The San Bernardino County News of Note from Around the Largest County in the Lower 48 States Friday, JanuarySentinel 2, 2015 A Fortunado Publication in conjunction with Countywide News Service 10808 Foothill Blvd. Suite 160-446 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 (909) 957-9998 Anti-State Bias, Religious Fervor & Cronyism Delay YV Water Issue Solution Convention At By Mark Gutglueck water quality crisis local out and out cronyism - ward modernity in the Chino Mosque YUCCA VALLEY— officials had previously have prevented the town, 1950s when Norman Addresses ISIS This desert town of failed to address. De- its residents and its local J. Essig promoted it as 20,700 is up against a spite Yucca Valley’s in- water district from com- both a getaway to and Threat To Islam formidable deadline by corporation as a munici- ing to terms with a reali- private residency for en- which it must complete pality in 1991, it remains ty that will, if it is not re- tertainment celebrities. the first phase of a large the only one of San Ber- dressed, severely impact He ventured capital to- scale wastewater treat- nardino County’s 24 cit- all of the area’s residents. ward that end, acquiring ment system within less ies without a sewer sys- Long a remote and hundreds of acres, which than 17 months. tem. rustic desert area that he improved with roads attracted those wishing around the region’s ma- That deadline was But a combination of Roger Mayes imposed by state water factors, financial, politi- to remain well off the jor arterial, Highway quality officials in 2011 cal, ideological and even beaten track and free of ization, Yucca Valley 62, also known as Twen- because of a mounting religious - not to mention the strictures of urban- made its first lurch to- tynine Palms See P 2 Landers Group Challenging County Planning Commission Approval Of Solar Farm Imam Azhar Haneef The twenty-ninth an- An appeal of the San cial welfare organiza- being located on pris- lar soil conditions, due is on land which is at nual West Coast conven- Bernardino County tion serving the Landers tine land, highly visible to the disturbance of some points elevated tion of the Ahmadiyya Planning Commission’s community, filed the from Reche Road, the the delicate soil crust.” almost 180 feet higher Muslim Community December 4 vote ap- appeal with the San Ber- major highway running continued Krantz. “The than Reche. Among oth- held at the Baitul Ha- proving Salt Lake City- nardino Board of Super- through Landers. Migra- Bowman Trail solar er affected land owners meed Mosque in Chino based Sustainable Power visors, which has not yet tory birds and desert tor- project would be equiva- within view of the site is December 26 to 29 di- Group LLC,’s 35-acre, scheduled a hearing date toises are also likely to lent to 32 football fields, a Buddhist retreat cen- rectly addressed the ef- three-megawatt solar on the matter. be affected.” likely to severely affect ter, which is diagonally forts by the Islamic State farm to be located be- According to Michael “Wind blown dust and the quality of life for across the Reche/Bow- In Syria [ISIS] to attract tween Bowman Trail Krantz, Vice President sand is currently a major neighbors during our man intersection. Muslim youth and other and Sunny Vista Road in of the Landers Associa- effect suffered by resi- frequent windy days.” According to Tracy disaffected elements to Landers has been filed. tion, “The solar facility dents living near other The project is 2,000 Creason, an associ- its cause. The Landers Asso- would be a blight on our existing solar farms in feet from Reche Road ate county planner who The upshot of the ciation, a nonprofit so- rural desert community, the area with very simi- which it parallels, and prepared the See P 3 convention was asser- State Water Board OKs PG&E 21st District Senate Hopeful Moffatt Seeks tions by the Ahmadiyya State Level Second Amendment Safeguards Community that the H2O Clean-up & Monitoring violence and intolerance HINKLEY—The La- the result of severe wa- State Senator, this week California, to enact gun advocated by ISIS is not hontan Region Water ter contamination in the enunciated her commit- control laws that nibble representative of Islam Quality Control Board area. ment to hold the line at the corners of the Sec- in its purest form or as is has approved Pacific Gas On December 19, against any erosion of ond Amendment to the practice by the majority & Electric’s proposals to California Water Qual- Second Amendment U.S. Constitution and of the 72 Islamic sects. utilize extraction wells ity Control Board, La- rights by the California presage future efforts “Isis has built its case to limit the migration of hontan Region Assistant Legislature. to compromise citizens' around distorted and in- chromium six in the wa- Executive Officer Lauri In recent years, rights to bear arms. appropriate interpreta- ter table in, at, around Kemper informed Kevin sportsmen and advocates "I am pro-Second tions of the Koran and and below Hinkley and Sullivan, the director for the preservation of Amendment," Moffatt Islmic teachings,” said to conduct hydraulic of chromium remedia- Constitutional protec- said in declaring her be- Ibrahim Naeem, the tion for Pacific Gas & tions have expressed lief that citizens' ability faith outreach director testing to ascertain the Star Moffatt effectiveness of those Electric (PG&E) that his alarm over efforts within to arm themselves should for the Los Angeles West measures in this com- team would be permitted Star Moffatt, who is several state legislatures, be held sacrosanct. . Chapter of Ahmadiyya munity that has seen its to undertake the effort to vying to replace Steve including both the state "Proven statistics are Muslim community. population diminish as trace the See P 10 Knight as 21st District senate and assembly in now showing Naeem said the Ah- See P 3 madiyya and other Mus- lims were as appalled by Ontario Plays Race Card In Transmission Towers Dispute With SCE the action of ISIS as non- Ontario officials have below ground. now filed with the com- hachapi line is intend- erect high-tension pow- Muslims. raised the specter of rac- Trying to replicate the mission a petition and ed to connect what is er transmission towers “We want to have a ism and ethnic preju- rather improbable suc- an amended petition to planned as the world’s through the 44.7-square conversation about the dice in their effort to cess the city of Chino modify the massive util- largest windfarm, con- mile city at the extreme current state of Islam, convince the California Hills had in persuading ity corridor through the sisting of hundreds of southwest corner of in particular the concern Public Utilities Com- the California Public southern portion of its electricity-producing San Bernardino County with ISIS and what their mission to order South- Utilities Commission city, where the city in- windmills in Kern Coun- along a long-existing objective is as opposed to ern California Edison to to force Southern Cali- tends to complete the so- ty, with the Los Angeles power corridor easement what the ideas and ideol- scrap its current plans fornia Edison to under- called New Colony retail metropolitan basin. owned by the utility. ogy of Islam is in general to construct an above- ground the 500 kilovolt and residential subdivi- The Public Utilities In 2011, after South- worldwide,” Naeem said. ground electrical trans- electrical lines that are sions, which will entail Commission in 2009 ern California Edison “What people are con- mission line across the part of its Tehachapi the addition of roughly over the city of Chino had already expended cerned about when they southern portion of the Renewable Energy Proj- 12,000 residents once it Hills’ protest granted millions of dollars in hear of these terroristic city and instead bury ect traversing that city, is completed. Southern California erecting 18 of the 197- acts is they link them that high capacity cable Ontario officials have The 173-mile Te- Edison clearance to foot high trans- See P 9 all. They think See P 6 Friday, January 2, 2015 San Bernardino County Sentinel Page 2

