*Colton Courier 04/06/23

C O L T O N C O U R I E R WWe e eekkllyy

H O W T O R E A C H U S H O W T O R E A C H U S

I n l a n d E m p i r e C o m m u n i t y N e w s p a p e r s O f f i c e : ( 9 0 9 ) 3 8 1 - 9 8 9 8 E d i t o r i a l : i e c n 1 @ m a c c o m A d v e r t i s i n g : s a l

By Manny Sandoval

On Saturday, April 1st, F l e m i n g P a r k w a s filled with excitement and anticipation as the Colton Sports Hall of Fame inducted its newest members The ceremony saw the induction of six deserving individuals who have made significant contributions to Colton's sports community

The ceremony was attended

by a host of dignitaries, including Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes, Colton M a y o r F r a n k N a v a r r o , a n d Councilmember Dr G They were joined by members of the Colton Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, friends, and family of the inductees

One of the highlights of the ceremony was the induction of Fredrick L Venegas, who was

recognized for his outstanding contributions to Colton's sports community Mr Venegas has been a longtime advocate for sports in the city, and his dedication to promoting healthy living and active lifestyles has touched the lives of many

The Colton Sports Hall of Fame Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to support city programs that cele-

brate Colton's rich history, dating back to 1887 The foundation makes funds available to these programs, including the annual city birthday celebration and the Colton Sports Hall of Fame

A s s e m b l y M a j o r i t y L e a d e r

Eloise Gomez Reyes spoke at the ceremony and praised the inductees for their contribu-

Sports cont next pg

e z M e m o r i a l B r e a k f a s t : A d d r e s s i n g F o o d S c a r c i t y a n d D e v a s t a t i n g I m p a c t o f A g r i c u l t u r a l A u t o m a t i o n o n F a r m W o r k e r s

By Manny Sandoval

The 12th Annual Cesar E Chavez Memorial Breakfast was held at t h e C a l i f o r n i a S t a t e University, San Bernardino

( C S U S B ) S a n t o s M a n u e l Student Union on Saturday, April 1st The event, a collaboration between the Chicano L a t i n o C a u c u s o f S a n

B e r n a r d i n o C o u n t y a n d

CSUSB's Latino Education and Advocacy Days, brought together community leaders, advocates, and academics to celebrate the legacy of Cesar Chavez and discuss the pressing issues facing farmworkers today

Cesar Chavez, a civil rights and labor movement icon, is best remembered for his contributions to agriculture labor

l a w s a n d s o c i a l j u s t i c e reform Chavez co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), later to b e c o m e t h e U n i t e d F a r m Workers (UFW), and played a pivotal role in improving w o r k i n g c o n d i t i o n s a n d wages for farmworkers

The event was emceed by Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes and featured several distinguished s p e a k e r s , i n c l u d i n g F l o r

M a r t i n e z , F o u n d e r o f

C e l e b r a t i o n N a t i o n a n d

E n t r e p r e n e u r, a n d A n a Gonzalez from the Chicano

L a t i n o C a u c u s o f S a n Bernardino County

Flor Martinez opened her s p e e c h b y e n c o u r a g i n g

v e r y o n e t o s t r e t c h a n d

PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL

Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes recognizing Cesar E Chavez’s contributions to reforming labor laws and civil rights for latinos in the United States

contributions to the community She also took a moment to remember Mr Jim Hayes, a teacher, coach, and former Colton City Councilman, who had a profound impact on her life "I expressed my gratitude for the encouragement he gave that impacted the trajectory of my life, at the Colton Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony," said Reyes

Past inductees include Keith Hubbs, Ed Don Young, Randy Rivera, and Shereece Wright for

their contributions to Colton's sports community

The ceremony was a testament to the strength and resilience of Colton's sports community, and it served as a reminder of the importance of supporting local sports programs The Colton Sports Hall of Fame Foundation welcomes donations from anyone who desires to support its cause

For more information on the Colton Sports Hall of Fame, call 909-370-6153

Chavez shared a poignant quote from Cesar Chavez, stating, “It's ironic that those who till the soil, cultivate and harvest the fruits, vegetables, and other foods that fill your tables with abundance have nothing left for themselves ” Martinez went on to address the irony of farmworkers experiencing the highest level of food scarcity in the nation, despite being responsible for providing food for others

