Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
Published: 04 September 2012 – 08:23 PM
A master-planned community proposed for eastern Highland is sparking excitement among officials eager for high-quality growth but raising eyebrows among those reluctant to exchange brushy foothill territory for a small, self-contained community.
To read story by Jan Sears in The Press Enterprise, click here.
BY DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
STAFF WRITER
dsantschi@pe.com
Published: 29 April 2012 05:28 PM
The Highland City Council voted this week to renew a paramedic tax that has been in place, unchanged, longer than Highland has been a city.
The tax, $19 per residence and $38 per business, will raise about $351,000 in the fiscal year that begins July 1, City Manager Joe Hughes told the council Tuesday night.
L.A. NOW
Southern California — this just in
March 2, 2012 | 4:50 pm
California workplace safety officials have issued nearly $100,000 in fines against San Bernardino’s Patton State Hospital and the Central Coast’s Atascadero State Hospital, alleging in part that the state psychiatric facilities have failed to protect staff from patient assaults and have deficient employee alarm systems.
DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
STAFF WRITER
dsantschi@pe.com
Published: 19 December 2011 11:05 AM
The Highland City Council has canceled its Dec. 27 meeting.
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 16 December 2011 03:49 PM
The Department of Transportation is taking back $10 million it promised the city of Highland to fund road improvements affecting San Bernardino International Airport, according to a Dec. 8 letter from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to Highland’s public works director.
Friday, December 16, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, December 17, 2011 – 10:39 a.m.
A $10 million Federal Highway Administration grant to the city of Highland is no more.
Josh Dulaney, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 11/23/2011 01:20:36 PM PST
Highland residents can expect water rate increases.
In a 4-1 vote, the East Valley Water District board of directors on Tuesday approved increased sewer treatment charges between 16 percent to nearly 60 percent for some local commercial customers.
Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 11/08/2011 12:48:26 PM PST
In what is being called an unusual move, the San Bernardino County Grand Jury is refuting claims by San Bernardino International Airport officials that its audit on airport operations was riddled with errors.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/13/2011 11:56:05 AM PDT
Airport panelists on Wednesday talked about how to communicate with San Bernardino International Airport staff, but before setting policy, they decided it would be best to talk about it again later.
Cassie MacDuff
Cassie MacDuff
cmacduff@pe.com
Published: 07 October 2011 10:29 PM
The embattled San Bernardino International Airport Authority took some giant steps in the right direction last week, ordering a review of contracts with a controversial developer and promising to become more transparent.
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 06 October 2011 04:52 PM
The public agency overseeing San Bernardino International Airport will review all of its agreements with the airport’s developer Scot Spencer at its Oct. 12 meeting during closed session and discuss whether to terminate parts of those agreements, said Tim Sabo, legal counsel for the San Bernardino International Airport Authority and the related Inland Valley Development Agency.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/05/2011 05:54:49 PM PDT
A committee of the San Bernardino International Airport Authority (SBIAA) board will meet Thursday afternoon to discuss the selection process for a new interim director at the airport.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/03/2011 06:10:17 PM PDT
For years, civic and business leaders have doggedly worked to convert San Bernardino International Airport into a promising commercial venture and a major passenger airport.
And many steadfastly believe it’s getting there.
Spencer
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/30/2011 06:16:21 PM PDT
The airport developer at the center of a federal investigation said Friday he has no intention of stepping down.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/29/2011 06:08:54 PM PDT
It is too early to speculate on what steps the San Bernardino International Airport will take to find a new top executive, officials said Thursday.
By Josh Dulaney, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 09/28/2011 03:34:06 PM PDT
Donald L. Rogers, the executive director of San Bernardino International Airport Authority, announced his retirement Wednesday at a meeting of the authority’s board in Loma Linda.
11:04 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
A week after an FBI raid, Donald L. Rogers, executive director of the embattled public agencies that oversee San Bernardino International Airport, resigned Wednesday.
