Write a Letter: Support Our Schools

Big Bear, Ca, February 3, 2012, 12:00pm – Due to the recent announcement by Governor Brown regarding the cutting of funds for the Home-to-School transportation budget by $800,000 in the Bear Valley Unified School District, a few concerned teachers and parents are taking action. The cuts proposed would force the removal of school bus service from our valley, resulting in many children being forced to find their own way to school. On February 7^th at 5:00 PM at Big Bear Middle School, there will be a letter writing campaign to encourage the legislative budget committee to pass SB 81, which would repeal the cuts from school transportation.  Jill Zamoyta, former teacher, concerned parent and wife of Paul Zamoyta, one of BVUSD’s trustees, is helping lead the cause and told KBHR that “Taking away busing in Big Bear would be devastating to not only schools and children, but also families and the economy in general. No transportation means reduced attendance, thereby reducing the amount of funds coming into the district that have been decimated by the state. In addition, the logistical consequences, such as traffic at school sites during drop-off and pick-up, would present a huge problem, and possibly be dangerous as well.”  The organizers of the letter writing event are asking for every community member to come and spend a few minutes writing a letter to express the devastating impact these cuts would cause, and to ask legislators to pass SB 81 when it comes up for a vote.  Zamoyta added “It’s a small effort for what will be a big return if we can save transportation in our community.”

School Board Meeting To Discuss Parcel Tax Parameters

Big Bear, Ca, February 1, 2012, 12:00pm - The Bear Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees will meet tonight for their regularly scheduled meeting.  Student representatives from Big Bear High School and Chautauqua High School will provide the board with updated on what is going on at their schools, and the BVUSD Governing Board will recognize the Maintenance and Operations Department for their efforts in restoring the art room at Big Bear High School.   The board will discuss a compressed natural gas bus piggyback bid purchase, coaching assignments at Big Bear High, will announce a new special education teacher that is set to be hired at the meeting, and will discuss and possibly approve a resolution regarding home to school transportation, and present the parameters of the parcel tax idea.  The public is welcome to attend the meeting that starts at 6:30pm tonight at the Big Bear Middle School Library.

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County Launches New Prescription Drug Savings Program

San Bernardino, CA, January 27, 2011, 3:00pm - The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors has approved a new prescription drug discount program for residents of San Bernardino County. Residents can participate in the free program immediately by going on line and printing a card. When the program is in full-swing, cards will be available at most local pharmacies, libraries and many county facilities. With high healthcare costs, the prescription drug discount card will help cut some of the financial burdens that individuals and families face when paying for their medication. The card, which can also be used on pet medications and by people living outside of the county, can be used at all pharmacy chains and most independent pharmacies in San Bernardino County and covers more than 60,000 medications. The card will allow all county residents, regardless of income, age, or health status to save on the cost of their medications. The privately run program will provide savings for residents at no expense to the county. There are no eligibility requirements, so the discount prescription card is expected to have a sizeable impact on uninsured residents and residents facing high insurance deductibles.  If a particular drug isn’t covered under a person’s health plan, they can use the card to save on those prescriptions. Besides the discount on prescriptions, the card also provides a discount of up to 50 percent on dental, vision, hearing and diabetes supplies and 50 percent to 80 percent discounts for lab and imaging tests, helping residents save even more money. Get general information at www.coast2coastrx.com, e-mail cs@coast2coastrx.com, or call toll-free 1-800-931-8872. Information on where to obtain cards will be available on the county’s website at www.sbcounty.gov. To print a card go to www.coast2coastrx.com/sbc.

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Supervisors Look Into Lowering Other County Elected Officials Benefits

San Bernardino County, Ca, January 25, 2012, 12:00pm - Earlier this month the San Bernardino County Supervisors voted to decrease their benefits in order to align their benefits with other sister counties, and to save tax payers money.  Supervisor Neil Derry suggested that benefits be cut for the other four elected positions in the county.  “The gold-plated benefits provided to San Bernardino County elected officials is completely out of line with what other counties are providing, and this Board needs to take action to reign those benefits back to fiscal reality,” said Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford.  Supervisor Derry with Supervisor Rutherford together made the request to the Chief Administrators Office.   The proposed ordinance would apply to the offices of Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, Auditor Controller/ Treasurer/ Tax Collector, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator, and District Attorney. If the ordinance is adopted, it would not impact County elected officials currently in office.  The County Administrative Office will draft the benefits reduction ordinance for countywide elected officials and will bring it back to the Board for consideration at a future meeting.

