Update On The Acquistion Of The DWP By The MWD

Big Bear, Ca, April 26, 2011, 4:00pm - The Department of Water and Power, the Big Bear Municipal Water District and the City of Big Bear Lake City Council met on Monday April 25^th to discuss the possible acquisition of the DWP by the MWD.   All three boards in attendance, along with staff members from the agencies, discussed the pro’s and cons of a possible acquisition.  According to Steve Foulkes, chairman of the DWP, the benefits would be streamlined government, savings to water rate payers, better valley wide representation, and an elected board who is responsible to its constituents.  Although not insurmountable, some of the problems, voiced by board members in attendance were the acquisition of the DWP’s debt, where the administration would be housed, and varying regional viewpoints.  In the end it was unanimous by all three boards and their members that this acquisition could be beneficial to the citizens of Big Bear, and requested that the MWD and DWP move in the direction of the MWD acquiring the DWP.    According to Mayor Jahn, “This acquisition is timed well, and is a result of leadership on the DWP, headed by Chairman Steve Foulkes, and the leadership of the MWD, and is an exciting time for everyone who lives in Big Bear.”

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MWD Meeting To Discuss Possible Aquisition of DWP

Big Bear, Ca, April 20, 2011, 3:00pm - The Big Bear Municipal Water District, or MWD, will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, April 21st at 1:00pm at the MWD offices located on Lakeview Drive.  Board members will consider approving a concession permit to Big Kahuna Hot Dogs at the East Ramp, and will consider authorizing staff to engage in discussions with the Department of Water and Power regarding the possible acquisition of the DWP by the MWD.   The board will go into closed session at the end of the meeting to discuss the possible acquisition of the DWP.  Members of the public are encouraged to attend and speak during public comment time.   There will also be a special meeting on Monday, April 25th at 9:00am to conduct a workshop which will include discussion of the possible aquisition of the DWP by the MWD.

Travis Carroll Passes in Bicycle Accident

Big Bear, Ca April 16, 2011 6:00 pm – Travis Carroll, former Big Bear Lake Operations Supervisor, has passed away in a bicycle accident in Bermuda Dunes.  The 39 year old resident of Palm Desert was riding his bicycle on 42nd street when he collided with a full-size van, according to the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.  The accident occurred at 7:35 pm on Thursday, April 14.  Carroll passed away from his injuries shortly after at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital at 8:17 pm.  Additional information will be provided when it becomes available.

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MWD & DWP To Possibly Merge

Big Bear, Ca, April 11, 2011, 5:00pm - According to the City of Big Bear Lake, “valley residents may soon reap the benefits of a combined water district.”  Today the Department of Water and Power (DWP) Board of Commissioners voted to engage in discussions with the Big Bear Municipal Water District (MWD) regarding the potential cost and benefits of the MWD acquiring the DWP water system.  DWP Chairman Steve Foulkes stated “Our goal and expectations are that we can achieve significant cost savings that could be used to reduce rates or accelerate water infrastructure replacement or both and at the same time create a better long term water management structure.”  According to the city, some of the potential benefits of a combined water district would be elminination of one layer of government, possible significant reduction in water rates, or acceleration of water infrastructure replacement, reduced administrative, property tax, debt service and other costs.  Chairman Foulkes further stated: “This strategic business combination with MWD, will further the DWP’s mission statement to more cost effectively deliver quality water to meet the needs of our current and future customers.”

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Big Bear Lake Boating Permits Now Available

Big Bear, Ca March 5, 2011 3:00 pm – Big Bear Lake is getting ready to open for the spring season in just a few weeks. The Municipal Water District has mailed renewal forms to boating permit holders, reminding them that last year’s permits expire at the end of this month. To purchase a permit for the 2011 season, forms are available on the MWD website and at the District office.  Launch ramps will be open April 1 and will have permits available as well.  The cost for 2011 permits has increased $10.00 for motorized boats and sailboats over 8’ and includes the quagga mussel prevention surcharge.  Fees for all other boats, including kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and peddle boats remains the same, and requires a signed self inspection certification.  Boaters are reminded that permit holders must know and follow all lake regulations and California boating laws.  Lake levels are currently at 71’7”, just 8” below full according to the MWD website.  Enjoy the full Big Bear Lake boating season and purchase permits early.

