Archive for the ‘ Local Government ’ Category

The PE: S.B. COUNTY: San Bernardino city council lines to be redrawn

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Published: 20 May 2012 07:31 PM

The San Bernardino City Council must choose between three redistricting plans that will determine council ward lines in future elections.

The plans will go to the council Monday, May 21, for a 4 p.m. public hearing. If one of the options is selected, an ordinance will return to the council for adoption June 4.

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Sunday, May 20, 2012 – 03:30 p.m.

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

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The PE: RIVERSIDE: Seven charter changes on June 5 ballot

BY ALICIA ROBINSON
STAFF WRITER
arobinson@pe.com

Published: 18 May 2012 05:39 PM

Besides choosing one of seven candidates for mayor, Riverside voters on June 5 will say yea or nay to seven proposed amendments to the city charter.

The proposals include creating a sustainability commission, changing to whom the city auditor reports, shortening the time between council elections and runoffs, and a number of minor adjustments.

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DailyBulletin: Baca dips into ONT airport matter

Congressman Joe Baca

Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Created: 05/18/2012 12:01:03 PM PDT

Rep. Joe Baca has introduced a bill to expedite the transfer of L.A./Ontario International Airport to local control.

The Transfer Control of Ontario Airport Now Act gives Los Angeles World Airports, which manages ONT, 60 days to turn over operations and ownership.

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DailyBulletin: Upland facing budget shortfall

Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/17/2012 07:23:12 PM PDT

UPLAND – The City Council has been updated on the condition of the city’s budget and will meet next week to decide where to make cuts.

City Manager Stephen Dunn presented the council with an update on the city’s fiscal condition during a special meeting on Wednesday, asking it to set its priorities so staff could find a way to absorb $3.4 million in obligated expenses.

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The Sun: Court hearing delayed for SBIA firm

Posted: 05/14/2012 06:14:43 PM PDT

SBD Airport Services’ attempt to convince a federal judge to restore the company’s access to San Bernardinno International Airport’s fueling facilities has been postponed to June 18.

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Calpensions: Ballot-box pension reform wins first court test

By Ed Mendel
Monday, May 14, 2012

A superior court judge this month upheld a voter-approved initiative giving lower pensions to all city of Menlo Park new hires except police, the first court ruling as unions challenge similar measures in Pacific Grove and Bakersfield.

Voters in the three cities approved cost-cutting pension reforms in November 2010 that bypassed bargaining with unions. California is one of only several states where public employee retirement benefits are set by labor negotiations.

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Dan Walters

By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, May. 14, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A

When Vallejo declared bankruptcy in 2008, one collateral consequence was a years-long political duel in the Capitol between lobbyists for local governments and those for unions representing their workers.

Unions pushed legislation that would have required local governments to get permission from an obscure state agency before filing for bankruptcy – an agency that is and probably always will be dominated by union-friendly Democratic politicians.

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The Sun: San Bernardino airport fuel dispute goes before a judge

Staff report
Posted: 05/12/2012 03:07:54 PM PDT

Attorneys for the bankrupt SBD Airport Services will go before a federal judge Monday to contend that interim San Bernardino International Airport chief A.J. Wilson acted improperly when he cut off the company’s access to jet fuel.

The hearing is scheduled to take place Monday afternoon at U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Riverside.

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DailyBulletin: LAWA supporters push back against Ontario

Liset Márquez, Staff Writer
Created: 05/10/2012 09:11:14 AM PDT

ONTARIO – There are two entrenched sides in the L.A./Ontario International Airport ownership saga.

Ontario officials contend regaining local control of the airport could reverse a five-year trend that has seen passenger traffic increasingly drop.

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DailyBulletin: ONT marketing plans to be reviewed Monday

Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Created: 05/06/2012 03:27:45 PM PDT

ONTARIO – It’s no secret that finding daily flights in and out of LA/Ontario International Airport can be a bit of an issue.

For the past five years, since the peak of travel at ONT, the facility has lost more than 40 percent of its seat capacity.

The cause for the decline in air service?

