R I A L T O R E C O R D WWe e eekkllyy

Fir st-Gen College

Graduate Jorge Villegas Ruiz

Overcomes Langua ge Bar rier s to

Achieve Bachelor's Deg ree in Spanish

By Manny Sandoval

The City of Rialto has become a battleground o v e r a c o n t e n t i o u s warehouse project approved by the City Council in a narrow 32 vote on April 25th The proposed warehouse, planned for t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n o f P e p p e r Avenue and the 210 freeway, is an area initially zoned for retail, commercial, and housing

H o w e v e r, t h e c o n t e n t i o u s approval has ignited allegations of conflict of interest, health hazards, and misuse of zoning laws The voices from the City

Council are echoing across the c o m m u n i t y w i t h i n c r e a s i n g intensity as the drama unfolds

Councilmember Joe Baca is leading the opposition, arguing that the warehouse will create hazardous health conditions in the area, particularly concerning the recently renovated and neighboring Frisbie Park, and increase the city's maintenance cost due to the wear and tear from increased trucking "After c i t y s t a ff i n v e s t i g a t e d a l l aspects of the industrial project, our planning commission recommended against it and said

R e a l i c o r e R e a l E s t a t e T u r n s D o z e n s o f E m p t y B u i l d i n g s I n t o O p e r a t i n g B u s i n e s s e s i n D o w n t o w n S a n B e r n a r d i n o , E l e v a t i n g W a l k a b i l i t y

Inland Empire Community News 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

Wishes You A Happy and Safe Four th of July!

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 : i e c n 1 @ m a c c o m

L e g a l s : i e c n l e g a l s @ g m a i l c o m

By Manny Sandoval

Nestled in the heart of downtown

S a n B e r n a r d i n o , t h e l o c a l l y o w n e d a n d h i g h l y r e s p e c t e d

Realicore Real Estate Group has contributed significantly to the city's rejuvenation since its establishment six years ago

D a v i d F r i e d m a n , t h e c h a r i s m a t i c c ofounder, CEO, licensed broker, and CSUSB alumnus is leading the charge towards urban renewal, and he has a lot to say about it

"We started by flipping houses in 2011, but it soon became mundane, and the industry became saturated after HGTV popularized the idea," recalled Friedman, whose family is all CSUSB alumni "We saw the writing on the wall and decided to invest in our city and be part of downtown revitalization "

The fall of Norton Air Force Base, the city's bankruptcy, and lousy leadership deterred many investors, but not Friedman a n d h i s c o - f o u n d i n g f a t h e r, H o w a r d

Friedman They've weathered through the challenges and used them as stepping stones to build a successful business

"San Bernardino needed attention, particularly the commercial buildings that were left derelict," he said "Many people have and still complain about the lack of public transportation (which is important), but I say we need to navigate towards creating a walkable community to generate engagement, which will help local businesses Realicore, cont on next pg

City News

hrive People should be able to get around by walking, biking, and public transportation It's good for the environment and our health "

Friedman's strategy for selecting tenants at all Realicore properties is simple but effective They must be financially responsible, live locally, and love San Bernardino "Local businesses like Diverse Soul and the Barbers Club are doing their best to do business and give back to the community They are model businesses in the downtown area," he said

Realicore's management portfolio comprises 130 residential and commercial units, with 90 percent located in San Bernardino and 10 percent in the Inland Empire The business manages these properties with just four employees (in addition to the co-owners), a testament to the efficiency and dedication of the team

The firm has brought significant infrastructural enhancements to the city, most notably introducing fiber internet to all its buildings "We had to convince Frontier for three years to get it done," Friedman admitted He also emphasized the role of the city's economic development team, led by Charles Mcneeley and Amanda Hernandez, in helping to revitalize the area

Realicore prides itself on being a turnkey devel- opment management company, handling everything from start to finish, including purchasing, leasing, and managing properties

While Friedman's other successful business Viva La Boba and real estate keeps him busy, the team at Realicore also strives to contribute to community development "Years from now, our greatest contribution will be giving space to artists and generally underrepresented groups an opportunity to build and grow their businesses," Friedman said His optimism about the future of San Bernardino is palpable "Development takes a long time; 10 years is nothing in the development world I've only been here for six, and a lot has taken place, especially turning once empty commercial spaces into operating businesses," he said

Despite all its accomplishments, Realicore still has big plans for the city "Again, I'd like to see a more walkable city Any development that we bring to downtown will have a big focus on walkability," Friedman pledged

Realicore Real Estate Group, in just six years, has become a symbol of resilience and progress in San Bernardino With a bright future ahead, Friedman and his team are just getting started

For more information, visit realicore com

City of San Ber nardino Councilmember's Abr upt Depar tur e Ignites Rent Contr ol Fir estor m During Public Meeting

By Manny Sandoval

Aseemingly simple discussion regarding rent control within the San Bernardino City Council spiraled into a contentious debate, igniting controversy and illuminating the city's deep divisions over housing policy in early June

