Ramos

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 – 09:30 a.m.

It sure looks as if San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Tribal Member and San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors candidate James Ramos’ campaign is pulling out all the stops in the final days running up to the June 5 primary.

Ramos is seeking to unseat Supervisor Neil Derry in the three-way contest.

Defense Department employee Jim Bagley is the third candidate.

Polls, in both Derry and Ramos camps, indicate Ramos may be in for some level of embarrassment in two weeks.

What level remains to be seen.

But weak support for Ramos in the low thirty-percent area won’t cut it in any way.

One thing is for sure. Ramos will be the first candidate, since bill former Assessor Bill Postmus, to spend upwards of $1 million in a primary contest, place second, and possibly face a runoff at best.

Postmus was successful in his bid.

But Ramos has many demographic factors working against him.

The largest of which is partisan party registration.

Ramos has been frantically trying to appeal to republican voters to throw Derry out.

A move that’s not working.

First. Republican registration dwarfs democrat by large 13% in the Third District.

Second. Ramos’ preferential tax treatment, because of his soverign tribal status, pisses people off.

Third. Ramos has no clue as to what a county supervisor does.

The latest sign of desperation in Ramos land?

Ramos had a information tent at Cal State – San Bernardino on Tuesday.

Not that there are really any votes to garner at the college campus. But I guess it makes for a good waste of time.

The message from the likely-paid Ramos representatives?

Neil Derry is a convicted felon!

Yep! That was the big message being conveyed to class go-er’s.

Desperate times do require desperate measures.

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/22/2012 04:00:23 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – High unemployment and a staggering number of people underwater on their mortgages continues to vex San Bernardino County, with no relief expected until late 2015, according to a budget report approved by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

The county added 15,600 jobs in the first three months of 2012, but its unemployment rate, as of March, was still hovering at 12.7 percent, higher than the national unemployment rate of 8.4 percent and California’s unemployment rate of 11.5 percent.

Roughly 264,122 of the 488,422 single family homes in the county have been underwater on their mortgages – in which owners owe more than the home is worth – at some point in the last four years.

Of the underwater homes, 63.7 percent of the homeowners had received notices of default. As a result, a housing recovery is not likely until late 2015, according to the budget report.

“It is clearly my opinion and the opinion of the Board of Supervisors that our economy is still struggling,” said Greg Devereaux, the county’s chief executive officer.

He said the local economy will not rebound until developers start building homes again and more businesses set up shop.

But before that can happen, the county must first get its arms around the foreclosure problem and the high number of people underwater on their mortgages.

“Hence the desire for the board to form a JPA (joint powers authority) with some of our cities and explore what’s out there,” said Devereaux.

The county is pushing to form a JPA that would create a program to assist these troubled homeowners. The cities of Fontana and Ontario have agreed to join the county in the plan.

Hesperia Mayor Russell Blewett has also expressed a strong interest in the program, but his city has yet to embrace the proposal.

County spokesman David Wert said a number of private companies and/or organizations are developing or have developed programs targeting underwater homeowners. The federal Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) is another option, he said.

Despite the projected delay in the recovery of the housing market, it’s not all bad news. The median home price in the county has leveled out at $150,000, and for March that median price was 9.5 percent above the April 2009 low, an affordable price for 77 percent of local families.

David Mlynarski, chief financial officer for the Inland Empire Economic Recovery Corp., a public-private partnership that purchases foreclosed homes, refurbishes them and sells them to first-time homebuyers, said the county must become more business friendly if it wants to attract business to the region and spur job growth.

“We are at the bottom of the list when it comes to being business-friendly and job-friendly,” Mlynarski said.

To read entire story, click here.

Neil Derry

Point of View

Supervisor Neil Derry
Posted: 05/22/2012 02:44:33 PM PDT

The people of San Bernardino County are tired of being unemployed or underemployed. They are tired of feeling like they just can’t get ahead. And they are tired of feeling like nothing is ever going to change.

There is a limit to what a county government can do to improve an economy that is subject to state, national and global pressures. But that doesn’t absolve us from working hard to make a positive impact in areas where we can make a difference.

The seeds of economic recovery and sustained vibrancy begin to sprout when communities evaluate their strengths and weakness, assess the landscape for opportunities, and leverage available assets and resources to maximize growth and create jobs.

Understanding who we are as a community is essential to developing a strategy to achieve economic renewal. Communities that competently take inventory of these factors possess the confidence and patience to chart the long-term course to achieve these objectives.

The county of San Bernardino is preparing to embark upon this journey.

Our economic development agency recently entered into a collaborative partnership with Loma Linda University that we believe will mark the beginning of a multi-decade development of a biotech and life science industry complex. Loma Linda University owns many patents and innovations as a result of its vaunted research programs and decades of innovative practices and applications. To date, the value of these incredibly marketable assets has not been fully extracted.

Through our ability to apply for special tax credits from the federal government under the New Market Tax Credit fund, we believe we can entice firms to relocate or establish themselves here and facilitate the introduction of these intellectual assets owned by the university to the marketplace. These tax credits are designed to promote investment in low-income communities by permitting individual and corporate investors to receive the tax credit spread out over seven years in exchange for making equity investments through a community development entity controlled by the county. Areas surrounding LLU qualify under this program. Investors receive a 39 percent credit against the original investment amount. Obviously, this is an enticing carrot given to investors that engage in a very high-risk investment with a long-term horizon.

To read entire story, click here.

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/21/2012 07:12:18 PM PDT

There’s no shortage of choices for San Bernardino County voters this election season when it comes to the First District supervisor’s race.

Seven candidates are vying for the seat vacated by Brad Mitzelfelt, who is making a bid for Congress after only one term in public office.

