High Desert Report
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Spring 2016 l Volume 55 The RADCO CompaniesHigh Desert Report An economic overview of the High Desert region affiliated with The Bradco Companies, a commercial real estate group We have some very cancer, he was unable to prepare an article Jr.; Mr. Michael Yannone; Mr. Robert R. exciting information for this edition. Considering how long he Gaines, Sr.; Mr. Brad Orchard; Mr. Mark to share in this Edi- has been in this battle, Dr. Gobar is do- Eagleton; Ms. Judith Joan Curren; Mr. tion of the Report. ing quite well. We talk often and he con- Mike Perry & Mr. Tom Perry (the son and But first, I wish to tinues to be one of my personal mentors. husband of our close friend and renowned welcome our cur- When the doctors told him they thought escrow professional Mrs. Debbie Perry); rent, future, and long he would lose a substantial amount of Mr. Stephen J. Flannery; Mr. Bill Nelson; standing subscrib- weight, they forgot that Dr. Gobar is a Ms. Susan Mari So; Ms. Rita Rae Dale; ers and sponsors of unique individual, undoubtedly one of Mr. Chuck Love; Mr. Jack Julian Hall; the 55th Edition of the most unique people anyone will ever Ms. Rita Louise Jaramillo; Mrs. Cherie The Bradco High Desert Report, the first meet. He has actually gained over 16 Vackar; Mr. Lowell Draper; and my wife’s and only economic overview of The High pounds. He looks great and still has the 99-1/5-year old Aunt, Ms. Myrtle Mason- Desert, covering the northern portion of greatest sense of humor. For those of you er-Unger. May you all Rest in Peace. This San Bernardino County, California. who have ever heard him speak, as I have special edition of The Bradco High Desert As many of you longtime readers know, more than 50 times, you know that humor. Report is dedicated to you, your families Dr. Alfred Gobar has continually supplied We are glad that the health of Dr. Gobar and the memories you created for us all. some of the greatest articles to The Brad- continues to improve, and we wish him Thank you for all you gave to the High co High Desert Report since its inception well. For those of you who may wish to Desert. Hopefully, we can strive to con- in May of 1993, all the way through our do so, please extend your regards to him tinue following in your footsteps. 52nd Edition. Due to an 8-year battle with at his email: [email protected]. As we dedicate this issue to those we It has been nearly 11 months since we lost, I would be remiss not to thank those Inside This Issue published the 54th edition of our Report. who continue to contribute to our efforts What Happened to the Inland Empire Film The reason for this is simple: it has been a to bring The Bradco Report to our read- Commission?.............................................2 very tough year for my family and for the ers and our community. Much thanks to: High Desert Communtiy Foundation ...........3 High Desert community in terms of health Mr. Dan Taylor of the Inland Empire Film Governor’s Record Budget ............................4 and personal losses. Commission; State Senator Mike Morrell; Caltrans Achieves Major Milestones .............5 Everyone, including myself, has been ex- and Ms. Joy Sepulveda, Public Informa- Cadiz Inc. Continues to Work to Provide tion Officer for Caltrans. Additionally, I California Much-Needed New Water...........7 tremely busy, and unfortunately, during Valdez Appointed San Bernardino Auditor- this time, we have lost many High Desert want to recognize Ms. Courtney Degener, Controller/Treasure..................................8 leaders. While I reflect upon my father’s Vice President of Communications & In- MWA Offers Assistance to Small Water declining health at 85 years old, I realize vestor Relations for Cadiz, where she has Providers.....................................................9 been a team member for over 12 years; VVWRA New Subregional Plants ....................10 how lucky all of us are to have our health and how lucky we are to live a vibrant the new San Bernardino Auditor-Con- Building Opportunity and Time for the High troller/Treasurer/Tax Collector, Mr. Oscar Desert ......................................................12 lifestyle. In the pursuit of business, I hope Lahontan RWQCB Stormwater ..................13 we all remember that family, friends and Valdez; Community Liaison Officer for High Desert Businesses give MDAQMD colleagues are the most important part of the Mojave Water Agency, Ms. Yvonne High Marks ............................................15 what we do each day. Hester; Chief of Legislative and Public High Desert Corridor Final EIS/R ...............16 Affairs for San Bernardino Associated San Bernardino County EDA .....................18 On that note, I want to dedicate the 55th Governments, Mr. Tim Watkins; Ms. Patty Keeping the American Drive Alive ..............19 Edition of The Bradco High Desert Re- Z. Kouyoumdjian, Executive Director for Energy Disclosure in California .......................20 port to those great individuals whom we Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Congressman Paul Cook Leads the Charge ........22 have recently lost. These people touched Board; and Ms. Christie Robinson, CRE VVC Serving the High Desert for 55 Years . 