Businesses and public agencies in San Bernardino County that want to expand or renovate their facilities could save thousands of dollars in interest costs by accessing more than $115 million in low-interest bonds that will be available through a program approved Tuesday by the county Board of Supervisors. (Continued below) …

… From the Daily Press, Oct. 28, 2009 … ‘Countywide Recovery Zone OK’d; Low-interest business loans available to spur economy’ … From Staff Reports … (Continued below) …

… The board unanimously agreed to create a countywide Recovery Zone to allow for the issuance of more than $46 million in economic development bonds and more than $69 million in private-facility bonds, according to a county news release.

The program is designed to spur economic development and job creation by offering attractive financing options to interested parties.

“The Recovery Zone program will provide a great incentive for our local businesses to move forward with potential expansion plans,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Gary Ovitt said in a news release.

The county will issue conduit revenue bonds, meaning the county will be neither the lender nor the borrower of the funds. Costs associated with issuing the bonds will be the responsibility of the borrower, and bonds can be issued through Dec. 31, 2010.

The program will operate according to the following tentative schedule: A proposers’ conference is planned Nov. 4, with proposals due Dec. 14.

“Not all businesses are in a position to expand during this difficult economy,” said county Economic Development Agency Administrator Mark Dowling. “But for those businesses that are considering an expansion, this Recovery Zone program could provide the boost they need.”

The Recovery Zone program was made possible through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed by President Barack Obama earlier this year. The program is designed to boost economic development efforts in areas that are experiencing significant poverty, high unemployment, high rates of home foreclosures and other economic ills. For more information, call (909) 387-9802.

San Bernardino County is purchasing the newly constructed $1.5 million Phelan Memorial Library, with plans to nearly double the facility’s parking area to accommodate a recent surge in patrons. … (Continued below) …

… From the Daily Press, Oct. 21, 2009 … Phelan Library Use Surges Nearly 60 Percent; County to purchase new $1.5M facility, expand parking … By Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writer … (Continued below) …

… The number of local patrons has spiked by nearly 60 percent since the library relocated from Serrano High School to the new facility on Clovis Road near Lindero Street in late August, according to Phelan Library Branch Manger Lisa Marie Garcia.

“I think that Phelan Library has become the cultural hub to the tri community,” Garcia said. “We’re very excited that the community appears to be delighted that they have a stand-alone library.”

The library has received more than 500 new library card applications since relocating, Garcia said, with t h e facility serving roughly 9,000 patrons in September and more than 3,000 patrons from Oct. 1 through Monday. The library’s 16 computers are in high demand and in use at nearly all times the library is open, she added.

In an effort spearheaded by 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, county supervisors approved a ten-year lease with Sanka Development, Inc., in December 2007 on the planned 8,400-square-foot facility with an option to buy it at a later date.

Now officials have decided it’s in county’s best interest to own the facility, which they hope will serve local residents for many years.

The county also plans to add 32 more parking spaces to the facility’s current 28 by purchasing from Sanka an additional 13,400 square feet west of the facility for roughly $35,000.

As demand grows, the library is expanding its community programs, from children story-time and educational lessons to adult crafts and reading clubs. In January library officials plan to start a 55-plus computer club for senior citizens who want to learn computer skills.

Call the branch at 868-3053, or visit the branch at 9898 Clovis Road in Phelan.

Hours for the Phelan Memorial Library are: Monday and Tuesday, noon to 8 p.m.; Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

IN THE NEWS: ‘Ben Stein optimistic about High Desert’ … ‘Dirt road near Oak Hills High School to get county help’ … ‘In defense of banning marijuana dispensaries’ … (Copyright 2009 – Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, 12127 Mall Blvd., Suite A, Victorville, CA 92392 www.joinbrad.com) … MEETINGS: Board of Supervisors meeting, Tuesday, 10 a.m., County Government Center, San Bernardino. Agenda available here. Local Agency Formation Commission, Wednesday, 9 a.m., San Bernardino City Council Chambers. Agenda available here. SANBAG Plans and Programs Committee, Wednesday 12 noon, San Bernardino. Agenda available here.