The First District is the largest of the county’s five supervisorial districts, spanning the bulk of the high Desert, from Trona to Needles, and the town of Wrightwood in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Up next for the candidates is the June 5 primary.

A number of factors are at play that make this county supervisor race unique, said Doug Johnson, a fellow at the Rose Institute of State and Local Government at Claremont Mckenna College.

“First, there’s no incumbent, and second, there’s a lot of good candidates who have a shot at winning this, and none of them emerges as dominant in any way,” Johnson said. “It will all come down to who can get their supporters out on election day.”

Candidates include the Hesperia Mayor Russell Blewett, sheriff’s lieutenant and Apply Valley Councilman Rick Roelle, San Bernardino County Fire Capt. Bret L. Henry, Adelanto school board trustee Jermaine Wright, businessman Robert A. Lovingood, businessman Michael Orme and retired sheriff’s detective Bob Smith.

They all promise to fight hard to bring to the High Desert more jobs, more government transparency and more sheriff’s deputies to thwart crime and gang activity that has proliferated in recent years.

Incumbent Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, now vying for the new 8th Congressional District seat, said he hopes that whomever is elected to succeed him understands the magnitude of the job and will provide good leadership and think long-term.

“And certainly I hope they will continue with some of the policies and projects I have started,” Mitzelfelt said. “Whomever my successor is, they will receive all the information they need . . . .”

A high unemployment rate, much of it attributed to the soured economy, and low education retainment levels are among the biggest problems Mitzelfelt’s successor will have to grapple with.

To read entire story, click here.

Published: 21 May 2012 08:42 PM

For the first time in more than a decade, High Desert voters will choose from a field of candidates without an incumbent in the 1st District San Bernardino County supervisor race.

Seven candidates are vying to replace Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, who is running for the 8th Congressional District seat, in the June 5 election.

Unless one of the candidates wins more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two finishers will go to a runoff election in November.

The vast district covers more than 17,000 square miles and includes the cities of Victorville, Apple Valley and Hesperia and stretches to the Nevada and Arizona borders.

Though Mitzelfelt is not making an endorsement in the race, he has ties to some of the candidates. Bob Smith, a retired county sheriff’s detective, has worked as a community liaison for Mitzelfelt. Michael Orme, a political and business consultant, is his former deputy chief of staff. Hesperia Mayor Russ Blewett served as Mitzelfelt’s appointee to the county Planning Commission.

The other candidates are Apple Valley Councilman Rick Roelle, Adelanto school board trustee Jermaine Wright, businessman Robert Lovingood and Bret Henry, a county fire captain and president of the union representing county firefighters.

The candidates have emphasized similar themes in their campaigns — jobs, repairing the county’s battered image and support for public safety. They have sought to distinguish themselves through their backgrounds.

Orme and Smith have touted their experience working in county government, while Roelle and Blewett cite their background in city government.

“I don’t think you need somebody who’s going to be learning on the job,” Smith said. “I think you need somebody who has shown the background and gets the job done.”

Campaign issues

The county corruption scandal that led to the arrest of several former county officials, including former 1st District Supervisor Bill Postmus, topped the list of concerns for candidates.

“I was tired of the corruption,” Wright said. “I was tired of my community being undervalued and people’s voices not being heard.”

Henry, Smith and Roelle, a sheriff’s lieutenant, have pointed to their backgrounds in public safety or the military as a sign that that they will bring integrity to the office.

All seven candidates say they want to see greater transparency in county government. All of the candidates except for Orme said they support a proposal to enact campaign contribution limits that the Board of Supervisors is considering.

Orme said he believes contribution limits don’t work and only increase third party expenditures.

When it comes to reducing unemployment in the district, several candidates emphasized the need for a more business-friendly environment. Wright, Smith and Lovingood said they’d like to see fewer fees and less regulation.

To read entire story, click here.

Sunday, May 20, 2012 – 03:30 p.m.

An interesting turn of events is unfolding in the taxpayer lawsuit filed by Upland lawyer Corey Briggs on behalf of two groups known as The Inland Oversight Committee and Citizens for Responsible Equitable Government.

The purpose of the lawsuit is to force the San Bernardino County Flood Control District to recover $102 million it paid Colonies Partners L.P. to settle litigation surrounding a land use dispute over a flood control basin located in Upland.

In a new twist, Briggs may have picked up a new ally in his quest to force the recovery of the funds.

That new friend being the Board of Supervisors.

Online court records reveal that on May 16 the County Counsel’s office has filed a request for stay of all proceedings in the case.

The move comes one day after Colonies Partners L.P. filed a second demurrer to have the case thrown out of court.

A previous demurrer, filed by Colonies, forced Briggs to amend his complaint in an attempt to salvage the suit in its entirety.

A ruling on the stay request and second demurrer is currently set for June 11.

Supervisor Neil Derry left. San Manuel Tribal Member James Ramos right.

Election 2012

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/19/2012 06:01:36 PM PDT

Things don’t appear to be slowing down one bit in the contentious race for San Bernardino County’s 3rd District supervisorial seat in the June 5 primary election.

Outspoken incumbent Neil Derry has sharply criticized one of his two opponents, former San Manuel tribal Chairman James Ramos, saying Ramos doesn’t have the political background to serve a constituency of roughly 407,000 people.

Jim Bagley, a former Twentynine Palms councilman and three-time mayor, is the third candidate in the primary race.

The geographically diverse district includes parts of the San Bernardino Valley, the San Bernardino Mountains and the High Desert. Redistricting based on new Census figures has expanded the district to include the Morongo Basin and the cities of Twentynine Palms and Barstow.

