*Rialto Record 04/27/23

R I A L T O R E C O R D

WWe e eekkllyy

Strategic

IECN Staff

Ahappy student's surprise is a joyous occasion for all

Ariel Gonzalez, W J C Trapp Elementary School third-grade student, had tears of joy in her eyes as she was revealed as the winn e r o f t h e n a t i o n a l S C J o h n s o n

Professional’s Happy Hands hand sanitizer

d i s p e n s e r d e s i g n c o n t e s t i n t h e Kindergarten through Fifth Grade category

According to SC Johnson Professional representatives, the company had a record number of entries from across the United States in this year ’shand sanitizer design contest, which promotes creativity and good hand hygiene In the end, Gonzalez was voted as the grand prize winner Representatives from the company arrived

on Timberwovles campus and surprised Gonzalez with news of her win at a school assembly on April 14

A s s t u d e n t s g a t h e r e d o u t s i d e , Tr a p p E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l P r i n c i p a l B e r e n i c e Guiterrez hinted that this assembly would be “a little different ” Gonzalez stood s h o c k e d f o r a m o m e n t a s a b a c k d r o p a n n o u n c i n g h e r a s t h e H a p p y H a n d s

C a r o u s e l M a l l D e m o l i t i o n C e r e m o n y U s h e r s i n a N e w E r a f o r S a n B e r n a r d i n o ' s R e v i t a l i z a t i o n , A f t e r 6 Y e a r s o f A b a n d o n m e n t

By Manny Sandoval

Ov e r 3 0 0 n o s t a l g i c community members gathered at the main e n t r a n c e o f t h e s h u t t e r e d C a r o u s e l M a l l o n M o n d a y, April 24th, to commemorate the demolition of the severely dilapidated building, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a promising rebirth for downtown San Bernardino

At the Demolition Ceremony, San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran stated, "Many of us have w o n d e r f u l m e m o r i e s o f t h e Carousel Mall Unfortunately, over the years, activity slowed due to the changing economic environment, competition from a n e a r b y m a l l ( T h e I n l a n d Center), and the closure of the anchor stores On August 18th,

2 0 1 7 , t h e C a r o u s e l M a l l closed "

C o u n c i l m e m b e r T h e o d o r e Sanchez, Ward 1, reminisced his memories of the mall, saying, "I grew up coming to this mall It was once a beautiful place and a beacon of commerce Finally, the city is taking assertive action to do something to give back to the people

of San Bernardino Some people said this is in bad taste But, no, it takes a lot of power and a lot of will to be strong enough to tear this down and promise people that something better is on its way "

Echoing similar sentiments, Councilmember Fred Shorett, 4th Ward, shared his connection to the mall "This is a milestone There are a lot of memor i e s h e r e I r e m e m b e r Christmas Eve nights scrambling around here shopping for gifts, so my wife would have a gift to open on Christmas morning," he said Shorett also mentioned that his great-grandfather, a councilman in the town, opened his lumber company in 1926, and some of the lumber used in the mall's construction in 1927 came from his company

Tran acknowledged the mall's subsequent decline, becoming a s a f e t y i s s u e r i f e w i t h t r e spassers and homelessness and plagued by a series of fires "We need to take immediate action," Tran declared "While this demolition symbolizes the end of an era that holds many Mall, cont on next pg

PHOTO RUSD

(Group photo) Trapp Elementary School third-grade Ariel Gonzalez, pictured center, is the winner of the SC Johnson Professional’s Happy Hands hand sanitizer dispenser design contest! She is pictured with representatives from SC Johnson Professional, Biridiana Aguilar (pictured second from left) a Constituent Services Representative for Congressman Pete Aguilar Ricardo Gonzalez (fourth from left) her dad Shirley Quintero (fourth from right), her mom, Trapp Elementary School Principal Berenice Guiterrez (third from right), and Dr Rhea McIver Gibbs (last on the right), RUSD Lead