Councilmember Kimberly Calvin raised concerns about the city's rising rents and the proportion of residents who are renters "We hear from our community members that they are struggling, and we’ve recently learned that the average price for a studio apartment in San Bernardino is $1,505 a month," she said "The city staff provided us with all of the statistics and information to make an informed decision; why wouldn't we take the time to look into what they're providing us? Fifty-eight percent of the city are renters We're contributing to our homelessness by not helping out with rent control "

However, the meeting took a turn when Councilmember Sandra Ibarra left the dais moments before the consent calendar, five hours into the session This prompted Mayor Helen Tran to ask the City Clerk whether Ibarra would be returning The City Clerk stated that Ibarra would be deemed absent due to her departure

Before anyone could further address Ibarra's absence or even discuss the item, Councilmember Theodore Sanchez swiftly moved to deny both rent control proposals on the table, which can be seen on video via the city's website

Calvin criticized Ibarra's sudden departure, arguing that her absence allowed the vote to go 3-2 against the resolution and potential rent stability ordinance, "She didn't return to the dais until the meeting closed out If she voted yes, it would have been a 3-3 tie, and the mayor would have been the tiebreaker," Calvin pointed out

Sanchez, Councilmember Juan Figueroa, and Mayor Pro Tem Fred Shorett voted no, while Calvin and Councilmember Ben Reynoso voted yes, and Councilmember Damon Alexander had a planned absence

In response to IECN's inquiry regarding leaving the dias during a meeting, City of San Bernardino Public Information Officer Jeff Kraus clarified, "There is no policy If a council member gets up and leaves, we continue They are considered absent if they are not at the dais, but if we know they are returning, we can go to recess "

In a text message to IECN after the meeting, Ibarra said she abruptly left the dais due to healthrelated concerns

She later took to social media, posting on Facebook at 2:30 am that night to address accusations from Councilmember Ben Reynoso that she was "hiding" from the vote "Unfortunately, I have to make this post, but it has to be vocalized," Ibarra wrote "The times I miss council meetings are mainly due to health, but having a colleague [Reynoso] accuse me of hiding was disrespectful and unprofessional I will remain calm and focused at the dais when I vote, and if I have to step away to look after my health, I will "

This incident has thrust the issue of rent control back into the spotlight, underscoring the city's urgent need to address the growing housing crisis, with 58 percent of the city being renters The city council had previously raised the prospect of establishing a local "Tenants Bill of Rights" in October 2021 and had discussed the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 in November 2022 The aim was to provide varying levels of tenant protection while considering potential impacts on the city

Despite the strife within the council, the debate over rent control continues, with the potential to significantly impact the lives of San Bernardino's renters and the city's overall health

The tension and controversy stirred by this discussion highlights the pressing importance of addressing housing affordability and stability in San Bernardino and beyond This task remains challenging for the divided city council, but the community that voted them in has trust that they will get it right

Community News

The City of Rialto has been awarded $6 million to replace more than 12,000 old water meters with state-of-the-art digital technology that will result in more accurate meter readings and better detect system leaks – saving time, money and critical water resources

Implementation of the new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) will begin next year and be completed by August 2025 This past week, the California Department of Water Resources awarded the City $6 million through its Urban Community Drought Relief Program to implement the AMI program Combined with a previously awarded $2 million grant from the U S Bureau of Reclamation, Rialto’s AMI program is now fully funded

“We appreciate the state’s support in helping to bring this critical project to the finish line AMI not only will help customers better understand and monitor their own water usage, it moves our community toward quantifiable and sustained water savings by reducing imported water demand,” said Mayor Deborah Robertson

The benefits of AMI technology are many:

Customers will be able to access near real-time water use data, and adjust their usage and implement conservation measures as appropriate The City will be able to more accurately and efficiently meas- ure water usage and better identify system leaks, which, left undetected, can waste of hundreds of thousands of gallons of water each day For Rialto, the estimated savings as a result of leak detection alone is 343 acre-feet per year

Automated reader reads will take vehicles off the road and reduce carbon emissions

The City currently relies on imported water from the State Water Project, which draws water from the San FranciscoSan Joaquin Bay-Delta to replenish groundwater basins that supply Rialto’s potable water

Overall, the AMI project is expected to result in annual water savings of 1,545 acre-feet per year

The AMI project is another example of Rialto’s leadership in water conservation and building a sustainable future Robertson is a leading voice for the Wyland National Mayor ’s Challenge, which encourages municipalities across the country to conserve water resources, and has helped organize educational programs for local students on the importance of conservation

The City has been recognized by the Southern California Association of Governments and others for its unique recycled water partnership with the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) that will help connect Rialto’s wastewater plant with IEUA’s own recycled water distribution system, making more efficient use of the City’s excess recycled water

Community News

On Saturday, June 24, 2023, at approximately 8:43 p m , the Rialto Police Department Communications Center received reports of a traffic collision in the 300 block of West Santa Ana Avenue Officers arrived on scene at 8:47 p m and located one of the involved drivers, Gregory Cruz, suffering from life threatening injuries Rialto Fire Department personnel arrived minutes later, and transported Cruz to a local trauma center where he later succumbed to his injuries The second driver, Jose Saavedra-Escoto was also transported to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries

The Rialto Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) responded and conducted an investigation