Derry doesn’t believe Ramos, whom he calls a “liberal Democrat,” is a good fit in a district with a heavy conservative base.

“If you don’t have the right message and the right background, it doesn’t matter how much you spend. I fit the district well. Mr. Ramos does not,” Derry said. “Ramos has no municipal government experience.

“His only experience is being chairman of the San Manual Band of Mission Indians and serving on the (San Bernardino Community College District) board, and that’s it. He has no land use experience.”

Ramos’ camp has criticized Derry, saying Derry has not led by example and arguing he campaigned for supervisor in 2008 on a platform of government transparency and ethics, but was charged by the state Attorney General’s Office last year with three felonies for allegedly laundering a $5,000 campaign contribution from a Highland developer.

Derry pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor for failing to report the contribution and prosecutors dropped the felonies, allowing Derry to retain his seat on the Board of Supervisors.

Derry denies doing anything wrong, and said he pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor to put the matter behind him so he could get back to serving the citizens he represents.

Ramos announced his candidacy for supervisor the day after prosecutors announced that Derry had been charged.

“I believe if the voters want to stop the corruption in San Bernardino County, they’re going to have to start choosing people who are basically ethical in their very nature, and that is James Ramos,” said Betsy Starbuck, Ramos’ campaign manager and the county’s former assistant auditor-controller-recorder.

Mudslinging aside, Ramos’ wealth from income generated by San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino has allowed him to spend generously on his campaign, which makes the 3rd District supervisorial race unique.

To read entire story, click here.

Outgoing Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) left. Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos right.

Friday, May 18, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.

The sauce pan is simmering in the race for San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor.

The three-way race consisting of Supervisor Neil Derry, Former Twenty-Nine Palms City Councilman Jim Bagley and Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos is heating up heading into the home stretch to the June 5th primary.

If no candidate receives fifty percent, the top two contenders will face a November runoff.

Four years ago Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands), District Attorney Michael Ramos and then-Sheriff Gary Penrod all recorded radio spots and automated dialer messages supporting Supervisor Dennis Hansberger, a republican.

The result? Hansberger lost to Derry, who is also a republican.

Lewis was reportedly bitter over his friend Hansberger’s loss and has been privately disparaging Derry, non-stop, since his election to the board.

Well it looks as if Third District voters are being treated to more of the same.

However this time the support is being bestowed upon Ramos, a lifelong democrat.

Automated dialer calls with a message from, the republican-in-name-only, Lewis have started peppering republican voters.

Somehow someone, likely Lewis, must feel he has sway with voters.

An arrogant assumption to make.

But it appears republicans are growing irritated as they learn Lewis is backing a democrat.

As many voters can recall. This is the same Jerry Lewis who;

• Spent his entire campaign war chest defending himself from an FBI probe into earmarks and influence peddling.
• Couldn’t regain the chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee after republicans took control of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010.
• Led the charge in accelerating the growth in U.S. debt, by way of out of control spending under his previous appropriations chairmanship.
• Is retiring because of uncertainty surrounding his reelection potential.

And now Lewis is trying to shove a democrat down the throats of republicans.

The House leadership must be glad to see this guy leave.

But you never know. Lewis may be looking for a job at the casino.

Another bottle of scotch sounds more appropriate right about now.

Friday, May 18, 2012 – 09:45 a.m.

San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry has received the endorsement of the Barstow Police Officers Association in his reelection bid.

Derry is being challenged by Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos and Defense Department Employee Jim Bagley.

Recent altering of supervisorial boundaries placed Barstow inside the Third District.

The election is June 5.

San Bernardino County Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt

Supervisor: Attracting out-of-state business vital to the county’s growth
May 17, 2012 9:37 AM
RENE DE LA CRUZ, Special to the Daily Press

While it was billed as a State of County presentation, San Bernardino County 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt said his address Wednesday should have been titled “county of the state” because of Sacramento’s insistence on passing its responsibilities down to the county level.

“We’ve now been put in the prison business,” Mitzelfelt said during the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce luncheon. “We have someone in county jail serving an eightyear sentence right now. A country jail is not built to hold people for eight years. I guess the Legislature didn’t get the memo.”

Unless there is a change of course in the state’s prison realignment plan that releases low-level offenders to county facilities or parole, an additional 17,000 stateheld felons will be released to county control over the next three years, Mitzelfelt said.

“That is not a pretty picture, and that is an understatement,” said Mitzelfelt, who is working on county programs to help with the crisis. “We’re already full, and under court order not to get any more full.”

The county will receive $27 million from the state for costs associated with the implementation of the realignment plan through June 30, according to a country report, but Mitzelfelt said the county has asked for constitutional guarantees on those funds.

“The governor has added that to his tax increase initiative, so its fate is now tied to the tax measure,” Mitzelfelt said.

Community leader Bob Tinsley asked if the county could copy Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s tent city concept, to save money and add additional space for the incarcerated.

“We would if we could, but the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation sets the standards for county jails,” Mitzelfelt said. “We tried to do tents with our juvenile population, but the state required wood frames in the tents, air conditioning and heating.”

The elimination of the state’s redevelopment program, which helped finance infrastructure to attract out-of-state business, was another stake in the heart to municipalities across the county.

“Partnerships and cooperation are critical in this post-redevelopment time,” Mitzelfelt said. “We have to find another path toward something other than redevelopment. We can’t accept it when the state comes and takes our dollars, we have to fight.”

In an effort to fight housing sprawl and change growth to “smart growth,” Senate Bill 375 was passed in 2008, with one of its goals to do away with single-family, detached, large lot residential construction.