Martinez also touched upon the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and agricultural automation, which threatens the livelihoods of many Latino and Indigenous farmworkers "Who is familiar with AI?" she asked "It’s important to [pursue] comprehensive immigration reform If [farmworkers] don’t have a social security card, they need that to take on another career "

She urged attendees to take action, offering three steps to sup-

port farmworkers and their communities: 1) advocating for immigration reform, 2) contributing financial resources, and 3) sharing stories on social media to inspire others

Ana Gonzalez echoed the importance of community advocacy and action "It's so important to have the brave voices like you in our community and thank you for those action items of what we can do today," she said Gonzalez also addressed the need to end systemic injustices and racism, stating, "Racism is a public health crisis [We must] make intentional change [in] our educational system, our water boards; that is violence to our communities "

Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes emphasized the importance of honoring Cesar Chavez's legacy while continuing to advocate for farmworkers "As we remember the tremendous contributions of Cesar Chavez to agriculture labor laws and so-

cial justice reform, we must also recognize the ongoing struggle for fair working conditions, wages, and opportunities for farmworkers in California," she said

Platinum sponsors of the event included CSUSB LEAD Dr Enrique Murillo, Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes, Assemblymember James C Ramos, Catalyst Cannabis Co , and TODEC Legal Service Over 25 local and regional dignitaries were in attendance, such as San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran, San Bernardino Councilmember Kimberly Calvin, and San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr , among many others

The Cesar Chavez Memorial Breakfast served as a platform for community members, advocates, and leaders to come together in solidarity, reflecting on the progress made and the work that lies ahead in the fight for farmworker rights and social justice

Colton Police Recognizes Outstanding Employees

by Dr G (Dr Luis S

community writer

González)

Last weekend the Colton Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Henry Dominguez, took a welldeserved pause from their daily duties to recognize a few select individuals for their outstanding service to the Department, and to the City of Colton

Dozens of families, friends, supporters and city staff members attended the annual event which was held at the Colton First Assembly of God Church After the ceremony a reception was held in the Fellowship Hall

The men and women who were recognized are not only “hometown heroes” for protecting our streets, neighborhoods and facilities, they are also citizens, residents, spouses, parents, and even sons and daughters to our older population They have a difficult job and put their life, and wellbeing on the line each and every day Their goal is “to serve and to protect,” says Chief Dominguez, who along with Lt Raymond Mendez, did not hesitate to mention specific accomplishments and heroic actions taken by these individuals

In addition to the annual awards listed below, Bud and Dot Smith were recognized for 29 years of Citizen Volunteer service to the Colon Police Department and Meritorious Service Awards were presented to retired Communications supervisor Misty Morehouse and retired Senior

Dispatcher Cheryl Evans

Two special commendations were made by Chief Hank Dominguez to Cpl Mike Sandoval and Ofc Samuel Garcia for actions taken while talking to a suicidal subject and safely removing him from a freeway bridge

The event was well-attended and included an opening welcome by Chief Dominguez, an Invocation by Chaplain Pete Tasaka, the Pledge of Allegiance by Lieutenant Ray Mendez, and the swearing in of three new officers, Felipe Leyva, Jesus Moreno and Thomas Enriquez

The award presentations were announced by Lieutenant Ray Mendez, and presented by Chief Dominguez and Captain Heusterberg The award recipients were;

CSO Jesse Molina; Professional Staff Employee of the Year

For exemplary service as a Community Service Officer assigned to the Patrol Division of the Colton Police Department, Jesse Molina has been selected as NonSworn Employee of the Year for 2022 Jesse goes above and beyond in his assigned work as a Community Service Officer, doing so with a cheerful attitude

Jesse is an exemplary team player His dedication and positive attitude brings credit upon himself and the Colton Police Department

Communications Supervisor Nicole Reynolds; Dispatcher of

The Year

For outstanding job performance as a Dispatcher for the Colton Police Department, Communications Supervisor Nicole Reynolds has been selected as Dispatcher of the Year for 2022 Over the past year

