Mayor Joe Gomez

Hundreds gather to honor fallen heroes | hundreds, barstow, fallen - Top Story - Desert Dispatch

2010-05-31T18:51:00.000-07:00

Hundreds gather to honor fallen heroes | hundreds, barstow, fallen - Top Story - Desert Dispatch

Health fair to serve low-income, homeless population

2010-05-27T07:58:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to welcome over 60 vendors that volunteered to make this event a success. Sherri Randolph of Desert Manna organized the first fair. I made an effort to talk to residents of the High Desert while they were in line. Their main concern was lacks of jobs. Many were there to get free eye galsses or have their teeth checked. I was proud to be part of this event.

BARSTOW • Low-income and homeless men, women and children will be able to get their medical needs met, pick up a bag of groceries, some clothes and get a hair cut in one location Wednesday. Desert Manna Ministries and the San Bernardino County Office of Homeless Services will host Mayday Project Connect at Barstow Community College’s gymnasium. This is the first health fair to be strictly for Barstow’s low-income men, women and children, said Sheri Randolph, Desert Manna’s executive director. There also hasn’t been a health fair for Barstow’s homeless since 2003, she said. As many as 9,000 people may attend the event, Randolph predicted. In addition to the medical screenings, people can get dental and vision examinations. Desert Manna also received between 9,000 and 12,000 pounds of food for those people to take home with them. (Full Article)

Barstow Politics at Dana Park

2010-05-01T00:30:00.000-07:00

An Army couple's Christmas Eve: Webcam chat from Kabul to Barstow

2010-01-02T13:44:00.000-08:00

Master Sgt. Kanessa Trent is in Afghanistan; her husband, Sgt. 1st Class William Trent, is stationed in California. They savor their electronic visit and hope they'll be closer next Christmas.

Reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan - It was Christmas Eve, and they were at opposite ends of the day, at opposite ends of the world.At her sprawling military base in the Afghan capital, Kabul, the dark, dusty night had already closed in. At his, outside Barstow, Calif., it was early morning, clear and chilly. "Are you awake, baby?" said Master Sgt. Kanessa Trent, 38. She moved her computer into position to adjust the webcam. Her regulation Army boots dangled off the edge of her pink-blanketed bunk bed in the cramped prefab quarters she shares with a fellow soldier.Like thousands of other U.S. servicemen and women, Trent and her husband, Sgt. 1st Class William Trent, are spending the Christmas holidays apart. But they savor these few moments of electronic togetherness, ignoring the 12 1/2 -hour time difference. Trent is 10 months into her deployment in Afghanistan. When she shipped out in February, her husband stayed in California, where he works at the National Training Center at Ft. Irwin helping troops prepare for Iraq and Afghanistan. (Read rest of story)

Lawsuit dimissal Barstow can proceed with its Distribution Center

2009-12-31T21:04:00.000-08:00

Barstow, Calif. (December 29, 2009) — City of Barstow officials expressed elation after receiving word that the petitioners and Wal-Mart entered into a written settlement which led to the dismissal with no right to appeal of two lawsuits challenging the City’s approval of the proposed Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Barstow. “This news about the proposed Wal-Mart distribution center is truly a great way to start 2010,” said City of Barstow Mayor Joe Gomez. “The finality in these cases means the Wal-Mart distribution center project can finally move forward in Barstow beginning in 2010. Once built, the distribution center will bring much needed family supporting jobs and benefits to our community at a time when so many of our residents are unemployed or under-employed,” added Mayor Gomez. The settlement for dismissal comes after a California Superior Court judge ruled on two petitions filed against the City on September 25, 2009. In Hodges v. City of Barstow, the petitioner alleged that the City’s public hearing notice for the final City Council hearing on the approval of the Wal-Mart Distribution Center was defective. The Court denied Mr. Hodges’ petition, and found in favor of the City of Barstow. The same judge ruled tentatively in favor of the City of Barstow on the second petition, Build Barstow Smart v. City of Barstow. This petition was brought pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and asserted, among other things, that the City failed to conduct adequate analyses in the lengthy Environmental Impact Report concerning water supply to the distribution center, and the effect of the project on greenhouse gases, climate change and energy impacts, as well as the Council's decision to reject a smaller, but environmentally superior, project. In December 2005, Wal-Mart announced its plans to build and operate a $60 million, 900,000-sq.-ft. distribution center, encompassing approximately 140 acres in the Barstow Industrial Park. The company announced that 500 full-time jobs, providing competitive wages, initially will be created and that number could grow to 700 within the first three years of operation. The City of Barstow has always contended that the Wal-Mart Distribution Center project complies with all laws, including the CEQA, in preparing their environmental impact report for the project

Christmas Cop and Kids, giving back!

2009-12-29T00:07:00.000-08:00

Explorers graduate

2009-08-15T18:09:00.000-07:00

Saturday August 14, 2009 I had the opportunity to attend the explorer graduation and present certificates to the young graduates.
Police explorers see growth with academy
August 05, 2009 3:20 PM By DAVID HELDRETH, staff writer BARSTOW • The Barstow Police Department explorer program is getting an injection of manpower this month. The department kicked off the 15th session of its explorer academy on Monday at the Cora Harper Community Center. The academy is back after taking last year off due to restructuring within the program, according to explorer advisor Sabrina Ellis. The program is currently down to six members, but the academy’s 16 recruits will boost it to 22 members. Ellis said the 2009 class is the second largest the academy has drawn in its history. The prospective explorers range in age from 14 to 20. “It’s good to get the program running again and get kids involved,” Ellis said. “The program teaches kids teamwork, how to behave in society and gives them a good grounding in the law enforcement community.” Ellis, who was herself a graduate of the explorer academy, said many explorers continue on to work in law enforcement and several are now working at the Barstow Police Department. Officer Scott Johnson, Cpl. Andrew Ellis and Det. Keith Kirby are just three examples of Barstow officers that graduated from the local academy. The academy graduates will be enlisted to help the department during community events such as the Mardi Gras Parade, Christmas Cops for Kids and the annual Independence Day celebration, according to Ellis. Recruit Marcos Lara, 16, said he hopes to be able to be more involved in the community as an explorer. “At first I saw my brother Fernando doing the explorers and it made me interested,” Lara said. “I want to be more of a leader and be able to help my city.” However, before the recruits get to his the streets they must make it through two weeks of instruction on the basics of law enforcement. The recruits will take classes in everything from processing crime scenes and the California penal code to the correct way to perform a felony car stop. Lt. Albert Ramirez and Cpl. Jeremy Bledsoe will instruct the academy in gun and shooting range safety before the recruits are allowed to do live fire practice at the police shooting range on Saturday. Ellis said although the classroom instruction is important, it’s good for the recruits to get hands on training.Kaylan Smith, 14, said she preferred the academy’s activities to the classroom lessons. “I’m looking forward to learning about the buildings searches because we’ll really be trying things ourselves,” Smith said.

Barstow to put new road crack sealer to work

2009-08-15T18:03:00.000-07:00

By JESSICA CEJNAR, staff writer BARSTOW • The newest piece of equipment in Barstow’s street-repair arsenal will soon be put to work. Barstow’s Public Works Department will begin a two-month long project Monday repairing cracks on more than 29 streets within city limits using its new crack sealing machine. The machine arrived in the city June 10 after the City Council approved its purchase from Dispensing Technology Corporation for $71,000 at its April 20 meeting. Mayor Joe Gomez, who sits on the Street Committee, which recommended the Council purchase the machine, said the Public Works Department hasn’t had new road equipment for more than 20 years. Repairs to older vehicles have become costly, and finding parts is often a challenge. In the past much of the equipment necessary for street repairs had to be rented, Gomez said, and roads haven’t been consistently maintained. The city also awaits the arrival of a new asphalt patch truck that will use a hot mix application with emulsion and a tamper device to permanently fill in potholes. The City Council approved the purchase of the truck for $171,000 at its April 6 meeting. The truck is expected to arrive in late September, Public Works Supervisor Ronnie Zamora said in an e-mail Tuesday. Gomez said people have complained about the potholes on Rimrock Road, North 2nd Avenue and H Street. H Street between Linda Vista Road and Rimrock Road is currently on the list of crack sealing projects the city would like to get to if time allows. “With the new hot patch truck using a hot mix will make a big difference,” Gomez said. “Most of the concerns I hear right now are about the potholes, and those are being addressed.” City Spokesman John Rader said the crack sealing machine and hot patch truck will both be used for pavement preservation projects. The crack sealing machine will seal the cracks, and a few months later the hot patch truck will act like a glue, helping to prolong the life of the road for another 10 years.

City's youth council members have high hopes

2009-05-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

The Barstow City Council members and myself are looking forward to the ideas and suggestions from our youth.

May 7, 2009 - 4:06 PM By ABBY SEWELL, staff writer BARSTOW • The newest and youngest members of Barstow’s government already have plans for the future. The Barstow City Council appointed the first eight members of its newly formed Youth Advisory Council Monday. The youth council was formed by a City Council resolution in March to give the Council greater insight into the needs of Barstow’s youth. Sixteen-year-old Barstow High School junior Amanda Sabblut said she first heard of the youth council while watching a City Council meeting on television with her father, local radio personality Cory Baker. She had never done anything like it before, but Sabblut said she wanted to get involved in hopes of bringing more activities geared towards teenagers in Barstow. “There’s some things that happen in the community for the teens and the youth, but if you think about it, there’s really not that much oriented towards them, towards us,” she said. As well as more recreation for the youth, Sabblut suggested the city could put on events like resume-writing workshops geared towards teens. Keisha Crawford, a 14-year-old home-schooler who is also part of the new youth council, agreed that the city should put on more events for teens, from carnivals to concerts in the public parks. “I think we need more activities for the youth to keep them off the street,” she said. “There’s so many kids that are in gangs, and some of them are my friends, and I don’t want to see them on that path.” Being in a leadership position is nothing new to Crawford. She is home schooled this year, but last year she was student body vice president at Barstow Junior High School. Crawford said her mother, who knew that Crawford missed being a part of the student government, read in the newspaper that the City Council was looking for youth council applicants and suggested that she apply. “I wanted to join because my mom has always told me to make things better you have to be able to speak it,” she said. Jiazi “Kitty” Guo, an 18-year-old Barstow High School junior originally from China moved to Barstow two years ago when her mother got a job in the area. Guo, who serves as student body vice president at the high school and president of the art club, also spends much of her time volunteering and working with various clubs and organizations. Guo said she started volunteering in hopes of getting into a good college, but she also enjoys community service. Like Sabblut, she sometimes watches the Barstow City Council meetings at home with her family. “If I have time, like no homework, I always watch to see what’s going on in the city,” she said. Guo said she would suggest to the city that they create more public parks and implement safety measures like more lights at the existing parks. She also suggested having days when the community would plant trees and flowers to beautify Barstow. The eight youth council members will go through an orientation session next week and then will attend the Barstow Parks, Recreation and Cultural Commission meeting scheduled for May 13 to see how a citizen commission works. The youth council will hold its own meetings and make quarterly reports to the City Council.Contact the writer:(760) 256-4123 or asewell@desertdispatch.com

Cleaning up Barstow

2009-05-09T18:33:00.000-07:00

The City of Barstow Encourages Residents to Pitch in and Pick It Up on Community Clean Up and Recycling Day

2009-04-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

Barstow, Calif. (March 23, 2009) — The Barstow Mayor and City Council members invite Barstow residents to make a difference by participating in the biannual Community Clean Up and Recycling Day on Saturday, April 11. Residents can help beautify Barstow by offering a few hours of their time in cleaning up their own property or a public area. Residents are encouraged to clean up Barstow by picking up trash/recyclables, removing graffiti, and pulling weeds from public areas. The city will coordinate several clean up sites around town. “The Community Clean Up Day and Recycling Day is but one of many ways the city focuses on sustainability,” says Belinda Barbour, solid waste coordinator for the City of Barstow. “We are asking all of us, as a community, to participate in a nonpartisan way to preserve our future by reducing, reusing, recycling and rethinking our habits. Everything you do can make a difference,” added Barbour. City residents may dispose of excess trash, furniture, and other trash generated as part of owning or maintaining their home for free at the San Bernardino County landfill on Saturday, April 11, 2009. The Barstow-area landfill, located on Barstow Road, will be open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. City residents will have tipping fees waived on this day. Only privately owned vehicles and vehicles with trailers are permitted. Proof of residency will be required. Don’t forget to cover all loads going to the landfill or the County will charge you, even on this free Cleanup Day Businesses, organizations, churches and families that are interested in making a longer-term commitment are encouraged to join the Adopt-a-Block program. The program is dedicated to improving the quality of life and revitalizing the local environment through nuisance abatement activities and events that bring neighborhoods together. Block improvement activities are only limited by the sponsor’s imagination. This program provides individuals or groups of local residents and organizations the opportunity to volunteer to take responsibility for enhancing their community environment, one block at a time. An individual or group can adopt a city block by committing to a two-year agreement available at the City of Barstow. A sign will be placed on the block denoting the block adoption. “We have a great opportunity with the Adopt-a-Block to not only improve the aesthetics of the community, but to honor our military members, past and present,” said Joe Gomez, Mayor of Barstow. “Barstow is a military town and what better way to honor their sacrifice than by dedicating some hard work to our men and women of the military,” added the Mayor. He went on to say that, through the adopt-a-block program, interested groups or individuals can dedicate their hard work in cleaning up a block to a local military member or veteran of their choice, which will be commemorated through the sign. For more information on the Adopt-a-Block program or the Community Clean Up and Recycling Day including getting involved in a coordinated area, contact Belinda Barbour at 760-255-5126 or bbarbour@barstowca.org.