Preliminary information indicates Saavedra-Escoto was traveling westbound on Santa Ana Avenue from Willow Avenue in his white Ford F-150 when he crossed over into the eastbound lanes, colliding with the white Chevrolet Lumina driven by Cruz Saavedra-Escoto was suspected to be driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision He was later arrested and booked into the West Valley Detention Center for PC 191 5(a) - Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated, with a bail amount of $250,000

Community News

Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for the third year in a row The prestigious award is based entirely on what current team members say about their experience working at IEHP This year, 92% of employees said IEHP is a Great Place To Work® – 35 points higher than the average U S company

Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience and leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation

“At IEHP, our team members are at the heart of everything we do,” said IEHP’s Chief Executive Officer Jarrod McNaughton “Their effort and engagement are what makes us truly a Great Place to Work We will continue to strive for excellence and ensure that IEHP remains a place where all people feel valued, supported and empowered to achieve their full potential ”

IEHP’s mission is to “heal and inspire the human spirit,” and its team members are vital to that mission, serving

1 6 million members residing in Riverside and San Bernardino counties Life at IEHP includes a wide range of benefits and resources for employees to assist with health and wellness and job growth, including on-site or remote fitness classes, a computer lab, on-site partner agencies connecting people with vital social services and career coaching

Of IEHP’s 3,184 employees, 90% completed the survey that covered a variety of workplace quality-related experiences, including pride in the organization’s impact on the community, its reputation within areas served and the level of camaraderie created within the company Highlights from the survey showed:

• 96% feel good about ways the organization contributes to its community

• 95% report having special and unique company benefits

• 94% are proud to tell others their place of employment

"Great Place To Work® Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience," says Sarah

Lewis-Kulin, vice president of global recognition at Great Place To Work® She emphasizes that certification is the sole official recognition earned by the realtime feedback of employees regarding their company culture “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that IEHP stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees ”

Later this year, IEHP will know if the organization made the list of the Top 100 Best Workplaces in Healthcare for a second year in a row

According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4 5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits and have a fair chance at promotion

WE’RE HIRING!

Looking to grow your career at a company that puts its people first? Visit our careers page at https://careers iehp org

By The Red Brennan Group

In a May 25th ruling, the 4th District Court of Appeal (4DCA) ruled San Bernardino County Measure K valid in every major aspect

Measure K, an effort to reform both compensation and term limits for San Bernardino County elected supervisors, was overwhelmingly approved by county voters in November of 2020 The measure proposed a single fouryear term, along with setting elected supervisors’ compensation on par with the county’s median household income

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors ignored this clear message from voters Rather than aggressively implementing the voters’ will, the board circled the wagons and sued the county’s Clerk of the Board in order to halt implementation of Measure K and ward off the voters’ intent

While San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Ronald Alvarez agreed with the Board of Supervisors, the 4DCA was having none of it Justice P J Ramirez’s opinion:

• Upheld the voters’ right to establish a single, four-year term

• Upheld the voters’ right to establish compensation limits for elected supervisors via initiative

• Ruled Measure K was valid as of December 18th, 2020

• Orders the lower court to ensure certification and filing

of Measure K

The appeal court also ruled that AB 428, a bill designed and sponsored by Assemblyman Chad Mayes to torpedo Measure K via state law, does not apply to charter counties AB428 altered state law to ensure voters could set no less than two, four-year term limits for county supervisors Despite being approved by Governor Gavin Newsom, Justice Ramirez’s ruling limits AB428 to general counties only San Bernardino County is a charter county and is therefore exempt from AB428

In a statement released Monday The Red Brennan Group, a local non-profit dedicated to “Big-Hearted Communities and Small Government” said “It has been our privilege to support Measure K’s sponsor Nadia Renner While this ruling solidifies San Bernardino County voters’ right to initiative, the status of real political reform in the county remains clouded because of Measure D This measure was placed on the 2022 ballot by the five sitting supervisors and was specifically designed to target Measure K Every aspect of the county supervisors’ initiative was designed to trick county voters Presented to voters as tax reform,

Measure D instead guaranteed continually increasing compensation for county supervisors, reset the baseline for the current supervisors allowing them to serve an additional 12 years if reelected, and overturned the voterapproved Measure K The supervisors partnered with local developers, public unions, and a variety of other special interest groups to spend over $1 2 million to pass Measure D Despite being labeled as “The most despicable, deceptive campaign we’ve seen in a long time,” by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the immense amount of money invested by the county political elite successfully carried the deception and Measure D was approved by the voters ”

The Red Brennan Group spokesmen went on to say

“Our organization has challenged Measure D on the basis that it was intended to mislead county voters While the trial court ruled against us, we trust the Appeal Court will be as equally clear-eyed when considering Measure D as they were with Measure K The California Constitution states

‘All political power is inherent in the people Government is instituted for their protection, security, and benefit, and they have the right to alter or reform it when the public good may require ’

For far too long the county ruling class has misused and abused both the legal and political process to stymie real reform of government County voters must hold local government accountable and ensure the political class acquiesces to voter-approved reform ”

For more information please visit https://redbrennan org/court-agrees-with-sanbernardino-county-voters