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Listen To Your News		Thursday, February 11, 2010		News Archive

2 COUNTY OFFICIALS CHARGED IN COUNTY CORRUPTION SCANDAL
Two former county officials were charged with conspiracy, bribery and extortion Wednesday. Former Supervisor and Assessor Bill Postmus, 38, and former Assistant Assessor and former Chief of Staff for supervisor Derry, Jim Erwin, 47, were booked and held on $225,000 bail and $380,000 bail respectively. District Attorney Michael Ramos and state Attorney Jerry Brown Jr. described a wide-ranging conspiracy to get a $102 million legal settlement to a dispute between the county and a Rancho Cucamonga developer, Colonies Partners, in November 2006. "This is the most appalling corruption case in decades, certainly in the history of San Bernardino County and maybe California itself," Brown said at a news conference. Prosecutors also identified as uncharged co-conspirators five John Does: two general partners of Colonies Partners, a public relations consultant, a county supervisor and a supervisor’s chief of staff. Allegations are that Colonies Partners bribed Postmus and the unnamed county supervisor with promises of $100,000 contributions in exchange for approving a settlement offer. Prosecutors allege the developer promised $100,000 to the chief of staff for delivering Supervisor Gary Ovitt's vote and vowed to take care of Postmus for the remainder of his political career. Postmus, Ovitt and Supervisor Paul Biane voted to approve the settlement. Erwin is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime, two counts of corrupt influencing, two counts of offering a bribe to a supervisor, two counts of extortion, one count of misappropriation of public funds and one count of forgery. He faces a maximum of 12 years in prison. Postmus was charged with five new felony counts, one count of conspiracy to commit a crime, two counts of bribery, one count of conflict of interest and one count of misappropriation of public funds. He faces up to eight years in prison if convicted. At the time of his arrest Wednesday, Postmus was found in possession of methamphetamines.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL PART 2: VACATION HOME RENTALS, VISITORS CENTER & MORE
The Twentynine Palms City Council addressed many issues other than medical marijuana in its meeting Tuesday. In the second part of his report, reporter Dan Stork gives the rundown...
Council heard much public comment from multiple sides of the Vacation Home Rental issue. They also heard remarks from Planning Commissioners Bill Easter and Chuck Caplinger about the difficulties they had had in dealing with the problem. Council sent the issue of Vacation Home Rentals back to the Planning Commission, but with additional direction. Council also asked staff to continue to pursue code enforcement actions against VHRs currently operating, as those operations are illegal. Council approved staff recommendation to approve 3 public service program awards of about $8000 each to Unity Home, the Red Cross, and Reach Out Morongo Basin. About $44,000 will be allocated to the Senior Home Repair Program, and the remaining $140,000 will go toward improvements at two city parks. City Council put its stamp of approval on amendments to the city code that will allow and regulate Farmers’ Markets. City staff asked for, and received, permission to issue a Request for Qualifications for energy efficiency improvements. Council also directed staff to move forward with the solar project. City Manager Michael Tree reported that energy savings have been achieved during the trial period of the 4-day workweek. He also said that residents and contractors find the extended early morning and evening hours convenient for transacting business. Council voted to make the new schedule permanent. The Council approved agreements with the Chamber of Commerce for a commercial lease and operations for the Visitor Center. The lease agreement included provisions for repairing any damage due to signage, should the Chamber vacate the building at some future date. These agreements were approved 4-1, with Council Member Steve Spear dissenting, because the operating agreement had not been let out for bids. A separate vote to allow the Chamber to have signage on the building was unanimously approved.

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ROP PROGRAM RECEIVES HIGHEST ACCREDITATION LEVELS AVAILABLE
The County ROP Program, a Vocational Education program administered locally by Morongo Unified School district, received word from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges that the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools-ROP was awarded a six year term of accreditation without a revisit. This is the highest term of accreditation that an organization can receive. Morongo Unified Assistant Superintendent Dave Price, who run the local program said to his staff and teachers, “Thanks to all of you for your hard work and on-going support of the ROP. Our mission, purpose, operations, programs and student services were validated and viewed as outstanding. This doesn’t happen without the dedication of our staff and the vision of our school district partners and leaders. Thanks again for taking part in helping ROP students find their passion”. An ROP broadcasting Occupations class is taught here at the Z107.7 Studios.

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AN EDITORIAL OPINION ABOUT SHARING DEMOCRACY
Today, Z107.7 Assignment Reporter Tami Roleff has an editorial opinion... A reminder to small minded people that democracy works both ways...
This is Tami Roleff and I would like to share a story that has embarrassed me as an American and as a resident of the Morongo Basin. The United States has a long history of sending representatives from our military to other countries for training and cultural exchanges. The Marines at Twentynine Palms have the privilege of hosting a member of the Australian Defense Forces in the 1st Tanks Battalion. Dale and Linda Wallace and their two young children arrived in the United States last month and are renting a house in Yucca Valley for the two to three years that they will be here. The Wallaces received a phone call this week from their landlord, who informed them of several complaints about them. It seems that their neighbors in Copper Hills do not appreciate the fact that they are flying the Australian flag on a flagpole in their home’s back yard, and their neighbors want it taken down. I am appalled and embarrassed by these small-minded people who would deny the Wallaces the opportunity to show their national pride while in our country. The neighbors who complained are cowards for not bringing their complaints directly to the Wallaces, and the landlords are even more cowardly for not sticking up for the Wallaces’ right to fly their flag. The Australians have no problem with their American counterpart flying an American flag while in Australia. In fact, the Australian military has gone out of their way to erect a flagpole in the American military family’s yard so that they can fly an American flag. Australia is one of our closest allies, and I can’t believe that anyone would object to a visiting foreigner to fly the flag of his country in his yard—especially one who will be putting his life on the line for our country when he deploys to Afghanistan with the Marines next year. The Wallaces has been getting inquiries from the Australian media about these complaints, and much to their credit, the Wallaces are refusing to comment as they do not want to make an international incident out of it. For those of you who object to the Australians flying their flag, shame on you. You’ve forgotten that in America, all have equal freedom.

