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Listen To Your News		Wednesday, June 9, 2010		News Archive

REGIONAL AND STATE ELECTION RESULTS
Yesterday’s primary election saw an upset in the usually staid and predictable selection of County Superior court judges. In a high profile run, challenger James Hosking easily defeated Judge Robert Lemkau with over 65% of the vote in District 11. Lemkau had been targeted since his flawed decision led to the death of a Yucca Valley infant. Democrat Jerry Brown will face Republican Meg Whitman for Governor in November. Republican Carly Fiorina will face incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer for Senate. In our area, local Republican Paul Cook will face challenger Democrat Carl Wood for the 65th Assembly seat. In San Bernardino County with 9% of mail-in voters and 10.8% at the precincts, the combined 19.8% voter turnout easily reelected District Attorney Mike Ramos and Sheriff Rod Hoops. Gary Thomas as reelected as County School Superintendent. One of his challengers was Twentynine Palms resident and Copper Mountain College Trustee Rita Ramirez-Dean. In state -wide propositions, measure 13, to allow earthquake retrofitting with no tax penalty passed. Measure 14, allowing open primary elections with the top 2 candidates moving on passed, Measure 15, a step toward public election funding was defeated. Finally, proving big money doesn’t necessarily buy the vote. Proposition 16, to protect the territory of Pacific Gas and Electric was defeated and Proposition 17, to help Mercury insurance to expand, was defeated.

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Jim Harris Joel Klink John Cole Steve Flock Steve Spear

TWENTYNINE PALMS CITY COUNCIL MAKES NO CHANGES TO PROPOSED BUDGET The Twentynine Palms City Council met in regular session last night. Managing Editor Karl Gardner has a snapshot of the meeting from City Staff... The Twentynine Palms City Council met in regular session last night. The biggest item on the agenda, the 2010-2011 budget, was reviewed by the council, they made no changes and instructed staff to put it on the June 22 Council agenda for approval. A consent agenda item establishing what was called a "Citizen Corps Council" item was pulled off the agenda to allow City staff to present more information. City Manager Michael Tree said it was similar to the CERT or the "Citizens Emergency Response Team" program already implemented in Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree.

After a public hearing on zoning changes for 19 properties to bring them in-line with the new General Plan. Council discussed each one and made separate determinations based on the individual properties. The Twentynine Palms City Council also looked at how projects are fitting in with the City’s strategic planning. The owner of a new Hotel being built across from Del Taco is requesting Redevelopment funding for required infrastructure. Finally, a mini-storage project on Calle Todd, just east of Adobe Road, was allowed to not put their utilities underground based on existing development codes.

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MEDICAL VAN IN WONDER VALLEY TOMORROW
The Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Medical Van will be back in Wonder Valley tomorrow, from 10:00 to 3:00 at the Wonder Valley Community Center. County spokesperson Starlene Javier said they had a pretty good turn out last week. She says the low-cost medical services van wants to come out every other week and the hours will continue to be 10-3.

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YUCCA VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVES NEW SENIOR SUBDIVISION
Zoning changes to pave the way for a new gated senior development were on last nights Yucca Valley Planning Commission agenda when they met last night. Reporter Tami Roleff was there and files this report...
The Yucca Valley Planning Commission heard a proposal at last night’s meeting for a seniors-only subdivision bordered by Joshua Lane on the east, Sage Avenue on the west, Joshua Drive on the north, and Golden Bee on the south. The proposed development will include 142 single-family houses in a gated community. The total project size is 77 acres, but the developer plans to cluster the 142 houses on 26 acres, with lot sizes ranging from 5,500 square feet to 11,000 square feet. The remaining 50 acres will be devoted to an RV storage lot, a water retention basin, a wastewater treatment lot, and open space around the Long Canyon wash. The Planning Commission voted 4-0, with Chair Robert Lombardo absent, to recommend the Town Council approve the General Plan Amendment, the zoning change, Planned Development, and Tentative Tract Map that would change the zoning and land use from 1 acre minimum lot size to 2 houses per acre, and to allow the plans for the subdivision to go forward. The Town Council will consider the matter at a future meeting.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS LIBRARY LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
The Twentynine Palms Library is seeking out responsible teens and young adults as volunteers for their Summer Reading Program. We will need a number of volunteers throughout the program, which starts June 21, and goes through August 21. Volunteers will be needed in two-hour shifts throughout the weeks of the program. Remember volunteering is an excellent way to give back to your community, and looks great on your job resumes and college applications. If you are interested come to the Twentynine Palms Library before June 18 and fill out a volunteer application so that you can attend the volunteer orientation on June 19. For more information about volunteering, please call the Twentynine Palms Branch Library at 760-367-9519.

