Irvine is a great place to live. So says Money magazine
On the money
We have a long list of superlatives the city of Irvine has earned. It seems we need to update it with new honors and awards, if not monthly, then at least quarterly. A recent and recurring bit of recognition comes from Money magazine, which recently ranked Irvine at No. 20 for its 2016 Best Places to Live in the United States list. Glass-half-empty types have pointed out that the ranking is not as good as the No. 14 the city scored in 2014, but we’re not really into negativity right now. We too often take for granted what an amazing place Irvine is, and instead focus on what could be improved. Let’s have a little less whining and bit more thankfulness, at least from Nov. 9 until Thanksgiving!
Kudos for Lt. Kent
Speaking of being thankful and appreciative, let’s hear it for the blue crew who helps keep us safe, safer, safest. Irvine Police Dept. Lieutenant Michael Kent has been recognized as one of the “40 under 40” by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The award acknowledges 40 law enforcement professionals younger than 40 years old who demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment to their profession. Lt. Kent is a 15-year veteran of the IPD who got his first look at the department in the 1990s, when he served as an IPD Explorer.
Green means go!
Yes, we’ll admit it: we’ve grumbled when stuck at a left-hand turn signal for more than a single cycle of the stoplight sequence, and have wished for more signal synchronization while attempting to make it across the city during rush hour. Money magazine pegged Irvine’s commute time as 22 minutes, which in the scheme of things isn’t that bad (the No. 1 city on the Money list, Columbia, Maryland, has a 29-minute commute). But it could be better, and city staff and city council have been taking on the challenge, as we’re sure the next council will do, too. The recommendations of the Citywide Comprehensive Traffic Study that are being implemented include spending $116 million on improving traffic over coming months and years. The study recommends improving 23 intersections, including adding additional lanes; widening sections of University Dr. and Jamboree Rd. and working with Caltrans to improve signal timing at major intersections. Upcoming issues of Irvine City News will include more in-depth coverage of traffic issues, and potential solutions for the city’s roadway system, which despite its issues is “exceptional and well maintained,” according to the expert consultants hired by the city.
We have a long list of superlatives the city of Irvine has earned. It seems we need to update it with new honors and awards, if not monthly, then at least quarterly. A recent and recurring bit of recognition comes from Money magazine, which recently ranked Irvine at No. 20 for its 2016 Best Places to Live in the United States list. Glass-half-empty types have pointed out that the ranking is not as good as the No. 14 the city scored in 2014, but we’re not really into negativity right now. We too often take for granted what an amazing place Irvine is, and instead focus on what could be improved. Let’s have a little less whining and bit more thankfulness, at least from Nov. 9 until Thanksgiving!
Kudos for Lt. Kent
Speaking of being thankful and appreciative, let’s hear it for the blue crew who helps keep us safe, safer, safest. Irvine Police Dept. Lieutenant Michael Kent has been recognized as one of the “40 under 40” by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The award acknowledges 40 law enforcement professionals younger than 40 years old who demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment to their profession. Lt. Kent is a 15-year veteran of the IPD who got his first look at the department in the 1990s, when he served as an IPD Explorer.
Green means go!
Yes, we’ll admit it: we’ve grumbled when stuck at a left-hand turn signal for more than a single cycle of the stoplight sequence, and have wished for more signal synchronization while attempting to make it across the city during rush hour. Money magazine pegged Irvine’s commute time as 22 minutes, which in the scheme of things isn’t that bad (the No. 1 city on the Money list, Columbia, Maryland, has a 29-minute commute). But it could be better, and city staff and city council have been taking on the challenge, as we’re sure the next council will do, too. The recommendations of the Citywide Comprehensive Traffic Study that are being implemented include spending $116 million on improving traffic over coming months and years. The study recommends improving 23 intersections, including adding additional lanes; widening sections of University Dr. and Jamboree Rd. and working with Caltrans to improve signal timing at major intersections. Upcoming issues of Irvine City News will include more in-depth coverage of traffic issues, and potential solutions for the city’s roadway system, which despite its issues is “exceptional and well maintained,” according to the expert consultants hired by the city.