San Bernardino County Supervisors addressed Big Bear parks and park commissioners in their meeting on Tuesday. Per the recommendation from our Third District County Supervisor Neil Derry, the number of Advisory Commissioners for the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District was reduced from seven to five and, subsequently, Kathryn Poole was reappointed to another term on the commission that also includes Gloria Rose and Bob Ybarra. Don Pletcher also remains on the commission on an expired term though, per Joseph Turner from Supervisor Derry’s office, Pletcher will be reappointed, and this should take place at the next Supervisors’ meeting on March 2. Of the other three posts on the up-until-now seven-member commission, both Jennifer McCullar and Rudy Macioge resigned, per the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District, and Commissioner Cassy Benson did not receive re-appointment, as indicated by last week’s Rec and Park meeting agenda packet. So, all that being said, once Pletcher’s re-appointment is confirmed, there will still be one vacancy on the local parks commission and those interested in serving on behalf of the community at large—rather than on behalf of a specific Big Bear Valley area, as had been the case—can apply via the website of the County’s Clerk of the Board. According to Turner in San Bernardino, “We are currently taking applications and, so far, have two applicants.”
County Supervisors also took action with regard to the park land lease agreement for Paradise Park in Big Bear City, and funding to develop it. Supervisors unanimously approved a 40-year lease agreement with the Big Bear City Community Services District, to place the park on the 5.48 acre parcel on Paradise Way through 2050 at an amount of $1 per year. The Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District was also given the go-ahead to pursue grant funding to develop the park through the Proposition 84 Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program Grant, which would be worth $2.5 million. In a conversation with Rec and Park’s Lorie Judd today, she says, “We have the approval from the Board of Supervisors today–all stamped, sealed and delivered–and we are so excited about submitting the Prop 84 grant application. We’ve been waiting a long time to get this submitted and get started on Paradise Park. It’s a beautiful project and we feel our chances are really, really good. If we get this, this is going to be Big Bear’s playground; it’s going to be beautiful!”
