The Mitzelfelt Memo is a periodic electronic newsletter from the office of Brad Mitzelfelt, First District Supervisor for the
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| In This Issue... | August 13, 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
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Mitzelfelt Optimistic in State of First District Address to High Desert Mitzelfelt Congratulates First Graduating Class of SCLA School of Aviation Technology County Secures $4.7 million Criminal Justice Grant High Desert Road Improvement Projects Approved Supervisors Approve Off-Highway Vehicle Enforcement Agreements
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Mitzelfelt Optimistic in State of First District Address to High Desert
First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt on August 5 outlined an optimistic vision for the High Desert in front of about 250 High Desert business and community leaders in a speech dedicated to the colorful and legendary Victorville volunteer, Doris Davies, who passed away last month at the age of 87. "The State of the County is stronger because of her, and people like her, many of whom are in this room," Mitzelfelt told the gathering, which was hosted by the Victorville Chamber of Commerce. "She saw the potential for this region and helped it reach that potential." While the economic downturn has hit the region hard – with unemployment in the County at 13.6% in June – several economic indicators are pointing to recovery, Mitzelfelt said. Home sales and prices are up, and the inventory of foreclosed homes is dropping, he said. The assets that drove the growth of the past decade are still in place, including available land, a high quality workforce and a central location on international trade routes. Those assets position the region for strong, competitive economic growth, said Mitzelfelt. He identified three key industries as the economic future of the region – aerospace, logistics and renewable energy. He pledged to work with the area's community colleges to develop training programs that will enable local residents to fill the jobs in those growing industries. He announced during his speech that the County would be contributing $470,000 in federal stimulus funds to Victor Valley College for training in welding, GIS, logistics, health information management, nursing and water management. Mitzelfelt also addressed the recent scandals that have tarnished the County's reputation, condemning those who would abuse positions of public trust for their own personal or political gain. The Board of Supervisors and the District Attorney are aggressively pursuing those suspected of wrongdoing, he said. Sound fiscal management has allowed the County to weather the current economic crisis better than most local governments, he said. Despite the budgetary train-wreck in Sacramento, the County overcame an $84 million shortfall and passed a balanced budget without layoffs, one of the few jurisdictions in the state to do so. Thanks to years of responsible, conservative budgeting, the County was able to achieve a balanced budget without affecting service to the public, said Mitzelfelt. The County took advantage of good financial times to build up its reserves, and is funding several major capital projects with cash, including the High Desert Government Center, due to be complete next year. Other cash-funded projects under construction or in the planning stages include fire stations, libraries and expanded sheriff's facilities. Those projects have the added benefit of providing a much-needed economic stimulus, while saving taxpayers money because construction bids are coming in far below estimated costs, he said. He concluded with heartfelt praise for Doris Davies, who was a major influence on himself and the entire community. She will remain a role model the community can look to as the High Desert moves forward to a bright future. "We have much more to do. Let's do a Doris – carry her attitude, courage and humor, with self-fulfilling faith that we will succeed in making the High Desert dream become a reality," he said. Mitzelfelt Congratulates First Graduating Class of SCLA School of Aviation Technology First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt on July 14 joined the first graduating class of Southern California Logistics Airport's (SCLA) School of Aviation Technology to congratulate them on their achievement. "Success at SCLA will help the High Desert shape its future, while providing thousands of quality local jobs in the Victor Valley," said Supervisor Mitzelfelt. "This school serves as an incentive for businesses worldwide to locate in our county because they can recruit a local, trained workforce here at SCLA." The County of San Bernardino has contributed over $750,000 to support the training at the SCLA School of Aviation Technology. The funding has come from the County's Workforce Investment Board and from Supervisor Mitzelfelt's district discretionary funds. In addition, the County Workforce Investment Board has supported students in the classes by providing tuition assistance amounting to $250,073.63. Tuition for the course is $6,400 per student. "This ceremony not only commemorates student achievement, it also celebrates the growing success of SCLA," said Victorville Mayor Pro Tem Mike Rothschild. "Our goal at SCLA is to develop this facility into a logistics center and thriving airport to create jobs. This program brings us full circle by providing the training necessary to fill these jobs. Everyone associated with this project should be proud." An impartial survey of the 17 aviation-related businesses at SCLA, conducted by Victor Valley Aviation Education Consortium, revealed that there is a demand for approximately 150 to 300 new mechanics