Combination of a water treatment facil- gave builders what has As a good number of The San Bernardino County Poverty, Ignorance, ity and skeleton sewer essentially been carte those who had moved to system to which future blanche to build aggres- Yucca Valley were se- Ideology, Greed, developments could con- sively without incorpo- nior citizens and retirees Religiosity & Cro- Sentinel nect carried a price tag of rating urban land use living on fixed incomes Published in San Bernardino County. nyism Preventing roughly $10 million, well standards. who had been attracted The Sentinel’s main office is located at 10788 Civic Yucca Valley From beyond the tiny commu- Thus, the septic sys- to the area by cheap Center Drive in Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 Achieving Water nity’s fiscal means at that tems that had prolifer- land, they were alarmed A Fortunado Publication in conjunction with Treatment Solution time. ated in Yucca Valley by the concept of hav- Countywide News Service from front page After the town’s No- for three-quarters of a ing to defray the cost Mark Gutglueck, Publisher vember 1991 incorpo- century remained the ac- for the installation of a Call (909) 957-9998 Highway. ration, civic officials sewer system. They were coutrement of homes and to learn of locations where the Sentinel While attracting mov- continued to reflect and businesses built within heartened and to a cer- is available or to provide news tips ie stars as well as record- embody the values of the 40 square mile city tain extent lulled into a ing and visual artists was their constituents, who limits. state of complacency by 10808 Foothill Blvd., Suite 160-446 only marginally success- eschewed big govern- Ten years after incor- their political leadership, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 ful, the improvements ment and excessive poration Yucca Valley’s which asserted the town [email protected] did succeed in luring oth- regulation and put a pre- officials were notified would not fall victim to 909-276 5796 ers by virtue of the rela- mium on maintaining by the state’s Regional overreaching regulation tively inexpensive land the town’s rural char- Water Quality Control imposed on it by Sacra- included nitrates and sult of greater utilization prices, and Yucca Valley acter. There was little Board that the lack of a mento. Thus, the water other pollutants includ- combined with limited grew sporadically over collective will to pave sewage treatment sys- table contamination is- ing pharmaceuticals and recharge from rainfall, the years, appealing to any roads other than the tem had resulted in ni- sue was kicked down the salts. the water district began the independent minded town’s main thorough- trates accumulating in road. Historic pumping in- importation of state aq- and lovers of its remote fares and many town the water table. Simul- In the early 2000s, creases from the 1940s ueduct water into Yuc- desert beauty. As early streets remain dusty taneously, the Hi-Desert monitoring carried out to 1995 resulted in the ca Valley. Completion as 1973, when the area’s trails to this day. A mod- Water District, which by the California Re- water levels dropping of the Morongo Basin population was hovering ern, urban sewer system serves the Yucca Valley gional Water Quality faster than the nitrates Pipeline project and the below 5,000, there was a has been an imperative to community, experienced Control Board and the from septic systems accompanying comple- push to outfit the core of few locals. At the same nitrate traces in district United States Geologi- seeped downward. Thus, tion and activation of Yucca Valley with a ru- time, the town council wells. cal Survey demonstrated for years Yucca Val- recharge basins in Yucca dimentary sewer system, has been accommodat- Local officialdom did that residues left in the ley was able to avoid Valley allowed the Hi- one that would extend ing of most developers not respond with alacri- ground that seep into the the consequences of the Desert Water District to only to the town’s mod- who expressed an inter- ty. Rather, some feigned aquifer had increased contamination accumu- begin percolating water est commercial area and est in Yucca Valley, and outrage that the state felt to levels that presaged lating in the local soil. into the aquifer and the the relatively sparse resi- over the first 23 years it necessary to involve health threats if the mat- Eventually, however, as water table began to rise. dential neighborhoods of the town’s history as itself in what many per- ter was not addressed. the water table dropped That water came in con- that surrounded it. But an incorporated entity, ceived as a local issue. Those contaminants lower and lower as a re- tact with the high levels of nitrates left over from decades of septic dis- charge and the nitrates found their way into some of the Hi-Desert Water District’s wells. Notice of the contamina- tion triggered a scaling back of the Hi-Desert Water District’s recharge efforts, and the goal of reestablishing the Yucca Valley water table to the natural level present in the 1940s has not been achieved. For a time, at least, the imported water actu- ally diluted the nitrates so water tests showed nitrate levels below the maximum contaminant level allowed by the state and the U.S. En- vironmental Protection Agency. In the meantime, the discharge of septic waste continues and the United States Geological Survey determined that nitrates accumulating beneath Yucca Valley are present in ever increasing con- centrations and at depths that pose a threat to the groundwater, including a calculation that 880 acre- feet of septic discharge currently reaches the Continued on Page 4 Friday, January 2, 2015 San Bernardino County Sentinel Page 3 Mahoney To Head Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station Forum... Or Against ‘em San Bernardino effective January 6. from his previous as- the United States Air Observations from a County Sheriff’s Lieu- Ells, a San Bernardi- signment as second in Force, has been with the tenant Donny Mahoney no Mountain commu- command of the sher- San Bernardino County Decidedly Continental will replace captain nity resident, has been iff’s department’s office Sheriff’s Department Perspective in the city of Highland. Rick Ellis as the station the Twin Peaks station since 1992. By Count Friedrich Mahoney, who had commander of the Twin commander since March von Olsen Peaks sheriff’s station, 2012, when he departed previously served in

Earlier, I dropped 4,100 feet in elevation to do Landers Residents Edison’s existing Land- Generation Facilities, proval of the project.” some business in the county seat and hunt down a Appealing Solar ers 25 kV distribution as was required by the After the planning few juicy political tidbits for my column. I have a few Project Approval line, near the intersec- county’s guidelines, and commission’s December sources who are "in the know" around the halls of from front page tion of Bowman Trail it further granted Sus- 4 vote, roughly 60 Land- power in San Bernardino. I'll tell you, though, one of and Reche Road, via a tainable Power Group ers residents gathered at these tipsters is bound to get me into trouble. Why do county land use ser- 0.4 mile generator-tie-in the conditional use per- Belfield Hall on Decem- I get the feeling when I walk the corridors of power vices staff report on the line placed either over- mit. ber 13to hear a presenta- in San Bernardino that I'm cavorting with the wrong project for the planning head or underground in The planning com- tion on the project from guys? As you will see below, government around commission, “Planned the public right of way mission approved the a representative of Sus- here, it seems, is shot through with small time hoods facilities are proposed along Bowman Trail.” project, based on Crea- tainable Power Group. who would be better associated with the numbers to include photovoltaic Creason noted that son’s assertion that “the After the meeting, the rackets than looking after the public's affairs. I have panels mounted at ei- “The current general proposed project is con- residents present unani- now come back limp and tired to the chalet in Lake ther a fixed tilt or on plan land use designa- sidered consistent with mously approved an ap- Arrowhead, where the hearth and my heart is, home. single axis trackers, tion for the project area the county general plan, peal of the December 4 I went straightaway to my typewriter, and have re- supported by steel piers is Homestead Valley the development code, planning commission turned to the grind of churning out a column... driven into the ground Community Plan/Rural and Homestead Valley approval. According to my spies inside the county, high to an appropriate depth, Living – 5 acre mini- Community Plan. Over- The Bowman Trail level officials there have closed what appears to be a as determined by soil mum parcel size (HV/ all, the project is largely Project is one of the first dubious deal with the city of Adelanto to - and I am conditions. The height RL-5). This designation obscured from the view commercial solar proj- not quite sure what the right word is - transfer, ex- of panels is proposed to allows development of of nearby residences by ects to be approved by change, trade, or divert - over $700,000 in communi- range from 6 to 12 feet, renewable energy gen- existing natural veg- the planning commis- ty development block grant funds the city previously in rows running north eration facilities with a etation common to the sion after the board of obtained for doing repairs and upgrades at the Hardy and south on the proj- conditional use permit, area. The proposed proj- supervisors lifted a mor- Fire Station and the city's sports park to the county. ect site. The proposed as requested by the proj- ect will, however, alter atorium on solar projects In exchange, the county is to give Adelanto a similar design also includes in- ect applicant.” views from immediately in December 2013 by amount of credit toward the city's contract for law verters and transform- In approving the proj- adjacent areas. Visual enacting a special ordi- enforcement with the county sheriff's department... ers, mounted on small ect, the planning com- impacts will be reduced nance with restrictions Community Development Block Grants are concrete pads and dis- mission made a finding by the proposed reloca- on the siting of commer- funds provided to local jurisdictions by the federal tributed across the site, of consistency with ap- tion of selected Joshua cial solar power facilities government, that is, the U.S. Department of Housing as well as an unmanned plicable development trees, branched pencil in the county. Among and Urban Development. Recipients of the grants are data acquisition system standards outlined in San cholla and cottontop other conditions, a proj- required to hold public meetings to solicit input from to monitor and control Bernardino County De- cactus from within the ect, under the county’s the community, and are provided to local jurisdic- facility operations. The velopment Code Chapter project site to the site restrictions, must be tions based upon their representations that they will project will interconnect 84.29 Renewable Energy perimeter. Due to the either “separated from utilize the money for the general purpose of improv- to Southern California proposed area to be en- existing/developing ru- ing the community... hanced, intervening veg- ral residential areas or The funds are subject to less federal oversight etation, and the height of be “screened from pub- than many other programs. Nevertheless, the federal project facilities, project lic view so as not to money is offered up with an expectation that it is go- structures would not adversely affect the de- ing to be put to use on specific local needs. dominate the horizon sirability of …rural resi- What the county and Adelanto have worked out or significantly modify dential use.” is a - can I use the term diversion? - of the block grant the overall visual land- Krantz said the Land- money to a purpose for which it was never intended. scape.” ers Association expects a That money was supposed to be used for tangible im- Creason’s report also large turnout of Landers provements - capital improvements - to the city’s ex- stated that “The pro- residents at the January 6 isting facilities, to benefit its citizens. It is now going posed project will assist meeting of the San Ber- to be used to pay the salaries of county employees, in meeting the renewable nardino County Board although officially the sheriff is supposed to use the resource targets for retail of Supervisors, and that money for making some of its facilities, including its sellers of electricity in he anticipates they will detention center in Adelanto, accessible to the handi- California and is con- detail their objections to capped. So what will happen is the sheriff will then sistent with the state’s the project to the board divert money intended for something else entirely to greenhouse gas emis- at that time. paying for deputies to patrol the streets and neigh- sions goals. Therefore borhoods of Adelanto. I wholeheartedly support staff recommends ap- stepped up police activity, especially in a place like Adelanto. However, the means by which this is being Moffatt: Safeguard most sheriff and police accomplished is questionable, involving a series of Second Amend- departments can only be diversions as one diversion begets another diversion ment from front so many places at one and that diversion begets yet another... page time.” When people who are not government officials Moffatt said she use money contrary to its intended or approved pur- that gun ownership is would, if elected, at- pose, they can get into trouble. It might be called actually helping to pro- tempt to persuade her misappropriation, which is a delicate way of saying tect citizens from crime, colleagues to enact leg- stealing. Regular people go to jail or prison for di- because most sheriff islation that would keep verting funds... 5315 Della Ave. and police departments the Second Amendment Continued on Page 8 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701 are underfunded, over- from being contradicted (909) 202-4330 http://www.icrshop.com worked and underpaid. The Count’s views do not necessarily reflect those of Due to underfunding, Continued on Page 12 the Sentinel, its ownership, its publisher or editors. Friday, January 2, 2015 San Bernardino County Sentinel Page 4

