Tuesday, September 14, 2010 – 08:30 am
Yucaipa Mayor Dick Riddell had a rough council meeting Monday night.
The subject of a controversial radio tower came up at Monday’s Yucaipa city council meeting, after about thirty or so people showed up over the city’s opposition to the installation of a transmission tower for Spanish-language radio broadcaster, Lazer Broadcasting.
Riddell, on his own, apparently had directed City Manager Ray Casey to fire off a letter to county planners lodging the city’s opposition to the tower.
The only problem? The council had never taken up the matter.
When the issue of the city letter being sent out arose, Councilman Tom Masner asked Riddell, “Doesn’t my vote count?.” Masner had to repeat his question again before Riddell would respond to him.
The Mayor, visibly disturbed, spent some time on the dais doing the Texas two-step. Riddell told council members there was thousands of letters in opposition to the tower. But when challenged about the fact that there only four opposition letters on file with the county, Riddell change his story to a petition had been circulated.
No such petition has been filed with the county.
Currently, filed opposition to the tower consists of Redlands Attorney John Mirau, City of Yucaipa, The Wildlands Conservancy, and the Yucaipa Valley Conservancy.
In 2009, the current opposition was assisted by an engineer from Lazer competitor, Liberman Broadcasting.
There is also unconfirmed reports that Riddell is a member of one of the conservancy groups.
This is Lazer Broadcasting’s second attempt at securing a conditional-use permit from San Bernardino County. In 2009, Lazer received approval from county planners and the planning commission for the project. However, political pressure torpedoed the project with the Board of Supervisors, who overturned the planning commission.
Lazer is contemplating legal action against the county, with a damages claim likely to be in excess of $5 million.
I don’t blane Riddell. It would spoil his view. Why should he consult with his fellow councilmember. After all he is the mayor. Now no one objected when he moved in and cut trees to clear his property. So now he doesn’t want anyone to spoil his view.
Mayor Riddell represents the citizens which is more than I can say for that worthless hack Masner. So who is really behind all this tower news on Inland Politics?
It’s not about the tower…it’s about where they want to build it. Just find a better location that doesn’t spoil the scenic beauty of Wildwood Canyon State Park.
Anon: If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!
It’s no secret that our mayor is a strong advocate for wildlife preservation and maintaining the rural atmosphere in Yucaipa. He represents the people who live here and who have elected him to do just that. He continues to serve the residents well despite the attitude here that somehow he is not an honest broker. The property owners and residents here have benefitted from the fervent commitment to keep the community from losing it’s scenic views throughout Yucaipa and conserving natural resources. Perhaps he was overzealous, but it is a long battle that he has fought – one that is constantly challenged by people who don’t live or do business here. A petition was circulated. Supervisor Neil Derry presented it. The only people who want a tower in the oak glen area are those who dont live here and who work for the broadcasting company. Mayor Riddell continues to do his job. I support him wholeheartedly as do our citizens. Tom Masner does not always consider the residents needs first. His vote? Would he vote yes on a tower? If so he should come clean and say so.