City leaders, former fire chiefs and nearby neighbors welcomed the opening of the long-awaited Hellman Avenue Fire Station during a dedication ceremony today.

"This station took years of planning and patience," said Mayor Dennis Michael, a former fire chief. "We never lost sight of this fire station and I'm extremely proud of that."

Located on Hellman Avenue south of Hillside Road, the seventh fire station in the city is equipped to battle hillside fires in the Alta Loma neighborhood.

City leaders have been planning for this northwest fire station since the early 1970s. But with growth concentrated on the east side, the Alta Loma station got put on the back burner.

During today's ceremony, Fire Chief Mike Bell read a portion of a newspaper article from 1972 that quoted then Fire Chief Gene Billings predicting a northwest station by 1977.

"A funny thing happened on the way to this fire house," Bell said. "Rancho Cucamonga had a tremendous spurt of growth out toward the east part of the community and we were fortunate enough to build several fire stations out there."

In attendance at the ceremony was former fire chief Peter Bryan, former city manager Jack Lam and Esther Billings, wife of the former fire chief.

"He wasn't here to see it finally come to fruition," said Rick Billings, son of Gene Billings.

"He would have been pleased," said Esther Billings. "His family worked to build the city's first fire station."

Rick Billing's grandfather, Gordon Billings, also helped start the community's first volunteer fire department.

The Hellman Avenue Fire Station is staffed 24 hours a day with a three-person crew. A fire engine specially designed to fight hillside brush fires is stationed there.

In 2009, I wrote about the rivalry between two Pomona Mediterranean restaurants serving a nearly identical menu and located in the same strip mall. The "kebob war" was between Aladdin Jr. and The Mirage; both owners had unkind words for the other.

Later that year, The Mirage owner John Hassan sold his restaurant and went on to open Ali Baba down the street on Foothill Boulevard in Claremont. Ali Baba closed in December.

In 2010, I wrote about bike shop Cyclery USA opening in the same Rancho Cucamonga plaza as Competitive Edge. Allegations of back-stabbing and unethical practices were lobbed.

Surprisingly, there have been developments in both stories.

The Mirage, which has changed owners several times since Hassan left, has changed ownership once again and this time, the new owners have changed its name. But much to the chagrin of Aladdin Jr. owner Kal Halik, the new Palms Palace also serves a near identical menu of kabobs, hummus and hookah.

Meanwhile, Competitive Edge has moved shop to Foothill and Ramona, as stated in today's business page article. Owner Mark Ceccarelli said the property manager raised his rent a whopping 40 percent.

I could not get additional information on this alleged rent hike. When I called the property manager, he said, "I decline to comment and I would like to discontinue this call." (Click.)  

At 81 pages, Wednesday's City Council agenda packet was the thinnest in memory. It weighed less than an iPad.

Packets in past months have been as thick as 700+ pages.


According to the city manager's office, the city has saved 900 reams of paper, or $10,000, after buying iPads for the council and enacting other paper-saving measures.

City Attorney Jim Markman once stated the iPad changed his life.

But Councilman Bill Alexander, the Luddite on the council, said, "I hate it."

Alexander prefers his council agenda packet in paper form. He likes dealing with highlighters and sticky notes.

"I guess I'm just old-fashioned," he said. 

Alexander also hates e-mails and text messages.

"I don't get any excitement over the typed word," Alexander said.

I wonder if that applies to newspapers.

I wonder if "Rancho Cucamonga" will be uttered on television Sunday during the Super Bowl.

This year's big game has two local connections -- Patrick Chung of the New England Patriots and Terrell Thomas of the New York Giants. Both are from Rancho Cuamonga High School, as mentioned in sports editor Louis Brewster's column this week. Too bad Thomas is injured.

On Wednesday, Mayor Dennis Michael commended the talents of the local athletes.

"I for one am going for the New York Giants," Michael said.

"I'm for the Patriots," Spagnolo said.

"What's the over-under?" wondered Councilman Chuck Buquet.

Again, a council divided.

City Hall staff members recently took down the signs, flags and other adornment hung on a street pole bearing the military banner of Ronnie Pallares. The items were placed there by family and friends to memorialize Pallares, the 19-year-old Army combat engineer who died in Afghanistan in 2010. Since his death, the Haven Avenue street pole has been adorned with flowers, Christmas lights and other sentimental items. The picture at right shows the pole before the items were taken away.

Although Pallares' mother, Brenda Pallares, does not object to the city's actions, Pallares' uncle, grandmother and other relatives are hurt and upset.

On Wednesday, City Council gadfly Jim Moffatt blasted the city for removing the items, which have since been returned to the family.

"He gave his life for the country," Moffatt said. "I don't see any reason for that not to be up."

Moffatt suggested the sentimental decorations remain until the Freedom Courtyard is built. Freedom Courtyard is a planned veterans memorial at Central Park. Construction for the project is expected to begin this summer.

Public Works Services Director Bill Wittkopf said it's a matter of public safety, particularly if the items spill out into the sidewalk or are blown away by high winds. He said memorials can typically be up for no longer than 30 to 45 days.

"The city does not mean any disrespect," Wittkopf said.

Pallares' uncle, Vince Pallares, did not address the council but shouted to Wittkopf from the audience, "If your son dies, I'll give you 30 days to mourn."

Later during the meeting, Councilman Bill Alexander said he would like staff to identify a place in the city where families can go and mourn or honor military personnel until the Freedom Courtyard is built.

"We owe it to those people who served the military, particularly those who paid the ultimate sacrifice," Alexander said. "We can't put a time frame on how long people grieve."

"I don't disagree," said Mayor Dennis Michael and directed the city manager to locate such a site.

Construction workers this week erected the walls for the new Public Works Services Center, putting them a step closer to completing the new City Yard project.

Public Works Services Director Bill Wittkopf said work on the project, which broke ground in June, has been going well with very few rain delays.

"We're happy that the weather is cooperative," Wittkopf said. "A significant amount of the underground work is done. We're transitioning to the above-ground improvements and starting to see the structure taking form."

The $10.8 million project, located on Lion Street, will also include a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility. It is expected to be complete by December.

If you get a call from a firefighter asking for money, chances are, it's a scam.

Kelley Donaldson, spokeswoman of the Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District, said firefighters do not solicit donations through the phone. Lately, residents and businesses have received calls from an organization claiming it is representing local firefighters and seeking donations. If you receive such a call, contact the fire district at 909-477-2770 to verify.