1/5/2017 Colonies trial begins for one defendant; motions to quash testimony postponed

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San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com)

Colonies trial begins for one defendant; motions to quash testimony postponed

By Joe Nelson, The Sun

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

SAN BERNARDINO >> Nine years after authorities began lookinginto an alleged scheme of secret deals and bribery payments thatyielded a $102 million settlement in a lawsuit between the county anda Rancho Cucamonga developer, prosecutors began to lay out detailsof the Colonies investigation to jurors in a trial Wednesday for one ofthe four defendants.

“This was a dirty deal, born of greed, corruption and bribery,” SanBernardino County lead prosecutor Lewis Cope told a nine­woman,three­man jury as he presented the prosecution’s case against formerSan Bernardino County Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin in SanBernardino Superior Court.

Erwin’s attorney, Rajan Maline, later told jurors during his opening statement that it was not taxpayers, butRancho Cucamonga developer and co­defendant Jeff Burum, who was defrauded.

“There were corrupt county officials, and county officials did corrupt things,” Maline said, “but not the countyofficials (Cope) said. The county officials that did corrupt things and did a dirty deal were the corrupt officialswith (county) flood control,” Maline said.

Maline, whose opening statement will resume Thursday morning, began Wednesday to lay out the long legalbattle between the county and Upland­based Colonies Partners LP over the land the investor group purchasedfor development for $16 million in 1997.

The case started with a civil lawsuit filed by Colonies Partners against the county flood control district in March2002, when the county oversaw construction of an Upland storm drain, built in conjunction with the 210Freeway expansion, which Maline said diverted 80 million gallons of water onto Colonies’ property. The casedragged on in court for nearly five years, at the height of the housing boom, before the county, after rulings bytwo Superior Court judges in favor of Colonies, settled with the investor group in November 2006 for $102million.

Maline said the county grossly understated the amount of water being diverted to Colonies’ property in 1999,and when Burum tried resolving the matter, the county turned its back, forcing Burum to sue on behalf ofColonies, of which Burum is a co­managing partner.

Erwin will have a separate jury because prosecutors assert that much of what he told friends, colleagues andreporters is inadmissible against the other three defendants: Burum, former county Supervisor Paul Biane, andMark Kirk, who was chief of staff for former county Supervisor Gary Ovitt.

Opening statements for Burum, Biane and Kirk will be heard Monday.

‘Essentially a bribe’

1/5/2017 Colonies trial begins for one defendant; motions to quash testimony postponed

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Prosecutors allege Burum paid the other three defendants and former Board of Supervisors Chairman BillPostmus a total of $400,000 in bribes, disguised as contributions to sham political action committees, in themonths following the settlement.

“The donations were essentially a bribe,” Cope said. “There’s lots of things you can do when you have thismoney in a PAC. ... If you are clever, there are ways you can use that money to gain power and influence. Formen like this, this is what they are interested in.”

In March 2011, Postmus pleaded guilty to 10 felonies in connection with the Colonies case and a companioncorruption case in which he was accused of malfeasance while serving as county assessor in 2007 and 2008. Heagreed in a plea deal with prosecutors to testify against the other defendants in exchange for leniency.

Erwin’s part of the scheme, Cope said, was to use his PAC money to help elect former San Bernardino CityCouncilman Neil Derry to the county Board of Supervisors in 2008. Derry was elected and made Erwin his chiefof staff in December 2008.

All four defendants admit no wrongdoing and maintain their innocence.

‘A line was crossed’

“This trial is going to tell you a story of a developer who wanted to benefit his land and wanted to get paid a lotof money quickly,” Cope said. “But most of all, he wanted to settle.”

“The evidence will demonstrate that a line was crossed,” Cope said.

Cope described Burum as a major donor whom politicians depended on for his endorsement to further theirpolitical careers, and Postmus and Biane were among them.

In 2006, Postmus was at the height of his power as Board of Supervisors chairman and chairman of the SanBernardino County Republican Party. But Postmus had secrets: He was a homosexual and a drug addict, andErwin knew, using the information against Postmus to facilitate the settlement, Cope said.

“That information would have been the kiss of death,” Cope told the jury, adding that Erwin, a former SanBernardino County sheriff’s deputy and former president of the San Bernardino County Safety EmployeesBenefit Association, threatened to disseminate fliers with the information during Postmus’ campaign for countyassessor in 2006.

Those were characterized as “hit pieces,” Cope said. In 2006, with a crucial election approaching, Erwin began“ramping up his game” regarding Postmus, even telling him, “We know what you have in your trash.”

“It was Mr. Erwin who was in the shadows,” Cope told jurors.

Extravagant trip

Less than two months after the Board of Supervisors approved the Colonies settlement, Erwin and PatrickO’Reilly, a local publicist and close friend of Burum’s, accompanied Burum on a trip to New York City on aprivate jet. There, Burum took Erwin and O’Reilly to Tourneau, a high­end watch retailer, and told Erwin to“pick a watch.” Burum bought Erwin a Rolex watch valued at between $12,000 and $15,000, Cope said.

The trio then visited a swanky cigar lounge, an exclusive Indian restaurant, took in a Broadway show and thenstayed overnight at a condo near Central Park. The following day they flew to Washington, D.C., and visitedRep. Kevin McCarthy, whose district includes Bakersfield, Cope said, adding that the three stayed overnight at aMandarin Oriental hotel.

1/5/2017 Colonies trial begins for one defendant; motions to quash testimony postponed

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Cope called the trip a “nice, short, quick, extravagant ‘thank you’ for helping Mr. Burum get $102 million fromthe county flood control district.”

But Erwin, who at the time was working as assistant assessor under Postmus, did not report the trip and the giftson statement of economic interest forms, as is required of public officials, Cope said.

“He didn’t report any of it because to do so would show his direct connection to Burum,” Cope told the jury.

A little more than two months later, on March 20, 2007, Cope said Colonies Partners cut a $100,000 check to theCommittee for Effective Government, a political action committee controlled by Erwin. He was the first toreceive the alleged bribe, and contributions to PACs controlled by Postmus and the other defendants or membersof their staffs followed over the course of three months, Cope said.

Burum maintains the contributions were legal and above board — a good­faith effort to mend political bridgesthat had been shaken by nearly five years of heated legal battle.

