CREST FOREST MUNICIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL — Crest Forest MAC hears from community

By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY

Staff Writer

 

The Crest Forest Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meets in even numbered months at the San Moritz Lodge at 6:30 p.m. During the meeting, the attendees heard reports from the various government agencies and community groups; community members were able to ask questions about programs that affect them.

On the Crest Forest MAC are Chair Steve Garcia; Vice Chair Gilbert Flores, who was attending on Zoom; Amber Crubaugh, Tel Pressler and Sara Green, who was also on Zoom.

The Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station reported that this year there have been 4,315 calls, 98 arrests and that they had solved the string of 11 burglaries in Twin Peaks, with an arrest of a Crestline man. They had a “Coffee and Shred with a Cop” event at Snow Valley on March 20 and had many attend. They are very proud that one of their Explorer Scouts, who has aged out of the Explorer program, which is for youth between the ages of 14 to 21, is now enrolled in the sheriff’s basic academy to become a deputy.

Nathan Lopez from County Fire introduced Chief Jason Serrano, the assistant chief of the Mountaintop Division. They have responded to 1,244 calls, including one structure fire in Cedarpines Park on Coyote Trail, which they kept confined to one room of the structure.

They are glad they had a Sno-Cat, as they used it to safely evacuate campers who had been stuck at a YMCA camp in Big Bear during the snowstorm. The camp had basically run out of food, as they had to extend their stay due to the snowstorm closing all the roads. The story made the TV news as the campers were so grateful for their rescue.

County Fire has had meetings with the water departments concerning coordination of water services in case of a fire. They will be getting a new fire boat and will be holding a “name the fire boat contest” this next month. The information on how to enter will be on their website soon.

They are concerned that weeds and brush are already beginning to grow, so the department has begun ramping up for fire season and focusing on fire mitigation techniques. They suggested hardening your property against fire. They have a free residential assessment program that can be applied for online. A local fireman will walk a property with the owner and suggest ways to protect the owner’s property. There is no paper trail and it is a free service from the county.

Isaiah Kee from the California Highway Patrol reported that, in the past month, they have issued 320 tickets, had 607 enforcement contacts and arrested 20 drivers, 19 of those for DUI.  Although there have been many accidents, including many flipped over vehicles, there were no fatalities. There are now 27 officers assigned to the Running Springs CHP office.

The important news that all residents need to know is that the roadside emergency call boxes are now deactivated and will be removed from the mountain and all over the county as the company will no longer maintain them. Technology has advanced and most motorists now have cell phones that they use when they need to call for help. He acknowledged there are several posts along the mountain’s highways where cell service is not available, but the majority of the county has cell service, so the program has been discontinued. The CHP will now pay closer attention to those pulled to the side of the road in the future to be sure the driver is not in distress.

School board trustee Bill Mellinger reported that, since Measure E passed, they need a couple more community members to join the oversight committee to be sure the funds are spent for the reasons on the ballot, for facilities, not for staff.  The next school board meeting will be held April 17 at the district office. The school board has voted to support five bills before the California Legislature: AB 327 to eliminate swatting; AB 111, extending the deadline for zero emissions for school busses for 10 more years; AB 1224 to support the credentialing of substitute classroom teachers from 30 to 60 days; SB 389 to help special needs students get health assistance; and AB 835 to have Cambridge Testing provide materials and techniques to help principals evaluate teachers.

The Crestline Chamber of Commerce report was given by Raeann on Zoom. Corks & Hops will begin in June and Jamboree Days is being planned now. Anyone who wants to be involved should call the chamber at (909) 337-2706 to learn the committee meeting dates; after May 1 they can register for a vendor’s booth. They invited all business people and community members to attend their monthly chamber meetings on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at their chamber office.

Nathan Godwin and Bill Mellinger spoke on the Lake Gregory Advisory Committee and on the upcoming activities and events occurring at Lake Gregory. On Memorial Day weekend will be many events at the park, beginning with the Friday night concert and market on the North Shore parking lot. The beach opens the next morning at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. The beach will be open Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Tacos and Tunes will be from 6 to 8:30 on both Saturday and Sunday nights and Monday morning at 11 a.m. will be the annual Memorial Day service, honoring those fallen in battle, at the San Moritz Lodge. The public is invited.

The construction of the campground at Camp Switzerland is progressing, although slowly, with more surveys taking place and bids being submitted.

Permits from special water districts, Fish and Game and the water board are required before dredging can begin. These permits should be completed in time to dredge for next season.

The restroom by the chamber office has been delivered and should be installed in time for the summer season. The restroom below the chamber office at lake level has been improved this winter and is operating now. The new restroom below the school will be started soon, after the one tree is removed for its installation. The restroom at the bait and tackle shop next to the meadow is competed.

A free kayak launching dock is a new attraction next to the meadow. This launch dock will help kayakers launch their kayaks without getting wet or turning over. Many local kayakers have purchased the yearly pass for their kayaks at $89 a year, instead of the day pass of $10 per day. There is a free parking spot next to the kayak launch pad to park while unloading and loading the kayaks, then repark in the lot, said Godwin.

Lake Gregory is currently hiring approximately75 persons for summer help. The minimum age is 18, but there are a variety of positions that need to be filled. Beyond being a lake lifeguard, there are jobs that older adults and seniors can also apply for this season. The most important asset is to bring to the interview a smile and positive attitude. Application links are on their website, Thelakegreagory.com, and on their Facebook page. The lake is currently being stocked with 2,000 pounds of fish for the trout derby to be held on April 19, including rainbow trout, lightning trout and 300 pounds of trophy-size fish. The doggie water fountain at the original dog park has been repaired again, said Nathan.

Robin Bull is the new local field representative for Supervisor Dawn Rowe. The Lake Arrowhead MAC will meet on May 1 at the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station community room. Land Use Services will host an open house on July 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. on code enforcement – how it works, how to use it.

At LuluBelle’s in Running Springs, there wil be a pet adoption fair on April 19; they will share the county’s new spay and neuter program information.

The next Crest Forest MAC meeting will be June 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the San Moritz Lodge. This meeting was recorded and is viewable at the Lake Gregory Company website under events.