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DailyBulletin: ONT campaign continues to grow

Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Created: 05/06/2012 03:28:49 PM PDT

ONTARIO – More than 80 cities, organizations and elected officials have passed resolutions backing Ontario’s efforts to wrest control of LA/Ontario International Airport from Los Angeles.

The Inland Empire initiative, Set ONTario Free, was launched by Ontario at the start of the year. It quickly gained traction with a wave of cities throughout Southern California, including 17 from Los Angeles County, joining a growing number of agencies calling for local control.

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InlandPolitics: Lights on, but nobody home at SBIA

Sunday, May 6, 2012 – 10:45 p.m.

It was interesting to see the approach, runway and taxi lights activated at San Bernardino International Airport on Sunday night.

An unusual event at the mostly dormant facility.

Rumor has it Wonder Woman was landing her invisible jet.

 

 

InlandPolitics: This and that!

Sunday, May 6, 2012 – 10:30 a.m

Ramos struggles through final candidate forum.

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

Nothing changed.

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DailyBulletin: Dutton may revive ONT bill

State Senator Bob Dutton

Liset Márquez, Staff Writer
Created: 05/03/2012 06:01:14 PM PDT

ONTARIO – A local senator may soon revive a bill aimed at helping this city gain autonomous control of the struggling LA/Ontario International Airport.

Sen. Bob Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga, created Senate Bill 446 in early 2011 in an effort to move discussions along between officials from Ontario and Los Angeles World Airports, which operates ONT under a 44-year joint-powers agreement.

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DailyBulletin: Attorney makes slight amendment to Colonies lawsuit

Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/02/2012 11:26:32 AM PDT

Document: Read the amended complaint (.pdf file)

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

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

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By Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/02/2012 04:00:20 PM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – The city has been forced to let go nearly 20 employees due to the elimination of millions of dollars in redevelopment funding.

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The Sun: Supes OK plan seeking federal funds for Vision Plan

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

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

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

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The Sun: HIGHLAND: Council renews paramedic tax

There’s council discussion about raising the rate that hasn’t changed in 26 years but it decides against that.

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.

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Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 04/28/2012 07:19:08 PM PDT

UPLAND – Former Upland Mayor John Pomierski’s admission to accepting a $5,000 bribe from an Upland business does not worry city officials from a legal standpoint.

Pomierski pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Riverside to accepting a bribe from the owners of Chronic Cantina restaurant as part of a plea agreement.

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The Sun: Former Colton police chief loses wrongful termination lawsuit

By Joe Nelson
Posted: 04/26/2012 05:53:53 PM PDT

A jury on Thursday ruled in favor of the city of Colton and against its former police chief, Ken Rulon, in a wrongful termination lawsuit Rulon brought against the city in 2007.

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InlandPolitics: Pomierski enters guilty plea (-Update-)

Pomierski

Thursday, April 26, 2012 – 11:45 a.m.

Former Upland Mayor John “J.P.” Pomierski entered into a plea agreement before Federal Judge Virginia Philips in U.S. District Court in Riverside on Thursday morning.

The plea agreement stems from charges related to influence peddling.

Read the rest of this entry »

InlandPolitics: This and that!

Thursday, April 26, 2012 – 09:45 a.m.

Here’s some interesting news on the transom this week.

Retirement savings plans under attack.

Yes, it’s finally happening. The feds are discussing the taxation of various retirement savings accounts to generate revenue. As their coffers dwindle, expect federal, state and local government to squeeze taxpayers.

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Draft report done; findings expected out in June
April 25, 2012 11:37 AM
Brooke Edwards Staggs, City Editor

VICTORVILLE • Three years after the Daily Press first reported that the San Bernardino County Grand Jury was investigating the city of Victorville, sources confirm a draft report of the citizen group’s findings is complete and will likely be released within the next two months.

City Manager Doug Robertson said he was recently given an opportunity to review the draft report. He was then asked to sign a confidentiality form on April 16, prohibiting him from discussing any of the report’s contents.

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InlandPolitics: San Bernardino County supe’s place baffoonery on full display

Gonzales

Tuesday, April 24, 2012 – 12:15 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 – 03:00 p.m.

In a Romper Room fashion, an embarrassing display of incompetence decended on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting just before noon on Tuesday.

