; it's about a lot of outdated rules and ordinances that were created a long time ago.  

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Our job as Altadena residents and business owners is to become even more knowledgeable and active in opening up this giant can of worms. I'm getting a fast-track education as I go along and continue to feel encouraged by all of the support we get from our customers who really want to see something new at Webster's.  Do we just throw in the towel because it's too much of a hassle to try and deal with "city hall"?  Or do we try and stay positive in the face of frustration and find new ways to work as a team?

So, please help us out Altadena -- It's time to revisit and revitalize - it's our duty!

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