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| In This Issue... | February 27, 2009 | ||||
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FAA Grants Approval to SCLA School of Aviation Technology Mitzelfelt Awards Gang Prevention Funds to Boys and Girls Club Four New Disaster Trailers will Improve High Desert Readiness Mitzelfelt Designates New Chief of Staff Supervisors Hire Consultant to Study Trauma System Officials Present IE Recovery Plan in Washington, D.C. Mitzelfelt Hosts Workshop to Help Businesses through Downturn County Files Action to Preserve Public’s Access to Camp Rock Road
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FAA Grants Approval to SCLA School of Aviation Technology The School of Aviation Technology at Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville today announced it has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to begin formal instruction of students. Students will begin studies almost immediately - the first class begins March 9. "I'm excited to see the school take this final step and open its doors for students," said Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, who secured more than $500,000 for the school. "With the state our economy is in now, we need this school more than ever. With the cooperation of the City of Victorville and the County Workforce Investment Board, we've created a tremendous opportunity for local residents." In addition to the $500,000 provided by Supervisor Mitzelfelt, the County's Workforce Investment Board contributed $75,000 in Workforce Investment Act funds, and $179,600 in Employment Training Panel funds for a total County contribution of $754,600. Graduates from the program will be eligible for licensure as airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanics, an occupation that is, and will continue to be, in high demand. Existing aviation maintenance firms at SCLA have indicated a need to hire up to 200 A&P mechanics per year. Entry level A&P mechanics earn $40,000 to $45,000 per year and experienced mechanics can earn more than $100,000 per year. "This is another positive step in the development at SCLA," added Supervisor Mitzelfelt, who also serves as Chairman of the Victor Valley Economic Development Authority, the joint powers authority with the responsibility for redeveloping the former George Air Force Base. "The School of Aviation Technology further establishes SCLA's role as a logistics hub for the region." Students interested in registering for the program may call SCLA at (760) 243-1904.
Mitzelfelt Awards Gang Prevention Funds to Boys and Girls Club San Bernardino County Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt on February 11 presented a $20,000 check to the Boys and Girls Club of the Victor Valley to be used for anti-gang programs in Adelanto. “The War on Gangs will continue despite budget shortages,” said Supervisor Mitzelfelt. “As our economy worsens, increases in crime and gang activity usually follow. We can’t afford to slow down our gang intervention efforts – these funds will ensure they continue.” The Boys and Girls Club will use the funds to implement two youth programs called S.M.A.R.T. Moves (Skills Mastery and Resistance Training) and Triple Play. S.M.A.R.T. Moves addresses problems such as gang recruitment, drug and alcohol use and premature sexual activity. It provides knowledge, skills, self esteem and peer support to help youth make correct choices under real conditions. Triple play teaches young people about the benefits of healthy habits, such as eating right and being physically active. It also equips young people with skills to adopt healthier habits by participating in fun and engaging learning activities both at the Club and at home. Triple Play enhances the S.M.A.R. T. programs by filling in other behavioral areas which lead children to be vulnerable to gangs. “This donation continues to demonstrate Supervisor Mitzelfelt’s concern for sustaining and improving the quality of life in the Victor Valley,” said Boys and Girls Club Board Member Hendon Harris. “We share his concern and are glad to be a part of the effort to improve the lives of local youth.” The donation, presented at the monthly Adelanto Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Maverick’s Stadium, is the most recent element of a multi-million-dollar effort throughout the Victor Valley to develop and support programs that are designed to give young people productive and healthful alternatives. Supervisor Mitzelfelt has made such programs an integral component of his two-pronged strategy in the War on Gangs, which includes both tough and vigorous enforcement, and prevention and intervention to keep youth from joining gangs in the first place. More than $5 million has been secured by Mitzelfelt for youth intervention programs over the past two years.  Four New Disaster Trailers will Improve High Desert Readiness Four new trailers loaded with medical and disaster supplies, as well as equipment and supplies for training volunteers, were rolled out February 6 by Supervisor Mitzelfelt and County emergency officials. “These trailers, for use by our Community Emergency Response Teams, will be invaluable for desert and mountain communities, both as training tools and as caches of emergency supplies in case of disaster,” said Supervisor Mitzelfelt. “We’ve seen several major disasters in our County in recent years, and we know a major earthquake is inevitable, so these trailers are being put to good use.” Supervisor Mitzelfelt allocated $75,000 to purchase and stock the four trailers as part of his ongoing effort to promote disaster preparedness. Mitzelfelt also serves on the California Seismic Safety Commission and is intent on helping residents prepare for the devastating impacts a powerful earthquake will have on the region. Supervisor Mitzelfelt sees disaster preparedness as being especially critical for his High Desert district, especially considering that a massive earthquake on the San Andreas Fault through the Cajon Pass will leave the region isolated. During the announcement at San Bernardino County Fire Station 40 in