Cassie MacDuff
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, September 26, 2011
Cassie MacDuff
The FBI raid on San Bernardino International Airport last Wednesday concerned enough people to pack the room where a special meeting of the airport authority board was held late Friday afternoon.
Sunday, September 25, 2011 – 11:30 a.m.
It was only a matter of time before federal officials descended onto the debacle involving the redevelopment of the former Norton Air Force Base.
10:31 PM PDT on Friday, September 23, 2011
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Just two days after the FBI and others raided San Bernardino International Airport searching for evidence that could be tied to conspiracy, bribery, fraud and money laundering, officials with the two public agencies that govern the airport offered little comment at a special meeting held Friday afternoon to discuss it.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/23/2011 08:52:14 PM P
LOMA LINDA – No comment and the promise of another meeting.
That’s all the public got after airport panelists came out of a 90-minute closed session meeting Friday to address issues related to the FBI raid Wednesday at San Bernardino International Airport.
10:54 PM PDT on Thursday, September 22, 2011
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
PDF: FBI search warrant – S.B. airport
FBI and other investigators raided San Bernardino International Airport offices seeking evidence of bribery, theft, fraud, money laundering and more, according to a copy of a federal search warrant obtained Thursday from the lawyer for the two agencies that oversee development of the airport.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/22/2011 05:10:05 PM PDT
The FBI is investigating allegations of conspiracy, bribery, money laundering, theft of federal funds, and wire and mail fraud in connection with Wednesday’s raid at San Bernardino International Airport, according to a federal search warrant.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/22/2011 03:08:36 PM PDT
The San Bernardino International Airport Authority and Inland Valley Development Agency boards plan to meet jointly to address the FBI’s serving of seven search warrants at the airport and the Riverside home of airport developer Scot Spencer.
The meeting was called for by Josie Gonzales, who chairs the county Board of Supervisors.
Former Supervisor Dennis Hansberger
The following archived story is republished from the Press-Enterprise.
Putting troubles behind them
San Bernardino airport officials give no-bid contract for renovation to aviation insider with checkered past
08:55 PM PDT on Sunday, April 27, 2008
By JOSH BROWN
The Press-Enterprise
He spent four years in prison for bankruptcy fraud, oversaw a string of failed aviation ventures, and could be banned from the aviation industry altogether.
Morris
Thursday, September 22, 2100 – 08:00 a.m.
As federal agents were executing search warrants in an investigation into activities involving the redevelopment of the former Norton Air Force Base, San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris was reportedly knocking down the door of The Sun / Inland Valley Daily Bulletin newspapers.
No, I’m not kidding.
10:18 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 21, 2011
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL and DUG BEGLEY, STAFF WRITERS
kpierceall@pe.com | dbegley@pe.com
Published: 9/21/2011 06:20 PM
FBI agents and other law enforcement officers raided the San Bernardino International Airport Authority office and storage units as well as a home and offices used by Scot Spencer, a convicted felon who was awarded two no-bid agreements in 2007 to build a commercial airport at the former Norton Air Force Base.
By Joe Nelson and Josh Dulaney, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 09/21/2011 10:02:16 AM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — The FBI on Wednesday served search warrants at San Bernardino International Airport and the Riverside home of airport developer Scot Spencer.
Joe Nelson and Melissa Pinion-Whitt
Posted: 09/21/2011 10:02:16 AM PDT
The FBI served six federal warrants this morning at the Inland Valley Development Agency and the San Bernardino International Airport Authority in San Bernardino.
Cassie MacDuff
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, September 9, 2011
Cassie MacDuff
When a grand jury report criticized inadequate oversight at San Bernardino International Airport, officials fought back with positive publicity.
Newspaper ads touted a study showing public and private investment at the former Norton Air Force Base has created 9,355 jobs, generated $500 million in payroll and produced $1.2 billion in economic activity.