23 my life in one way or another, and I was Prop 13 is Safe, for Now ..............................25 Specialist for the Mojave Desert Air Qual- High Desert Unemployment Rates .............25 privileged to call all of them my friends. ity Management District. They taught me the value of life and to not Taxable Parcels Increase in Value ................26 Thanks also to our great friend Ms. Lisa 2016 Economic and Housing Market take our time here on earth for granted. Outlook ...................................................27 They all loved our High Desert region and Lawrence, Executive Director of the High Job Growth on the Horizon ........................29 all that it has to offer. Desert Community Foundation. I strongly City Update encourage all High Desert property own- Adelanto ..................................................30 Those we lost in the last year in the High ers, investors, and those who want to sup- Town of Apple Valley .............................32 Desert include: Mr. Bill Emick (father of port a local organization to consider the Barstow ....................................................33 Town of Apple Valley Councilmember contribution that the Foundation makes Hesperia ..................................................34 Curt Emick); Mr. Manuel Mojica Benitez Victorville ...............................................35 to the community through the leadership continued on page 31 The Bradco High Desert Report 760.951.5111 • Fax: 760.951.5113 • www.TheBradcoCompanies.com • email: [email protected] 2 High Desert Report An economic overview What happened to the Inland Empire Film Commission? By Dan Taylor Many of you remember the articles by two filming regions as semi-retired too. Dry Lake and Aviation Warehouse in Sheri Davis of the Inland Empire Film Over the 20 plus years the IEFC was in El Mirage. This might have technically Commission (IEFC), revealing all the existence, Sheri and I helped to bring been an indie film, but it will star Keanu juicy tidbits of information about the in over $1.4 billion dollars in economic Reeves, Jason Momoa and Jim Carrey. film industry traipsing around the High impact to the two county regions of the Desert looking for the perfect location Inland Empire. “The Neon Demon,” shot at Bristol Salt for their feature film, commercial or Flats in Amboy, I think Keanu Reeves magazine shoot. All of a sudden the “How will all these changes affect me likes the High Desert. This is another Inland Empire Film Commission disap- and my business,” you might ask. Well indie he did also starring Christina Hen- peared with little fanfare. hopefully, you did not notice any change dricks and Elle Fanning. at all. Due to the quick actions of Mary “What happened,” You ask? Well, the Jane Olhasso, Assistant Executive Of- “Sky,” shot in Barstow (High Noon details are pretty convoluted, but basi- ficer - Finance and Administration for Saloon); Hinkley (Hinkley Rd; Hinkley cally the entity housing the Film Com- the County of San Bernardino, the day Ranch); Joshua Tree (Copper Mountain mission decided to close that division. the IEFC closed the San Bernardino College; Quail Springs Rd; Broadway So how will the High Desert continue County Film Office (SBCFO) was up Rd; Sunfair Rd); Landers (Rattlesnake to get the filming that brings so much and running. The SBCFO does most of Cyn Rd); Lenwood (Hills Ranch); money to the area? the same things the IEFC did, such as Ludlow (Ludlow Café; Main St; Na- process permits in 1-3 days, coordinate tional Trail Hwy; Lavic Rd); Newberry The County of San Bernardino Eco- with the various county departments Springs (Mobil Gas Station; Black Butte nomic Development Agency quickly (i.e. Transportation, Parks, Fire, etc) to Rd; Pisgah St; Bagdad Café); Victor- stepped in to help fill the gap. They accommodate special filming requests, ville (Holland Burger). This “little mov- contracted with the newly formed Dan maintain a local film crew and services ie that could,” starred Diane Kruger, Taylor Consulting company to pick up database, and keep a location library re- Norman Reedus, Lena Dunham, Lou the pieces – in other words, they hired source to assist the film industry in their Diamond Phillips and Joshua Jackson. the author of this article. I have worked search for the perfect spot to film. They hopped all over the High Desert for Sheri Davis and the IEFC for over for several days to get this movie made. 14 years and at the time it closed, I was Filming Report for 2015 the Deputy Director. Riverside County “Honey Jar: Chase for the Gold,” shot at decided to also open their own film of- Feature Films: Unfortunately, we were Calico Ghost Town in Yermo. fice with two wonderful ladies Sheri not able to secure any major feature films this year, but the High Desert had TV Episodic: The most notable was and I have been training for over a year, cable show “Into the Badlands,” which Stephanie Stethem and Bettina Breck- the opportunity to have a total of 18 in- die features, up from 11 in 2014.