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Listen To Your News		Thursday, February 18, 2010		News Archive

SCHOOL BUS COMPANY SAYS LOCAL MANAGER VIOLATING POLICY
While local employees of First Student, the transportation company contracted to provide school bus services for the Morongo Unified School District, complain they are not allowed to meet and discuss their concerns with management, a top official with the Cincinnati based company says they have a “Freedom of Association Policy”. Employee Robert Roberson said he has been tying to organize employees to address concerns about quote, - “not being treated with dignity” by local Manager Michael Ruiz. Roberson said he prepared a proposal for employees to consider organizing but it was actually confiscated by Ruiz. He says Ruiz told him they could not discuss their concerns anywhere on company property. According to First Student spokesman Tim Stokes, Ruiz’s actions are a direct violation of company policy. Stokes told Z107-7 news that under First Student’s Freedom of Association Policy, quoting again, “Employees have the right to discuss freely organization or unionization at the workplace”. He said, “Senior management are trying to contact Roberson and will be visiting this location in the next week or so to talk to any employees who have concerns”. Stokes added, “We take these types of issues seriously and are looking forward to discussing the matter in more detail with our employees.” When Z107-7 news contacted Michael Ruiz at the School Bus Yard in Yucca Valley to ask him about the discrepancies between his policy and his Company’s policy, he refused to speak with us. Frustrated by what Roberson says is “being treated like they are a dime a dozen” by Ruiz, and being denied the right to discuss it with employees, Roberson has planned two meetings outside the First Student workplace. The first meeting, for East-end employees, is set for 9:30 today at Luckie Park in Twentynine Palms, the second meeting, for West-end employees, is set for next Thursday at the Yucca Valley Community Center Park.

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TOWN MULLS PFF BUILDING: TODAY PART 1, THE HI-DESERT NATURE MUSEUM?
The town of Yucca Valley is wrestling with what to do with the former PFF building now that they purchased it. Reporter Tami Roleff looks at the issues in two parts, today, in part one, maybe the museum, tomorrow, a possible commercial tenant...
The Yucca Valley Redevelopment Agency has been discussing potential uses for the PFF Bank building which it bought late last year for $1.6 million. At Tuesday’s meeting of the RDA, one of the favored options for the building is to renovate it to use as the Hi-Desert Nature Museum. The RDA would continue to own the property and would fund the renovation which is estimated at about $900,000. The cost of renovating the current museum for use as an expanded Town Hall is estimated at about $935,000. RDA member Dawn Rowe questioned why the Town would move the museum to the PFF building when the Town’s Master Plan calls for the library and museum to eventually be located in Old Town. It was pointed out that the Master Plan could be changed, and Interim Town Manager John Tooker also said that even long-term plans, such as the Master Plan, are temporary until the next plan comes along. Tomorrow, a look at the other favored option: renting out the building to a commercial tenant.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVES DOWNTOWN PLAN
The Twentynine Palms Planning Commission placed its stamp of approval on the draft Downtown Economic Revitalization Specific Plan for the City at its regular meeting Tuesday. Elements covered in the plan include mixed-use zoning recommendations for the commercial and residential areas in the downtown core, design guidelines, and streetscape suggestions for traffic-calming medians on the highway and Adobe Road, decorative street furniture, public art, creative signage, trees and paseos to encourage a walkable downtown and tourist-friendly businesses for economic revitalization. The draft will be forwarded to the City Council for review and conceptual approval at its meeting of Tuesday, March 9. Residents can view a full-color printed copy of the downtown specific plan at City Hall, or call the Community Development Department at 760-367-6799 to inquire about ordering a printed or CD version of the document.

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COUNTY NEEDS YOUR HELP IN FIGHTING BUILDING CODE SCOFFLAWS
An embattled county is asking for the public help in fighting building code scofflaws. Among the county services that have been cut drastically are Building & Safety, and Code Enforcement. A single building inspector now serves the southern tier of San Bernardino County, from the Morongo Basin to the Colorado River. Some unscrupulous individuals have taken advantage of the work overload of remaining inspectors and code enforcement officials to proceed on construction projects without obtaining required permits. One Joshua Tree homeowner suspected illicit development activities on an nearby, privately-owned 80 acres of pristine and scenic desert. County code enforcement confirmed that no permits had been obtained, and issued a stop-work order and a violation citation, but not before workers had gouged a 600 foot long, 15 foot wide road, graded a pad, and installed a 12’x60’ single-wide trailer on the dirt. A contractor told a Code Enforcement official, in the presence of a Z107-7 reporter, that a representative of the client had told him that a permit had been obtained. If you suspect that a building code violation has occurred, you can call County Code Enforcement at 1-800-722-3181. Code enforcement will issue a courtesy abatement notice. If the violation continues beyond a specified number of days, a second complaint will result in a visit by an inspector, who can start the citation process.