Neither Chairperson Josie Gonzales nor County Counsel Jean-Rene Basle knew Robert’s Rules of Order or their own procedures regarding the conduct of voting among the boards members.

Gonzales is of no surprise. But Basle, a licensed and practicing attorney, is a another story.

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San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry has proposed an E-Verify requirement that circumvents the state law preventing it use. (File Photo/2012)

 

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Published: 23 April 2012 06:12 PM

Restaurants in San Bernardino County would be required to inform customers if they perform immigration background checks on their employees under a proposal that will go before the Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

Supervisor Neil Derry is proposing to amend the county’s restaurant grading ordinance so that placards would be color-coded to indicate whether an establishment uses E-Verify, a federal database to check a person’s immigration status.

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The PE: REDLANDS: Occupy members getting closer to goal

BY JAN SEARS
STAFF WRITER
jsears@pe.com

Published: 23 April 2012 07:03 PM

Since December, members of Occupy Redlands have been appearing before the City Council, reading a resolution opposing corporate personhood and urging the council to vote on it.

They have appeared at almost every council meeting in the past four months, taking three-minute turns reading the resolution, and more recently, reciting a long list of U.S. cities and counties that have voted to support it.

They may finally achieve their goal next month.

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The PE: TRIBAL GAMING: Special fund’s days are numbered

BY JIM MILLER
SACRAMENTO BUREAU
jmiller@pe.com

Published: 22 April 2012 08:12 PM

SACRAMENTO — Throughout much of the past decade, California’s Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund has been a rare revenue bright spot for Riverside County.

Created by the agreements that legalized gambling on tribal lands, the fund has fostered grants to pay for police officers, medical services and other expenses to offset traffic and other consequences of having casinos nearby.

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The Sun: OpEd: A supervisor with courage and guts

Michele Derry
Posted: 04/22/2012 07:04:10 AM PDT

I have stood by long enough while my husband is misrepresented by James Ramos and his gambling special interests. Enough is enough.

How can James Ramos, as a tribal chairman of a sovereign nation who receives over $200,000 a month as a tribal member through gambling profits, represent the interests of the average citizen of San Bernardino County?

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The PE: LEGISLATURE: Panel OKs bill to help Inland cities

BY JIM MILLER
SACRAMENTO BUREAU
jmiller@pe.com

Published: 18 April 2012 10:22 PM

SACRAMENTO — Legislation that would restore a critical revenue stream for Riverside County’s newest cities cleared its first committee this morning, the first concrete success for the cities and their supporters following months of efforts to roll back part of last summer’s state budget.

Jurupa Valley, Eastvale, Wildomar and Menifee lost a combined $14 million when lawmakers approved an $86 billion budget that diverted vehicle-license fee money to pay for local law-enforcement grants. Officials in the cities warned of fiscal calamity, including possible disincorporation, if there is no fix.

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Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/19/2012 06:17:07 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – Attorneys for the bankrupt SBD Airport Services are asking a federal judge to force San Bernardino International Airport administrators to restore the company’s access to the airport’s fueling facilities.

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VVDailyPress: Victorville sued over ‘promised’ benefits

Employees of water district say city reneging on promises made to fund vested coverage

April 19, 2012 9:04 AM
Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writer

VICTORVILLE • Current city employees and retired employees of the water district absorbed by Victorville in 2007 are suing the city to protect their benefits, arguing the city is reneging on promises made to fund their vested coverage.

The six plaintiffs charge that Victorville is not standing by agreements it made to some 49 employees who’d worked for the former Victor Valley Water District.

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InlandPolitics: Problems building for Ramos in supervisor race

Ramos

Thursday, April 19, 2012 – 10:15 a.m.

The former chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has some bumps in the road ahead in his quest for a seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, according to sources.

James Ramos, who is challenging Third District Supervisor Neil Derry, is about to feel the baggage from underneath the train, all courtesy of his voting record on the San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees, where he currently serves as an elected member.