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OLD SCHOOLHOUSE LECTURE TOMORROW EVENING
Discover the life and culture of the ancient peoples whose lives were defined by the arid landscape of the Mojave Desert with archaeologist and geomorphologist Luz Ramirez de Bryson. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the cultural history of our desert with an expert archaeologist. Sponsored by the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park and the Twentynine Palms Historical Society, this lecture is held at the Old Schoolhouse Museum, 6760 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, Friday at 7 p.m. This lecture is open to the public and costs $5 per person at the door. Optional dinner with speaker at 5 p.m. at the Twentynine Palms Inn, room is limited and attendees are responsible for their own meal. If interested in dinner please RSVP to Marion Gartner 760-361-1202.

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PIANO AND FLUTE DUET AT THE BLAK BOX THEATER
It will be a piano and flute duet at the Hi-Desert Cultural Center tomorrow evening. Reporter Mike Lipsitz tells you how to get tickets...
The Hi-Desert Cultural Center’s program of classical musicians continues Friday at 8 p.m. at Blak Box Theatre. The Joshua Tree venue will feature a piano and flute duet by Robert Edward Thies and Boglarka Kiss. Thies has performed for heads of state and sought after as a teacher, lecturer, and adjudicator. Hungarian flutist Boglarka Kiss is a featured musician in the Pasadena Symphony; she is a professor of flute and teaches at Pasadena City College. Desert Music Foundation Chairwoman Kathleen Radnich say the classical concert series has been drawing sell-out audiences. Tickets are $15 and may be ordered through the Box Office at 760-366-3777 or online at www.hidesertculturalcenter.com.

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LAST WEEKEND FOR BLITHE SPIRIT” AT THEATRE 29
This is the final weekend for the Classic Noel Coward Comedy “Blithe Spirit”, at Theater 29. The critically acclaimed production, directed by Butch Pelfrey will run Friday and Saturday evening at 7:00. See the hilarity that ensues when a seance brings back the ghost of a successful writer’s first wife. Reservations for “Blithe Sprit” can be made by calling the Theatre 29 Box Office at 760-361-4151 or online at Theatre29.com.

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TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR REACH OUT’S PARADE OF HOMES
This weekend is the annual “Parade of Home”, the major fund-raiser for Reach-Out Morongo Basin. Reporter Dan Stork joins us again with a reminder that tickets are still available...
Tickets for this year's Reach Out Morongo Basin Parade of Homes, the biggest annual fundraiser for the neighbors helping neighbors organization in the Morongo Basin, are on sale at locations around the Morongo Basin. This year's home tour, featuring two homes each in Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms, has been set for noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, February 14. This year's tour includes lunch prepared and served by volunteers at the Twentynine Palms Eagles Aerie, 67330 Twentynine Palms Highway, all for $25 a ticket. Tickets will be available in Reach Out Morongo Basin offices in the Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley senior centers. They will also be available at the offices of The Desert Trail in Twentynine Palms, the Hi-Desert Star in Yucca Valley and Z107.7 Radio in Joshua Tree. The Chambers of Commerce in both Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms have tickets for sale as well. Addresses and directions to homes will be available at ticket outlets and on the Reach Out Morongo Basin Web site at www.reachoutmb.org. For more information call Reach Out Morongo Basin at 760-361-1410 or 760-369-8671.

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A FAREWELL TO ANDY TAKATA TONIGHT
Please join the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce this evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the California Welcome Center located at 56711 Twentynine Palms Hwy. for a community farewell to Town Manager, Andy Takata. Chamber spokesperson Cheryl Nankervis said, “Takata has been a friend to the Chamber since he came to town and will be missed by all of us. This is an opportunity to bid Andy a fond farewell and thank him for his leadership and years of service to Yucca Valley.” There will be light refreshments served. For more information, call the Chamber at 760-365-6323.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS LITTLE LEAGUE TAKING SIGN-UPS
This will be the Twentynine Palms Little League’s 25th anniversary season. Managing Editor Karl Gardner says sign-ups are still being taken...
Sign-ups for the Twentynine Palms Little League are still being accepted. Sign ups are being taken during Youth Basketball Games on Saturdays at both Twentynine Palms Junior and Senior High Schools, and between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Sports-N-More on Adobe Road. Cost is $50 for the first child, $45 for the second, and $40 for each additional child. In honor of Twentynine Palms Little League’s twenty-fifth anniversary, they will be having a family fun day at Luckie Park Saturday from 9 to 3 with free hot dogs and games for the kids. For more information call Ray Gonzales at 760-799-4444.

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TODAY’S HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
In a weather-postponed make up game today, the Twentynine Palms High School Wildcat boys and girls basketball teams will host the Big Bear Bears in Wildcat gym, the Lady Cats tip off at 6, the boys at 7:30. The Joshua Springs High School Lighting boys basketball team is on the road verses the Apple Valley Christian Eagles, with tip off at 6:30.

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