In other trial proceedings Wednesday, Judge Michael A. Smith postponed until Jan. 13 a hearing on a motion toquash the testimony of eight journalists during trial so he could have time to review the motion. On Friday, hewill consider a motion to quash testimony by District Attorney Mike Ramos and his spokesman, ChristopherLee, both of whom were subpoenaed by Maline.

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1/5/2017 Colonies case finally begins ­ News ­ VVdailypress.com ­ Victorville, CA

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WednesdayPosted Jan 4, 2017 at 12:01 AMUpdated Jan 4, 2017 at 10:30 PM

By Matthew Cabe Staff Writer

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SAN BERNARDINO - Opening statements began Wednesday in the case againstthe first of four former officials whose alleged acceptance of bribes, among otherfelony charges, resulted in one of the biggest corruption scandals in SanBernardino County history.

Over four hours, Deputy District Attorney Lewis Cope characterized formercounty Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin as a man working "in the shadows" as a"secret intermediary" between developer Jeff Burum and former countySupervisor and Assessor Bill Postmus in an attempt to influence and obtain a$102 million land-use settlement from the county in 2006.

Cope told jurors threats made to disclose potentially damaging information - inthe form of political mailers - that private investigators had amassed for Burumagainst Postmus, including his sexual orientation, helped expedite a vote of theBoard of Supervisors to settle with Burum's Rancho Cucamonga-based ColoniesPartners LP.

Erwin knew Postmus - who at the time was 1st District Supervisor - "ishomosexual," a revelation that would've spelled a political death sentence adecade ago in the county, according to Cope.

Colonies case finally begins

1/5/2017 Colonies case finally begins ­ News ­ VVdailypress.com ­ Victorville, CA

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"Mr. Erwin also (knows) Postmus had a drug-addiction problem," Cope toldjurors. "(It started with) doctor-prescribed painkillers (before) moving tomethamphetamine ... Mr. Erwin (wanted) the settlement to happen because heknows it's going to benefit himself."

In the courtroom, Erwin - who is charged with numerous felony counts,including bribery, perjury and embezzlement - shook his head as Cope detailedhis alleged involvement in pressuring Postmus to vote quickly on settlementwith Burum.

Settlement, according to Cope, meant the threats against Postmus and then-fellow Supervisor Paul Biane would disappear, but it also meant monetarycontributions totaling $400,000 to political action committees run by Postmus,Erwin, Biane and Mark Kirk, the former chief of staff for former SupervisorGary Ovitt.

Therefore, Cope said all parties wanted settlement before the 2006 generalelection because "everyone" believed Postmus would win the assessor race,which he did, and any agreement "would be up in the air again" as a result.

A tentative settlement was later reached by Postmus, Biane and Burum behindclosed doors during a meeting that also included Jim Brulte, the currentchairman of the Republican party in California.

At some point during the meeting, attorneys for all sides were excused. Copesaid the tentative settlement did not sit well with attorneys from Munger Tolles& Olson LLP, the county's hired firm, who sent a memo that stated "all the legalproblems it would create for the county."

The attorneys advised against the board approving the settlement, but despitethe memo being circulated among board members and later released to the press,the supervisors voted 3-2 - with Supervisor Josie Gonzales and formerSupervisor Dennis Hansberger casting the no votes.

Contributions from Colonies to each PAC followed in 2007, but not beforeapproximately $22 million from the county coffers was transferred to Colonies'bank account up front, according to Cope, who said Erwin was the first tobenefit from the vote in the form of $100,000 to the Committee for EffectiveGovernment, Erwin's PAC.

1/5/2017 Colonies case finally begins ­ News ­ VVdailypress.com ­ Victorville, CA

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Additionally, Cope said Burum "rewarded" Erwin with a lavish trip to New YorkCity and Washington, D.C. via a private jet that resulted in, among otherexpenses, Burum purchasing a Rolex watch for Erwin that cost between $12,000and $15,000.

Erwin later attempted "to conceal his kickback from the public" by forgingsignatures on PAC documents.

"(It was) an extravagant thank you for helping Mr. Burum," Cope said. "Mr.Burum knew his public servants. He knew he was dealing with flawed people ...;but that worked to his benefit because he was able to capitalize on those flaws.And Mr. Erwin played a very important role ... in this very well-choreographeddance."

Cope described the settlement itself as a "dirty deal born of greed and ofcorruption and of bribery" that Erwin, Postmus, Biane and Kirk knew was "badfor the county." They went ahead with it, however, because they also knew "theywould profit from it personally," both politically and financially.

Helping to achieve the settlement, according to Cope, earned Erwin thepossibility of "stature, power and ability to do things more so than what he'sdone before" via his PAC.

"It was very important to him," Cope told jurors. "His work helped lay thegroundwork for the bribery and the evidence will show that he was excitedabout it ...; that he profited by it. He did it by capitalizing on the weaknesses ofothers, by corrupt means and by means that have brought us all here."

Meanwhile, defense attorney Rajan Maline said Cope's description of thecomplex, decades-spanning "story" has no basis in reality.

Maline's own opening statements were cut short Wednesday, but he said thecorruption involved stemmed from Burum being lied to by San BernardinoCounty Flood Control District officials, which led to two Colonies' lawsuitsagainst the county.

"Mr. Burum had no choice but to file his lawsuit," Maline said. "They didn't askfor money. They simply asked a judge to define the rules related to what thecounty owned and what Burum owned."

1/5/2017 Colonies case finally begins ­ News ­ VVdailypress.com ­ Victorville, CA

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Maline's statements are scheduled to continue Thursday in what San BernardinoCounty Superior Court Judge Michael A. Smith described as a "single, joint trialwith dual juries," a reference to a granted request previously made by the DistrictAttorney's office, which cited Erwin's proclivity in speaking to colleagues andreporters about the case and called many of his comments inadmissible againstthe other defendants.

Opening statements in the part of the case involving Burum, Biane and Kirkwere scheduled to start Thursday; however, Smith pushed that date to Mondayin order to attend the funeral of fellow judge Brian Saunders, who died Dec. 27at the age of 63.

Postmus previously pleaded guilty to bribery and misuse of public funds, and willprovide testimony during the case, according to Pope.

Matthew Cabe can be reached at or at 760-951-6254. Follow him on Twitter .