Ben Stein, a pop culture icon who is an economist, sees opportunity in the High Desert.

The region’s economy has been devastated by the recession but “the long-term trend is overwhelming … with the growth of future imports,” Stein said Thursday at a news conference at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville. “If you extrapolate that over time, the future is bright for this area.” … (Continued below) …

… From The Sun, Oct. 17, 2009 … ‘A bright future; Ben Stein optimistic about High Desert’ … By Matt Wrye, Staff Writer … (Continued below) …

… Stein spoke again later that day at an annual event hosted by High Desert Opportunity, a public-private partnership that promotes the region to outside companies.

The Yale law school and economics graduate said he drives through the High Desert “a lot” when traveling across the country from his homes in Malibu and Beverly Hills, and he’s taken note of the region’s warehouse distribution growth over the past decade.

The High Desert isn’t necessarily known as the nation’s “inland port” as some groups are marketing it, but it’s probably only a matter of time, Stein said. Right now, “Ontario is certainly known as the inland port,” he said.

Even though the Panama Canal is expanding its port capabilities to handle more cargo, and several East Coast ports don’t have nearly as many air-quality regulatory issues as California, Stein believes the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will still be the main conduit for future foreign imports.

“Nowhere else has this (logistics hub) concentration,” Stein said about the High Desert.

The region’s second bright spot: renewable energy production. Stein foresees major wind and solar projects moving into the region over the next 30 years.

“Once you have people working in alternative energy… you’ll have the dentists, doctors, grocers and businesses that follow along,” Stein said.

Besides having been a speech writer for presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, Stein is known for his columns in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Washington Post.

His career includes a famous scene in the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” a stint on Comedy Central with the show, “Win Ben Stein’s Money,” and sitting as a judge on reality talent TV shows.

He offered some insight into the nation’s economic woes.

President Barack Obama’s federal stimulus isn’t being released fast enough into the economy, stifling the recovery, Stein said.

Stein is worried that health-care bills being crafted in Congress might hinder the small business owner’s ability to hire employees because of possible new taxes on those employers.

As for the national health care proposal’s cost, “it’s a fantasy that … they’re going to get the cost savings they think they’re going to get,” Stein said.

The national housing market’s recovery could stretch into 2015, Stein added.

And as the job market slowly recovers, the national unemployment rate will probably hover between 8 percent and 10 percent over the next couple of years before dropping, he said.

As for the High Desert, “growth is slow, but we’re still growing, and the slowness is only temporary,” county Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, who represents much of the High Desert, said before introducing Stein to the audience.

Stein echoed the supervisor’s comments.

“You’ll become the most important gateway for the planet,” he said. “I see a gigantic future for this area.”

matthew.wrye@inlandnewspapers.com

Link to online article: http://www.sbsun.com/business/ci_13580460

An emergency project to widen, grade and apply soil stabilizer to El Centro Road next to Oak Hills High School will begin immediately, San Bernardino County officials announced. (Continued below) …

… From the Press-Dispatch, Oct. 17, 2009 … From staff reports … (Continued below) …

…The construction schedule is planned so as to ensure construction equipment is not operating while students are traveling to and from school. All construction will be conducted either while students are in school or after students have left for the day.

The improvements are expected to cost $75,000. The project should be completed by the first week of November.

“I’m pleased to see our public-works crews moving so quickly on this project,” said 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, who recently proposed the improvements. “This project will dramatically improve safety for students using this road to travel to and from school.”

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday is scheduled to accept El Centro Road into the County Maintained Road System — the first step toward making the improvements.

After acceptance into the road system, crews will immediately begin improvements on the road, according to a county news release.

Local residents and concerned parents complained about dangerous conditions shortly after students began attending the school.

A 15-year-old girl was struck by a car on El Centro Road near the school on Sept. 29, one month after the school opened.

El Centro Road, a narrow dirt road, is not currently maintained by the county or the city of Hesperia. High volumes of traffic on the road cause excessive dust, obscuring motorists’ views of pedestrians and bicyclists.

