Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
By Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/01/2012 07:16:08 PM PST
Document: James Ramos Flier
San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry has launched an assault on the character of his major opponent, San Manuel tribal chairman James Ramos, in a campaign mailer tying Ramos to “gang members,” “drug dealers” and “killers for hire.”
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/01/2012 02:01:30 PM PST
The labor union representing roughly 11,000 San Bernardino County employees announced Wednesday it will support another union’s effort to reduce county supervisors’ jobs to part-time.
BY JIM MILLER
SACRAMENTO BUREAU
jmiller@pe.com
Published: 31 January 2012 07:12 PM
SACRAMENTO — The major parties’ share of the Inland Southern California electorate dipped in 2011, new state figures show, with a significant increase in the percentage of voters who lack a party affiliation.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 31 January 2012 11:22 PM
An influential union that is backing a proposed ballot measure to reduce San Bernardino County supervisors’ positions to part-time has more than a half-million dollars in its political action committee fund, according to campaign finance reports released this week.
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/31/2012 12:33:41 PM PST
HINKLEY – The northern boundaries of that plume of contaminated groundwater continues to advance.
Water samples from new test wells – many installed this past summer – show chromium 6 contamination, above background level, extending north of Mountain General Road for the first time.
Executive Editor Frank Pine
Created: 01/28/2012 06:06:04 AM PST
San Bernardino County’s Board of Supervisors asked county lawyers last week to draft language for a ballot measure that would give voters the final say on increases to pension benefits for public employees.
Supervisors Janice Rutherford, Gary Ovitt and Josie Gonzales voted yea with supervisors Brad Mitzelfelt and Neil Derry voting nay.
Monday, January 30, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.
Within all of San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors candidate James Ramos’ negative baggage appears to be a glimmer of a motivating interest as to why the current millionaire chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is seeking the county post.
The Tribal chair, who is seeking to oust Third District Supervisor Neil Derry in June, may have a personal finance cause.
RICHARD K. De ATLEY/Staff
RICHARD K. De ATLEY
STAFF WRITER
rdeatley@pe.com
Published: 29 January 2012 07:33 PM
Like passengers on a plane with half the engines snuffed, Inland court officials can only wait and watch as Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed budget for next year fiscal year moves through the state’s political turbulence.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Created: 01/28/2012 10:20:35 PM PST
As an option to deal with increasing congestion and construction costs, toll lanes may be added to San Bernardino County freeways but not before 2017, transportation planners say.
Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 01/28/2012 06:11:04 AM PST
Hoping to restore jail funding to San Bernardino County, an Inland Empire assemblyman introduced a bill on Friday that could potentially bring $16 million to county coffers.
Executive Editor Frank Pine
Posted: 01/28/2012 05:38:39 PM PST
San Bernardino County’s Board of Supervisors asked county lawyers last week to draft language for a ballot measure that would give voters the final say on increases to pension benefits for public employees.
Supervisors Janice Rutherford, Gary Ovitt and Josie Gonzales voted yea with supervisors Brad Mitzelfelt and Neil Derry voting nay.
Saturday, January 28, 2012 – 09:00 a.m.
Could the lack of a business license at Million Air San Bernardino LLC derail the state of the county event scheduled for February 29th?
It’s just another embarrassment for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, and in particular Supervisor Josie Gonzales, who allowed the event to be held at the lavish facility.
Friday, January 27, 2012 – 09:45 a.m.
Well we finally have it.
San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chair Josie Gonzales admits she’s in it for the dough.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 26 January 2012 09:27 PM
A proposal to reduce San Bernardino County supervisors’ positions to part-time status would leave little time for them to meet and respond to constituents’ needs, board Chairwoman Josie Gonzales said Thursday.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/26/2012 12:53:12 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – Million Air, the upscale jet refueling facility at San Bernardino International Airport, has been operating without a business license since April, city officials said Thursday.
The facility, which caters to private and corporate aircraft, has been the most high profile business drawn to the airport and has been touted by airport officials as an example of the airport’s potential prosperity. It began operations in 2010.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/25/2012 04:21:42 PM PST
A proposed initiative to make county supervisors’ jobs part-time would spell doom for residents desiring a stronger presence of government in their communities, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Josie Gonzales said Wednesday.