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The PE: RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Supervisors approve CEO pay package

BY JEFF HORSEMAN
STAFF WRITER
jhorseman@pe.com

Published: 17 April 2012 05:53 PM

Riverside County’s new county executive officer will earn more than $275,000 a year under a compensation package approved by supervisors Tuesday.

Unanimously and with little conversation, the Board of Supervisors voted in favor of the recommended pay and benefits for Jay Orr, who is being promoted from assistant county executive officer. Orr, 55, will occupy the CEO’s seat on the supervisor dais next week.

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Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/17/2012 10:50:07 AM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – The special oversight committee in charge of unwinding the Inland Valley Development Agency’s redevelopment powers has yet to finish compiling a list of financial obligations that could determine whether planned improvements around San Bernardino International Airport are accomplished or not.

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VVDailyPress: SEC probe, water hikes on Victorville agenda

Council also to view changes to agenda policy
April 17, 2012 8:54 AM
From Staff Reports

VICTORVILLE • The two-year Securities and Exchange Commission investigation, twice-delayed water service hikes and proposed changes to a controversial policy about how issues end up on the agenda to begin with are all before the Victorville City Council Tuesday night.

During the closed session meeting starting at 5 p.m., before the regular session, the council will discuss the ongoing SEC investigation. The agency has been looking into Victorville’s bond expenditures since summer 2010, recently issuing a new subpoena and conducting interviews with city staff and officials.

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The PE: ONTARIO AIRPORT Dutton could revive transfer bill

State Senator Bob Dutton (File Photo: The P-E)

By PE Politics
April 16, 2012 4:37 PM

State Sen. Bob Dutton stood up from his table at a recent economic forecast event to announce he planned to push ahead with his long-tabled bill that would create an Ontario International Airport authority made up of local leaders and facilitate the transfer of the Inland airport from the city of Los Angeles to that local authority.

It sounded imminent, but it’s more like a maybe.

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The PE: MEDICAL MARIJUANA: Court rulings leave both sides uncertain of clinic bans

BY RICHARD K. De ATLEY
STAFF WRITER
rdeatley@pe.com

Published: 15 April 2012 02:18 PM

Advocates and opponents of California’s medical marijuana clinics are in a legal no-man’s land after a flurry of appellate court decisions that contradict each other on whether local governments can ban the dispensaries.

The decisions also conflict on how the clinics can supply themselves with marijuana.

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San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Rod Hoops

April 15, 2012 3:02 PM
KATIE LUCIA, Staff Writer

BARSTOW • As local governments explore ways to cut costs, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is offering a solution Barstow leaders say they won’t buy: contract police work to the sheriff.

At a county-city conference last month, San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops gave a presentation on the department’s goals, one of which was to replace city police departments with sheriff contracts, according to Barstow Mayor Joe Gomez, who attended the conference. There, Hoops discussed the cost savings of contracting with the county.

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DailyBulletin: Hundreds attend hearing on Chino Hills power lines

Representatives Gary Miller, R-Brea, left, and Ed Royce, R-Orange, listen to testimony on Saturday. (Khai Le/Correspondent)

 

Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Created: 04/14/2012 07:30:41 PM PDT

CHINO HILLS – Hundreds of residents turned out to voice their concerns to lawmakers about property values and public safety at a congressional hearing Saturday on the controversial Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project, which involves erecting 200-foot electric towers in the city.

The transmission poles and towers are being installed in Southern California Edison’s right-of-way from Chino Hills’ western border near Tonner Canyon through the city and eventually going into Riverside County.

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VVDailyPress: With RDAs axed, time to unload debt, property

Oversight boards charged with navigating complex process
April 14, 2012 2:11 PM
Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writer

Two and a half months ago, they lost their battle against the state to keep redevelopment agencies alive.

Now, in a complicated, untested process that’s likely to take years, local government officials are members of a select group serving on new boards charged with overseeing the agencies’ demise.

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The PE: RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Supervisors to discuss new CEO pay, benefits

Jay Orr, County Executive Officer for Riverside County./CONTRIBUTED IMAGE

 

BY JEFF HORSEMAN
STAFF WRITER
jhorseman@pe.com

Published: 13 April 2012 05:53 PM

Riverside County’s newly appointed CEO could be paid a salary equal to that of his predecessor’s, according to a proposal to be discussed by county supervisors Tuesday.

