Issuu

San Bernardino Press MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2014 - NOVEMBER 30, 2014

sanbernardinopress.com

VOLUME 1, NO. 30

Millions of illegal immigrants now have County a chance to live American Dream appoints by jennifer schlueter new EDA administrator

fund money it owed on deferred payments, said Reuters. Payments from the city began to be made July 2014 and the deal requires them to continue through June 2016. However, that was not enough time to raise the funds.

Larry Vaupel will bring extensive experience in private and public sector economic and real estate development when he assumes the helm of the San Bernardino County Economic Development Agency on Monday. “Larry’s background and enthusiasm will be great assets as we work to attract and retain investment in San Bernardino County and continue our work toward achieving the Countywide Vision,” said County Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux, who announced Vaupel’s appointment today. Vaupel currently serves as Economic Development Manager for City of Riverside, where he leads a team of 11 economic development and marketing professionals helping businesses create jobs. Prior to his service in Riverside, Vaupel spent much of his career in Illinois working in city planning, real estate development, and economic development, where he served a diverse mix of urban, suburban and rural communities. Vaupel has worked in some of the fastest growing communities in the U.S. as well as established cities and public-private economic development agencies. He has also been a real estate developer and owned and managed a commercial real estate brokerage firm. In San Bernardino County, Vaupel will oversee three County departments – Workforce Development, Community Development and Housing, and Economic Development – with a combined staff of 139 public service professionals. “This appointment is a great honor and a great opportunity,”

Please see page 4

Please see page 2

March for immigration rights in San Bernardino - Photo by Erika Paz

Last Thursday, in his immigration speech, Obama promised to increase the budget for law enforcement at our Southern border to prevent illegal crossings and to speed up deportation of “those who do cross over.” Additionally, he promised to “make it easier and faster for high-skilled immigrants, graduates and entrepreneurs to stay and contribute to our economy;” however, he emphasized that

felons and gang members should not have the chance to take advantage of American life, but rather be deported. Obama asked Congress to get out of its gridlock and work together on this and other topics instead of against each other. After all, “our history and the facts show that immigrants are a net plus for our economy and our society,” the President added. Sacramento County Sher-

iff Scott Jones, a proponent of Obama’s immigration measures spoke to the President in a video on YouTube last Wednesday: “Like their American criminal counterparts, they commit murders, sexual assaults, kidnaps, thefts, engage in violent gang activity and murder police officers. The problem I have is I can’t tell Please see page 2

Exit strategy: How will San Bernardino get out of bankruptcy? by Vickie Vértiz The City of San Bernardino has until the end of May 2015 to submit a plan for exiting bankruptcy, according to Reuters. Judge Meredith Jury from the U.S. Federal Bankruptcy court said she was surprised to see how the case had progressed and hoped “the city has a game plan.”

Jury set a May 30 deadline for the city, said the news agency. “Let’s know sooner than later,” Jury told attorneys. For months, the city has been in mediation with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (Calpers) and finally reached a deal to pay the pension

2 | NOVEMBER 17, 2014 - NOVEMBER 23, 2014

Former mayor presents her new book at library Judith Valles is blessed with a heritage rich in Mexico’s traditions. Her mother, Jovita Lopez de Valles, guided Judith and her siblings with old world wisdom and common sense. As My Mother Would Say is about being raised in a conservative Mexican Family that valued the traditions and sayings of Mexico. As Valles said in her book, “The proverbs or “dichos” were a daily dose of teachings from my mother. We believed she made them up as situations arose and it was not until we began using the “dichos” as adults, that other people we met from Mexico could relate, laugh and say ‘my grandma used to say that.’ While some of these dichos may not be sophisticated, profound, and intellectual, they are amazingly cogent. They have been invaluable to me in developing my style in management and leadership.” With a master’s degree in Spanish language and literature,

Valles became the first Latina president of a university or college in the state of California in 1988. After she retired from a successful career in education, she made history again by becoming the first Hispanic mayor of her city of San Bernardino in 1998, and the first female Hispanic mayor of any city in the United States with a population of more than 100,000. Now, in addition to serving as San Bernardino Symphony board president and community speaking engagements, Valles is board president for Casa Ramona Academy Charter School. This free event will be at 2:00 PM on December 6 in Kellogg Room A at the Feldheym Central Library at 555 W. 6th Street in San Bernardino. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event. For more information call Linda Yeh at 909-381-8238 or visit www.sbpl.org

Change lives. Make wishes come true.