Trends favor apartments
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Created: 01/25/2012 03:20:18 PM PST
Residential developers will remember the past year as the third-slowest in California history – and the slowest ever in terms of permits for new single-family homes.
Golden State developers are finding a better market for apartments and other multi-family living options than new homes.
Safety union announces push for part-time supervisors
January 25, 2012 10:31 AM
Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO • On a split vote Tuesday morning, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors directed staff to draft a ballot measure that would require voter approval for any future pension increases for county employees.
A few hours later, the county Safety Employees’ Benefit Association announced it was funding an effort to reduce the Board of Supervisors to part-time status.
Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 01/23/2012 03:05:32 PM PST
The president of San Bernardino County’s most powerful labor union announced Tuesday it is bankrolling an initiative to reduce county supervisors’ jobs to part-time status.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 24 January 2012 07:08 PM
San Bernardino County supervisors moved forward Tuesday with a proposal to require voter approval of future pension increases but face opposition from employee unions who quickly announced plans for a competing measure aimed at supervisors.
The board agreed to have county staff draft a ballot measure requiring voter approval before retirement benefits for county employees, legislative officers and elected officials could be increased. But final approval is not assured with supervisors split 3-2 on whether to consider the proposal.
Agreement delays decisions on furlough days, benefits cuts
January 24, 2012 3:29 PM
Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writer
VICTORVILLE • Three months after declaring an impasse, the Victor Valley Union High School District and its teachers union have struck a tentative agreement. (Click here to read the agreemment.)
But rather than resolve contentious compensation issues, the proposed deal essentially delays the hard decisions until negotiations resume in March for the 2012-13 school year.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 23 January 2012 08:14 PM
San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry will return to normal voting at today’s board meeting even as he sparred with federal officials over the exact nature of his eight-month suspension.
Due to criminal charges he faced last year, Derry had not taken part in votes involving federal funds.
County supes to approve $2.63 million for SVL fire station
January 23, 2012 4:57 PM
Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO • Two weeks after slashing their own benefits, San Bernardino County’s supervisors Tuesday will consider extending the compensation cuts to all county elected offices.
By Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 01/23/2012 03:05:32 PM PST
Two San Bernardino County supervisors are requesting that benefits for all county elected officials, not just the Board of Supervisors, be reduced to be in line with elected officials in other counties.
Supervisors Neil Derry and Janice Rutherford are pushing for the ordinance, which comes less than two weeks after the board approved a similar ordinance that reduced total compensation for future supervisors by roughly $48,000 annually.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/23/2012 03:37:18 PM PST
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors is poised to direct county administrators to draft a ballot measure that would require voter approval for any proposed increases to county employee retirement benefits.
Monday, January 23, 2012 – 11:00 a.m.
You gotta hand it to Leroy Hansberger these days.
Yep, the truth hurts.
The life-log county resident, and father to former County Supervisor Dennis Hansberger, has been making it known his son ran a piss-poor campaign four years ago. A campaign in an election where his son lost to Supervisor Neil Derry.
Monday, January 23, 2012 – 09:30 a.m.
An anti-recall effort meant to protect certain members of the Fullerton city council flopped last week when recall backers turned in an overwhelming number of signatures to qualify a recall ballot.
The city council targets?
Of interest is news that the anti-recall effort was mounted by a figure familiar to San Bernardino County political circles.
Sunday, January 22, 2012 – 09:45 p.m.
San Manuel Casino boss James Ramos is doing a pretty good job of whoring himself with his Tribe’s dough.
Saturday, January 21, 2012 – 06:15 p.m.
The highway funding arm of the U.S. Department of Transportation has cleared San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry to resume voting on federally-funded expenditures in his duties as an elected official.
The Federal Highway Administration gave Derry the green light effective Friday.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 21 January 2012 05:49 PM
After slashing their own benefits earlier this month, San Bernardino County supervisors on Tuesday will start taking aim at extra compensation for other county-wide elected officials.