City looks at algae as possible fix for wastewater problems

2009-03-14T10:48:00.000-07:00

County Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt leading the way in Algae technology

Several weeks ago Supervisor Mitzelfelt' field rep Jesse Flores introduced me to Dr. Patrick Hatcher. Mitzelfelt is supporting the concept and future algae farms in Daggett, Ca, along I-40.

Biofuel and fertilizer produced as byproducts

March 13, 2009 - 3:45 PM By ABBY SEWELL, staff writer BARSTOW • The solution to the city’s problems with the groundwater contamination around Soapmine Road could come in the form of green algae. Mayor Joe Gomez is floating the idea of partnering with Southern California-based developer Brad Ducich and a group of Virginia-based researchers to create an operation in which ponds full of green algae would eat the nitrates from contaminated water while the algae is harvested to make biofuels and fertilizer. The treated water could then be pumped back into the ground to flush out the contaminated groundwater. Ducich and Dr. Patrick Hatcher, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Old Dominion University and executive director of the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium, were in Barstow Friday to talk to stakeholders including the mayor, Councilman Tim Saenz, and residents of the Soapmine Road area. The prospect could have the city and Soapmine Road residents on the same side of the table for once. The city is under orders by the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board to come up with a remediation plan for the Soapmine area groundwater. The water board determined that the high level of nitrates in the groundwater was caused by the city irrigating a field to the west of the Soapmine Road area with treated wastewater from the city’s wastewater plant for about two decades prior to 2004. Soapmine Road resident Christina Byrne, who has been vocal on the groundwater issue, said residents are excited by the idea of using algae in the cleanup. “The neighborhood is very optimistic,” she said. “I’m optimistic, I’m happy.” Algae is not being used commercially for wastewater treatment currently, Hatcher said, but Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium and several other groups are currently conducting pilot projects pairing biodiesel production with wastewater remediation. Al Darzins, group manager of the National Bioenergy Center at the National Renewable Energy Lab, which has put many years of research into algae-based fuels, said algae has a higher energy content and yields a far higher amount of oil per acre than other plants used for biofuels. But with the fuel costing an estimated $10 a gallon or more to produce, it is not yet cost effective, he said. Hatcher said that with the production costs being offset by selling byproducts like fertilizer, the actual cost per gallon of biofuel could be $1.50 to $2 a gallon. The idea of using algae for wastewater remediation in Barstow is still very much in the initial phases and will need to go to the City Council before it moves forward, Gomez said. First Step Plus LLC, a company owned by Ducich, already has a conditional use permit to develop 34 acres on Interstate 40 by the Daggett airport into a truck stop. Now, Ducich said, he is looking at putting an algae farm on the property and selling biofuel as well as regular fuel there. Ducich said he hopes to begin construction in the next six months.Contact the writer:(760) 256-4123 or asewell@desertdispatch.com

Ft Irwin hiring, locals please apply!

2009-03-06T00:26:00.000-08:00

By MARK MUCKENFUSSThe Press-Enterprise

The U.S. Army base at Fort Irwin has nonmilitary jobs. The base's remoteness -- it is 45 miles northeast of Barstow, with nothing but desert in between -- makes it less attractive to many job seekers. But officials there say there has been a jump in interest recently. "Our applications have tripled," said Debra Rivera, who is in charge of overseeing non-appropriated-funds jobs, which are self-sustaining operations such as the fast-food restaurants on the base. "We have people coming all the way from Helendale and Apple Valley (80 miles away). They're willing to make a very long commute." She often has openings among the 230 such jobs on base. "We hire all the time," she said. Human resource specialist Robert Tamayo said about 90 percent of the base's jobs paid for through appropriations are handled by private contractors. But there are 280 civilian jobs handled directly by his office. "At any given moment we have an average of 10-15 jobs open," he said. Civilians can apply for housing on the base, although military personal receive preference. There are also base buses that shuttle commuters from Victorville and Barstow free of charge. Most appropriated-funds jobs, Tamayo said, can be applied for online through USAjobs.com. The same is true for other bases. Tamayo said he is getting more applications than ever through the Web site these days. "Now the competition is greater," he said. "We have so many qualified applicants. It's increasing the pool of candidates, which is good for us, but not everyone is getting selected for what they apply for." Reach Mark Muckenfuss at 951-368-9595 or mmuckenfuss@PE.com

2009 BUSD Science Fair Mayor's Award

2009-03-05T23:45:00.000-08:00

"Smiling is contagious" scientific project by Dolores Baca of Barstow Intermediate School.

Today, I had the opportunity to judge the BUSD Science Fair. I was tasked to select two projects worthy of awards.

There is no criteria for the "Mayor's Award", so I took my time and evaluated over 100 science projects. I made a decision to select a unique project, that would hopefully inspire other students.

"Smiling is Contagious" by Dolores Baca caught my eye and her oral presentation impressed me. She took the time to evaluate over 100 people at various locations, such as Tanger, Stater Brothers, Barstow Community Hospital and Wal-Mart. Yes, more people smiled.

As a board member for the Mojave Desert Quality Air Management District, I was asked to represent MEEC(Mojave Education Environmental Consortium) I selected an environmental project "Going Green" by Alyssa Seelig and Emma Hernandez, both were awarded a big blue ribbon and a $100.00 SAVINGS BOND.

Local agencies work toward more communication, resource sharing

2009-03-04T20:54:00.000-08:00

Intergovernmental organization revived
March 4, 2009 - 3:28 PM By ABBY SEWELL, staff writer BARSTOW • Barstow is reviving a group intended to provide communication between the city and other local government entities, from the school and fire districts to federal agencies. The Barstow Association of Governments was an informal association created in 1998 under former Mayor Katy Yslas Yent. The idea was to provide a venue for the various independent government agencies operating in the Barstow area to share ideas and concerns, said Barstow Community College board member Fred Baca, who was part of the initial formation of the group. After several years, however, it fizzled out, and the group’s last meeting was in October of 2007. Mayor Joe Gomez said that when he took office, reenvigorating the group was a priority, especially since the current economy creates an interest in sharing resources among agencies. The group convened again Wednesday, with representatives from the city, San Bernardino County, Barstow Community College, the Marine Corps Logistics Base, Bureau of Land Management, Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District, Barstow Fire Protection District, Barstow Community Hospital and various business and nonprofit entities. The leaders gave updates on the status of their finances, projects in the works, concerns and hopes; from the MCLB’s plans to expand its workforce to other agencies’ worries about the economy. “I think especially at this particular point in time, it’s really important to share resources, share ideas, and that everybody knows what you are doing so you are not duplicating and you are not blind to what is happening,” Baca said. For instance, knowing that the city is planning to purchase graffiti removal equipment, the schools might work out a way to share the equipment rather than buying their own, he said. Gomez said previously that the city is also working with the county to develop an equipment-sharing agreement. Fire Chief Darrell Jauss said that when the association was active before, it helped in terms of communication but did not necessarily lead to resource sharing among the agencies, which he hoped would play a bigger role in the future. “It didn’t meet our big needs, but it was helpful in knowing what other agencies were doing and what was going on,” he said. Mike Bogdahn, deputy commander of the maintenance center at the Marine Corps Logistics Base, said he hopes the group will help the base communicate better with the Barstow community, aiding in areas like job recruitment, workforce development, and setting up internship programs. The group agreed to hold meetings at least once every two months in the future.

BHS Cross Country: Chavez to join Solis at Chico State

2009-03-04T20:48:00.000-08:00

By Matthew Peters, Sports Editor BARSTOW • Isaac Chavez and Anthony Solis might not be done winning cross country championships together. Chavez, a Barstow High School senior, is set to join his former teammate at California State University, Chico on a cross country and track scholarship. Chavez, who plans to major in criminal justice, signed with the school Saturday and is expected to redshirt his freshman year. Solis and Chavez won three CIF Division III titles, two together, as runners on the Barstow High School cross country team. After three straight state titles and a second place individual finish at state in November, Chavez admitted he’s not quite sure what losing feels like. He might not have to find out at Chico State. “If we get (the team) going and myself going, we can be a really strong team and NCAA champs in a few years,” Chavez said. The Wildcats finished third at the NCAA Division II Championships this year and have been among the top 10 teams for a decade. “Hopefully in a couple years, we can be the top two guys and lead the team to a national championship,” said Solis, who is a freshman at Chico State and redshirted last season. “I’m glad he’s coming up here. It should be fun having him as my teammate for like another four years.” Chico State coach Gary Towne said his ultimate goal is to get the NCAA title and believes Chavez and Solis are important pieces toward earning it. Chavez was the top runner on Towne’s recruiting list. Towne said Chavez shares some similarities with Scott Bauhs, who won the Div. II individual cross country title for Chico State in November. Both had impressive high school careers, but what stood out to Towne was their potential. “He has some of the same qualities,” Towne said. “He’s run at a high level, but he looks undeveloped. I think he’s got a lot of physical maturation to do.” Chavez said he first learned about Chico State when Solis was being recruited. When it came time to look into schools, he learned Chico State was one of the top Div. II cross country teams through a quick Internet search and decided to look closer at the program. He stayed with Solis when he visited and said he liked the atmosphere, rain and small town around the campus. “It’s kind of like Barstow,” Chavez said. “It’s easy to get around.” Before Chavez heads to Chico, he’ll close out his senior year as a member of the BHS track team. Chavez wants to return to the state meet where he finished 12th in the 3,200-meter race and break the BHS record for the 4X100-meter relay with teammates Andrew Romano, Ian Barba and Josh Gomez. Chavez was a member of the team that set the record last year.Contact the writer:(760) 256-4124 or mpeters@desertdispatch.com

City Council recap for March 2, 2009

2009-03-04T20:25:00.000-08:00

March 3, 2009 - 1:26 PM Compiled by ABBY SEWELL, staff writer Watch meeting online

BARSTOW • Among the other actions at Monday’s Barstow City Council meeting:

Brown Act • By request of Mayor Joe Gomez, the city attorney gave a review of the Brown Act, which governs the procedures for public meetings. Attorney Yvette Abich noted that there is a 90 day statute of limitations after an alleged Brown Act violation occurs for someone to file a request with the city to cure the violation. If the violation is not cured, the public officials may face civil or criminal penalties. Unpaid sewer and trash accounts • The Council held a protest hearing for property owners who have been notified of unpaid sewer and trash bills. The unpaid bills totaled $152,371.82. No one came forward to protest the assessments. The Council voted unanimously to place liens on the properties in question. Annexation • The Council voted unanimously to request that the Local Agency Formation Commission of San Bernardino County allow the annexation of a total of 1,317 acres of vacant land southwest of the city, known as the Martin Annexation. This is an amendment of an annexation previously approved by the Council. LAFCO requested that the city add 160 additional acres into the previously approved annexation to square off the boundaries. The Martin annexation was initially proposed by the property owners, who gave the city about $25,000 to cover the application fees, but no development is currently planned there. The annexation will ultimately go to the LAFCO board for approval. Wading pool at Henderson Pool • Along with other consent calendar items, which the Council passed unanimously, they approved plans to renovate the children’s wading pool at Henderson Pool and to advertise for bids on the project. The city has a $50,000 grant available for the project, which expires in September 2009. The total project cost is estimated at $117,346, and the city has already budgeted $60,000 in addition to the grant funds. Street projects • The Council voted to add five projects recommended by the street committee for inclusion in the 2008-09 Capital Improvement Program project list, in addition to the 17 already on the list. The additions were based on revised estimates of revenues and expenditures, which left a surplus of revenues for capital projects. The new projects added were Lenwood Road from Serrano Drive to Mercantile Way, Mercantile Way from Lenwood Road to the end of the street, Country Club Drive from Main Street to south of Capella Drive, a pavement preservation and maintenance program for all city streets, and videoing of sewer lines on streets within the CIP list. City staff have already obtained grants totaling $310,000 for the first two projects on the list. The vote was four to one, with Councilman Willie Hailey dissenting. Hailey questioned the priority of streets in outlying areas, like Lenwood Road and Country Club Drive, and said he would like to see the CIP list revisited by the current Council. Contract awarded • The Council awarded a contract of $144,000 to Hardy & Harper, Inc., for reconstruction of Citrine Road between West Main Street and Jasper Road and Barstow Road between Virginia Way and Grace Street. The vote was four to one with Hailey dissenting.

