News , Op-Ed

COMET AND CHAMBER MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE MARCH

On Tuesday night the COMET and Chamber of Commerce met by telephone conference call. Here are some highlights: 

From Scott Ward, field representative for Dawn Rowe: the County Board of Supervisors has voted to place the repeal of the fire tax on the November ballot. Some areas in the desert are not paying the fire tax but will have a vote, as well as those who are paying. Readers may access more information by utilizing this link.

Small business owners who have been impacted by the pandemic may apply for assistance at this link.

Pandemic numbers have been escalating, partly due to increased testing as well as other causes. There are over 24 locations for free testing, for which you need an appointment. The closest location to Mentone is Citrus Valley High School, he said. Chamber members stated it takes up to 10 days to hear the results, in one case even when those tested were positive. You may view more testing sites here.

Regarding fireworks: if you see something, say something. Take a picture. You may report the location at the San Bernardino County Fire website; here is the link. For more instructions, see under Sheriff’s Department below. For the latest on SB county fireworks, please see the website here.

The County has extended its contract for legal services to seniors, so those who are receiving them may rest assured they will continue for now. 

From Nohelia Orellana, field representative for Assemblyman James Ramos: the County is running a 54B deficit but is asking for help from the State for small businesses impacted by the pandemic. Bills are being introduced, mostly related to COVID-19. One asks the Legislature to make it illegal to sue a restaurant for a customer who contracts the virus. Another regards suicide prevention among Native American tribes and another tribal lands. Readers who have lost  their jobs and are having difficulty receiving unemployment are encouraged to contact Ramos’ office. 

Regarding COMET’s counsel’s February letter to Ms. Orellana, requesting that Assembly Ramos’ office re-submit the bill making it illegal to demand annexation in exchange for water, she said she was told that because it’s been such a long time (since 1996) there was not much they could do and it would be reviewable at the LAFCO (Local Area Formation Commission) level. By law, LAFCO’s duties are ministerial, only: to supervise whether new developments comply with the law; it does not supervise annexations. When assured that it was not a LAFCO problem or project, she said she would try to re-submit or re-introduce it.  As previously reported, the bill never made it past an aide in Senator Morrell’s office and Senator Leyva’s office has never responded to a similar request by COMET’s counsel.           

From Rachel Achilly, San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office: the Department has had COVID-19 cases, mostly in the jails. Regarding fireworks, the County will fine and even jail violators of the no-fireworks law in this area. Each offense carries a fine of $1,250 and can go up to $6,000. Fireworks are illegal to set off in any area where they are not sold. They can be sold only in Fontana, Rialto, San Bernardino and south of the Freeway. However, moving or aerial fireworks are illegal everywhere. Only those fireworks that are safe and sane are legal to buy in those communities, she added. If anyone sees a neighbor setting off fireworks, even in their backyard, the observer is encouraged to report it and a video or snapshot  is welcome because it is presently a misdemeanor, which means that the Sheriff or Fire Department investigator must see it in order to arrest the persons responsible. She added that a photo or video must show the address clearly visible. Some Fire Department investigators have law enforcement authority. A representative from the Red Brennan Groups shared its efforts to get the Fire Tax repealed. 

Other news: the Library may be reopening July 6 (this was before the latest shutdown news), the Senior Center later on. No meals will be served, however. The June 13 celebration of Mentone’s development and Film Festival were, of course, postponed due to the pandemic. Hopefully, in 2021 the celebrations will be able to be held. As far as the Mill Creek Casino Night, “We will see,” said Jim Lotito, co-owner/proprietor and Ways and Means Committee co-chair. He added that the Mill Creek Cattle Company was operating at  25-30% of its regular business and hoped that business would pick up by December.  Someone defined a “bar” as a place that doesn’t provide food, so it technically doesn’t fall under the definition of a “bar” and, as of Tuesday night, could stay open. 

Chairman David Wilder mentioned CalTrans and the members discussed its slowness to paint the straight-ahead arrow at the corner of Wabash and the Boulevard (westbound), which it promised to do at least two years ago; he promised to bring it up again and ask that it be done sooner rather than later. 

Op-Ed:

It is certainly a shame that, in an area that is paying the fire tax (get out and vote it down in November), those who set off illegal fireworks –  2-3 times a night between dark and 10 p.m. in Mentone – can be guilty of only a misdemeanor. That means that, unless you get a photo or video with the home’s address clearly showing, they can set one off, you report it and the Sheriff arrives but there is nothing to see and the miscreants lie so the Deputies have to leave. Then the miscreants do it again and again, each time spacing them out so the Sheriff cannot view them. It should be made a felony, which is reportable by an eyewitness and thus more prosecutable.