The board will vote on a proposal by Supervisors Janice Rutherford and Neil Derry to direct the county administrative and counsel offices to prepare an ordinance that would cut benefit packages for the assessor-recorder, auditor/controller/treasurer-tax collector, district attorney and sheriff. If a majority of supervisors agree, the ordinance will return to the board at a future meeting for a vote.
BY DUG BEGLEY
STAFF WRITER
dbegley@pe.com
Published: 21 January 2012 05:24 PM
Transportation planners once dreamed that super-fast trains would whisk Southern Californians at more than 300 mph across the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas.
But the idea of a magnetic levitation train didn’t stick around for long in regional transportation plans developed by the Southern California Association of Governments. Local planners instead are concentrating on connections within Southern California, so that when — and if — bullet trains ever come, conventional trains have a steady and direct route to get to them.
BY JIM MILLER
SACRAMENTO BUREAU
jmiller@pe.com
Published: 19 January 2012 06:19 PM
SACRAMENTO — Redevelopment agencies focused on bringing new businesses and other projects to decommissioned military bases could keep operating if legislation taking shape in the Capitol becomes law.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 20 January 2012 10:26 PM
Future retirement benefit increases for San Bernardino County employees could be decided by voters under a proposal that will go before the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
By Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Created: 01/20/2012 10:52:09 AM PST
The Inland Empire’s unemployment rate fell to 12.2 percent last month as employers in San Bernardino and Riverside counties added 5,200 non farm jobs, state officials reported Friday.
BY JACK KATZANEK
STAFF WRITER
jkatzanek@pe.com
Published: 20 January 2012 04:08 PM
December was an excellent month for the job market in Inland Southern California, and the typical seasonal opportunities in stores, restaurants and movie theaters had very little to do with it.
Canan Tasci, Staff Writer
Created: 01/19/2012 02:19:53 PM PST
CHINO HILLS – It was a celebration of his life rather than mourning for the late Sen. Ruben Ayala during his memorial service on Thursday.
More than 150 gathered in the multi-purpose room of Ruben S. Ayaya High School listening to multiple speakers describe Ayala as an “American first and Democrat second,” someone who lead by example, a citizen’s politician, a man of many accomplishments and “a giant among giants.”
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 18 January 2012 07:13 PM
A study of a proposed radio antenna near Wildwood Canyon State Park in Oak Glen states that the project should not have a significant impact on the scenic views of the park — a finding that opponents criticize as flawed.
AV councilman increases 1st District candidate field to six
January 18, 2012 5:46 PM
Brooke Edwards Staggs
Apple Valley Councilman Rick Roelle announced his intentions Wednesday evening to compete for San Bernardino County 1st District Supervisor in the June election.
Canan Tasci, Staff Writer
Created: 01/17/2012 12:41:37 PM PST
CHINO HILLS – Services have been finalized for former state Sen. Ruben Ayala.
The rosary service has been scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 14085 Peyton Drive, Chino Hills.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 16 January 2012 09:08 PM
San Bernardino County will assume control of its redevelopment projects while beginning to shut down the agency that has overseen the community-improvement efforts.
January 16, 2012 4:27 PM
Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writer
A former aide to 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt on Monday announced a bid to replace him in the June election.
Michael Orme, field representative for U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon and owner of Mavericks Consulting, marks the fifth candidate to join the supervisorial race since Mitzelfelt announced his run for Congress on Thursday.
BY ALICIA ROBINSON
STAFF WRITER
arobinson@pe.com
Published: 15 January 2012 08:09 PM
Most Inland local governments have determined who will take over the obligations of their redevelopment agencies, but officials said many aspects of what happens next remain unclear.
How and when must they sell property and other assets? Which obligations will be paid? How many redevelopment employees will lose their jobs?
