Fergusen Park

Fergusson Park in Rialto Gets $6 Million Upgrade

Fergusson Park is one of nine city parks in Rialto. Besides the new amenities the developed eight acres of the park include an existing basketball court, a quarter-mile walking track, a picnic area, two tennis courts, horseshoe pits, a tot playground, and a softball field. The new restroom building will add to one serving the eight acres already developed.

Rialto, CA (PRWEB) October 9, 2010

A $6 million upgrade, including two new football fields, begins at Alec Fergusson Park on Oct. 11.

The city of Rialto intends to complete this upgrade in October 2011. Fergusson Park is at 2395 W. Sunrise, near West Casa Grande Avenue and North Alder Street.

“We will be more than doubling the usable area of Fergusson Park,” said Recreation and Community Services Director Larry Thornburg. “Eight acres of this 18-acre park were previously developed. This project develops the remaining 10 acres.”

Besides the football fields, new amenities for Fergusson Park include a skateboard area, playground, picnic areas, additional parking lot, an additional basketball court, and a snack bar/restroom building.

Rialto contractor Robert Clapper Construction submitted the successful bid for this project.

“We at R.C. Construction are very excited at the opportunity to provide construction services for our ‘home town’ here in the City of Rialto,” said Company President Robert Clapper.  “Our corporate headquarters are located less then a mile from the park so that gives us a great chance to pay special attention to the project. We hope residents will enjoy this park for years to come.”

Funds for this park are from a $6.3 million community improvement bond the Rialto Redevelopment Agency obtained in 2008.

Fergusson Park is one of nine city parks in Rialto. Besides the new amenities the developed eight acres of the park include an existing basketball court, a quarter-mile walking track, a picnic area, two tennis courts, horseshoe pits, a tot playground, and a softball field. The new restroom building will add to one serving the eight acres already developed.

The other Rialto City Parks are:

Andreson Park features a playground, walking track, three large picnic shelters and a basketball court. Andreson Park, 726 S. Lilac: Features here include a quarter-mile walking track, a basketball court, playground equipment for small children and three large picnic shelters.

Youth baseball lovers of all ages will enjoy the amenities at Bud Bender Park in Rialto. Photo by Chris Sloan Bud Bender Park, 300 N. Lilac Ave., which has Little League and Pony League baseball fields, and a T-Ball field. It also has a picnic area.

Roger Birdsall Park, 2611 N. Linden Ave., has two Little League ball fields and one for T-Ball. It also offers a picnic area and a children’s playground.

Jerry Eaves Park, 1485 N. Ayala Ave., has 15 soccer fields, three large picnic shelters and several smaller picnic areas, and a children’s playground.

Flores Park includes a children’s playground, picnic area and walking track. Photo by Chris Sloan Flores Park, 1020 W. Etiwanda Ave., has a picnic area, children’s playground and a quarter-mile walking track.

Frisbie Park includes three Little League and two girls’ softball fields, as well as picnic areas, playground equipment and basketball courts.

Frisbie Park, 19901 N. Acacia Ave., has three Little League fields and three girl’s softball fields, picnic areas, playground equipment and basketball courts.

Margaret Todd Park, 201 N. Willow St., has a skate park for skateboarding and roller-skating, picnic areas and open space.

Rialto City Park includes baseball fields, a football field, picnic areas and playground equipment. Rialto City Park, 130 E. San Bernardino Ave., has one football field, one Pony League field and one Little League field. It also has picnic areas, playground equipment and an outdoor stage.

Although the City of Rialto is located in the middle of one of the nation’s fastest growing regions, it has retained a small town atmosphere and similar quality of life. Rialto is an ethnically diverse and progressive community, which boasts several unique community assets including its own police and fire departments, a city-owned racquet and fitness center, performing arts theater, a community center and senior center. Rialto is near mountains, beaches, deserts and other recreational areas.

Rialto’s housing mix and home costs are some of the most affordable in the southern California region. First-time homebuyers find Rialto more affordable than almost any other comparable community in the region. Executives and those seeking high-end homes also find they can purchase much more home for their money in Rialto. This lower cost of living in Rialto also translates into more discretionary income for residents, thus benefiting retailers and service providers.

For more information about Rialto, Calif. go to http://www.ci.rialto.ca.us or call (909) 820-2525.

Area Command Meeting Area 1

So as promised I went to the area command meeting for area 1 at Kucera Middle School on Buena Vista Ave in Las Colinas. In attendance were Chief Farrar (former Captain) Captain Deanda (former Lt),  Lt Thompson, Sgt Hardin, Sgt Wilson, Det Quiniones (former SCAT member) Code officer Dave Hernadez and Judy Roberts. There were represenitives from Code enforcement, Redevelopment Agency, Public Works, Waste management, City Manager.