Hope for illegal immigrants Continued from page 1

which ones are good and which ones are evil, and neither can you. By their very definition, they are undocumented, untracked, untraced and unaccounted for.” Representative Sam Farr, DCarmel, calls the plan “a good first step,“ but worries, that “it does not go far enough to protect our local economy by ensuring that the agriculture industry has access to a stable workforce.” Senator Barbara Boxer applauds “President Obama for stepping up and taking bold and constitutional action to bring people out of the shadows, thereby strengthening our economy and keeping families from being torn apart.” She believes that “these steps will increase border security and hold people accountable by requiring them to undergo background checks and pay taxes.” According to the Los Angeles Times, lots of immigrants from different backgrounds celebrated Obama’s policies. Citlali Gomez, a 34-year-old Mexican immigrant,

who has been in the US for 12 years, has always lived in fear of being discovered, told the paper: “We’re going to leave the darkness. We’re going to stop being scared.” She wants “a better live” and is optimistic that she can take up her old profession as a nurse instead of cleaning houses, like she did here. Another immigrant, 27-yearold Martha from El Salvador, no qualifies for relief. “Finally. This means I’m going to be able to get an internship. This means I’m going to be able to get a real job,” the paper quoted her, teary eyed and happy. S.J. Lee, a Korean who stayed in Los Angeles after his tourist visa expired, and founded a family. He tells the LA Times reporter: “The president’s reassurances give us a bit of hope because he’s showing that he cares. He understands this is not an issue affecting just Latinos.” Governor Jerry Brown praised Obama and said that he “stepped up for hard-working families across America.”

New EDA administrator appointed Continued from page 1

Become a Make-A-Wish ®

VOLUNTEER

Volunteers for Make-A-Wish give their time and talents to help bring hope, strength and joy to children who are battling life-threatening medical conditions. We have a special need for volunteers in the Inland Empire to help local children.

Get Involved Today ocie.wish.org | 714-573-9474

Vaupel said. “I look forward to joining a team of hard-working professionals who are passionate about securing economic growth for our region and helping our county community achieve the Countywide Vision.” The Countywide Vision, www.sbcounty.gov/vision, was created by county residents and community stakeholders and calls for the establishment of a “complete county” that offers residents and investors a wide range of choices in how they live and prosper. Key to the Vision is realizing that all elements of the community – education, wellness, jobs and the economy, public safety, housing, the environment, water, infrastructure, quality of life, and image – are interrelated and interdependent. Community experts in various element areas are working together

to achieve the Vision and the Vision’s two regional goals: •Establish San Bernardino County as a model in the state where local government, regulatory agencies and communities are truly business friendly •Partner with all sectors of the community to support the success of every child from cradle to career Vaupel earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Government from Liberty University and a Master of Public Administration degree from Northern Illinois University. He is currently completing his doctoral dissertation for a Ph.D. in Political Science-Public Administration from Northern Illinois University. His areas of research include building recession-resistant communities and measuring economic recovery in the new economy.

NOVEMBER 17, 2014 - NOVEMBER 23, 2014 | 3

hlr media EDITORIAL editor@sanbernardinopress.com Editor Jennifer Schlueter Publisher HLR Media Advertising advertising@hlrmedia.com Submissions:

Please send all press releases to: editor@sanbernardinopress.com HLR Media, LLC .All contents herein are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without the express written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily that of the management and staff at HLR Media, LLC 395 N. E STreet, san bernardino, CA 92401

Phone: (626) 386-3457 Fax: (626) 600-4452

Alhambra PRESS

Baldwin Park

INDEPENDENT

Board of Pharmacy recommends eliminating cigarette and tobacco sales in pharmacies The California Board of Pharmacy recommends that pharmacies and stores that contain pharmacies no longer sell cigarettes and tobacco products. At their October 29, 2014 meeting, board members unanimously approved a policy statement that recommends the elimination of tobacco product sales in pharmacies. The statement reads: “The California State Board of Pharmacy recognizes that pharmacists are health care providers and pharmacies are in the business of improving customer health; therefore the board recommends that pharmacies and chain stores that include pharmacies eliminate the sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes and tobacco products, as these products are known to cause cancer, heart disease, lung disease and other health problems.” Board President Stan Weisser said board members could not justify the sale of tobacco products, which have been proven to contribute to patient health issues and death, in the public health setting of a pharmacy, or even in a store that contains a pharmacy. “The Board of Pharmacy’s paramount mandate is to protect consumers. This recommendation sends a clear and consistent message that combining tobacco sales and a pharmacy within the same business is not in the best interests of public health,” Weisser said. Weisser said the tobacco product recommendation coincides with the board’s development of regulations which will allow a pharmacist to furnish nicotine replacement products to assist with smoking cessation. “In the near future, California pharmacists will play a greater role in providing health care and tobacco products have no place in that,” he said.

-Courtesy Photo

The California State Board of Pharmacy protects and promotes the health and safety of California consumers by pursuing the highest quality of phar-

macist care and the appropriate use of pharmaceuticals through education, communication, licensing, legislation, regulation and enforcement.