Agent

PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL

Ryan Stanly, local historian and creative director of The Enterprise Building, excitedly holding a piece of the demolished Carousel Mall planter

Contest winner came down Her classmates in Teacher Ms Shirley Lee’s third-grade class began to celebrate, and then as reality set in, Gonzalez began to walk up in front of her school Soon Gonzalez’s mother, Shirley Quintero, joined her and gave her daughter a big hug

Gonzalez was still in a state of surprised joy even after the assembly concluded

“I just feel happy,” Gonzalez said, with a smile “I didn’t know I was going to win I was surprised when the sign came down I was surprised that they were going to talk about the Happy Hands Contest I didn’t expect to win, and I just don’t know what happened?”

Gonzalez’s design features a bright pink and purple backdrop with two hands surrounded by soap bubbles It’s an excellent reminder for everyone to practice good hand hygiene

As the winner of the contest, Gonzalez receives a $300 general-use gift card, and Trapp Elementary School received a $1,000 towards the school Additionally, the Rialto Unified School District, home to Trapp Elementary School, receives up to 1,000 manual soap/sanitizer dispensers for their schools featuring Gonzalez’s award-winning design

“Today is a very festive day, a day of celebration,” stated Guiterrez “We are so excited because Ariel Gonzalez is the grand prize winner of the Happy Hands Contest Today we are celebrating her, her accomplishments, and her

creativity Ariel created an amazing design and we are so excited that she was voted the winner of this national contest Our students loved getting involved in this year ’s Happy Hands contest Combining creativity with the importance of handwashing is an excellent reminder for us all to help keep each other safe ”

Trapp Elementary School has had a finalist for the Happy Hands Contest for three years running: Clemmie Taylor in 2021, Ricardo Gonzalez (who is actually Ariel’s brother) in 2022, and now Ariel

The annual contest promotes the importance of hand washing at school by encouraging K-12 students to use their creative skills and imagination to design a custom soap/sanitizer dispenser The five finalists in each of the K-5 and 6-12 categories were announced on February 1, and the public was able to vote for their favorite designs until the end of the month Staff from across the Rialto Unified School District joined in to vote for Gonzalez’s design while voting was open

Dr Rhea McIver Gibbs, RUSD Lead Strategic Agent and former Principal at Trapp Elementary School, was at the assembly and congratulated Gonzalez for her outstanding accomplishment

“Trapp Elementary is where students' creativity is nurtured and praised by excellent teachers,” Dr Gibbs stated “Congratulations, Ariel Congratulations to your family, teacher Ms Shirley Lee and thank you to SC Johnson for recognizing her innovative idea In recent years we have been reminded how important hand washing is Keeping stu-

dents, teachers, and staff healthy is our number one priority We hope you see these special dispensers and it will remind you to practice good hygiene ”

Gonzalez submitted her design in the fall She said she did the best with the tools she had at her disposal The markers she used weren’t the freshest, but she managed to make it work to create a captivating design

“Some of them were dry, but I just had to squeeze hard,” Gonzalez smiled

Her dad, Ricardo Gonzalez, is a professional tattoo artist, and helped give her a few pointers on the design Ariel's talents took over from there

“I personally feel excited for her as an artist,” Ricardo said “I see her working hard at painting and drawing every day along with me It’s great to see something like that so that it can motivate her further She sees me drawing all the time By her own nature, she draws everywhere If we stay somewhere for a while she is bringing her pencils It’s just amazing to see ”

Her parents were informed that Ariel was the winner just days before the assembly and had to keep the news a secret Finally, as she was revealed as the winner, they got to celebrate alongside their daughter

“Contests like Happy Hands encourage kids to push even harder for the things they like, and we’ve noticed Ariel really likes art,” Quintero, her mom, said “I really hope she pursues it as an adult ”

Comic Con Revolution to Bring Together Unpr ecedented Cast of Avatar : T he Last Airbender & Power R anger s, Massive 12K Per son Experience in the IE