1/5/2017 County Fire urges residents to be prepared for higher flood risks

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WednesdayPosted Jan 4, 2017 at 12:10 PMUpdated Jan 4, 2017 at 4:55 PM

By Staff reports

The San Bernardino County Fire Department is urging residents to be preparedfor higher flood risks as storms continue to dump rain on areas burned by theBluecut and Pilot fires.

While flooding is possible anywhere in San Bernardino County, residents livingin burn scar areas need to be especially prepared for potential flooding,according to a Wednesday news release.

Normally, vegetation absorbs rain, but after a wildfire, the charred groundwhere that vegetation has been burned away cannot easily absorb rainwater,increasing the risk of flooding and mudflows for several years. Propertiesdirectly affected by fires and/or located downstream of burn areas are most atrisk.

Post-fire landslide hazards include fast-moving, highly destructive debris flows.Post-fire debris flows are particularly hazardous because they can occur withlittle warning, can exert great impulsive loads on objects in their paths, can stripvegetation, block drainage ways, damage structures and endanger human life.

The best preparation for possible flooding is to plan ahead and

at www.sbcfire.org/ReadySetGoFlood.aspx in orderto help protect their home, property and family. It includes tips for how to

County Fire urges residents to be prepared forhigher flood risks

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prepare for wet weather, where to sign up for emergency alerts, locations thathave sand and sandbags available and what should be included in an emergencykit.

Sandbags can best be used to help protect doorways if a waterproof layer likeheavy plastic or waterproof canvas is placed behind them. If possible, tape it tothe door frame. Stack the sandbags in a pyramid formation and wrap the plasticup and over the top. Keep in mind, sandbags do not guarantee a water-tight seal,but properly placed sandbags can help redirect water, mud and debris away fromthe home.

County officials are strongly encouraging residents to get flood insurance. Floodinsurance is available on almost any enclosed building and farm. The contents ofinsurable buildings, including rental units, are also insurable. Flood insurancecan be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program at

. It must be purchased at least 30 days before aflooding event.

1/5/2017 Here’s what to expect from San Bernardino County Museum’s new ‘Dome Talks’ series

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San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com)

Here’s what to expect from San Bernardino County Museum’s new ‘Dome Talks’ series

By Kristina Hernandez, Redlands Daily Facts

Thursday, January 5, 2017

REDLANDS >> To broaden its reach, the San Bernardino CountyMuseum is launching a new speaker series that will tackle nationaland local topics.

“Our hope is definitely to bring in new audiences and this is one wayto do it, through speakers who are authors and experts in fields thatpeople may be interested in,” said Museum Director Melissa Russo.“We also want to give the opportunity for people in this region to hear(relevant topics) on our disciplines of history and natural science.”

The series, “Dome Talks,” begins 7 p.m. Jan. 26 with author LisaNapoli. She will lead a discussion on her new book, “Ray and Joan:

The Man Who Made the McDonald’s Fortune and the Woman Who Gave It All Away.” The biography aboutRay and Joan Kroc, published in November, tells “how fast food became the foundation for a business empireand a force for public good,” according to a news release.

The McDonald brothers opened the first McDonald’s on E Street in San Bernardino. It is now a museum forrelics of the food chain’s past. Ray Kroc became involved with the company as a franchising agent beforepurchasing McDonald’s in the 1960s.

“Dome Talks” continues March 16 with Frances Dinkelspiel, author of “Tangled Vines: Greed, Murder,Obsession, and an Arsonist in the Vineyards of California.” The book, published in October 2015, tells the storyof winemaking in California “woven into the tale of Rancho Cucamonga’s John Rains and his mysteriousmurder,” a museum news release said.

On April 19, Andy Masich, president and CEO of the Heinz History Center and author of “Civil War in theSouthwest Borderlands 1861­67,” will speak on the effects of the Civil War in the South. Bergis Jules, anarchivist at UC Riverside, will appear May 18 to discuss his work documenting current social events throughhashtags. Aaron Parness from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Extreme Environment Robotics Grouptakes the stage June 22 to speak about his group’s work experimenting with things that stick in space.

Admission to each talk is $15, or $10 for museum members. Series tickets are $60 for general admission or $40for association members. Cost includes light refreshments provided by the San Bernardino County MuseumAssociation. Reservations are recommended and may be made online at www.sbcounty.gov/museum.

Dome Talks and other museum activities are part of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors’CountyWide Vision celebrating the arts, culture and education in the region by increasing the quality of life forresidents and visitors.

In addition to the new speaker series, the museum is also working to promote its new partnership with Bank ofAmerica’s Museums on Us initiative, which offers BofA and Merrill Lynch cardholders free admission toparticipating sites on the first full weekend of each month. The first promotional offering is this Saturday and

1/5/2017 Here’s what to expect from San Bernardino County Museum’s new ‘Dome Talks’ series

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Sunday. BofA is underwriting the cost associated with the program by providing the museum with a $4,000stipend. Currently, 150 museums nationwide are part of the Museums on Us program.

“While it’s just the free admission for cardholders, it is also a great benefit for (BofA) customers and introducesus to a new audience,” Russo said. “The experience we found is people who come with their card and get in forfree usually come with their spouse and family members who do have to pay. But what ends up happening isvisitors like the experience so much and become museum members. That is our hope, too.”

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© 2017 San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com)

1/5/2017 Space, murder and burgers: San Bernardino County Museum launches ‘Dome Talks’ ­ Inland Empire Community Newspapers

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courtesy photo/ san bernardino countymuseumThe San Bernardino County’sMuseum’s newest series, Dome Talks,begins Jan. 26 and runs through June22.

Space, murder and burgers: San BernardinoCounty Museum launches ‘Dome Talks’

What do murder and wine, things stuck in space and burgers

have in common?

They’re all topics in a series of discussions planned at the San

Bernardino County Museum as it launches its newest

programing, Dome Talks.

The evening talks kickoff Jan. 26 and feature authors,

historians, scientists, researchers, and technologists discussing

topics relevant to the past, present, and future of the inland

region, museum officials said in a news release.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and speakers begin at 7 p.m. Reservations are recommended.

By Yazmin Alvarez - January 4, 2017

courtesy photo/ san bernardino county museum Dr. Aaron Parness, of NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s ExtremeEnvironment Robotics Group, will be among the lineup of speakers scheduled for the San Bernardino County’s Museum’snewest series, Dome Talks.