ing a $20 million autho- system, which includes bastion, with the Repub- Yucca Valley Un- near two-thirds of the rization from the Bureau town residents’ willing- lican Party dominating able To Formulate phase 1 of a waste water work needed to meet the of Reclamation. It has ness to embrace a debt politically. Among the Strategy To Atten- system must be com- first deadline on May 19, also applied for a low to servicing mechanism to town of Yucca Valley’s uate Water Con- pleted or significantly on 2016, while more than no-interest loan through cover the financing ar- 9,963 registered voters tamination Threat its way to completion by two-thirds of the time a state revolving fund. rangement on its con- as of last week, 4,096 or from page 2 May 19, 2016 or enforce- since the deadline was Ultimately, there will struction costs. One such 41.1 percent were Repub- groundwater every year. ment action will be initi- announced has elapsed. yet need to be significant effort was Measure U, licans and 2,601 or 26.1 In 2007, the Cali- ated. The first phase of The tangible progress financial participation sponsored by the town percent were Democrats. fornia Regional Water the project is to cover the it can point to consists, by the town’s residents in 2012 and which ap- Within the slightly larger Quality Control Board, downtown area of Yucca basically, in having un- and businesses. A dated peared on the November confines of the Hi-Des- the state agency respon- Valley, the area most dertaken an effort to in- calculation, using the as- ballot. If passed, Mea- ert Water District, which sible for protecting wa- proximate to the heart of form local residents of sumption that the overall sure U would have im- includes the entirety of ter quality, adopted a the groundwater basin. the problem and having cost of the project will posed a one-cent sales Yucca Valley and some resolution identifying Similarly, phase 2 must completed cost com- amount to no more than tax within Yucca Val- outlying area, there are the town of Yucca Val- be completed or nearly parisons on paper. The $125 million, is that each ley. Town officials said 11,473 voters, of whom ley as one of 66 com- completed by May 19, primary cost projec- parcel in Yucca Valley the lion’s share of those 4,634 or 40.4 percent munities throughout the 2019 and phase 3 must tion identifies the dif- will be counted upon to proceeds would go to- are registered Republi- state with groundwater be completed by May 19, ference between having provide $16,700 toward ward building the sewer cans and 2,996 or 26.1 threatened by the con- 2022. The last two phas- a contractor undertake the system construction system. Measure U was percent are Democrats. tinuing overuse of sep- es lie further out where building the system and debt burden. If the cost defeated, however. The town’s residents tic systems. The board future concentrated de- having the water dis- of the project can be de- If the multiple issues are predominantly of a further declared Yucca velopment is most likely trict manage the project frayed over 30 years, with regard to the sewer minimal-governmental- Valley as a top priority to occur. – between $133,248,401 water district officials system are not resolved, interference philosophy for eliminating the use The imposition of and $140,651,089 for the calculate the project can and resolved soon, Yuc- and that has traditionally of septic systems, mean- that deadline nearly four design and construc- be financed through ho- ca Valley will have no been the platform of its ing Yucca Valley’s is one years ago was intended tion work to be per- meowner assessments of conceivable prospect elected leadership. of the five most seriously as a wake-up call to lo- formed by Atkins North $20 to $40 per month to of meeting the May 19, Indeed, Yucca Val- threatened significantly- cal officials to undertake America and somewhere cover just the construc- 2016 deadline. ley’s leading citizen, sized water supplies in an effort to avert the between $111,539,901 tion costs of the system. The water quality cri- Paul Cook, who served the state. growing water quality and $117,736,562 for Costs could rise due to sis may prove insoluble on the Yucca Valley City Nevertheless, local crisis. But woefully little the district to construct unforeseen circumstanc- because of a host of so- Council for eight years, officials resisted taking progress toward the goal the project using Atkins es or complications with cial realities in Yucca. from 1998 until 2006, immediate action, as of planning and fund- North America’s pro- regard to easements, The town in many was later a member of they lacked the financial ing the system has been posed design. The sys- particularly on the north ways defies definition the California Assem- wherewithal to under- made and there has been tem would consist of a end of town, where the along any traditional po- bly and is now begin- take the construction of absolutely no physical water treatment plant proposed trunk line litical measure. In terms ning his second term in a sewer system. Nor did progress with regard to and a collection system will be laid alongside of median income, house- Congress representing the city have the will establishing it. entailing over 400,000 a steel natural gas line hold worth and property the 8th District, which to impose any kind of If the town, its resi- linear feet of pipe. accompanied by elec- values, Yucca Valley is includes Yucca Valley. building or development dents and the local water The district has made trical pumps. The cost among the poorest of Cook, perhaps more moratorium that would board do not collectively some tentative projec- of upgrading the trunk San Bernardino’s 24 in- than any single political stabilize the problem. act to fund and begin tions with regard to ob- line to one consisting of corporated cities, and is entity, in reflecting the For a while, town and building the sewer sys- taining grant funding, steel seamless pipe could surpassed economically attitudes of his constitu- the water district offi- tem that will eliminate but has made no sub- raise the cost. by many of the county’s ency, has prevented the cials were able to delay Yucca Valley’s reliance stantive progress toward Of tremendous mo- unincorporated commu- wastewater project from the imposition of state upon septic systems that actually receiving such ment is the community’s nities as well. Yet it is a moving ahead. As the mandates by forging a are now overwhelming grants, other than obtain- memorandum of agree- the area’s water table, ability to pay for the decidedly conservative Continued on Page 7 ment with the Regional the state is threatening Water Quality Control action that could reduce Board and the Hi-Desert Yucca Valley to a ghost Water District to allow town by 2022. interim permits for new Nineteen months ago, septic systems while the State Water Resourc- planning for a wastewa- es Control Board’s sub- ter system proceeded. executive director, Jose But they could not sus- Angel, told those gath- pend the consequences ered at the Yucca Valley indefinitely. Community Center the By 2010, Yucca Val- state will be methodical ley’s population had and thorough in enforc- zoomed to 20,700, an ing the prohibition, hold- increase of 3,835 or 22.7 ing the town to account percent over the 16,865 to complete each phase town residents counted of the project by the suc- in the 2000 Census. ceeding deadlines and In 2011, the town was taking steps to ensure firmly informed it had that each residential and only five years to take commercial property a definitive step toward within each phase’s geo- water quality compli- graphical boundaries ance. ties into the sewer sys- The Regional Water tem once it is in place. Quality Control Board at In the last nineteen that point imposed three months. the High Des- progressive phases of ert Water District, which septic discharge prohi- is to be the lead agency bitions on Yucca Valley. on the project, has not Under the state mandate, completed anywhere Friday, January 2, 2015 San Bernardino County Sentinel Page 5