Nicole has been instrumental in the efficient operation of the Dispatch Center Her expertise and dedication has earned her a promotion from Senior Dispatcher to Communications Supervisor Her commitment as a dispatcher brings great credit upon herself, and the Colton Police Department Officer Daniel Muro; Officer of the Year

For outstanding service as a Police Officer assigned to the Patrol Division of the Colton Police Department, Police Officer Daniel Muro has been selected as Officer of the Year for 2022 During the year, Officer Muro was assigned as an ID Officer for Platoons One and

Two Throughout the year, Officer Muro made 54 arrests, and completed 275 reports Due to low staffing within the Dispatch Center, Officer Muro filled in on numerous occasions as a call taker in the center Officer Muro’s dedication and hard work brings great credit upon himself, and the Colton Police Department

Sergio Ojeda; Volunteer of the Year

The Colton Police Department has an amazing group of Citizen Volunteers who have chosen to dedicate their free time to make the City of Colton and their community a safer, better place to live and work Their service to the community and the Colton Police Department is admirable and deserving of recognition Throughout 2022, Sergio has volunteered his time and effort to our organization, and the community Sergio can be relied upon to assist with community events, proactive

enforcement, critical incidents, and welfare checks; freeing patrol officers to respond to emergency calls Therefore, the Colton Police Department is proud to present Sergio Ojeda as the Citizen Volunteer of this Year for 2022

Officer Edgar Perez; Life Saving Award

The Colton Police Department is honored to award Officer Perez the Life Saving Medal for the following: First, on June 1, 2022, Officer Perez responded to 7-Eleven on Mt Vernon regarding a male subject who was bleeding from self-inflicted knife wound to his arm Upon arrival, Officer Perez observed the victims injuries and determined the victim had severed a major artery in his arm are making an impact in reducing alcohol-related death and injury

Visit iecn com for the complete story

PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL

Reyes honoring Flor Martinez with a certificate of recognition for her advocacy towards social justice issues affecting Latinos and Indigenous Native American Peoples

COLTON INDUCTEE PHOTOS ALEX SANCHEZ

Randy Rivera and his family standing next to the plack dedicated to him for his community leadership and contributions to the city’s sports scene

San Ber nardino's Most Haunted Locations: Separating Fact fr om Fiction

By Manny Sandoval

San Bernardino, the gateway to the Inland Empire, is home to many historic sites, but some of them are also known to be haunted From spooky cemeteries to abandoned buildings, these locations have been at the center of countless ghost stories and paranormal experiences But are these stories true, or are they just legends passed down through generations?

One of the most popular haunted locations in San Bernardino is the infamous Hotel Castañeda

Built in 1910, the hotel was once a luxurious destination for wealthy travelers

However, the hotel fell into disrepair and has been abandoned for years Visitors

have reported seeing apparitions of former guests and hearing strange noises and voices throughout the building

"I've visited the Hotel Castañeda several times, and I can feel a presence there," says local ghost hunter, Emily Davis "It's one of the most active paranormal locations in San Bernardino "

Another haunted location in San Bernardino is the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery The cemetery was established in 1851 and is the final resting place of many early settlers of the city

According to local legend, the ghosts of these settlers still haunt the cemetery Visitors have reported seeing apparitions and hearing strange noises and voices throughout the grounds

"The Pioneer Memorial Cemetery is a very active location," says paranormal investigator, John Smith "We've captured EVPs of voices saying 'help me' and 'get out' in certain areas of the cemetery "

Another haunted location in San Bernardino is the Santa Fe Depot Built in 1918, the depot served as a hub for the city's transportation system

According to local legend, a train conductor was killed on the tracks outside the depot, and his ghost still roams the area Visitors have reported seeing the apparition of a man in a conductor's uniform and hearing the sound of a train whistle in the middle of the night

While many people are convinced of

the paranormal activity at these locations, skeptics remain unconvinced

"There's no scientific evidence to support the existence of ghosts," says Dr James Lee, a professor of psychology at California State University, San Bernardino "It's important to remember that these stories are just legends and that there's no way to verify their authenticity "

Despite the debate, the haunted locations in San Bernardino continue to draw visitors and ghost hunters from all over Whether you believe in ghosts or not, there's no denying the eerie atmosphere and rich history of these spooky sites

Bewar e of potholes, and r epor t them!

