Federal dollars for Verdemont Community Center
The office of Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, reports Friday that an appropriations bill containing funding for the proposed Verdemont Community Center passed the House of Representatives.
The bill, which funds the federal departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, allocates $500,000 for the proposed community center. The legislation must still be considered by the Senate.
"I am pleased that my colleagues have agreed to provide community development dollars for a project that will provide vital needs to a growing and underserved area in North San Bernardino," Lewis said in a statement. "The city is designing a community center that can become a focal point for these new neighborhoods, and a model for energy-efficient public buildings."
Despite his praise for the community center funding, Lewis voted against the bill, according to a government Web site.
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Andrew Edwards. E-mail Andrew here.
I am unclear as to whether Lewis wrote the bill or just complimented the effort as he voted against it?
If not Lewis, who wrote the proposal?
Isn't that Kelley's ward. Is that a mayor Morris proposal?
S.T.,
San Bernardino City Councilman Chas Kelley has been working on this Community Center for years. He has made several trips to Washington D.C. to lobby California's 2 Senators, as well as Congressmen Lewis and Baca, to help secure this funding. Chas repeatedly called the Community Center his #1 priority in his successful re-election against a Pat Morris-endorsed liberal. Kudos to Chas for his hard work! He is the driving force behind this community center funding.
C J:
Thanks for the update and info.Don't get out to the NW end of town much.
Is that on top of the water park he wants up in the 5th ward too?
Did Lewis present this funding program, and then turn on Kelley when he voted agains it? Got to frustrate the kid some. Seems, that if the Senate to approve, he will need some local support. Those two northern senate Libs may not want to back a republican. If Mayor is on the wagon , could help.
Kind of a young community for a community center. Will Mayor put some "Operation Dirty Bird" into the project?
I think I saw in the paper some time ago, a park he dedicated on some delapidated corner in President Reagan's honor. Will that be part of this funding too? Or is that paid and built already? Where is that park to see how it looks.
Is Kelley going to run for mayor? I am not real keene on this "Sir Somebody fellow." Not seeing any track record on him. Kelley, we have watched from afar or in council.
Chas Kelly would have support from unexpected people if he ran for mayor. He'd have to be strong enough to stick to it if he ran, though. Certain people who do not support him would come out of the woodwork for him if he'd step up and stick to it. Any word on him?
That's interesting, because it was some time back at a neighborhood meeting up in Verdemont where this was a hot topic--apparently, there are a lot of people who live in that end who are opposed to anything, community center, shopping strip, that would be in additional, people, traffic, etc., . . . ummmmm? It was my understanding that Chas was not happy either with the folks he represents up there who were not in support of this proposed project; now to see it coming up again . . .
BW-2
A lot of people vs Chas? What is their gripe on people, traffic etc? ummmm? Where in that area is this supposed to be , or how do I find it if I were to go up to 40 th and Kendall?
If Chas is not happy with his constituents, does that mean he does not have their support too?
What is the resistance he is getting? Location, size,type, design, concept, need, assesments for construction, etc.?
Google shows a lot of open ground out there. Will they put up senior housing and apartments for low income near the center? Will it be near the "Lido" area? Near Stater Bros?
Seems like most community centers are near apartments, dense housing or older parts of neighborhoods, recovering from decay, other than communities like Rancho Cucamonga that has Money to spend. Grand Terrace is building one on the top of "Jap Hill" off of Mt. Vernon. Really nice, but over Berdoo's budget level.
Is there any one from Verdemont to share inside info on this?
While I don't live in the Verdemont area I have friends who do. They aren't interested in the Community Center. They say it is Chas that wants this not the residents.
Also, some of the residents up there are tired of his attitude. He called all his commissioners to a meeting, said that no one could say anything, then ranted about how if they didn't agree with him and his take on thing they could resign. Anyone that wanted to talk had to call him after the meeting and talk in private. He lost a few commissioners over that one.
And some more over the flap with the trails.
I won't vote for him as Mayor - he is a petulant child. Holds a grudge if you say something that doesn't agree with your opinion. But don't wanna vote for the current Mayor either.
ABOOUT A YEAR AGO I HEARD OF THIS PROPOSAL. I ALSO HEARD THERE WOULD BE BUSSING AND A PAL CENTER ALONG WITH THIS "IDEA."I WENT TO THE VERDEMONT AREA ASSOCIATION MEETING AND CHAS KELLEY DENIED THIS WITH A PASSION. I FEEL UPSET, I LIVE IN THIS AREA AND YES IT WOULD BRING TRAFFIC AND UNWANTED PEOPLE IN AND OUT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. HE SHOULD RE-THINK THIS. THIS MONEY WOULD SERVE A BETTER PURPOSE DOWN THE ROAD SOMEPLACE, LIKE MUSCOY, NO ONE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD IS OK WITH THIS. I SURE HOPE WE GWT A SAY SO.