Group comes on board in search for Barstow mother

2009-02-22T21:22:00.000-08:00

Volunteers turn up no evidence in search for missing mother Event brings 260 volunteers; family plans for another search February 23, 2009 - 3:44 PM By CHARLES NGUYEN, staff writer ORO GRANDE • An eight-hour search of areas in Oro Grande on Saturday turned up no pieces of evidence in the case of Leisa Hurst, a missing single mother from Barstow, but drew more than 260 volunteers, many who showed up with equipment and vehicles to support the search. The search party was the second since Hurst was reported missing on Jan. 22 and the first to be led by Trinity Search and Recovery, a California-based organization that hosts searches for missing persons cases. The first search party, held on Feb. 7, attracted more than 170 volunteers including off-duty officers from the Barstow Police Department. More than 260 people registered at the latest search party, according to Hurst’s mother Deborah Welch, and attendees included Mayor Joe Gomez and Det. Keith Libby, who is the lead investigator for the Barstow Police case. (Read more...)

Several Barstow City employees, concerned citizens and Leisa Hurst family members joined Trinity Search and Rescue on the search Feb. 21, 2009 covering a area near Oro Grande along the river bed, unsuccessfully found any evidence of Ms. Hurst.

Trinity Search and Rescue will head second search party

February 15, 2009 - 9:16 AM By CHARLES NGUYEN, staff writer

A search and recovery organization is taking over the Feb. 21 volunteer search for Leisa Hurst, a Barstow single mother who has been missing since January. Trinity Search and Recovery will offer specialized equipment to the search party and also manage it through an on-site command post, founder and President Mike Melson said. The search will take place in the same Helendale area as the search held on Feb. 7. The volunteer organization and Debra Walsh, Hursts mother, were connected through the Kristen Foundation, a North Carolina-based group that focuses on providing aid to families of missing people, Melson said. The missing persons community is a small network, he said. We get to know each other quickly, no matter how far we are. The organization was founded in 2005 by Melson and his wife Bridget and has since helped about a dozen families throughout California, according to Melson. Melson said he hopes to bring specialized equipment to the next search, which includes aerial drones for a birds-eye view of the area and side-scan sonar, which maps underwater terrain for boats. Rain cut the four-hour search short on Feb. 7, which turned up no pieces of evidence related to Hurst's disappearance. However, the 175 volunteers that showed up managed to assemble a makeshift command post complete with dispatchers and call signs, Walsh said. Volunteers also used search vehicles and animals to comb areas muddied by rainfall. The weather put a damper on it but we were so grateful for the things the community was able to do and bring, Walsh said. Melson said he will try a similar setup for the Feb. 21 search. Volunteers will be organized into groups and briefed before they are sent out to search, where they will be able to radio into a communications station if anything is found, Melson said. They had a fantastic turnout for the first search and we already have 40 folks registered for the next one, he said. The most frustrating thing is when we can't stir up enough interest, but so many generous people have responded to this. There have been no recent developments in Hurst's case. Police still believe Jeami Chipaulis was somehow involved in her Jan. 22 disappearance but have not named him as a suspect. Chiapulis, a Helendale man, checked himself into the psychiatric ward of an unidentified hospital days after Hurst was reported missing and remains a patient there, according to Barstow Police Det. Keith Libby. Anyone who may have information regarding the case is asked to contact Det. Keith Libby at 760-256-2211. Anyone inquiring about the community search party is asked to leave information with Trinity Search and Rescue at http://www.trinitysearch.org/. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the WE-TIP hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or leave information on the WE-TIP Web site at www.wetip.com.CONTACT THE WRITER:(760) 256-4126 or cnguyen@desertdispatch.com

Leisa Hurst. Missing Jan. 22, 2009 from the High Desert in San Bernardino County, Ca.

Hurst is a white female adult, 30 years old, and described at 5'6", 130 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes She was scheduled to attened a class at Victor Vally College in Victorville, Ca. It is unknown if she actually attended the class. On Jan. 23, 2009 Hurst's car was discovered in Hesperia abandoned in the area of Olive Street and Second Street. The orange Honda Element had its windows down and its key was still in the ignition. Police believe Hurst's cell phone was last used Jan. 22 at 11 p.m. in Hesperia after locating its signal near a cell tower on Mariposa Road.

Update:.Jeami Chiapulis, a Helendale Man has been arrested and charged with Leisa's suspected murder even though her body has not yet been found. Please say a Prayer for Leisa's Daughters, Family and Friends...

Army general visits Cal State San Bernardino

2009-02-19T06:32:00.000-08:00

Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer Posted: 02/18/2009 06:42:19 PM PST

SAN BERNARDINO - A ride in an Army Black Hawk helicopter is something most people will never get to experience. But for Brig. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard, it's his normal mode of transportation. Pittard, commanding general of Fort Irwin Army base, touched down at the athletic fields of Cal State San Bernardino Wednesday to discuss partnerships between the base and university. "There's an initiative between the (California State University) and the United States military to make sure we're as good a set of partners as we can," said Cal State President Al Karnig. Cal State can be a big help to the base because it offers a bachelor's degree in Arabic, Pittard said. "There is a need for our soldiers to Brig. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard, left, commander of the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, leaves an Army Black Hawk helicopter after it landed at Cal State San Bernardino. Pittard met with university President Al Karnig to discuss creating more partnership programs between the university and Fort Irwin. (Al Cuizon / Staff Photographer)learn basic Arabic," he said. "It's very important." Students and professors in the Arabic program could teach the language to soldiers at Fort Irwin, he said. Basic knowledge of Arabic is an invaluable tool for soldiers placed in a combat zone in the Middle East, said Maj. John J. McBrearty, an Iraq war veteran and assistant professor of military science at Cal State's Army Reserve Officer Training Corps. "The more you know the language the more the locals appreciate you," McBrearty said. Pittard has suggested Cal State send students enrolled in the Arabic program to the base to act as Iraqis in role playing situations. Fort Irwin is a training ground for platoons headed to Iraq and has full-scale towns set up that mimic the urban environment soldiers will encounter if deployed, said Lt. Ryan Upper, an assistant professor of military science at Cal State's ROTC. Pittard has also suggested sending journalism students from Cal State's Communication Studies program to the base to act as embedded reporters in the simulation. Fort Irwin's facilities management team manages green energy sources that power numerous facilities on the million-acre base, Karnig said. He hopes the Army can provide Cal State with tips and training in facilities management to bring energy costs down and establish on-campus renewable energy sources. It's a campus-wide goal to have 50 percent of the university's energy produced on-campus in a green manner by the end of this year, Karnig said. The university also plans to establish its extended learning program at Fort Irwin and offer on-line master's degree programs in public administration and criminal justice, Karnig said. McBrearty said it's the ROTC's presence at Cal State that sparked the relationship with Fort Irwin. The ROTC office offers a number of scholarships for anyone interested in a career as an Army officer or Army nurse. For more information call the Cal State ROTC office at (909) 537-5533. michael.sorba@inlandnewspapers.com, (909) 386-3872

Giving the youth a voice in government

2009-02-19T05:42:00.000-08:00

Council votes to create youth advisory commission

February 18, 2009 - 3:54 PM

By ABBY SEWELL, staff writer

BARSTOW • The city of Barstow is looking for a few good teens. Mayor Joe Gomez ran his campaign partially based on promises that he would focus on Barstow’s youth. The Barstow City Council took a step in that direction at Tuesday’s meeting, where they voted unanimously to create a 13-member commission comprised of local teens that will advise the Council on youth-related issues. Gomez said he hopes to see the youth commission meet at least once a month and send their chairperson to give a report to the City Council every three months, although he said he would like to see the youth commission members attend Council meetings more often. Gomez and Councilwoman Julie Hackbarth-McIntyre, mayor pro-tem of the Council, would attend the youth council’s meetings. The Council would ask the youth to give input on certain issues, but youth could also bring their own concerns and ideas to the Council, Gomez said. “I want to listen to what they would like,” he said. “We always talk about what we would like the kids to do, but I would like to focus on what the kids want for the community.” The youth council would have its own Web page on the city’s site where members could post meeting minutes, upcoming events and other information, Gomez said. Barstow High School students leaving school Wednesday afternoon had not heard of the idea and some said they were not sure what impact it would have. Others, like sophomores Suzanne Obando, 16, and Madison Porter, 14, said they liked the concept. “There’s some grown-ups that may address issues from what the youth want, but most of them look at what grown-ups want,” Obando said. Stephanie Saiz, 15, said the city government pays attention to youth concerns “kind of, not that much,” as leaders focus on other issues like the economy. The students listed teen pregnancy and drug use at school as some of their concerns, along with the economic issues facing education and standardized tests mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act. Although some of those issues are in the hands of the state or federal government and not the city of Barstow, Obando said, “They have more ability than us (to have an effect).” The youth council will be composed of 11 high school students — two selected from the applicant pool by each Council member and one by the city clerk — and one representative each from the student governments of Barstow Junior High School and Barstow Community College. Initially, Gomez had proposed to limit eligibility to Barstow residents between the ages of 14 and 18, but after comments by Hinkley resident Norm Diaz at Tuesday’s meeting, the Council agreed to broaden the standards to include any youth at the high school level in the Barstow Unified or Silver Valley Unified School Districts, as well as home-schoolers. Councilman Tim Saenz also suggested the addition of the junior high and community college representatives to broaden the pool of voices. “We need to start being proactive with the junior high kids and show them this stuff now, not wait until they’re in high school,” he said Wednesday. For BCC students, involvement in the council could help them move on to their next step in life, whether to four-year college or the work force, he said. Gomez said that, to his knowledge, the new youth commission will be the first entity of its kind in Barstow. According to the Institute for Local Government's Collaborative Governance Initiative, there are more than 100 youth commissions at work in California, including in the cities of Riverside, Yucca Valley and Palm Desert. The City Council will vote on a resolution formalizing the details of the youth commission at a future meeting, but the city will begin taking applicants immediately.Contact the writer:(760) 256-4123 or asewell@desertdispatch.com There are 11 slots open on the Barstow Youth Council for high school students, including homeschoolers, in the Barstow Unified and Silver Valley Unified School District. Students must have a grade point average of at least 2.5 to be eligible and must have a letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, employer, minister or family friend. Applications are due by the end of March and are available at City Hall, 220 E. Mountain View St. Call 760-256-3531 for more information.

No cable? Watch City Council meeting on the internet

2009-02-17T10:12:00.000-08:00

Many citizens have expressed their concerns about not being able to watch the council meetings because they now have satlelite TV. With a system called Granicus streamline, you can now view the City Council meetings online through our website View Here is the agenda for February 17, 2009 meeting.

Environmental group opens office in Barstow

2009-02-17T09:57:00.000-08:00

I had the priviledge of meeting with David Lamfrom last week. David has many great ideas to serve and work with the City of Barstow. I welcome David and the National Parks Conservation Association to Barstow.

February 15, 2009 - 9:21 AM By ABBY SEWELL, staff writer BARSTOW • The newly opened office of the National Parks Conservation Association in Barstow is still almost bare, but staffer David Lamfrom has big plans for it. The nonprofit organization, which was created in 1919 by the same people who founded the National Park Service, lobbies and provides public education and community outreach on issues centering around the national parks. Its office in Barstow opened Feb. 9. In the coming months NPCA will give digital cameras to a dozen High Desert high school students and lead them on expeditions to the Mojave Desert, where they will photograph desert tortoises, their habitat, and threats to their survival. At the end of the 16-month program, the group will self-publish a photographic book focused on the tortoise. In the process, Lamfrom — who worked as an environmental biologist and then as vice president of an environmental consulting firm before joining the NPCA as a field representative — hopes the kids will learn not only about the desert ecosystem but about critical thinking and expressing themselves through art. “It’s a marriage of arts and sciences,” he said. Aside from the desert tortoise project, the NPCA has also advocated on environmental issues like the siting of renewable energy projects. Another focus of the nonprofit is on channeling the tourism to the national parks so that communities like Barstow see a positive economic impact, Lamfrom said. As one piece of that, the NPCA sits on the Barstow-Kelso Heritage Railroad committee, which hopes to run a tour train from the Harvey House in Barstow to the historic Kelso Depot, traveling through roadless regions of the desert in between. “Ultimately the long-term goal of this office is to help Barstow embrace being the gateway to the Mojave National Preserve,” Lamfrom said. The group has already begun working with some other local partners, like the Desert Discovery Center and its Discovery Trails educational program, and the Mojave Environmental Education Consortium, a public-private partnership that provides teachers with environmental education materials and provides grants that allow teachers to take students on environmentally-focused field trips. Jane Laraman-Brockhurst, artistic coordinator for Discovery Trails and president of local nonprofit Main Street Murals, said the NPCA will add a welcome new piece to the Desert Discovery Center Partnership, which previously included the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Barstow Community College, Barstow Unified School District, the Mojave River Valley Museum and Main Street Murals. NPCA will be leading some workshops and assisting with a field trip to Death Valley as part of Main Street Murals’ Discovery Trails educational program on the Ice Age. “It’s really important that the public experience the public lands we have, and that’s David (Lamfrom’s) role, is as an enabler to get the public to really experience public lands,” she said. In the future Lamfrom said he also hopes to partner with the city of Barstow in bringing more national-park related economic development to town.