Long Beach Office 3780 Kilroy Airport Way Suite 360 Long Beach, CA 90806 Ph. (562) 472-0071 Fx. (562) 689-0071 Los Angeles Office 5701 South Eastern Avenue Suite 100 Los Angeles, CA 90040 Ph. (323) 727-1144 Fx. (323) 727-9198 www.heger-industrial.com Lic. #00814086

4 | NOVEMBER 17, 2014 - NOVEMBER 23, 2014

Brown administration calls for extension of Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Children’s health advocates in California are praising the Brown Administration for joining the call on Congress to take quick action to extend funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which expires in September 2015. In a letter dated October 30th, California Secretary of Health and Human Services Diana Dooley on behalf of the Brown Administration responded to an inquiry from Congressional leaders about the importance of CHIP by “strongly encourage[ing] Congress to act early and extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).” Specifically, the letter notes that “Renewal of federal CHIP funding is extraordinarily important to California’s fiscal stability and the ability to continue to offer cost-effective, affordable coverage for children and pregnant women….The loss of such funding

would put gains in children and infants’ health coverage at risk.” CHIP is a critical program that supports Medi-Cal coverage for families and pregnant women and ensures kids throughout California have access to comprehensive, quality health coverage they need. Together CHIP and MediCal have cut the rate of uninsured children in California by half in ten years—from 10.3 percent in 2001 to 5.1 percent in 2011. On behalf of the California Children’s Health Coverage Coalition, Pete Manzo, President of United Ways of California said, “We applaud Governor Brown, Secretary Dooley, and Medi-Cal Director Toby Douglas, for letting Congress know the value California holds in continuing the federal investment in the important Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). We hope Congress responds by quickly fully funding CHIP for four years.

“For sixteen years, CHIP has been a lifeline for California’s working families, giving children access to comprehensive, affordable health coverage. CHIP, along with Medicaid, has brought health coverage rates for children to a historic high,” added Alex Johnson, Executive Director of Children’s Defense FundCalifornia. “Unfortunately, unless Congress takes action quickly, there will be no new federal funding for CHIP after next September, jeopardizing the health of millions of children in California and across the nation.” “CHIP helps children stay healthy so they can succeed in school and keeps coverage affordable for families, protecting them from the financial instability caused by unexpected medical bills,” said Suzie Shupe, Executive Director of California Coverage & Health Initiatives. “This is not the time to mess with suc-

cess, and we cannot afford to lose ground in our efforts to get all California kids covered.” Kelly Hardy, Senior Director of Health Policy at Children Now said, “Renewal of CHIP funding is also critical to California’s financial health – if Congress does not act, California would lose well over $500 million in federal funds in 2016 alone. For better fiscal certainty so that California can meet the health care needs of our kids, we hope Congress hears this loud, and growing, urgent call to extend funding for CHIP now and not wait to address funding right before the funds run out.” “By renewing funding for this proven, bipartisan program we can continue to provide California’s kids with the coverage and quality care they need to succeed in school and in life,” added Wendy Lazarus, Co-President and Founder of The Children’s Partnership.

Exit strategy: How will San Bernardino get out of bankruptcy? Continued from page 1

San Bernardino now needs additional time to create a bankruptcy management plan now that voters struck down ballot Measure Q which would have freed up additional city funds. Measure Q attempted to reform Charter Section 186, a legal requirement in the city charter that police and firefighter salaries be exactly the average of

what ten other California cities with a population between 100,000 and 250,000 pay those employees. While those cities vary, the way they are selected makes it so that base pay is the average pay salary of midsized cities. San Bernardino, however, is not an average midsized city. During the meeting with the

judge, Paul Glassman, who is the bankruptcy attorney for San Bernardino, told her that Measure Q being struck down was a “game changer,” throwing the bankruptcy plan off track, according to the Reuters article. The judge was not convinced by those claims and said, “I can’t tell you how surprised I was to see the city had put all of its balls in the charter-amended basket, and you had not considered an alternative. That was never going to be enough. […] The attorneys’ fees in this case is probably several years’ worth of adjusted (police and fire) salaries.” The budget deficit totals $45 million. San Bernardino declared bankruptcy in July 2012. Other cities across the country have also faced serious financial woes. For instance, Reuters reported, Detroit and Stockton also implemented strategies to put into place Chapter 9 protections. In July 2013, with $18 billion of debt, Detroit declared bankruptcy and generated

a bankruptcy plan within eight months. The bankruptcy exit plan for Stockton was approved on October 30. That city declared bankruptcy just before San Bernardino, said the paper. San Bernardino has tried other strategies to help pay off their debt, like reducing some city services, but the debt needs a solid plan to generate sufficient funds. The Detroit plan did not come without cuts to the pensions of 12,000 non-public safety retirees. The pensions were eventually cut by 4.5 percent, which eliminated $7 billion of debt. The city also demolished thousands of buildings that were falling apart. The judge in the Detroit case acknowledged that their cuts could still hurt many retired folks who have been trying to live on less than $20,000 a year. This proves that just because a plan works does not mean that taxpayers and other residents will not be hurt.