Oak Hills, Mitzelfelt praised CERT volunteers, who undergo more than 20 hours of training in disaster response. The CERT programs nationwide give residents the skills and tools they need to assist their neighborhoods in time of disaster. “High Desert residents will be on their own for several days or longer after a major earthquake. CERT volunteers will help overextended government agencies in assisting and protecting the public,” said Supervisor Mitzelfelt. “I want to thank those who have volunteered for CERT training and I would like to encourage as many local residents as possible to participate in CERT.” The trailers will be located in Oak Hills, Lucerne Valley, Harvard (east of Barstow) and Needles. They will be available for training and disaster support in surrounding communities as well. Previously, there was already one CERT trailer in the High Desert, which will remain in Apple Valley. Residents who would like more information about CERT should contact their local emergency manager or call (909) 356-3998 and ask for the CERT coordinator. Mitzelfelt Designates New Chief of Staff Supervisor Mitzelfelt on February 3 announced that he has selected his Communications Director, David Zook, to serve as his new Chief of Staff when current Chief of Staff Paula Nowicki retires after 25 years of County service at the end of March. “I’m glad to know that David will be my Chief of Staff,” said Mitzelfelt. “His professionalism and leadership are invaluable to me as I work to accomplish my goals in office. He and I are definitely on the same wavelength.” Board of Supervisors Chiefs of Staff are responsible for planning, organizing and directing the activities of their respective staffs while serving as principal assistants to the Supervisors. Mr. Zook has worked for the County of San Bernardino for 12 years. His County experience ranges from law and justice, to social services, economic development and administration, which makes him uniquely qualified for the position. His experience includes service in the District Attorney’s Office and Jobs and Employment Services Department, as well as his experience during the past five years when he worked in the First District Board of Supervisors office as a Field Representative, Analyst and then Communications Director. Supervisors Hire Consultant to Study Trauma System The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on January 27 approved a formal agreement with the Abaris Group to study the adequacy of the County’s trauma system. Supervisors last year approved a request by Supervisor Mitzelfelt to direct the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency (ICEMA) to develop a plan to perform a countywide assessment of the existing trauma system. “Bringing a trauma center to the High Desert is something I believe is critical to health and safety in our region,” said Supervisor Mitzelfelt. “Today’s action is the first step toward making that a reality.” There are currently only two designated trauma hospitals in San Bernardino County, including Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton and Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda. “The existing trauma centers in our County are world-class facilities, but they’re located on the southern border of our County and are separated from the rest of our County by mountains, deserts and great distances,” added Mitzelfelt. “There are no trauma centers in the High Desert, which is something I hope this study will show needs to change.” The scope of work to be included in the study will include:
The study is expected to be completed by April 1 and will cost $98,855. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors serves as the governing board for ICEMA. The agency oversees emergency medical services in San Bernardino, Inyo and Mono counties. Officials Present IE Recovery Plan in Washington, D.C. Members of a recently formed public benefit corporation visited legislators and policymakers in Washington, D.C. during the first week of February to educate them about their efforts to tackle the Inland Empire’s foreclosure and economic woes. “The timing of us being here is incredibly important,” said San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Paul Biane, who proposed the creation of the Inland Empire Economic Recovery Corporation (IEERC) and serves as Chairman of the agency’s Board of Directors. The IEERC will purchase foreclosure properties in the Inland Empire using a mix of public and private dollars. It will then contract with local businesses such as painters, plumbers, real estate agents, mortgage brokers, property managers, etc. to rehabilitate and sell foreclosure properties. Profits generated through the sales of homes will be recycled into the Corporation to purchase and rehab additional foreclosure properties. The Corporation will ensure foreclosure properties are purchased for primary residences, and it will also help prevent speculative buying by out-of-town investors, who would likely turn homes into rentals or, worse, board them up until the housing market returns. Supervisor Biane and two other members of the IEERC Board of Directors – Supervisor Mitzelfelt and Arrowhead Credit Union President Larry Sharp – visited several members of the Inland Empire’s Congressional delegation including Congressman Jerry Lewis, Congressman Ken Calvert, Congressman Buck McKeon, Congressman David Dreier, Congressman Joe Baca, and Congressman Gary Miller during their two-day trip. The officials also met with officials from the U.S. Department of Treasury, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Republican Housing Subcommittee. “We talked about the need for TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) funding for the Inland Empire Economic Recovery Corporation and about the need to shape regulations so that regional public agencies like IEERC are the preferred buyers of local assets owned by the Federal Government,” said Mitzelfelt. “I applaud San Bernardino County’s efforts in taking the innovative approach of a public-private partnership to help solve the region’s housing crisis,” Congressman