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MWD May Create Non Profit Foundation

Big Bear, Ca, September 13, 2010, 8:00am – The Municipal Water District or MWD will hold its regular meeting on Thursday September 16th, at 1:00pm. On the agenda this month is the discussion and possible action on the formation of the MWD Non-profit Foundation.  The concept for the foundation is to support the policies and priorities of the Big Bear Municipal Water District through: public education, volunteer support, fundraising, and development, and key project financial support. The MWD foundation would provide volunteers as needed for district special events such as Kool Kids, Shoreline Cleanup, and Carp Roundup, as well as raise funds and write grant applications for MWD approved projects such as capital improvements, fisheries, invasive species control and protection.  The MWD Board of Directors would appoint foundation board members with two members from each division, for two-year terms.  The MWD foundation if established will also provide their own administrative support, and will not rely on the district office equipment, supplies or employees to carry out their mission.  If established, one of the first tasks of the foundation board will be to raise approximately $2000 to pay the expenses associated with preparing and filing of 501c3 non profit foundation paperwork.  The MWD meeting will be held at 1:00pm at the Big Bear Municipal Water District at 40524 Lakeview Drive in Big Bear Lake.

Registrar of Voters List the Candidates Who Filed by August 6, 2010 Deadline for Local Seats

Big Bear Valley, CA, August 8, 2010, 4:48pm – The Registrar of Voters deadline for the November 2nd General Election was on Friday, August 6th at 5pm.  The rules for filing indicate that if incumbents do not file, the candidate filing deadline is automatically extended for those positions for non-incumbents only.  According to the Registrar of Voters, candidates who have filed for positions specific for the Big Bear Valley include three available seats for the City of Big Bear Lake City Council candidates David Caretto, Rick Herrick, Carol Mulvihill, Jay Obernolte and Barbara Willey.  Incumbents Darrell Mulvihill and Michael Karp did not file papers.  Mr. Karp stated his reasons for not filing are to care for his wife, Deborah, during her current illness.  Mr. Mulvihill will leave after serving twelve years in office.  Candidates for Bear Valley Unified School District’s two available seats are Mary Beth Bonkowski, Christine Giddens, Belinda Masse-Rainwater, Kenneth Turney, Al Waner and Larry Winslow.  Incumbent Debra Sarkisian is not running for re-election.  Big Bear Community Services District has one seat available for short term and the candidates who filed include Patricia Miller, Paul Terry and Bob Ybarra.  Candidates running for one of the three seats for CSD for long term are John Day, John Green, Marge McDonald, Jeff Newsome, Denise Proffer and James Smith.  As all incumbents did file for the long term CSD, the filing deadline is now closed.  Big Bear Airport District Board has two seats available and Steven Baker and Gary Stube have both filed papers.  Incumbent Jay Obernolte is running for City Council.  Bear Valley Community Healthcare District candidates for two available seats are Barbara Espinoza and James Gonzales.  Michael Perry had filed but has withdrawn from the race.  All three incumbents for the Municipal Water District Divisions one through three have filed unopposed to include Todd Murphy for Division 1, Paula Fashempour for Division 2 and Skip Suhay for Division 3.  The candidate filing deadline has been extended for non-incumbents only to 5:00 pm on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 for positions on the Boards of the City of Big Bear Lake City Council, the Bear Valley Unified School District, the Big Bear Community Services District short-term seat, the Big Bear Airport District and the Bear Valley Community Healthcare District.  Interested residents should contact the Registrar of Voters at (909) 387-8300 or 1-(800) 881-8683.