Canan Tasci, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/14/2012 06:07:45 AM PST
Ruben Ayala was more than just a man who served as a state senator, or a person who has had a park, school and streets named after him – he was a devoted husband, father and a person who loved his community.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Created: 01/14/2012 06:12:34 AM PST
Truckers may not even get to use the proposed High Desert Corridor for eight – or more – years, but the transportation officials are proposing the Victorville-to-Palmdale roadway as a solution to the traffic congestion problems of the High Desert and Antelope Valley regions.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 13 January 2012 09:24 PM
High Desert voters will see a crowded field seeking to replace San Bernardino County Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt in the 1st District.
Barstow, Lucerne Valley now in Derry’s territory
January 13, 2012 4:43 PM
KATIE LUCIA, Staff Writer
BARSTOW • San Bernardino County 3rd District Supervisor Neil Derry said his main focus this year will be getting to know the High Desert communities now in his jurisdiction.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/12/2012 04:49:18 PM PST
An attorney for Norton Property Management Services LLC, one of 16 companies under federal investigation in connection with an alleged corruption at San Bernardino International Airport, says aggressive actions by the airport forced the company to file bankruptcy.
January 12, 2012 10:33 AM
From Staff Reports
Four locals declare bids for 1st District Supervisor:
First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt announced he’s running for Congress to represent the newly formed 8th District.
The announcement came minutes after U.S. Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, announced he’s retiring after 17 terms representing portions of the High Desert.
Hospital managed by Prime draws potential buyer
January 13, 2012 | Christina Jewett
Monica Lam/California Watch
A San Bernardino County hospital managed by Prime Healthcare Services is considering a purchase offer from a nonprofit Catholic health system, possibly signaling an end to a long and rocky bankruptcy.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 11 January 2012 06:59 AM
San Bernardino County supervisors rolled back their own health and retirement benefits Tuesday, approving a proposal to reduce their compensation by about 18 percent.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 – 11:25 a.m.
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, while adopting cuts to their own benefits package, wouldn’t go near a proposal by Third District Supervisor Neil Derry to have the cuts apply to all of the county’s elected officials on Tuesday morning.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 – 08:30 a.m.
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors will consider slashing their own lavish benefits package Tuesday morning.
A benefits package unmatched anywhere in the state and possibly country.
BY BEN GOAD
WASHINGTON BUREAU
bgoad@pe.com
Published: 09 January 2012 09:29 PM
WASHINGTON — The field of Democratic candidates for California’s new 31st Congressional District is quickly solidifying, but potential GOP candidates appear to be awaiting a decision from incumbent Rep. Jerry Lewis before entering what is certain to be a high-profile race for the seat.
By Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/09/2012 08:08:49 PM PST
Representatives of Norton Property Management Services, LLC., which rents and operates portions of a hangar at the embattled San Bernardino International Airport, met with creditors on Monday as the company’s bankruptcy proceedings moved forward.
Monday, January 9, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, January 9, 2012 – 11.24 a.m.
According to the Z107.7 website in Morongo Basin, Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) has dropped his bid for a seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
The radio station apparently let the cat out of the bag early.
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/08/2012 06:03:56 AM PST
HINKLEY – The water agency supervising the clean-up of chromium 6 groundwater contamination here has asked Pacific Gas and Electric Co. to provide more scientific details on the study it did to determine the naturally occurring background level.
The request follows critical reports from three independent scientists recruited to evaluate the 2007 study which determined the Hinkley area has a naturally occurring chromium 6 level of 3.1 parts per billion.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 06 January 2012 11:19 AM
Defense attorneys in the Colonies corruption case announced in court Friday morning they are seeking records from an influential union representing public safety employees.
Attorneys are also seeking additional records from the county flood control district concerning its four-year legal battle with Colonies Partners.
Joe Nelson and Mike Cruz, Staff Writers
Posted: 01/06/2012 01:08:11 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – Defense attorneys in a San Bernardino County corruption case are requesting documents from a public safety labor union they believe will help refute allegations of blackmail against a Rancho Cucamonga developer and the union’s former president.
By Mark Gutglueck
Friday, January 6, 2012
Questions continue to dog the second highest ranking member of the county auditor-controller/treasurer-tax collector’s office with regard to the role he and a political action committee he controlled played in illegally passing through and laundering money for those convicted of or charged with participation in a bribery and extortion conspiracy.