1/5/2017 Space, murder and burgers: San Bernardino County Museum launches ‘Dome Talks’ ­ Inland Empire Community Newspapers

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Jan. 26 – Author Lisa Napoli willdiscuss her bestselling book, Rayand Joan: The Man Who Made theMcDonald’s Fortune and theWoman Who Gave It All Away.

May 18 – Bergis Jules, archivist at theUniversity of California Riverside, willdiscuss his cutting edge workdocumenting current social eventsthrough hashtags, including a projectto archive #Ferguson and#BlackLivesMatter.

The series begins with author Lisa Napoli discussing her bestselling

book, Ray and Joan: The Man Who Made the McDonald’s Fortune

and the Woman Who Gave It All Away. Published in November

2016, this is the story of how fast food fare became the

foundation for a business empire and a force for public good.

Dome Talks continue through June 22 with the following scheduled

series:

March 16: Frances Dinkelspiel, the author of Tangled Vines:

Greed, Murder, Obsession, and an Arsonist in the Vineyards of

California (published in October 2015), tells the extraordinary

story of winemaking in California woven into the tale of Rancho

Cucamonga’s John Rains and his mysterious murder.

April 19: Andy Masich, President and CEO of the Heinz History

Center and author of Civil War in the Southwest Borderlands 1861

—1867, tells a gripping tale of the least­understood theater of the

Civil War, the Southwest borderlands, which saw not only Union and Confederate forces clash

but Indians, Hispanos, and Anglos struggle for survival, power, and dominance on both sides of

the U.S.­Mexican border.

May 18: Bergis Jules, archivist at the University of California

Riverside, discusses his cutting edge work documenting current

social events through hashtags, including a project to archive

#Ferguson and #BlackLivesMatter.

June 22: Dr. Aaron Parness, of NASA Jet Propulsion

Laboratory’s Extreme Environment Robotics Group speaks

about his group’s work experimenting with things that stick in

space including asteroid anchors, rock­climbing robots, and

gecko grippers for NASA’s Asteroid Redirect Mission.

Admission to a Dome Talk is $15; museum members are $10. A series ticket purchased in

advance for all five presentations is $60 or $40 for museum members. Light refreshments will

be provided by the San Bernardino County Museum Association.

1/5/2017 Space, murder and burgers: San Bernardino County Museum launches ‘Dome Talks’ ­ Inland Empire Community Newspapers

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Reservations are recommended; visit www.sbcountymuseum.gov/museum to purchase tickets.

Tickets will be available at the door as space permits.

Yazmin Alvarez

Yazmin Alvarez is the Community News Editor for Rialto Record and Inland Empire Weekly. For news leads, she

can be reached at: (909) 381­9898 ext. 207 or via email: iecn.yazmin@gmail.com

1/5/2017 LAKE GREGORY: County Lowers Water Level 3­Feet – 2­Feet To Go — ROTWNEWS.com

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LAKE GREGORY: County Lowers Water Level 3­Feet – 2­Feet To Goin News, Ticker / by Michael P. Neufeld / on January 4, 2017 at 11:46 am /

The state­mandated drawdown of Lake Gregory continues with the lake level scheduled to belowered a total of 5­feet. Tuesday night the lake was lowered about 3­feet. (Photo by SanBernardino County)

<< TOP STORIES >>LAKE GREGORY: County Lowers Water Level 3­Feet ­ 2­Feet To Go SEXUAL ASSAULT: Former Boy Scout Camp Counselor Arrested

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1/5/2017 LAKE GREGORY: County Lowers Water Level 3­Feet – 2­Feet To Go — ROTWNEWS.com

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By Michael P. Neufeld

Crestline, CA – The mandated drawdown of Lake Gregory continued Tuesday night with the water levellowered 3­feet from the spillway. The Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) is requiring San Bernardino Countyto lower the water a total of 5­feet from the spillway because the 80­year­old Lake Gregory Dam does not meetcurrent seismic safety requirements.

THE REHABILITATION PROJECT

The $16 million project — which could take up to 18 months to complete — includes the removal of trees andvegetation from the downstream slope of the dam, the removal of the existing rock on the downstream slope,removal of foundation material at the base of the dam, the addition of a new 40­foot average thickness earthenbuttress extending approximately 62 feet beyond the current toe of the embankment, installation of a drainagesystem to pick up water moving through the liquefaction zone, and placement of new slope protection.

Houston Creek flows from Lake Gregorystarting at the 80­year­old earthen dam, throughCamp Switzerland and past Pilot RockConservation Camp and into Silverwood Lake.(Contributed Photo)

The project — which has been returned to the Board of Supervisors for revisions several times — requiresretrieval and hauling of stockpiled material from up to two borrow sites and import material from quarries in theSan Bernardino valley; a temporary bridge reinforcement over Houston Creek in privately owned CampSwitzerland; traffic controls along Lake Drive (including a temporary road detour); temporary or permanentrelocation of utilities on Lake Drive and affected portions of Lake Drive.

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1/5/2017 Growing a future

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WednesdayPosted Jan 4, 2017 at 4:06 PMUpdated Jan 4, 2017 at 4:06 PM

By Mike Lamb

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NEWBERRY SPRINGS - Paul Deel dragged his foot across the desert ground,digging up the dirt below.

"We actually have good dirt here," Deel said, looking down. "It's pretty good forNewberry."

The 20-acre plot that Deel stood on Wednesday was an alfalfa field 20 years ago.Today it's barren desert land that now offers economic hope, according to Deel.

The owner of a plumbing business in Newberry Springs, Deel is the president ofa new group called the Newberry Springs Economic Development Association(NSEDA). It was formed because residents are concerned with declining watertables and what that means for the future.

"Will their slice of the Mojave become like the Sahara, or is there a way to usewater responsibly and still be able to grow profitable crops?" asked VickiePaulsen, the secretary of NSEDA.

On Dec. 20, NSEDA members voted to accept a donation of 20 acres of landfrom Mike and Donna Mumford for the discovery, development, teaching andenabling of non-traditional projects such as permaculture, viticulture, alternativearchitecture and other pursuits suitable to the arid desert environment.

Growing a future

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At the meeting, Deel explained that a variety of high-value, low-water-use cropscan be grown in the desert with success. Potatoes, tomatoes and squash, forinstance, use a tiny fraction of the water required by alfalfa and can bring morethan $1,000 per acre.