Community News

The vexing thing about potholes is that they are most likely to appear during the time of year when they are nearly impossible to fix Repair materials do not bond well, if at all, when it's cold and wet

Community News

The City of Rialto receives $2 million in federal funding to support its Lake Rialto habitat project Congressman Pete Aguilar secured the funds for the program

The Congressman said, “Ensuring our residents can enjoy safe and clean open spaces for outdoor recreation is necessary to create a healthier, more sustainable community

“This funding I helped secure will help construct Lake Rialto, 10 acres of lake, wetlands and trails, that will protect vulnerable species and play a vital role in the environmental success for the Santa Ana River Habitat Conservation Plan ” This brings total funding for the $8 million project to more than $5 million, thanks to additional funding sources

The environmentally beneficial project includes the creation of wetlands and wildlife habitats on city-owned property adjacent to the City of Rialto Water Treatment Plant, which will provide recycled water for the lake itself, which then flows into the environmentally critical Rialto Channel

Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson said, “The project design is now 90% complete and we hope to break ground this coming fall ”

The endangered Santa Ana sucker and Arroyo chub swim from the Santa Ana River up the Rialto Channel during cooler weather, but during hotter days, the water can be too warm for the fish Because of the depth of the lake, much needed cooler water can be taken from the bottom of the lake and discharged

into the Rialto Channel, providing potentially significant environmental benefits to critical species The City of Rialto has worked diligently with potential partnering agencies to explore and maximize all of the environmental benefits of this project

The lake will also provide a welcome habitat for seasonal wildfowl who migrate to and from Mexico on the Pacific Flyway, providing abundant birdwatching opportunities for the community

Mayor Robertson said, “Rialto residents can look forward to enjoying the lake's open spaces, walking trails and environmental education programs Special programs for children will enable them to get a taste of the great outdoors right in their own city

We're so very pleased and honored that Congressman Aguilar has supported this leading-edge project to create an infrastructure that will serve as an environmentally sensitive and attractive recreational facility and wildlife habitat

Support for this model of an urban water stewardship project is something all of our elected policymakers should be advocating This needs to be at the forefront of their priorities ”

The City of Rialto has grown a lot in recent years with its ongoing development projects Now, Lake Rialto adds to an impressive list of commercial and residential projects, a different kind of addition to the City's assets that demonstrates that it “walks the talk” when it comes to planning environmentally sensitive development

The snow and the rain that has been abusing the mountain communities is also abusing the mountain roads, so many roads are showing signs of damage with new cracks and potholes Public Works crews are aware of the damage and will begin making repairs after the roads dry out

Until repairs can be made, motorists are encouraged to drive with caution, watch the road, keep in mind a shallow-looking puddle can actually be a deep puddle, and report pothole and other road issues by using the SeeClickFix app

You can download the app at Google Play or the Apple App Store Get more information at the Department of Public Works website

SeeClickFix is free and it allows county residents to provide the County Public Works team with pictures, videos, and descriptions of road issues

The app also allows residents to request cindering on local roads and report issues such as snow damage or cars blocking snow plows The app can also be used to report flooding and blocked storm drains

The County is helping to keep nuisance traffic in check by promoting its No Snow Play on the Roadway campaign to discourage people from heading to the mountains with plans to pull to the side of a highway to sled, make snowmen, and throw snowballs at each other

The County will leverage billboards and social media to make sure everyone knows that road-side snow play can be met with fines and towaways

Water Bill Assistance is Available at Community Action Par tner ship

Community News

Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) is helping residents with their water or wastewater bill(s) through its Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

LIHWAP is a federally funded program that offers a one-time payment, up to a maximum of $2,000, to help residents pay their current or past-due water or wastewater bills they have accrued There is no date restriction for when the overdue amount occurred

San Bernardino County households may qualify for assistance if:

