bear valley news 

..... Wow, what a great 4th of July and still two more days of fun - have a great weekend .....

PO Box 4045, Big Bear Lake, Ca, 92315                 Bus 909-913-9884                Send questions to PR@bearvalleynews.com

OK  to publish with newspaper and Author credits.   No Advertiser  content copying

Home Editorials Letters to the Editor Subscription Shopping Fawnskin Flyer Roads Weather Fishing Report Advertising Meeting Schedules 

 Membership Drive

Get 4 Free e-books

 

 

 

 

_

 

   We will publish letters with names withheld, upon request.  We understand that sometimes expressing your opinions may cause problems with employers or contracts. We believe that freedom of speech is more important.

July 3rd

Dear Editor,

 

   Vi Colunga has to listen to the public! Retrofit YES, Upgrade NO! When will she start listening to her bosses? IF SHE WORKED FOR ME, SHE WOULDN'T WORK FOR ME!

David Tomlinson
Fawnskin and Corona

TOP

____________

July 2nd

Dear Editor,

   I hope this time the Hospital Board will let the public know what the money we are already giving them is going for. We wanted that last time and did not get it. Putting it on the ballot is not enough. During these hard times the public wants to know, and rightfully so, why the money already being given each year through property taxes is not enough for upgrading. We understand the need for the money for earthquake refitting but we don't understand the additional money for other uses.

 

Fran Fish

Big Bear Lake

TOP

____________

July 2nd

Dear Editor,

 

   The sheriff deputies' failure to arrest those who instigated the July 17 incident is inexcusable. Law enforcement has the authority to make the final decision with regard to felony arrests, and assault with intent to inflict bodily harm is a felony. Therefore, the sheriff deputies had a responsibility to arrest the perpetrators to protect the public from similar incidents that might occur in the future. Unfortunately, they did not do their job properly. A responsible approach would have been to disregard the victim's desire to avoid a "court" situation. Most people prefer to avoid the court scenario, but facing such undesirable situations is part of life and is part of protecting others. In addition, some people, after being attacked, have similar responses because of the trauma they have just endured. As a result, law enforcement officers need to make these decisions for them.

   Perhaps if the professionals, the responding officers, had arrested those responsible for the July 17 assault, the July 18 incident may have never occurred. Obviously, those who participated in the July 18 assault thought there would be no ramifications for their actions, or they would not have planned such an unconscionable ambush. They had the events of the previous night to support their false suppositions of no consequences for their criminal behavior.

 

Pam Peterson

Bakersfield, CA

TOP

____________

June 27th

Dear Editor:

 

   This past week was a very sad one for most of us that have lived in Big Bear and come to know the Lundins. They were one of the first people I encountered when I moved to this valley. They have been like family to me.

   I even bought their house they built and lived in myself for many years. I saw Michael grow up over the years. When he was a little tyke of three or four he would entertain us for hours with his antics. He used to have this cute little lisp where an “S” came out sounding lie a “th.” Thus, he would say I want thome ice cream.

   Michael and his older brother Willie grew up in a household that loved sports. Both boys were very involved in youth sports and later high school sports. It was very clear early on that Michael would excel at sports as he knocked the you know what out of the ball in T-ball as a very young lad. It was almost not fair to the other kids as he was just too advanced for them. He did likewise with soccer and a few other sports.

   In high school his abilities in sports continued until he started having back issues. Not being able to compete in sports was not only different for Michael at that point, but it was difficult. He did not know life without playing sports. It was also tough on his dad and mom (John and Glenda Lundin) who knew that sports were important to Michael and a means for him to use that extra energy he always had.

   His dad was either his coach or a sideline coach throughout his sports endeavors. His mom was always the soccer and team mom who made sure Michael was ready for the challenge. She hosted many of dinners and lunches for his various teams and brought snacks for the team. They traveled to far distances to be with Michael and his teams.  

   Well, Michael, you have no more ailments preventing you from playing sports. You may now resume playing your sports in the High Country.  Your dad and mom are watching as well as the rest of us.

