Ramos
By James Ramos
Posted: 12/11/13, 2:38 PM PST |
My first year as your county supervisor has been one that has brought difficult challenges and great achievements for the 3rd District and San Bernardino County as a whole. As we approach the one-year mark of my time in office, I’d like to reflect on what we have accomplished in just 12 short months.
Upon taking the oath of office, I joined my colleagues in appointing Sheriff John McMahon, who was immediately faced with one of the biggest manhunts in modern-day history. Today, we honor all law-enforcement officers who gave their lives for our protection and those who were injured during this time.
In addressing the needs of the residents of the Morongo Basin, I advocated for the establishment of video conferencing in the Morongo Basin and in February, the Board of Supervisors approved the implementation of the system. Now, residents who live in the outermost parts of the county have the opportunity to voice their concerns to the board from their own community.
In an indication of cooperation amongst board members, the county settled a lawsuit with three public agencies, SANBAG, Caltrans and Upland. This settlement showed that the current Board of Supervisors is willing to work together to use taxpayers’ money more efficiently toward transportation and flood-control projects.
The San Bernardino International Airport Authority (SBIAA) and the Inland Valley Development Agency (IVDA) are just two regional boards that I serve on. I advocated for a full marketing study that would incorporate all aspects of a functioning airport, including maintenance and repairs, aircraft painting, and other components related to the aircraft industry. The SBIAA board approved a contract with the Nostrum marketing firm to conduct this comprehensive study that can only help in preserving and expanding jobs in our area.
To read entire column, click here.
(Continued)
“I also created a Rail to Redlands Working Group in an effort to bring local business leaders, public officials and other stakeholders together to discuss the Redlands Passenger Rail Line project. The project will bring jobs and small-business opportunities to the east end of the valley. The Redlands rail project is unique in that it brings public and private dollars together to promote economic synergy. The partnership of the University of Redlands and ESRI shows the commitment of the area in seeing this project come to fruition.
In light of the sequestration at the federal level, our office advocated to bring a day of giving in San Bernardino County. The full board agreed and we are moving forward with Give BIG San Bernardino County on May 8, 2014. When faced with these devastating cuts from the federal level, the board came up with options. The board also approved a contract with the Barstow Senior Citizens Center for the expansion of services including Meals on Wheels for seniors throughout the High Desert area.
In the absence of rural land-use policies dealing with solar projects in the county, Supervisor Lovingood and I advocated and gained support from the full board to move forward with a moratorium which allowed the county time to develop land-use policies surrounding renewable energy projects. It is anticipated the moratorium will be lifted soon, paving the way for a clear process for business development and land preservation.
I came up with a new approach and created two Regional Municipal Advisory Councils. The Lucerne Valley and Johnson Valley MAC and the Morongo Basin MAC bring together a unified voice for the region on major issues. I re-established the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park Advisory Committee and the Sugarloaf Advisory Committee, which serve as liaisons between the county and the communities.
As your 3rd District supervisor, I look forward to the work we have ahead of us. Please do not hesitate to contact my office with any questions or concerns.”
Dear Supervisor Ramos & Chief-o-staff Paule:
Remember Us…?
MACA Mtg. W/ 3rd District Supervisor’s office (Chief of Staff Phil Paule and Legislative Analyst Tony Majia)/ 5th Floor County Government Center/ 2-4-12 @3PM
MACA is the Mentone Area Community Association, a non-profit organization devoted to bettering the quality of life for community residents and businesspeople, while acting as a liaison between the unincorporated Mentone area and the appropriate government officials at stakeholder city, county and state level agencies and special districts.
MACA is involved in facilitating the future development of the Orange Blossom Trail/ Santa Ana River Trail, and specifically, the Trail Staging Area and Mentone Beach Park site on either side of Mentone Blvd. @ Opal Ave. within the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) right-of-way and adjacent to the Mentone Senior Center/ Library facility site. Ultimate public community facilities development within the right-if-way is identified in the existing Contract lease agreement document between the County and MWD.