Glimpse Of SBC’s Past From Narod To Monte Vista To Montclair

By Mark Gutglueck were oiled rather than in 1916. Vista was adopted. The In 1937, the worst and Glen Wolfe, the pro- The city of Montclair paved. Mission Avenue In 1927, the Monte initial elected board freeze in the history of prietor of an equipment evolved out of what was a through street. Vista area was covered members of the district Montclair hit in Janu- sales and rental busi- was originally called Horses and buggies were with orange and lemon were C. Earl Wetherbee, ary. The fruit was saved ness were elected to the the Monte Vista Land the most common form groves. Houses were V.C. Wecks, G.W. Naf- by smudge burning. In council. Two years later Tract, which was created of transportation at that no closer to one another tel, O.V. Barr and A.B. 1938 a huge flood racked the city’s name would by Los Angeles land de- time, although a local than a half mile away . A Tato. Wetherbee was the area, bringing debris be changed to Montclair. veloper Emil Ferth. The train from the Salt Lake group of men headed by selected board chair- down from Mount San The council held infor- Monte Vista Land Tract Line would stop and take C. Earl Wetherbee, who man. W. Hartley, man- Antonio. Water damage mal meetings at West’s was 1,000 acres that ex- passengers to Pomona was the secretary of the ger of the West Ontario to homes and under- home. The city’s first tended from the wash on or Ontario. The qual- Limited Mutual Water Citrus Association, was ground tanks occurred. address was Post Office the north, to the railroad ity of goods at Narod Company, which deliv- appointed secretary of In 1946, the Limited Box 867 in Pomona. Af- ered irrigation water to the board. The board Mutual Water company ter several meetings at the orange and lemon obtained a 122 to 2 vote was unable to supply the West’s home, the council groves, concluded that of those within the dis- district with enough wa- met with representatives water should also be fur- trict to pass a $75,000 ter, so it was necessary of the League of Califor- nished for domestic pur- bond. The money was for the Monte Vista Wa- nia Cities. They selected poses. Those in Monte used to build a reser- ter District to develop it a building owned by Phil Vista were drinking, Hurst at 5326 San Ber- cooking with and bath- nardino Avenue as the ing in irrigation water council’s meeting place. stored in their own cis- They hired Henry Busch terns normally located as Montclair’s city at- at the high end of their torney, setting up May groves. This would give 8, 1956 as the first offi- each house about five cial meeting date of the pounds of water pres- city council. On April sure. 25, 1956 Montclair was The service area of certified by the state of the Limited Mutual Ir- California as a general rigation Company was law city. bounded by 8th Street , The council chose known as Arrow High- Larry O’Rourke, who way, on the north, Cen- had been acting as tral Avenue on the West, city administrator in Benson Avenue on the Tehachapi for fifteen months, to serve as the East and San Bernardi- On April 8, 1958, the voters of the City of Mon- city administrator and no Avenue on the south. te Vista went to the polls to decide upon a name clerk. The remaining area now change for their city because there was a North- West subsequently known as the Monte Vis- ern California community also named Monte praised O’Rourke as “a ta County Water District Vista. brilliant young Irishman bounded by the Santa voir on land owned by own supplemental water who not only proved to Fe Rairoad tracts on the the Limited Mutual Ir- supply. A new pump and be an excellent admin- north the San Bernardi- rigation Company with a gas engine was installed One of Emil Firth’s marketing ploys consisted of istrator but also a hard no County line on the 49-year lease. Also pur- to obtain water form a the above ad which ran in the Los Angeles Times worker who was will- west, Benson Avenue on chased were 60 shares of well drilled in 1935 and in 1908 ing do such menial tasks the Ontario City Limits water stock at $100 per which had never been as painting the floor of tracks near State Street Market attracted shop- on the east and Fran- share in the Limited Mu- used. The district began the city hall one week- on the south, eventually pers from Ontario and cis Avenue on the south tual Irrigation Company, pumping water directly end, Kelly green, of expanding southward Pomona. Farmers pro- were served by the Palo- which entitled the Monte into its system. course! He was a patient to Phillips Avenue. A vided local markets with mares Water Company, Vista Water Company In 1950, the Monte and thorough teacher settlement nearby was fruit and vegetables. Old the Monte Vista Water to fill the reservoir. On Vista County Fire De- of government proce- that of Narod, at a lati- Monte Vista School was company, the Century May 28, 1928 a contract partment opened its first dures. None of us were tude 34.058 and longi- in place during the first Water company and the was let for main lines fire station on land pro- schooled in the field of tude of 117.685, located decade of the 20th Cen- Monte Vista Irrigation and services to the West vided by the Monte Vista government.” between what is today tury, but was moved to Company and several Coast Pipe and Steel County Water District That council at its Benson Avenue and Ver- Holt Avenue around 1911 privately owned wells. Company. L. H. Kreigh and the West Ontario maiden meeting did a non Avenue just north of or 1912 . Afterwards Many of those in the area was hired as field super- Citrus Association. “voluminous amount of Mission Boulevard. Nar- parents hired a man to who were not served by intendent and secretary On April 10, 1956 the work,” adopting such od included a dry goods take children to Chino the Limited Mutual Wa- of the company Dur- residents in the district resolutions as certify- store, a hotel, a pack- Schools. The following ter Company heard of ing the month of No- voted to incorporate the ing the boundaries of the ing house and the Little year Ontario sent out the creation of a domes- vember 1928 those lines municipality of Monte city and creating a plan- White Church of Narod. busses for the students. tic water company and that were under contract Vista District as a gener- ning commission and Two pumping plants pro- The Monte Vista asked to be included. were completed and paid al law city, and selected adopting several emer- vided water along with Land Tract grew on Petitions to form the for. That month the five men to form the first gency ordinances setting cisterns. About fifteen the northwest but the new entity were sent out district sold 3,501,000 city council James West, up a special gas tax fund, families were spread northeast boundary on June 1, 1927. seeking gallons of water for do- who was an orange creating wholesale and around in various loca- with Ontario remained permission to set up a mestic use. In 1929, the grower and pest control retail business licenses tions in the land tract. sparse. The constantly water district under the district operations had company operator was and setting a retail sales Most of the houses were overflowing wash on the general laws of the state grown to the point that it chosen mayor. Paul Fre- tax and a use tax. “We wood frame duplicates north made that area an of California. The origi- had insufficient reservoir mo, a real estate broker had to have income to of those from back east unpredictable place to nal name of Narod for capacity and had to un- and builder; Miller Bu- run our new city,” West Most were hidden by or- reside. Twenty inches of the district was dropped dertake to build another chanan, a poultryman; said in 1963. ange groves. The roads rain caused it to overflow and the name Monte reservoir. Dana Pankey, a minister; Friday, January 2, 2015 San Bernardino County Sentinel Page 6