 

Brandon Schlarmann

Big Bear Lake

TOP

____________

June 27th

Dear Editor,

 

   I still can't believe that these people, who want the tax payers to pay for their hobby, want a recount on the results of measure Q and did I read right? Do they want the register of voters to call anyone that did not vote on the measure, to now say how they would have voted?

   Give me a break! Even one of their own board members was quoted saying, we have to stop trying to sell voters something they don't want. That is how elections are lost. Voters voted no because it seemed
the hospital board wants money to do what they want, not what they need. We don't need a mayo clinic in Big Bear Lake! Do you realize that if  a few of the no voters put up signs all over town that read, “Vote NO on higher taxes,” – “Vote NO on measure Q!” What the result would have been? Now, get together and decide what the hospital really needs, not what you want and find a way to pay for it. Donations, fund raisers etc. Get some of the local business that do well up here to chip in for a new wing or on second thought, the only one that comes to mind is Bear Mountain or Snow Summit. The rest of the town is drying up.

   That brings us back to local politicians and to use a slogan used a lot now, we need change.......simply stated...... THROW THE RASCALS OUT!

Richard Hollien

Big Bear Lake

TOP

____________

June 19th

Dear Editor,

 

Airport Master Plan

 

   Reading the article in the Grizzly about the airport master plan is like a bad Bugs Bunny cartoon respecting what most members of this board are trying to do.

   Acquiring homes from individuals to appease more air traffic or tourism is the sickest type of profit seeking that threatens our valley.  The majority of this board seems to care little about fellow citizens in relation to making the airport bigger or better, and I ask them then, why do we need a bigger airport??  This is a small valley…not Vail, not Tahoe..and it never will be in spite of the hopes of some politicos who hold fast to the delusion that it will be one day.  Most of us have moved here for the smallness…not to have airplanes flying over head at all hours and as often happens…or crashing in the lake or elsewhere.  Already we have a park that is not safe because of air traffic so kids get cut out of a place to play.

   Has it not donned on these people that to have an airport for such a small valley is a privilege, not a right?  The FAA cannot even take care of its own job and here we have individuals on a Board…or is that …Bored…that want more, more, more…even at the expense of homeowners who they most likely don’t even know.  Who appointed you to take another’s property because you ‘think’ it is right?  I have not met any of you, but I hope to one day so I can look at you and try to imagine where your mind runs that you feel that for the sake of ‘money’ you can uproot lives for what you call progress.

   In this article, Margie Drilling of the FAA states that the airport will get the needed funds for paving and other things even without a Master Plan.  If Jay Obernolte fears for lack of paving, tax the pilots that come and make noise in the valley…let them pay for this…the rest of us sure don’t use this place nor do the majority of us gain anything from having an airport except for fire season…and the astounding thing about that is…they have done just fine fighting fires with what we have.

   It is absolutely disgusting that a few people feel they have the power to disrupt lives of individuals who have worked hard to have a home and then be threatened with having it taken away for a whim.  Obviously, except for Butch Waymire  who has his head on straight from what I read in this article…they will get the money anyway.  So what is it you other board members didn’t learn from the settlers who stole land from an aboriginal people to have what you have today…creating countless crimes and suffering…are you still living in the 1800’s to think you can simply wipe a family’s slate clean and oh well…don’t mean nothin’ ?

This is election year…and every political person in this valley should wake up and remember that this country was built on serving the people…not us serving your sick ego’s.  Build a heliport by giving up your own house and letting those on Mountain View have theirs…they paid for it…not you.

   Wake up valley residents…take back control of what politicians are stealing from you and let them get a real job for a change.  The picture of Ed Stanek in the article says it all, and he has a right to feel this way.

   Sad part is, our youth grow up thinking this is the way things have always been…us older ones know what has been lost already from this type of thinking in the political arena.