It began like the original area command meetings. Different people from various deptartments came up and gave us a update from thier department. Most was doom and gloom so if you came in depressed you probably weren’t lifted up when you left.

To the Left is the new Chief of Police Chief Farrar. He is a former Captain with Rialto PD.

Below is a break down of the diffrent presenters at the Area Command Meeting and what they had to say or not say:

Steven Jaraminllo Redevelopment Agency – RDA’s in Ca lost thier fight against Govener Jerry “Moonbeam” Brown in eliminating these agencies in Ca city’s. So as of Feburary 1st 2012 there will no longer be an RDA here in Rialto. Rialto’s RDA does alot including:

The City of Rialto has a variety of industrial and commercial development opportunities, from small in-fill development sites to large development sites for retail power centers, as well as existing shopping centers that need to be repositioned to take advantage of shifting demographic trends in the region. Rialto also has several vacant in-fill sites along Foothill Blvd., commercial corners, as well as unique specialty retailing opportunities in the downtown Central Business District (“CBD”).  Rialto’s downtown is currently undergoing a renaissance following the completion of a $2.8 million streetscape improvement project and assistance from the Agency’s seismic and facade grant program.

http://www.ci.rialto.ca.us/redevelopment_800.php

So why is this important to Rialto Residents, first we dont have anyone in our local goverment pushing to bring positive development to our city. It seems to be that if left alone with business development here, city council would just add more liqour stores and indoor swapmeets. We have more indoor swapmeets that most other cities in the Inland Empire. REAL development didnt begin until the RDA took over and started making things happen. It was councils idea to put a moritorium om development along the new 210 freeway. So while Rancho, Fontana, Highland and Redlands too advatage of the new freeway we just sat back and watched.

What do we loose? Who knows about the In & Out on Riverside and 210 freeway thats in Limbo. Rember the reason we shut down the Airport? It was for the new Target mass shopping Center that too is in Limbo. The only project that is still a small possibility is the Pepper extension to the 210 freeway.

Questions can be directed to Steven at 909-879-1145 or click contacts from thier website listed above.

Mike Story City Manager – Mike Story is the new city manager and has worked for the city of Rialto for 20 years. I grew up with Mike’s kids and our families attended the same church for alot of years. Mike has been throw into the fire and has been left to make choices other has been to weak to make themselves. Mr. Story’s report was full of DOOM and GLOOM. According to him there are no positives here in Rilato. He said “the city must live within it means” and “I will try and do the same with less but I cant do more with less”. His report included the following:

In Limbo – In & Out, Target Shopping Center.

In Question Pepper/210 freeway extension.

May have to FIRE SALE properties RDA bought to re-sell to developers to bring business to Rialto.

10 depts consolitated into 5 depts, Layoffs.

Reductions in street sweeping and tree trimming.

See Mike Strories Monthly Report at:

http://www.ci.rialto.ca.us/documents/downloads/December_2011__2_.pdf

Amy with waste management – Amy has been at most Area command meeting and gives us info on free dump days and where you can take haserdus waste, electronic wates and donated items. Every free dump day (one a quarter) the Salvation Army is at city hall parking lot taking your donated items and give a tax recipt in return. Also they have special sponsorships they do for non-profit organizations. This months is Fly Doctors of Mercy. They will be taking useable medical equipment like Wheel Chairs, Walkers, Canes, Prostetics, Hearing Aids and Eye Glasses. they take these items to impoverished countries and preform free medical care. The free Dump day for the first quarter is January 28th. Also they will be taking 9 tires per address for free disposal on the weekends of January 13-14 and January 27-28 at the Public Works Yard at 335 W Rialto Ave.

Michelle Aguirie Public Works Admin Assist – Mrs. Aguirie spoke about the near completion of the Fregusen Park Remodel. This park remodel cost 6 million dollars. She was asked alot of questions about street repairs and extensions and had no real awnsers her key phrase was “I don’t Know”. She was asked about Linden From Casmilia to Summit the street is all torn up and in bad repair. Mrs. Aguirie also feilded a question about the massive graffitti on the businesses along the north side of the 10 freeway espcially between Riversid and Cedar, no awnser but well let you know what she finally says. We will be taking pictures and reporting on these 2 questions to see what we can drive out of officals.

Det Anthony Quinonez Personal Property Crimes – Det Quinonez gave us good tips to help us stay safe and protect our properties. I have pictures of the slides he presented. If you have the time make one of the upcomming command meetings just for this presentation. The only thing I don’t agree with is his reliance on the Nieghborhood Watch Program? Our NW progam wasn’t there for Flores Park residents who wanted to included new and inovative ways keep one step ahead of criminals and empower residents. Things like Liason with Protection One, using technology and using our volenteers in new and inovative ways. He isnt a bad guy but he is comming into a situation blind.