Chemehuevi's Ancestral Rights in Barstow

2009-01-08T22:26:00.000-08:00

BUSD Superintendent's Susan Levine's new blog

2009-01-08T20:20:00.000-08:00

This is the first posting in my new blog, the purpose of which is to communicate with the Barstow school district community. I will try to post on a daily basis. My intent is to give information and also let you have a "peek in" to what we do here at the District, and how a school district runs. I am excited! Today was a fairly quiet day at the District office. We are preparing the agenda for the 1/13 Board meeting. Also, I am meeting with our principals to discuss their goals for this year. We had a Management Team meeting at 3:30 today of the entire team, both classified and certificated. I am so very lucky to have such a competent team. Tomorrow night will be another insurance informational meeting. We have to find a new insurance carrier that can give us a better rate. I have made this a top priority! I keep hoping more certificated and classified staff will attend. On a personal note, I am reading a new book, Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell. It is about what makes a great leader, and maybe I can pick up some tips. I have just finished the first chapter, and I'll keep you posted as I read along. I'm wondering how our HS Boys and Girls Basketball team is doing against Apple Valley tonight. I'm going to try and catch the girls' game next Wednesday night. Susan

Improving Barstow's Image

2008-12-30T00:29:00.001-08:00

If the City of Barstow wants to attract business and quality residents, we must clean up our community. We are committed to improve our image by constant and never ending improvement to our infrustructure. As a community we must combine our resources to work together to improve the quality of live for our residents and the future of our children. We are in the process of improving our shopping cart ordinance and presently working on a weed and tumbleweed abatement program. Road repair will be on the priority list. Joe

Barstow remembers Runyon’s fighting spirit

2008-12-26T18:51:00.000-08:00

Helen will surely be missed. Just this past Sunday I went to visit Helen at Rimrock Convalescent Home, she was still stubborn as ever. She was complaining about the food and wanted some DiNapolie's spaghetti, unfortunately they are closed on Sunday's, so I went to Red Baron's Pizza. Helen was still grieving the sudden death of her good friend Paul Warner. As I was leaving she quoted Shakespeare's Juliet "Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow" The last and final words to me. Love you Helen. Joe

BARSTOW • Friends, colleagues, adversaries, and neighbors remember Helen Katherine Moriarty Runyon for her fighting spirit. The former Barstow City Councilwoman of 16 years died of congestive heart failure at Barstow Community Hospital on Friday morning, said close friend Pat Christensen Gumz, who was with her. Runyon was 85 and would have turned 86 on Jan. 16, 2009. Runyon served on the City Council from 1990 to 2006. Aside from that stint, she was active in other community endeavors, from the task force that founded Desert Manna Ministries homeless shelter in the 1980s, to serving food in the soup kitchen at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, said Eddie U. Garcia, a fellow member of the Mojave Desert Democratic Club, who served as Runyon’s campaign treasurer on each of her Council bids. Mayor Joe Gomez, who became close with Runyon while the two were serving on the Council together from 2004 to 2006, said there were two sides to her — the fiery, sometimes adversarial politician people saw at City Council meetings and the kind, caring woman who would do anything for a friend. “She believed in truth in city government — that’s all she preached to me,” Gomez said. “She fought for what she believed in. She was a straight shooter, and she had nothing to hide.” Gomez recalled that Runyon was a passionate champion of the “hospital fund,” money set aside to build a new hospital that complied with state earthquake regulations. Manuel “Gil” Gurule, who served on the Council from 1988 to 1992, recalled that she was also strongly involved with the city’s fight for water rights in the Mojave River Basin and with saving the historic Harvey House from demolition. Former Councilwoman Gloria Darling, who served from 1998 to 2006, remembered Runyon’s penchant for sniffing out anything that had an appearance of secrecy or backroom dealing in the city government. “She was very tenacious,” Darling said. “If she got a hold of some information or whatever, until she was satisfied that it was right, that it was just and that nothing was being hidden, she would pursue it and badger people to death.” Although that trait was sometimes frustrating to others, Darling said that in the end, Runyon worked for the best interests of Barstow. “We always need people like her — that’s the only thing that that keeps politicians going in the right direction for the taxpayers,” she said. Lawrence Dale, who served as mayor from 2000 to 2008, said despite their often adversarial relationship on the Council, he respected Runyon. “Somewhere down the line you have to come to the agreement that we’re all there to do for the city and not for ourselves,” he said. “... She had been on the Council for a number of years and served the city well on her tenure.” Darling also recalled Runyon’s generous spirit. Despite their arguments on the Council, when Darling was recovering from a surgery, Runyon showed up at her door with a gift of a homemade roast. Laura Moraco, police services assistant for the Barstow Police Department, met Runyon after coming to work for the city in 1996. The two quickly became friends. Moraco remembered that Runyon would bring homemade soup and roasts to the city and police department staff every Christmas and on various occasions throughout the year. More than that, Moraco remembered Runyon as a model of a strong woman who could hold her own in a man’s world, while still retaining her sense of style. “I think she was what women should aspire to be — strong and independent and feisty,” Moraco said. While she a tough woman, Moraco said, Runyon carried herself with grace and elegance. Almost until the end, she would visit her hairdresser every Tuesday and would not leave the house unless she was looking sharp, Gumz said. Roman “Junior” Saavedra, Jr., Runyon’s neighbor since 1972, drove her to the hairdresser’s and to do her shopping every week, after she was no longer able to drive. Born in Massachusetts and raised by her grandmother and aunts, Runyon moved to Barstow in the 1960s with her husband Cecil “Ike” Runyon, who had taken a job as executive director of the Barstow Area Chamber of Commerce, according to Gumz and Gurule, who was Runyon’s friend and held power of attorney for her. The Runyons were preparing to move again, for another job in Las Vegas, when Cecil died of a heart attack in the early 1970s, and Helen elected to stay in Barstow. She later worked as a receptionist in the office of Dr. Richard Woodyard, her significant other of about 10 years, who died in the early 1980s, Gurule said. Runyon had no children of her own, but for Gumz, whose family lived next door to the Runyons when they first moved to Barstow, Runyon became like a second mother. Gumz’ parents died while she was in her early 30s, and Runyon became a true mother figure to her after that. Friends also recalled that Runyon loved animals and was constantly taking in strays. She wanted her estate to go to a cause benefiting animals, Gurule said.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T18:47:00.000-08:00

My sister Vanessa, best school counselor in America for 2009?

2008-12-16T21:09:00.000-08:00

My youngest sister, Vanessa Gomez-Lee has been nominated 10 ten school counselors in the United States and is also one of the finalist to be 2009 Counselor of the Year. Vanessa attended Crestline School during her elementary years. She graduated from Barstow High in 1990 and Barstow College in 1992. We are very proud of her accomplishments. Good Luck sis. Joe

The School Counselor of the Year program, presented by Naviance and ASCA, honors the best of the best -- school counselors who are running a top-notch, comprehensive school counseling program at either the elementary, middle or high school level. This newly enhanced program brings 10 finalists and their nominators to Washington, D.C., in late January, where they participate in a congressional briefing, tour Washington, D.C., and are honored at the School Counselor of the Year Gala. From these 10 finalists, one school counselor of the year is selected. Nominations for the 2010 awards will be open in spring 2009.
* Marilyn S. Agee, Concord East Side Elementary School, Elkhart, Ind.

* Margaret S. Cheeley, Collins Hill High School, Suwanee, Ga.

* Vanessa Gomez-Lee, Valley View High School, Moreno Valley, Calif.

* Karen Gannon Griffith, Berkeley Lake Elementary School, Duluth, Ga.

* Julie Hartline, Campbell High School, Smyrna, Ga.

* Laurie Maheen Huntwork, Aloha Huber Park Pre-K-8 School, Beaverton, Ore.

* Brian Law, Valdosta High School, Valdosta, Ga.

* Ana M. Leon, Wilton Manors Elementary School, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

* Diane M. Reese, Ph.D., STEP Center/Academy 1, T.C.Williams High School, Alexandria, Va.

* Steve Schneider, Sheboygan South High School, Sheboygan, Wis.

Vanessa Gomez-Lee is a passionate and dedicated credentialed school counselor, who has worked in Moreno Valley Unified School District for the past 12 years. Currently, she is the Lead Student Assistance Program Counselor in Moreno Valley Unified School District. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Sociology from the University of California, San Diego and her Masters Degree in Counseling from the University of San Diego. Vanessa has served as head counselor, developed various programs, and has served on the district’s task force team during the implementation of the National Standards. She is also a contributing author of the Award Winning Comprehensive Student Assistance Program at Moreno Valley Unified School District. In 2004, Vanessa was selected by the American School Counselor Association to be the featured school counselor in the production of a video depicting the day and life of a school counselor. Vanessa is the Vice President on the board of Suicide Awareness Requires Action. She is an Adjunct Professor at San Diego State University. Vanessa has served as a counselor consultant and is a Trainer of Trainers in developing Student Assistance Programs, Insight, and Developmental Assets. Vanessa has conducted state and national trainings on the above topics, as well as the National Model for School Counselors. As the High School Vice-President for CASC her goal is to serve as a resource and advocate to counselors throughout California.

New officials sworn in with promises of teamwork, accountability

2008-12-16T20:51:00.000-08:00

Click here to see celebration comments at Los Domingos

Mayor Joe Gomez says youth, street clean-up will be key points December 16, 2008 - 3:12 PM By ABBY SEWELL, staff writer BARSTOW • Barstow’s new mayor, Joe Gomez, and City Council members Tim Saenz and Willie Hailey Sr. took their oaths of office Monday night, completing the transition in Barstow’s leadership following the Nov. 4 election. In his first meeting as mayor, Gomez promised to focus on the youth of Barstow, to clean up the streets, and maintain an open-door policy with the citizens of Barstow. “The youth of this community is important,” he told the crowd at Monday’s Council meeting. “... It is not what we want for the youth. It is what the youth wants for its future.” As a key piece in the new focus on youth, the mayor announced his intention to form an advisory council made up of local teens, to communicate the needs of Barstow’s younger generation to the City Council. In an effort to involve children in the public process, a Barstow elementary school student, chosen by the schools on a rotating basis, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance at each future Council meeting. Crestline Elementary School third-grader Donyeigh Walton became the first to do the honors at Monday’s meeting. Gomez also asked the Council and city staff to turn their attention to abating unsightly weeds, tumbleweeds and abandoned shopping carts on public property within the next three months. Some of the supporters who came to see the new mayor sworn in were old friends and family, like childhood friend Trinidad Esquivel, who said Gomez’s rise from a kid growing up in a housing project to mayor would serve as a good example for Barstow’s youth. Gomez’s daughter Latecia Miller said she was not surprised to see her dad take office. “Ever since I was little, he would make comments that he would be the mayor of Barstow,” she said. Kathy Alba, a more recent supporter who worked on Gomez’ campaign, said that as the mother of three sons, two of whom graduated from Barstow High School and one of whom is still in school, Gomez’s push to provide more opportunities for young people appealed to her. New Councilmen Saenz and Hailey both took the opportunity at Monday’s meeting to thank their families and supporters. The new Council members express their appreciation to the other Council candidates for running clean campaigns without resorting to personal attacks. Hailey said he hopes to see the Council members pull together despite their diverse backgrounds. He promised to be beholden to no special interests. “My agenda is just the community of Barstow — that’s the only agenda I’ve got,” he said. “And who’s going to control me is God and my mom.” Saenz cited a saying from former President Abraham Lincoln that if he was given six hours to cut down a tree, he would spend the first four sharpening the ax. “I think that’s what this Council is going to do,” he said. “We’re going to prepare, and we’re going to work together as a team.”Contact the writer:(760) 256-4123 or asewell@desertdispatch.com Mayor Joe Gomez bio: Joe Gomez was born in Barstow and graduated from Barstow High School in 1976. He later received an Associate of Science degree from Barstow College. His father, Dennis Gomez, worked as a supply clerk at the Marine Corps Logistics Base for 25 years until he became disabled. At that point, Gomez’s mother Frances Gomez went to work at Del Taco. Gomez coached youth sports in Barstow for many years and served as Vice President of East Barstow Little League in 1993 and 1994. He served as a board member for the Barstow Area Chamber of Commerce from 1998 to 2002 and as Chamber president in 2002. Gomez is currently a licensed insurance agent and runs an online business selling sports memorabilia. He was elected to the City Council in 2004. Source: Joe Gomez and city of Barstow

Congressman Joe Baca to swear in Mayor Elect Joe Gomez

2008-12-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

Cajon Pass closed today because of weather conditions(snow). Congressman Baca and many of my family could not attend.