annually, as well as a need for training programs to help current and new employees obtain licensure through the Federal Aviation Administration. Aircraft mechanics must be licensed by the Federal Aviation Authority. They earn a median income of $57,380 with experienced workers earning $77,234. For more information about the school, contact the County's High Desert Employment Resource Center at (760) 949-8526. County Secures $4.7 million Criminal Justice Grant The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on July 21 accepted $4.7 million from a federal grant program to enhance law enforcement and court services throughout the County. "These funds will allow us to enhance the County's criminal justice programs ranging from our drug courts to security at the Colorado River Sheriff's station and to improvements for the District Attorney and Public Defender," said First District Supervisor Mitzelfelt. "In a time of tight budgets, this additional funding enables our criminal justice professionals to have the tools they need." The funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Justice through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. The County received $4,677,019 on behalf of the County and the 24 cities and towns within the County. The County will release $3.9 million to the cities and towns within 60 days of receiving the funds. The County will be responsible for tracking performance, preparing and submitting financial reports, and providing administrative services and oversight related to the grants. The County's share will be $514,764 to be used for the following:
High Desert Road Improvement Projects Approved The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors in July authorized numerous road improvement and maintenance projects to make driving safer and smoother in Lucerne Valley, El Mirage, and the unincorporated area of Apple Valley. "Keeping our roads up to the highest standards is important for the safety and convenience of our residents and visitors in the High Desert," said Supervisor Mitzelfelt, who represents the area. "These projects will improve safety, reduce maintenance costs for motorists, and make the region more attractive." In Lucerne Valley, two miles of High Road from Castle Road to the north will be completely repaved. The project will include pulverizing the full depth of the roadway, compacting the underlying soil and repaving with modern rubberized asphalt. Also in Lucerne Valley, Meridian Road from Highway 18 extending 2.9 miles south will receive the same full rehabilitation treatment to replace the worn-out road with rubberized asphalt to create a smooth driving surface. Both repaving projects are scheduled to begin in October and be complete in November. In El Mirage, a contract was awarded for work to be performed on El Mirage Road. The project includes smoothing out hills and dips to improve sight distance one mile west of Sheep Creek Road. The work is scheduled to begin in mid August and be complete by the end of September. The $181,110 contract was awarded to S&S Grading and Paving, Inc. The original cost estimate for the work was $339,270. The County and other public agencies are seeing bids come in as much as 50 percent under estimates due to the current economic conditions. In unincorporated Apple Valley, improvements were made last year to the intersection of Central Road and Ocotillo Way to eliminate a hill and improve sight distances for safety. The work left slopes of up to 24 feet high along parts of the road. The Department of Public Works will add fences along the affected residential properties and modify some driveways to improve safety for the residents. Supervisors Approve Off-Highway Vehicle Enforcement Agreements The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on August 4 approved an off-highway vehicle enforcement agreement with the state Department of Parks and Recreation. Through the agreement, the County will receive grant funding totaling $242,825 to be used for OHV enforcement in the Victor Valley, Barstow and mountain areas. "We welcome responsible OHV use in our County but when people ride in inappropriate areas it negatively impacts the quality of life of our residents," said Supervisor Mitzelfelt, who represents the majority of the County's desert regions. "A significant amount of our OHV enforcement activities are educational in nature, including informing riders about appropriate areas designated for their use. But ensuring there are adequate areas for people to ride is just as important and is something I'm fighting to preserve." The State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, administers the Off-Highway Vehicle grant program, which provides funding to counties and other agencies to provide OHV enforcement and recreation activities. The program is funded by OHV registration fees, fines and forfeitures, and fuel taxes. The grant award will provide funding for the Sheriff's Department's OHV Enforcement team to provide services around Barstow, the Victor Valley and in mountain regions. The funds will be used for staffing, including supervisory personnel, patrol officers, dispatchers, and logistical support personnel. Grant funds will also be used to purchase new equipment to supplement existing resources. The Victor Valley station plans to purchase one 4x4 vehicle, while two all-terrain vehicles and one trailer will be purchased for mountain-area enforcement. Enforcement team efforts will supplement Bureau of Land Management operations during several 4-day weekends during the year. Funds will be used to provide OHV law enforcement on peak off-road days, to safeguard the desert habitat and to provide information and educational materials to the public on the safe and legal use of off-highway vehicles. |