Here are the pics of the presentation:

 

2012 Area Command Meetings

Yes everyone they are back Area Command meetings. For those of you outside the Rialto area reading our blog or here unaware of the program here is its explanation straight from the Rialto PD Website:

The Area Commander Program is responsible for those areas which directly influence the quality of life for the residents and businesses in Rialto. In addition to enforcing the laws of our society, the Police Department believes it is equally important to maintain and develop positive relationships with all members of the community. The Area Commander Program is one of many innovative examples of the Rialto Police Department’s “Commitment to Community.”

For More on it go to http://www.rialtopd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=141

This program is needed and important people need to feel heard and know whats going on in their area. When the program was begun it was awesome people from different departments within the city relayed needed info to the residents and people were able to ask them questions. sometimes department sent just filler people and paid the price by sending someone who could not answer the questions asked and the next meeting the right person was there.

At the programs inception we had Area commanders Lt. Crispin, Lt. Deanda & Lt. Burkholder. The Lt’s went and go out of their way to show people in their perspective communities that they cared and wanted to find solutions to help end or elevate criminal or unpleasant activity in their neighborhood. With some mass retirement forced and of their own choice I have been under the control of Lt. Thompson a much different Lt. and we had a rocky start but found common ground to operate under I respect Lt. Thompson for her service but we find ourselves horn to horn like rival bucks during matting season.

I cannot say enough for the two Lt’s that retired Lt’s Crispin and Burkholder did so much for my family and this community we cannot thank them enough. I modeled my Neighborhood Watch meeting and structure around the way Lt’s Crispin and Burkholder ran their Area Command meeting and their section of the city in which they were responsible. I miss my Neighborhood Watch and the duties that it entailed but no Neighborhood Watch Captain will ever find marketable success when he/she doesnt have the respect or support of the local law enforcement authority.

I will try to make every Area Command Meeting to see how different each is according to the different locations in the city and the two different Area Commanders.

Also look around is anyone from city council there? Dont let them give you the excuse it against the law at least one of them can attend each. Area 1 has lots of people from city government that can attend and should.

Here are som questions we should ask and I will be asking:

*What is the REAL time frame on the completion of the cameras at the remaining parks in Rialto?

*Does Rialto PD use the community policing model? Is there an officer assigned to that detail? If not why?

*What is Rialto PD’s plan to curtail the rise in drug use here in Rialto?

*Are residents able to use the Departments Facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/RialtoPD ) to ask about police activity in their area? I.E. Like Redlands PD’s Facebook page?

If you make the meeting, you will hear about:
*New policies and procedures.
*New policies galore.
*New officers hired.
*Promotions coming.
*Neighborhood Watch Command structure will be changing soon.
*Plus I’m sure the new Chief of Police will be discussed.

The Exit of one Chief Ushers the Entry of Another

People I give you the end of one and the beginning of another.
Police Chief Mark Kling will no longer be the chief of police in the city of Rialto.
Chief Kling was a good Chief but in Rialto it’s not hard to do when you see some of the leadership we have resided under over the last 15 years.
I at one time was the Chiefs biggest advocate, when he removed community policing and chased good people into early retirement I was left to pause is this man really who he claims to be?
Chief Kling did his best, but it wasnt enough we needed more.
Will Capitan Farrar be able to fill these shoes? Can he bring TRUE community policing back to Rialto? What are his plans for the future? Are the other 2 Lt’s spots ever going to be filled? Can we still count on Rialto PD being there when we need them?
Only Time will tell, maybe we should ask I’m running for office Baca Jr he is all over this SB Sun Article, do your job baca get out of the lime light.
SB Sun Article Below:
After 5 1/2 years, Police Chief Mark Kling is calling it quits.The veteran police official, with a doctorate in public administration, is going to teach at the undergraduate and graduate level at Riverside’s California Baptist University, retiring from police work after more than 30 years.Kling, 54, said he will be revamping the university’s criminal justice program, will teach within the program and also will teach public administration and political science.”I came here to do a job and I have done that job and it is time to move on,” said Kling, who for six months this year wore the hat of both police chief and city administrator.

His last day as police chief will be Dec. 29.

Kling said he will be replaced by Tony Farrar, who has been employed by the Rialto Police Department for 22 years. During the last five years, he served as captain with the responsibility for the department’s field operations.

Farrar holds a master’s degree in the administration of justice and an MBA.

Kling said that he took no additional salary while serving as interim city administrator, an action that saved the city considerable money.

“It was my way of giving back to the community for their support,” Kling said in an interview Tuesday.

When Kling arrived in Rialto, he walked into a demoralized Police Department that had been slated for elimination a few months before.

A large community outcry kept policing in Rialto under local control instead of under contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

During his tenure, Kling transformed the department, giving it tools to increase productivity and restoring its pride, said City Council member Joe Baca Jr.