   Dump the airport board and other elected officials who don’t listen to the rest of us who provide their paycheck…

John 3 Hawks

Big Bear

TOP

____________

June 19th

Dear Editor,

 

   Did the Registrar of Voters in Florida in 2000 call everyone who had chads or just dents in the ballot who they meant to vote for? No. There are problems in every election. Are these people ever called or is the voting redone? No. It hurts but just accept it. The hospital did not explain to the voters what they have done with the money already collected on the property tax bills even though they were told that was their mistake last time. They didn't do the work so shouldn't be surprised of the outcome.

 

Name Withheld

Big Bear Lake

TOP

____________

Jun. 6th

Dear Editor:

 

   First of all, I would like to thank the voters of Big Bear and the third district of the county of San Bernardino for doing the right thing in electing Neil Derry. Secondly, I would like to thank Neil Derry for taking on the daunting and perceived impossible task of running for supervisor against a longtime incumbent. Lastly, I would like to thank Denise Proffer and her relentless group of activists who worked hours on getting Mr. Derry elected. It really shows that grass root campaigns unseating longtime incumbents can work (are you listening Big Bear Lake voters?).

   Mr. Derry has many great ideas and really listens to his constituents. He will not be caught up in the special interests of a few as has been the case with our outgoing supervisor. When we say we don’t want any tax that puts our biggest financial taking at risk (our homes), he won’t put us in that position. When we say our number one concern is the safety of our valley from fires he will work with the Forestry, Feds, and State to work out plans and details to get us where we need to be. He won’t sit on his hands and claim he has no power or authority in that area. He won’t just show up to social events on the mountain to wine and dine with the mucky mucks. No, he will come to answer questions and brief us on what he is doing and wants to do. He will come before the ordinary hard working people of the valley and not just the elitist few (many with Hansberger signs in front of their businesses) who have their personal agendas and favors.

   So, yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and he just gave Big Bear and the third district an early Christmas present. Thankfully, this gift is exactly what we needed.

 

Brandon Schlarmann

Big Bear Lake

 

TOP

____________

June 3rd

Dear Editor,

 

   I used to work for a local company and I know for a FACT that MANY 2nd home owners up here have a local address, usually a PO Box.  However, I don't believe most of those people failed to pay their bills at the hospital.  Maybe our hospital needs to only serve PAYING customers or ones with insurance and forget the freeloaders...I like having an emergency room available but I am not sure we all should pay for long term patients.  How about just an emergency room.  That may be the price of living in the mountains.
 
Susan

Big Bear City

TOP

____________

June 3rd

Dear Editor,

 

   DWP has announced that water restrictions will be lessened to allow people to again plant turf. Seems like only yesterday they cited turf as one of the main culprits responsible for their water shortage. Odd … could it be that we are out of the woods and our water problems are behind us? Sure sounds like it.

   Or could be because people have done such a great job of conserving and cutting back on water usage that DWP's revenue has diminished to a point that they must either raise rates to offset the conservation efforts or sell more water? I think that’s a more likely scenario. After all, it's happening all around the rest of the country. Heaven forbid they should take a more practical approach and cut overhead like other businesses are being forced to do. Google “conserve water raise rates” or check out the link here.

   And this from a department who, by their own admission, is having trouble finding water. Extremely odd.

   And didn't I hear that they are borrowing heavily from their general fund just to make ends meet and are even thinking of contracting for a study to determine raises for salaries? This has to be a joke.

   I've seen the musical 42nd Street twice and was absolutely amazed at the tap dancing. But believe me it was nothing like what I'm seeing from the DWP!

 

Dan Fowlks

Fawnskin

TOP

____________

June 3rd

Dear Editor,

 

   The powers to be that’s in charge of business at Big Bear Lake never cease to amaze me. It is clear what these re-cycle people on the Big Bear Council want i.e. "re-cycle" at any cost. If wasting water will accomplish that goal "so be it."

   I sincerely hope that the people in this Valley will pay attention to what this handful of people are trying to shove down the property owners' throats. We must all stand together and "demand" that people have a say (to allow a vote) before another dime is put on this pie in the sky that will cause many to loose his/her home.