Miller said. “Regional public-private partnerships like this can help retain the value of real estate assets and stabilize communities.” IEERC officials also talked to lawmakers and policymakers about the Corporation’s other efforts to tackle the region’s growing foreclosure crisis. “They were very receptive to our efforts and ideas, but they also agreed with us that buying and reselling foreclosures is just part of the solution,” Biane said. “We also need to work with and educate homeowners so they can avoid foreclosure in the first place.” The Corporation’s efforts include hosting home foreclosure prevention seminars throughout the region to give struggling homeowners an opportunity to speak directly with their lenders and agencies such as HUD that may be able to provide assistance. The next such seminar in the High Desert will take place April 11 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville. For information please contact John Richardson at (760) 955-5400. During the same week as the visits by IEERC officials, San Bernardino Associated Governments – which represents all of the County’s 24 cities as well as the County of San Bernardino – approved a work plan that will provide $50,000 to help IEERC and HUD host the home foreclosure prevention seminars. Mitzelfelt Hosts Workshop to Help Businesses through Downturn More than 50 local business owners attended a business survival workshop on January 29 at the Apple Valley Country Club and several connected with vital resources to help make their businesses more competitive. The Business Survival Workshop was hosted by Supervisor Mitzelfelt and the county's Workforce Investment Board in partnership with the Town of Apple Valley. The workshop brought together resources to help local businesses reduce costs, increase sales, streamline processes and find financing opportunities. Some of the resources included California Manufacturing Technology Consulting, Southern California Reinvestment CDFI and Inland Empire Women's Business Center. The Inland Empire Small Business Development Center offered a free business assessment for all attending businesses. Pacific Business Capital and Corporate Advocate Financial Services were also on hand to provide access to financing. Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Co. were on hand to alert business owners of the utility rebates and incentives available to them. L&A Marketing and Advertising was also present to provide advice on how to increase market share. "I'm glad to see so many resources available to assist our local businesses," said Supervisor Mitzelfelt. "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the County is working hard to make sure they remain stable. This is just the beginning of our efforts to assist them." Sam Pulice, owner of Mojave Copy and Printing, was among the business owners who turned out for the event. Based in Victorville, Mojave Copy and Printing has provided quality printing, copying and graphics in the High Desert for more than 20 years. "The workshop was very helpful. I learned that through the Business Resource Center run by the Workforce Investment Board, I can obtain help with recruiting quality employees and having them trained," said Pulice. "Also, I am looking forward to utilizing the business assessment by the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center to make my business more competitive." Pulice also took time at the event to gather information from city staffers and other potential clients, which he said is valuable as he works to expand his portfolio of local clients. The business survival workshops were developed to help introduce business owners to resources that will assess their business and offer solutions. For more information, businesses may contact Vanessa Gilmore at (909) 387-9851, or by email at vgilmore@wdd.sbcounty.gov. County Files Action to Preserve Public’s Access to Camp Rock Road Nearly six years after San Bernardino County first sought to establish its authority over a critical High Desert road that crosses federal land, the Board of Supervisors on January 27 authorized a court order seeking to compel the federal government to process the County’s application. “We made a good faith effort under existing laws and regulations to establish that Camp Rock Road is a vital route across federal land and that it should be permanently under County control,” said Supervisor Mitzelfelt, who represents the High Desert. “We regret having to take this action to force the government to comply with its own rules and honor our rights under the Administrative Procedures Act.” On April 29, 2003, the County filed an application with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for a recordable disclaimer granting the County’s right of way on Camp Rock Road, which stretches about 42 miles between Lucerne Valley and Daggett. A recordable disclaimer is similar to a quitclaim deed, which would give the County a legal record of its ownership of the road. The recordable disclaimer process was established to allow rights of way to be formally recognized and recorded. There was previously no regulatory provision for recording rights of way under federal rules. The application was filed under Revised Statute 2477, part of an 1866 mining law that allowed rights of way over public lands as part of the effort to settle the West. R.S. 2477 was repealed in 1976 with the adoption of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, but existing rights of way were preserved. The County submitted substantial evidence that Camp Rock Road was a well-established and maintained route long before 1976. “We are merely seeking to protect the interests of our economy and our citizens who rely on this route to travel across federal land,” Supervisor Mitzelfelt said. “There is no reason for this application to have languished for nearly six years, and we look forward to working with the federal government to resolve this issue.” The County’s request for a writ of mandamus will be heard in U.S. District Court, Central District, in Riverside. |
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