“He brought back the gang unit, brought injunctions against gangs and took many other actions that had never been done in this city,” Baca said.

Kling’s tenure, however, was blemished by an embarrassing sex scandal in 2010 when a female employee at a Rialto strip club alleged she and an on-duty officer had sex three times at the Rialto Police Benefit Association’s union hall.

Prior to those allegations becoming public, Kling began installing vehicle locators on all police cars, to allow supervisors to pinpoint where officers are during their shift.

That process was completed in mid-2010.

Earlier this year, a Rialto police officer and an Orange County defense attorney were arrested by FBI agents on bribery charges.

Baca said Kling took swift action against those whose conduct fell short of the department’s standards.

“Chief Kling took personal responsibility for mishaps within the department. He didn’t try to hide anything….One of the things you can’t do as a leader is control what the troops do,” Baca said in an interview Wednesday.

Kling said that his leadership style includes “moving a lot of people out of organizations that probably should have never been there.”

As city administrator, Kling fired a contract employee at the Rialto Municipal Airport after he found documents suggesting financial irregularities there.

“Kling really trained his support staff to become leaders,” Baca said.

By grooming Farrar, he saved Rialto a significant amount of money because the city didn’t have to hire a headhunter to find its next police chief, Baca said.

Kling said he pushed department members to pursue educational opportunities “at every level.”

Studies show there is a correlation between the education level of a police department and how it treats its community, Kling said.

“I have no doubt in my mind that Tony Farrar is the best candidate for police chief, not just here, but anywhere,” Kling said.

VIP Grand Opening at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor

Ok everyone sorry I have been scooped by every other blogger that went to the Grand Opening but I think we might have a prospective they didn’t. I wasn’t able to attend this event due to a full card of work http://www.facebook.com/pages/Davids-Marketing/156816741049580 . The following review was done by a very talented person watch out for this young lady she is going places and making her mark.
Lauren Mastalski runs her own blog called http://insomniaticthoughts.tumblr.com/
Laurens blog is extremely successful and has tons of advertising requests. What is most impressive is she donates all the money to charity.
Lauren and her sister were tasked with attending this event and reporting back, and here it is:
Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour Review
    On December 6th, 2011, Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour hosted their VIP event as part of their grand opening for their new location in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
 The environment at Farrell’s was very upbeat and exciting with tons of employee jingles, horns, urgent siren ice cream delivery and music.
 The employees’ generosity also made it a very enjoyable and memorable experience.
The food was delicious, if you’re looking for a tasty vegetarian treat you must try the Bruschetta balsamic Pizza!
As for their desserts, they were absolutely extravagant and they carry an extensive list of sweets to choose from.
 Farrell’s offers great deserts for large families or parties too, such as, “The Hot Fudge Volcano” which consists of 30 different scoops of ice cream! Myself and a guest went to the VIP event and ordered 2 drinks, 2 entrees, and two desserts; our bill came out to $53 after tip.  I highly recommend Farrell’s to families and friends looking to have an exciting time but this is not the place for a romantic date.

Drug Arrest

Rialto man arrested in pot dispensary raid

Posted: 12/09/2011 09:17:28 AM PST

 
 

Pomona police arrested a Rialto man during a raid on a marijuana dispensary Thursday.Javier Sarabia, 33, was booked into jail on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale, police said.

Police SWAT officers and other personnel searched Natural Remedies at 162 E. First St. in Pomona after investigating the business the past month.

They began the investigation due to complaints from people about illegal activity at the business.

Police found one pound of marijuana, weapons and cash.

Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/breakingnews/ci_19506263?source=rss#ixzz1g3zEssYw

FARRELLS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

HEAR YE’ Hear YE’!!!!!

We are excited to announce the GRAND OPENING of our Rancho Cucamonga location! Tomorrow, Friday, December 9th at 11:00 am, be there to witness Farrell’s triumphant return to the Inland Empire!

Seating will be a first come, first serve basis. We will start taking reservations tomorrow morning at 11:00 am for parties beginning December 26th of 8 or more. Farrell’s will begin offering party packages beginning in January 2012.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

To contact us by phone, please call 909-989-8777

Rancho Cucamonga location:
10742 Foothill Blvd.
Terra Vista Town Center Shopping Center
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

We’ll be open 11am – 11pm Monday – Sunday for at least the next couple of weeks.

Water Rates go up, up, up

So once again the water rates are the topic of conversation and its all about raising them.