Those who do this in quiet neighborhoods like Mentone should be arrested and punished because of the impact on those who have PTSD from honorably serving in the military and everyone’s pets (f you’ve ever cleaned up dog poo, including diarrhea, off a rug at 3 a.m., as I have, you understand why folks want to be able to put their pets out at night).  It is incomprehensible that anyone should think it’s “fun” or “clever” to disturb everyone else’s peace simply because they can get away with it. 

It seems the misinformation never stops: first, CALAFCO, which has nothing to do with Redlands’ extortionate annexation of Mentone territory, successfully lobbied to keep the proposed legislative amendment out of the Senate, most probably because of some personal ties with someone in Redlands’ city council.

Now, Assemblyman Ramos’ office – and he did nothing to help Mentone with this problem before he went “upstairs” – thinks it has a “statute of limitations” problem.  Senator Leyva’s office “next door,” whose website requests proposed legislation, failed to respond to a similar request. Someone, somewhere, sometime, has to recognize that “little, old Mentone” has rights, too, and that time has already come long ago.

Maybe readers would start a letter-writing campaign to Ramos, Leyva and Senator Mike McGuire, chairman of the threshold Finance and Governance Committee, to demand that this legislation – which has already been  reviewed and revised by Legislative Counsel – be submitted to the Senate.

The “Donut Hole” – the businesses around the intersection of Alabama and Lugonia, was excluded from Redlands’ control by Legislature, so why not Mentone?  Of course, Redlands is receiving that area’s sales taxes, but doesn’t have to provide fire, police and other services, so that was a win-win for it. (The Donut Hole developers’ attorneys, based in Redlands, sold them a bill of goods, but that’s another story for another time.) 

Local businesses, especially restaurants, are hurting; everyone likes to eat something someone else prepared so why not patronize the local businesses, even if it means you still have to wash the dishes? So many businesses have failed elsewhere that it would be a shame to see some of our local ones also “go away,” after many years of serving the community. 

Op-Ed

We Get Letters…

Good morning, Mentone Matters!

On old topographical maps, it shows that the former Southern Pacific Railroad branch line (that went through Crafton and ended at Greenspot) passed right by Lockheed’s Grand Central Rocket Company property.

I was wondering, please, if this now-abandoned Southern Pacific line actually served Grand Central Rocket Co. back when the facility was new in the 1950s — or was the Southern Pacific track already abandoned in this particular area by that period?

On a separate subject, are there any good photographs of Mentone’s Universal-Sanitary, later called Universal-Rundle during its heyday in the ’50s-’60s?

Thank you very much,
Isobel D.

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News

REPORT ILLEGAL FIREWORKS

Please see below a press release from San Bernardino County Fire regarding illegal fireworks:

Report Illegal Fireworks

NEWS: REPORT ILLEGAL FIREWORKS 🧨⚠️

Concerned residents in San Bernardino County continue to report the use of dangerous and illegal fireworks in many jurisdictions. While San Bernardino County Fire officials follow up on these reports, the lack of evidence of reported violations often hinder investigations. In order to issue citations or make arrests, County Fire officials must have definitive proof of suspects engaged in illegal activity. This criminal act carries a fine of $1,250 for the first offense with the possibility of arrest.

To aid investigations into these dangerous activities, the San Bernardino County Fire Office of the Fire Marshal has created a new tool called The Illegal Fireworks Reporter to report any use or sale of illegal fireworks in San Bernardino County. Residents may make an anonymous report by accessing this platform through a QR code distributed throughout the county, as well as through links on SBCFire.org.

With the help of concerned residents, fire investigators and law enforcement will be able to respond and conduct investigations that will increase community safety and reduce the risk of damage or serious injury in San Bernardino County communities.

“The Office of the Fire Marshal takes the illegal use or sale of illegal fireworks very seriously,” stated Fire Marshal Mike Horton. “The Illegal Fireworks Reporter tool will allow us to partner with our residents more effectively to reduce these dangerous activities. I’m very proud of the men and women at the Office of the Fire Marshal who continue to find innovative solutions to keep our communities safe.”

To make an anonymous report, residents may visit https://bit.ly/SBCoReportFireworks. Be sure to include the date, time, and specific location of the alleged activity. Any photos and videos of incidents will aid in the investigation of alleged violations. Photos and videos may be included in the submission of each report.

