BS Ranch Perspective:
The BS Ranch Believes that the enthusiasm and the drive that the Mayor has will bring the new City Council Members along just fine, they will agree with what he is trying to propose, and he is one to sit down and take notes to another way or a better way perhaps of getting the same thing done with less money or more of a streamline approach, so the new blood on the council might be a welcome sigh to such a progressive mayor!! I am looking forward to see what happens with the different battles in the City of San Bernardino to see if they can show the rest of the County how to work and get things done here, for the better of the whole County. Not just for San Bernardino, but the Neighboring city that really needs some help! RIALTO of coarse is one that needs the help to look progressively forward. they have all that unbuilt real estate that is waiting for commercial property to be developed upon it and they are doing nothing but arguing about weather the person who lost had a unfair gain in votes at the last election!! HELLO!! Baca Jr. LOST!! Now lets get back to political stuff that matters like the growth of the city!! Rialto's Easton Ave is one that is ready and willing to be developed and they are doing nothing. What are they waiting for, the freeway to bring them in, well they should have the business there when the freeway is done not the other way around. then they miss on all that business when the freeway is running and then people that are traveling the street now, will not know what is on that street when the business is finally open!! BSRanch New council could pressure mayor
SAN BERNARDINO: Morris gets his tax hike, but a one-seat change puts the spending plan in doubt.10:00 PM PST on Wednesday, November 8, 2006
Fresh from the landslide victory of Measure Z, a tax increase to raise $5.6 million a year for public safety, San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris will soon embark on a new campaign.
This one will be aimed at wooing a City Council reformulated Tuesday by another landslide for new Councilman Tobin Brinker. Brinker's 3rd Ward victory could shift the council majority on Morris' spending plan for the new tax dollars and his vision for downtown revitalization.
On public safety, Morris argues that crime fighting depends as much on youth crime-prevention programs as it does on police.
He has also linked the city's crime woes to its tattered, partially vacant downtown. In April, Morris pushed through a $30 million bond issue aimed at transforming a blighted neighborhood into a prosperous mixed-use development.
Until he resigned at the end of July, former 3rd Ward Councilman Gordon McGinnis strongly supported both plans, anchoring a four-vote council majority.
But three council members -- Neil Derry, Chas Kelley and Wendy McCammack -- voted against the bond and questioned the youth programs.
As a candidate, Brinker also voiced skepticism. Derry, Kelley and McCammack all endorsed him.
On Wednesday, Morris said he and the new councilman, who takes office Dec. 4, can collaborate.
"(Brinker) is an intelligent man with a policy interest and background," Morris said. "He's made it very clear to me that he desires to work with me on all issues. My sense is that he's willing to listen."
Brinker noted that he has only been elected to serve the last year of McGinnis' current term, and will need to show results before the November 2007 election.
He said he is not necessarily opposed to youth programs but wants to make sure police officers are hired first.
McCammack said she expects political pressure to fund programs such as a police activities league, and she's inclined to do it. But she, too, said a community-based policing program comes first.
"Philosophically, it's difficult to vote against some of the youth programs, because they're a good thing," she said. "But, fiscally, it would be irresponsible unless you've nailed down the crime suppression first, and we haven't done that yet."
As for downtown development, Brinker said he would be inclined to support the council's previous commitments.
"But we only have so much city staff and time," he said. "If we're not focusing on bringing people where people already want to go -- the south of the city in my ward and the north -- we may be limiting our growth in those areas."
Reach Chris Richard at 909-806-3076 or crichard@PE.com
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