It is said that we have neglected our water and waste system, who is the “WE”. No one ever called my house and asked me if I want to continue to neglect our infrastructure, I don’t sit on any boards or communities. I just pay my taxes and fees. To be honest EVERY SINGLE time I have come before the dias at city council the council pretends they don’t work for us and they are untouchable. The most elder councilman Ed Scott has had plenty of time to begin working on these problems. Joe Baca Jr has been in local politics long enough to know this was coming on the municipal and State level. Plus Mrs Robertson and Mayor Vargas have been around quite a while and nothing has been done.

something that perplexes me though are they selling us water at cost? Meaning after all the bills are paid there isn’t anything left over? That would mean were not back filling or have been back filling the general fund with monies that could have been used to begin to start dealing with our infrastructure issues?

What I love is how Stephen Dopudja, a civil engineer with Irvine-based SAIC Energy, Environment & Infrastructure LLC who the council is paying with our tax dollars all but uses an agency he isn’t a part of or has any say in to threaten the residents of this city.

Im sorry Rialto Governing board we the people have nothing left to give, you want to over tax us and fee us to death. Un employment numbers are high and are only dropping because people are giving up on looking for work because it’s so hopeless. If you raise the rates you had better find a innovative collection agency to work with because the residents probably wont be able to pay their bills.

If the system is this bad I call on all Senior members of our city government who have ignored and mismanaged funds to this point to step down and resign.

Rialto officials will separate rate proposal from American Water issue

Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer

Posted: 12/08/2011 01:20:41 PM PST

RIALTO – City of Rialto officials will be seeking significant hikes in water and wastewater treatment rates early next year.This effort will separate highly-charged issue of whether or not American Water Works Co. Inc. will manage the city’s water operations for 30 years.

“It doesn’t matter what we do (on that). Rates have go to go up,” Mike Story, city administrator, said during a meeting of the Rialto Utilities Commission Tuesday night.

Last summer, when the motion to outsource the water department to American Water died on a 2-2 vote by city council, officials said that large rate increases would be coming.

For years, various city councils have ducked the politically unpopular vote to increase water and wastewater rates.

The result has been that the city’s aging water infrastructure now needs some $40 million in upgrades and repairs.

Story said that a rate request in some form will likely come before city council during its Jan. 10 meeting.

Regardless of that date, the issue will not be considered during council meetings scheduled for Tuesday or Dec. 27, he said.

A vote by the council to boost water and wastewater rates would be subject to a Proposition 218 vote, meaning that a negative vote by 50 percent of the property owners – plus one vote – would block the increase.

The voting period ends 45 days after the council’s affirmative vote.

For several weeks, utility commission members have been developing a “Water, Wastewater & Rate Education Outreach” plan to tell in great detail why the rate increases are necessary – and what payments to the water system buy.

The board consensus Tuesday night was that there will be three or four public meetings offered at different times and locations – when it has been determined what the rate increase will be.

Stephen Dopudja, a civil engineer with Irvine-based SAIC Energy, Environment & Infrastructure LLC, said that city residents elsewhere in the state have decided to neglect their water system and repeatedly defeat water rate increases.

But ultimately the state steps in.

“The Department of Public Health is not going to let water systems become a health hazard. They will come in and levy fines in the millions of dollars,”

Then the ratepayers in those city must pay for needed improvements – and the fines.

“The question is does Rialto want to be part of the solution,” he said.

SAIC has been hired by the city as a consultant for water and wastewater issues.


jim.steinberg@inlandnewspapers.com, 909-386-3855

Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/ci_19498669#ixzz1fyw2t1rF

Assembly Member Carter News Letter

Carter
November 2011 E-Newsletter

Shortly before Thanksgiving 2009,
Assembly Member Carter and Community Action Partnership Executive Director
Patricia Nickols packed Thanksgiving food boxes for families in need at St.
Paul’s African Methodist Episcopal Church in San Bernardino. Assembly Member
Carter encourages everyone to volunteer in the community to make this
Thanksgiving holiday a meaningful one.

 

Dear Friends,

The Thanksgiving holiday is a
time to gather with friends and family to reflect upon what we care about most
and what we are most thankful for. I am thankful for the veterans and the men
and women currently serving in the Armed Forces, many of whom are overseas and
away from their families. We honor their sacrifices.

I encourage you to volunteer
in your community to make this holiday a meaningful one. Make it a priority to
donate funds, food or your time to nonprofit and community organizations that
are serving those in need. You alone can make a positive impact in the lives of
those around you.

Here is a list of local
organizations to get you started so that you may be able to assist as the
holiday season approaches.