Deel said Wednesday that Newberry Springs is facing a dilemma. Residents seekeconomic development, but they also want to maintain a rural lifestyle.

"When they talk about economic development, people think we have to getsome big anchor for business here," Deel said. "But an anchor business, you areonly as strong as that one business. It often boils down to one person's voice thatdetermines if your community survives or fails.

"So rather than do that, we want to develop a very sustainable economy based onmultiple small units. But at the same time, we are at the end of a river. We are asmall population. We don't have much of a voice in protecting the water comingdown the river, which we don't get."

Deel said the community needs more people not necessarily looking for jobs, butbringing their income streams with them. He said that means cottage industrieswith people working from home.

"So we are exploring ways to increase the infrastructure. We are trying to find away to get high-speed broadband here that's more affordable. That boils down towhich comes first, the service or the people? Without the service it's hard to getthe people and without the people its hard to get the service."

NSEDA hopes planting seeds in the Coppi Mumford Farm will help spureconomic activity. NSEDA envisions a small-farm co-operative at the CoppiMumford Farm, working with researchers, businesses and local growers to teachand promote best practices, provide small loans, and make available livestock,plants and seeds. The finished product would be locally processed and soldlocally through the co-op market, farmers markets and commercially into thewholesale food distribution system.

NSEDA also envisions the Coppi Mumford Farm as a cultural learning centerfor all ages. Students and visitors would tour the gardens, orchards and see theanimals.

1/5/2017 Growing a future

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"Families may choose to spend a vacation in an 'earthship' cabin, collect eggs,milk a goat, eat freshly harvested vegetables and fruits. To learn and experience,perhaps to decide this is the life for them," the NSEDA proposal said.

"Others from arid environments may come to experience and learn what theycan take back to their communities or to share what has worked from themthrough classes and demonstrations. Collections of plants, animals, growing andprocessing techniques from all corners of the world can be tested here. Perhapssome new foods will become a staple part of our diets. Above all, the CoppiMumford Farm will incubate a new sustainable community of rural-mindedpeople."

Deel said NSEDA faces a lot of hard work to get the project underway.

"We will pursue grants, gifts and donations to secure the initial $50,000 todevelop the parcel, put in a well and fencing, and plant a windbreak," he said."There are a lot of agencies and businesses and even private parties willing tofund this type of research undertaking."

The first meeting of the Gardeners Co-op has been set for 1 p.m. Jan. 14 at theNewberry Springs Community Center.

Mike Lamb can be reached at 760-957-0613 or. You can also follow him on Twitter

.

1/5/2017 San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies to receive new tasers

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San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com)

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies to receive new tasers

By Doug Saunders, The Sun

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

SAN BERNARDINO >> Sheriff’s officials have completelyreplenished “non­lethal” Tasers used by deputies in the field with newdevices.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department purchased 1,525 X2Tasers to replace their current supply that has expired since the firstpurchase six years ago.

“The San Bernardino County order is the first complete replacementof a full deployment of X2s that was previously purchased as one ofour earlier adopters of our first dual shot weapon when it wasintroduced in 2011,” Rick Smith, CEO and co­founder of Taser

International, said in a written statement. “They are the first agency to fully replace their entire fleet of X2s aftertheir full useful life.”

The shelf life for the X2 Taser is rated at five years, according to a Taser International news release.

The use of the non­lethal weapon has come under fire in recent years and became the center of a lawsuit filed bythe American Civil Liberties Union in March 2015.

In the filing, the ACLU is suing the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department to seek a judge’s order toforce the law enforcement agency to produce records on its Taser policies and practices.

That case is not expected to be heard until later this summer, but attorneys for the ACLU said they are veryoptimistic a settlement could be reached in the near future.

Nearly seven months before the filing, a Victorville man, Dante Parker, was stunned approximately 25 timesduring a confrontation with a deputy in the High Desert.

The 36­year­old died shortly after the encounter. The Riverside County Coroner’s Office ruled his death anaccident from PCP intoxication with a noted significant condition of hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

Three years before Parker’s death, deputies used a Taser on Alan Kephart 16 times after a traffic stop in the SanBernardino Mountains.

Kephart died, and the District Attorney’s Office also cleared the department of wrongdoing. However, Kephart’sfamily was awarded $4.25 million from the county to settle a wrongful death lawsuit.

In its annual report released July 1, 2013, the San Bernardino County grand jury recommended, in response tonewspaper articles that year regarding the Taser­related deaths of three men at the hands of sheriff’s deputies,that the Sheriff’s Department enhance deputy training on use of the “non­lethal” weapon.

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In its response, the Sheriff’s Department agreed with the grand jury’s recommendation to amend its Tasertraining manual to include the requirement of greater communication among on­scene officers regarding thenumber of Taser discharges deployed on a person to avoid multiple, continuous exposures.

It also agreed to stress the importance of alternative methods of subduing individuals at future training sessions.

Under proposed regulations drafted by the state Attorney General’s Office to implement Assembly Bill 953, theSheriff’s Department would be required to report some detailed information about its Taser use, which it haswithheld from the public in the past, according to Adrienna Wong, staff attorney for the Inland Empire office ofthe ACLU of Southern California.

No added training will be required for the new cache of “non­lethal” Tasers, sheriff’s spokeswoman Jodi Millersaid Wednesday.

URL: http://www.sbsun.com/general­news/20170104/san­bernardino­county­sheriffs­deputies­to­receive­new­tasers

© 2017 San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com)

1/5/2017 Print Article: Light showers to continue in the Inland Empire; warm­up on the way

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Light showers to continue in the Inland Empire; warm­up onthe waySTAFF AND WIRE REPORTS2017­01­05 08:23:22

Light, steady rain fell on Southern California today, and the potential formore rain was forecast for Saturday and again Monday.

Rainfall totals in Riverside County were mixed, but nowhere sawovernight rainfall totals above .2 inches. Norco recorded the most rainfallat .16 inches and the Riverside Airport recorded .14 inches, but otherareas like Perris and Beaumont saw only .04 inches, according to theNational Weather Service.

Los Angeles County valleys, on the other hand, recorded almost a half­inch.

National Weather Service meteorologist Curt Kaplan attributed today’s rain,which was expected to clear out by tonight, to a west­to­east layer of moistureover the Pacific Ocean. He said hourly rainfall rates were “unimpressive, butwhen it rains for six, eight hours, it adds up.”