all of Islam is not hell has plagued all religions to its former greatness, and focused for the mis- always spiritually in- West Coast Islamic bent on destruction of that have receded from refusing to knuckle un- sion of the founder. None clined and then the devo- Convention Ad- those who do not share their spiritual apex into der to the authority of the live on earth forever and tion dissipates. The true all of their beliefs and ressess ISIS Issues a directional nadir. Us- Roman Empire. they start a succession. caliphs are followed by recognize that “these from front page ing the Muslim term ca- “When it reached a Each succession started kings, who are followed liph, which refers to the by those who turn from Al Khaida terrorists are Islam is a monolith and point of crisis at the time out spiritually. Look at leadership succession of being not just powerful driven by a radical and that all Muslims have the of Christ. the zealots the struggle of the early a religious movement, monarchs but then be- perverted vision of Islam same ideology. Nothing were rebuilding the em- Christians. Centuries Haneef pointed out that come corrupt kings and that crushes dissent and could be further from pire, just like the Taliban later, the Christians who Moses, as the leader of become despotic tyrants justifies the murder of the truth. People who are and Al Khaida today, de- were born into a mission the Jews, was succeeded with no sense of justice.” women and children for part of ISIS are far re- termined to fight against of peace and who had by his chosen caliph, The realization of political power and a to- moved from the basic be- Rome to the point where been forced to go into this reality, Haneef said, talitarian Islamic empire liefs of Islam. What ISIS “drove a truly spiritually they hope to establish.” believes and what ISIS dedicated caliph, Omar ISIS and other advo- practices is absolutely al Farooq, whose efforts cates of violence, Ha- anathema to the beliefs on behalf of Islam had neef said, “have turned of the Ahmadiyya com- pushed the border of from the true spirit of munity. We have a say- the Islamic state far into the prophet they claim ing - a motto of sorts - Persia and into portions to represent. Much of ‘Love for all. Hatred for of what had been the the disorder we see in none.’” Western Roman Empire the world today is oc- The convention, to tearfully ask one of curring because of the known as a Jalsa Sala- his associates, ‘Tell me, acts of so-called Mus- na, was titled “The ISIS what am I? Am I a ca- lims. One group is vi- World Crisis and the liph or am I a king?’ His ciously spreading its net Pathway to Peace.” Over companion answered of fear and terrorism. I 1,500 Muslims from A capacity crowd filled the Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino on December him, ‘If you extort even am speaking of a group across the country and 27 during Imam Azhar Haneef’s speech. (Photo by Mark Gutglueck) one dinar from the peo- of extremists commonly guests attended. Joshua, who led the Jews Rome destroyed Israel the catacombs to survive ple and misappropriated known as ISIS. They The most scholarly into the Promised Land. in A.D. 132. Hundreds had split into an eastern money from the state are impacting not just and dynamic speech For a time, Haneef said, of thousands were killed. and a western church and treasury you are a king the Muslim community at the three day event the Jews maintained The temple was dese- were fighting amongst and not a caliph.’ Omar but countries in Europe was that given by Imam their spiritual intensity crated. Israel was not to themselves. The Span- said, ‘I know not what I where we see disturb- Azhar Haneef, who and flourished, reach- come back until 1947.” ish Inquisition drove the am,’ and he broke down ing number of our youth oversees the Ahmadiyya ing ultimate fruition un- Similarly, Christi- Jews and heretics out of in tears.“ who have come to be- mosques in the tri-state der King David. But in anity, which stared out Europe, yet these people Hanef said, “Kings lieve ISIS represents a area of New Jersey, Del- time, as Haneef said was with such fervent spiri- called themselves the ca- are not spiritual. They true picture of Islam. For aware and Pennsylvania. inevitable, the Hebraic tual intensity under Je- liphate of Jesus Christ.” are political. This whole this reason they have re- Haneef sought to pro- spirituality was compro- sus Christ, Haneef said, ISIS and Al Khaida discussion takes us back solved to help and fight vide some historical, cul- mised and King Solo- would be subject upon and the Taliban are the to our roots. We have to for them, thinking, ‘I tural and overarching mon lamented that the Jesus’ passing to a ca- Muslim manifestation recognize where we be- will bring back that old religious perspective on son who would succeed liphate. of, Haneef said, “the gan and where we are Muslim empire and then the phenomenon of ISIS. him to the thrown would “Jesus selected a same scene, the same and how afar form the destroy all infidels, rep- “There has been a be too weak to carry on. leader for after he was struggle. We have a situ- original source have we resenting Mohammed. root disease within the Israel had so declined gone, James, or Peter, ation coming into Islam come.” Yes, I am in.’ We need to Muslim world for some that by the time of Jesus, for the Catholic suc- the prophet [i.e., Moham- Haneef said it was his make them not go down time,” Haneef stated. Haneef said, the zealots cession,” Haneef said. med] warned the Mus- hope that the non-Mus- this line of rationaliza- What ails Islam and the were casting about fu- “Someone was needed lims about. The caliph, lim world will see that tion. Everyone, and not world currently, he said tilely to reestablish Israel to keep people united a spiritual successor, is just the Muslim world are alarmed. Their ob- jectives are utterly hor- Advertise in the Sentinel rific and barbaric. I could not watch someone say- ing ‘Allah Akbar’ – God is Great – and taking an instrument and remov- Reach 34,000 Readers Throughout San Bernardino County Weekly. ing someone’s life. This is senseless brutality Our Reasonable Rates Make Advertising Affordable. we are witnessing over and over again. I can- not claim this to have any semblance of Islam. Quarter Page Three Columns by Half Page $300 This is not the way and never was the way of the Prophet of Islam nor any Half Page Three Columns by Full Page $400 prophet.” Congressman Ed Half Page Six Columns by Half Page $400 Royce, R-Fullerton, the chairman of the House Full Page Six Columns by Entire Page $500 Committee on Foreign Affairs, also spoke at the convention. Royce said ISIS, the forerun- ners of which existed as All rates weekly Black and White in our print edition Color in our early as 1999, escalated on-line version into prominence within Continued on Page 8 Friday, January 2, 2015 San Bernardino County Sentinel Page 7

Yucca Valley Un- Valley, we want you to Yucca Valley’s approach share a born-again zeal- having himself served begun to factionalize. declare Yucca Valley a to governance, and by otry and conservative several terms and con- able To Come To Sarann Graham and Dan historical site because extension, its indolence political ethos that car- tinuing to serve as a Munsey appear to have Terms With Water we’re going to be a ghost in addressing the waste- ries itself beyond the two board member of the charted a path at odds Quality Issue from town!” water contamination cri- or so hours they have the Hi-Desert Water Dis- with the board major- Just prior to leaving sis. attention of their parish- trict Board of Directors, page 4 ity, consisting of Roger the Assembly, Cook ac- Like Loma Linda, ioners on Sunday, and where he has proven region’s representative Mayes, Bob Stadum knowledged that build- where the Adventist into everyday life and himself to be a longtime in Sacramento until two and Sheldon Hough. ing the sewer system is a Church’s sway over the into the halls of power advocate of limited gov- years ago, Cook effec- At the board’s most re- desirable goal, but main- political affairs of that down at Yucca Valley’s ernment. tively undercut the proj- cent meeting December tained the state is over- city is well recognized, civic center. Indeed, both Complicating the is- ect’s proponents, refer- 17, Mayes, Stadum and stepping its authority by Yucca Valley is dominat- Hagerman and Mayes sue is the cronyism that ring to the demand that Hough overlooked Mun- requiring that it be built ed politically by politick- were instrumental in stands side-by-side with Yucca Valley transition sey, who was reelected on the local dime. ing from the pulpit. The launching the political the political and reli- from septic systems to to the board in Novem- “When a state bureau- careers of their sons, gious fervor against big a sewer system as “just ber with the largest num- cracy imposes a septic both of whom served on another unfunded state ber of votes, in choosing tank prohibition, sets the Yucca Valley City mandate.” He dwelled who would serve as the a 2016 deadline, and Council. at length upon the cost of board’s chair and vice doesn’t offer funding to Isaac Hagerman, the project and what he chair. While Graham deliver the project, it is Jerel’s son, was a mem- considered his constitu- sought to elevate Mun- without question an un- ber of the town council sey, she was outvoted funded mandate,” Cook that effectively ignored by Stadum, Hough and said. “It is imperative or resisted for so long Mayes, who chose Sta- that the California Water the state’s dire warn- dum as board chairman Resources Control Board ings with regard to the and Hough as vice chair. provide Yucca Valley Jerel Hagerman deterioration in the qual- Unless dynamic ac- residents and businesses ity of the town’s water entities exercising the tion is taken by the access to extended term, supply and championed Chad Mayes strongest pull in this re- board, either indepen- reduced interest rate the further growth of government and state gard are Joshua Springs dently of the town or in loans along with debt Yucca Valley by provid- mandates. Calvary Chapel, where conjunction with it, the forgiveness. Addition- ing developers with carte A minority of town the Revered Jerel Hager- residents of the town are ally, every Proposition residents now, and have man is the pastor; Grace very likely to see them- 84 dollar appropriated for some time, recog- Community Church, selves uprooted from Paul Cook to our region needs to nized that the water con- where Roger Mayes their homes and commu- be made available to the tamination issue is a real ents’ inability to bear is the pastor; and to a nity. Hi-Desert Water District one and that the state that cost. lesser extent St. Mary of The state of Califor- to help deliver the low- government is purposed “We have to look at the Valley, the Catholic nia has utilized draco- est cost sewer system to to apply some harsh re- this from some perspec- Church in Yucca Valley nian measures in the past our community. While medial action if prog- tive of a cost analysis,” that counted Paul Cook against other communi- protecting water qual- ress toward a solution Cook, while still serv- among its parishioners. ties that failed to come ity is a laudable goal, is not made. Some have ing in Sacramento, said. Joshua Springs Calvary into compliance, such the costs associated with expressed a willingness “This is never going to Chapel boasts a mem- as in Los Osos, which constructing a sewer and Isaac Hagerman to impose on themselves happen. We have to re- bership approaching was under a similar or- wastewater treatment and their fellow residents member what type of 3,000 and Hagerman can blanche to build aggres- der from the California plant could have a poten- some order of a regime community this is. We deliver somewhere in the sively without incorpo- Water Resources Board tially devastating impact to effectuate the con- got to be very, very care- neighborhood of 2,000 rating urban land use and failed to heed it. The on Yucca Valley without struction of the waste ful when we start talking votes for a candidate or standards. entire community of Los these resources.” water treatment system. $125 million to people for or against any mea- Chad Mayes, the Osos became subject to As a member of Con- But at the level of the who cannot afford it be- sure that appears on the youthful mayor of Yuc- an enforcement action, gress, Cook has not water board they have cause we do not have the town ballot. ca Valley who captured which was done in a lot- achieved the provision been met with resistance businesses and the state’s Both Hagerman and his position on the city tery fashion, in which of any federal money to because a majority of not going to give you the Mayes are credited with council in some measure random property owners assist in the water treat- the water board mem- money. I’m not afraid to being the actual co-re- because of the advantage were selected to receive ment system’s construc- bers have been backed talk to Governor [Jerry] gents behind the throne conferred upon him by cease and desist orders tion. by town business inter- Brown. I work for you in Yucca Valley. Their his father’s position as with the potential of As or even more re- ests who are opposed to and we’re not afraid sermons set not only the a leading religious fig- daily fines for non-com- markable as Cook’s role any taxing or assessment to get a bloody nose.” spiritual and moral tone ure in the community, pliance. They were or- in the matter is the in- schedules that would Cook bragged he would of the town, but appear promoted limited gov- dered to discontinue the fluence of the religious impact upon the profit- tell Brown, “In Yucca to define its political ten- ernment throughout his discharge from their sep- community in shaping ability of their business or as well. Both pastors tenure in office before tic systems, seal them off operations. he resigned to become and pump them at regu- This has led to a cyni- chief of staff to San Ber- lar intervals. If they did cism on the part of many nardino County Super- not, they were subjected residents who are now visor Janice Rutherford to fines of up to $5,000 resistant to the water dis- in 2010. Chad Mayes per day. trict’s overtures to form was similarly opposed to Many in the town of an assessment district imposing the intrusion Yucca Valley evince an out of the belief that the and expense of creating abiding, almost pious, assessment district will a sewer system on the faith that the coming be formed to favor the town’s residents, busi- tribulation of the state’s political backers of the nesses and landowners. cease and desist order board’s members and Last year, in November, will be averted, and will finance the con- he was elected to serve through some miracu- struction of the system in the California Assem- lous suspension of bu- largely upon the backs of bly. reaucratic authority and the town’s residents. In addition, the Rev- ecological reality, the There are indications erend Roger Mayes has bitter cup will pass over that the Hi-Desert Wa- been directly involved in them. ter District’s board has the water quality issue, Friday, January 2, 2015 San Bernardino County Sentinel Page 8 on. This is an opportu- assault weapon wielding Royce said he believed removing it to a local in the real world, “We Moslem Conven- nity to learn. This event combatants. “We should have imple- rather than international are at war. We too suf- tion Held In Chino gives us all an opportu- In the world of virtual mented a policy to rally context. She said she was fer from peer pressure from page 6 nity to come together. reality and video games, the international com- to do things or not do We know there is no things.” When violence the cauldron of a “toxic munity to protect civil- lack of information, but is brought to bear in the environment” in Syria ians and hold al-Assad at what point does infor- real world, Haley said, as the Syrian president, accountable. Some oth- mation become knowl- “There is no reset but- Bashar al-Assad, strug- ers in the international edge and knowledge un- ton.” gled to maintain power community argued a dif- derstanding? That is the ferent position, that in- He said a stand key: unity among diver- tervention would lead to against resorting to vio- sity. We must learn from civil war. It is regrettable lence must be taken. one another. We have to what happened.” “We can work together be willing to embrace di- Royce said he believe to collectively stop this,” Karen Comstock versity and accept living he said. “The people of ISIS had “subverted Is- Dick Haley among one another.” the world, all of God’s lam,” and he called for “impressed” by the “Ah- Corona City Council- people, have to put our “cooperation and en- madiyya community’s a reset button can restore foot down and say we’ve gagement with Muslim constant quest for peace vanquished combat- had enough.” community... in expos- and love but also knowl- ants, Haley said. Games ing the true nature of edge” and the “wide may make life seem su- Ed Royce ISIS.” Muslims as much ranging professional perficial, he said, but during the ongoing Syr- or more than other re- fields” the mosque’s ian Civil War, which ligious groups, Royce members worked within. resulted in a “humani- said, are victims of ISIS. She said she wanted her and using money where tarian nightmare as al- “ISIS is a threat to ev- department to “work in The Count it is most needed and that Assad, backed by Iran ery religious minority,” partnership with you from page 3 this is a completely justi- and Russia continued to Royce said. “It is a threat to deliver peace for the fiable way of redistribut- order mass atrocities.” to every religious ma- community of Chino.” Very soon, I sus- Lynne Kennedy ing scarce money from The current situation jority, because for those Rancho Cucamonga pect, I will get a call or one useless or obso- in which ISIS has main- who do not agree with City Councilwoman man Dick Haley decried a letter from someone lete endeavor to a more tained its footing and is the tenets of ISIS, as ISIS Lynne Kennedy said the the violence ISIS has en- - maybe even a lawyer - meaningful or necessary gaining strength, Royce defines them, the threat Ahmadiyya’s approach gaged in but noted that who will endeavor to ex- one. This is much like said, would have been is death.” represented “core beliefs violence is ubiquitous, as plain to me through my one hood rationalizing avoidable if there had Karen Comstock, the that resonate for all of us. he was reminded recent- ignorance how there is how the money in some been a stronger stand newly selected police The real enemy is dis- ly while watching his nothing wrong with this mark's pocket would be taken against ISIS early chief in Chino, offered ease, ignorance and pov- grandchildren playing a deal and that it is just a put to a way better use if on by both the United her perspective of the erty. Those are the things video game involving a creative way of achiev- it were in his own.,, States and its allies. Ahmadiyya community, we need to concentrate virtual firefight among ing financial flexibility Can-Am Auto Salvage Top Dollar Paid For Your Clunker! Get a down payment on your new car by making a sensible and lucrative departure from your old one. We operate in an environmentally responsible manner.

