August 2009 Archives

The Board of Supervisors today directed county counsel to order Oakridge Corp., at once ensnared in a bribery scandal involving former County Administrative Officer James Hlawek, to remove two billboards on county-owned land in Colton.

The county sued Oakridge in 2000 for bribing Hlawek, who along with others was also sued, prosecuted and convicted for their roles in one of the biggest scandals in county history.

Hlawek took bribes from Oakridge in exchange for the company getting the green light to erect the billboards at the junction of the 10/215 freeways in Colton.

"This is further evidence that the county is ready, willing and able to address corruption regardless of how long it takes, and it's a reminder to everyone that we have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to waste, fraud and abuse," Supervisor Josie Gonzales said in a news release.

The county won a $3.8 million judgment from Oakridge in 2005. Revenues from the billboards were seized by federal authorities and awarded to the county, which has racked in more than $717,000 in revenue from the billboards since then, according to the news release.

"I believe that no one should ever profit from those ill-gotten billboards,so they must be taken down," Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt said.

The county has won more than $35 million in judgments, settlements, and restitution, more than $18 million of which has been collected.

"These billboards stand as an insulting monument to the corruption scandal of the 90s, and taking them down is one way to put that dark chapter in the county's history behind us," Gonzales said.

joe.nelson@inlandnewspapers.com

The state Attorney General's Office will assist the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Public Integrity Unit in its ongoing corruption probe of former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus and his former staff.

A news release issued today by the District Attorney's Office stated that on Aug. 4, District Attorney Michael A. Ramos directed the Public Integrity Unit to prepare a formal request that the Attorney General's Office officially associate with the District Attorney's Office in its prosecution of former Assessor's Office officials. Attorney General's Office staff will also assist county prosecutors in their investigation into possible corruption involving the landmark Colonies settlement in November 2006 and the sell of a 1,200-acre chunk of county-owned land in Rancho Cucamonga, which was also once dicussed during the county's settlement negotiations with Colonies Partners, in which the business entity's co-managing partner, Jeff Burum, is at the center.

"We thank the Attorney General's Office for officially joining our effort. Their expertise and assistance will be a major asset as our continuing investigation expands," District Attorney Michael A. Ramos said in the news release. "Their agreement to directly participate is a further demonstration of the integrityof our efforts."

joe.nelson@inlandnewspapers.com

San Bernardino County residents can start making appointments to apply for medical marijuane identification cards on Friday, officials announced today.

The county Department of Public Health is administering the program.  Appointments are required, and will be available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Applicants must come in person to apply for the program.  It's important to prepare for the visit to ensure all the necessary documents are in order.  Full instructions can be obtained by calling 1 (800) 782-4264, or visiting the website at http://www.sbcounty.gov/pubhlth/programs_and_services.htm. 

 The fee for the program is $166, or $83 for Medi-Cal beneficiaries.  Cash payment must be in the exact amount, and personal checks will not be accepted.  The MMIC is issued by the California Department of Public Health for a term of one year, and is renewable on an annual basis.

Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program is located at the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, 351 North Mountain View Avenue, 2nd Floor, in San Bernardino.

joe.nelson@inlandnewspapers.com

San Bernardino County received a record 16 awards for programs and services by the National Association of Counties (NACo), and was the only Southern California honoree for 2009 at the annual awards ceremony.

"Our county consistently wins several of these awards, and this year is no exception," said Board of Supervisors Chairman Gary Ovitt. "Our county has every reason to be proud of the fine work county staff accomplish on behalf of service to our residents."

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday recognized and honored those responsible for making it happen. The following are San Bernardino County's winning programs and the departments that oversee them:

* Demonstration garden - Facilities Management Department

* We Can - Department of Aging and Adult Services

*Project ADAPT - Probation Department

* Office of Consumer and Family Affairs - Department of Behavioral Health

* First Sundays Free - San Bernardino County Museum

* Juvenile Court Behavioral Health Services - Department of Behavioral Health

* Scam Alerts - Department of Aging and Adult Services

* Employee Enhancement and Leadership Model - Department of Public Health

* Peer and Family Assistants Program - Department of Children & Family Services

* Assessor Workflow System - Information Services Department

* Heads-Up Log - Human Services, Transitional Assistance and the Department of Children & Family Services

* Your Workforce Expertise Can Enhance Your Budget - Workforce Development Department

* Environmental Science Day Camp - Regional Parks

* Automated Offender Mapping Tool - Probation Department

* BNSF Dispatcher Training Program - Workforce Development Department

* Remote Video Immigration Screening - Board of Supervisors, First District

joe.nelson@inlandnewspapers.com

An appeal to try and thwart a 50-acre zipline course south of Big Bear City was rejected by the Board of Supervisors today, paving the way for a new recreational facility in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Nine residents living in the area of Onyx Summit, located off Highway 38 about halfway between Angelus Oaks and Big Bear City, appealed the July 2 decision by the Planning Commission to approve a conditional use permit for Action Zipline Tours. Residents argued that such a facility, where recreators hang from pulleys suspended on a steel cable and whiz down the mountain, would be too noisy and destroy the quiet ambiance they have enjoyed for many years.

"I like these kinds of projects, but I don't know if it's appropriate in a community like this," resident Dottie Saville told the Board of Supervisors.

Dan Soterin also addressed the board, saying he owns land in the area didn't want it to be near an amusement park" should he decide to build a cabin.

"I think it's a good idea. It's a good idea for another area," he said.

Supporters of the project, which include the Big Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce, believe the course would boost the local economy, create jobs and provide a year-round recreational facility in the mountains not dependent on snow such as the Snow Valley, Bear Mountain and Snow Summit ski resorts.

Plans call for construction of 14 landing and launching pads, 2,650 linear feet of cable line and a hiking trail on about 50 acres of land on Hillcrest Road, about 10 miles south of Big Bear City.

Groups of 14 would be transported in vans from an office in Big Bear Lake to Laurel Pines Camp, north of Highway 38. From there, they would board a safari jeep to the launch site, where customers would begin their descent down the mountain on the ziplines.

Supervisor Neil Derry, whose district includes the San Bernardino Mountains, said he visited the site on Saturday, and believes the visual impacts and noise will not be a serious issue for residents.

He made a motion to deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission's previous decision, which was supported by all his colleagues on the board, making the vote unanimous.

joe.nelson@inlandnewspapers.com