San Bernardino County Board bids farewell to outgoing supervisor
Supervisor Dennis Hansberger's 20-year tenure as one of the top elected officials in San Bernardino County is winding down.
On Tuesday, representatives from a number of political offices -- from the governor's office to the state Legislature and local mayors -- paid tribute to Hansberger's public service, presenting resolutions, plaques and gifts in his honor. The ceremony took place during a regular board of supervisors meeting, which also happened to be Hansberger's last.
Hansberger served on the board from 1972 to 1980 and from 1996 until the present. Incoming Supervisor Neil Derry, Hansberger's replacement, will be sworn in Dec. 1.
Supervisor Josie Gonzales seemed on the brink of tears as she bid farewell to her colleague, whom she described as "the historian of our board" and a kind, dedicated and wise man.
"Only individuals who sit in these seats know the terrible weight and responsibility we feel," Gonzales said. "It never goes away. We're here because we care."
On Tuesday, representatives from a number of political offices -- from the governor's office to the state Legislature and local mayors -- paid tribute to Hansberger's public service, presenting resolutions, plaques and gifts in his honor. The ceremony took place during a regular board of supervisors meeting, which also happened to be Hansberger's last.
Hansberger served on the board from 1972 to 1980 and from 1996 until the present. Incoming Supervisor Neil Derry, Hansberger's replacement, will be sworn in Dec. 1.
Supervisor Josie Gonzales seemed on the brink of tears as she bid farewell to her colleague, whom she described as "the historian of our board" and a kind, dedicated and wise man.
"Only individuals who sit in these seats know the terrible weight and responsibility we feel," Gonzales said. "It never goes away. We're here because we care."
Chairman Paul Biane announced the San Bernardino County Museum's nearly complete Hall of Wonders will be named after Hansberger.
Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt acknowledged that at times he felt Hansberger had been resistant to change, but that he respected his legacy.
Hanberger's stint on the board was not without controversy, political maneuvering and scandal.
At one point, Biane called for Hansberger to submit to a lie detector test at the height of a district attorney's investigation into the $100 million lawsuit settlement concerning the Colonies development in Upland.
Hansberger was also sued for slander by Elizabeth Sanchez, who resigned from her position as the county's human resources director after it was discovered that she was having a relationship with a public safety union leader.
And an investigation by The Sun, which won national journalism awards, revealed how Hansberger's pro-development agenda contributed to destructive fires and floods in the county.
Although it was Hansberger's last, the board meeting was not without action. Approximately $2 million was allocated for projects in Hansberger's district, which includes the San Bernardino Mountains and Morongo Basin.
Among the projects receiving funding:
- $500,000 for the Mountain Preservation Program near Baldwin Lake to encourage compliance with county codes for fire safety
-$25,000 for the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival's camp program
- nearly $1 million to alleviate the debt of the troubled Arrowhead Manor Water Company
Asked if it's unusual for a supervisor to allocate $2 million from his budget in one meeting, David Wert, county spokesman, said, "Oftentimes when a supervisor is leaving, they try to get a lot of projects done."
During the farewell ceremony, Hansberger enumerated some of his proudest accomplishments, such as the county's first combined library and senior citizen's center in Mentone, the planned expansion and relocation of the Moonridge Zoo and the rebuilding of Cedar Glen following the 2003 wildfires.
"We've had a good run," Hansberger said. "We've accomplished a great deal, and there's more to be done. And I hope the work will be continued."
Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt acknowledged that at times he felt Hansberger had been resistant to change, but that he respected his legacy.
Hanberger's stint on the board was not without controversy, political maneuvering and scandal.
At one point, Biane called for Hansberger to submit to a lie detector test at the height of a district attorney's investigation into the $100 million lawsuit settlement concerning the Colonies development in Upland.
Hansberger was also sued for slander by Elizabeth Sanchez, who resigned from her position as the county's human resources director after it was discovered that she was having a relationship with a public safety union leader.
And an investigation by The Sun, which won national journalism awards, revealed how Hansberger's pro-development agenda contributed to destructive fires and floods in the county.
Although it was Hansberger's last, the board meeting was not without action. Approximately $2 million was allocated for projects in Hansberger's district, which includes the San Bernardino Mountains and Morongo Basin.
Among the projects receiving funding:
- $500,000 for the Mountain Preservation Program near Baldwin Lake to encourage compliance with county codes for fire safety
-$25,000 for the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival's camp program
- nearly $1 million to alleviate the debt of the troubled Arrowhead Manor Water Company
Asked if it's unusual for a supervisor to allocate $2 million from his budget in one meeting, David Wert, county spokesman, said, "Oftentimes when a supervisor is leaving, they try to get a lot of projects done."
During the farewell ceremony, Hansberger enumerated some of his proudest accomplishments, such as the county's first combined library and senior citizen's center in Mentone, the planned expansion and relocation of the Moonridge Zoo and the rebuilding of Cedar Glen following the 2003 wildfires.
"We've had a good run," Hansberger said. "We've accomplished a great deal, and there's more to be done. And I hope the work will be continued."
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