“The state views Apple Valley as sprawl. I view it as elbow-room,” Mitzelfelt said. “The state planners are telling the board of directors at the Southern California Association of Governments that we have enough detached housing.”

The bill, which targets greenhouse gas emission reduction tied to land use, requires regional planning agencies to create strategies to meet those reduction requirements.

To read entire story, click here.

Head of ICR Staffing loans his campaign committee $150,000
May 16, 2012 9:09 AM
Beau Yarbrough, Staff Writer

So far, the best financial friend for the campaigns of San Bernardino County 1st District supervisor candidates have been the candidates themselves.

The largest single campaign contribution for four of the seven candidates have been loans from the candidates themselves to their own campaign committees. It’s likely a reflection of lean financial times for political contributions: Only one of the seven men seeking to replace Brad Mitzelfelt as the 1st District’s representative on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors — businessman Robert Lovingood — has a campaign fund in the six figures.

Far and away, the biggest pile of campaign cash belongs to Lovingood. The president of ICR Staffing loaned the Lovingood for Board of Supervisors 2012 committee $150,000, bringing his campaign to a total of $150,099 as of March 26. Lovingood had yet to spend any of those funds by the end of the filing period.

In distant second place is firefighter union president Bret Henry. The Committee to Elect Bret Henry for Supervisor 2012 had $31,000 in its war chest as of March 21, with $30,000 of it coming from the San Bernardino County Professional Firefighters organization. During the same period, Henry’s campaign spent $36,200, including $10,250 to campaign consulting firm Steve Presson & Associates of Gold River

In the first three months of 2012, Hesperia Mayor Russ Blewett raised $17,450 for his campaign commit- tee, Russ Blewett for Supervisor 2012. His largest donations included $5,000 checks from Desert Valley Medical Group and dentist Ronald Cunning of Montclair and $2,500 donations from Lewis Investment Group of Upland and Robertson’s Ready Mix Concrete of Riverside. He spent a little more than half of his funds during that period, spending $9,670 by March 17, almost all of it ($7,712) on administrative fees paid to the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters.

As of March 26, Bob Smith, a community liaison for Mitzelfelt, had raised $14,300 for his Bob Smith for Supervisor 2012 campaign committee. However, like several of his competitors, he’s his own best contributor, having loaned his campaign $13,700 of his own money. So far, he’s spent $12,037 of that, including $3,500 to campaign consultants Tab Communications of Fair Oaks.

Apple Valley town councilman Rick Roelle had $14,058 in the Committee to Elect Rick Roelle 1st District Supervisor 2012 war chest, including $12,058 through a loan from himself. As of March 22, he’d spent $11,661 of it, including $7,727 to the registrar of voters and $3,370 for signage.

The Michael Orme for Supervisor 2012 committee had raised $8,300, with $6,700 of that coming from a single political action committee: Children for a Safer Community. Orme, a field representative for Congressman Buck McKeon, spent $9,464 as of March 28.

As of April 6, Adelanto school board member Jermaine Wright had neither collected nor spent any campaign funds.

State law requires any candidate who has raised or spent more than $1,000 to file California Form 460, the Recipient Committee Campaign Statement. The most recent set of forms filed by candidates cover the period between Jan. 1 and March 17 of this year and had to be filed by March 22. The next set of forms, covering March 18 through May 19, must be turned into the registrar of voters by May 24 in advance of the June 5 primary

Beau Yarbrough may be reached at (760) 956-7108 or at beau@HesperiaStar.com. Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Hesperia.Star.

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Friday, May 11, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.

It was a bright, sunny and hot Thursday afternoon in the city of Highland, California.

When sightings of a campaign sign crew emerged.

Yes. A sign crew out at 3:30 p.m.

A sign crew out putting up and repairing the, oddly-constructed, wood framed signs is of no significance.

But who was a part of the sign crew and what candidate signs were being placed is.

Placing and repairing signs for State Assemblyman and 8th Congressional District candidate Paul Cook and Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman and Board of Supervisors candidate James Ramos, was none other than Jim Foster and Jim Rissmiller.

Both men, who held the position of chief of staff for Former County Supervisor Dennis Hansberger, consider themselves staunch conservative republicans.

In this case, Cook is the republican, but Ramos is a life-long democrat.

Something both men probably have to hold their noses to stomach.

That’s of course unless there’s tribal or campaign dough involved.

Rissmiler, a retired California Department of Forestry Fire Captain, has been a part-time analyst for the city of Highland, while Foster leases billboards under the name Mentone Investments.

And yes, Foster’s old red pickup truck still runs.

Indeed! The word is spelled R-E-V-E-N-G-E………….

Editor’s note: This is one in an occasional series on the candidates running for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. The newly reconfigured 1st District includes the bulk of the Victor Valley, Fort Irwin and unincorporated areas surrounding Barstow. The election coincides with the presidential primary June 5.

The Daily Press asked the seven candidates vying for San Bernardino County 1st District Supervisor to weigh in on this question, in 50 words or less: What is the most pressing issue within the purview of the Board of Supervisors and what is your take on it?