>> Since the MACA has taken on the role of “community sponsor” in order to further the improvements that will ultimately be completed within the MWD R/W to complement the Mentone Senior Center/ Library, we would be interested in attending a meeting with representatives of Regional Parks (contact: Maureen Snelgrove) and Public Works (contact: Gerry Newcombe), when the Supervisor and his staff could be introduced to the County’s Santa Ana River Trail and Orange Blossom Trail projects, and the efforts that have taken place to date. Additionally, the future trail crossing of Mentone Boulevard (SR-38) at Opal Avenue needs to be discussed with CalTrans, and can preliminarily be included in topics to be discussed with the new District 8 CalTrans Director concerning highway safety on State Route 38 (Mentone Blvd.)
Mentone Issues for which MACA has been working to realize some relief for community: (>> = suggested action for “next step”)
1. Inadequate street lighting on Mentone Blvd. (SR-38) along the rebuilt section east of Wabash Ave., where sidewalks have been provided on both sides of the street with a recent Caltrans project. Street lighting has only been provided along this State Route highway on one side of the boulevard (missing on the south side). >> Set-up meeting with new District 8 CalTrans Director Muallem Basem (Dora Darcy, Sec. ph: 383-7047) to discuss highway safety lighting (street lighting) deficiencies with recent improvement project(s), and a strategy to have adequate street lighting, and future signalization requirements, addressed as soon as practicable.
2. Inadequate fire flow (City of Redlands is water provider) for Mentone Senior Center/ Library public facility, built on land leased by County from owner Metropolitan Water District (MWD). >> Set-up meeting with the SBCo. Fire Marshall, and then the City of Redlands Municipal Utilities & Engineering Department (MU&ED), to discuss remedying situation. Some time ago, these entities were approached about the problem, but a solution was never identified or implemented. The MACA, as well as the Senior Center Executive Board, have a concern that this public safety issue may not be addressed unless the Supervisor’s office champions a solution, which would involve costs to the City of Redlands and the County of San Bernardino.
3. Interrupted Mentone Chamber of Commerce Contract with County. >> The Supervisor’s office may want to hold a combined meeting involving representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, MACA and the Senior Center Executive Board, to discuss how this Contract between the County and the Chamber is envisioned to help benefit the community of Mentone.
4. City of Redlands municipal utilities issues involving community businesses, to include, but not be limited to the following: >> In conjunction with the upcoming LAFCO Valley Agency Service Review, we would encourage the Supervisor’s Office to meet with the owners of businesses that have been impacted by the City of Redlands and their Municipal Utilities and Engineering Department (MU&ED) activities and inaction. The MACA can act as a liaison for the County with the particular businesses identified below, to assist the County in obtaining all resources available to have a clear picture of the problem, and work with the City of Redlands towards reasonable solutions, enhancing the economic development potential and viability for the unincorporated Mentone area.
a) Withholding of water service and occupancy for future Tom’s Burger’s #1 (north side of boulevard)
b) Denying of conversion from septic to sewer for Mill Creek Cattle Company (south side of boulevard)
WISH U WERE HERE to represent for Mentone too… but there’s always next year (and two more after that) to get it right!
Little Stevie Wonder:
Thanks for providing the rest of The Sun article by James Ramos; I’m glad I did not spend any money to read it.
I read the paragraph regarding the moratorium he “advocated” several times. A moratorium precludes something from happening, not to be confused with progress. Then, he gives himself credit for what might happen once the moratorium is lifted. HUH?
The group he “created” to “discuss’ the San Bernardino to Redlands rail system seems positive, but haven’t various politicians been discussing it since 1990 or so.
Assuming that he had anything to do with it, I will give him credit for “the expansion of services including Meals on Wheels for seniors throughout the High Desert area.” I would like to see more actions like this, and less “advocating.”
Repairman, can we expect your report card soon? I have mine ready, and will post it as soon as yours is posted.
Wow, the San Manuel Tribe has property at the Base. I get monetary value from the Tribes investments. I, James Ramos is VOTING for things that benefit my tribe’s investments at the Airport. I make money off the investment of public funds because I (the tribe) owns property. That’s just fine…LOL Mike Ramos is my blood brother! LOL