Showing gratitude to our Deputy Sheriffs

Now more than ever, it’s important to show appreciation to our Deputy Sheriffs who put their lives on the line for us every day. I had the honor, along with Sheriff John McMahon, of offering a few words of encouragement and thanks to the Deputies, staff and volunteers during a Tuesday morning briefing at the Hesperia Police Department. Although media coverage often focuses on the negative, I know that there is vast public support for law enforcement and our residents are grateful for the work they do. I look forward to upcoming visits at our other Sheriff’s Stations to extend my deep appreciation.

A note from Supervisor Lovingood: It’s time to study rail from the High Desert to Rancho Cucamonga

I have long advocated for transportation solutions on the Interstate 15 corridor to the San Bernardino Valley area and the east-west corridor to the Palmdale/Lancaster area. So as a representative on the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, I am pleased to report we are making progress on these priorities.

We are now in the early stages to complete a Project Study Report for the widening of SR-18 between Palmdale and Victorville as a short-term solution for a 19-mile east-west highway improvement. The High Desert Corridor, to be located further north, is a long-term solution that will meet the increased demand of east-west mobility.

A solution for the Cajon Pass is equally important – a heavily traveled corridor that regularly experiences congestion and traffic shutdowns. At a recent meeting of the SBCTA, my colleagues and I approved a memorandum of understanding with Xpress West to undertake a study that would explore the possibility of a privately funded high-speed rail line through the Cajon Pass and into Rancho Cucamonga from Las Vegas. The privately funded Apple Valley-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail project is expected to start construction this year.

The line to Rancho Cucamonga could connect to a proposed transit hub, linking to metro services and a new underground people-mover proposed by Elon Musk’s The Boring Co. that would connect to Ontario International Airport. Technological breakthroughs are making tunneling financially viable. An underground tunnel is a practicable concept that would greatly benefitthe Cajon Pass. A short, mile-long tunnel could complete a much-needed I-15 bypass route to connect I-15 and Cajon Boulevard with Highway 138 – a welcomed solution to help mitigate the demand on our north-south transportation corridor.

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U.S. economy roaring back to life

The U.S. economy broke another record as 4.8 million jobs were added in June, bringing the economic comeback to 7.5 million jobs added over the past two months. Employment increased significantly for most major sectors. “In June, we added 2.1 million leisure and hospitality jobs; 740,000 retail jobs; 568,000 education and healthcare jobs; 357,000 service jobs — these are all historic numbers — and 356,000 manufacturing jobs,” President Trump said. “And manufacturing looks like it’s ready to really take off at a level that it’s never been before.  And a lot of that has to do with our trade policy, because we’re bringing manufacturing back to our country.”

African Americans gained 404,000 jobs, the second highest gain on record. The highest gain on record occurred just 2 months after President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law. The unemployment rate fell by 3.1 percentage points for Hispanic Americans and by 1.4 percentage points for African Americans. Teenagers saw a 6.7 percentage point reduction, and the female unemployment rate fell by 2.8 percentage points.

Candidate filing for Spring Valley Lake CSD closes Aug. 7

The filing period for candidates for the Spring Valley Lake Community Services District runs July 13 to Aug. 7. Voters in Spring Valley Lake will decide in November whether water, sewer, street sweeping and trash collection services should be handled by an elected Community Services District made up of Spring Valley Lake residents. The Local Agency Formation Commission voted unanimously to put the proposal to voters in November and approved a report that found the CSD would be fiscally viable and able to maintain current service levels. The LAFCO report also found that the CSD would provide for the long-range planning necessary to provide for a higher level of service in the future. If voters approve the ballot measure, existing CSA 64 services would transfer over to a new Community Services District that would be overseen by a Board of Directors elected by Spring Valley Lake voters.

The LAFCO report conclusion reads in part, “The current proposal for the Commission’s consideration, in reality, is fairly straightforward – a transfer of existing CSA 64 services (with minor exceptions) to a new Community Services District that offers residents increased local control through a locally elected Board of Directors … As outlined in the financial discussion within this report, the proposed CSD’s five-year financial forecast demonstrates the CSD is fiscally viable.”  For more information, click on https://svl-csd.com/. To read the report, click on http://www.sbcounty.gov/uploads/LAFCO/AgendaNotices/20200219/Item_10.pdf .

Profiles in service: The Victor Valley Rescue Mission

The Victor Valley Rescue Mission serves unsheltered and low-income residents who are experiencing homelessness and poverty. The Mission’s nine-month Life Recovery Resident Program has room for 20 clients. Attached to this program is a Transitional program where, for up to 2 years, program clients can obtain employment, receive post program life coaching and skills training to reenter life supported and financially prepared. Over the past 11 years, the program has had an 84% success rate for those who complete 9 months and transition for one year or longer.

At the Mission, a clothing give-away and healthy food pantries are offered at three different partner locations each week. At the Mission, light breakfasts, light lunches and essentials are distributed. The mobile shower unit is in operation at six partner locations in the High Desert. In June of 2020 the mission served 1,672 hot meals, distributed 476 food boxes and saw 622 of our neighbors utilize the mobile shower unit. The mission is in need of donations, including hotel size hygiene: shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, and feminine hygiene; dog and cat food; underwear, socks, shoes and blankets; facemasks; full-size shampoos, conditioner and body wash for the mobile shower unit; water and pantry food donations; coffee, sugar and creamer and monetary donations that helps the Mission fill the needs gaps. For more information, click on https://www.facebook.com/VVRescueMission.

County Parks offers Interpretive Talk and Walk Series

San Bernardino County Regional Parks is planning a series of interpretive walks highlighting the wildlife living in local parks. The "Who's Hangin' Out in Our Park?" Interpretive Talk and Walk Series will focus on the Red Tail Hawks of Mojave Narrows Regional Park on Saturday, July 25. The Great Horned Owls of Mojave Narrows Regional Park will be in the spotlight on Aug. 15. Talks are planned at other county regional parks as well. This program is offered 9-10 a.m. and is free for participation when you pay the same day park entry or camping fee. Social Distancing rules will apply. Face covering are highly encouraged. Space is limited to 12 persons per session. To register, click on http://whoshanginoutsbcrp.eventbrite.com. For more information, click on https://www.facebook.com/SBCRegParks or call (909) 387-2757.