July 2010 Archives
This is from Assemblymember Torres office:
Our nation is built on the strength of our citizens. Neighborhood Watch programs allow citizens to help in the fight against crime.
While one night is certainly not the answer to crime, drugs and violence, National Night Out does represent the spirit, energy and determination that is helping to make our neighborhoods safer places throughout the year. National Night Out is a night to meet our neighbors, celebrate crime prevention successes and to expand and strengthen programs.
National Night Out is designed to:
- Promote Neighborhood Spirit;
- Give neighbors the opportunity to know each other, allow them to build the relationships needed to work together on public safety activities and other community projects and to develop strong working partnerships with their local law enforcement officers;
- Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back against crime.
If you are hosting a National Night Out event, please let us know. Or to get involved, please call your local police department at:
- Ontario Police - Crime Prevention (909) 395-2093
- Pomona Police - Crime Prevention (909) 620-2318
- Chino Police (909) 590-5540
- Montclair Police (909) 448-3600
Or visit the national website at www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno
The council recognized Ontario High School student Denisse Mejia for serving as the representative on The Recreation and Parks Commission for Ontario.
After
presenting Mejia with a certificate, the council met her replacements.
David
Ramirez, also of Ontario High School will serve as an alternate on the
commission. Christopher LeMarr, who attends Colony High School, was named this
year's representative.
LeMarr is
active in the community, serving on the Key Club.
"Thank
you for this opportunity. It's truly an honor to give back to programs I was a
part of," LaMarr said, adding that he once participated in the Tiny Tots
program as well as taking golf lessons at Westwind.
Several residents have asked that the city look into requiring businesses to use the government operated employment verification system, E-Verify.
The Internet-based
system helps businesses determine the eligibility status of their employees to
work in the United States.
Ontario
resident, Susan Terry, who is unemployed, said she has a personal interest in
seeing the system integrated in the city.
"It would
open up a lot of jobs for myself," she said.
Robin
Hvidston of Upland told the council that she would like them to adopt the
ordinance already adopted by Temecula and other cities such as Menifee and Lake
Elsinore.
In
Temecula, she said, new businesses must have e-verify because it will determine
if they can obtain a license in the city.
"It would
leave jobs open to the 20 million Americans that are looking for jobs" Hvidston
said.
Councilman
Alan Wapner asked city staff to look into E-verify and present a report at a
future council meeting.
The council said good-bye, yet again, to another planning commissioner.
Yoon Kim,
chairwoman of the commission told the council she was stepping down after four
years because of family reasons.
Kim's
daughter is now entering high school and would have less time to commit to the
commission.
"It's
been an honor to be able to serve the council these last few years," she said.
Serving
on the commissioner was an "eye-opening" experience, Kim told the council. She
also thanked city staff for their support.
Each of
the council members then took their turns thanking Kim.
"I think
you did a great job and I'm sorry to see you go. You always gave a 110 percent
effort into every issue on the agenda before you," Mayor Paul Leon said.
Councilman
Alan Wapner, who appointed Kim to the commission, said he hoped to remain
involved in the city.
For those
who may be interested in serving on the planning commission, packets are
available at the city clerk's office. For more information, call 909-395-2009.
At the last council meeting Rob Branson, coach of Ontario Fastpitch All-Star's girls 10 and under team told the council about the team's accomplishments.
On
Tuesday, he had some more news to share. The team had finished in fourth place
in the regional tournament. Branson said in a couple of weeks he was going to
have patches made for the girls and the council would also be getting some.
If you are tired of all the clutter in your home. Or it's time to clean out that garage or spare room, then bring all your treasures to Redeemer Church for a yard sale.
The
Aug. 14 event is not a fundraiser, so whatever you sell, you keep the profits.
For
more information, call 909-986-2615.
The
community yard sale will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church
And Schools, 920 W 6th Street
But there were no actual "pages" to turn.
Mautz and the rest of her fellow councilmembers have replaced bulky binders with lightweight iPads.
The council has been given the popular tablet as an instrument to use for business tasks, such as viewing agendas, in an attempt to go paperless.
"This helps us set an example of how to build a sustainable community," said Alan Wapner, known as the tech-savviest of the group.
The move to iPads also gives the council the ability to instantly access materials without having to lug heaps of stationery.
The council started using the technology in an attempt to go paperless. "It has always been a chore to carry around binders and notebooks full of agendas and back-up materials," he said.
"All-in-all, it is the wave of new technology and it gives us the tool of today's information dissemination."
Being on the technology forefront is not new to the city, said Councilman Jim Bowman.
Earlier this year, the council approved its web-based general plan, the first online document in the state, he said, adding that it now serves as a model for other cities.
The same, he said, might be the case with the iPads.
