City Of American Canyon Online Community Forums

Recent postings on the Napa Register on-line site...

AC has always had an "image" problem and here is a clear example of the prejudice our teens and others still face daily working and attending school in Napa. We will never be good enough in many "Napkin's" eyes.


It is what it is. BLAH wrote on April 06, 2007 12:19 PM:

"I have read throught all of these comments and it is amazing to see how "defensive" AmCan citizens get, AND how "Napans" come off as nose in the air snobs. I grew up in Vallejo, moved to Napa @ 10, and am now raising a family in the city of Napa. I work everyday in Amcan. Sounds like the opposite of what most do. When I was a kid (mid-80's) AmCan wasn't AmCan it was "Napa Square" to us. Napa Square had the reputation as basically being "Vallejo North". It looked like Vallejo, and was basically "tied into" Vallejo. The older neighborhoods of AmCan (West side of Hwy 29) looked back then, how they STILL look today, CRAPPY,DIRTY,OLD and plain tired. Fast forward to now, East of Hwy 29 Subdivision homes that were "slapped together" and put so close you can hear your neighbor singing in the shower, The "NEW" homes built on the West Side are lining the sludge filled waterway and the smell of the trusty old dumpsite.(Yeah, I'm going to sell my house or condo in Napa to buy a house next to an old dump). I understand people move from Napa to Amcan, to buy that brand new house, 2 story, 3000 sf, and sold a condo, or 30 year old home in Napa to do it.BUT that is the point, Those that have moved will NEVER be able to come back to Napa and get what you have in AmCan. AmCan is a drive-thru for the 7-11 stop on the way to the Giants games, Caffino on the way to work, Gas on the way home, other than that, WHY, when I live in Napa, would I stop in AmCan. What, should I stop @ The Napa Valley Casino? (please). Should I stop @ The Plumbing Wharehouse, The Roofing Company, The Lumber Yard, The Landscape Supply Yard, maybe the Palm Reader,maybe I could go to that rundown convenience store next to Caffino's,wait maybe I could go to that heart attack in waiting Canyon Cafe. PLEASE... Oh I forgot, the NEW retail Center. Radio Shack, nope one in Napa, Starbucks, nope, why would I stop in AmCan. The tourist Center?. Is that place still open? Wait what about the 2 or 3 NEW hotels (That are ALWAYS EMPTY!). Yeah, I'm touring Napa Valley, paying thousands of dollars and I have to stay in a HOtel on the highway? No Thanks. Maybe I could stop by Palby's, OH wait, that was "remodeled" AND STILL EMPTY!. Maybe I could go to the 24 hour dentist on the highway, or better yet WalMart (Wait that piece of crap is not open yet is it?) The only GOOD thing AMCAn has to offer is an expansion of a Napa Business (Taqueria Rosita 2. AmCAn residents will always say "we are the mouth to the Napa Valley". Yeah, the mouth filled with cavities, root canals, and gingivitis. Every time I tell someone I work in American Canyon,they ask"where is that?" I have to follow that by saying "the sticks between Napa & Vallejo". AmCan has always and will always be the ugly redheaded stepsister to Napa, those that get "offended" or "defensive" by this simple truth, just don't see REALITY staring them in the face. AmCan is what it is, "Napa Square", "Rio", "Vallejo North", "the sticks between Napa & Vallejo", BLAH. "

Ac94503:

We can't change the way people perceive us as "south county' or as residents of AmCan. I KNOW that the people I see doing good in town are honest, generous, well-intentioned people. An example of all this is the number of people being recognized this Saturday at the Recognition Ball.

I say we concentrate on the GOOD in AmCan and Not the narrow-minded, ignorant way some people THINK we are.!

When I go up-valley-I just kill em with kindness and talk up our little piece of paradise. Is it perfect? No-but it's OURS!

Wow! -Some strong opinions were voiced here, the only thing I am having a hard time understanding is if you despise AC then why work here?

You also didn't help the cause of Napans coming across as "snobs", because that is exactly how you came across with the remarks you make.

Grant it, we seem to be a community who is slow to growth because of constant bickering, etc. But I really don't see the need to say the hateful things that were said. Besides the way I see it you don't have the "right" to complain about a city you have chosen not to live in.