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Back Row: Patricia Cooper, Paul Hoffman and Leslie Moody Front Row: Catja Arnzen and Dr. Wilcox

HI-DESERT MEDICAL CENTER BOARD APPROVES 12.2 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET The Hi-Desert Medical Center Board met in regular session last night. Reporter Mike Lipsitz says the new budget was the big agenda item... At its regular meeting last night the Hi-Desert Medical Center’s Board of Directors approved a draft budget for the 2011 fiscal year. The facility’s approximate 85 departments will operate under a capital budget of $12.2 million with a projected net loss of approximately $156,000. Considering the facility operates in a climate of ever increasing costs, and the addition of two new physicians, the loss figure is really incredibly good said the medical center’s CFO Tom Duda.

"What’s most important," said Duda," is that we continue to improve and provide superior service for people in the Morongo Basin." In other business, the board rejected a recommendation that administrators use the ‘Direct Selection’ method when selecting an Architectural firm for several planned expansion projects. Also last night, the Board honored Yucca Valley High School instructor Jeff Drozd for his leadership of the school’s Career Pathways Program, which aims to equip students for future professional success.

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OLD SCHOOLHOUSE LECTURE FEATURES DAVID MCCHESNEY
David McChesney, photographer and author, will discuss the profound effect of the desert and other wilderness lands on his lifestyle, artistic priorities, and life’s purpose. Attendees will view his stunning images and hear stories of McChesney’s travels and wildlife encounters as well as his fascination for the wild that led to the culmination of his book, Muir Roots: At One with the Wild. McChesney will answer questions and sign his book (available for purchase) after the program. 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, Twentynine Palms, Friday, at 7 pm. This lecture is open to the public and costs $5 per person at the door. Optional dinner with speaker at 5 pm 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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YUCCA VALLEY ELKS FLAG CEREMONY AND BARBECUE SATURDAY
The Yucca Valley Elks Lodge will present a Flag Ceremony This Saturday at 1:00pm at the elks Lodge on Yucca Trail. The "Elks Q Crew" will have a BBQ immediately following ceremony. Both the ceremony and the barbecue are open to the public.

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JOSHUA BASIN WATER DISTRICT TO SALUTE MOJAVE WATER AGENCY TONIGHT
The Joshua Basin Water District board has called a special meeting tonight. Managing Karl Gardner says it starts with a love fest for the Mojave Water Agency...
A salute to the Mojave Water Agency for 50 years of service is first up that this evening’s special Joshua Basin Water District board meeting, being held at district offices on Chollita Road, starting at 7. Next up on the docket, the board will hold discussions on the proposed 2-year budget, then hold a strategic planning workshop. An opportunity for public comments, reports and comments from staff and board members and a closed session to conduct labor negotiations, rounds the remainder of the agenda.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS SOAP BOX DERBY RESULTS
The Armed Services YMCA held their annual fund-raising Soap Box Derby Friday afternoon as part of the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce Street fair and car show. They had a total of 41 out of 50 possible participants. The winners were:

Stock Ages 5-8
1st Place Car James Grotberg
Super Stock Ages 5-8
1st Place Car Jefferson Pickard
Stock Ages 9-14
1st Place Car Jesse Valdez
Super Stock Ages 9-14
1st Place Car Nena Jimenez

Mayor's choice was awarded to car # 2141 Leroy Lewis Jr. General's choice was awarded to car # 2149 James Hooten. Armed Services YMCA choice was awarded to car # 2134 Rachel Beahm.

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SHRED IT FOR KIDS TODAY AT NEW LOCATION FOR WINDERMERE
The move of a local real estate agency is also an opportunity to raise some money for the Boys and Girls club. Reporter Tami Roleff says, come shred it today...
Area residents will have the opportunity to have their sensitive documents shredded during a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of the Hi-Desert. The "Shred It" fundraiser will be held during a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 9, at the new offices of Realty Professionals of the Morongo Basin/Windermere, located at 55491 29 Palms Highway on the southeast corner of Inca Trail and the highway. Realty Professionals, owned by broker Cynthia Kraemer, is merging with Monument Homecrafters General Contractor, owned by Benny and Cynthia Kraemer, and sister and brother-in-law Pam and Mark Fields. Both businesses will be under one roof. Call 760-365-1988 for more information about document shredding.

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SIGN-UPS BEING TAKEN FOR BASKETBALL CAMP IN TWENTYNINE PALMS
The Twentynine Palms Park and Recreation Department is accepting registrations for the 2010 Coach Schneider's Basketball Camp. Children ages 8 through 14 are eligible to register. This week long camp will be held at the Twentynine Palms High School Gymnasium from June 14th through 18th, beginning daily at 9:30 am and concluding at 2:00 p.m. The goal of the camp is to provide campers with the opportunity to improve their basketball skills. The registration fee includes a camp T-shirt, personal basketball, pizza party, certificate of participation, camper of the day awards and prizes for contests. Enroll on-line at or at the Twentynine Palms recreation office. For additional information call 760-367-7562.

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