Thomas Shaffer

Living in Highland Terrace was at first a confusing experience. The neighborhood is all but ignored by city works and public safety. If the police are called they rarely respond. SeeClickFix is broken in our neighborhood, but the city is presently in the midst of a ten month renovation of our streets and piping.
The houses look old because most were built in this area over a hundred years ago and the architecture has survived countless earthquakes. The culture and history here is rich, if you take the time to commune with your neighbors.
The neighbors, whom are all vastly different in culture and ethnicity know each other intimately and our children play together in the streets. We oppose gentrification because like the houses and structures our families have been here for generations.