Still, the prospect of mud flows down slopes denuded by wildfiresappeared unlikely, although Kaplan said that “I never want to say never.”

Rainfall totals were a bit higher in the San Bernardino Mountain foothills. Ontario, Chino and Chino Hills allrecorded around a quarter­inch of rain, while Lytle Creek Canyon saw .31 inches of rain, according to theweather service.

Light showers are expected to continue throughout Thursday and taper off sometime Friday, according to aforecast analysis.

The Inland are is expected to see highs between 55 and 60 Thursday, rising to the low to mid­60s Friday. Theweekend will bring slightly warmer temperatures, with highs reaching around 73 on Sunday.

As the following week approaches, however, temperatures will dip back into the slightly­below­seasonal 50sand 60s.

California Highway Patrol officials say the wet weather is not the primary reason for any additional crashes onroadways.

“It’s just speed and unsafe turning movement,” said CHP Officer Peter Nicholson.

CHP Public Information Officer Juan Galvan agreed, saying rain and snow can’t be held accountable becausehundreds if not thousands of people make it to work safely in the wet conditions.

“(Crashes are) largely contributed to speed,” Galvan said. “People just need to slow down.”

For instance, Galvan said, drivers sometimes slow from 65 mph to 55 mph in the rain without realizing they’restill going too fast.

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“Sometimes the proper speed is slower like 35 or 40 mph,” Galvan said. “If you feel yourself hydroplaning, thenyou’re traveling too fast.”

However, if drivers find themselves hydroplaning or in the middle of a large puddle, Galvan recommended theynot slam on the brakes.

“It’s the worst thing to do,” Galvan said, adding that extreme braking combined with the turning of the steeringwheel makes vehicles become uncontrollable.

Instead, Galvan recommends drivers ease off the accelerator and let their tires regain traction with thepavement to successfully navigate the issue.

Another rainy­weather tip the CHP officer gave is for drivers to stay out of the far left and far right lanes wheredrains are located on freeways.

“Sometimes they get clogged,” Galvan said. “If you can avoid traveling in those areas and travel in the centerportion of the freeway lanes, it would be best.”

Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Division Detective William Bustos said the rain makes roadconditions dangerous, so motorists need to have their tires properly inflated and their vehicles in goodmechanical condition, know their destination before driving and not engage in distracted or DUI driving.

“We do want you to get to your destination safely,” Bustos said. “But we need to think of safety. For thoseindividuals who do not think of safety, we will think of safety for them.”

Press­Enterprise Staff Writer Anne Millerbernd and Daily News Staff Writer Wes Woods II contributed to thisreport.

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1/5/2017 Storms bringing one­two punch into Morongo Basin ­ Hi­Desert Star: News

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Storms bringing one­two punch into Morongo BasinBy Stacy Moore, Hi­Desert Star | Posted: Thursday, December 29, 2016 12:00 pm

MORONGO BASIN — Moderate rain showers are expected to fall Friday as a low­pressure system movesin from the southwest, National Weather Service forecasters say.

A much colder and stronger storm is expected Saturday, bringing rain showers and significant snow in themountains.

Forecasters predict almost a quarter­inch of rain will fall in Yucca Valley Friday and 0.11 inch inTwentynine Palms.

Snow levels will start out around 8,000 feet Friday morning, and lower to around 6,500 feet Friday evening,according to the NWS.

After a brief reprieve, a second storm should move in Saturday, bringing the potential for heavier rain in SanBernardino County. Although the weather service’s official prediction is 0.27 inch of rain in Yucca Valleythrough Saturday, a forecaster said as much as a half­inch could fall in this area.

“Around some of your area, amounts of rain will probably be around a quarter of an inch, but it could beconsiderably more,” Caleb Steele, with the National Weather Service in Las Vegas, said. “It looks like amore intense band could set up somewhere in San Bernardino County late Saturday evening.”

Showers are likely through Saturday night before the skies clear for a mostly sunny New Year’s Day, theforecast says.

1/5/2017 California needs to build a staggering number of homes and we are way behind

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Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (http://www.dailybulletin.com)

California needs to build a staggering number of homes and we are way behind

By Kevin Smith, San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

It’s no secret that California is grappling with a housing shortage, buta new report quantifies how serious the problem is.

180,000 new homes are needed each year

Developers are building an average of 80,000 new California homes ayear, but that falls well below the 180,000 that are needed, accordingto the California Department of Housing and CommunityDevelopment.

The department’s “California Housing Future: Challenges andOpportunities” report shows new home construction is being constrained by a variety of factors, includingregulatory barriers, high permitting costs and diminishing public resources.

State needs another 1.8M homes by 2025

California will need more than 1.8 million additional homes by 2025 to keep pace with the state’s ever­growingpopulation. The state housing and community development department and state Department of Financedetermined the state’s housing need based on population projections and household formation data.

State’s population to hit 50 million by 2050

California’s current population of 39 million people live in 13 million households scattered across 58 countiesand 482 cities.

The state’s population is expected to swell to 50 million by 2050.

Nearly 40 percent of those new residents will live in Southern California. That population surge will fuel theneed for more than 68,000 new homes each year in the region.

Homebuilders point to several reasons for the shortage of new homes.

“The biggest constraint is a lack of available land,” said Bill Holman, vice president of land development forChristopher Homes and for Rosedale Land Partners, master developer of the 1,250­home planned community ofRosedale in Azusa. “Southern California is pretty spread out and opportunities for large­scale developments areoften far from where people want to live.

Many developers have also pointed to the California Environmental Quality Act, which requires state and localagencies to identify significant environmental impacts that projects would create. Developers must avoid ormitigate those impacts whenever possible.

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“The approval process can take years to get through, so a real estate cycle could have come and gone by the timeyou get your master plan approved,” Holman said.

Homes are getting multiple offers

The resulting shortage in homes has boosted home prices and whittled housing affordability to the point wheremany Californians can’t afford a home. Mel Wilson, broker and owner of Mel Wilson & Associates Realtors inNorthridge, witnesses that phenomenon nearly every day.

“We have a tremendous housing shortage in Southern California,” he said. “If a home is listed at or below themedian price we’re getting four or five offers. And this is creating a lot of pressure for the workforce. People aregoing farther out where homes are cheaper, so they’re driving 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours one way each day to getto their jobs.”

All of these factors are eating away at the state’s economy.

