Stress and debt are not the only two concerns for adults these days.

For most of us who live, work and/or attend school here in the historic city of Riverside, the streets and shopping enters have become almost impossible to travel down or find parking in a decent amount of time.

The majority of a persons’ day consists of travel time and this doesn’t always include the 91 freeway.

Here at Riverside City College it is possible to leave your home an hour and half early and still arrive at your morning class five minutes late. Some days it’s simply easier for students who live near by to walk to school to ensure they arrive to class on time. Magnolia Street travels thru the city and is always crowded during business hours, it could take you an hour to travel from Mission Inn Avenue to the Galleria mall on Tyler Street on any given day. Van Buren Boulevard is another dreaded street to travel on.

As congested as the city and parking in general are becoming with its current population according to the United States Census totaling over 310,651 in Riverside alone and 2,268,786 in Riverside County and 38,041,430 in California altogether it’s no wonder space is becoming limited all around.

A town that has previously been considered a rural or “boonie” town with plenty of open space and land, now faces possible overpopulation.

With population more talented teachers, police officers, engineers and even students are brought fourth but overpopulation can also lead to other environmental pressures, such as higher carbon dioxide and simply overcrowding, creating economic problems as economic growth becomes more difficult to maintain.

Crime, hunger and other issues can be expected as prices for the basics outpace earning ability.

Of course we are not yet headed toward China’s overpopulation issues, however, Riverside economy forecast will rise 2.1 percent from 2011 and will reach nearly three percent by 2015.

So, the city’s annual population growth in 2011 thru 2016 (5 year period) is expected to average 2.6 percent per year.

As the Inland Empire is growing rapidly with constant reconstruction of bridges, highways and streets it is possible there is still room for expansion.

However, for the last several semesters here at Riverside City College, trying to enroll or even add a class has become a zoo.

To be able to get the English or math classes that are needed to transfer is next to impossible.

Lines wrap around the admissions, financial aid and writing center buildings for the first few weeks after the semester has begun.

So, by the time the student has found a parking space which can take an hour for the first month after school has begun, the race for the much needed class is on.

At this point keeping frustration to a minimum to stay focused on getting to where you are going whether in the car, bus or on foot headed in the direction of your dreams, to ensure that you arrive on time is the most recent concern for all.

What can or should we do to meet the needs in our community? Who do we write to, to voice our concerns and where do we turn to vent our frustration? Who cares any ways? Especially if your content with where you are. Is there time to consider the future needs before they become complete disasters? We hope so.