Jay Orr, chosen last week to oversee a county government with nearly 18,000 employees, would be paid $275,546, the same as former CEO Bill Luna, and would be entitled to $16,900 in deferred compensation. The pay and benefits package is outlined in a recommendation from county Human Resources Director Barbara Olivier.

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Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/13/2012 05:40:59 PM PDT

The Victor Valley Economic Development Authority (VVEDA) has sued the state, alleging a new state law that dissolved California’s roughly 400 redevelopment agencies does not apply to VVEDA because it is not a redevelopment agency.

VVEDA filed the lawsuit in the state Supreme Court on Thursday, challenging the applicability of Assembly Bill x126, known as the “Dissolution Bill,” which shuttered redevelopment agencies up and down California.

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The PE: RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Supervisors want power to officiate weddings

BY JEFF HORSEMAN
STAFF WRITER
jhorseman@pe.com

Published: 11 April 2012 08:33 PM

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors wants to marry you.

To your sweetheart, that is. Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to back a state bill giving them the power to perform marriage ceremonies.

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The Sun: San Bernardino wrestles with code enforcement

Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/11/2012 08:12:10 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – The stench of urine and stale beer assault the senses as soon as Steve Willkomm opens the door to the foreclosed home.

But after years of similar experiences, the new head of the city’s code enforcement division focuses immediately on the gutted remains of a radiator.

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The PE: RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Jay Orr named new CEO

Jay Orr, County Executive Officer for Riverside County./CONTRIBUTED IMAGE

 

BY JEFF HORSEMAN
STAFF WRITER
jhorseman@pe.com

Published: 10 April 2012 02:07 PM

A 25-year veteran of Riverside County government has been promoted to the county’s top administrative post.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday named Jay Orr, 55, county executive officer. The vote was 4-1 in closed session with Supervisor Jeff Stone dissenting.

Read the rest of this entry »

The PE: POLITICAL EMPIRE: Gonzales fighting county’s “cloud of corruption”

County Supervisor Josie Gonzales (Kurt Miller/The P-E)

THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
Published: 08 April 2012 07:12 PM

Local elected leaders often return from an organized trip to Washington, D.C., ready to regale their colleagues and the public about a trip spent persuading the powerful to support Inland interests.

San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales spent some of her time in the nation’s capital trying “to alleviate misperceptions and misconceptions.”

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The PE: SAN BERNARDINO: SANBAG hires Sacramento city attorney

Eileen Teichert, city attorney for Sacramento, was named Wednesday as the new general counsel for San Bernardino Associated Governments.

BY DUG BEGLEY
STAFF WRITER
dbegley@pe.com

Published: 04 April 2012 06:35 PM

San Bernardino Associated Governments on Wednesday hired Sacramento City Attorney Eileen Teichert as its first general counsel, ending a practice of getting its legal advice from the county.

Read the rest of this entry »

By Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/04/2012 06:19:43 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – A city budget committee will meet next week to consider solutions to a $3.8million shortfall that popped up in this year’s budget and must be closed within three months.

But the panel will also be looking for a way to avoid repeating that surprise in future years.

Read the rest of this entry »

Pomierski

Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 04/04/2012 04:19:12 PM PDT

A federal court judge in Riverside is considering a request to postpone former Upland Mayor John Pomierski’s trial for the third time.

Read the rest of this entry »

Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/03/2012 10:38:18 AM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – The Inland Valley Development Agency’s leaders don’t know yet how much – if at all – their organization will be affected by the end of redevelopment in California, but they could lose roughly $20 million per year in certain property tax revenue if events do not go their way.

That money could be devoted to improvements at San Bernardino International Airport and its surrounding infrastructure, and at this point, it’s uncertain whether the IVDA will be able to continue to collect those dollars or if the money will go to state government.

Read the rest of this entry »

The PE: LAW: Bankrupt Norton Property gets another 90 days

U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Riverside/KIMBERLY PIERCEALL/STAFF PHOTO

 

BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com

Published: 30 March 2012 11:18 AM

Norton Property Management Services LLC, a company affiliated with Scot Spencer that filed for bankruptcy in December to avoid eviction from a hangar at San Bernardino International Airport, was granted another 90 days to either keep or reject the amended lease it has had with the airport since October 2010.