By Manny Sandoval

The Inland Empire’s premier family-friendly comic convention, Comic Con Revolution (CCR), is gearing up for an unprecedented, star-studded event at the Ontario Convention Center on May 20 and 21, 2023

The event promises a diverse, action-packed weekend featuring comic book legends, actors, wrestlers, voice actors, celebrities, cosplayers, writers, and more all in the Inland Empire’s backyard

“We wanted to build a family-friendly show and bring the best of the industry to the Inland Empire So we settled upon the IE in 2017 after doing shows in Long Beach, Chicago, Florida, and New York It’s a way for fans to come out and express themselves, and it’s right in the heart of Southern California,” said Drew Seldin, co-founder, and co-owner of Comic Con Revolution

Headlining the event is the first-ever reunion of the entire cast of the critically acclaimed animated series, Avatar: The Last Airbender This groundbreaking gathering has fans flying in from all over the world to witness this historic event In addition to the cast reunion, attendees can expect panel discussions, photo ops, and an unforgettable experience

“The panel will be packed out,” Seldin shared “We have people coming in from as far away as Australia, and it’s just inspiring to see someone that much of a fan of something ”

The event features a stellar lineup of first-time attendees, including Mercedes Varnado, better known as WWE superstar Sasha Banks and Koska Reeves

from the hit Disney+ series The Mandalorian; Scott Grimes and J Lee from The Orville; and Sean Kanan, the bad boy of karate from Cobra Kai In addition, comic book royalty like John Romita Jr , Chris Claremont, Jim Starlin, Whilce Portacio, and Marv Wolfman will also attend

“We’ve carefully curated a guest list that not only celebrates the best of the industry but also provides a truly unforgettable experience for fans of all ages In addition, our family-friendly focus means everyone can enjoy this incredible event,” added Seldin

Comic Con Revolution’s commitment to a familyfriendly environment is apparent in its ticketing policy, which allows up to two children aged 12 and under to attend for free with every adult ticket purchased “

The event also boasts appearances from Power Rangers stars Catherine Sutherland and Walter Jones and Carla Perez, who portrayed the villainous Rita Repulsa With such a diverse guest list, fans are sure to find something to suit their interests

As the excitement for Comic Con Revolution 2023 reaches a fever pitch, Seldin and his team are already looking ahead “We’re already planning for 2024 Our goal is to continue bringing the best of the industry to the Inland Empire while creating unforgettable experiences for our fans,” Seldin concluded

With an expected attendance of over 12,000 people, Comic Con Revolution 2023 is set to be an unforgettable experience for fans and guests alike For the latest information and to purchase tickets, visit comicconrevolution com/ontario

Mall

fond memories, rest assured that the redevelopment of this property promises a rebirth of downtown San Bernardino "

The demolition process is set to commence in May and conclude in November 2023 Crews are currently working inside the building, cleaning out trash, debris, cables, and wiring The phased project will begin with demolishing the old Montgomery Wards building, followed by the old JC Penney Building, before destroying the main body of the structure

The Harris Building, which shut down in 1999 after opening on November 7th, 1927, will not be demolished, as it is privately owned by El Corte Ingles S A ,

a retail company based in Madrid, Spain, and reports have stated that they do not wish to sell the property However, several entities in San Bernardino are actively trying to negotiate a sale

Mayor Tran envisioned a brighter future for the space, saying, "Today, we look ahead This space will allow for new offices, commercial spaces, and affordable housing "

Although there was no explosion at the event, the council commemorated the start of the demolition by destroying an original Carousel Mall planter with a gold-plated sledgehammer, symbolizing the breaking of old barriers and the ushering in of new opportunities

Rialto Students Get an Up-close Educational Experience

on the Impor tance of Water and Water Conser vation

Community News

More than 800 3rd graders from across Rialto took part in a unique, immersive opportunity Wednesday to learn about water, and water conservation, as part of the City of Rialto’s annual Earth to Table Event