1125 E California St, Ontario (909) 983-9695 Friday, January 2, 2015 San Bernardino County Sentinel Page 9

Ontario Cites and Zagar, the commis- ing petition. Moreover, spend at that time. How- sion that gave Edison filed an amended peti- sion’s rule pertaining to the city was not aware ever, now that the true Racial Make-up go-ahead to string 500 tion. protests of commission that similar communities impacts of the lines are In Charge CPUC kilovolt cables from the According to Gaylor, decisions and rehearings would be treated differ- apparent and an effort towers running through Whatley and Zagar, On- Treated It Differ- “requires a petitioner to ently until [the commis- to ensure equal treat- the heart of upscale tario’s delay in making ently Than Chino file a petition for - modi sion’s July 2013 decision] ment for its residents, Chino Hills, Ontario on its protest to the above- Hills from front fication within one year provided an under- the city will spend the October 31, 2014 filed a ground design of the of the effective date of grounding exemption public resources neces- page petition for modification utility corridor through the decision it seeks to for Chino Hills.” Nelson sary to achieve a similar mission towers within of the Tehachapi line its territory, seven years modify. Ontario does and Brown assert that result. Undergrounding the Chino Hills city lim- design in its jurisdiction after Edison previewed not provide a compelling “while the city of On- [the transmission line] its, the California Public with the public utility the design and five years reason for its failure to tario did not participate through Chino Hills Utilities Commission is- commission. after the public utilities participate in the com- in [the 2009 decision to without undergrounding sued an order to South- According to Joshua commission held hear- mission’s initial review approve the Tehachapi portions through the city ern California Edison to Nelson and John Brown ings on the proposal, is of the Tehachapi Renew- line] as a formal party, of Ontario is fundamen- halt work on the project of the law firm Best Best requesting too much too able Transmission Proj- it submitted numerous tally unfair and raises while the commission’s & Krieger, who repre- late. ect or the commission’s California Environmen- concerns that similarly staff looked into the pos- sent the city of Ontario, “In July 2009, the reevaluation of Chino tal Quality Act comment situated communities sibility of bringing the “The actual impacts commission held ten Hill’s petition for under- letters throughout the have been treated funda- towers down and instead of the line are greater days of evidentiary hear- grounding. A party that process. The adverse im- mentally differently by having Edison bury the than anticipated [and] ings with over 25 wit- has not engaged in the pacts of this line, which the commission. There is transmission lines be- the impacts to the city nesses, which involved proceedings should not only became clear after simply no reasonable ra- neath the power corridor of Ontario are the same numerous parties, exten- be able to derail this cru- its partial construction, tionale basis for requir- running through Chino or worse than those in sive witness testimony, cial project at such a late occur within the city of ing Southern California Hills. Chino Hills,” such that hundreds of pages of stage in development.” Ontario. In addition, the Edison’s ratepayers (i.e., In July 2013, the Cali- “fundamental fairness briefing, and oral argu- According to Nelson city previously limited the community at large) fornia Public Utilities and equal protection re- ment,” Gaylor, What- and Brown, however, its participation in this to share the cost of un- Commission voted 3-2 in quires treating the city of ley and Zagar wrote in “the city of Ontario’s proceeding for economic dergrounding through favor of requiring South- Ontario and Chino Hills their December 5, 2014 delay was justified as reasons. the city of Chino Hills ern California Edison the same.” response. “Ontario did the facts supporting its Chino Hills spent $1.8 while requiring the city to underground high- Southern California not participate in these petition for modification million during the initial of Ontario’s residents to voltage power lines for Edison, through its attor- proceedings. Ontario’s were unknown. The ac- proceeding with another solely bear the impacts the 3.5 miles of the five neys, Beth Gaylor, An- petition for modification tual effects of the line $2 million on the peti- of the aboveground por- miles they run through gela Whatley and Laura is procedurally defective were not known until tion. While the city of tions of [the transition Chino Hills. Zagar of the San Diego- and attempts to relitigate they [i.e., the towers] Ontario appreciates that line].” Well over a year after based law firm of Perkin issues already decided began to be construct- jurisdiction’s decision to According to Nelson commissioners Michael Coie, responded. by the commission. ed. Construction began participate fully in the and Brown, the positive Peevey, Mark Ferron In turn, Ontario, There are no new facts within the city of Ontar- proceeding and the re- outcome Chino Hills and Catherine Sandoval through its attorneys, or evidence warranting io after April this year. sult it obtained, $3.8 mil- obtained in its petition effectively undid a four- Joshua Nelson and John the extraordinary relief Once these facts were lion is a significant sum to the California Pub- year standing vote of the Brown of the law firm Ontario requests.” known, the city prompt- of money that the city of lic Utilities Commis- Public Utilities Commis- Best Best & Krieger, Furthermore, accord- ing to Gaylor, Whatley ly filed its underground- Ontario simply could not Continued on Page 10 Friday, January 2, 2015 San Bernardino County Sentinel Page 10 San Bernardino County Coroner Reports