On Monday December 15, 2008, Joe Gomez will be sworn in as Mayor of Barstow and Tim Saenz and Willie Hailey will be sworn in as City Council members. Joanne Cousino and Evelyn Radel will also be sworn in as City Clerk and City Treasure.

(Watch live on City website)

Date: December 15

Time: 6:30 pm

Location: Barstow City Council Chambers, 220 E. Mt. View, Barstow, Ca.

Reception: Los Domingos 7:30 pm

Barstow's Duarte goes out on top after fourth straight X-C title

2008-12-02T20:31:00.000-08:00

By Paul Gutierrez, Special to SI.com
His voice cracked and his eyes welled up. One by one Jim Duarte, the boys' cross-country coach at Barstow High in the Southern California desert and architect of six state titles, the most recent a mere few minutes old, ticked off the names of his team. Isaac Chavez. Andrew Romano. Ian Barba. Joshua Gomez. Jeremy Trujillo. Galen Miller. A.J. Kanczel. Seniors, all of them. Then, silence. Gripping the microphone, Duarte swallowed hard and fought back tears as he addressed the standing-room-only crowd gathering in the awards tent. "This is tough," Duarte said after a lengthy pause. "Some people kind of know it already -- this is my last year up here." And with that, a dynasty was left behind. Four straight CIF Division III state championships. Six in eight years, including the one Barstow grabbed by the throat last weekend at Fresno's Woodward Park. The Aztecs had four runners finish the 5,000-meter course in 16 minutes or less, with the foursome all placing in the top 19, and their team score of 70 and team time of 78:52 easily outdistanced the next closest schools -- Moraga Campolindo (101:79:45) and Petaluma (109:79:55). Besides boasting the third-most state titles since the state meet began in 1987, behind Jesuit (Sacramento) and McFarland, both of which have nine, Barstow has five of the nine fastest D-III team times at the state finals. All under Duarte, who took over the program in 1994. No wonder the small Barstow traveling party was in such shock when Duarte dropped the retirement bombshell. Because the Aztecs, hailing from a diverse city of 23,575 derisively known as a dusty backwater bathroom stop on the way to Las Vegas, made their mark under him. They helped change perceptions of their sleepy but proud hometown by commanding a statewide respect never seen before in California running circles. "The end of an era," said Barstow mayor-elect Joe Gomez, who ran recreationally for Duarte in junior high. "You're sad for the program but happy for him because he made a difference in so many people's lives, including mine. He went out a champion. "Of course, he always gives credit to everyone else but it's all on him." The mayor-elect has a vision, and it involves Latino actor and activist Edward James Olmos portraying the understated Duarte in a movie about the trials, tribulations and triumphs of the underdog Aztecs and their hometown. Think Running Brave meets Stand and Deliver. "(Duarte is) like another dad, he's always on top of us ... teaches us a lot of discipline," said Chavez, whose time of 15:15 placed him second individually. "If he wasn't our coach, we'd all probably be out drinking and smoking." Instead, Chavez is looking at possibly joining former Barstow teammate Anthony Solis and running at Chico State next year. It might be politically incorrect to say how refreshing it is to see youngsters running and training in the streets of Barstow rather than simply running the streets, but associate principal Scott Godfrey nods his head in agreement. Because with just 6.2 percent of Barstow's population having a Bachelor's Degree at the 2000 census and a median household income of less than $42,000, temptations can be great. Enter Duarte, who will continue to teach history on campus. "We have the poorest of the poor and doctor's kids in the same classrooms," said Godfrey, whose wife is Duarte's niece, lending even more of a small-town feel to the proceedings. "Some of the negatives of our town, the demographics, the reputation, he turns those things into positives for the guys. He creates a bubble for them within the bubble. "I seek them out on campus. They're not brash, they're just, they're champions, and they carry themselves like that everywhere. They've given us, our school, our town, a good name and it all emanates from coach." Yet the 60-year-old Duarte, who ran four years at UCLA as a walk-on after graduating from Barstow High in 1966, is so unassuming, so humble, it's hard to imagine him signing off on such a project as a movie, unless his runners were the ones featured, not him. "You always hope and pray the kids rise to the occasion," said Duarte, who had his team give fist-bumps rather than handshakes to reduce the risk of spreading germs and catching colds, "and what you're doing works." Then again, Hollywood might have a hard time finding him and the Aztecs. At the state meet, while scores of other schools announced their presence with swank digs of fancy color-coordinated tents with monogrammed canopies proclaiming their accomplishments, you needed a map and compass to find Barstow's encampment. It was the one on a lonely hill, under a solitary tree, an ice chest and a few folding chairs serving as its sentry. It was such a Spartan existence. So unassuming. So humble. So Barstow. So ... Duarte.

Paul Gutierrez, a senior staff writer at The Sacramento Bee, is a native of Barstow and a 1988 graduate of Barstow High.

Gomez picks off Dale for mayor

2008-11-06T20:46:00.000-08:00

“My goal is, I’m going to be the people’s mayor.”Mayor-elect Joe Gomez BARSTOW • For most of the day Tuesday, voters across Barstow faced strong winds as they made their way to the polls. The National Weather Service clocked winds as high as 44 miles per hour at the Barstow-Daggett Airport. Not the strongest ever in Barstow but strong enough to blow in a new mayor and a new complexion to the City Council in City Hall. With 16 out of 16 precincts counted, Joe Gomez defeated incumbent Lawrence Dale for mayor. Tim Saenz and Willie Hailey edged out Carmen Hernandez and field of four other candidates for two open spots on the City Council. Hailey bettered Hernandez by only four votes. “I feel great,” Gomez said Wednesday after the final vote counts were released just after 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. Dale said he was surprised by the results. He was not sure what swung voters in Barstow to vote for Gomez but mentioned that it might have been the number of first-time voters. “You win some and you lose some,” Dale said. “The people who came out to vote voted their conscience and did what they felt was right.” Dale said he plans to stay involved in the Shriners organization in Barstow as he has for many years to make sure local children receive the medical care they deserve. The race for City Council flipped during the late night and early morning hours but remained close. After early returns, Hernandez and Hailey held a slim lead over Saenz. Final results, however, put Saenz on top by 35 votes. Saenz said he thinks people in Barstow supported the issues he campaigned on, economic growth, public safety, opportunities for the youth and protection for Barstow’s seniors. He admitted he had a lot to learn and study. “I’m looking forward to jumping right into this,” he said. “Roads and the grade separation will have to be key for me. ... Those are two things that could help Barstow’s economic growth.” Hailey agreed that streets would be a primary issue for him too. He said people supported him based on his record and legacy in Barstow — after years as a California Highway Patrolman, a school board member and a coach — and he wants to return the governing of Barstow back to the people of Barstow. “I just want to the people of Barstow to know that I really thank them for this,” Hailey said. “It’s overwhelming. ... It’s a compliment when people trust you with power.” Hernandez said she will not challenge the vote. “That’s not my style,” she said. “What happens, happens.” After staying up all night watching results, Gomez said he felt confident after a 6 a.m. update put him ahead of Dale. Dale led in early returns. Gomez was at the Desert Sky League cross-country finals at Victor Valley Community College when he found out the final results. He had made running a central part of campaign, literally running for mayor by trying to run on every street in Barstow. “I just talked to enough people, and I have a lot of support from my family and friends,” Gomez said. “I just had a good feeling the last couple of months.” Gomez stuck to what he called a grassroots campaign. He said he utilized the Internet, creating a community of supporters through a www.myspace.com account and keeping people updated on his campaign on his blog. He modeled some of his campaign tactics after President-elect Barack Obama. “What worked for him, worked for me,” Gomez said Tuesday night. Workers at polling stations all over Barstow reported many first-time voters, both young and old. Gomez said the new voters were his base, and he depended on their support Tuesday night. Dolores Lazcano, who voted for the first time Tuesday, said she supported Gomez. “He’s a person of the city,” she said Tuesday night. Regardless of who else sits on the City Council with Gomez, he said he is going to work with them from scratch to build consensus and chart a path for the city. Gomez campaigned on increasing public safety and fixing the roads but would not say where he would start. He said he wanted to meet with the Council first. “I’m really confident that we’ll all work together,” he said. Gomez, Hailey and Saenz are scheduled to be sworn in on Dec. 1. They will join Tim Silva and Julie Hackbarth-McIntyre, whose seats are up in 2010. Mayor

Joe Gomez 45.97%

Lawrence Dale 36.16%

Nathaniel H. Pickett 17.86%

16 of 16 precincts counted

Joe Gomez new mayor of Barstow; Measure D fails

2008-11-05T14:48:00.000-08:00

I would like to thank all my friends and my family for having the confidence in me to lead Barstow in a new direction. Joe
BARSTOW -- With all precincts reporting, challenger Joe Gomez has defeated incumbent Lawrence Dale in the race for mayor of Barstow. The final vote is 45.97 percent to 36.16 percent. Nathaniel Picket is a distant third at 17.86 percent The final tally for City Council gives Timothy Saenze and Willie Hailey the two seats, but the numbers are extremely close. Timothy Saenz lead with 20.83 percent of the vote. In an extremely close race for the second seat, Willie Hailey followed with 20.38 percent of the vote, while Carmen Hernadez lags behind 20.33 percent. There are only four votes separating Hailey and Hernandez, and provisional ballots have not yet been counted.Measure D has failed. With 16 of 16 precincts reporting, only 56.6 percent of Barstow voters voted in favor of the sales tax increase to pay for police and firefighters. The measure requires 67 percent approval to pass. Latest numbers for races of local impact: MayorJoe Gomez 45.97%Lawrence Dale 36.16%Nathaniel H. Pickett 17.86%16 of 16 precincts countedCity Council (two seats)Timothy Saenz 20.83%Willie L. Hailey Sr. 20.38%Carmen M. Hernandez 20.33%Richard Villegas 15.63%Herchel Eugene (Gene) Deaton 7.79%Marvin A. Ellis 7.68%Manuel Gilbert Gurule 7.36%16 of 16 precincts counted

Don't believe recent attacks ads against Joe Gomez

2008-11-03T08:13:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday many people in the community brought to my attention a robo telephone ad stating I testified in Sacramento against the compact for a casino in Barstow . The news traveled fast as it reached several blogs as The Verifiable Truth , also in Monday's paper Council member Julie Hackbarth-McIntre also makes a false reference towards myself accusing me of the same lie. The Secretary of Interior turned down the project, read Desert Dispatch article "Federal government rejects tribes' casino plans" I deny such remarks, read for yourself the full copy of the transcripts, here is what I had to say.