By Mark Gutgleuck
Friday, January 6, 2012
Originally Published: Friday, December 30, 2011
As of earlier this week, former state assemblyman Brett Granlund had actively avoided several attempts to serve him with a subpoena relating to the Colonies Settlement case.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 05 January 2012 10:12 PM
Until November 2010, top San Bernardino County employees could rack up an unlimited number of vacation, holiday or administrative hours.
The policy allowed them to stockpile vacation time and earn large payouts when they left the county, said Supervisor Neil Derry, who proposed the cap.
BY DUANE W. GANG
STAFF WRITER
dgang@pe.com
Published: 05 January 2012 01:38 PM
Former Democratic state Sen. Ruben S. Ayala, author of the Peripheral Canal bill who for two decades represented parts of San Bernardino County in the Legislature and was the first Latino mayor of Chino, died Wednesday. He was 89.
BY JACK KATZANEK
STAFF WRITER
jkatzanek@pe.com
Published: 04 January 2012 03:57 PM
The index that tracks manufacturing in Inland Southern California barely moved in December, suggesting that this sector is not playing a huge role in the region’s economic comeback.
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/03/2012 04:17:20 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – A Redlands girl who says she was sexually abused by a former sheriff’s deputy while in the sheriff’s Explorer program also alleges in a civil lawsuit that administrators at the Sheriff’s Department and the Public Safety Academy, a charter school in San Bernardino, were negligent or failed to act.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 – 3:30 p.m.
Another blip has showed up on the San Bernardino County political radar.
Thursday’s agenda for the San Bernardino County Employees Association (SBCERA) contains an interesting little tidbit.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 – 03:00 p.m.
Was it a misunderstanding or a lie?
A regular question in San Bernardino County government.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 02 January 2012 06:51 PM
San Bernardino County has agreed to pay $3 million to settle a lawsuit by a woman injured in a motorcycle accident who claimed that a county road was dangerous and poorly maintained.
Monday, January 2, 2012- 1045 a.m.
The fight over the future of Victor Valley Community Hospital (VVCH) has some interesting twists.
Dr. Prem Reddy, who operates Prime Healthcare Services, wants the bankrupt facility as part of his network of highly-profitable hospitals.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 31 December 2011 05:39 PM
A panel of California appellate judges could soon be deciding how, and possibly if, the Colonies corruption case will proceed to trial.
The Fourth District Court of Appeal in Riverside is considering an appeal filed by the San Bernardino County district attorney and state attorney general offices seeking to restore charges that were dismissed in August against Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum, former Supervisor Paul Biane, former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin and Mark Kirk, former chief of staff for Supervisor Gary Ovitt.
The court completed briefings from prosecutors and defense attorneys on the appeal last month and also agreed to consider writs of mandate filed by the defense seeking to have more charges dismissed against the four. A decision is expected in the next few months.
BY DUANE W. GANG
STAFF WRITER
dgang@pe.com
Published: 31 December 2011 07:12 PM
There were 286 fewer local government workers in the Inland area making $100,000 or more in 2010 compared to the year before, newly released state records show.
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 30 December 2011 07:21 PM
Leaders with three Inland groups overhauling former military bases say legislation that would dissolve the state’s redevelopment agencies doesn’t apply to them.
The legislation was upheld by the state’s Supreme Court on Thursday.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 12/30/2011 11:37:49 AM PST
Investigations into corruption in San Bernardino County advanced in fits and starts over the past year.
Prosecutors gained ground when former Supvervisor-turned-Assessor Bill Postmus agreed in March to plead guilty to bribery, conflict of interest and misappropriation of public funds and to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 12/24/2011 06:11:58 AM PST
San Bernardino County’s imposition of labor terms on a law enforcement union could have longstanding ramifications on its relationship with the bargaining group.
Friday, December 23, 2011 – 12:15 p.m.
From the press office for California Governor Jerry Brown.
Governor Brown Announces Appointments.
Thursday, December 22, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.
Once again San Bernardino County can’t line up its stories.
Or should we just say lies?
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