“The ethics of the board, there needs to be term limits and campaign finance reform.” — Jermaine Wright, small business owner and Adelanto School District trustee, 36, of Adelanto

•

“The most pressing issues involve shrinking the county deficit while maintaining the essential services to the taxpayers. This has to be accomplished without any additional taxes and by causing our County to be run like a business rather than a bureaucracy.” — Bob Smith, former community liaison for 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, 59, of Silver Lakes

•

“The County Corruption and waste is first and foremost in people’s minds. I believe in the justice system and that those who have shaken the confidence of the county residents will pay for their crimes. I believe the people’s trust can be restored with sound decisions made in the best interest of the residents. I believe waste can be addressed by electing the right supervisor that has the ability and courage to address and streamline inefficiencies throughout the county. Ultimately this will bring integrity back to government, and trust back to the residents of San Bernardino County.” — Rick Roelle, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department lieutenant and Apple Valley councilman, 53, of Apple Valley

•

“Transparency. In order for the Board of Supervisors to regain the trust of their constituents, they must become more transparent with their actions or decisions. I believe they can do this by better communicating with their constituents and informing them about what they are doing. Open, honest communication needs to flow in each direction amongst the constituents, communities and the Board of Supervisors. If the communication is not open, the Board of Supervisors cannot meet the needs of the constituents. Supervisors must be out in their districts, listening to constituents and communicating their actions so their constituents don’t feel like they are having issues hidden from them.” — Michael Orme, vice president/businessman, 37, of Oak Hills

•

The most pressing issue is determining ways to increase jobs and expand existing businesses. As government leaders, the Board of Supervisors must strive to eliminate fees and taxes on our citizens and businesses. This is the only way we will improve tax revenue, which will allow us to expand public safety and infrastructure projects.” — Robert Lovingood, business owner, 54, of Apple Valley

•

“Public Pensions: Our current public pension system is unsustainable and we are starting to see a reduction in public safety because an increasing amount of general fund dollars go toward pension costs. Without immediate action, the County’s responsibility of protecting the public health and safety of its residents is in jeopardy.” — Bret Henry, San Bernardino County firefighter captain, 49, of Hesperia

•

“Pension reform, it will be done. Additionally the state budget crisis will be the most critical reason to have someone with my extensive experience challenging the state on every step they try to take towards tyranny.” — Russ Blewett, small businessman and Hesperia mayor, 67, of Hesperia

Tuesday, May 8, 2012 – 08:00 a.m.

San Bernardino County, Calif. – San Bernardino County’s budget woes are likely to worsen in the coming fiscal year as employee pension fund returns fail to not only deliver relief, but instead bring more pain.

The San Bernardino County Employees Retirement Association (SBCERA) has, to date, only generated a 0.6% return for its 2011-2012 fiscal year.

The return is 7.15% below the actuarial-required annual assumption of 7.75%.

This means in order to break even the fund needs to earn 7.75% each and every year on average. And with only three months remianing in the current fiscal year it’s likely the fund will once again miss the mark.

The five-year average investment return is a meager 1.0%.

A return symptomatic of chaotic investment markets and a U.S. economy on life support.

The following return benchmarks were released on the pension funds website yesterday.

________________________________________________________________________

FY Performance

The following is the annualized returns for SBCERA for periods ending 3/31/12. The SBCERA Fiscal Year runs from July 1 through June 30.

________________________________________________________________________

Any shortfall in funding must be offset by increased pension contributions approved by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

The current situation is likely to further impact labor negotiations between the county and its employee unions.

Monday, May 7, 2012 – 10:20 a.m.

An interesting campaign depiction courtesy of the Internet.

I have to admit this is pretty good. I never thought of San Manuel County.

Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos

Monday, May 7, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.

Out of the three hotly-contested races in San Bernardino County, the contest for Third District supervisor appears to be full battle mode.

The sign crew for Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos’ campaign was clearly expressing their unhappyness and frustration over the weekend.

So much for Ramos’ take the high road campaign.

The graffiti and tearing down of signs of County Supervisor Neil Derry was on full display.

Sunday, May 6, 2012 – 10:30 a.m

Ramos struggles through final candidate forum.

Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman and San Bernardino County Board of Supe’s candidate James Ramos showed up for the final candidate forum held at Copper Mountain College on Friday night.

Nothing changed.

The conversation was basically between County Supervisor Neil Derry and Former TwentyNine Palms City Councilman and Defense Department employee Jim Bagley.

With all due respect, the can’t we all get along and come together answer to every question is getting old for Ramos.

A county supervisor can’t function by way of reading from a notepad.

To get a flavor for Ramos’ command of the issues, click this link and select county supervisor forum: http://www.channel6bigbear.com .

The link is to a candidate forum sponsored by the Big Bear Democratic Club.

Last week, Ramos ditched a, previously committed to, live on-the-air event on KBHR-FM 93.3.

The key words in the last sentence being on-the-air.

Derry and Bagley did show up.

House of cards about to fall for San Bernardino

The financial house of cards is about to fall for the city of San Bernardino.

That is, now that the piggy bank known as redevelopment money has been turned off.

For years, San Bernardino has been using its economic and redevelopment agencies to augment its general fund operations.

Now that the music has stopped, it’ll be interesting to see just how much the California Department of Finance forces the city to repay.

Expect the city to start leveraging it’s city-owned water department and discuss converting its refuse operation into a franchise.

Three tax measures likely headed to California ballot in November

It looks like three differing tax propositions will be headed to the November ballot in California.

With three measures to consider, voters will likely reject them all.

The measure backed by Governor Jerry Brown, at this point, is polling in the low 50% range.

National debt finally exceeds Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The U.S. debt is now 101% of the country’s total annual output of goods and services.

As the number climbs the likelihood of a debt default increases.

Expect the percentage to accelerate as deficit spending continues unchecked.

Keep in mind this is the U.S. national debt and does not include state and municipal obligations.

Michel Nolan, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/05/2012 07:10:57 AM PDT

BIG BEAR LAKE – Here’s what’s new at the zoo.

The latest development in the Moonridge Animal Park’s relocation project is an artist’s nearly complete 3D scale model of the new wolf enclosure.

Third District Supervisor Neil Derry has spearheaded the effort to push the relocation along.