Partnering with residents continues to be a one of the most effective tools in community risk reduction. San Bernardino County Fire thanks each resident for doing their part to keep our county safe.

Op-Ed

How Do you Like our New Opening Page?

Crafton Hills College Web Development professor Ed Papp has provided MM with a new intern, Levi Remington, who has been hard at work assisting us in posting forwards and other pieces and also revising the banner. He will also be revising the archives to be continuous with the present news so readers won’t have to click on a link to read back issues; those include the ones previously sent by e-mail. Comments on MM’s new look are welcome.

MM

Events

Back by Popular Demand! COVID-19 SCAMS and Healthcare Fraud Webinar

California SMP

These are troubling times and the robocallers and COVID scammers are out in full force. If you missed our May webinars, please tune in to our California Health Advocates Senior Medicare Patrol webinar on COVID-19 SCAMS and Healthcare Fraud on Monday, July 13 at 11am (Pacific) and learn:

  • How to spot the scammers
  • What offers to beware of
  • How to identify Medicare fraud schemes
  • Where to report fraud
Details
Date:Mon, Jul 13, 2020
Time:11:00 AM PDT
Duration:1 hour
Host(s):Micki Nozaki
Presenter Information
Micki Nozaki

Micki Nozaki is the Director of the California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). Micki had previously served as a Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) counselor, offering in-person Medicare counseling at Micki Nozaki is the Director of the California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). Micki had previously served as a Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) counselor, offering in-person Medicare counseling at several sites throughout Orange County. Her professional experience includes 25 years in the private sector, for mainly healthcare, insurance, and government-contracted organizations, where she lead the development, implementation and promotion of information security and privacy programs.

Op-Ed

We get letters…

The so-called “Antifa” march in Yucaipa was attacked by racist thugs. (As if Antifa would know or care about Yucaipa; and there was nowhere near “about sixty” of them). They were peacefully marching up the Blvd. when thugs, some wearing MAGA hats, attacked them. (See the whole video below and on which side of the street this took place.)

The video you posted was initially posted on youtube by a white supremacist who goes by the name of Ali Adolf: Here is more of his repertoire:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_RqNKytX-C59s0WBJzZeDw

Here is the whole original video before the racists did their edit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1WX3K9Nni4&fbclid=IwAR1xaCdCryNFy54YMj5ua8Yqa2LPuQYcW2YGYfYnD_fQ05JNpUn6_AUTJS8

Fix it!

– reader

News

PROTESTERS/RIOTERS/LOOTERS REACH MENTONE!

RIOTERS/LOOTERS REACH MENTONE!

As reported by Jeff Bryant by e-mail, special to Mentone Matters:

“-Sugar Shack sign is missing
-My Good store/76 gas station that is caddie corner from CVS on Mentone/Wabash needs their sign above the door replaced
-Minor Graffiti on the side of the Book Binding/Repair shop”

“Will let you know if we find out more info. So limited damage as of now.

Bryant had earlier reported
“I just saw one lady protester by the Mentone Sign next to the Tile Shop. Most of the shops are closed except for the gas stations, auto mechanics, Dollar General, Beach House, A&W and Mill Creek are still open. Circle K manager said they are not closing at 6PM for curfew.

“An hour ago approximately 60 protestors were heading down Yucaipa Blvd from the upper crest towards City Hall. Saw 6 deputies total and 3 CAL fire chief trucks. If you go West of Bryant 3 blocks you start to see half the business boarded up with plywood on the windows between there and the Best lumber Yard. Hickory Ranch Steak House is all boarded up with about a dozen workers guarding the Steak House. Lots of vehicle traffic on the Blvd there in Yucaipa now.

“I hear there is chaos in Redlands towards downtown, but did not go there. Will continue to monitor the situation and let you know if businesses need help here in town.”

MM hopes this will be the end of the chaos in our town and elsewhere; stay vigilant and safe.