In the Desert Dispatch’s Sept. 23 editorial titled “County continues marijuana fight,” the editor wrote about the City of Barstow’s recent decision to ban pot dispensaries, saying, “No doubt Barstow wouldn’t want to be the only place in the county that allowed the dispensaries.” Clearly, the editor understands that where dispensaries exist, crime and other problems follow. … (Continued below) …

… From the Desert Dispatch, Oct. 15, 2009 … By Brad Mitzelfelt, County Supervisor … (Continued below) …

…The editor referred to the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors as “villains” because on, August 4, they unanimously voted not to allow marijuana dispensaries within unincorporated areas of the county for up to a year, a step the City of Barstow was wise to also make. This action was taken as an interim step until County staff draft language for an eventual ordinance that could either allow or prohibit dispensaries. The decision could very well continue the current ban on the dispensaries. This is the position I have said I will take because ensuring the safety of the residents of our county is my most important responsibility.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court chose not to get involved with an attempt by San Bernardino and San Diego counties to not be forced into issuing medical marijuana identification cards on the grounds that doing so could be in violation of federal law. The laws being what they are, San Bernardino County is now forced to adhere to the state requirement to hand out medical marijuana cards on behalf of the state.

The question of allowing medical marijuana dispensaries has been addressed by many counties and cities. Ventura County and cities like Victorville, Anaheim, Cotati, Dixon, Simi Valley and even one of the most liberal counties in California, Santa Cruz, currently have moratoria on the approval of medical marijuana dispensaries. Are they villains or are they concerned about how the safety of their residents would be negatively impacted if people begin openly selling pot from storefronts?

Problems identified in places like Anaheim, where the police conducted a very thorough and exhaustive study on the local effects of marijuana dispensaries, cannot be dismissed by any responsible representative in this state.

Businesses surrounding these dispensaries have packed up and left after the increase in crime and the smell of marijuana were too much for them and their patrons to tolerate. Also noted in the study are increased access to marijuana by children, increased sale of other illegal drugs at or near these dispensaries, and increases in burglaries and robberies in the vicinity of these dispensaries. Any responsible official must address the increase in crime and the exposure of children to these businesses before they can be allowed in a community.

However, the real issue here is that the medical marijuana movement is a fraud. The majority of medical marijuana card holders in the state of California are under the age of 30. How many of them actually have serious illnesses other than drug addiction? Even if they were truly sick, there are no credible studies demonstrating the medical benefits of marijuana.

The editor asked what I know that doctors do not. Well here is what doctors know, which I agree with. The Food and Drug Administration’s pure drug standards do not endorse marijuana, and the California and American Medical Associations both oppose the use of marijuana as a medical option. As the Anaheim study concludes, “there are only a few medical doctors who support marijuana’s medical use.” The primary ingredient in marijuana, THC, influences the cannabinoid receptors that affect memory, thought, concentration, time and sensory perception and coordinated movement — and has even been shown to increase pain. That’s in addition to exaggerated negative side effects similar to smoking tobacco.

The case against marijuana is most clear when the mental abilities of a lifelong marijuana smoker are observed.

In fact, I will take this argument one step further. While many ill people believe their symptoms can be alleviated by smoking marijuana, the political movement behind legalizing medical marijuana is the same movement that seeks to legalize the drug for recreational use. I am loath to use my position as an elected official to enable people to violate federal law and advance the cause of legalizing pot or other drugs for recreational use.

Finally, the editor accused me of taking this position in an effort to court the support of law enforcement. I have not taken this position in an attempt to impress members of law enforcement; I have taken this position because I am responsible for the enforcement of law. I am sworn to protect the residents of our county, including the real victims in this controversy, the people who feel that they need marijuana for medical conditions and who, even though the State of California says it’s okay, will be put at increased risk of violating federal law for growing, possessing, distributing, buying or smoking pot.

ABOUT THE WRITER: Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt represents the County’s First District, which includes Barstow.

