Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
Patrick Fite, For the Daily Facts
Posted: 01/26/2012 04:25:15 PM PST
Practicing simple energy efficient methods can add up to huge savings, as the Redlands Unified School District (RUSD) has shown during the past 26 months by saving more than $900,000 in energy costs.
Molly Davis, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/21/2012 03:24:10 PM PST
REDLANDS – Oranges. They’re all over Redlands. In the groves, on the street signs, on the city’s logo, even on the masthead of this newspaper.
And for the past few weeks, oranges have had members of the city baffled as they try to understand who has been managing the city’s groves.
Molly Davis, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/18/2012 04:38:10 PM PST
REDLANDS – Historic preservationists cautiously celebrated after receiving word that cinema owner George Krikorian is in default of an agreement with the city that could lead to his purchase of a historic downtown packing house.
Molly Davis, Redlands Daily Facts
Posted: 12/22/2011 03:28:34 PM PST
REDLANDS – When it comes to fighting against an unwanted assembly bill, the Redlands Tea Party Patriots are working the old fashioned way – going door to door to gather signatures against AB 131.
The new legislation, AB 131, would give undocumented students in California the opportunity to apply for financial aid.
BY JAN SEARS
STAFF WRITER
jsears@pe.com
Published: 17 December 2011 08:04 PM
The developer of a proposed 809,000-square-foot distribution center in north Redlands pledged to bring the city an environmentally sound, solar-panel ready and attractively landscaped building — and to preserve the north Redlands palm rows that are iconic to the city.
Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/14/2011 04:40:19 PM PST
Regional mail processing centers in the cities of Industry and Redlands remain on the chopping block, despite the cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service’s decision to delay closing any of its facilities until mid-May.
Each site has 750 employees, postal officials said.
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.
Molly Davis, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/07/2011 05:49:38 PM PST
REDLANDS – Regardless of what their views are, Redlands has a number of different vocal and visible political groups giving opinions on the country’s problems, and solutions.
BY JAN SEARS
STAFF WRITER
jsears@pe.com
Published: 02 December 2011 10:59 AM
A fatal shooting outside Charlie Jewell’s in downtown Redlands prompted the city manager to write a letter chastising the bar owner and ask the City Council to consider regulations that would hold businesses accountable for the bad behavior of their customers.
Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/11/2011 04:37:50 PM PST
Members of Occupy Wall Street-inspired groups from throughout region will protest together today as Occupy Inland Empire for the first time in a rally in San Bernardino.
11 arrested in police clash at Occupy Riverside
Toni Momberger, Redlands Daily Facts
Posted: 11/07/2011 10:19:49 AM PST
The day after Occupy Redlands organizer Keith Jackson drafted an official statement of non-violence, he and about 40 other Occupiers from around the Inland Empire were put to the test.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 11/06/2011 05:53:46 PM PST
RIVERSIDE – After nearly an hour and a half of group discussion in the human microphone fashion, members of several Occupy Wall Street movements in the Inland Empire raised their hands, wiggled their fingers and a consensus was reached – a committee will be formed to propose future activities bringing all their movements together.
By Catherine Garcia For the Daily Facts
Posted: 11/05/2011 05:06:06 PM PDT
REDLANDS – An estimated 70 protesters with Occupy Redlands marched around the Bank of America downtown on Saturday afternoon, carrying signs and passing out brochures with information on how to switch to credit unions.
By Molly Davis, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/02/2011 08:25:57 PM PDT
REDLANDS – Supervisor Neil Derry held a Town Hall meeting Wednesday night in an effort to open up a dialogue with the people he represents.
About two dozen people gathered in council chambers of City Hall to hear Derry discuss the state of the county and offer him about their concerns.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 – 06:00 a.m.
Boy, you really gotta hand it to those Redlands Unified School District trustees.
Earlier this year the group voted to quit funding secondary school bus service due to a financial shortfall.
A move most school districts resisted.
