The Revitalize Mojave working group held its monthly meeting Aug. 23 at the Mojave Airport board meeting.
Any interested resident is invited to attend these discussions, which are at 5:15 p.m., on the fourth Thursday of each month. There are three committees, which also welcome participation: Design is headed by Timothy Kuster; Economic Restructuring is headed by Tim Holden; and Promotion is headed by Catherine Mijres.
At the past meeting, two major items were discussed. The visioning event is scheduled for Sept. 21 and 22. Additionally, ways to fight vandalism and graffiti were outlined.
Visioning is a process in which consultants interview community residents and hold workshops to find out what the residents want in their community.
It includes having intensive workshops on a single Friday and Saturday. During the workshops, there is no talk allowed about the costs involved in the improvements. The visioning group includes teachers, students, veterans, seniors and business owners. The result is a book of implementation of how to improve the community. There is also a general plan poster that shows how the improved area will look. It is annotated to show what each part of the area includes.
There has recently been vandalism of storefronts in the business district along State Highway 14.
There has been window smashing and graffiti. In response, the Chamber of Commerce has established a Reward Fund, and there will be monetary reward for information leading to apprehension and conviction of the vandals. Currently there is more than $3,000 in the fund.
Sgt. Doug Wilson, head of the Mojave substation of the Kern County Sheriffs Department was at the meeting, and the sheriffs department is working the problem. He also pointed out the graffiti hot line at (661) 323-7273. Business owners reported prompt graffiti removal after using this phone number.
Another way to fight the problem was presented by Ethan Chew of the Mojave Makers high tech hobby group. He is ready to assist businesses or residences set up ‘Do It Yourself’ security systems. This would include inexpensive Web cameras, wired to a computer – even an older one. A more capable security system can be set up using WiFi wireless connections. Anyone interested can contact him through Mojave Makers on Facebook.