  • Frazee Community
    Center
    1140 West Mill Street
    San Bernardino, CA 92401
    (909)
    889-4424
  • Hutton Community
    Center
    660 Colton Avenue
    Colton, CA 92324
    (909) 370-6168
  • Mountain View Community
    Church
    8833 Palmetto Avenue
    Fontana, CA 92335
    (909) 357-9377
  • Loveland Jubilee
    Pantry
    1436 North Ayala Drive, Suite G
    Rialto, CA 92376
    (909)
    873-2710

Best wishes for a happy and
healthy Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

Wilmer Amina
Carter
Assembly Member, District 62

Protect your
Children from Harm

November is Child Safety and
Protection month. Here are a few tips to keep your children safe during this
holiday season:

  1. Be cautious of choking
    hazards – coins, marbles, keys, jewelry, paper clips, water bottle tops, safety
    pins, removable rubber tips on doorstops, jeweled decorations on children’s
    clothing, crayons and hard, round foods.
  2. Injuries from hot liquids
    are the leading cause of nonfatal burns. Use anti-scalding devices for faucets
    and showerheads to help prevent burns.
  3. Install child-proof locks on
    anything and everything that can open. This is especially important on medicine
    and kitchen cabinets.
  4. Use carbon monoxide alarms
    near sleeping areas and test smoke alarms to make sure they are in good working
    order.

Remember to keep a list of
all emergency numbers on your refrigerator or other easily accessible area. For
a list of local resources in your county, please visit http://www.sbcounty.gov/dph/documents/cah_community_resources.pdf.

Legislative Wrap-up:
Assembly Member Carter’s Key Bills Signed into Law

A number of Assembly Member
Carter’ bills were signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown, all centering around
her policy priority issues, which include education, jobs and economic
development, public safety and health.

Assembly Bill 230 is a joint
effort with the students of San Bernardino Middle College High School. This bill
exempts a middle college high school student from being assigned a
“low-enrollment priority” by a community college. This will give the students in
these programs increased access to California Community College (CCC) courses
and expand their opportunities to complete the middle college high school
program.

The Governor also signed
Assembly Bill 316, a crucial piece of legislation to help combat the rise of
metal theft in the district and across the state. The bill provides that a
person who steals copper materials including wire, cable, and piping, exceeding
$950 in value, is guilty of grand theft and will be punishable by a fine,
imprisonment or both.

Assembly Bills 221 and 892
streamline processes and provide flexibility for both housing and transportation
projects. This helps jobs and shovel-ready projects to move forward. AB 221
allows the Department of Housing and Community Development to use bond funds for
the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) and the Supportive Housing
Program. AB 892 allows Caltrans to continue the federal National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) by waiving sovereign immunity for certain programs resulting
in eliminating one layer of government review and allowing projects and jobs to
begin in a timely manner.

Assembly Bill 1077 supports
growth and economic development around Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
while also providing protection to this unique historical and cultural
resource.

Assembly Member Carter is
pleased that the Governor saw the merit and importance of these measures, and
signed them into law. For more information on Assembly Member Carter’s
legislative package, please visit her website at www.assembly.ca.gov/a62.

If you have a bill idea,
Assembly Member Carter would love to hear about it. Please email her at assemblymember.carter@assembly.ca.gov.

Back Row, from left: Craig Scott, San
Bernardino Police Department; Matt Ballinger, Fontana Police Department; Pastor
Owusu Hodari, San Bernardino County Public Defender; Joe Martinez, Rialto Fire
Department; Jim Eason, San Bernardino County Fire Department; Assembly Member
Wilmer Amina Carter; Jon Montgomery, San Bernardino County Fire Department;
George Alaniz, San Bernardino County Probation Department; Richard Dewberry, San
Bernardino Police Department; Eugene Chavez, San Bernardino County Probation
Department; Linda Bourke, Rialto Police Department; John Lapioli, San Bernardino
County Sheriff’s Department; Louis Johnson, Fontana Police Department; Dr.
Mannie L. Brodie, San Bernardino County Public Defender; front row, Joyce
Roberts, Colton Police Department; Yuriana Nava, Colton Police Department; Greta
Hodges, Rialto Police Department; Cecilia Chavez, Fontana Police Department; and
Paul Dennert, California Highway Patrol.

 

Assembly Member
Carter Honors Public Safety Volunteers

Assembly Member Carter hosted
her third annual awards program to honor volunteers in public safety agencies on
October 28 at the Inland Regional Conference Center in San Bernardino. She was
joined by San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops, San Bernardino Police Chief
Robert Handy, County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig, Fontana Police Chief Rod Jones,
Colton Police Chief Steve Ward and other officials.

The volunteer honorees have
given thousands of hours in service to their communities through the Sheriff’s
Department, the Public Defender and Probation Departments, Police Explorers,
County Fire Department, the California Highway Patrol, and the Colton, Rialto,
Fontana and San Bernardino Police Departments.

Assembly Member Carter says,
“Those individuals who offer their time and talents to their communities are
truly our unsung heroes. Too often, we forget to stop and acknowledge the great
contributions volunteers make to the fabric and character of our communities. I
want to publicly thank and recognize these heroes.”