SENATOR FLOREZ: Great, thank you, Senator Chesbro. Okay. Mr. Gomez, now that the others are excused, would you come up for a moment? Sorry about the delay. I apologize. Thanks for joining us. Very quickly, before we go on to the next panel—your thoughts, what you’ve heard today as a member of the council, just your overall impressions. COUNCILMAN GOMEZ: Well, for one thing, I’ve always supported Indian gaming in Barstow. When Los Coyotes first came, I’d been on the council for a year and a half. I was just elected, and I reviewed this entire process thoroughly. But when the Los Coyotes came to Barstow, I supported them. As a taxpayer, as a voter of Barstow, I supported Los Coyotes. When I ran for city council—and like I said, I want to emphasize I do support Indian gaming in Barstow. Virgil Moorehead says we welcome them. We had no choice. The Governor said, This is where you’re going; you’re going to Barstow. So, last year the Chemehuevi Tribe was introduced to the city council. The city council did due diligence on them, just like we’re doing on BarWest and Big Lagoon. It took ten months to complete the negotiation process until we ended up with a Municipal Service Agreement. As of today’s date, we do not have a Municipal Service Agreement with Big Lagoon. Right now the city is—I agree with the mayor—the city is supportive of Indian gaming, but they’re divided on what tribe. It may be among the council. I’m not sure because we haven’t made a commitment yet to that. But like I said, I do support Indian gaming. I was not aware that Los Coyotes did not have Section 20 concurrence. My assumption was that the Governor just said, Combine these two tribes, and that was it. I don’t even know if they were aware that they did not qualify by themselves. And that’s what worries me. I have an obligation to the city, just like you have an obligation to the State, to do what’s best for the community, and that’s what I was elected to do. As much as I want Indian gaming, I cannot come up here and mislead any one of you just so we can get Indian gaming. We do want Indian gaming. And when we talk about a vote—there is going to be an initiative in June, and in that initiative, it’s going to designate a certain zone outside of the area of Big Lagoon and Los Coyotes Compact. In that initiative, 35 percent of the net winnings will go to the police—or public safety. It will be looked at, overlooked, by an oversight committee instead of the city council. It will be away from the schools, and it’s going to require a vote on whether or not we want Indian gaming in this certain area. And by June we’ll know. You know, they’re representing the city, but yet, they left out details, and I think these details are important to your decision-making process over here. It’s important to our decision-making process in Barstow. The whole process is very simple. It could have been very simple. First get the Municipal Services Agreement, an okay with the City of Barstow with Big Lagoon, Los Coyotes, and then bring it up to the Governor. Let him negotiate and sign the compact. Now the burden’s going to be on myself and the rest of the city council. If this is approved by legislation, they’re going to come back to the city council and say, This is approved. Now you’re going to have to approve the MSA. We’re going to have no choice because by me not approving it, it’s going to give the appearance that I don’t support Indian gaming. So, we’re in a Catch-22 position. We either support one tribe or the other. You know, the community of Barstow don’t care what tribe comes in. As you can tell, this is very complicated. It’s very confusing. The City of Barstow really don’t care what casino comes to Barstow. They want to be proud to have a casino in the community of Barstow. They want to be proud to provide employment. They want to have a place where their kids, if they can’t go to college, where they could go work; and capture some of the business going to Las Vegas in revenue. And I think it would benefit Barstow in that respect. SENATOR CHESBRO: Mr. Chairman? SENATOR FLOREZ: Yes. SENATOR CHESBRO: So, is there a reason why this compact isn’t good for the City of Barstow? COUNCILMAN GOMEZ: Any compact would be good for the City of Barstow. SENATOR CHESBRO: Thank you. COUNCILMAN GOMEZ: But . . . SENATOR CHESBRO: And this is a compact that’s already been negotiated with the Governor. Correct? COUNCILMAN GOMEZ: Yeah, it was negotiated with the Governor without city council approval. They will have to come back. If it’s ratified by the Legislature, they’re going to have to come back to the city and ask for it, and then with all that, then it will become a compact. But any compact’s good if it’s done right. That’s my only say.

Former Council member endorses Gomez

2008-10-29T22:52:00.000-07:00

October 30, 2008 Letter to the Editor

Having lived in Barstow over 40 years, being a business owner, and retired Council Member, Mayor Pro Tem, I feel Barstow needs to wake up and make a mayoral change, to vote for Joe Gomez. Under Lawrence Dale’s terms as mayor we have: 1) Seen our streets disintegrate before our eyes; and told there is no money to repair them. 2) We want change and Lawrence Dale is using his same candidate statement, finances and promise of “leadership” as he has for his past two terms. We Need Change! 3) We don’t have a casino. I place the blame for this on Lawrence Dale because of his secret meetings with the financers of the project and with selected city staff; council members not kept informed of the possibility of a casino, and steps were taken that politically would not fly and we did not get a casino. 4) Lawrence Dale changed our wastewater contract in the middle of the term of the contract and it cost the city taxpayers almost $3 million dollars, (that we could have used for street repairs); Lawrence Dale is advising city staff to not put this contract out to bid for the best financial bid for the city taxpayers. What’s wrong here? 5) As a council we awarded a contract for a housing development that was to ensure Barstow had a golf course. I understand the economy is going south, but before this happened there was no progress and we now have no golf course. 6) We hear often from Lawrence Dale about the industrial park, this is why we need the grade separation where all street city monies are being earmarked for. As I recall, the council agreed to no more than $10 million with federal, state and county making funds available for construction. But, again, we have heard about the industrial park for over eight years and we still don’t see a viable business or building on this “Industrial Park,” yet we’re building a $32 million dollar grade separation to get there. 7) Some of Barstow’s residential areas have become eyesores, oft times owned by landlords who live out of town. Lawrence Dale is selective on how code enforcement enforces the violations, and renters of some of these residents are living in deplorable conditions because some of these residences are owned by Barstow people (what I sometimes refer to as good ol’ boys) who will not spend the money to and they do not have to comply with code regulations, building or otherwise. 8) Barstow’s appearance and streets are going downhill, people are leaving, and we need a change in leadership, vote for Joe Gomez for mayor.

Gloria Darling, Barstow

Mayoral candidates answer questions

2008-10-29T22:04:00.000-07:00

CRIME

What is your stance on Measure D, and how will you clean-up crime in Barstow?
Joe Gomez
Public safety should be our #1 priority. We can't expect new businesses and residents to relocate to Barstow and improve our local economy when the latest FBI statistics indicate Barstow's crime rate is the highest among Inland communities. I'm the only candidate for mayor with a solid record of support for Barstow's hardworking police officers; and the only candidate for mayor to have ever been endorsed by the Barstow Police Officers' Association. Over the last eight years, others have effectively dismantled our police department and have ignored, and even denied Barstow has a crime problem. As Mayor, I'll make sure the police have the resources they need to combat gangs, drugs, rape and burglary, reducing crime on our streets and in neighborhoods. Chief Burns deserves our continued support. We must bring back an aggressive neighborhood watch program. Barstow citizens can provide additional sets of eyes and ears for the police. By using a "Crime Watch" number you can report crime and remain anonymous. You look out for neighbors and they look out for you. Displaying "Block Watch" stickers can discourage thieves. Over time, we'll recruit a network of volunteer "Block Watch" captains. We'll map the locations of these volunteers against crime incidents to ensure your entire neighborhood is covered. After listening to local residents and considering the future protection of our children and families, I will vote yes on Measure D. The Barstow Fire District is in dire need of resources and man power to effectively protect us.
Lawrence Dale
With regard to Measure D, I fully support our Barstow Police Department, as well as the Barstow Fire Protection District. That is why I supported the measure going to the voters of Barstow to make this important decision. As our city police department moves ahead under the leadership of Chief Burns and the professional Barstow Police officers, this team will establish those priorities necessary to combat crime on all fronts to clean-up our community, leaving the message that Barstow has zero tolerance for crime in this city.
DEVELOPMENT
What ideas do you have to revitalize downtown and bring jobs into Barstow?
Joe Gomez
Why is downtown revitalization needed? A healthy downtown is a symbol of community pride and history. I'll encourage planned mixed -use developments such as retail, dining, residential, hospitality and office space that embrace community gathering spaces. With the combination Route 66 historical theme, we can make downtown Barstow a destination point and revive a once popular highway. First, we need to fix the streets and sidewalks and improve the landscape. And we have to work with downtown business owners to help them improve the appearance of buildings and rehabilitate historical signs and sites. We've missed many other opportunities to capitalize on the thousands of tourist who travel through Barstow. We have to take advantage of the many motorcyclists who travel to the "Laughlin Run" every year by coordinating events and promoting downtown business. We are missing opportunities for the off-road enthusiasts that visit our desert weekly. We can do a better job by promoting events such as "Calico Days." As mayor, I'll promote Barstow as "film friendly" community. That can bring needed revenue to Barstow and our business community. With locations around town and those surrounding Barstow such as Calico, Sawtooth Canyon and the sand dunes, we can assist film makers obtain location permits, equipment, meals at restaurants and local hotel accommodations. We have to reduce the number of burdensome permits in the city and county to make it cost-effective and easier for film/video producers to come to Barstow.
Lawrence Dale I am a member of the Barstow Chamber of Commerce Economic Development committee. There is a young lady in our group that is very involved in this particular project (Ms. Aaron Lepeomanher). It is the goal to establish a Business Improvement District (BID). The goal of this district is to get the involvement of those who presently have businesses in downtown along with the property owners to help. This will include code enforcement, when needed, to bring necessary changes to turn the old downtown into a location people will enjoy shopping and visiting.

THE HOMELESS

How will you decrease the number of homeless people in Barstow?
Joe Gomez
There is no quick and easy answer to solve this difficult problem. But it is growing and we must bring together our collective resources to fight the problem. Together as a community, we have to implement a comprehensive plan which includes homeless prevention, outreach, assessment, placement and relocation services. Desert Manna provides temporary accommodations for 30 days. Once we identify why they are homeless, we can then work to find a solution. We have to identify homeless people with untreated psychiatric illnesses, former alcoholics or drug users and misplaced people looking for a way to get home. We unfortunately have homeless living in parks, in front of businesses and in empty buildings. That is not acceptable. New businesses and residents who can make positive contributions in our community will not relocate to Barstow if we can't stop the rising tide of homeless living in our community. We have to educate public agencies such as law enforcement to deal with homeless who have mental disorders. We must collaborate with other agencies and immediately research successful programs in other communities similar to Barstow.
Lawrence Dale
The homeless population in Barstow continues to grow, and I would suggest in these economic times that will not change. I am open for any suggestions which will help this situation.

EDUCATION

The Barstow Unified School District has asked that the city and the district to work together more. How will you reach out to the school district?
Joe Gomez
For Barstow to be a successful community, we need healthy, vibrant schools. Our community's future is closely tied to a quality education system. A partnership between local schools and the city is essential if we want to grow and prosper. We must combine resources where it makes sense. Working together we can ensure our kids are safe and have every chance for success. We have to involve many in the community including our school superintendent, school board members, PTAs, civic leaders, teachers and parents. We must identify mutual interest and work to harness local resources and strengthen community bonds that keep our children safe and help them reach their full potentials. School Resource Officers (SRO) from our Police Department work with local schools to mentor and educate area youth about healthy behaviors, safety issues and crime prevention. The officers also facilitate campus safety and enforcement. As mayor, I will support three full-time officers. The peak hours for crimes by, and against, juveniles are immediately following the school day. I propose working with the school district to convert the Al Vigil Swim Center into the Al Vigil Youth Center where local kids can experience quality after-school programs, organized recreation activities and free tutoring services in a safe environment. An Al Vigil Youth Center can be a centralized location to sign-up for Little League, soccer, football, dance and parks & recreation activities. The center will have modern meeting rooms for non-profit organizations to conduct board meetings and events.
Lawrence Dale
I intend to become more involved with Barstow Unified School District and its board of directors and will help in any way possible in cooperative efforts.

CREATE YOUR OWN QUESTION

What other issue do you think is important to the people of Barstow, and how would you solve it?
Joe Gomez How will you address the poor condition of our neighborhood streets? We have to get back to the basics! As a Council member, I've been leading efforts to repair our neighborhood streets. Now that it is campaign season, other mayoral candidates are suddenly realizing the streets are in poor condition. If we're going to attract new businesses and residents who can contribute positively to Barstow; among other things, we must clean up and fix our streets. Our dedicated employees at the public works department have been working for the last eight years without the proper tools and equipment required to maintain our city infrastructure. The leaders of the past reduced the number of mechanics to service our outdated public works equipment and vehicles. As mayor, I will recommend a "Pothole Patrol" consisting of three to five employees, and we'll give them the proper equipment to permanently repair potholes and cracks immediately. We'll set up a hotline to report potholes and other problems with our streets. We must research grants that will subsidize recyclable materials as alternatives for new roads and road repairs. We have to invest in new equipment to service the needs of our community now. Collaboration between the city and county is needed to rebuild arterial roads such as "H" Street and Rimrock Road. We have to improve our image by removing weeds and trash on parkways that belong to the city. We can assist and encourage residents to maintain the parkways in front of their homes.
Lawrence Dale Economic growth: The economic growth of this city is probably the most important issue in our community. Bringing in new businesses and living wage jobs is what makes any city prosper. The Wal-Mart Distribution Center will bring in 500 to 750 new jobs. The Barstow Industrial Park with 16.5 million square feet of rail-served industrial buildings will bring in another 8,250 to 12,400 new living wage jobs.With the industrial growth, we will see new housing, and our city will grow, which will increase the city’s income through tax growth to improve many areas of our city, which will include our streets.

HEROES

Joe Gomez
Who is your hero and why?
Felix Gomez, my dad's oldest brother. He led the way for many families that migrated from the state of New Mexico to the Barstow area in the late 1940's. He was a supervisor at the Marine Base and was responsible for hiring many local residents. Later he sold real estate for Hood and Woolsey, and helped many clients purchase new homes in Hawaiian Village, Montara and Fashion Square. He was involved in youth activities, serving as president of East Barstow Little League. He also served as Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus. In 1960, Rupert Baldonado, Richard Padilla, Mike Ruffalo and my uncle Felix greeted Senator Ted Kennedy at Daggett Airport while campaigning to elect president John F. Kennedy. They helped pave the way for a new generation of leadership. Today, uncle Felix continues to serve as a role model to our family and others in the community. He now resides in California City.
Lawrence Dale
I have been asked this question before and my answer at that time was I really cannot think of anyone as I am a self-made man and really haven’t patterned myself after anyone. However, I have taken time to put some thought into the question, “Who is your hero?” and I have come to the conclusion that a man named Joe Allen who I worked with when first starting to work the Santa Fe Railroad in Kansas City (agent shops). He is a real hero. Joe and his wife Pat had 12 children. Joe always put his family first, and we kept in touch until his death. Joe and Pat put all 12 children through college and each are successful in their own right — he is a real hero.