10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, September 3, 2011
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
The quest to replace some 10,000 jobs that disappeared when the military abandoned Norton Air Force Base in 1994 is evident today in the corporate names attached to brand new warehouses, distribution centers and a corporate jet terminal.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/22/2011 03:38:25 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — Airport officials have submitted their formal response to a blistering Grand Jury report that second-guessed some of their decisions in the effort to turn the former Norton Air Force Base into a civilian airfield.
Sunday, August 21, 2011 – 09:00 a.m.
It would appear there are more secrets at San Bernardino International Airport that anyone could have ever imagined.
Cassie MacDuff
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, August 15, 2011
Cassie MacDuff
Did a company affiliated with Scot Spencer, developer of San Bernardino International Airport, really have a deal to refurbish a plane for the Obama campaign in July 2008?
Cassie MacDuff
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, August 12, 2011
Cassie MacDuff
When the grand jury report on San Bernardino International Airport came out June 30, airport officials seemed more intent on discrediting the report than on what it revealed about some slipshod practices and weak oversight of the taxpayer-funded agency.
10:53 PM PDT on Wednesday, August 10, 2011
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
Staff Writer kpierceall@pe.com
The elected leaders overseeing San Bernardino International Airport voted Wednesday to agree to all but one of a civil grand jury’s 16 recommendations despite staff spending more than a month attempting to discredit the panel’s critical report that picked apart the oversight to develop the airport.
Authority to adopt some ideas from Grand Jury
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/10/2011 08:00:49 PM PDT
Airport officials adopted a series of responses Wednesday to several recommendations made by an auditor and published in a mostly negative Grand Jury report that questions how officials have handled the transformation of the former Norton Air Force Base into a commercial airport.
Tuesday, August 2, 1022 – 09:30 a.m.
In San Bernardino County politics nothing really ever changes in how the game is played. Only the players.
InlandPolitics.com has learned that the impending move of the Aviation Division fleet of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Departmen,t to the San Bernardino International Airport, may be used to aid embattled contractor Scot Spencer.
Sunday, July 31, 2011 – 11:45 a.m.
There’s more drama at the troubled San Bernardino International Airport.
On the heels of a scathing Grand Jury report questioning the airport management’s decision-making and expenditures comes another little bombshell.
Thursday, July 28, 2011 – 09:30 a.m.
InlandPolitics.com has learned that a study performed to evaluate the viability of the San Bernardino International Airport was actually commissioned and paid for by the facility’s governing authority.
10:22 PM PDT on Wednesday, July 27, 2011
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
The Press-Enterprise
Officials with the San Bernardino International Airport Authority spent nearly three hours Wednesday dismissing what they called errors in a civil grand jury report. Officials defended the price paid for used aviation equipment and refuted claims that the airport developer’s federal ban from aviation would affect airport operations.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/24/2011 02:47:35 PM PDT
Airport officials on Wednesday are expected to continue to chip away at what they say are factual errors in a Grand Jury report on their work at the former Norton Air Force Base.
Universities’ findings conflict with Grand Jury report
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/24/2011 09:12:10 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Efforts to transform the former Norton Air Force Base into a civilian airport and bring businesses to the surrounding area could reverse the devastating economic impact of the base’s closure on the region, according to a new report.
Sunday, July 24, 2011 – 09:15 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, July 25, 2011 – 06:05 a.m.
Already heating up as a hot election contest for June 2012 is the race to represent the Third District on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
11:59 PM PDT on Saturday, July 23, 2011
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
The Press-Enterprise
When asked why control of most of San Bernardino International Airport was handed over to a convicted felon — sent to prison for taking kickbacks for secretly managing an airline in bankruptcy — those overseeing the former Norton Air Force Base’s conversion into a commercial airport gave two reasons.
Administrator’s Note: Finally, The Sun newspaper covers this issue, ever so scantily. The Press-Enterprise has been all over this $150 million and growing ordeal. One can only cover for San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris so long.
Purchases of used equipment cited
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/23/2011 07:10:41 AM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Hasty decision-making and slack financial oversight led airport officials to spend millions on used equipment when new equipment could have been bought at a cheaper price, according to a Grand Jury report.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 – 06:00 p.m.