Classroom after classroom of students toured a state-of-the-art 1,000-square-foot bio-diesel science museum on wheels, featuring a 40-person multi-sensory theater and seven interactive stations

The Wyland Foundation Mobile Learning Experience features a running water display and provides classroom lessons tied to state standards

“What a wonderful opportunity this was for students across our city to learn about how water and the Earth impact every part of our lives, and the vital role they play in protecting our natural resources,” said Mayor Deborah Robertson, an annual supporter of the Wyland National Mayor ’s Challenge to Water Conservation Earlier this month, U S Rep Pete Aguilar visited Rialto and pledged his support of the Mayor ’s Challenge

“Making water conservation a

way of life starts with our children,” Robertson said “With programs like this, students are inspired to share what they have learned with their parents and siblings I want to thank the Wyland Foundation, our schools and all of the City and community volunteers who brought this program to life ”

The Earth to Table Event took place alongside the City’s weekly Farmer ’s Market, and included educational booths on how the Earth provides the food we eat, the water we drink and the minerals and stones used to make household objects

The City holds this event each year around Earth Day, but this year ’s has special meaning, Robertson said

“The heavy rainfall we have received this year does not mean that our community should be lax about conserving water It is more important than ever that water conservation is viewed as a lifestyle of our community and that Rialto understands the value of each drop of water by not wasting it,” she said

The Wyland Foundation is named for the artist Wyland, whose life-sized murals of marine life span 12 countries on four continents

PHOTO CITY OF RIALTO

Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson (center) and the City hosting 800 3rd graders for an interactive learning experience about water and water conservation

American political activist Angela Davis shar es thoughts and experiences with CSUSB community

Community News

The Cal State San Bernardino and local community gathered in the Santos Manuel Student Union (SMSU) North and virtually on Zoom to listen to the thoughts and experiences of Angela Davis, American political activist, philosopher, academic and author

Topics during the April 17 event were wide ranging: feminism, intersectionality, social justice, environmentalism and racism were all discussed through a discussion moderated by Angie Otiniano Verissimo, CSUSB associate professor of health science and human ecology, and Alexandra Thambi, biology major and chair of the SMSU board of directors

“I like to construct feminism as broadly as possible But at the same time, I like to be specific I say this because there was a time I did not identify with feminism,” Davis said, noting that when she published a book called “Women, Race and Class,” people started referring to her as a feminist “I was writing about Black women, women of color And my response was, ‘I’m not a feminist I am a revolutionary Black woman ’”

Davis said she had initially associated feminism with middle-class women and white women

“But what I want to say to you this afternoon is that working class women, women of color from many different ethnic and national backgrounds have helped to shape feminism,” she said

The term most linked to feminism, she said, is intersectionality

“(That term) came largely from women of color, radical women of color and also working-class white women who wanted to think about feminism as connected to the transformation of our social, economic and political worlds,” she said “So, when I say I want to think broadly, I want to be very inclusive, but at the same time, I want to insist that the feminism that is most valuable is the feminism that is anti-racist And the feminism that is anti-capitalist And the feminism that is internationalist ”

“I tend not to want to pull one issue out and just say, ‘This is the most important,’” she clarified “Because I think feminism methodologies urge us to grasp, to apprehend relationships, relationalities That’s what intersectionality is about It’s about recognizing that one cannot fully understand what gender means without taking race into consideration One can’t understand race without taking gender into consideration ”

Davis said that if she was compelled to choose one issue, it would be the environment, noting the need to rescue the earth from “the onslaught of the billionaire capitalists who see profit as more important than saving the plants and saving the animals,” which includes humans

“If we can’t save the earth, then none of the work we are doing around justice for workers, justice for women, and gender nonconforming people, justice for trans people, none of that will matter,” she said “So, let’s keep that in mind I always like to talk about the environmental movement and environmental justice as ground zero of social justice If we can’t achieve that, then none of our progress in other areas will ultimately be significant ”