Read the rest of this entry »

The PE: REDEVELOPMENT: Shutdown process is a new frontier

BY JIM MILLER
jmiller@pe.com
Published: 30 March 2012 05:57 PM

SACRAMENTO — Local officials who once oversaw billions in redevelopment spending with little interference from the state now are having to make the case for every penny.

In hundreds of draft plans approved in recent weeks, local governments list proposed payments to begin settling redevelopment debts and contractual obligations for agencies that shut down Feb. 1. Final plans for the first six months of 2012 must be acted on by April 15, and plans for the second half of 2012 are due less than four weeks later.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ryan Carter, Staff Writer
Created: 03/28/2012 07:23:04 PM PDT

Attorneys for developer Colonies Partners LP are seeking dismissal of a civil lawsuit that would force the developer to pay back a $102 million legal settlement to taxpayers.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Sun: Airport agency wants way out of redevelopment grip

By Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/28/2012 07:50:12 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – The agency formed to revive the former Norton Air Force Base plans to file a lawsuit next week to keep from falling under the clutches of the state law that has dissolved more than 400 municipal redevelopment agencies across California.

The Inland Valley Development Agency will ask a state court judge next week for an injunction to shield it from the effects of ABx1 26, the law which abolished redevelopment agencies and requires them create oversight boards to proceed with the liquidation of assets, Tim Sabo, attorney for the agency’s board, said Wednesday.

Read the rest of this entry »

Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/27/2012 10:44:33 AM PDT

San Bernardino International Airport’s governing board may take action Wednesday to help the San Bernardino County Sheriff move its aviation division from Rialto Municipal Airport to the former Norton Air Force base.

Read the rest of this entry »

Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/27/2012 03:49:41 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved placing an initiative on the November ballot that would cut their pay by more than two-thirds.

Read the rest of this entry »

Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 03/27/2012 11:35:48 AM PDT

UPLAND – The City Council on Monday approved a board of directors for the San Antonio Water Co. just in the nick of time.

Council members narrowly approved a seven-member board, which will be voted on April 3 at San Antonio’s annual stockholders meeting.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Sun: San Bernardino County pays former official after suing him

By Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/24/2012 03:02:29 PM PDT

San Bernardino County sued former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin in May 2009 in hopes of recovering hundreds of thousands of dollars in a corruption case alleging malfeasance in the Assessor’s Office.

In the end, it was Erwin who wound up getting paid.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/23/2012 07:57:05 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – It’s either another nail in the coffin or the first step to fixing the city.

Those are the conflicting viewpoints City Council members expressed Friday after City Manager Charles McNeely resigned Thursday with a torrent of criticism for what he called a politically dysfunctional city unwilling to change.

Public Works Director Nadeem Majaj and James Graham, assistant to the city manager, also resigned Thursday.

Read the rest of this entry »

The PE: S.B. COUNTY: Leadership changes announced

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Published: 23 March 2012 06:07 PM

San Bernardino County has appointed a new public works director as part of several high-ranking staff changes announced this week.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ryan Hagen, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 03/22/2012 03:35:11 PM PDT

Charles McNeely
SAN BERNARDINO – City Manager Charles McNeely and two other top city officials announced their resignations Thursday.

Public Works Director Nadeem Majaj and James Graham, assistant to the city manager, each of whom had worked for the city for about 17 months, resigned shortly after McNeely’s announcement.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

Staff report
Posted: 03/22/2012 04:36:39 PM PDT

San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Josie Gonzales has convened a special board meeting regarding a public employee evaluation of the county’s Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux.

The meeting, which will be held in closed session, has been in the works for some time, county spokesman David Wert said.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Sun: Colton Councilwoman testified in wrongful termination trial

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/19/2012 08:03:04 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – Colton Councilwoman Deirdre Bennett said she lost faith in former City Manager Daryl Parrish after he failed to cancel a city-issued credit card a councilman had been abusing.