 

Anna Neil

Big Bear City

TOP

____________

May 29th

Dear Editor,

 

   First let me state that I live in Big Bear City and I love it. When I saw those awful rust and black signs, in Big Bear Lake, I thought what an eyesore.  Then they put up more tourist signs...we don't need more signs.  When I got home the other night there was a HUGE green sign at the corner of my street for 1st Lt. Landacker.  I am sure he was a wonderful person, obviously a hero!  I am proud of our men and women in uniform.  I shutter to think that ANYONE who moved to these beautiful mountains would want more signs placed in their view.  We have celebrated him many times since his passing and I believe a tasteful monument would be wonderful, but an ugly green Cal-Trans signs is not what I would call respectful.
 
Thank you,
Please don't print my name

TOP

____________

May 29th

Dear Editor,

 

   It’s been a long time since I’ve bought the Grizzly, since I think they are slanted to not offend the elected officials of Big Bear Lake and they are in the pocket of the real estate industry. However, I was going online to read the OP Ed page. Now they have stopped publishing it.

   For many years, I have had my letters to the editor go unpublished and I have heard the same from many other people. I can only assume that they believe the public’s opinions, along with their own are not worth putting online.

   Though there are times, I disagree with Bear Valley News’ opinions or those of the public; they always print all the OP Ed opinions. I especially like it when some one of the public says that Bear Valley News is full of it – I think a couple of them came from Brandon Schlarmann. By the way he was right about the DWP rate hike.

   Thank goodness for Bear Valley News and the heck with the Grizzly. Please do not print my name, since I work for a government agency in the Valley.

 

Name Withheld

Big Bear Lake

TOP

____________

May 14th

Dear Editor,

 

   Thank you for your response to Mr. Hollien’s letter regarding the hospital. 

   As you learned on our tour of the Hospital it is much more than a bandage.  In 2007 the hospital performed over 400 surgeries, and I know of individuals who would not have lived if we didn’t have an O.R.  Additionally several years ago I asked the accounting department to track all services by zip codes and the results are staggering.  I to thought the skiers were the issue but nothing could be further from the truth.  In 2007 the Hospital District provided 31,506 services and of those services 27,046 were to our very own zip codes right here in Big Bear Valley, which represents 86% were to people who live here.  I had one person challenge me on that with oh it is the 2nd homeowners, and again they don’t have mailing addresses up here as they reside elsewhere. 

   In 2007 the Hospital District wrote off over $2,000,000 in bad debt, and again over $1,500,000 were to zip codes right here in the Big Bear Valley, which is 75%.  The conclusion is that this hospital is used by our own residents. 

   When we get the bond passed, we will add an additional surgery suite.  Currently we have a doctor who uses our O.R. for his entire hip and knee surgeries, an eye doctor who prefers to do his surgeries up here.  All these make more money for the District, which is our goal.  The more services we can offer as a district the more money we can save and then which the $45 tax matures in 2013 it is our goal not to have to come to the voters again. 

   If everyone could just take the tour like Ms. DuVall it would give me an opportunity to show you what we need to do and how vitally important it is to all citizens of this valley that together we bring this 34 year old facility up to code for our citizens. 

 

Carol Mulvihill

Big Bear Lake

[Editor’s Note: Ms. Mulvihill is a hospital board member]

TOP

____________

May 11th

Dear Editor,

 

   I found the article today, stating that there had been charges filed against employees at Nationwide Discount Home Loans. I couldn't help but laugh out loud while reading the article. I was employed by Nationwide in early 2007, assisting in the loan process, and sales. I remember the loan officers and Andrew Whitaker coming up with these far fetched loan programs to try and get people into. The Loan Officers would tell the borrower ANYTHING, to get them to agree to do the loan.