Davis said her motivation stems from her family, including her mother and her mother ’s best friend, and the many people she has connected with over the years

“I know a lot of people who have devoted their entire lives to struggles to make life more livable for all of us,” she said “So, I guess am motivated by that And the fact is I don’t know how to be any different I wouldn’t know how to live if I weren’t also attempting to help make the planet a better place ”

Students, faculty and members from the community, including Ben Reynoso, councilmember for the city of San Bernardino, participated in the question-and-answer session, which introduced a wide variety of topics of discussion, including afro-pessimism, voting and the Palestinian struggle

Following the discussion, a book signing with Davis was held in the SMSU South Fourplex

This was Davis’ second visit to CSUSB She last spoke on campus in February 2010 at an event hosted by the Women’s Resource Center, which was attended by more than 700 students and guests

Through her activism and scholarship over many decades, Davis has been deeply involved in movements for social justice around the world Her work as an educator – both at the university level and in the larger public sphere – has always emphasized the importance of building communities of struggle for economic, racial and gender justice

Davis’ teaching career has taken her to

San Francisco State University, Mills College and UC Berkeley She also has taught at UCLA, Vassar, Syracuse University, the Claremont Colleges and Stanford University Most recently she spent 15 years at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she is now Distinguished Professor Emerita of History of Consciousness – an interdisciplinary Ph D program – and of Feminist Studies

Davis is the author of 10 books and has lectured throughout the United States as well as in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and South America In recent years, a persistent theme of her work has been the range of social problems associated with incarceration and the generalized criminalization of those communities that are most affected by poverty and racial discrimination

She draws upon her own experiences in the early ’70s as a person who spent 18 months in jail and on trial (she was acquitted by a jury), after being placed on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted List ” She also has conducted extensive research on numerous issues related to race, gender and imprisonment

Like many educators, Davis is especially concerned with the general tendency to devote more resources and attention to the prison system than to educational institutions Having helped to popularize the notion of a “prison industrial complex,” she now urges her audiences to think seriously about the future possibility of a world without prisons and to help forge a 21st century abolitionist movement

Making Hope Happen Foundation to Celebrate Local Her oes with the HOPE & K ar nig Awards

Community News

On Thursday, May 11, 2023, Making Hope Happen Foundation will be hosting its annual gala at the Sterling Natural Resource Center

They are throwing a party and honoring those who make their work possible with the HOPE Awards and the Karnig Award This year ’s gala theme is Mardi Gras and includes Cajun and Creole gourmet food, a hosted bar, awards, live music, magicians, Cirque du Soleil style acrobats, networking, opportunity to bid on student art, and a guarantee that your participation will make hope happen Experience it all in a unique, state of the art facility with amazing ponds, gardens, and lawns

“We are looking forward to a great event designed to

bring people together to celebrate, network, and support the important work of the Making Hope Happen Foundation ” says Niki Dettman, executive director “We also want to recognize and honor the organizations and individuals who make San Bernardino stronger ”

This year’s HOPE and Karnig Awardees are:

Hero for Hope Award: Alexander Mattison, San Bernardino High School Alum & Minnesota Viking

Opportunity Makers Award: Inland Empire Community Foundation

Patron Award: Marilyn Karnig

Empowering Hope Award: Tomorrow’s Talent

Karnig Award: Latashia Kelly, Director of Child Development for the San Bernardino City Unified School District

“We are so grateful for the contributions each of our awardees has made to grow a vibrant San Bernardino We all have a role, and, together, we are working to uplift our city’s children, families, adults, businesses, neighborhoods and communities”, says Karen Suarez, Director of Uplift San Bernardino, a collective impact initiative for which the Making Hope Happen Foundation is the backbone, “and this work is so important for our future ”

Tickets are on sale now and sponsorships are still available For more information, please visit www makinghope org, email Gerzon Cesena at gerzon cesena@makinghope org or call (909) 245-1454

