Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
BY JAN SEARS
AND DARRELL R. SANTSCHI STAFF WRITERS
jsears@pe.com | dsantschi@pe.com
Published: 22 March 2012 09:13 PM
Three members of the Loma Linda City Council agreed Thursday evening to cancel the city’s June 5 election and appoint the only three candidates to the three vacant seats.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/09/2012 06:11:54 PM PST
LOMA LINDA – The deadline to run for City Council in the June 5 election passed Friday without Councilman Stan Brauer filing for reelection.
His failure to file extends the filing period to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Three candidates have filed for the three council seats up for election.
Repairs driving up price
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 12/10/2011 06:07:27 AM PST
Significant water rate hikes in San Bernardino and Los Angeles County cities since the beginning of the year has caused many angry ratepayers to speak up.
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.
Joe Nelson and Josh Dulaney, Staff Writers
Posted: 11/01/2011 05:59:53 PM PDT
Embattled San Bernardino International Airport developer Scot Spencer has racked up roughly $545,876 in delinquent property taxes since 2005, of which $31,618 has been seized by the county tax collector.
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.
Lewis
10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, September 3, 2011
LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY
Loma Linda University Department of Physiology and Pharmacology welcomed Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Ca., on Thursday. Lewis was led on a tour of the neuroscience and biochemistry laboratories by department professor Dr. John Zhang to see the active joint efforts of clinical and basic neuroscientists at LLU. Their research has helped enhance physician training, improve patient care and power local science, health, and economic growths.
Derry
Friday, September 2, 2011 – 09:20 a.m.
San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry today announced that his campaign has received the endorsement of four respected local elected officials.
By Ryan Hagen Staff Writer
Posted: 08/24/2011 08:31:12 PM PDT
LOMA LINDA – The City Council has decided not to have city staffers look into a possible ban on drive-through restaurants.
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.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, July 28, 2011
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise
The Loma Linda City Council is serving notice that it wants to revive the city’s redevelopment agency.
That could cost the city $2.8 million this year and another $668,000 a year in the future.
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.
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.
LLUMC again tops report on local hospitals
Magazine notes its 10 specialties
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/19/2011 08:06:01 PM PDT
Loma Linda University Medical Center has been ranked No. 1 again, for the San Bernardino and Riverside county region, on U.S. News and World Report’s Best Hospitals list for metro areas.
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.
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.
Objects to separation from Redlands in latest maps
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/06/2011 08:04:27 PM PDT
Loma Linda Mayor Rhodes Rigsby plans to send a letter today to the California Citizens Redistricting Commission expressing the City Council’s worry over proposed new Congressional districts that split it from Redlands, which it considers to be a sister city.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/29/2011 07:01:17 PM PDT
LOMA LINDA – Despite uncertainty over whether courts will later invalidate the move, the city has become one of many in California to ban medical marijuana dispensaries.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, June 23, 2011
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise
A ban on medical marijuana dispensaries in Loma Linda may become permanent law by the end of July.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/15/2011 05:42:39 PM PDT
LOMA LINDA – Despite a 10 percent drop in revenue, the City Council has passed a balanced and largely drama-free budget.
City Council to hold 2 meetings
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/13/2011 08:23:06 PM PDT
LOMA LINDA – Tired of waiting for courts to provide answers, the City Council today will hold the first of two meetings to ban medical-marijuana dispensaries from the city.
SBX project will harm businesses
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/08/2011 07:01:55 AM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – A high-speed bus line in the works faces opposition from a newly formed group that says the project is a government boondoggle that will harm commerce in the area.
10:05 PM PDT on Sunday, April 17, 2011
By DAVID KECK
The Press-Enterprise
Photo Gallery: Final Sunday Delivery in Loma Linda
A riot of color conquered the wide dirt median of Barton Road, where wildflowers of orange, yellow and purple blended with mats of green weeds for an integrated homage to another spring day in Loma Linda.
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.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/26/2011 05:54:10 PM PST
LOMA LINDA – San Bernardino’s increase to treat wastewater will be coming out of the pocketbooks of residents here too.
12:15 AM PST on Wednesday, December 22, 2010
By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
The Press-Enterprise
At a special meeting convened early Tuesday morning, Inland officials voted to spend another $7.1 million to finish San Bernardino International Airport. And that isn’t likely to be the last they spend, airport officials said.
At least one board member of the Inland Valley Development Agency, which approved the expenditure, questioned the timing of the request.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/02/2010 06:26:05 PM PST
LOMA LINDA – For five years, drivers have cursed the cameras that fine them hundreds of dollars for running red lights by tenths of a second, and for most of that time city representatives have angrily joined in.
Once the cameras were deactivated at midnight Wednesday, they were singing a different tune.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/02/2010 06:35:26 PM PST
LOMA LINDA – As economic woes threaten to cripple many companies and governments, Mayor Rhodes Rigsby announced Thursday that the city has maintained prosperous businesses and balanced budgets.
And City Hall isn’t about to interfere with that, he promised at the annual State of the Community Luncheon, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.
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.
10:52 PM PDT on Sunday, August 15, 2010
By JOHN F. HILL and JEFF HORSEMAN
The Press-Enterprise
Council members in 17 “general law” cities in western Riverside and San Bernardino counties earn less than half the pay of their counterparts in charter cities, a review of public records has found.
City managers in these Inland cities also make less, though the gap is smaller.
Rigsby
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, August 2, 2010
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise
Rhodes “Dusty” Rigsby, a 48-year-old medical-school executive who was elected to the Loma Linda City Council four years ago, has been chosen the town’s new mayor.
Rigsby was chosen last week in a vote of his fellow Loma Linda City Council members to replace anesthesiologist Stan Brauer, who had been mayor for two years.
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 26, 2010
Cassie MacDuff
With the scandal over exorbitant pay for Bell officials, Inland residents may wonder if their city governments, too, have approved extravagant salaries unbeknownst to them.
A 2007 Press-Enterprise survey showed Inland city manager salaries doubled between 1996 and 2006. Some now top $200,000.
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 26, 2010
The Loma Linda City Council will swear in its two newest members and choose a mayor Tuesday night.
Ron Dailey, the executive associate dean of Loma Linda University’s dental school, and Phillip Dupper, a San Bernardino County sheriff’s sergeant, won election June 8.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Robert Ziprick, a lawyer and outgoing Loma Linda city councilman, has been honored for business ethics by the San Bernardino-Loma Linda Crossroads Rotary Club.
“Mr. Ziprick has demonstrated in all areas of his professional life, Rotary’s belief that business ethics are not an oxymoron,” the club wrote in a news release. “In fact, high ethical standards are essential to long run success in all professions and businesses.”
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 9, 2010
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise
Two newcomers to the Loma Linda City Council have won seats in an election that promises a turning point in city politics.
Ron Dailey, 60, the executive associate dean of Loma Linda University’s dental school, won in his first attempt at public office.
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