Also see:

Antifa ‘Invades The Suburbs’ in Yucaipa, CA… It Does Not End Well For Them

Op-Ed

SOME THOUGHTS ON OUR TIMES

We’re not even through the pandemic and we are “hit” with 24/7 news showing protests and looters. To their credit, one Los Angeles County city actually scheduled a peaceful demonstration for Sunday, apparently forgetting the past: does anyone else remember the 1965 Watts riots? They actually destroyed their own community, focusing on store owners who were different than they and probably immigrants. I had moved to L.A. just the previous year and was shocked at the lengths to which some people would go, purportedly in order to vent their anger at injustice, would steal what was easily grabbed, would beat up innocent people who disagree, would set fires to businesses and, I think, even homes. If you don’t remember that week of riots you can read about it on Wikipedia, along with how the riots and protests started: a Black man was stopped for reckless driving near his mother’s home; his brother left the car brought her to the scene. She chewed her son out for drinking and driving, then ended up attacking the police, and the three of them – mother and two sons – were arrested. The rioting started then and grew to as far away as Pasadena, Pacoima, Monrovia, Long Beach, and even San Diego.

The exact same incidents took place in those cities then as what we saw in the past week: the defiance of necessary curfews, the necessary deployment of the National Guard, attacking first responders like police and their vehicles, arson and looting of stores. Curiously, this time the LAPD and Sheriff were unprepared for the similar actions and the necessary measures took a few days to be employed. Winston Churchill, paraphrasing George Santayana, said “‘Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”

I can understand their frustration and anger somewhat: my immigrant White ancestor, who came here simply to bring the gospel and served the American Indians for years, was murdered by some (who were probably also related to me); years later her son and grandchildren were driven to seek refuge in Canada by the same tribe. But how could I justify punishing American Indians alive now, for what their ancestors did? Somewhere, sometime, somehow, vengeance has to stop being people’s motivation for acting as they have been doing in the past 50+ years.

Am I alone in thinking that what happens in L.A. or elsewhere in California doesn’t really affect the police in Minneapolis? So what good does marching in the streets and on the freeways, disrupting traffic, torching businesses that they would need in the future and the very police vehicles that might have been called to assist them at other times, and otherwise straining LAPD’s and others’ resources, really do? One has to believe that the looters are just hoodlums looking to make a quick buck on someone else’s property. And this time the looters can wear masks to conceal their identities without raising suspicions.

And why would people, who just didn’t like being forced to stay home the past two months in order to stop or slow the pandemic, get out there and violate social distancing, quite likely exposing themselves or others to the Coronavirus, and starting another upsurge? It defies reason.

If the Floyd family can ask for the violence to stop, and respect what George Floyd would have said was appropriate, who is entitled to continue it?

From the policeman’s history, it seems like he should have been fired and arrested a long time ago. For that failure, George Floyd paid the ultimate price, but out of his untimely death perhaps can come some good: a bad cop is finally off the streets. And he will probably have to watch his back constantly when he goes to prison, where he belongs, because the other inmates will likely exact their revenge.

If it seems like these troubles will never end, for the Bible readers Matthew 24 gives a good description of what we can expect in the future. MM

News

Tele-Town Hall Update from Employment Development Department

EDD Telephone Town Hall Image

Get insight on how to receive benefits quicker.

Unemployment benefit claims have reached levels not seen since the Great Depression. This issue has caused uncertainty and a slowing of benefit payout to workers. Join my office and Russell Best, EDD Employment Program Manager III on this call to get insight into best practices to receive benefits quicker. The EDD will also answer the most common questions asked during this COVID-19 pandemic.
My office has organized this virtual town hall, and I encourage you to participate in this important discussion.

Thursday, June 4
3 p.m.
Call In Number: (888) 204-5984
CODE: 3731564

Because of the volume of virtual guests we are expecting, live questions will not be possible. Those who wish to submit questions, please do so by Wednesday, June 3 at 10 a.m. by emailing my office.


Event information can be found on my website as well as additional COVID-19 resources.
Sincerely,

Eloise Gómez Reyes
Assemblymember, 47th District

Capitol Office: State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0047
Tel: (916) 319-2047
District Office:
290 North D Street, Suite 903
San Bernardino, CA 92401
Tel: (909) 381-3238
Op-Ed

How Mentone is Being Impacted

When you read how people who don’t live here and we don’t even know sank our chance to get the proposed amendment even considered by a Senate committee, doesn’t it make your blood boil? It does ours. One would hope that whoever now employs Ms. Scherkenback catches on to her little scheme of lying – repeatedly – to constituents, in the name of her employer, to manipulate matters to her liking and that she doesn’t get the opportunity to do so any more.
And who is CALAFCO to decide what the Legislature should do? It is advisory, only, to a governmental agency that is not concerned with whether an annexation must take place.
Sometime, somewhere, somehow, someone must take notice of little Mentone (it used to be bigger) and give it a chance to survive and even thrive.