PHOTO CSUSB

Angela Davis discussing a variety of topics at the April 17th event, including feminism, intersectionality, social justice, environmentalism and racism at CSUSB

Inland Empir e's Clar emont Graduate Univer sity is Championing Diver sity and Equitable Educational Oppor tunities, Her e's How

By Manny Sandoval

Claremont Graduate University (CGU) prides itself on offering equitable educational opportunities and promoting diversity throughout its programs One standout student, Jason Torres Rangel, exemplifies the university's commitment to these values and highlights the importance of fostering an inclusive and supportive academic environment

Rangel, an LA Unified School District English Teacher and adjunct at LA Trade Tech, was recently named Los Angeles and California Teacher of the Year (2022-2023) and is now running for National Teacher of the Year in 2023/2024 Despite his impressive accomplishments, Rangel remains grounded, focusing on his students and pursuing a Ph D in Urban Leadership at CGU

Rangel's academic journey is impressive, with a bachelor's degree from Pomona College (2003), a master's in Education from Harvard University (2004), and a second master's in English from CSULA in 2021 His decision to pursue a Ph D at CGU was influenced by the university's emphasis on diversity, equity, and social justice

"I have appreciated that CGU places a high value on diversity and equity, making sure the student body has a broad range of experiences and identities; and covering a broad topic of social justice," Rangel said

In the Urban Leadership program, Rangel and his peers explore how education can create social equity and opportunity for disenfranchised communities He is particularly interested in studying how teachers can navigate the tension between performing on highstakes exams and teaching in ways that promote social justice and anti-racism Rangel's research focuses on finding new ways for English teachers to feel empowered and implement culturally affirming teaching strategies, helping their students feel empowered

Frances Gibson, Director of Urban Leadership Ph D The program played a significant role in Rangel's decision to attend CGU Gibson's personal investment in

each student and commitment to social justice and equity resonated with Rangel's own values In addition, Gibson's approach emphasizes the importance of relationships, interconnectedness, and understanding each student's unique story

Quamina Carter, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students, emphasized CGU's dedication to equity and student success "We value a culture that embraces the open exchange of ideas, collaboration, innovation, and justice," Carter said "We do this by fostering a sense of respect across the campus while promoting research, creative work, and community outreach that impact social change "

With 20 percent of CGU's student population residing in the Inland Empire, the university is deeply connected to the local community One recent example is the Yuhaaviatam Center for Health Studies establishment, funded by a gift from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, which serves vulnerable populations in the Inland Empire via health research and education This center, along with other programs, focuses on the Allies of Dreamers Certificate, Student Affairs, Educational Justice, K-12 Education, Equity, Urban Leadership, Applied Gender Studies, and Transdisciplinary Studies courses, exemplifying CGU's commitment to addressing the diverse needs of its students and the surrounding community

Rangel's story and the broader mission of CGU illustrate the powerful impact of a diverse and equitable educational environment As he continues his academic journey, Rangel hopes to empower English teachers and students alike to embrace culturally affirming teaching strategies and preserve their authentic voices His work inspires educators, students, and institutions to prioritize diversity, equity, and social justice in their practices

As a testament to CGU's commitment to diversity and equity, Rangel said, "CGU is a wonderful academic environment for welcoming diverse black and brown voices and perspectives At CGU, your voice and experience will be welcomed and celebrated Wherever you are, there are important topics to take on in the

world With a strong educational degree, you'll open doors you didn't even know you were there "

Rangel's passion for education was ignited by his undergraduate years when he explored various fields of study, including psychology, archaeology, and film A transformative experience studying abroad in Kenya shortly before the 9/11 attacks further solidified his desire to serve his community through education

"I came back to the United States and stepped into a service profession that I knew would strengthen my community," Rangel said With encouragement from a mentor at Pomona College, Rangel applied to Harvard, where he found himself among like-minded individuals in a supportive educational environment