There are a lot of places in Napa that look "CRAPPY, DIRTY, OLD and just plain tired. Plus there are many areas in Vallejo that look like you are in a very wealthy area of Napa. Each city has their own "diversity".

Funny, the comment about the hotels that are ALWAYS EMPTY -- there seems to be some full parking lots for being empty And the comment about staying on the highway?? --- ummmm seems to me that the Embassy Suites is right off 29 in Napa, Marriott is right next to 29, as is the John Muir Inn -- all 3 well known hotels in Napa of which I have spent time in.

The derogatory comments coming from someone who was raised in Vallejo (by their own admission) and works in this "mouth filled with cavities, root canals and gingivites" also known as AMERICAN CANYON just don't seem to mean much to me.

We may be the "ugly, redheaded stepsister" to you but in some peoples eyes we will be the blossom that one day blooms and outshines the rest!!

And also -- those who are spending their "thousands of dollars" still need to come through this Mouth!!!

Duh! -- Sorry ac94503 .... I know that those were not your comments, but that which you quoted from someone in the paper.

Didn't want to come across as thinking these were your thoughts.

I posted this NV Register "crap" because unfortunately this is the stereo typical opinion of many of the residents in Napa. (I was offended but not surprised) To me, it is unacceptable. To me, I have experienced prejudice because I live in AC while holding a job for many years in Napa. To me, I didn't send my kids to Napa to have to experienced prejudice at Vintage because they lived in AC?

Time to step up AC...Time to demand respect!

Enough is enough!

Those of us that chose to live here because it was affordable in the 80's were promised the same things that those new residents who bought into this community in the last several years. We really need to come together and stop the fighting and bickering in "our " community.

I realize I have been very vocal on this site...actually antaganistic at times. But with all that AC has on it's plate, it is time to stop and it is time to come together.

Let's build the community that the developers promised the new citizens and let's respect the residents that have live here when it was only known as Napa Junction. (Actually, the history of the area is very entertaining)

What's that saying...United We Stand...we haven't been...Isn't it time?

Finally...we hopefully will see some results of plans that have been discussed for years. Welcome to AC Ms. Ripley! Residents like myself have heard about so many things that were in the works for years. It is time to see at least one project completed.


Getting projects moving is task for new director
By DAN JUDGE/Times-Herald staff writer
Article Launched: 04/12/2007 07:32:32 AM PDT


AMERICAN CANYON - A logjam of some of the city's most eagerly anticipated - and delayed - civic projects is about to get a major push, courtesy of Cynthia Ripley.
Ripley is the city's new capital projects coordinator, a position dedicated to moving forward with plans for civic facilities and park projects.

Ripley takes charge of making sure all the public works design and regulatory hurdles are crossed in a timely manner. She also will gather community input for those projects.

First up for Ripley will be American Canyon's long-delayed Veterans Memorial Park. (See related article.)

The long list also includes a new fire station on the city's west side, the expansion and renovation of Kimberly Park, construction of a community gymnasium on the city's east side and the conversion of the former city offices at 2185 Elliott Drive to a senior and multi-use center.

Ripley also will work on completion of a Wetlands Edge Bay Trail, planning for a wetlands recreation area, the renovation of the athletic field at Community Park and the rehabilitation of Linwood Park.

While public works has made great strides in completing major infrastructure projects for the city in recent years, Director Robert Weil said, many of the parks and civic facilities have been delayed or fallen through the cracks simply because of a lack of people and time to focus on them.
Ripley is meant to be the remedy for that problem.

"They have been doing a lot of infrastructure," Ripley said. "Now we get to the good stuff that the community can enjoy."

As the co-owner of her private firm Ripley Scoggin Architecture, Planning and Interiors, the Napa resident took part in designing the Berkeley Public Library, the Redwood City city hall and library as well as a host of other projects.

As an architect - in fact, the only non-engineer in the city's engineering department - Ripley said she has extensive experience in dealing with community buildings, parks and open space.

"I know the process for getting these projects completed," she said. "I am very excited about working here because there is a lot of opportunity."

Contact Dan Judge at 553-6831 or UBDJudge@thnewsnet.com.

You kidding right? Is this even a topic? Napa snobs...hahah now that is funny. Napa is the most over rated and mis-represented city in CA.

Yes the Napa Valley is very nice, the city of Napa is a run down dumpy looking city....so who cares