Big Bear Lake Residents Apply for Positions on the Planning Commission and DWP Board of Commissioners

Big Bear Lake, CA, July 22, 2010, 5:14pm – Last Wednesday at 5pm was the application deadline for full-time Big Bear Lake residents interested in applying to serve on either the Planning Commission or the Department of Water and Power Board of Commissioners for terms that extend through June 30, 2013.  According to the City of Big Bear Lake City Clerk, residents who applied for the one available position for the Planning Commission were Barbara Willey, Mary Jones, Don Smith, Robert Jackowski, Todd Bittner, Rusty Barnes, Jerry Roberts and Curtis Bryant.  Applications were accepted for the one seat on the DWP Board from Barbara Willey, Douglas MacIver, Don Smith and Robert Jackowski.  During the next step, staff will contact the Big Bear Lake City Council to schedule a date and time for interviewing the applicants. In other election news, for the zone-specific seats available on the Big Bear Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors; residents who have been issued nomination documents to run again included Todd Murphy for Division 1, Paula Fashempour for Division 2 and Skip Suhay for Division 3.  This November 2, 2010 election will include federal, state and county offices as well as 15 offices specific to the Big Bear Valley.  Prospective candidates have until Friday, August 6 to file candidate papers with the Registrar of Voters in order to be included in the November General Election.

Fifteen Local Seats on November Ballot; Candidate Filing Begins Monday, July 12

Big Bear Valley, CA — Come Monday, July 12, those interested in running for local office in the November General Election may file candidate papers with the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters. The November 2, 2010 election will include federal, state and county offices (with candidates nominated in the June Primary Election), as well as 15 offices specific to the Big Bear Valley. Offices open to candidates Valley-wide include two seats on the board of the Bear Valley Community Healthcare District, two seats on the board of the Big Bear Airport District, and two seats on the school board for Bear Valley Unified School District. Residents within the City of Big Bear Lake* are potentially eligible for one of three seats on the City Council. There are also zone-specific seats available on the Big Bear Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors; two of these, Districts 2 and 3, in Big Bear Lake and one in District 1, which includes Fawnskin and Baldwin Lake. East Valley residents living within the service area of the Big Bear City Community Services District have opportunity to run for one of four seats up for election on the five-member CSD Board of Directors. Prospective candidates have until Friday, August 6 to file candidate papers with the Registrar of Voters in order to be included in the November General Election. Upon obtaining papers, candidates will receive information handbooks. For more information, contact the Registrar’s office in San Bernardino at 387-8300, or toll-free at 800/881-8683.
*Full-time Big Bear Lake residents are also eligible for appointment to the Planning Commission and the DWP Board of Commissioners (click to access more information).

City of Big Bear Lake Seeks Residents for Appointment to Planning Commission, DWP Board

Big Bear Lake, CA — The City of Big Bear Lake has two vacancies to fill—one on the Planning Commission, the other on the Department of Water and Power Board of Commissioners—on terms that extend through June 2013. The Planning Commission is a five-member body, appointed by City Council, and meets on first and third Wednesday afternoons to make recommendations to Council on matters related to growth and development, such as General Plan amendments, specific plans and zone changes, as well as addressing development applications, such as conditional use permits, plot plan reviews, subdivisions and condominium maps. For these efforts, current Commissioners Anne Zimmerman, Jim DeGroot, Craig Smith and David Caretto receive a $400 monthly stipend. The DWP Board of Commissioners–which presently includes Big Bear Lake residents Steve Foulkes, Fred Miller, Bill Giamarino and Robert Tarras, each of whom also receives a $400 monthly stipend–meets on the third Tuesday morning of each month. Responsibilities of DWP Commissioners include decisions related to water conservation, supply, generation, distribution and sale of water and related services. Full-time Big Bear Lake residents interested in serving on either commission must be registered voters, and complete an application, available either at the Big Bear Lake Civic Center (at 39707 Big Bear Boulevard) or online at citybigbearlake.com. The application deadline is Wednesday, July 21 at 5pm. The City Council will interview prospective candidates for appointment to the Planning Commission and DWP Board.
(For details on benefits for other elected and appointed office holders within the Big Bear Valley, visit our previously posted stories on the Airport District Board, the Bear Valley Community Healthcare District, Big Bear Lake City Council, Big Bear City Community Services District, and the Big Bear Municipal Water District. Trustees for the Bear Valley Unified School District received a $240 monthly stipend if all meetings were attended, based on California Education Code section 35120a5, though the school board eliminated their stipends in accepting the budget cuts of “Plan B” on June 23.)

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