Rangel's journey serves as a reminder of the impact that diverse and equitable educational opportunities can have on both individuals and the communities they serve Furthermore, as an advocate for social justice, anti-racism, and cultural affirmation in education, Rangel's work and the support he receives from CGU can serve as a blueprint for other institutions to prioritize diversity and equity in their practices

Looking to the future, Rangel hopes that his work will benefit his students and colleagues and spark change within the broader education system By addressing systemic inequalities and empowering educators and students to embrace their cultural identities, Rangel, CGU, and their community partners are actively working to build a more inclusive and just society

In the words of Frances Gibson, "Our Urban Leadership graduates are ready to take on the complexity of leading today, and in the future, with intentional curriculum and the strength of their co-visionaries in their cohort "

With leaders like Jason Torres Rangel, the future of education looks brighter and more equitable, thanks in part to the strong foundation provided by Claremont Graduate University

For more information, visit cgu edu

Community News

Kindergarten students from across San Bernardino and Highland participated in the KinderCaminata events in March and April, as part of a nationwide initiative that aims to promote college going among young children and their families

Students dressed in matching, colorful t-shirts visited San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) where they were welcomed by students and staff alike

The students were accompanied by their teachers, parents, and college leaders, all of whom were there to show their support By the time KinderCaminata finishes in April, close to 2,000 San Bernardino City Unified School District

(SBCUSD) kindergartners will have visited the campus, said Director of Elementary Instruction Amy Coker

The KinderCaminata is an important event that highlights the importance of early education in a child's life Studies have shown that children who attend kindergarten are more likely to succeed academically and socially than those who do not

“Our kindergarten students had a blast participating in the KinderCaminata," Coker said “It’s a great opportunity for them to show their enthusiasm for learning and to get the community involved in promoting the importance of college We believe that early education is critical to a child's success and we are committed to providing our students with the best possible start in life ”

PHOTO COURTESY OF JASON TORRES RANGEL California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and Jason Torres Rangel

PHOTO COURTESY OF JASON TORRES RANGEL

Jason Torres Rangel teaching a lesson on climate change to his students at LAUSD in 2022

Car ousel Mall Redevelopment: Four Violations Ignite Heated Clash Between Council Member s, Exposing Deep Divide and T hr eatening Pr og r ess

By Manny Sandoval

The future of the Carousel Mall redevelopment hangs in the balance as the City of San Bernardino is accused of violating the Surplus Land Act (SLA) by the State's Housing and Community Development Division (HCD)

Tensions between city council members have escalated, with Councilmember Kimberly Calvin and Councilmember Theodore Sanchez engaging in heated exchanges during a recent council meeting

CEO of Renaissance Downtowns USA and ICO, Donald Monti, passionately addressed the Council during the meeting, stating that he has been trying to present to the Council for two years

Monti expressed frustration, saying, "I've been doing this for 40 years and have never been treated in this manner " He reaffirmed his commitment to the City, the community, and the development project, which has already been 12 years in the making Monti pleaded with the Council to be more collaborative and transparent and not to restart the overall process, as solutions can be worked out

Councilwoman Kimberly Calvin voiced her disappointment and frustration with the lack of transparency and communication between the City, the ad hoc committee, and Monti "I feel that the ad hoc committee was locked out of negotiations and mediations for 18 months," she said Calvin emphasized the need for the City to be accountable and transparent to move forward with the redevelopment project

Councilmember Theodore Sanchez, however, claimed that the Council was aware of the negotiations with Monti, stating, "This was televised when this council pursued negotiations and ENA with our chosen developer at the same time that we were doing the surplus land act " The contentious exchange between Calvin and Sanchez highlighted the ongoing miscommunication and disagreement within the Council

When Sanchez concluded by saying that he just wanted to "set the record straight," Calvin countered Sanchez's statements by saying that the record had not been set straight His allegations exemplify why a note taker/recorder is needed in closed-session council meetings