“This should be a very nice project,” Derry said. “A Disney artist is working on the project model.”

The model unveiling is set for 3 to 4 p.m. May 21 at the Big Bear Parks and Rec office, 41220 Park Ave., Big Bear Lake.

The zoo’s new site is a 10.4-acre parcel in the Moonridge area of Big Bear Lake.

“The property was purchased at a cost of $2.1million – a steal in that area. The new site is near utilities and needs minimal grading,” Derry said. “We’ll develop 7.5 acres for the zoo, and the rest will be a riperian area.”

Plans for a beer garden are also in the works.

An environmental report should be completed by August, Derry said.

“The best-case scenario would be to have a possible grand opening one year after that – August 2013,” he said.

The project is in the Initial Study review process.

To read entire story, click here.

Saturday, May 5, 2012 – 06:00 p.m.

You gotta love San Bernardino County politics.

The letter to the editor by San Bernardino attorneys Philip Kassel and Sanford Kassel, printed below, says it all.

The two stellar supporters of Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos, when slamming Third District Supervisor Neil Derry, neglected to mention their firm represented former County Administrative Officer Mark H. Uffer in his $15 million lawsuit against San Bernardino County for wrongful termination.

Recently, on a 4-1 vote, county supervisors, with the execption of Derry, voted to pay Sanford Kassel and his client a cool $650,000.

Maybe Ramos has promised to vote in favor of their clients regardless of merit.

Afterall, Ramos, in his few campaign appearances, says he wants to go-along, get-along with the other supervisors.

Here’s the lawyer’s well-reasoned letter:

Ramos right choice

In determining who should be elected in the 3rd Supervisory District race, the public has a clear and easy choice to make.

James Ramos, a candidate in this race, is a well-known San Bernardino businessman who serves on a large number of different boards and community organizations. He is a member of the San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees, and also serves on the state Board of Education, a very prestigious position.

James Ramos is also instrumental in leading San Manuel families in many philanthropic endeavors that significantly benefit the County of San Bernardino. Never in the history of San Bernardino County has anyone been as generous as Mr. Ramos and the San Manuel families he represents in supporting projects for San Bernardino County and the state of California.

The San Manuel business operations employ more than 3,500 people, and are one of the county’s biggest employers. In addition, Mr. Ramos owns and operates personal business in San Bernardino. Mr Ramos is well qualified to serve on the Board of Supervisors. He has completed his college education and received an MBA degree from the University of Redlands.

Mr. Derry, the present supervisor, has no business background. The San Bernardino Superior Court has even agreed that he is not a businessman. In a recent newspaper article, Mr. Derry is quoted as saying, “My goal is to be honest and open on how I make money.” How he handled his money received as political donations

To read entire letter, click here.

State Senator Bob Dutton left. Former San Manuel Tribal Chairman James Ramos right.

Saturday, May 5, 2012 – 10:15 a.m.

State Senator Bob Dutton’s support of Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos was front and center Thursday night.

Dutton attended a Redlands Tea Party Patriots event held at Mill Creek Cattle Company Restaurant in Mentone.

Ramos is trying to unseat San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry, who is a staunch republican.

However Dutton, who publicly conceded his endorsement of Ramos, a life-long democrat, conjured up a new spin.

Rather than saying he endorsed Ramos because Derry endorsed his opponent, Congressman Gary Miller. Dutton says his wife, Andrea, is Ramos’ cousin.

It didn’t work with the rather large audience in attendance.

Dutton is being heavily outspent by Miller and should never have entered the contest.

Miller will likely face-off against Mayor Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands) in November.

It’s interesting that party disloyalty is an issue ths year.

Congressman Joe Baca left. County Supervisor Josie Gonzales right.

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Published: 04 May 2012 06:48 PM

Rep. Joe Baca, D-Rialto, is backing San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales’ opponent in the June 5 election in a sign of increased tensions between the one-time allies.

In a campaign news release Friday, May 4, Baca took aim at Gonzales, accusing her of failing to “live up to Democratic principles by supporting candidates that were part of the county corruption scandal.” He also described her as having “lost touch with the everyday needs of families.”

Baca cited his dissatisfaction with Gonzales as his reason for endorsing Silvia Marroquin, a Fontana community organizer and one of two candidates running against Gonzales in the 5th supervisorial district. Marroquin did not return a call for comment Friday.

Gonzales, who endorsed state Sen. Gloria Negrete McLeod, D-Chino, in the 35th Congressional District where Baca is also running, said she was not surprised that Baca isn’t supporting her.

“It’s a bit amusing how much attention he pays to what I do,” she said. “While it’s wonderful that the congressman is taking such an interest in local elections, what the county and the cities really need is his help in Washington.”

Baca’s statement came a week after the county Democratic Central Committee narrowly defeated a resolution urging Democrats not to support Gonzales and declined to endorse her. Both he and some committee members said she had failed to live up to Democratic principles.

Baca supported Gonzales when she first ran for supervisor in 2004 and in her races for Fontana City Council prior to that.

To read entire story, click here.

James Ramos, former chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, with San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos, Wednesday evening at a campaign fundraiser at the National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino, Calif., May 2, 2012. (Redlands-Loma Linda Patch photo by Guy McCarthy.)

By Guy McCarthy
May 2, 2012

The campaign for James Ramos, candidate for county supervisor in the Third District that includes Redlands and Loma Linda, released part of a letter Wednesday from the Fair Political Practices Commission stating his disclosure of economic interests are appropriate.

Ramos supporters said the FPPC’s enforcement division chief “today dismissed a frivolous complaint from a Neil Derry supporter that alleged improper reporting of Form 700 disclosure forms.”