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CHILDREN’S HEALTH FAIR IN JOSHUA TREE SATURDAY
Kids five and under are invited to a free health fair in Joshua Tree this Saturday. Reporter Dan Stork has details...
First 5 San Bernardino and the Joshua Tree Recreation and Park District are sponsoring the Fair Thee Well Family Health and Resource Fair this Saturday February 20th, at the Joshua Tree Community Center. Focusing on children 5 and under, and their families, this free event offers dental screenings, plus health, safety and education information. Interactive games and activities for the children, balloon animals, face painting, and healthy snacks are other attractions of the day. The event goes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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SPOTLIGHT CAUSES SMOKE PROBLEM AT YUCCA VALLEY DEL TACO
A high intensity spotlight was blamed in a smoky smoldering fire at Del Taco West in Yucca Valley. County Fire Officials said around 6 Wednesday morning, firefighters were dispatched to the Del Taco West in the 56700 block of Twentynine Palms Highway, on a structure fire call. On arrival, fire crews found that a high intensity spotlight being used during building renovations, had been left near some composite roofing materials causing the roofing to smolder, briefly flame up, filling the building with smoke. The flames were out as firefighters arrived. The building was evacuated, no injuries were reported, and damage was very minor.

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ELDERLY WOMAN SCAMMED BY PHONY COUNTY WORKER
An elderly Joshua Tree woman was scammed out of $40, when she paid a "man from the County" to clean up her yard. Sheriffs’ spokeswoman Vera Martinez said Monday evening, an elderly woman in the 61900 block of Aster Place in Joshua Tree was duped by a man who stopped by saying he was from the county and was going to clean up her yard. The woman fell for the ruse, paid the man $40 who left and never came back. The woman called the Sheriff, and after investigating, located and arrested Ralph Gambino, 49, at the Joshua Tree Saloon for investigation of misdemeanor elderly abuse, he was cited and released.

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VIENNA TO BROADWAY AT THE BLAK BOX THEATER IN JOSHUA TREE
It will be the best of music from Vienna to Broadway at the Blak Box Theater in Joshua Tree this Sunday. Assignment reporter Mike Lipsitz tells you how to get tickets...
The Hi-Desert Cultural Center presents a benefit performance of the Los Angeles Musical Theatre Opera Company this Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Blak Box Theatre. Produced and directed by the Basin’s own Wendell Raymond Phillips, the troupe of eight singers performs “Vienna to Broadway,” a musical review of well-known operas and operettas livened up with Broadway standards like The Sound of Music, Naughty Marietta, and New Moon. Director Phillips and performers generously present the concert to raise funds for the newly renamed Kaye Ballard Playhouse. The Blak Box Theatre is directly behind the Kay Ballard Playhouse on the highway in Joshua Tree. Tickets are $15. Order yours through the Box Office at 760-366-3777 or online at hidesertculturalcenter.com.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS CHAMBER MIXER THIS EVENING
The Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce and Hi-Desert Physical Rehabilitation Group will co-host the Chamber mixer to be held on this evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Rehabilitation Group’s Twentynine Palms office. Chamber members, supporters, business owners, as well as members of the public are invited. Food and beverage will be available. In addition, a fund-raising raffle will take place, featuring great prizes. Hi-Desert Physical Rehabilitation Group’s Twentynine Palms office is located at 5930 Adobe Road. For more information, contact the Twentynine palms Chamber of Commerce at 760-367-3445.

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TWENTYNINE PALM ELEMENTARY LOOKING FOR YARD SALE PARTICIPANTS
The hard working staff and parents at Twentynine Palms Elementary are planning a yard sale next week. Managing Editor Karl Gardner says area residents are being invited to participate...
So you’ve cleaned out those cupboards and garage, and you now have piles of unwanted items. Here’s a chance to hold a yard sale without all the trouble. Twentynine Palms Elementary School is hosting a yard sale Saturday February 27 and renting out space where you can bring those treasures to sell, sell, sell. Rent a space or two you keep the profits. Cost is just $10 for 2 parking spaces. Or if you rather, donate your unwanted goodies to the 6th grade class for the sale. Remember, school rules apply to all items up for sale. Tables will be provided. For more information or to rent a space, call Twentynine Palms Elementary School at 760-367-3545.

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