Though the Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District, led by City Council’s Darrell Mulvihill and Rick Herrick, met in closed session yesterday to continue the selection process for a new fire chief (a position that has been filled in the interim by Mark Mills), no reportable action was announced when the City Council convened for their regular meeting last night. That said, no word yet on who will be named the city’s new fire chief.
The city did honor public servants, though, during presentation items at the February 23 meeting—among those recognized were Big Bear Sheriff’s Station’s Citizens on Patrol volunteers (pictured below, with Council). The Citizens on Patrol assist law enforcement in community events and public safety, as well as acting as the “eyes and ears” of the Valley on their patrols. In the last month alone, Sheriff’s Captain Greg Garland told Council, COP volunteers have put in 1,400 hours, and as much as 14,000 hours of community service in 2008.
The City’s Superintendent of Public Works Jerry Vantine also took to the podium, to recognize 15-year city employee Sam Salmas. Noting that Salmas coaches girls softball, and is also involved in Bear Backers, Cub Backers, and the student Key Club program, Vantine said, “and we keep him busy the other 18 hours a day.” In the winter months, Salmas works on the city’s snow removal team. Once presented with his 15-year pin, Salmas thanked his wife for ensuring his “proper rest and nutrition for those long days of plowing.”