Coroner case #701409744 On 12/29/2014, at approximately 6:11 am, 81 year old William Easley, a resident of San Bernardino, was riding his bicycle westbound in the 1000 block of Lynwood Drive in San Bernardino when he was struck from behind by a car. Easley was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital where he died from his injuries in the emergency room. [122914 2125 TC]

Coroner case #701409797 At 2:58 PM, on 12/29/2014, Martin Carder, a 54 year old resident of San Bernardino, was involved in a traffic collision in Colton. Carder was operating a motorcycle and traveling southbound on 12th Street when he struck a Toyota Camry traveling westbound on 'H' Street. Carder was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:34 PM. Colton Police Department is investigating the collision. [122914 2130 TC] Updated by SC. [12302014 1205 SC] The Coroner Reports are reproduced in their original format as authored by department personnel.

income is $97,065, with Tehachapi Renewable tario.” Ontario Plays Race concluded that the im- commission also consid- 6.3% of the population Enegy Transmission In response, Gaylor, pacts in Chino Hills Card ered the environmental living below the federal Project’s 200 foot tow- Whatley and Zagar as- were not the same as justice arguments On- from page 9 poverty line. Moreover, ers will be visible from serted, “What Ontario those experienced in tario now raises in its pe- the decision not to under- the residents’ backyards, fails to disclose is that Ontario. This conclusion tition and specifically re- sion must be replicated ground the lines in the the affected population the commission directly formed the basis of the jected those arguments.” in Ontario to avert the city of Ontario has a dis- is 49.5% Hispanic and compared the impacts commission’s decision manifestation of favorit- criminatory impact on 14.1% African Ameri- of the project on Chino to order undergrounding ism along racial lines. the Hispanic and African can. Given the demo- Hills and Ontario and only in Chino Hills. The “While the city of On- American populations in graphic differences be- tario does not attribute the city of Ontario. The tween the communities, PG&E Gets Ap- from Hinkley’s ground- to regularly make as- any personal animus to census tracts affected by their disparate treatment proval On Chro- water was acceptable. sessments of the ground- the commission or its the Tehachapi Renew- is especially concerning. mium 6 Cleanup In the December 19 water contamination at staff, these concerns able Enegy Transmis- Whether through less ac- missive, Kemper said Hinkley and deliver that are compounded given sion Project in the city cess to resources or oth- Strategy the water board’s pros- data to the Water Qual- the racial and economic of Ontario have a signifi- erwise, the residents of from front page ecution team will not ity Control Board on a disparities between the cantly greater proportion Ontario were unable to pursue enforcement ac- monthly basis. communities,” accord- of Hispanic and African mount the exorbitantly extent of the southern tions against PG&E if Chromium 6 is the ing to Nelson and Brown. American residents than expensive campaign nec- chromium 6 plume in the tests fail to achieve common name of “Based on the 2010 Cen- do the affected census essary to underground Hinkley. the data measurement hexavalent chromium. sus, the city of Ontario’s tracts in Chino Hills. In the segment through the Three days later, In the board has specified Hexavalent chromium population is 163,924. Chino Hills, where the city. It is unfair and a a letter dated Decem- in its earlier cleanup and contamination in Hin- The median income in Tehachapi Renewable denial of equal protec- ber 22 to Sullivan, the abatement order to the kley came about as a the city of Ontario is Energy Transmission tion to penalize the city’s Lahontan Region Water company, if the company consequence of Pacific $54,994, with 16.4% of Project will be under- residents. As such, basic Quality Control Board’s has a contingency plan at Gas and Electric’s op- the population living grounded, the affected notions of fundamental executive officer, Pat- the ready and actuates it eration of a compressor below the federal pov- population is 22.8% His- fairness mandate under- ty Kouyoumdjian, in- if necessary. station there beginning erty line. By contrast, panic and 4.6% African grounding the portions formed PG&E its most Pacific Gas & Electric in 1952. The compres- Chino Hills’ population American. In contrast, of [the transmission line] recently formulated plan is under a standing order sor station was a facility is 74,799. The median in Ontario, where the through the city of On- to remove chromium 6 located on a pipeline that ran between Texas and Canada and delivered in excess of three billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. The compres- sor station in Hinkley was one of eight such stations along the line in California. Natural gas available in the line was used to fuel compressors which repressurized the gas to push it through the pipeline. At Hinkley, the compressed gas was cooled with water circu- lating through two cool- ing towers. From 1952 until 1966, hexavalent chromium, was added to the cooling water to prevent corrosion to the cooling towers and the water circulation sys- tem. Wastewater from the cooling system was disposed of in unlined ponds at the Hinkley site. Beginning in 1964, after the danger of chro- mium 6 was recognized, the cooling water was treated to remove the Continued on Page 11 Friday, January 2, 2015 San Bernardino County Sentinel Page 11 Subscribe to County Wildlife Corner the Sentinel Never miss an issue. Read it weekly from the Darkling Beetles - Tenebrionidae comfort of your own home. Darkling beetle is the family Tenebrionidae in- eyes notched by a frontal mulate the water drains Ordering your one year email subscription is common name of the cludes a large number of ridge, tarsi which have down the beetles' backs quick and easy. large family of beetles, species in an immensely four segments in the Tenebrionidae. Tenebri- varied range of forms, hind pair and five in the Send a check or money order for $30.00 pay- able to the Sentinel, to: 10808 Foothill Blvd., onidae are cosmopolitan, thus presenting challeng- fore and mid legs, with Suite 160-446, Rancho Cucamonga, living on every continent es in making compre- simple tarsal claws. CA 91730. Include your name, city of resi- hensive classifications. dence, phone number and email address. As of 2005, Alleculinae Laporte, 1840; Cossy- PG&E Gets Ap- that pollution. In 1996, phodinae Wasmann, to their mouthparts, proval On Chro- the case was settled for 1899; Diaperinae La- where they swallow it. $333 million, the largest In the Mojave Des- mium 6 Cleanup treille, 1802; Lagriinae settlement ever paid in a Latreille, 1825 (1820); ert, a species of the Strategy direct-action lawsuit un- genus Eleodes (particu- with the possible excep- Nilioninae Lacordaire, Many darkling bee- from page 10 til that time. In 2000, the larly E. obscurus) are tion of Antartica, though 1859; Phrenapatinae So- tles feed on plant matter, matter became an inter- well known as "pinacate chromium before it was through human transport lier, 1834; Pimeliinae some on fresh and some national cause célèbre, beetles" or "desert stink disposed in the pools this bug may have spread Latreille, 1802; Steno- on decaying vegetation; with the release of the beetles." and a non-chromium- there as well. chiinae Kirby, 1837; Te- some are generalist feed- blockbuster movie Erin based additive was sub- The number of spe- nebrioninae Latreille, ers on detritus, whether Brockovich, which re- stituted into the cooling cies in the Tenebrionidae of animal or plant mate- lated a substantially ac- system in 1966. As of is estimated at more than rial. curate version of events 1972 the cooling water 20,000. Species within the in Hinkley. Contrary to was pumped into lined The name Tenebrioni- Tenebrionidae occupy widespread public as- evaporation ponds. dae was given to these various ecological nich- sumptions, Pacific Gas These improvements beetles by Linnaeus in es and accordingly are & Electric’s payment to the system, however, his 10th edition of Sys- important resources for of the $333 million did did not undo the ecologi- tema Naturae in1758- 1802; and Zolodininae ranges of predators and Do you have special not redress the underly- cal havoc that had oc- 59 and means roughly: Watt, 1974 were largely parasitoids in the food knowledge about San ing problem. Masry and curred up until 1972. "those that seek dark accepted as subfamilies chain, including birds, Bernardino County’s his law firm netted over In 1988, the Lahontan places.” Darkling beetles for taxanomic purposes. rodents, reptiles, and ar- wildlife? If you want to $100 million in legal Regional Water Quality are thus beetles which The Tenebrionidae thropods such as sun spi- share what you know fees. Only a few of the Control Board, which dwell in the dark. may be identified by a ders, Hymenoptera and with others, you can do plaintiffs received more oversees water qual- Most species do in- combination of features, Acari. so by becoming a Sen- than $100,000. No physi- ity issues in that portion habit dark places, but which include 11-seg- Some species live in tinel contributor and cal solution to the con- of the desert, issued a there are exceptions. mented antennae that intensely dry deserts, writing an occasional tamination problem was cleanup and abatement Some species of Tenebri- may be filiform, monili- and have evolved adap- county wildlife corner effectuated. order to PG&E to inves- onidae in genera such as form, or weakly clubbed, tions by which they col- column. Call Mark at In 1997 and 2004, the tigate a plume of chro- Stenocara and Onymac- its first abdominal ster- lect droplets of fog that (909) 957 9998 to see water board reissued fol- mium 6 in the water ris are active by day and nite entire and not di- deposit on their elytra. how you can become a low-up permits to PG&E table. In 1991, the water inactive at night. The vided by the hind coxae, As the droplets accu- published columnist. board issued permits to for the use of land treat- treat the contaminated ment units in the treat- to groundwater in the in the northern area of groundwater using land ment of the contaminat- 2008, however, the issue View Road. In addition, area in, around and un- the southern chromium treatment units. ed groundwater around was resurrected as one of hexavalent chromium der Hinkley. The order plume. According to the In 1993, attorney Ed Hinkley. In 2006, with regional and local con- concentrations increased called upon Pacific Gas Lahontan report, recent Masry, with whom Erin the Hinkley groundwa- cern when, amidst the between 2013 and 2014 & Electric to put in place monitoring data indicat- Brockovich, a Hinkley ter contamination issue water board’s provision from 7.8 to 24 parts per a remediation program ed some of the remedial resident, was working, fading from public con- of a permit for Pacific billion in a monitoring to reduce the chromium actions have been effec- filed a multi-plaintiff di- sciousness, the water Gas & Electric to apply well in the lower aquifer to background levels and tive at hydraulic contain- rect action suit against board gave permits for additional cleanup mea- located southeast of San- set an interim maximum ment and at either reduc- PG&E, alleging con- two subterranean reme- sures, it issued redrafted ta Fe Avenue and Moun- background level of 4 ing or stabilizing the tamination of the town’s diation systems to clean cleanup and abatement tain View Road. parts per billion. chromium containment drinking water and un- up the source and central orders. Steadily over the On November 6 of On March 14, 2012, area. toward consequences of areas of the plume. In last six years, the condi- this year, Pacific Gas & the board intensified the According to Kouy- tion of the lingering con- Electric proposed initiat- requirements pertain- oumdjian’s December tamination in Hinkley ing extraction at selected ing to PG&E so that 22 letter, however, chro- Chino Chiropractic Office has grown into a larger wells to provide con- hydraulic containment mium 6 has migrated and larger public issue tainment of the plume of chromium-affected from the upper end of the as evidence of how the if data from monitoring groundwater south of aquifer to the lower aqui- underground plume of wells showed increasing Dr. Dean Kerr Thompson Road in Hin- fer, raising the hexava- chromium 6 continues hexavalent chromium Palmer Chiropractor kley was effectuated. lent chromium concen- to migrate through the concentrations outside Part of the strategy Pa- trations there above the water table into the area or within the identified cific Gas & Electric pro- current drinking water from which local wells plume. posed was utilizing a standards. Phone: 909 627-3633 draw water used for Environmental con- groundwater extraction Kouyounmdjian said Pager: 909 464-7246 household purposes has sultants working with system involving draw- that in the 36 months emerged. PG&E, Arcadis and ing water from certain from July 2011 to July On August 6, 2008, CH2M, have called for wells situated in the ba- 2014, the concentration the Water Quality Con- increasing extraction Serving the entire Chino Valley sin to prevent further of chromium 6 increased trol Board issued an or- at certain points in the plume migration. from 9 to 19 parts per der to PG&E to clean aquifer and increasing Nearly three months billion in water drawn up and abate waste extraction at other po- ago, on October 3, from a location in the 13039 Seventh Street discharges containing sitions to stabilize the PG&E proposed under- lower aquifer at Acacia Chino, CA 91710 hexavalent chromium plume. and total chromium taking hydraulic testing Street east of Mountain Friday, January 2, 2014 San Bernardino County Sentinel Page 12 California Style It’s A New Year because it’s always nice By Grace Bernal to see the real people ex- press themselves on the It’s a new year and a streets in the new year. new you, or so they say. But happy New Year be- In reality the new year you enjoy wearing. A cause a new year always new year brings on ex- brings hope. Why not citing new looks. This step into it in style? the fashion magazines to take in the depictions of clothes that many people wear, the madness is ex- citing. Don’t be afraid to express who you are through style in 2015