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Armed Forces Banner Program Honors Service Members

Big Bear, Ca, January 24, 2012, 1:00pm - Last year, the City of Big Bear Lake began an Armed Forces Banner program with the intention of recognizing and honoring those that serve who are from, or who have family in the Big Bear Valley.  Banners for the program are hung year round at Veterans Park with the service member’s name, branch of service and photo on the banner.  So far 10 people have been registered with the program, with three serving in the Army, one in the Air Force, one in the Coast Guard and five serving in the Marines.  Honorees must be currently serving active duty (in a full-time capacity) in the United States Armed Forces, be a current resident of the Big Bear Valley or have an immediate family member residing in the Big Bear Valley, such as a grandparent, parent, spouse, sibling, son, daughter. Banners are $75 and will be displayed year round at Veterans Park. They will be installed twice during the year, in May and October. Order forms are available at City Hall, on the City’s website at www.citybigbearlake.com

Governor’s Budget Hits BVUSD Hard: Workshop Set To Discuss Options

Big Bear, Ca, January 24, 2012, 12:00pm – The Bear Valley Unified School District will hold a board workshop meeting tomorrow in the Big Bear Middle School Library.  This meeting will be filled with important discussions and decisions due to the recent release of the budget by Governor Brown, and its devastating impact on the BVUSD budget.   Paul Zamoyta, one of BVUSD’s trustees on the board expressed his frustration on Facebook after the budget was announced stating: “IT ELIMINATES BUS FUNDING! That’s another 800K hit to our school district on top of another 900+K in other non-transportation related cuts. This is all in addition to the 1.3M we still have to cut this year. (Can you imagine what our district would look like without buses? Fewer students will attend school, thus even less money for our district, creating even more of a money problem. And operationally, can you imagine the traffic jam that dropping students off would look like?”  Zamoyta continued to ask for help, saying “this is staggering.”  The meeting will focus on the budget issue, as exploring alternate funding sources is first on the workshop agenda.  Board members will look into the advantages and disadvantages of a General Obligation Bond, Parcel Tax, and technology endowment.  Board members will also look into a possible reconfiguring of schools where one of the elementary schools would house Kindergarten through second grade, and the other two schools would teach 3^rd through 6^th graders.  The meeting will take place at 5:00pm tomorrow night, and the public is encouraged to attend, and may speak during the open hearing section.

Chamber of Commerce Invites Everyone to Check Them Out

Big Bear, Ca, January 23, 2012, 4:00pm – The Chamber of Commerce is inviting business members to come “Check out the Chamber” tomorrow night at the Chamber Offices on Bartlett Rd in the Village.  According to Pam Scannell, Chamber Membership and Development Coordinator, this event is a “no pressure” look at exactly what the Big Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce does.  There will be a wine and cheese reception with the Chair of the Board, Marlene Cain giving presentations on what the purpose, structure, committees, and achievements of the Chamber are as well as benefits of membership.  The event will take place from 5:00pm to 6:30pm tomorrow night, and RSVP’s are required as space is limited.  Please call Pam at the Chamber at 909 866 4607 extension 3.  The Chamber of Commerce is a non profit organization dedicated to the business community of Big Bear Lake.

UPDATE: Meeting Cancelled

UPDATE: January 23, 2012, 3:00pm – Meeting Cancelled due to Inclement Weather.

Big Bear, Ca, January 23, 2012, 12:00pm – The Big Bear Lake City Council will meet tonight for their regularly scheduled meeting at 6:30pm in Hofert Hall.  Council will discuss beginning implementation for the Wood Shake/ Shingle Replacement Program, widening and sidewalk grants for Paine Road and Bartlett road in the Village area,  Hasan Ikhrata, the Executive Director of the Southern California Association of Governments will do a presentation on SANBAG’s 2012 Regional Transportation Plan/ Sustainable Communities Strategy.  The meeting is open to the public, who is encouraged to speak during public comment time.

New (Upgraded) Pool Coming Soon To Big Bear!

Big Bear, Ca, January 17, 2012, 4:00pm - Swim enthusiasts will be happy to know that construction on the pool at the sports ranch off of Highway 38 will begin in early March.  According to Reese Troublefield, General Manager for the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District, enhancements to the current pool will begin in March, weather permitting, and could be completed as early as late May.  Enhancements to the pool will include two lanes for lap swimming, an efficient heating system, an ADA walk in area, and a slide.  Supervisor Neil Derry told KBHR that he is excited about the enhanced pool opening up this summer, and that the County of San Bernardino donated $180,000 to the project.   The Soroptimists of Big Bear Valley raised and donated $380,000 to the pool enhancements in June of 2011.  Funds were raised over a three-year period, with a majority of the donation coming from Man About Town Campaign efforts.  The pool, once reopened will feature swim lessons, and lap swimming designated times.

CSD Meeting May Announce New General Manager

Big Bear, Ca, January 17, 2012, 12:00pm - The Big Bear Community Services District will hold their meeting tonight due to yesterdays Martin Luther King Day holiday.  The meeting will include employee service recognition awards, information on which board members have been assigned to committees, and a board member will be elected to the Association of California Water Agencies.  The board will go into closed session where they will speak with legal counsel over existing litigation, and will also discuss the appointment of a new general manager.  It has not been confirmed if the appointment of a new GM for the CSD will occur at tonight’s meeting, which will take place at 5:30pm in the CSD offices located on Big Bear Blvd, just east of Greenway.

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