A press release from Ramos’ campaign quoted part of the letter from Gary Winuk:

“This letter concerns the Fair Political Practices Commission’s Enforcement Division’s review of your complaint alleging James Ramos’ inaccurate completion of his Statements of Economic Interests.

“After review by staff, it was determined that because his Statements of Economic Interests were filed for several agencies, they appropriately reflect the different disclosure requirements attached to each position he holds, which leads to a difference in the levels of disclosure on each statement.”

The portion of Winuck’s letter released by Ramos’ campaign did not mention current Third District Supervisor Neil Derry, who is running for re-election against Ramos.

“This is the type of political gaming voters have come to expect from Neil Derry,” Ramos campaign spokesman Andre Levesque said in a prepared statement. “We knew all along these reports were a desperate attempt by Neil Derry to divert attention from Derry’s criminal past.”

Reached Wednesday evening, Derry said the FPPC did not dig deep enough.

To read entire story, click here.

Document: Read the amended complaint (.pdf file)

An attorney who filed a lawsuit seeking reimbursement for taxpayers of the $102 million settlement made by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors in 2006 with Rancho Cucamonga-based developer Colonies Partners LP has made slight amendments to his complaint.

Cory Briggs said he added some language to the complaint, which he filed in February in San Bernardino County Court, in order to fill in information that attorneys for the Colonies said was needed.

“We added some allegations to fill in some alleged gaps and even though we don’t think we needed to do that we did it just in an abundance of caution,” he said.

The suit alleges that because former Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Postmus pleaded guilty in March to taking bribes while attempting to reach the settlement with the Colonies, he violated California Government Code Section 1090.

Code 1090 said public officials “shall not be financially interested in any contract made by them in their official capacity, or by any body or board of which they are members.”

To read entire story, click here.

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/02/2012 11:37:50 AM PDT

SAN BERNARDIN0 – The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and the county’s transportation planning agency on Wednesday adopted the first set of goals for a 20-year vision plan to improve the quality of life in the county.

During a special meeting at the Santa Fe Train Depot, the board met with officials from San Bernardino Associated Governments, or SanBAG, to briefly discuss the goals, targeting cradle-to-career success and establishing a business-friendly atmosphere in the county, before moving to adopt them.

The goals were established following a series of meetings between the county and community stakeholders, i.e. employers, faith-based organizations, educators and government, in January and February. Discussion centered on eight elements and how they could be improved upon to ensure sustainable communities.

Groups were subsequently established to represent each element of the vision plan: education, environment, healthcare, housing, infrastructure, jobs, public safety and water.

To read entire story, click here.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012 – 01:45 p.m.

A May surprise has popped up in the race to decide who will represent San Bernardino County’s Third Supervisorial District.

Mail from the San Bernardino County Public Attorneys Association started showing up in District voter mailboxes Tuesday.

A surprise to many who thought the group, which represents Deputy District Attorneys, Deputy Public Defenders and Child Support Attorneys, was staying out of the race.

Who is the mail supporting?

The answer is County Supervisor Neil Derry.

Derry, who is being challenged by Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos and Department of Defense employee James Bagley, received the support of the Association four years ago, when he ousted five-term incumbent Dennis Hansberger.

To view the campaign brochure, click here: SBCPAA – Derry Mailer

It’s unknown as to what level of assistance the Attorney’s group has committed.

Prior to the Attorneys Association weighing in, Derry had already garnered the support of he San Bernardino Police Officer’s Association. San Bernardino City Firefighter’s, San Bernardino County Professional Firefighter’s, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, California Republican Assembly and the San Bernardino County Republican Party.

Fundraising two hotly-contested races for San Bernardino Board of Supervisors and U.S. Congress is still continuing at crawl this week, with many candidates concerned about collecting on previous commitments.

Candidates in the newly-redrawn 8th Congressional District and, even more so, in the 1st Supervisorial District, can’t achieve a comfortable fundraising stream to see their respective campaigns through.

As previously reported, the only candidates able to gain an edge is those who are self-funding.

In CD 8, County Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt(R-Wrightwood) appears to have the name identification edge among voters, and a super-PAC in his corner giving him an independent expenditure boost. Contenders Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) and Ryan McEachron (R-Victorville) have also managed to cobble together funding. Wild card Phil Liberatore has lent himself significant money, but his running from Orange County is a negative.

In the First Supervisorial District, the money trail is more bleak. The only candidate with any serious dough is Robert Lovingood, who loaned himself $150,000.

Interestingly, with the exception of signage, Lovingood has not been visible. Especially in voter mailboxes.

Both of these races are toss-ups due to the plethora of candidates in each, and general lack of resources.

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/01/2012 07:42:52 PM PDT

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an action plan seeking $8.6 million in federal funds for housing and infrastructure projects consistent with the county’s Vision Plan.

The county’s 2012-13 annual Action Plan lists projects in need of funding. If awarded, the grants will be included in the county Department of Community Development and Housing’s budget for the next fiscal year, which the board will consider for approval at a future date.

In other news, the board also approved a memorandum of understanding with the Santa Margarita Water District in Orange County, Los Angeles-based Cadiz, Inc., Fenner Valley Mutual Water Company, and the county of San Bernardino to establish a groundwater monitoring plan for a 45,000 acre swath of desert in the eastern part of the county.

To read entire story, click here.

Published: 01 May 2012 07:30 PM

San Bernardino County supervisors approved an agreement Tuesday spelling out the review process for a controversial proposal to draw water from ancient aquifers in the Mojave Desert.

The agreement provides for county oversight of the $225 million project in the Cadiz Valley, about 40 miles east of Twentynine Palms, that would involve building 44 miles of pipeline to move surplus water from the Colorado Aqueduct to an underground basin the size of Rhode Island.

