April Crest Forest MAC meeting addresses community needs and concerns

By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY

Staff Writer

 

The Crest Forest Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) met in Crestline on Tuesday April 7^th at 6:30 p.m. Council members attending were Sara Green, Tel Pressler, and Steve Garcia.

The first to speak to the filled audience in the main room at the San Moritz Lodge was Lieutenant Vasquez, who had been sitting next to Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Office Captain Craig Harris. Vasquez shared some statistics on the 39 arrests and a search warrant that led to three additional arrests. They have been investigating many issues, including a person who illegally had possession of guns, had expressed hatred and threats towards others, was violent, possessed drugs and was a disruption to his neighbors. This resulted in an ADC award nomination for the investigating deputies. The sheriff’s department recommends that if you see problems in your neighborhood, call the We-Tip Hot Line and they will investigate.

Isaiah Key of California Highway Patrol reported 740 calls for service, 23 DUI arrests, 425 citations issued and 41 crashes. Fortunately, none were fatal. They have 20 officers patrolling the local roads, plus three more in the office. However, if any resident sees an area that needs more patrols, they need to notify the office and let them know of the concerns. Highway 38 to Big Bear is still under extensive repairs from the Line Fire and has flagging occurring with at least 15-minute delays.

Cal Fire is ‘upstaffing’ for the last time as now their workers will be employed year-round. The fire season is now declared all year long, so seasonal layoffs will not be occurring. This will result in losing fewer trained staff members each year.

Weeds are growing high already this season, so Cal Fire recommends being proactive and cutting

weeds now while they are still green. If they seed and grow brown, it could create a bigger fuel load.  Cal Fire prefers non-metal blades, because nylon string cutters do not create sparks. Be aware of ladder fuels and rattlesnakes when creating defensible space. County code inspectors will soon be around to check initial weed clearance on all properties.

The Lake Gregory Advisory Committee announced that the new playground at San Moritz Meadow will have a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 27^th. They still need to install the ADA parking and fence, plus finish up the last of the safety items on the equipment and get approval on it.

Nathan Godwin announced that Lake Gregory dredging has been approved by all of the required agencies. Dredging will begin this spring and it will be staged at Camp Switzerland. The project will work its way around the perimeter of the lake. Some of the Lake Gregory Yacht Club (LGYC) RC Sail Boat Regattas may be impacted by the dredging.

This summer, rentable floating cabanas on Lake Gregory will be installed in the swim area.  The water in the lake has been very warm this winter without a lot of snow to cool it down. This encourages grasses to grow and, later in the season, algae to bloom.

Godwin also announced several important upcoming events. The next Trout Derby is April 18. Leisure Shores will be serving breakfast burritos that morning beginning at 7 a.m. The “Paddle to Untangle Earth Day” (fish line cleanup at Lake Gregory) is April 22. The Lake Gregory /Crestline Cleanup Day, sponsored by the LGYC will be May 2. Volunteers may meet at the north shore gate to get cleanup bags at 10 a.m. Lake Gregory Beach will open on Saturday, May 23. Free chipping is also being offered that day at the San Moritz Lodge parking lot. The Memorial Day honoring those who have lost their lives in the service of our country is May 25 at San Moritz Lodge at 11 a.m. The annual Kite Festival will be May 31 at The San Moritz Meadow. The beach opens full time June 12, and the weekly movie nights on the meadow begin on June 17.  Fireworks over the Lake will be on Friday night, July 3. Gates will open at 6 p.m. for the 9 p.m. show. Tickets for the July 3^rd dinner on the north shore patio will be sold beginning in late April or May.

Rim of the World Unified School District news: A Rim student competed against 200 other students and placed 7^th in a Monologue competition. The Rim High Band performed and got such a response from a cheering audience, they had to pause their performance. Mary Putnam Henck Intermediate School (MPH) is partnering with California State University, San Bernardino for technical training, and Chryl Russell has been nominated by San Bernardino County for a significant recognition for her 25 years with the Arrowhead Arts Association.

The schools are working on the projects funded by Measure E, including electrical, roofing and HVAC, including the generator at Valley of Enchantment Elementary. Community members can visit the school’s website to follow the progress.

VOE Elementary will hold their Student Science Night on April 22 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. On May 28, MPH will have their Open House from 5 to 6:30 p.m.  At Rim High, the current Principal Brian Kearney will be resigning the position and returning to the classroom at the end of the school year, said Board member Bill Mellinger.