   It was crazy, because after a left, a co worker of mine called, and told me that the FBI came into the office, guns drawn, and ordered everyone into the conference room while they searched the office. My co workers was asked to hide a file, I thought that it was so incredibly unethical for a company to ask one of its employees to do such a thing. I always knew that there was some scandalous business being done, but I did not realize it was to that extent.

   I had heard that Andrew Whitaker has been to prison for fraud previously. It was the word around the office. I also heard about his exotic personal life, which included, "swinging" or trading wives with friends and co workers. 

   There was one Loan Officer in particular who was defiantly on the crazy side, and he and Andrew were very, very close; always trying to come up with new ways to screw people out of money. These people knew what they were doing the entire time; I just think they did not expect to get caught. 

   I was so surprised to hear about this case, but I know that these guys deserve everything that they have coming to them. 

 

Name Withheld

Big Bear

TOP

____________

May 11th

Dear Editor,

 

   Richard Hollein stated in his letter that the hospital was just a way-station for snow boarders. Nay, not so!

   While I don't like, or want, another tax on my property I have to dispute Mr. Hollein's claim. Obviously he has never had a life-threatening emergency that required a trip to Bear Valley Hospital. In 8 years I had two: both times the more than capable staff in the ER correctly diagnosed my conditions and according to an internist at St. Bernadine Hospital (in one instance) if I had not received immediate care I would have died.  

   Not one of us can predict with certainty that we WON'T have a physical emergency where immediate care is needed. A five minute ride to the local hospital or a 45-minute ride in an ambulance down the hill could mean a choice between life or death.

   I agree that the ski resort should finally be forced to cough up a recreation tax payable to the hospital. However; take up that suggestion up with the city fathers of Big Bear Lake. They are the ones that always tremble in their shoes when the suggestion comes up where they would have to go to the big Kahuna at the ski resort.

   This valley needs its hospital. If Mr. Hollein takes the hospital tour as I did he will see just how much we need an updated hospital up here.

 

Dana DuVall

Sugarloaf

TOP

____________

May 8th

Dear Editor,

 

   The San Bernardino Sun newspaper recently endorsed Hansberger to run for yet another term for Supervisor. They couldn't come up with a reason to NOT endorse him. Well now, that leads me to conclude that the Sun is way out of touch with its readers.

Mr. Hansberger is also way out of touch with his constituents. I am talking about the citizens who have tried to reach him about problems in his district. He won't answer telephone calls, emails or letters. Hansberger is as elusive as the leprechaun guarding his private pot of gold. But this political leprechaun does appear around election time for photo ops with local chamber of commerce groups to distribute a tiny bit of that gold.

   The average Joe is not happy with Mr. Hansberger and the Sun newspaper should really get out among the voters and find out why. The voters finally have a choice this time around. Neil Derry, a man with experience in  local government, is a man of integrity and listens to the people. This is a man who can be counted on to make a difference in his community.

  Do not vote for the leprechaun, Hansberger, clutching his pot of gold, go to the polls and vote for a man who stands up for the people - Neil Derry.

 

Dana DuVall

Sugarloaf

TOP

____________

May 8th

Dear Editor,

 

   Here we go again!  They must think we are stupid. We voted down the tax hike last time the hospital issue came before the voters...now they still are trying to jam this new tax down our throats. Let the ski
resorts add a tax on their sales to pay for the upgrades they say they need. After all, the hospital is just a first aid station for snowboarders any way.

   If you want much higher taxes on your home… then vote for it. Lets send another message - Vote NO on Measure Q and any other bond issue that raises our taxes !!!


Richard Hollien

Big Bear Lake

TOP

____________

May 8th

Dear Editor,

 

   Here comes another millionaire lodge owner telling us about the "myths" of Big Bear Valley. Run for office and make a change-Don't just whine about it!


David Tomlinson
Fawnskin and Corona.

TOP

____________

 

sponsors

Watch TV 6 Live Now

Info               Contact Us

big bear news

 

OK to publish with newspaper and Author credits. No advertiser content coping... PO Box 4045 Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 Phone: 909 585 4661 Fax: 909 475-8306