Video of Joe Gomez speaking on crime

2008-10-27T22:30:00.000-07:00

What is your stance on Measure D, and how will you clean-up crime in Barstow? Mayoral Candidates

2008-10-27T08:44:00.000-07:00

Below is our stand on Measure D and how we plan to clean-up crime. Candidate's Lawrence Dale and Nataniel Pickett did not provide a yes or no answer on Measure D. Throughout the past 2 months I have remained neutral, so I could hear from the citizen's of Barstow. The majority of people are concerned about public safety and support Measure D. Joe
MAYOR Lawrence Dale, Mayor of Barstow With regard to Measure D, I fully support our Barstow Police Department, as well as the Barstow Fire Protection District. That is why I supported the measure going to the voters of Barstow to make this important decision. As our city police department moves ahead under the leadership of Chief Burns and the professional Barstow Police officers, this team will establish those priorities necessary to combat crime on all fronts to clean-up our community, leaving the message that Barstow has zero tolerance for crime in this city. Nathaniel PickettRetired Lieutenant Colonel/Transportation Consultant I do not oppose the intent of Measure D, but the current measure in draft form will not clean up crime, nor will it improve the quality of life or provide the fire and police departments with the additional resources to protect Barstow. What is being proposed to the public does not address the “How To”. We must rethink how our resources are being used, then develop a long term plan. The proposed plan does not address success and is directed towards failure and corruption. Increasing police wages and constructing more buildings will not clean-up crime. The fire department must establish priorities or risk failure. It has been stated that we need a Plan B. I disagree; we need to revise our existing plan (Plan A) using existing resources. We have to educate the people and ensure that our officers are well qualified to perform the assigned tasks at hand and not act hastily to burden the community. We need leaders that desire to make a difference and care about the community. I will call upon the support of the churches, the leaders and parents of the community to resolve conflicts and to bring about change to ensure that Barstow become a viable community. Over taxing the people is not the proper response, but improving the quality of life is the only way to succeed. Values and morality starts at home and are perpetuated throughout the community. Business as usual will terminate on November 4, 2008. Joe Gomez Barstow City Council member Public safety should be our #1 priority. We can't expect new businesses and residents to relocate to Barstow and improve our local economy when the latest FBI statistics indicate Barstow's crime rate is the highest among Inland communities. I'm the only candidate for mayor with a solid record of support for Barstow's hardworking police officers; and the only candidate for mayor to have ever been endorsed by the Barstow Police Officers' Association. Over the last eight years, others have effectively dismantled our police department and have ignored, and even denied Barstow has a crime problem. As Mayor, I'll make sure the police have the resources they need to combat gangs, drugs, rape and burglary, reducing crime on our streets and in neighborhoods. Chief Burns deserves our continued support. We must bring back an aggressive neighborhood watch program. Barstow citizens can provide additional sets of eyes and ears for the police. By using a "Crime Watch" number you can report crime and remain anonymous. You look out for neighbors and they look out for you. Displaying "Block Watch" stickers can discourage thieves. Over time, we'll recruit a network of volunteer "Block Watch" captains. We'll map the locations of these volunteers against crime incidents to ensure your entire neighborhood is covered. After listening to local residents and considering the future protection of our children and families, I will vote yes on Measure D. The Barstow Fire District is in dire need of resources and man power to effectively protect us. Compiled by Aaron Aupperlee, city editor

Barstow High forum a success

2008-10-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

Thursday night all the candidates for Mayor and City Council participated in a forum sponsored by Mr. Hassell's American Government class. Over an estimated 300 students and parents listened to the answers of Barstow's future leaders. I was very impressed by the quality of questions that the students asked, they are very informed about the issues effecting Barstow. I stayed after to answer questions and listen to the concerns of the students. Above in the picture taken by Desert Dispatch writer Aaron Aupperlee, you will notice me wearing the Aztec colors and a cap. Fun night!

2008-09-26T23:30:00.000-07:00

The City Council race: A completely unofficial and totally amateur poll from the Desert Dispatch

2008-09-23T23:24:00.000-07:00

September 22nd, 2008, 5:25 pm posted by Aaron

If the number of video views on www.desertdispatch.com decided who wins the November election, Joe Gomez would be mayor and Willie Hailey and Tim Saenz would fill the two open slots on the City Council. Following appearences at a Barstow Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast, videos of all the City Council candidates and two of the candidates for mayor went live on www.desertdispatch.com. I monitored who was getting the most views throughout the week and will now share the results of my completely unofficial and totally amateur poll with you.
City Council Willie Hailey - 107 views Tim Saenz - 104 views Richard Villegas - 69 views Gene Deaton - 56 views Carmen Hernandez - 48 views Marvin Ellis - 45 views
Mayor Joe Gomez - 90 views Lawrence Dale - 77 views
Nathaniel Pickett did not attend. The videos are still up. Click on the above links above (the underlined names in blue) or head over to www.desertdispatch.com, click on more videos and then select the local candidates tab. Aaron Aupperlee city editor

Gomez speaks to chamber members

2008-09-18T21:50:00.000-07:00

Each candidate had an opportunity to present their platform Tuesday morning in front of chamber members and other members in the community. Each of the candidates were given 5 minutes to let the community know why they should vote for us. My speech was 5 minutes and 3 seconds, Lawrence Dale's message was over 11 minutes. Here is my message (click to view)

September 16, 2008 - 10:41PM By Aaron Aupperlee, city editor Candidates for the Barstow City Council and the mayor addressed members of the Barstow business community at the Chamber of Commerce's breakfast Tuesday . It was the first time during the campaign that many of the candidates were in the same room to address issues facing the community. Most of the candidates focused on improving public safety and growth in Barstow. Following their remarks, members of the audience were able to ask a few questions. Questions ranged from the transit occupancy tax to protecting small businesses to the homeless.

My Candidate Statement

2008-09-03T21:59:00.000-07:00

Let’s get back to basics. Leaders should stop chasing pipedreams and say “no” to special interests. Let’s invest now in things that will make Barstow a better place for everyone today and in the future. We can’t expect to attract new businesses or residents to Barstow, and turn our local economy around, unless we make it a priority to clean-up Barstow. I am the only candidate for Mayor with a solid record of support for Barstow’s hardworking police officers. Others have effectively dismantled our Police Department and ignored the rising crime rate. Let’s make sure our police have the resources they need. I am leading the effort to make repairing our neighborhood streets and potholes a priority at City Hall. We should improve our sidewalks and parkways too. We need at traffic signals and cross walks intersections on Rimrock, Muriel and Monterey. Children and seniors need safe places to go and services that promote health and opportunities for a better quality of life. Barstow needs leaders who are mindful of community concerns about the availability of clean water and the environment. We can save the taxpayers money by going green at City Hall. I am proud to say I was born and raised in Barstow. Today, four generations of my family live in Barstow. Let’s work together to make sure our children and grandchildren can share that pride. Thank you for your consideration. Let’s clean up Barstow.

Fundraiser for Council member Joe Gomez

2008-08-20T18:14:00.000-07:00

Campaigning during City Council meetings raises concerns

2008-08-19T18:07:00.000-07:00

I agree with not campaigning on the dais, if everyone complies with the same rules. Remember Measure H and all the people including the Mayor campaigning against the measure during council meetings. My concern was this sign shown above, it was obstructing seniors or handicapped residents in the Senior Citizen Mobile Home Park. The Mayor claims a vandal put it there, what a clever vandal to put it near a future precinct and a few hundred seniors, sure didn't help my cause. Joe

August 19, 2008 - 4:59PM By Aaron Aupperlee, city editor BARSTOW — His comments were not 100 percent related to the agenda item at hand, but Barstow resident Bill Schnittger wanted to make his voice heard. Frustrated after hearing what he thought was campaigning during the City Council meeting Monday, Schnittger asked Council members who are running for office to grab a soap box and set up someplace else. “These meetings are to conduct the business of the city, not the up-coming election,” he said at the meeting. “This dais is not for political speeches.” During the meeting, Council member Joe Gomez, who is challenging Mayor Lawrence Dale for his seat in November, brought up the campaign and asked Dale to sign a code of fair campaign practices and commit to a clean campaign. A short exchange between the two followed, prompting Schnittger to submit a request to speak. The Council’s code of ethics, read before each meeting, states that the decision made during the meeting will be for the benefit of Barstow and not for personal gain. Dale said that clause means that council members making statements to advance their candidacy is out of order. “Campaigning by anyone on that dais is wrong,” Dale said. He said he has requested that the Council address the issue of campaigning during meetings at a later Council meeting. Gomez, who used the “Business of the Council” portion of a past Council meeting to announce that he was running for mayor, said he did not think his comments on Monday amounted to campaigning, but rather a public safety issue. Gomez was concerned that a campaign sign for Dale was blocking a sidewalk. Dale said the sign was placed there by vandals, and it had been removed. Nathaniel Pickett, also challenging for the mayor’s seat, said public funds are being used when a council member campaigns during a meeting. “I don’t believe it’s appropriate,” he said. “I think it’s the wrong venue.” Whether the council chambers was the right venue or not, Gomez would still like Dale to sign the fair campaign code. The document requires candidates to conduct their campaigns in a honest, open and fair manner, outlawing negative attacks, slander and other unethical practices. Gomez said he planned to sign it and encouraged other candidates running for office to do the same. Other candidates have not yet been presented with the form. “I think people are tired of campaigns that are dirty or that are not really discussing the issues,” Gomez said. Dale said he did not yet know if he would sign the pledge but stressed that dishonesty and unethical practices would not be an issue.

Barstow ranks # 1 in County-Public Assistance

2008-08-15T22:18:00.000-07:00

Barstow ranks No. 1 in county for aid Nearly 40 percent of residents receive some sort of assistance August 15, 2008 - 3:56PM By Aaron Aupperlee, city editor BARSTOW — It is a number one ranking that Barstow might not be too proud of. Barstow ranked top in San Bernardino County for the percentage of people receiving aid in 2007, according to report released by the county’s Department of Human Services. Between cash aid, Medi-Cal and food stamps, San Bernardino County’s 24 cities and vast unincorporated area received more than $1.75 billion in aid. Barstow’s share was about $51 million. Fort Irwin and the towns of Hinkley, Yermo and Newberry Springs receive $578,451 in cash, Medi-Cal and food stamp aid in 2007, the report stated. Barstow has traditionally been high on the county’s aid list. Peggy Teal, the executive director of the Mojave United Way, said that Barstow’s low housing costs probably bring people to the city who depend on aid. Also, she said, that the recent economic slowdown and rising prices may account for the increase in aid to Barstow. People who live on a fixed income that at one point did not depend on aid now might with high gas and food prices. “It’s a snowball effect,” Teal said. “Everything starts increasing.” The number of people receiving aid in Barstow jumped by nearly 250 from January 2007 to January 2008. Aid across the county increased during 2007. The report stated that food stamps increased by 17.7 percent, Medi-Cal aid by 3.8 percent and CalWORKS aid by 13.6 percent. The CalWORKS, a program that provides financial and employment assistance to low-income families, increase was the first increase in aid in 13 years, the report stated. Oscar Ramirez, a spokesman for the state Department of Social Services, said the state attributes the increase in CalWORKS aid to the struggling economy. For food stamps, however, the economy is not the only cause of the increase of aid. He said that since 2006, the state has focused on getting more aid into more people’s pockets who qualify. “We’re trying to find a better way to get people access to the services they are entitled to,” he said. How Barstow compares to the High Desert Percentage of people on aid Barstow 38.1 percent Adelanto 33.6 percent Victorville 23.3 percent Hesperia 21.6 percent Apple Valley 18.9 percent Percentage of people on food stamps Barstow 21.5 percent Adelanto 18.1 percent Victorville 11.8 percent Hesperia 9.9 percent Apple Valley 9.7 percent Percentage of people on cash aid Barstow 12.4 percent Adelanto 11.1 percent Hesperia 5.9 percent Apple Valley 5.4 percent Victorville 1.9 percent