The McKinsey Global Institute estimates that California’s housing shortage is costing the state $143 billion to$233 billion in lost economic output, primarily from consumption that’s crowded out by high housing costs andlost construction activity.

Home prices have risen significantly

Recent figures from CoreLogic reveal how much home prices have risen over the past year.

Azusa’s median home price for September was $449,250, up nearly 20 percent from the year­ago price of$375,000. But bigger year­over­year increases were seen in such cities as Foothill Ranch (26.9 percent),Westlake Village (25 percent), La Cañada Flintridge (22.3 percent) and Chino Hills (20.4 percent), amongothers.

High prices and a lack of inventory have also led to overcrowding in homes and increased homelessness, whichdisproportionately affect seniors, low­paid farm workers and people with disabilities.

On any given night in 2016 more than 118,000 people experienced homelessness in California. That accountedfor 22 percent of the nation’s entire homeless population.

High prices drive some workers out of state

Beacon Economics released a trio of reports last year that said the search for more affordable housing is sendinglow and middle­income workers out of the state, while higher­wage workers continue to move in.

“California has an employment boom with a housing problem,” Christopher Thornberg, a founding partner withBeacon, said when those reports were released. “The state continues to offer great employment opportunities forall kinds of workers, but housing affordability and supply represent a significant problem.”

Homeownership rate is third­lowest in U.S.

The “California Housing Future: Challenges and Opportunities” report shows that California’s homeownershiprate has fallen below the national level with a significant gap that has persisted since the 1970s.

In 2014, the California’s rate stood at 53.7 percent — the third­lowest in the nation.

Between 2006 and 2014, the number of homes that were owner­occupied fell by nearly 250,000 in California,while the number of renter­occupied units increased by about 850,000.

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Options could help boost construction

The report advocates a number of options that would boost the pace of home construction, including:

•Streamlining the permitting process with strong public engagement and early environmental reviews

•Increasing regional coordination in land­use planning

•Strengthen state oversight of housing laws to boost local housing production at all income levels

The “California Housing Future: Challenges and Opportunities” report was compiled with input from UCBerkeley, USC, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and a variety of other state agencies.

URL: http://www.dailybulletin.com/business/20170104/california­needs­to­build­a­staggering­number­of­homes­and­we­are­way­behind

© 2017 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (http://www.dailybulletin.com)

1/5/2017 California, LA County fret over what ‘Trumpcare’ could mean after Obamacare

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San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com)

California, LA County fret over what ‘Trumpcare’ could mean after Obamacare

By Susan Abram, Los Angeles Daily News

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

With the Trump administration and lawmakers moving swiftly to doaway with Obamacare, many in Los Angeles County are bracing forthe ripple effects in a region that could be among the hardest hit.

“Prior to the Affordable Care Act, Los Angeles was ground zero forthe health care crisis,” said Anthony Wright, executive director forHealth Access, a California­based consumer advocacy group. “Toundo the success made would set us back even worse to before theAffordable Care Act.”

President­elect Donald Trump has said his first order of business whenhe officially takes office will be to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law, known as Obamacare. Buta replacement plan remains murky. On Wednesday, Vice President­elect Mike Pence discussed the issue withHouse Republicans, urging them to dismantle Obamacare by Feb. 20, according to news reports.

It’s unclear what that will entail, or how long it would take. But a study released in December by the UCBerkeley Center for Labor Research and Education found if Congress follows through on the repeal, the GoldenState would lose about $20 billion in annual federal funding that goes toward Medi­Cal. The loss would mean3.7 million Californians enrolled in the Medi­Cal expansion would no longer have coverage. Another 1.2million people who receive federal subsidies to help pay for private health insurance bought through CoveredCalifornia, also would go without assistance.

Wright said such a drop in enrollees would be a catastrophe in California — and in particularly in Los AngelesCounty — because the young and healthy who were lured into enrolling into health plan to avoid penalties andthe promise of subsidies would drop out, leaving only the sick and needy in the system. That will mean higherpremiums for all others, Wright said.

“This would create chaos in our health care system in fairly fundamental way,” Wright said.

Los Angeles County funds a program that offers free health care to thousands of undocumented youth and adultsand assigns them to specific community clinics. Called My Health L.A.,the program costs the county almost $60million of its own funds to run since undocumented immigrants don’t qualify for federally funded health care.But loss of federal funds linked to health care for residents may mean the county will have to shift priorities,some said. As of November, 145,056 had enrolled into My Health LA since it was announced in late 2014.

“Immigration is very linked to health and health benefits,’ said Kimberly Wyard, chief executive officer ofNortheast Valley Health Corp., one of the nation’s largest corporations of its kind with more than a dozen clinicsin the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys. The clinic sees 15,200 unique patients annually and earns $4.2million in patient revenue through reimbursements.

At least 10,000 patients are enrolled into the My Health LA program, Wyard said.

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She said any slide in federal funding would mean health centers would have to cut back services. She hopes anydiscussions about replacing Obamacare will involve both Democrat and Republican legislators who understandthat in Los Angeles County at least, thousands of their constituents depend on community health centers.

“The goal here is to try to maintain services that we have and not to have to close clinics or cut extended hours,”Wyard said. “I don’t know what the replacement will look like or what Trumpcare will look like. But we’re agood deal, we save money, we have bipartisan support. I take comfort in that.”

The hiring of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder by California lawmakers to advise them on legal challengesthey expect from the upcoming Trump administration offered little comfort Wednesday for those watching andworking in health care in the Golden State.

Many said California has the most to lose if the Affordable Care Act is repealed by Congress and Holder likelywon’t be able to stop it, Wright said. “The legal hooks are more clear on immigration and environmental issuesthan health care,” Wright said, adding that if Trump moves to repeal the act without Congress’ blessing,Holder’s role may be more helpful.

Holder was retained by state legislators because they expect “extraordinary challenges for California in theuncertain times ahead,” citing immigration, climate change and health care, state Senate President Pro TemKevin de León, D­Los Angeles, and California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D­Paramount, announcedin a joint statement early Wednesday.

Los Angeles County could feel the ripple effects most, he added.

Meanwhile Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes, R­Yucca Valley, said in a statement Wednesday thatretaining Holder was a distraction from the other problems in California.

“Donald Trump did not cause California’s transportation crisis, nor did he play a role in our state’s sky­highhousing costs,” he said in the statement. “Democrats should focus on solving these real­world problems insteadof wasting taxpayer money to score political points before the president­elect even takes office.”