Staff Report
Posted: 08/31/2011 06:13:01 PM PDT
Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, was in Hesperia on Wednesday to help break ground on the city’s largest transportation project.
Friday, August 26, 2011 – 07:40 a.m.
When I read one of the stories in Friday’s edition of The Sun newspaper I had to roll my eyes.
One of the main stories in the paper thin publication was three democrat mayors endorsing a democrat tribal chairman for county supervisor.
Ramos
By Molly Davis Staff Writer
Posted: 08/25/2011 11:54:01 PM PDT
REDLANDS – Three local mayors lent their support Tuesday to James Ramos, who is running for San Bernardino County supervisor.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, August 23, 2011
BY JAN SEARS
STAFF WRITER
jsears@pe.com
With the future of its Redevelopment Agency uncertain, the Redlands City Council took a procedural step on Tuesday to ensure that the agency will be able to continue to meet its financial obligations.
06:35 PM PDT on Friday, August 5, 2011
The Press-Enterprise
Redlands-based Environmental System Research Institute has won a $240 million federal contract to purchase licenses and agreements for a Distributed Common Ground System for the U.S. Army.
To read entire story, click here.
Downtown is big goal for Redlands
Molly Davis, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/20/2011 06:40:52 PM PDT
REDLANDS – Although the city may not be financially well-off, there’s still much to be proud of, Mayor Pete Aguilar said Wednesday.
Speaking to local business leaders, residents and public officials, the mayor gave the State of the City address at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon held at the University of Redlands’ Orton Center.
10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, July 9, 2011
By JAN SEARS
The Press-Enterprise
The University of Redlands will contribute $112,000 this year to help the city with some projects dear to the university’s heart that Redlands otherwise might not be able to afford.
By Molly Davis Staff Writer
Posted: 07/07/2011 07:33:49 PM PDT
REDLANDS – City Council members will continue to have the option of receiving health-care benefits after a resolution to withdraw their participation in a benefits program failed to pass.
Garcia pays tribute to his predecessor
Molly Davis, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/06/2011 08:04:26 PM PDT
REDLANDS – Mark Garcia, the new police chief, is assessing things.
Molly Davis, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/22/2011 06:45:35 PM PDT
REDLANDS – Local officials are voicing concern over a plan to divide the city between two congressional districts.
By Jesse B. Gill Staff Writer
Posted: 06/09/2011 08:42:06 PM PDT
REDLANDS – The second-highest member of the San Bernardino City Police Department command staff was picked Wednesday as the new police chief for the Redlands Police Department.
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/08/2011 06:27:59 PM PDT
Potential police chief candidates interviewed last week and the city manager this week, who hopes to make a decision “soon.”
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, June 7, 2011
By JAN SEARS
The Press-Enterprise
A 2011-12 Redlands general fund budget that requires 19 employee layoffs and reductions in service in various departments, but preserves $6.2 million in reserves and requires no loans, has been adopted by the City Council.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 1, 2011
By JAN SEARS
The Press-Enterprise
The Redlands City Council had its first conversation Tuesday about an austere but balanced 2011-12 budget that would lay off 19 city employees and abandon a program that helps pay for school crossing guards.
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/25/2011 10:23:46 PM PDT
REDLANDS – Residents can take a look at the proposed city budget today when it is published for public viewing.
The draft budget will be available on the city’s website and at the A.K. Smiley Public Library. The proposal outlines how the city manager and City Council budget subcommittee plan to fill the roughly $3.9 million gap the city faces in the upcoming fiscal year.
Deadline for pink slips
Doubt again faces teachers
Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/15/2011 07:02:32 AM PDT
Joyella Beuler spends five afternoons a week teaching reading, writing and math to enthusiastic kindergarten students.
But like thousands of other teachers statewide, the Lytle Creek Elementary School teacher faces an uncertain future.