Assembly Member Carter, THINK Together
student Cheyenne Young; and Chantal Anderson, Principal of Bemis Elementary
School in the Rialto Unified School District

 

National Lights on
Afterschool at Bemis Elementary

Assembly Member Carter
visited THINK Together’s extended learning time program at Bemis Elementary in
the Rialto Unified School District (RUSD) on October 19. Her visit was tied to
National Lights On Afterschool, an initiative of the National Afterschool
Alliance. Lights On Afterschool is held annually to bring visibility to the
importance of after-school programs in providing safe, supervised learning
environments for school-aged children. The THINK Together model is unique in the
state, providing a structured, academically-oriented program which includes
homework help, academically-oriented activities, structured physical education
activities/nutrition instruction, as well as leadership and team-building
activities. THINK Together serves about 3,000 students in 32 schools in the 62nd
Assembly District. Learn more at www.THINKTogether.org.

From left, honorees Cheryl Brown,
Laura B. Goodly, Brenda Odell, National Council of Negro Women Inland Empire
Section President Lois J. Carson; Keynote Speaker and TV newswoman Beverly
White, Assembly Member Carter; Geraldine Foxall-Kater; Beverly Powell; and
Melody Anye Riley attend the National Council of Negro Women Bethune Recognition
Luncheon at the Inland Empire Regional Conference Center in San
Bernardino.

 

Former Carter Staff
Honored at NCNW Luncheon

Assembly Member Carter
presented the Community Award to Eldred Marshall, former Carter legislative
staffer and talented musician. Ms. Carter called Marshall a genius who began
playing the piano at age six. He recently received a Master of Music degree and
is working on a Masters of Organ degree. The award was presented at the 32nd
Annual National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Mary J. McLeod Bethune Recognition
Luncheon on October 29, 2011 in San Bernardino.

Each year a different NCNW
Section hosts the event in commemoration of Mary McLeod Bethune, the
organization’s founder and the Inland Empire section hosted this year. The
keynote speaker was Beverly White, KNBC newscaster. She offered an inspiring
message about the life of Henrietta Lacks, the woman whose cancer cells have
been mass marketed for research worldwide and about EPA Administrator Lisa P.
Jackson.

Raise Awareness of
Alzheimer’s Disease

Today, in the United States,
there are an estimated 5.4 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease
with more than 580,000 in California. According to the Alzheimer’s Association,
this figure will rise to 678,446 by 2015, and 1,100,000 by 2030. The warning
signs of Alzheimer’s disease are often dismissed as side effects of normal
aging. If you or someone you know is experiencing memory loss or changes in
behavior or thinking skills, it’s time to learn the facts. Early detection,
diagnosis and intervention are vital because they provide the best opportunities
for treatment, support and planning for the future. To learn about the 10 signs
of Alzheimer’s disease or for more information on Alzheimer’s disease, please
visit http://www.alz.org/californiasouthland/

Commending Native
Americans for their Contributions

Millions of Americans will
commemorate the contributions that Native Americans have made to our country,
our state and our society during Native American Heritage Month in November. The
beautiful culture and heritage of many nations are ingrained in the names of our
communities, rivers, lakes, cities, streets and food.

Assembly Member Carter honors
the legacy of American Indians for their contributions to our rich history.
Among the Native Americans to receive the United States Medal of Honor for their
heroism are: First Lieutenant Jack C. Montgomery and Second Lieutenant Ernest
Childers, both United States Army, 45th Infantry Division during WWII. Also,
John Bennett Herrington is a former NASA astronaut who flew on the STS-113
Endeavour, the sixteenth shuttle mission.

Assembly Member Carter
commends the many Native Americans who continue to make our communities stronger
by serving as community college board members, police officers, teachers,
doctors, firefighters, civic leaders, military service men and women and public
servants.

Recognize the
Seriousness of Diabetes

During National Diabetes
Month, take a moment to recognize just how many people are affected by this
disease. According to the American Diabetes Association, a person is diagnosed
with diabetes every 17 seconds and diabetes remains as the leading cause of
heart attack and stroke.

From 1999 to 2008, the
highest number of deaths due to diabetes was among San Bernardino County
residents who lived in postal zip code 92335, which is in the 62nd
District.

Learn more about diabetes on
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov. Another resource is the American Diabetes
Association’s Center for Information and Community Support at 1-800-342-2383 or
visit the website www.diabetes.org. Let’s take an active role to stay as healthy
as possible!

Assembly Member Carter’s intern Alicia
Barrett is from Ontario and is currently an undergraduate student at the
University of California, Irvine. Her academic interests center on Political
Science and Women’s Studies. While interning for Assembly Member Carter, Alicia
hopes to gain insight into the policy issues that affect constituents. Her
future plans include a career in public policy or government.

 

Ellison Ma is Assembly Member Carter’s
newest intern in her Capitol Office. Originally from San Francisco, Ellison is
currently in his third year at UC Davis in the fall, majoring in Political
Science. He plans to pursue graduate studies in public policy.