Their total household gross income is at or below 60% of the State Median Income or a household member is a current recipient of CalFresh or CalWORKs

They receive service from a participating community water system or wastewater treatment provider (private wells and septic excluded)

Renters may also qualify if:

Their water and/or wastewater bill is included in their rental payment, and they are past due on rent

The application for renters will require additional steps as they must complete an agreement with their landlord to apply for the benefit amount

Residents with Disconnect & Shut Off Notices:

Applicants who are in danger of getting services disconnected, or whose services have already been disconnected, can submit the application as soon as possible with all the paperwork to be processed for immediate assistance

Qualifying Amount:

Households that qualify for LIHWAP could reduce their water or wastewater charges, or both if their bills include both services, by up to $2,000

Once an applicant is found eligible, a credit will be applied to their water and/or wastewater bill within 45 days or less CAPSBC staff will send a pledge to the water company or wastewater treatment provider with the approved amount, however, this does not always stop or prevent disconnections if the non-payment process has been too long

To schedule an appointment, San Bernardino County residents can call 909-723-1500

Applications can also be submitted via fax, email, in-person, or mailed in

City of Rialto Receives $2 Million Grant f or Lake Rialto Pr oject

Bloomington Little Lea gue Kicks Of f T heir Baseball Season with an Opening Day Cer emony

Community News

Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr helped kick off the beginning of the baseball season by participating in the Opening Day Ceremonies for the Bloomington Little League at Kessler Park All Little League teams were present, and they were able to join in on the games and giveaways The highlight of the opening was seeing two 1981 World Series Dodger Champions Kenny Landreaux caught the final out of the 1981 World Series, and Jerry Reuss helped the

Dodgers win The Department of San Bernardino County Library, First 5 San Bernardino, and the Bloomington Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) supported the event

"It was an honor to have the opportunity to join Bloomington Little Leagues Opening Day Ceremony The event was well attended, with a lot of community support and Dodgers baseball legends Kenny Landreaux and

Step Up In San Ber nardino will pr ovide housing

f

Community News

Today, San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran joined Shangri-La Industries and service provider Step Up to celebrate the opening of Step Up in San Bernardino a Shangri-La Community, the City’s newest permanent supportive housing for chronically unhoused seniors at the repurposed former All Star Lodge This partnership represents a significant investment in new housing and service options in San Bernardino

“This project exemplifies the transformative Homekey solutions providing thousands of individuals across California with the supportive services they need and a safe place to call home,” said Governor Gavin Newsom “I applaud San Bernardino and local leaders across California for partnering with the state to meet the urgency of this moment and make a lasting change in our communities ”

Funding for this facility was made possible through financing from Shangri-La Industries and the State’s Homekey program Notably, it is in the top 10% of the most-cost-effective Homekey projects in the state The entirety of construction at the site was handled with locally-hired labor, and completed in less than 12 months from Shangri-La’s official acquisition

“This project is a testament to what we can do when government and private industries come together to solve complex problems and deliver services to our communities,” said Andy Meyers, CEO of Shangri-La “We must be creative in our solutions- tackling homelessness at its core These 76 units will provide safe spaces for the unhoused community that they can finally call home ”

The hotel-turned-apartment complex provides 76 single occupancy 250-square-foot efficiency apartments and one permanent onsite manager unit All units will be fully furnished, and residents will be offered a wide array of rich wraparound services provided by Step Up In addition, eight units are designed specifically for occupants with mobility issues, and four units are outfitted for aurally- or visually-impaired individuals

“The renovation of the former All Star Lodge will provide much-needed permanent housing for the most vulnerable individuals who have been living on the streets of San Bernardino This housing project, Step Up in San Bernardino, which will provide onsite intensive support services to each tenant, is a wellproven model to solve homelessness in San Bernardino and other communities across the country,” said Tod Lipka, Step Up’s President & CEO

“Throughout my time in Congress, my top priority has been tackling the affordable housing shortage and homelessness crisis in the Inland Empire,” said Rep Pete Aguilar “I am proud to have helped secure this critical funding to reduce chronic homelessness in our community We need more creative solutions like Step Up in San Bernardino to ensure every Inland Empire resident has a place to call home ”