The Lewis Group of Companies strike again and more questions come forth!
This time it’s a large parcel of land, owned by the Orange County Flood Control District, and located in the City of Highland sphere influence.
09:07 AM PDT on Tuesday, July 19, 2011
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
The Press-Enterprise
A civil grand jury is urging San Bernardino International Airport officials to double-check a questionable legal settlement with the airport’s developer in order to recoup nearly $1 million in taxpayer’s money.
The report also questioned the value of the plane put up as security for most of the settlement, based on FAA title records.
Agency happy with results
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/17/2011 11:04:20 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – A developer who was banned from the aviation industry has received millions of dollars for projects at San Bernardino International Airport, according to a Grand Jury report.
10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, July 17, 2011
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise
A developer and his consultants painted a loosely defined landscape of hiking trails, parks, open space, at least one school and as many as 4,000 houses in easternmost Highland last week to City Council and Planning Commission members.
Sunday, July 17, 2011 – 11:30 a.m.
A scathing report the San Bernardino County Grand Jury dropped the San Bernardino International Airport Authority (SBIAA) back on June 28 will most likely have an unintended consequence.
Neil Derry
Supervisor Neil Derry
Posted: 07/16/2011 07:13:16 AM PDT
For those who have tracked my concerns regarding San Bernardino International Airport (SBIA) there are few surprises.
During my years as a San Bernardino City Council member, I stated clearly that I did not believe that the creation of a commercial passenger airport at the former Norton Air Force Base was the best, highest use for that property for the immediate future.
10:28 PM PDT on Wednesday, July 13, 2011
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
The Press-Enterprise
Eleven jet bridges, five baggage carousels and hundreds of seats, all hand-me-downs from American Airlines’ JFK terminal, are a key issue between San Bernardino International Airport officials and a civil grand jury.
Report questioned management
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/13/2011 07:59:18 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Airport officials on Wednesday continued to push back against a scathing Grand Jury report that casts doubts on whether they are properly managing the transformation of the former Norton Air Force Base.
Morris: SBIAA will address report
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/12/2011 08:56:38 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Airport officials on Tuesday slammed the San Bernardino County Grand Jury’s report that called into question the effort to bring commercial flights to the city.
10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, July 9, 2011
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino International Airport officials, in reaction to a critical civil Grand Jury report, say agreements given to key airport developer Scot Spencer were not profitable even though he made $2.06 million in fees as of March.
09:58 PM PDT on Friday, July 8, 2011
The Press-Enterprise
Staff of the San Bernardino International Airport Authority may discuss the most recent San Bernardino County civil Grand Jury report at the next SBIAA board meeting Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Loma Linda City Hall, according to the next agenda.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise
The Highland City Council has approved a spending plan that is balanced without layoffs or cuts in service and includes $155 million in planned public improvements over the next five years.
10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, June 11, 2011
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise
A proposed Highland spending plan is being balanced without layoffs or cuts in services and includes $155 million worth of planned public improvements over the next five years.
Jesse B. Gill, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/25/2011 05:55:21 PM PDT
No charges have been filed against a sheriff’s deputy who allegedly had sex with a 16-year-old female Explorer, officials said Monday.
Ramos
12:30 AM PST on Sunday, March 6, 2011
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
James Ramos is a busy man these days.
He is in his second two-year term as chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, leading the tribe as it works to expand its businesses and develop its reservation.
Companies likely to retain current workers
Molly Davis, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/27/2011 08:14:31 PM PST
People can begin to feel some relief after recent reports suggest that layoffs have declined for now.
Economists agree that businesses are less likely to make staff cuts, while unemployment figures are not expected to drop.
Mayors Pat Morris, Pete Aguilar, Larry McCallon, David Zamora and Rhodes Rigsby
Posted: 02/26/2011 07:09:41 AM PST
As the mayors of five cities in the heart of the east San Bernardino Valley, it is our collective responsibility to ensure we make the strategic investments required to rebuild our regional economy and ensure its vibrancy and sustainability for the 21st century. Our highest priority has been modernizing our region’s transportation infrastructure to ensure our valley is economically attractive to businesses, jobs and residents.