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/15/2011 02:41:13 PM PDT
REDLANDS – The City Council soon will receive a proposal on how the 2011-12 budget could be balanced without borrowing or increasing taxes – but the solution will not come easily.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, May 4, 2011
By JAN SEARS
The Press-Enterprise
The Redlands City Council has approved a contract with a new auditing firm, Lance, Soll & Lunghard LLP, which has offices in Orange and Los Angeles counties and the Temecula area.
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/25/2011 08:12:51 PM PDT
REDLANDS – Some city employee bargaining units are still willing to work with the City Council subcommittee negotiating with them over the past few months.
City says unions won’t take cuts
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/23/2011 03:17:40 PM PDT
REDLANDS – Negotiations between the City Council and the city’s nine employee unions have come to a halt as city officials said it became clear some did not want to renegotiate their contracts to the terms proposed by the mayor and mayor pro tem.
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/06/2011 05:57:04 PM PDT
REDLANDS – Gov. Jerry Brown’s promise not to cut school budgets may soon be broken and that will likely mean the Redlands Unified School District will lose at least $2.6 million more from its shrinking budget.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, April 5, 2011
By JAN SEARS
The Press-Enterprise
A three-year round of water and sewer rate increases will begin in May, the Redlands City Council decided on a divided vote Tuesday evening after several hours of comments from residents mostly opposed to the increase.
Local choices won’t seek job
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/22/2011 10:05:58 PM PDT
REDLANDS – The city’s next police chief will not come from the city’s own Police Department.
City Manager N. Enrique Martinez announced Tuesday that none of the four police lieutenants is interested in the position, which will now be open to candidates from outside the city.
Residents share thoughts at forum
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/19/2011 10:33:38 PM PDT
REDLANDS – The search for the next Redlands police chief officially began last week with a public forum designed to include residents in the hiring process.
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/28/2011 07:22:04 PM PST
REDLANDS – The City Council will meet at 6 tonight and view a presentation on the service priorities of the Police, Fire and Quality of Life departments.
Also on the schedule is a presentation on how to make Redlands more environmentally sustainable.
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.
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/22/2011 05:47:10 PM PST
REDLANDS – City officials say they will continue to follow the transparency provisions of the Brown Act regardless of whether the state reimburses the city for doing so.
10:00 PM PST on Wednesday, February 16, 2011
By JAN SEARS
The Press-Enterprise
A “somewhat rosy” picture of Redlands’ municipal budget was delivered to the City Council this week, along with warnings that the report should be received with cautious optimism.
School works to regain financial footing
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/07/2011 06:33:39 PM PST
International bond ratings agency Fitch downgraded the University of Redlands’ revenue bonds three notches last week, from A to BBB.
Fitch Inc., had not assessed the university since 2008, said Colin Walsh, a director at Fitch. The downgrade is a result of budgetary factors that have happened since that time.
10:28 PM PST on Sunday, February 6, 2011
By JAN SEARS
The Press-Enterprise
Redlands residents will receive notices this week that their water and sewer rates are likely to increase by 5 to 6 percent annually over the next three years.
The City Council agreed last week to rate increases of 5.5 percent for water and 5 percent for sewer this year.
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/01/2011 07:33:51 PM PST
REDLANDS – The city soon will begin what leaders admitted will be an arduous and painful, but much-needed, task.
With support of the City Council, Councilman Bob Gardner will work in the coming week with city staff and City Manager N. Enrique Martinez to develop a process by which the city will approach budgeting.
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/31/2011 06:03:03 PM PST
REDLANDS – The City Council will meet today and discuss how it will approach the budgeting process for the upcoming fiscal year.
Councilman Bob Gardner said he plans to introduce to his fellow councilmembers the idea of establishing a set of policies which they will adhere to when creating future city budgets.
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.
10:00 PM PST on Saturday, January 15, 2011
By JAN SEARS
The Press-Enterprise
The search for a new police chief in Redlands will begin with the department’s current leaders, the city manager says.
Jim Bueermann, a 32-year department veteran who had been chief since 1998, retired at the end of December. He is staying on under contract until the end of June while a new chief is sought.