Shangri-La Industries is committed to expanding affordable housing opportunities and improving the quality of life for underserved communities

To date, Shangri-La Industries has delivered more than 2,000 affordable housing units throughout the Country

Jerry Reuss The Bloomington Little League members had a blast seeing, taking pictures, and getting autographed baseballs and cards from Kenny Landreaux and Jerry Reuss As a former coach of 12 years, I love baseball because it teaches life lessons, such as teamwork, working hard, working together, and never quitting ”

ahora! Escanea el código QR o visita: WWW.CACOLLEGECORPS.COM

Metr olink Of fer s Fr ee Rides on Ear th Day, April 22, and Launches Ear th Day

Photo Contest

San Ber nardino Festival Receives National Diver sity Award

Community News

This week Metrolink launched an Earth Day campaign to raise awareness about the environmental benefits of using the train On Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, Metrolink will provide free rides all day on all Metrolink and Arrow service trains

Riders can use the promotional code “EarthDay2023” to redeem their free rides on Earth Day at Metrolink station ticket machines

Current Metrolink mobile app users will automatically receive a free ticket to their mobile ticket wallet on Friday, April 21

Anyone who downloads and registers an account on the Metrolink mobile app before that date will receive the free Earth Day ticket

Both the promo code and the mobile ticket will only be valid on Earth Day, April 22

“We’re excited to offer free fares on Earth Day and hope people who haven’t used our service before will consider taking the train that day and for future trips,” Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle said “Metrolink trains run on 100 percent renewable fuel which helps reduce our carbon footprint We invite the public to join us on this Earth Day journey, take the train, and help us make Southern California greener and cleaner ”

Earth Day Photo Contest

To kick off the campaign, Metrolink will hold an Earth Day photo contest, “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Rides ” Leading up to Earth Day, riders are invited to ex-

plore the beautiful sights and landmarks of Southern California by train Riders can then enter the contest by submitting their name, photo or photos, and destination to M e t r o l i n k @ t h e a x i s a g e n c y c o m

The deadline to submit photos is Monday, April 24 Three winners will be selected, and each will receive Metrolink Monthly passes for a year

Photo Series and Exhibit at L A Union Station

As part of the effort, Metrolink has partnered with local photographer Erwin Recinos to curate a photography series Recinos is a seasoned visual artist with an eye for capturing life in and around Los Angeles For 20 years, Recinos has been documenting the urban landscape, street culture and Hispanic communities of Los Angeles using his daily travel on public transportation as inspiration

From April 10 through May 1, 2023, Metrolink will display a selection of Recinos’ photography, as well as photos submitted to the contest by riders, on the west end of Los Angeles Union Station

For more details about Metrolink’s Earth Day campaign and to learn about how train travel makes a positive environmental impact, visit Metrolink’s Earth Day webpage at Metrolinktrains com/EarthDay

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) are also offering free rides on Earth Day

Community News

The National League of Cities (NLC) awarded the City of San Bernardino its 2023 City Cultural Diversity Award at the League’s National Conference held in Washington D C from March 26-28 The award recognized the San Bernardino Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department’s inaugural Festival: Where Our Cultures Connect event The award was accepted by Mayor Helen Tran and Council Member Kimberly Calvin, who were attending the NLC conference

The NLC City Cultural Diversity award recognizes cities that developed innovative programs demonstrating cultural diversity and promoting inclusive resident involvement

“Festival was an amazing event,” said Mayor Helen Tran “The performances, the food, the art, and the crowds all highlighted our diverse and inclusive community I was so proud to accept the award along with

Council Member Calvin on behalf of San Bernardino Festival: Where Our Cultures Connect, was an all-day event held on October 8, 2022, at Seccombe Lake Park It featured musical and dance performances on multiple stages, an artist’s village, an interactive kids’ village, a car show, karate demonstrations, cultural exhibits, roving performers, community booths, food vendors and a petting zoo Each zone highlighted the many diverse communities, artists, and performers that reside in San Bernardino Attendance for the inaugural Festival was estimated to be between 7,000 and 10,000