By Jesse B. Gill Staff Writer
Posted: 02/25/2011 05:24:31 PM PST
HIGHLAND – The city will soon make the switch from paid-call reserve firefighters to volunteer firefighters.
The City Council voted Tuesday evening to establish a volunteer unpaid firefighter reserve program.
10:00 PM PST on Thursday, February 10, 2011
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
Federal agencies began offering disaster assistance to Inland victims of the December storms that flooded homes and damaged roads and bridges.
The U.S. Small Business Administration opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Highland on Tuesday with representatives available to answer questions and accept applications for its loan programs.
By Jesse B. Gill Staff Writer
Posted: 02/02/2011 10:35:31 PM PST
The Federal Emergency Management Agency confirmed Wednesday that homeowners seeking federal financial help to repair property damaged in recent intense winter storms will not receive the assistance.
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/29/2011 10:27:45 PM PST
REDLANDS – More than a month into its budgeting process, the Redlands Unified School District is still unsure how much money it will receive from the state in the 2011-12 school year.
Jesse B. Gill, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/12/2011 04:08:09 PM PST
HIGHLAND – A grant meant to help improve neighborhoods has been amended so residents whose homes were damaged by flooding and mudslides in December can receive $25,000 to help repair their homes.
Friday, December 24, 2010 – 09:45 a.m.
Two years ago this week it was the response to predictions of heavy snow that made San Bernardino County officials look bad.
Back then officials in the county public works department didn’t believe forecasts of serious weather systems approaching the areas mountains and valleys.
Vote on hiring architects slated
Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/12/2010 09:37:07 PM PST
HIGHLAND – Councilman-elect Sam Racadio and re-elected council members Larry McCallon and Jody Scott will be sworn in at Tuesday evening’s City Council meeting.
After the oaths of office, the council is set to vote on several items, including hiring an architectural firm to design a new fire station.
Michael J. Sorba and Ryan Hagen, Staff Writers
Posted: 11/03/2010 06:16:02 PM PDT
Anti-incumbent sentiments that reverberated across the nation on Election Day weren’t as strong locally, but still present as mayors and city council members in several cities across the region were unseated by challengers.
Budget deficits, high utility bills and joblessness weighed on the minds of voters as they headed to the polls Tuesday to decide on what course is best for their respective cities.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, October 21, 2010
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise
Making Highland friendly for businesses, improving the business corridor along Base Line and protecting the city’s balanced budget have surfaced as issues in next month’s City Council election campaign.
Seven candidates are seeking three seats Nov. 2: incumbents Larry McCallon and Jody Scott and businessman Michael Bogh, business manager Tony Mauricio, bus driver Joshua Otrey, former City Manager Sam J. Racadio and businesswoman Anne L. Viricel.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, October 21, 2010
By RICHARD BROOKS
The Press-Enterprise
A Highland councilman’s pre-dawn stakeouts — using a motion-sensing camera and a high-powered light — triggered the arrest this week of a jogger suspected of tearing down political campaign signs.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, October 12, 2010
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise
Highland City Council members heard emotional appeals from both sides of the immigration debate Tuesday night.
Three months after the council voted 4-0 to send letters to a number of officials supporting Arizona’s illegal immigration law, a Latino advocacy group accused the council of violating its own code of ethics and called on the council to rescind its action.
Nelson
10:58 PM PDT on Monday, October 4, 2010
By JEFF HORSEMAN
The Press-Enterprise
Just five city managers in California — and only one in the Inland area — earned more than Temecula City Manager Shawn Nelson in 2009, according to a survey.
Nelson, 51, earned $336,288 last year, an amount that includes his base salary, deferred compensation and other payouts, according to the survey released last month by the League of California Cities, an advocacy group for cities and towns. Nelson’s base pay is $291,571 a year, according to Temecula.
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