Calvin reflected, saying, "I do not believe in layering things in continuing to move on where we do not address what we have done or allowed to hap-

pen, whether it was an omission or a mistake We in the City of San Bernardino seem to be able to create errors that last for decades, which is not what I signed up for I did not walk as many steps and ask the people of this community to support my campaign to get to this dais and then fail them for being unable to be accountable for what the City has done "

Dr Treasure Ortiz, a CSUSB professor and community leader, expressed her disappointment with the City's handling of the project, stating, "It's very upsetting that we are here talking about the SLA in open session because the city failed to write yes and failed to tell the truth to the state of California about the availability of possible affordable housing in downtown San Bernardino "

Ortiz continued by exposing BB&K, the City's attorneys, stating, "BB&K is failing this City as a city attorney They are lying and not telling you the truth And that puts us at risk of liability We have an opportunity here, stop villainizing the community and start doing the right thing by us every day that you are elected to serve us "

Ryan Stanley, local historian and creative director of the Enterprise Building, urged the City to extend the agreement with RD-ICO and see it through, stating, "They are master developers Let them succeed After reading 70 years of downtown redevelopment books, I notice that the City has had a lot of ideas, pretty pictures, and great concepts but not many plans to make it happen The last major development is being demolished; it had 30 fires last year For perspective, we need to ask how we can work together "

The HCD has rescinded its previous approval of the disposition of the Carousel Mall property and has given the City 60 days to cure or correct all violations

The alleged violations of the SLA are as follows:

The City should have provided 90 days of good faith negotiations to entities who submitted notices of interest

The City negotiated with and selected a developer before issuing a Notice of Availability of Surplus Land.

The City failed to give priority to affordable housing

The City failed to provide a complete description of the negotiations.

Failure to address these violations could result in the City paying penalties equaling 30 percent of the final sale price, which would have to be paid to a housing trust fund

The Carousel Mall, originally known as the Central City Mall, opened in 1972 in the heart of downtown San Bernardino

At the time, it was a bustling shopping center with three major anchor stores and over 100 smaller retail outlets However, the mall struggled as consumer trends shifted and economic conditions worsened By the early 2000s, most of the mall's tenants had vacated the premises, leaving the once-vibrant shopping center a shell of its former self

The City now faces a critical juncture in redeveloping the Carousel Mall, as it must address the alleged SLA violation

According to a press release issued by the City in August 2022, the Council took two high-profile actions to advance the redevelopment of the 43acre Carousel Mall site

On August 3, the Council approved adding national real estate developer Lincoln Property Company (LPC West) to the development team, partnering with RD-ICO On July 20, the Council approved seeking bids for the demolition and clearing the Mall property

At the time, the amended exclusive negotiating agreement (ENA) with RD-ICO established LPC West as the new project lead and allowed for continued negotiations on a development agreement, including the property sale, financial terms, and additional project details

But, fast forward to April 2023, Monti shared with the Council, "Our ENA is pretty clear It says that if there is a hiccup in the SLA process, our agreement should be TOLLED (put on hold) until the issue is resolved The first time we heard of this was in December 2022, and how did we hear of it? We learned of it through the California Public Records Act (CPRA) to discover why Lincoln really left We think we know some of the reasons It took 90 days for us as master developers to garner information that should have been given to us in 9 days We saw back-and-forth correspondence between the city attorney and a group called Power Shift that represented the coalition We should have been aware of this from the beginning, and we were not "

Ultimately, the Council received and filed an update regarding a Notice of Violation from the HCD on April 5, 2023

PHOTO RYAN STANLY

Since March 2023, the abandoned mall's perimeter has been gated as it prepares for demolition, which begins in May; its iconic carousel left to spin only in the memories of those who once reveled in its charm

PHOTO RYAN STANLY

From left to right: Councilmember Theodore Sanchez, Juan Figueroa, Mayor Pro Tem Fred Shorett, Mayor Helen Tran, Ben Reynoso, Kimberly Calvin, and Damon Alexander on the dais listening to dozens of public comments on April 5th 2023