The water rights under 34,000 acres belong to Cadiz Inc., which also wants to tap water from beneath nearby dry lake beds that it says would otherwise be lost to evaporation.

The Cadiz project has been rejected and reworked since it was first proposed in 1997.

Environmentalists say it would deplete ancient groundwater that feeds area springs and sustains local wildlife. One-third of the aquifer sits below the Mojave National Preserve.

Cadiz estimates that about 2 million acre feet of water that flows downhill to dry lakes in the watershed is lost to evaporation. The project would collect 50,000 acre feet a year to local water agencies, including possibly some in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

“It is in essence by definition a conservation project,” said Scott Slater, president and general counsel for Cadiz.

During the 31/2-hour hearing, environmentalists and residents in the Mojave Valley urged the county not to allow the project to go forward. They questioned Cadiz’s studies that natural recharge of the aquifers will make up for water that is pumped out.

“The Cadiz project sets a terrible precedent as water, a public resource, is privatized and then sold back to the public,” said Victoria Fuller, a member of the National Parks Conservation Association.

To read entire story, click here.

Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/30/2012 05:26:19 PM PDT

View: Complaint

A complaint has been filed against San Bernardino County supervisor candidate and former San Manuel tribal chairman James Ramos, alleging that he failed to report his income and real property interests on state campaign disclosure forms.

The complaint, dated April 3 and received by the state Fair Political Practices Commission on April 12, alleges that Ramos failed to report on his form 700 Statement of Economic Interest a house he owns in Big Bear Lake and shares of stock in Pfizer Inc., a pharmaceutical company, and General Electric Co.

Ramos is also alleged to have failed to report his income as former chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians while serving on the San Bernardino Community College District’s board of trustees. In addition, he is alleged to have not reported any income from his monthly tribal stipend, any ownership interest in the tribe’s affiliated holdings and any income or losses from his businesses, Yum Yum Restaurant and Pepito’s Restaurant, both in San Bernardino.

The FPPC typically decides within 14 days of receiving a complaint if it will investigate. As of Monday, a decision had not yet been made, said Tara Stock, legislative coordinator for the FPPC.

Ramos’ attorney Diane Fishburn said Monday that she has submitted a response to the complaint and that the FPPC should reach its decision by the end of the week.

Ramos has served on the college district’s board of trustees since 2005. He was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2008 to the state Native American Heritage Commission, and also serves on the state Board of Education.

He said he has always abided by the letter of the law when filing his 700 forms.

“We have been totally compliant with the law. I’m confident we did everything correctly,” Ramos said, adding that his attorney vets the forms before they are filed to ensure full disclosure. “This is just another way for my opponent to throw something out there to see if anything sticks.”

Ramos is vying for the county’s 3rd District supervisorial seat held since 2008 by Neil Derry, who says Ramos is subject to the same reporting requirements as everyone else.

“The 700 form is a very clear document, and it states very clearly what needs to be reported,” Derry. said. “I think the public deserves to know where politicians derive their income.”

To read entire story, click here.

THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE

Published: 29 April 2012 08:19 PM

As the lone Democrat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors for several years, Josie Gonzales has often endorsed and contributed funds to her Republican colleagues, a stance that has irritated some of her party cohorts.

On Thursday, the ill will was out in the open: the San Bernardino County Democratic Central Committee voted on a resolution calling on Democrats to actively not support Gonzales in her bid for re-election as Fifth District supervisor in the June 5 election. Critics cited her backing of former Supervisors Bill Postmus and Paul Biane — both later arrested as part of the county corruption scandal — and said she had failed to help other Democrats.

Committee Chairman Ron Wall, who remained neutral, said her critics felt it was important to “make her aware of their dissatisfaction.”

The resolution, calling on party members not to help her financially or work on her campaign, failed by a one-vote margin, 13 for and 14 against.

Gonzales, who was there to defend herself and ask for the committee’s endorsement, said she made no apologies for building relationships with other officials.

“The fact is I need two other votes to get anything done,” she said. “It’s irrelevant to me who gives them to me.”

In a separate vote, the committee voted not to endorse Gonzales either.

This isn’t the first time Gonzales has differed with those in her party. Last fall, she clashed with Rep. Joe Baca, D-Rialto, after she endorsed state Sen. Gloria Negrete McCleod, D-Chino, his opponent in the 35th Congressional District.

Another candidate fared better at the committee meeting. Former San Manuel tribal Chairman James Ramos won the endorsement in the 3rd District supervisorial race despite some criticism over whether he, too, had done enough to support Democrats.

AT THE RACES

There was a lot of action in Inland congressional races last week, with four candidates — a pair of Republicans and a pair of Democrats — getting significant boosts.

On the GOP side, Rep. Gary Miller and San Bernardino County Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, got help from SuperPacs, the political action committees allowed to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money through independent expenditures.

Miller was the big winner. The National Association of Realtors Congressional Fund dropped more than $136,000 in support of the Diamond Bar Republican’s bid to represent California’s 31st Congressional District, according to Federal Election Commission reports. The money went toward mailers, polling and consulting expenses.

Meanwhile, the conservative Jobs Opportunity & Freedom PAC spent more than $23,000 on radio advertising and production in support of Mitzelfelt’s campaign in the High Desert’s 8th Congressional District, according to the FEC.

In Riverside County, Democratic candidates Pete Aguilar and Raul Ruiz got new backing from Washington, where national party officials included them in the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s annual “Red to Blue” program, an initiative that targets competitive races in traditionally conservative areas.

To read entire  story, click here.