W e e k l y RIALTO RECORD
Vol 23, NO. 18
December 26, 2024
Rialto Seeks Applicants for City Council Vacancy: Applications Open December 12th - January 2nd Community News
Clerk or by visiting www.yourrialto.com.
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The deadline for filing the application is Thursday, January 2, 2025, by 6:00 p.m., in the City Clerk’s Office located at 290 W. Rialto Ave., Rialto, CA 92376. Applicants will be interviewed at a Special Meeting of the City Council to be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
he Mayor and City Council invite interested residents to complete an application for one (1) vacancy on the Rialto City Council.
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The appointment to fill the vacancy is for the second half of the four-year term. The term will expire in December 2026. Applicants must be 18 years of age, reside within the limits of the City of Rialto, and be registered to vote in the City of Rialto at the time the application is submitted. The application period will open beginning December 12, 2024, and applications will be available in the Office of the City
Appointment Process to Fill Vacant Council Seat Timeline 1. On December 12, 2024, applications will be available on the City's website and at the City Clerk’s Office. 2. Completed applications must be received by 6:00 pm on January 2, 2025.
Applications may be submitted in person, by mail, and by email cityclerk@rialtoca.gov. 3. Applications will be provided to the City Council for review and interviews will be conducted at a Special Meeting scheduled January 7, 2025. At this meeting, the selection to fill the vacancy will be made. 4. At the January 14, 2025, City Council Meeting, the appointee will take the Oath of Office. For more information regarding the appointment process, please contact the City Clerk's Department at (909) 8202519.
Thousands of Reche Canyon Burros to Be Relocated to Texas, 68+ Already Captured
San Bernardino County Doctor Brings Healthcare to the Streets Pg. 3
Thurmond Sponsors Bill to Ban ICE Activity Near California Schools Pg. 4 PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
A wild burro in Reche Canyon, where San Bernardino County’s decision to relocate the animals to Texas sanctuaries has sparked heated debate among residents who cherish these iconic symbols of the region.
By Manny Sandoval
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housands of wild burros that have roamed the Reche and San Timoteo canyons since the 1800s are being relocated to Texas sanctuaries under a controversial San Bernardino County initiative. While officials argue the move is necessary to reduce injuries and vehicle collisions, many residents are voicing frustration, claiming the issue has been exaggerated and calling for alternative solutions. The county has partnered with Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue to humanely capture, treat, and transport the animals to a sanctuary in San Angelo, Texas. So far, 68 burros have been rounded up. Officials cite increasing traffic incidents and injuries, including burros entangled in fencing or cemetery flower vases, as reasons for the relocation. “Our preference would be to contract with a local nonprofit rescue and sanctuary organization that has the capacity to rescue and shelter an adequate number of the undomesticated burros that roam freely in
our county,” said George Harding, San Bernardino County Animal Care Chief. “But Peaceful Valley is the only rescue organization that has been willing to sign an agreement with the county as required by Senate Bill 371 and that has demonstrated the capacity to protect our burros.” The relocation plan has sparked widespread debate. Longtime Reche Canyon residents argue that the problem is overstated, with some questioning the data driving the decision. “In my 30 years here, I’ve only witnessed one donkey being hit by a vehicle. Many residents even feed the burros,” shared one resident online. Others have called for preventative measures like speed bumps or lower speed limits to address the issue without removing the animals entirely. Still, supporters of the plan point to the risks burros face in an area increasingly impacted by traffic and urbanization. County officials say the relocation is a humane way to ensure the animals’ safety and well-being while reducing potential dangers to drivers.
“We are not happy that this will likely result in our burros being relocated to other states, but our contract guarantees that our burros will be well-cared for, treated humanely, and live out their natural lives in a safe environment,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Dawn Rowe. “The county must act now and do what is necessary to mitigate the suffering, mitigate the danger, and ensure our wild burros have an opportunity to live their best lives.” The burros, prolific breeders first introduced to the area by farmers and miners in the 1800s, now number in the thousands. They have become both a beloved symbol of the region and a source of safety concerns. While Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue’s approach emphasizes low-stress capture and long-term care, some residents see the relocation as a loss of the canyon’s cultural identity. As the debate continues, the relocation highlights the complex tension between public safety, animal welfare, and preserving the community’s ties to the iconic wild burros.