Century, the fragments of fashion are beauti- brings a lot of refresh- ful and diverse and the “Tomorrow, is the first ing looks and they go new year fashion is full looks are limitless. As I blank page of a 365 page hand in hand with the of challenges along with roam through the streets, book. Write a good one.” changes of time. It’s also madness. So now that closely observing many ― Brad Paisley time to get out and show we're well into the 21st people and leaff through who you are and what

As always, if there’s anything you need, I'd love to hear from you: [email protected] or visit my page I Love Your Style on Facebook Copyright Grace Bernal all rights reserved

Star Moffatt Moffatt, who spent our families and those protect ourselves from ognize that we have a Chavez and former state six years in the United weaker than ourselves.” enemies, both foreign Constitutional Right to senator Sharon Runner, from page 3 States Army, said she is Moffatt also said and domestic. You and protect ourselves with all of whom are Repub- pro-Second Amendment lawmakers need to rec- I as everyday citizens guns.” licans, are contemplat- by state law. because "gun owner- ognize the values the have to uphold multiple Characterizing her- ing their own candida- "Should I have the ship is a fundamental United States was found- laws on a daily basis. self as a conservative cies to replace Knight, blessings of our citizens right enshrined in the ed on remain positive Our state government as Democrat, Moffatt said who was elected to to be elected as your next United States Constitu- attributes "We should a whole is also required she intended to build on Congress in November. state senator, I will in- tion, which many have reinforce those values," to abide by all state and the basis of her 2012 run Knight's Congressio- troduce Second Amend- forgotten. Furthermore, Moffatt said. "The Sec- federal laws, and in this for the same state senate nal victory left the 21st ment legislation to mir- the ability of the citi- ond Amendment was particular case, uphold position, in which she District, straddles San ror the Federal Second zens to arm themselves one of those values, the the federal law applicable garnered just under 43 Bernardino and Los An- Amendment so there can is for protection. We as need and responsibility to the Second Amend- percent of the vote. Five geles counties and cov- be no mistake about the Americans need to be to carry and maintain ment. It is an appalling others, Palmdale Mayor ers portions of the Vic- direction and intent of self-sufficient and not weapons. Within the fact that the state gov- Jim Ledford, Lancaster tor, Antelope and Santa any gun safety regula- rely on the government Constitution, the Sec- ernment is not upholding Mayor R. Rex Parris, Clarita valleys, vacant. tion the legislature takes for self defense. We need ond Amendment created the Second Amendment Hesperia Mayor Eric Nearly two years remain up in the future." to defend ourselves, our a right to bear arms, to and is doing everything Schmidt, Apple Valley- on Knight's term. homes, our businesses, within its powers to based entrepreneur Sal corrupt and destroy our Constitutional Rights to bear arms." Moffatt said she sup- Read the ports the issuance of concealed carry weap- ons permits as a fall Sentinel back solution. She noted the wording in the 9th On The World Wide Web! U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling which To visit our blog, simply type struck down Califor- http://sbsentinel.com/ into your nia’s concealed weapons URL box and hit enter. You can rules, saying they "vio- view the Sentinel, read individual late the Second Amend- articles, offer comments and search ment right to bear arms.” our archives from the convenience Said Moffatt, “This rul- of your pc, laptop, Blackberry or ing now helps us to rec- iPhone.