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/04/2011 08:30:43 PM PST
REDLANDS – The City Council voted to fill its $1.3 million deficit in the 2010-11 fiscal year, opting out of layoffs and banking on assumed property- tax revenue.
In a 4-1 vote Tuesday, the council decided to combine cuts to services and supplies, reallocate funds and budget money from expected additional property tax pass-through revenues from the Inland Valley Development Authority to fill the deficit that remained in the current fiscal year.
10:00 PM PST on Tuesday, January 4, 2011
By JAN SEARS
The Press-Enterprise
A City Council discussion of how the next police chief will be selected evolved Tuesday into a debate over whether Redlands should consider contracting with the Sheriff’s Department for police services.
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/02/2011 04:35:54 PM PST
REDLANDS – The City Council will meet Tuesday to take another look at possible ways to fill the $1.3million deficit remaining in the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
The new council first looked at the shortfall at a special meeting Dec. 14 and took a second look on Dec. 21. The council took no action to fill the gap but asked City Manager N. Enrique Martinez to provide additional details on potential budget reductions they might make this month or next.
Jim Bueermann
10:00 PM PST on Friday, December 17, 2010
By RICHARD BROOKS
The Press-Enterprise
After more than three decades as a Redlands police officer, Chief Jim Bueermann is retiring Dec. 31, though he is likely to remain on the job while a successor is found, city and police officials say.
Jesse B. Gill, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/14/2010 08:09:59 PM PST
REDLANDS – The City Council may choose next week to combine budget cuts with property taxes to close the city’s $1.3 million budget gap.
The council held a special meeting Tuesday to receive an update on the 2010-11 fiscal year budget. Because voters did not approve a half-cent sales tax at the polls in November, the city is now looking at a budget deficit of at least $1.3 million.
10:00 PM PST on Thursday, December 9, 2010
By JAN SEARS
The Press-Enterprise
The Redlands City Council will meet in special session Tuesday to discuss closing a $1.4 million gap in the city’s current general fund budget.
City Manager Enrique Martinez had proposed having the discussion Dec. 21 at the next regular council meeting, but the council wanted to get moving because the issue needs to be quickly resolved.
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/08/2010 06:28:02 PM PST
REDLANDS – The new City Council will try to fill the city’s current deficit together and publicly, while creating a subcommittee to begin hammering out details of the following fiscal year.
One of the first topics the council discussed after being seated Tuesday was whether to establish an ad hoc budget advisory committee to focus on solutions for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 fiscal years.
10:00 PM PST on Tuesday, December 7, 2010
By JAN SEARS
The Press-Enterprise
Pete Aguilar, the youngest member of the Redlands City Council, was chosen Tuesday to serve as the city’s mayor and newly elected Councilman Paul Foster was selected as mayor pro tem.
Foster, who formerly served as chairman of the city’s Planning Commission, was elected to the council in November, along with Bob Gardner.
10:00 PM PST on Sunday, November 28, 2010
By JAN SEARS
The Press-Enterprise
Redlands City Council members no longer will be offered life insurance and some medical benefits when elected, but it will take four years to completely eliminate the benefits package.
The council voted 4-1 earlier this month to eliminate the benefits, with Councilman Pete Aguilar voting against the proposal.
10:00 PM PST on Monday, November 22, 2010
Cassie Macduff
Outrage over the Bell scandal has prompted cities and counties to trim some benefits officials have enjoyed for years.
Recently, the city of Redlands and San Bernardino County each took steps to rein in top officials’ perks.
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/16/2010 06:05:16 PM PST
REDLANDS – In a four-to-one decision, the Redlands City Council voted to amend the benefits packages of its members, eliminating their dental, vision and life insurance benefits. Councilman Pete Aguilar was the lone dissenter.
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/15/2010 05:58:56 PM PST
REDLANDS – The City Council will meet today to take up an issue first raised by Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Bean at the Oct. 5 meeting.
The council may modify their own benefits packages. Originally Bean suggested the benefits offered to council members be eliminated and in conjunction with that move, members be offered reimbursement for city-related expenses.