CONCERNED...
Laurie said:
Laurie, was that meeting in a public city building, like city hall??? Or at his home??
A one way conversation with duly sworn commissioners, and his preferred picks of the residents?? No round table / round the room discussion?
Boy, sounds like a freedom of speech issue, or maybe a Brown's rule infraction. Apparently he wants yes only people and not free thinkers.
Not a good omen Mr. Kelley. I remember a presentation on the hiking trails at a council meeting. Is that not going to happen now? It seemed like a good Idea.
Concerned:
From what Laurie said of a commissioner's meeting, and Kelley's one way thinking, you may not have a say while he is in the picture. Looks like Fred's changing and Kelley's thinking, leave us both in the air on who to trust?
Anyone want to bet the Mayor will try to sidetrack these funds for his use far and away from the Verdemont Section of town? I am surprised he has not gone public and taken credit for this action that got the funds and for effort to get these monies. Kelley should request Mr. Lewis to deposit this money in a special account in the Caymen Islands where Morris can't get to it.
Anyone want to bet the Mayor will try to sidetrack these funds for his use far and away from the Verdemont Section of town? I am surprised he has not gone public and taken credit for this action that got the funds and for effort to get these monies. Kelley should request Mr. Lewis to deposit this money in a special account in the Caymen Islands where Morris can't get to it.
Hey guys-lots of misinformation. I was one of the commissioners who resigned.
Chas and I may not always see eye to eye, but he really is there for us in the 5th Ward. And yes, some of us up here are opposed to unrestricted development at "All Costs"-development whose infra-structure monies seem to only filter into the black hole of downtown. Many of us burned in 03' and know the dangers of high density housing at the base of the foothills. Chas has been supportive of programs for All the wards in the city. He does care about SB and its residents.
As for the community center-at the association meetings-there was contention over the location proposed at that time NOT the center itself. Just like kids and seniors in other parts of town, the kids and seniors on the north end need activities too. And for those uninformed-we are NOT a new community-some of us have been up here over thirty years, paying taxes to improve the rest of the city-Hospitality Lane-the Lakes and Streams Project, -and the great hole downtown.
Mac:
Which items were misinformation? Did Kelley's meeting really go down as "I talk, you listen and either you agree with me or you resign"??
Is "unrestricted development at "All Costs"-development " one of the items you were to agree to with Kelley?? Was this before the Water Park suggestion? Or was the Water park part of it?
Clue us in, please.
It is so hard to see the future when a person runs for office and promises one thing, and does another. I wished I knew what Arnett's real designs are. We found out Fred's real quick, but too late!
I agree on the " great Hole down town" money pit!
About Councilman Kelley and his vision for the 5th Ward and SB as a City. He is a very progressive individual who wants the best that can be had for his (or our) Ward and City. Living and working for the people of the 5th Ward AND SB as he does, is not easy when you stand back and look at the political gamesmanship that is continually ongoing with this batch of elected peers. Very little combined or unified teamwork is ever displayed by this group of leaders at City Hall (to include his Honor the Mayor). However, Councilman Kelley continues his quest to relentlessly improve and enhance the 5th Ward. Working with Councilman Kelley (as I do as a Commissioner), we may not always agree on specific issues or agenda’s but regardless, the unified end result is for the betterment of the community with often times spillover improvements to the adjoining Wards. Councilman Kelley has always availed himself to listen to an opposing position or viewpoint as he tries to pulse the Ward for their desires and marry those desires to available funding. He not only thinks of the here and now, but also to tomorrow and years downstream that require long term planning, coordination and vision. His accomplishments for the 5th Ward are and have been measurable and it is no secret that the 5th Ward has many of the preferred places to live in SB. This has been made possible (in part) by those residents being active in this community as well as the residents who demonstrate a caring for their homes, their neighbors, and their surroundings. It is not often you find an individual so willing to get and stay abreast of issues and events in a community who is part time and poorly compensated for the many hours Councilman Kelley devotes. Above and beyond are routine for Councilman Kelley and the 5th Ward would do well to keep him as their Councilman for a good while longer. We are not done with him as yet!!