IN THE NEWS: County to take over struggling Victor Valley Museum … ‘SVL water system getting much-needed upgrade’ … Road Projects Include Paving Around Oak Hills High School … Next Phase for Aviation Mechanics at SCLA to Begin … (Copyright 2009 – Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, 12127 Mall Blvd., Suite A, Victorville, CA 92392 www.joinbrad.com) … NEWS (Continued): ‘Victorville gang targeted in seven city sweep’ … MEETINGS: There will be no Board of Supervisors meeting this week. Inland Empire Health Plan, Board Meeting, Tuesday, 9 a.m., SB County Govt. Center, San Bernardino. SANBAG Administrative Committee, Wednesday, 9 a.m., San Bernardino. Victor Valley Economic Development Authority Special Meeting, Wednesday, 5 p.m., Victorville City Hall. Thursday, High Desert Opportunity, featuring Ben Stein, SB County Fairgrounds, Victorville. Friday, 9 a.m., SANBAG Mountain-Desert Committee, Apple Valley Town Hall.

APPLE VALLEY – San Bernardino County is working on a plan to take over the struggling Victor Valley Museum, with intentions to remodel the site and expand its representation of High Desert history.

“One of my priorities as supervisor has been to bring a county museum to the High Desert,” 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt said Friday, “so this idea brought to me by the Victor Valley Museum seemed like a natural partnership.” … (Continued below) …

… From the Daily Press, Oct. 10, 2009 … ‘County eyes museum bailout; Apple Valley may pitch in up to $15,000 per year to support Victor Valley Museum’ … By Brooke Edwards, Staff Writer … (Continued below) …

… The nonprofit museum approached Mitzelfelt in July with concerns over its ability to stay open, with donations reportedly down some 75 percent.

“We’ve knocked on every door in town,” said Doug Shumway, president of the museum’s board. “Even our biggest donors just couldn’t do it. They’re having to lay off people from their own staff.”

Without help, Shumway told the Apple Valley Town Council, the museum would be out of money and possibly forced to close its doors this month.

The museum offered to transfer its title to San Bernardino County in order to keep the 33-year-old community resource intact.

An estimated $250,000 to update the facility would be paid out of Mitzelfelt’s district funds. Ongoing operational costs would be borne by the County Museums Department and be offset by fundraising, with eligibility for more grants as the museum is brought in line with accreditation requirements for its displays.

Discussions are also under way with local cities to help fund operations, which Shumway said average $6,000 per month. On the agenda for Tuesday night’s council meeting is a plan for Apple Valley to commit up to $15,000 per year in support.

Mitzelfelt worked with the San Bernardino County Museum and County Administrative Office to develop a plan for a seamless transition.

In the first phase, the county would refurbish and upgrade existing exhibits, expand outreach programs and remodel the exterior and interior of the facility.

This would result in a temporary partial closure, officials said, where residents could use portions of the facility on a limited basis.

Phase two would be intended to attract existing patrons and new ones through new exhibitions, programs, lectures, travel programs and other outreach events.

As more visitors flow to the museum through these upgrades, the county also plans to reexamine staffing levels, hours of operation and programs, to ensure the viability of the museum for years to come.

The museum was created in 1976 in the halls of the Victorville courthouse as a bicentennial project, Shumway said. It was moved to its current site, 11873 Apple Valley Road, in 1992.

“I have long admired our Victor Valley Museum and the dedicated patrons and volunteers who have kept it a viable amenity for our community,” Mitzelfelt said. “I am also glad to be able to step in at a time of need and secure the future of the museum.”

For more information on the museum, call 240-2111 or visit www.VVMuseum.com
.

SPRING VALLEY LAKE – Last year the community saw an average of one water line break every day, with crews called out at all hours of the night to repair some 336 aging pipes. (Continued below) …

… From the Daily Press, Oct. 8, 2009 … ‘SVL water system getting much-needed upgrade; Service line calls already down 43 percent’ … By Brooke Edwards, Staff Writer … (Continued below) …

… So far in 2009 monthly calls are down an average of 43 percent, according to Manuel Benitez, deputy director with the county’s Special Districts.