 

Levi Swindell of Elk Grove is a
graduate from Virginia Military Institute, where he majored in history and
attended on a football scholarship. He was honored to march with the VMI corps
of cadets in the President Barack Obama Inauguration Parade. Levi plans on
obtaining a master’s degree to work in federal law enforcement or Homeland
Security.

 

Carter in the
Community

From left, Assembly Member Carter,
Assembly Member Sandr� R. Swanson (AD 16) seated; Senator Curren Price, Chair of
the Legislative Black Caucus, and Assembly Member Steven Bradford (AD 51), at
the Legislative Black Caucus Leadership Symposium on October 15th.

 

Assembly Member Carter joins the
sponsors and children who participated in the Grand Opening of The Leaven
Tutoring Center at Quail Ridge apartment complex in Rialto. From left, back row,
Ricardo Lorenzo and Khalid Alwan, Directors, Oracle Communities Corporation and
owners of Quail Ridge; Mark Lillis, Executive Director, The Leaven and Assembly
Member Carter. This photo was taken by W. Jordan Bennett.

 

Assembly Member Carter presents the
co-chairs of the Inland Empire Disabilities Collaborative with a resolution
recognizing their service and the five-year anniversary of the Collaborative.
From left, Ann Kasper and Bill Nessel, co-chairs, Inland Empire Disabilities
Collaborative; Assembly Member Carter and Carol Fitzgibbons, Executive Director,
Inland Regional Center; Lisa Hayes, Manager, Senior and Disability Services,
Molina Health Care; and Ben Jauregui, Disability Program Manager, Inland Empire
Health Plan (IEHP).

 

From left, Barbara Ward, Deputy
Secretary, Women and Minority Veterans; Assembly Member Carter; Senator Gloria
Negrete-McLeod; and Tina Lifford, motivational speaker at CalVet Women Veterans
Conference, “Enhancing Inner Beauty, Inner Strength,” at the DoubleTree Hotel in
Ontario on October 7.

 

At the George E. Brown, Jr. Elementary
School Groundbreaking on October 21 were: from left, San Bernardino Unified
School Board Member Danny Tillman, Mrs. Marta Brown, Assembly Member Carter,
Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod, and San Bernardino Unified Assistant
Superintendent of Facilities and Operations John Peukert (in back). The
elementary school is the newest in the San Bernardino Unified School District,
located at 25th & Highland Ave., adjacent to Arrow View Middle
School.

 

On Saturday evening, October 22 at the
National Orange Show Valencia Room, Assembly Member Carter received the 2011
Distinguished Benefactor Award from the San Bernardino County Safety Employee’s
Benefit Association (SEBA) at an event to benefit the SEBA Charity Fund. SEBA
represents 3200 San Bernardino County Deputy Sheriff’s, District Attorney
Investigators, Welfare Fraud Investigators and Probation Corrections Officers.
From left, Assembly Member Carter and Safety Employee’s Benefit Association
President Laren Leichliter. The main sponsoring organizations were: SEBA, San
Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Tommy and Maria Ramos, James and Rowena
Ramos.

 

The NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner on
October 27 at the San Bernardino Hilton Hotel, recognized health educators.
Assembly Member Carter was presented with the Healthy Living Advocate Pioneer
Award by Cheryl Brown, President of the NAACP San Bernardino Branch.

 

Assembly Member Carter presents
certificates to representatives of The NAACP, the Inland Empire Concerned
African American Churches and Time for Change to acknowledge the organizations’
ninth annual health fair on October 22. From left, Kim Carter, Time for Change;
Beverly Jones Wright, NAACP; Assembly Member Carter and Veatrice Jews,
IECAAC.

 

At the Inland Empire Concerned African
American Churches 9th Annual Health Festival, Assembly Member Carter
demonstrates a unique stationary bike which includes a blender powered by
peddling and allows the rider to make a smoothie.

Sending to Our Soldiers

 

List of Items Request by Soldier’s in Afghanistan

 

Barbara Farned will have a box in her store

(Complete Health Food)

 

214 E Foothill Blvd Rialto (909) 875-6321

 

for dropping off items.

 

She will then mail them off to the soldier’s.

 

Baby Wipes

Cornstarch Baby Powder

Large Doctor Foot – Foot Powder

Bottles of Witch Hazel Astringent

Boxer Underwear different sizes

Crew Size White Socks different sizes

Crackers (Triskets, Club and Chicken in a Bisket, Wheat Thins)

Small bags of Cheese-Its

Crunchy Cheetos,

Flavored Sunflower Seeds

Pumpkin Seeds

Nuts (Cashews and Almonds)

Fruit Roll-ups

Get what you can, let’s show our support for a local soldier and his courageous

comrades.

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