Candace Pearson represented the Crestline Chamber of Commerce, sharing many details about the upcoming Jamboree Days, which will be celebrating the 120th anniversary of the naming of Crestline in 1906 and the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, with the theme “Purple Mountains Majesty.” Registration to be in the parade will be open until June 27, at www.jamboreedays.com. Locals who want to get a booth space for the day can register until April 27 for one of the 50 spaces. After that, booth rental will be opened to vendors from down the hill. Dirk Rinker announced the Grand Marshals will be representing the various local veteran groups.

The annual Crestline magazine is now being completed and should be ready for distribution before Memorial Day. Those who want to advertise may contact the Chamber at www.Crestlinechamber.org by April 24. All current chamber members will be included.

This summer, there will be four opportunities to enjoy Corks n’ Hops. The first date is Saturday June 6 with a Hawaiian Luau theme. The next three events will be held on August 1, September 5 and October 3 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be ten tasting stations at each event, and a shuttle bus will be available to ferry participants between Lake Gregory Vilage and Top Town.  Per usual, the events will include live music, delicious food, open local shops and pop-up vendors. Tickets are on sale now at www.Corksnhops.com.

Mountain Transit announced some of the changes in bus stops at the hospital that will be necessary due to the construction occurring at Mountains Hospital for the next year or so. The new bus stop for the hospital will be relocated to between MacKay Park and the new temporary parking lots at the hospital. Seniors and those with physical handicaps will be taken as close as the medical center building as possible, so those with physical challenges need to notify the bus driver, as the bus needs to be driven to the opposite side of the hospital for that drop off. Mountain Transit says they are dedicated to their riders to get them to their location, despite the construction. As construction progresses, the bus stops may need to be adjusted to respond to the changing construction situations.

Mountain Transit is currently seeking to hire new bus drivers and facility technicians. They will be at the local job fairs this spring; applications are also accepted directly at their office. Construction will soon begin on their Crestline office/work facility. They were pleased to be a part of the “Fill the Bus” day for veterans at Goodwin’s Market.

Jim Lona spoke about the 3^rd District’s Veterans Advisory Council, which is dedicated to offering veterans services and support. He explained that many vets are struggling and some are homeless. The Council will be offering a fishing tournament on April 19 for the vets.  As well, the traveling Vietnam Veteran’s Wall will be making its first appearance on the mountain, coming to Big Bear this fall from September 26-28, just before Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11^th.

Robin Bull, the representative for County Supervisor Dawn Rowe, reminded the audience about the May 6 Health Fair at Rim High which will have many county agencies represented and local groups. She also announced that on May 7, the Municipal Advisory Councils will combine their meeting to address the upcoming fire season, with many agencies attending to discuss wildland fire hazard abatement.  County Code Enforcement, fire agencies, Rim Fire Safe Council and other groups will be on hand to explain the current opportunities for weed abatement and creating fire safe zones. This winter’s weather has created a big growth of brush and weeds, which will soon dry out, so special concern is necessary this year to prevent the potential for fires to burn mountain communities. Weed abatement is a community-wide responsibility.

Community concerns: several candidates will run for offices in June. A big concern was raised, about streamlining the building permit process in San Bernardino County. It was suggested that the complainant attend a Governmental Affairs meeting.

Dennis Sharp spoke about the need for Lake Gregory water-weed abatement, especially near the south shore parking lot as the weeds interfere with regattas, some boating, fishing and radio-controlled sail boat. He advocated for the establishment of a yearly schedule with the county to deal with the weeds in a timely manner.

Sue Walker, President of the Mountain Homeless Coalition, told of the numerous services the coalition offers from emergency housing to long-term to permanent housing. She advocated calling them when someone is at risk of being homeless, as they can help more when there is time to find solutions. They can also help with back rent and utilities. The Coalition may be reached at 909-713-4099.

The Crest Forest Senior Citizens Club has activities and programs at Leisure Shores for those age 50 and above for only $20 a year, said President Rhea-Frances Tetley. For those 60 and above they offer nutritional luncheons at the San Moritz Lodge at 11:30 on Tuesday and Thursday. Calendars and menus are available on the Club’s Facebook page.

The Rim of the World Historical Society will be opening their museum for the summer season on Memorial Day weekend. From June through October, the museum will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays It is located at 27176 Peninsula Drive in Lake Arrowhead. The society, which is a community benefit organization run by volunteers, is celebrating its 40^th anniversary (1986-2026). See their website at www.Mtnmuseum.org.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.