That drop, Benitez said, can be attributed to a multi-year program initiated last year by San Bernardino County to replace the aging and failure-prone water service lines in Spring Valley Lake. The county Board of Supervisors this week approved plans to spend estimated $400,000 to replace some 550 service lines in the lakeside community.

“These water lines have been causing problems for residents of Spring Valley Lake for some time,” 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt said. “This will increase the reliability of the water system and improve safety on the roads.”

The lines that run from the water mains in the street to customers’ water meters were installed in the 1970s, and Benitez said they started bursting at a high rate. That has led to hundreds of emergency calls and high overtime costs to County Service Area 64, which serves SVL, along with extensive road damage and public safety hazards.

Jon D. Sabo, general manager for SVL, said he’d heard about the community’s problems with its water system when he came onboard in August.

“We are thrilled the county is looking at investing in its infrastructure and supporting preventative measures,” Sabo said. “In the end, that investment will save the county significant money from line breaks.”

CSA 64 is also coordinating with the Public Works Department to do the replacements before any scheduled road repaving.

Benitez predicts it’ll be another two to four years until the entire system receives the needed upgrades, with plans always dependent on funding.

Brooke Edwards may be reached at 955-5358 or at bedwards@VVDailyPress.com.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors today allocated nearly $10 million in state bond money for paving and rehabilitation projects in the High Desert, including $800,000 to pave roads around the new Oak Hills High School.

“This money will help make our roads smoother and safer,” said Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt. “As the desert grows, it is important to keep our roads in the best condition possible for both the safety of our residents and to attract business development.” (Continued below) …

… From Best Syndication News, October 7, 2009 … Submitted by David Zook (Continued below) …

… The projects include paving key dirt roads, constructing turn pockets and repaving roads with worn and damaged pavement. The funding comes from Proposition 1B, the nearly $20 billion bond measure approved by state voters in November 2006. Part of the bond money is distributed based on a formula that considers registered vehicles and total road miles.

Projects in the First District total $9,990,000.

The projects being funded are:

* El Centro Road (Oak Hills): pave from Coyote Trail to Escondido Road
* Coyote Trail (Oak Hills): pave from El Centro Road to Cedar Street
* Sheep Creek Road (Phelan): rehabilitate pavement from Smoke Tree Road to Goss Road and Goss Road to Duncan Road
* National Trails Highway (Helendale): rehabilitate pavement from Vista Road, one mile north
* Sheep Creek Road (Phelan): rehabilitate pavement from SR 138 to Snow Line Drive
* Highland Avenue at SR 247 (Lucerne Valley): construct turn pocket
* Trade Post Road at SR 18 (Lucerne Valley): construct turn pocket
* Oak Hills Road (Oak Hills): realign curves from Caliente Road west to Jenny Street
* Bear Valley Cutoff (Apple Valley): rehabilitate pavement from Joshua Road east to SR18
* Midway Avenue (Lucerne Valley): pave from SR 247 to SR 18
* Phelan Road (Phelan): rehabilitate pavement from Malpaso Road to Sheep Creek Road
* Mariposa Road (Hesperia): rehabilitate pavement from Farmington Street to Ranchero Road

The projects are scheduled to be under construction during the spring and summer of 2010.

Link to online article: http://bestsyndication.com/?q=20091007_road_projects.htm

keep looking »

Recently Written

Headlines: September 5, 2010 Mitzelfelt MEMO: September 3, 2010 ‘Better Days Ahead’ ‘County may start Barstow-to-Victorville bus service’ Headlines: August 24, 2010 Victor Valley leaders support Prop. 23 Mother Road Needs Makeover ‘County prepares for move into Barstow Mall’ Relief on the way for Oak Hills High dust Headlines: August 2, 2010

Categories

Brad's Blog In The News This Week

Archives

September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007

Blogroll

Around The Capitol Fix Rss Feed - wordpress plugin that fix rss feed error “Error on line 2: The processing instruction target matching “[xX][mM][lL]” is not allowed.” while burn feed from feedburner.com Hugh Hewitt’s Blog Red County San Bernardino The FlashReport

Admin

Register Log in Wordpress XHTML

Search