"How we conduct our business today is futuristic," he said.
"Of course we're taking
Here is news from San Bernardino County Regional Parks.
Tuesday night is the Major League All Star Game and to get warmed up for the event San Bernardino County Regional Parks will be screening the film, "A League of Our Own" featuring Geena Davis, Madonna and Tom Hanks this Saturday night at Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park, 800 N. Archibald, Ontario at 8:00 p.m.
The film, about two sisters who join a female professional baseball league and help it to succeed amidst their own growing rivalry, is a perfect lead-in for the All Star Game being played Tuesday night, July 13th by the National and American League pros.
The Regional Parks Department is offering a series of films being screened at a variety of parks throughout the summer. "Wild America" is scheduled July 24th at Glen Helen Regional Park, Devore; "Little Big League" will be shown August 7th at Lake Gregory in Crestline and the season closer will be "Annie" August 21st at Yucaipa Regional Park.
On a hot summer's evening, it is a great way for families to get out of their homes, enjoy a bar-b-que or picnic in the Regional Parks' back yard and then sit back and enjoy a film on a jumbo screen - and enjoy some popcorn, too!
"A League of Our Own" screens at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, July 10th at Cucamonga Guasti Regional Park off I-10 and Archibald in Ontario. Gate fee is $10 per car. For additional information, contact (909) 387-2461.
| "Camping: Between 'Roughing It' and Comfort"
Terence Young Lecture
Date: Thursday, July 8, 2010 Reception: 6:30 p.m. Lecture: 7:00 p.m. Space is limited. Reservations are suggested. |
Terence Young is an Associate Professor of Geography at Cal Poly Pomona. His presentation will explore the shifting balance between camping as a Spartan escape from urban life and as a leisure activity made comfortable by specialized equipment.
Los Angeles World Airports Board of Airport Commissioners, owners and operators of ONT, has agreed to reduce landing and rental fees at the airport.
The 14.8 percent drop in landing fees means airline companies will now pay $2.35 per 1,000 pounds. The 7.1 percent drop in rental rates means airlines will pay $169.95 per square foot.
Whether that leads to lower fares still needs to be determined, Councilman Alan Wapner said.
"I certainly think it's a step in the right direction. Is it sufficicent? I'm not sure," said Wapner, who is the city's liaison with the airport.
The changes will draw in an estimated $11.8
This year's administration slashed 13 percent from the airport's day-to-day operating budget. The $67 million operating budget approved last month marked the second year in a row in which ONT officials have been in cost-cutting mode.
Money-saving measures included waiting longer for landscape maintenance; reducing service contracts, such as having restaurants in terminals close by 6 p.m.; and cutting back on the the availability of parking lots and shuttle buses.
In the month since she took the reins of the chamber as its director of operations, Lenarth has met with business owners and has built relationships.
"My job is to figure what I can do between what a business has to offer and the needs of people to help grow that business," she said.
Lenarth succeeds interim executive director Stephanie Palomar, who left the chamber in May
What once was a visible rift between the council members and the mayor has turned into a professional, working relationship.
With the trio up for re-election this November, the council members have turned a new leaf, opting to work with each other rather against one another.
"There were some adjustments that took place but we're all united," Bowman said. "There is mutual respect for the art of compromise and it's really brought people together."
One of the first public signs of unity on the council came late last month at Leon's kick-off campaign fundraiser, at which the entire council was
The longtime politicians said they are going to endorse each other this campaign season.
"It speaks volumes toward our relationships and trust in one another," Leon said. "I am honored that the entire City Council has recognized my personality, positive role and leadership abilities as their mayor."
Starting July 12, these incumbents might find out whether they have to fight for that chance.
Nomination packets will be in the hands of the public that day, and it will become clearer to the trio if anyone wants their spots. So far, Bowman and Wapner said, they haven't heard of any takers.
All three elected officials point to their desire to guide Ontario through the economic downturn as the reason to seek re-election.
ONTARIO, CA -- Assemblymember Norma J. Torres joins City of Ontario's Independence Day Parade. Torres, mother of an enlisted Airman, will ride with fellow military mothers and veterans atop the Veterans of Foreign Wars Vehicle 9:00 a.m. Parade start on corners of I Street and Euclid Ave.
The relaxed atmosphere, they say, was a testament to their feelings about city staff, who had the foresight to prepare them for a plummeting economy and help deflect budget chaos.
The council passed a balanced budget Tuesday night, allowing the city to maintain services, programs and staff. It also allowed council members to heap praise upon the people who helped make it happen.
Councilman Jim Bowman commended staff for not only presenting a solid budget, but one that was easily understandable.
"Because the focus has always been on the fundamentals the past six to seven years, stability is what we now have," Bowman said.