Read the rest of this entry »

Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Created: 03/19/2012 05:19:46 PM PDT

ONTARIO – A Los Angeles City Council committee is set to discuss Ontario’s proposal to transfer control of LA/Ontario International Airport in a special meeting Tuesday morning.

Read the rest of this entry »

DailyBulletin: Lower CalPERS return rate threatens local coffers

Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Created: 03/18/2012 03:36:06 PM PDT

Related story: Lawmakers react to CalPERS struggles

Local officials say funding for services are expected to take another hit with the California Public Employee’s Retirement System lowering investment return forecasts last week.

CalPERS, the nation’s largest public pension fund, has requested state, local government and school districts increase contribution rates.

Return projections were lowered from 7.75 percent to 7.5 percent.

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By Liset Marquez, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 02/18/2012 04:36:28 PM PST

Ontario officials produced 600 flash drives bearing the slogan “SetONTariofree.com” on one side and “local control” on the other. The flash drive is packed with information on the city’s three-year campaign to take back ONT. City officials are in the process of giving away 600 of the USB flash drives to city managers and mayors throughout Southern California.

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By Dale Kasler
dkasler@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Mar. 14, 2012 – 12:55 pm

CalPERS gave final approval today to a quarter-point reduction in its investment forecast, but will look at softening the fiscal impact on government budgets.

The lowered forecast will cost the state an extra $167 million a year, and will also raise costs for the school districts and municipalities that belong to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System.

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SacBee: CalPERS set to lower its investment forecast, pushing state cost up

By Dale Kasler
dkasler@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Mar. 14, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Wednesday, Mar. 14, 2012 – 8:12 am

CalPERS could have socked the state for another $425 million. Instead, it chose a compromise measure that’s expected to cost $167 million.

A committee of the state’s big pension fund moved Tuesday to reduce its official investment forecast by a quarter-point, to 7.5 percent.

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SacBee: California Supreme Court’s daunting task: Unite pot-dispensary rulings

By Peter Hecht
phecht@sacbee.com
Published: Tuesday, Mar. 13, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 1A

When it comes to rulings on medical marijuana, California courts have a case of multiple personality disorder.

A flurry of recent, conflicting decisions by state appellate courts on whether cities can ban marijuana stores or be forced to allow them is setting up a landmark review by the California Supreme Court.

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The PE: REGION: Riverside County gets $100 million for jails

Riverside County’s glaring inmate overpopulation will get state relief for construction, possibly for the Indio facility

 

BY JEFF HORSEMAN AND JIM MILLER
STAFF WRITERS
jhorseman@pe.com | jmiller@pe.com

Published: 08 March 2012 06:06 PM

The state will award Riverside County $100 million to expand the jail system and ease prisoner crowding, Sheriff Stan Sniff announced Thursday.

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A model of a gulfstream is on display at the Million Air passenger terminal at the San Bernardino International Airport. (File Photo)

 

Ryan Carter and Jim Steinberg, Staff Writers
Posted: 03/08/2012 12:20:54 PM PST

PDF: Petition filed by SBD Airport Services in federal bankruptcy court

SAN BERNARDINO – A feud between the San Bernardino International Airport Authority and a controversial provider of aircraft fuel intensified Thursday, after the provider – SBD Airport Services – announced it filed for bankruptcy protection, alleging the airport is intentionally crippling its services.

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InlandPolitics: Wolfe a fine choice for SANBAG post

Thursday, March 8, 2012 – 09:15 a.m.

San Bernardino County’s transportation agency made a great choice in hiring Ray Wolfe as its executive director.

Wolfe’s hiring brings a well experienced person to the helm of San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG).

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The Sun: Caltrans district chief gets SanBAG job

 

Raymond W. Wolfe has been hired as executive director for San Bernardino Associated Governments. (San Bernardino Associated Governments)

 

Melissa Pinion-Whitt and Jim Steinberg, Staff Writers
Posted: 03/07/2012 01:48:49 PM PST

SAN BERNARDINO – The executive director of Caltrans’ Inland Empire division on Wednesday was named the new head of San Bernardino Associated Governments, SanBAG officials said Wednesday.

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