After voters’ OK, city will get to hold on to $.5M
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/06/2010 09:24:01 PM PDT
REDLANDS – The success of one state proposition means half a million dollars will stay in Redlands this fiscal year.
Sixty-one percent of voters supported Proposition 22, telling the state to stop borrowing or taking funds from local governments. This means the state can no longer seize redevelopment money from Redlands or other cities as it did in May.
Rising influence
Jesse B. Gill, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/06/2010 06:08:20 PM PDT
The Redlands Tea Party Patriots and the Redlands Townhall Patriots were a force to be reckoned with during the weeks leading up to the Nov. 2 city election.
Now experts wonder what the future holds for the groups, which operate largely as one concern.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, November 4, 2010
By JAN SEARS
The Press-Enterprise
Redlands’ new City Council members will face an immediate challenge when they take office Dec. 7 — how to balance the city’s budget now that voters have rejected a half-cent sales tax hike.
The failure of Measure A was projected to leave the city’s general fund about $1.3 million in the red. Earlier this year, the council cut some $8 million from the budget and laid off about 40 employees.
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.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 – 11:00 a.m.
Redlands voters refused to bail out city leaders from having to finally make some hard choices in balancing the budget.
They also may have shown Mayor Pat Gilbreath the way out.
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/27/2010 07:55:07 PM PDT
REDLANDS – City Manager N. Enrique Martinez will not be fired by the current City Council after a push to dismiss him was stopped short in a special closed-door council meeting on Wednesday.
“There wasn’t a majority of the council members who wanted to bring it forward,” said Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Bean, who called the meeting on behalf of a council majority.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010 – 12:45 p.m.
The clocks ticking…….
The current members of the Redlands city council will discuss the fate of current city manager N. Enrique Martinez this afternoon in a meeting hastily called by mayor pro-tem Jerry Bean.
Even though no final decision will be made until next week.
11:39 PM PDT on Tuesday, October 26, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
The Redlands City Council will discuss the possibility of firing City Manager N. Enrique Martinez in a special closed-session meeting called for this afternoon.
The only business listed on the agenda for the 2 p.m. meeting is public employee dismissal.
Staff Reports
Posted: 10/26/2010 09:18:36 PM PDT
REDLANDS – The City Council will gather today to discuss the future of City Manager N. Enrique Martinez.
An initial e-mail sent by Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Bean regarding Martinez’s potential dismissal indicated unanimous support for the special meeting. Councilman Pete Aguilar later changed his mind.
Martinez
Jesse B. Gill, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/25/2010 09:12:08 PM PDT
REDLANDS – The City Council could fire City Manager N. Enrique Martinez in an emergency, closed-session meeting scheduled for Wednesday afternoon – less than a week before Election Day.
“Dismissal of a public employee is the subject (of the meeting),” Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Bean confirmed Monday. “We will be discussing dismissing the city manager.”
Monday, October 25, 2010 – 6:00 a.m.
More taxes?
No thank you!
The Redlands city council would like residents to take them off the hook from making more tough choices.
Objectivity in negotiations at issue
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/16/2010 10:02:43 PM PDT
REDLANDS – Endorsements and campaign contributions were called into question last week by some who wonder whether one could objectively negotiate the contracts of city employees who had offered campaign support.
The Redlands Professional Firefighters Association endorsed Paul Foster, Bob Gardner and incumbent Jon Harrison for the City Council and the Redlands Police Officers Association endorsed Foster and Harrison. Since then, the firefighters contributed to all three candidates and sent out mailers on their behalf.
Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/14/2010 08:50:23 PM PDT
MENTONE – Seven of the eight candidates running for three Redlands City Council seats sat before a packed house Wednesday night at the Mill Creek Cattle Company restaurant to talk about a wide range of issues.
The Redlands Tea Party and Townhall Patriots hosted the forum to give their members an opportunity to learn where the candidates stand on current and controversial topics.
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