URL: http://www.sbsun.com/government­and­politics/20170104/california­la­county­fret­over­what­trumpcare­could­mean­after­obamacare

© 2017 San Bernardino County Sun (http://www.sbsun.com)

1/4/2017 County pay proposal would boost pensions, too ­ The San Diego Union­Tribune

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S

County pay proposal would boost pensions, too

By Lauryn Schroeder

DECEMBER 16, 2016, 8:00 PM

an Diego County supervisors gave initial approval this past week to a proposal that would increase their

own pay — and not just their current paychecks.

Voted to increase their own pay: Dianne Jacob, Bill Horn, Ron Roberts, Greg Cox (County)

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1/4/2017 County pay proposal would boost pensions, too ­ The San Diego Union­Tribune

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It would affect their lifetime retirement benefits.

Supervisor pay is currently set at 80 percent of a Superior Court judge’s pay, and supervisors voted to increase

that to 85 percent and then 90 percent.

It’s not yet known how much judicial pay will rise in the coming years, but Data Watch averaged the growth

rate in judge pay since 1999 to project supervisor pay going forward.

Based on that projection, Data Watch estimates that the average annual pension for the four supervisors who

will benefit from the increase will be $137,200, up from $121,800 before the vote.

San Diego County is the second most populous in the state, behind Los Angeles. Its Board of Supervisors has

the fourth highest pay.

The increase would make San Diego County’s supervisors the second­highest paid in the state, depending on

how other counties change their pay between now and when the raises take effect.

Contact Lauryn Schroeder via Twitter or Email.

Copyright © 2017, The San Diego Union­Tribune

This article is related to: San Diego County

1/4/2017 Supervisors, without debate, give initial approval to increasing their pay ­ Encinitas Advocate

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Supervisors, without debate, give initial approvalto increasing their pay

By Joshua Stewart

DECEMBER 19, 2016, 3:20 PM

ithout discussion or explanation, San Diego supervisors on Dec. 13 took the first step to approve a

$19,000 increase in their salaries, which also would raise their pensions.

As a part of their consent calendar — where a variety of items on the meeting’s agenda are considered

simultaneously with a single vote — supervisors approved the first reading of an ordinance that will boost their

compensation.

Supervisor Ron Roberts proposed the pay raise for members of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. (Scott Allison/San DiegoUnion­Tribune)

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1/4/2017 Supervisors, without debate, give initial approval to increasing their pay ­ Encinitas Advocate

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The only objector was Supervisor Dave Roberts, who used a procedural move that allowed him to vote in

support of all consent calendar items with the exception of the pay increase.

The raise will be considered again on a second reading on Jan. 10 and will take effect on March 17 if passed.

Items rarely fail at that point.

Dave Roberts did not explain his no vote during the Dec. 13 supervisors’ meeting, and his office did not respond

to a request for comment that day. He lost his bid for re­election and will be replaced on the board by Encinitas

Mayor Kristin Gaspar ahead of the second vote.

All other supervisors declined or did not respond to requests to comment on their vote. On Monday, Chairman

Ron Roberts released a statement that said the raise is justified.

“It has been nearly 20 years since we adjusted the formula for members of the Board of Supervisors and salaries

have risen less than 1 percent annually over the last nine years,” he said. “San Diego County has the second

largest population in the state and in terms of square miles is one of the nation’s largest counties, larger in size

than two states. I am very comfortable this adjustment is fair and justified.”

While it has been 18 years since the formula changed, San Diego was then, as it is now, the second­most

populous county in California, and remains geographically larger than Rhode Island and Delaware.

Supervisors currently earn $153,289.60.

In terms of total monetary compensation — a figure that includes base pay, car allowances and other benefits

but excludes healthcare costs — San Diego in 2014 was fourth among California counties, behind Los Angeles,

San Bernardino and Riverside counties, according to the California Department of Human Resources.

Compensation formulas vary between counties and aren’t completely comparable, and can be complicated. San

Bernardino County’s charter caps the cost of both salaries and benefits based on an average of compensation to

1/4/2017 Supervisors, without debate, give initial approval to increasing their pay ­ Encinitas Advocate

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supervisors in Riverside, Orange and San Diego counties. Consequently, if San Diego’s supervisors raise their

pay, there will also be a pay hike in San Bernardino.

Under the existing policy, San Diego supervisors’ base pay is set at 80 percent of a Superior Court judge’s

salary, which is currently $191,612. But if the ordinance introduced by Supervisor Ron Roberts is passed next

month, the index will change to 85 percent from March 17 to Dec. 7, and to 90 percent thereafter.

Supervisor’s regular compensation will go from $153,289.60 to $162,870.20 and then $172,450.80 provided

judicial pay doesn’t increase as well. It amounts to a 12.5 percent increase in pay in just under nine months.

The switch will cost government at least $95,806 more per year, provided judges’ pay does not change.

The vote drew criticism from Service Employees International Union Local 221, a group that represents more

than 10,000 county workers, including librarians, social workers, nurses and others. Chapter President Tracey

Carter said she hopes supervisors keep any of their own raises in mind when her union goes into contract

negotiations.

“My fellow public servants are asking if the board will be as generous to their employees and their clients as they

are to themselves,” she said in a statement.

Superior Court judge pay is also fluid and relies on a complex formula. By law, judicial salary increases are

determined by multiplying the current base pay of all justices by the average percentage increase in pay of the

current fiscal year for state employees. The average percentage of pay increase is a factor of the 21 labor unions

of varying size and salary structures that represent state employees.

While the ordinance will most immediately impact supervisors’ salaries if passed, it increases their pensions as

well. Pensions for retired county employees are based on their highest salary rate and that salary must be

earned for at least one year.

If the pay hike increases is passed, all incumbent supervisors will qualify for the higher pension by the time they

leave office, but it’s unclear exactly how their pension payments will increase. Supervisors auto allowances are

also included in supervisors pension formula.

Supervisors regularly approve items on consent calendar, and sometimes pull particular measures to make brief

comments, observations, or have discussions. On Dec. 13, they did not pull the pay item from the consent

calendar for additional review, and no one from the public spoke on the matter.

— Joshua Stewart writes for The San Diego Union­Tribune

Copyright © 2017, Encinitas Advocate