“The death-knell of the republic had rung as soon as the active power became lodged in the hands of those who sought, not to do justice to all citizens, rich and poor alike, but to stand for one special class and for its interests as opposed to the interests of others.” —Theodore Roosevelt     Getting to Know Our Second District Communities I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve as San Bernardino County's Second District Supervisor, and I am enjoying getting to know even more about the people and communities I represent. That can't be done sitting behind a desk, so I have been busy filling my calendar with community meetings and events where I can speak directly with residents. I've already had opportunities to meet and talk with many of my constituents, including during the Second District Christmas open house and the Devore Christmas parade, which was very festive despite the rainy conditions thanks to residents' wonderful community spirit. I also toured storm damage in the Mount Baldy and Lytle Creek areas. Civility in Political Discourse Conflict is an essential and healthy component of the American political process. Americans have differing thoughts and opinions about government and policy, which inevitably leads to debates and disagreements. This mix of different ideas and opinions and the ability to freely express those beliefs are what make our nation so great. However, when political disagreements spark vitriolic rhetoric, the result is deeper divisions that lessen the probability of compromise and cooperation, which are also essential to our democratic process. Profile of Service: Jane Penny Rancho Cucamonga resident Jane Penny passed away on Oct. 21 at the age of 84, and she left behind a legacy of kindness, love, and compassion that continues to resonate at the James Brulte Senior Center where she spent so much of her time. Jane—a native of Chicago—founded the city's successful LINK Program, which connects volunteers with seniors who are homebound because of illness or mobility issues. Jane knew how it felt to be stuck at home since she had experienced that isolation while recovering from surgery. Visits from friends, family, and volunteers with Meals on Wheels kept Jane's spirits up. She also realized she could help too, so she and a neighbor at Chaparral Mobile Home Park began making regular calls to a few homebound seniors to give them with companionship and to make sure they were OK. Storms Cause Millions in Damage A series of major storms in December caused more than $59 million in damage to roads, bridges, homes, flood control facilities, and businesses in San Bernardino County. The Board of Supervisors officially declared a State of Emergency on Dec. 22 and is seeking disaster relief funds from state and federal sources. Public works crews and emergency responders did an incredible job during the storms, which severely flooded many roadways and caused massive mud flows in some areas of the county. Many of these individuals stood in the cold rain for hours at a time as they worked furiously to protect residents and property, and I am extremely grateful for all of their hard work. Meet the Second District Staff It takes a team of quality professionals to handle all of the day-to-day responsibilities of a county supervisorial office, and I have assembled a great team to help me accomplish my policy goals and serve Second District residents. Here is a list of my staff members along with information about their experience. Feel free to contact them if you need any assistance. Residents Attend Second District Christmas Open House About 100 residents attended San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford's Christmas Open House on Dec. 15 at her district office in Rancho Cucamonga. "The Christmas Open House was a wonderful opportunity for me to talk with residents and learn more about our Second District communities," Rutherford said. 1/19/2010 The Crestline Library hosts "Imagination Hour" from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays. Children ages 3 to 6 are invited to come enjoy books, crafts, puppets, and more during this free weekly event. 1/25/2010 The County of San Bernardino will host a community workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. to develop a vision to guide county leaders.   1/7/1891 The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors opposed a plan by residents of the Riverside Township to create a separate Riverside County. 1/9/1857 An estimated 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck along the San Andreas Fault near Fort Tejon Question: Besides the original Kaiser Steel Plant, what was located at the sites now occupied by California Steel Industries and the Auto Club Speedway in unincorporated Fontana? Check the next issue for the answer!   12/14/2010 County, Rancho Cucamonga Partner on Active Shooter Response Program 12/14/2010 Supervisors Approve First Phase of Cherry Avenue Widening Project 12/7/2010 School Safety Concerns Prompt No U-Turn Zone on Hemlock Avenue   Was The Rutherford Report forwarded to you? Click here to subscribe.