“To receive such a highly competitive national award for San Bernardino’s first Festival speaks volumes to the vision and hard work of the entire Parks staff and countless volunteers,” said Parks and Recreation Director Lydie Gutfeld “I could not be prouder ”

At the sold-out awards cere-

mony, National League of Cities officials stated that there were 51 submissions from across the country for the award Judging was conducted by a panel of NLC officials from Auburn, Virginia; Cerritos, California; Kenmore, Washington; Dumfries, Virginia; San Antonio, Texas; and Tempe, Arizona

“Creating diverse and inclusive programs within our communities is a key element to making our residents feel included and supported,” said NLC President and Mayor of Tacoma, WA, Victoria Woodards

Council Member Kimberly Calvin noted, “After receiving the award, leaders from other cities from across our region, state, and nation took notice People came up to me saying, San Bernardino is back And we are ”

San Bernardino’s award was for cities with a population between 200,000 and 500,000 residents

PHOTO CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO

City of San Bernardino’s Mayor Helen Tran and Councilmember Kimberly Calvin holding the city’s City Cultural Diversity Award at the League’s National Conference in Washington D C

San Ber nardino County's $72.7 Million Homelessness Initiative: A Waste of Taxpayer Money or Cr ucial Step in Addr essing the on-going Crisis?

county in 2022 This represents a 14% increase from the previous year, with the pandemic exacerbating the problem

“Addressing the root causes of homelessness is the most effective means of reducing the numbers of people experiencing homelessness and providing a path forward for the individuals and the community at large,” said Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman

By Manny Sandoval

San Bernardino County is taking a major step towards reducing homelessness in the region, with the Board of Supervisors approving a spending plan that will leverage $72 7 million in federal, state, and county resources to support the county’s 2022 Homeless Strategic Action Plan The plan includes six strategic initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of homelessness and increasing the supply of housing opportunities for at-risk populations

The Pacific Village Phase II expansion is one of the key initiatives, with $29 7 million

allocated towards providing semi-private or private housing to individuals who require high levels of social and behavioral health support needed to accept and maintain housing The Kern Street Adult Residential Facility expansion will convert an existing adult residential facility to a 30-bed facility that provides rooms, meals, supervision, distribution of medicine, and personal care assistance to individuals with chronic behavioral health issues

Additionally, the Project Roomkey Continuance initiative will provide temporary housing support for 80 to 90 beds, while the Social Work Action Group (SWAG) will receive $3 4 mil-

lion to perform street outreach, engagement, housing navigation, and case management services to homeless individuals and families

“This will begin the necessary steps to increase much-needed capacity for the unsheltered population while providing the necessary services,” said Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr “We look forward to our continued efforts on working with the community to meet the challenges of homelessness ”

San Bernardino County has been hit particularly hard by homelessness, with data showing that more than 2,000 individuals experienced homelessness in the

The County Housing Development Grant initiative will see staff explore the development of a $20 million grant program that can be offered to third parties to support homeless housing projects with a focus on constructing new units that provide additional housing beds The U S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HOME-ARP Program has also allocated the county $12 7 million to assist with addressing the region’s housing needs and provision of homeless services

“San Bernardino County is leading the way in addressing homelessness from a regional approach,” said Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez “Today’s investment will create opportunities from housing and wrap-around services throughout

our county and strengthen coordination with cities and nonprofit organizations ”

The spending plan has been welcomed by organizations working on the frontlines of homelessness in the county, who say the funding will go a long way towards addressing the crisis

“We applaud the Board of Supervisors for their continued commitment to addressing homelessness in San Bernardino County,” said David Gillanders, CEO of Step Up on Second “The initiatives approved will not only provide housing for the most vulnerable, but will also give them the support they need to rebuild their lives and become productive members of society ”

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors has taken a bold step in addressing homelessness in the region, leveraging $72 7 million in federal, state, and county resources towards six strategic initiatives aimed at reducing homelessness and increasing the supply of housing opportunities for at-risk populations With more than 2,000 individuals experiencing homelessness in the county in 2022, the funding is a muchneeded boost in the ongoing efforts to address the crisis