New Hope Village shouldn't get house

Congratulations to Messrs. Gomez and Curran on their stand for not leasing out city property for 50 years for $1 to more people who cannot afford housing. The low-cost housing, section 8 housing and developers who build apartment buildings which they later rent out under section 8 guideline has ruined our city. Note the unemployment figures, crime rate and full-time grocery cart pick-up service by Burrtec, which property owners pay for, and I agree with the dissenting council members. I am a resident taxpayer over 50 years in Barstow, with a home, rentals and other property and believe the city should give the taxpaying residents who live here a break and take care of our own. This city has become a dumping place for many undesirables. There are few good-paying jobs available in Barstow (over $20/hr) that will support a family. A person receiving section 8 housing or welfare aid would be a fool to work for less. John E. Reeck Barstow

New development approved despite concerns of noise, soil

2008-08-01T11:52:00.000-07:00

Although I support new development in the community of Barstow, the article indicates that in 2005 I was the only one that voted against the annexation. My concern was and still is the services that the taxpayers will have to pay for such as police protection, code enforcement and maintenance of streets and infrastructure in the Grandview area. I have also questioned Pacific Holt and their principal Tom Neviss credibility. When we are in a position to take care of our streets and public safety issues, I will be happy to support annexation if it makes sense. Joe

By Aaron Aupperlee, city editor BARSTOW — The Planning Commission approved a new development in west Barstow on a few conditions — 46 of them to be exact. Monday’s go-ahead from the Planning Commission for a 219-lot housing development along Jasper Road north of Citrine Road came with a list of additional requirements and mitigation measures ranging from noise to raven control. Both the applicant, Steve Carter, a real estate agent from Las Vegas, and the commission agreed to the conditions and the development was unanimously approved. “We truly appreciate what the staff has done, and we have no qualms at all with the 46 conditions,” Carter said. Many of the conditions attached to the development plan are ways to decrease the noise surrounding the proposed houses. Railroad tracks and State Highway 58 border the development on two sides. One condition asks the developer to establish a noise complaint response program; others call for solid-core wooden exterior doors, double-paned glass and notices to prospective buyers of the noise concerns. Some conditions also protect plant and animal species found in the nearby Mojave River. “I found this one interesting,” Commissioner Carmen Hernandez said at Monday’s meeting. “This is the first one I’ve seen with so many disclaimers, the ravens, the pesticides.” Mike Massimini, the city’s associate planner, called the development a “well-scoped project,” that took into account the many peculiarities of the site. One condition calls for the ground, which is mostly loose sand, to be compacted to make a more stable base. “There are many things that have been incorporated into this project that you wouldn’t normally see on a typical project,” Massimini said. Despite the housing market’s current slump, Carter told the commission that he still intents to build on the land. He expects construction to start in May, 2009. “We do not plan on letting a lot of grass grow under our feet,” Carter said. “We do feel that we have a subdivision here that will provide Barstow with a very valuable product and that’s a first time home buyer product.” The development will be build inside the boundaries of the recent West Barstow Annexation. The annexation, which became official on June 16, adds a 144 acres of land near Agate and Jaspers roads to the city. The annexation was originally requested by the developing firm, Pacific Holt, in 2005. The City Council vote 4-1, with Joe Gomez dissenting, to accept the proposal. Contact the writer:(760) 256-4121 or aaron_aupperlee@link.freedom.com

Councilman Joe Gomez Fiesta Fridays

2008-07-16T22:34:00.000-07:00

Update July 26, 2008

Letter to Councilman Joe Gomez Councilman Joe Gomez, we the members of the Barstow Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy would like to take this time to say thank you for taking out time from your business schedule to come speak with us, here at the Bighorn Youth Center on Fiesta Fridays. We appreciate all that you do for us. You have shown us that it is possible to advance forward with your lives. You were once a resident here in Bighorn. You are a Barstow City Council Member, and now you are in the race for Mayor. Your accomplishments are an eye opener for the youths here in the Bighorn Projects or should I say "Project Bighorn" Plesae accept this certificate and thsi gift(a model of a hummer) as a token of our appreciation for all the nice things you have done for us. You are an inspiration. Thank you, The Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy.

Every other Friday I visit the Bighorn projects, a Housing Authority where I once lived while attending high school. The center is located at 921 Bighorn Dr., Barstow ,Ca. I along with CEO Terrance Stone of Young Visionaries spend time with the youth in the area. We call it Councilman Joe Gomez Fiesta Friday. Pizza, spaghetti, tacos are a few of the dishes I provide to a group of 20-30 children. My objective with the youth is to encourage and motivate them to set goals, keep away from gangs. I am turning Bighorn Projects in to Project Bighorn. I often invite role models in the community to speak and encourage my young friends. JOE

Mayor among first to begin election process

2008-07-16T21:54:00.000-07:00

Road to the office of Mayor of Barstow
The race begins! The present Mayor anxiously races to make sure he was the first to pick up papers and wants to be the first to file, rushing to gather signatures. The following day I decided to also visit our City Clerk and gather the appropiate paper work and will be visiting registered voters. I plan on spending time to answer questions and listen to their concerns before I request a signature, they deserve the attention. The race for Mayor is not to be the first to pick up papers. The race for Mayor is not to see who can raise the most money. The true race for Mayor will be the candidate who get the most votes. JOE

July 14, 2008 - 5:23PM By Andrea Goodwin, special to the Desert Dispatch BARSTOW — Barstow residents wasted no time starting the filing process for candidacy in November’s election. Filing officially opened on July 14 and several people picked up nomination papers on Monday. Incumbent Mayor Lawrence Dale said he was at city hall about five minutes before it opened in order to be the first to pick up his papers, and he intends to be the first to file. The second person to pick up papers was Nathaniel Pickett, an environmental consultant who is also running for mayor. Pickett has run for City Council seats in the past, most recently in 2006. Pickett ran for mayor in 2004, and came in fifth place. Joe Gomez, a member of the Barstow City Council, announced his intention to run for mayor during a city council meeting in April. As of 4:30 on Monday Gomez had not picked up nomination papers from City Clerk JoAnne Cousino. Carmen Hernandez, a member of the Barstow Planning Commission, also picked up papers this morning to run for a seat on City Council. Hernandez unsuccessfully ran for City Council in 2006, and for mayor in 2004. The San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters office did not have statistics on who had picked up papers at the San Bernardino office as of 4:30 on Monday. In order to qualify for the Nov. 4 election candidates have to turn in 20 nomination signatures, although Cousino suggests at least 30 signatures. They must also sign required paperwork and return it to the City Clerk’s office before the end of the candidate filing period. There is no filing fee in the City of Barstow, but candidates can choose to buy a candidate statement for $345, said Cousino.

CA Senate votes to limit negotiations of casino compacts

2008-06-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

Bill aimed at stopping "reservation shopping" SACRAMENTO (AP) _ The California Senate approved legislation Monday to prohibit Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger from negotiating gambling deals with Indian tribes that do not have federally recognized land on which the casinos would be located. Supporters said the measure would discourage “reservation shopping” by tribes hoping to locate casinos in economically advantageous areas. The bill’s author, Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, said that when California voters initially approved Indian gambling in 1998 they were told casinos would be located on federally recognized reservations. But he said Schwarzenegger has begun negotiating gambling deals with tribes that do not have federally approved control of the land on which the casinos would be located. That includes a compact to put a casino in Barstow for the benefit of tribes in San Diego and Humboldt counties. The U.S. Department of Interior rejected that deal in January. It also was rejected by a state Assembly committee last June. Last month, Schwarzenegger signed an agreement under which the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians would be able to build a $250 million casino along Highway 99 just north of Madera, about 35 miles from the tribe’s reservation in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The compact also calls for a second tribe, the Wiyot Tribe of Humboldt County, to get as much as $5 million a year from the Madera casino. In exchange, that tribe would give up plans to develop a casino on its reservation by ecologically sensitive Humboldt Bay. The tribes are awaiting federal approval of the arrangement. It also needs approval from the Legislature to take effect. Florez said negotiating gambling compacts with tribes before they obtain federally approved land raises “false hopes.” “If a majority of the people in California want Indian gambling, at least it should be on Indian land,” he added. Another bill supporter, Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, said deals like the North Fork compact would encourage other tribes to engage in “reservation shopping” to attempt to get more profitable casinos. “A lot of us are concerned about reservation shopping,” he said. “This (deal) would not only make it possible, it would sanction it.” A spokesman for Schwarzenegger, Aaron McLear, said the governor’s office had not taken a position on the bill. But he added, “Obviously, it’s one we’re watching.” A 31-4 vote sent the measure to the state Assembly.

Solis, Chavez finish 11th, 12th at state finals

2008-06-05T00:12:00.000-07:00

I have followed these 2 young champions since they were freshman, I consider them my friends. Anthony Solis will be attending Chico St on a running scholarship and Isac will be a Senior and next years BHS cross country captain. Congratulations!

June 3, 2008 - 2:33PM By TOMOYA SHIMURA, Staff Writer NORWALK — Three High Desert athletes took home medals at the CIF Track and Field State Championships on Saturday at Cerritos College. The meet produced national and state records in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. Sultana’s Brett Walters ran the boys 3,200 meters in 9 minutes, 6.50 seconds to win the fifth-place medal in his first state championship appearance. “I wanted a faster time,” Walters said. “I wanted to get like 9:02, 9:01, but I’ll take what I get.” Walters ran with Riverbank’s German Fernandez, who broke the NFHS national record by almost seven seconds with a time of 8:34.23. Fernandez also broke the CIF state meet record in the 1,600 (4:00.29).“The first mile was really fast, and I’m not used to that,” Walters said. “Kind of suffered after that.” Barstow’s Anthony Solis and Isaac Chavez finished 11th and 12th, respectively, in the 3,200 and both broke their personal records in their first showing at the state championships. “I felt pretty good because we are used to going to state in cross country and winning, but track’s way different,” Solis said. “Last year I made it to the (Southern Section division) prelims, and this year I made it to the state so it’s a big improvement.” Solis ran a time of 9:11.27, while Chavez finished in 9:11.94. “The competition was great,” Solis said. “I was going super fast the first mile and there were still like a billion guys ahead of me.” Walters told the Daily Press last year that he didn’t like track as much as cross country, but he said that is changing. “I liked this year a lot better because I was actually pretty good at (track),” Walters said. “Last year I was pretty slow.”Walters will head to the University of Colorado this September on an athletic scholarship.

Gomez presents County Resolution

2008-06-04T21:43:00.000-07:00

It was an honor to present a resolution on behalf of the County Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt to the BHS cross country team and Coach Duarte. Well deserved award.

All of Barstow has much to be proud of in its state championship winning 2007 cross country team, but it was the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce who took the opportunity Tuesday evening to honor them at a dinner held at Los Domingos attended by mostly families of the boys and Chamber members. Hosts for the event were Joe Gomez and Manny Lopez, with Roland Ulloa in the background. Jim Duarte, the cross country coach, is deservedly proud of his boys: Anthony Solis, Isaac Chavez, Andrew Romano, Ian Barba, Josh Ow, Jeremy Trujillo, Joshua Gomez and A.J. Kanezel. Gloria Saiz, who does the timing for the coach, was there and equally proud. Joe presented the team with a proclamation from the County of San Bernardino. Lying beside the proclamation on the front table were framed team photos that later would be given to all the sponsors of the team. At one point they showed tapes of several of the team’s runs which the families particularly enjoyed. Among those attending were Al and Darlene Romano, grandparents of Andrew Romano and Andrea Romano. Juan and Claire Solis were there for Anthony Solis. Porfie and Virginia Chavez, Leonard and Tammy Trujillo, Richard and Cecelia Barba and Ruben and Lina Gomez were there for their boys as was Andrew Kanezel. Also Jeanie and Ralph Sanchez were there for Josh Ow. Others there were Barbara Rose, representing the Barstow Unified School District and looking beautiful as ever, Gloria Saiz and Krista Aguayo.Fortunately most of the team is returning for the 2008 season, and I know coach Duarte will do everything in his power to get them to go on to better and better times plus glory for them selves and Barstow. These young men exemplify what team spirit is all about.

Council member Gomez proposes pothole patrol

2008-06-04T21:17:00.000-07:00

Potholes, potholes, some streets remind me of the the Beatles hit "Long and Winding Road", except I would sing "Long and Bumpy Road" The citizens of this community are concerned about poor conditions of the roads and they should be. We have a capable public works department with employees that care and work hard maintaining the streets with out-dated equipment or just no equipment. We have to invest in high tech equipment immediately to resolve this issue. I drove throughout Barstow and found hundreds of potholes, including the one pictured above.

By Aaron_Aupperlee

BARSTOW — Encouraged by last week’s discussion about scheduled road improvements, City Council Member Joe Gomez decided to ask the city to take road improvements a step further. He suggested at Monday’s meeting that the city form a pothole patrol to go around a fix gaps in the pavement that can spell trouble and damage for motorists. He said he took a drive around Barstow to photograph some of the potholes. “After traveling four or five roads, I sort of got discouraged, there were too many pictures, too many potholes,” Gomez said. Potholes are a reoccurring problem in Barstow and while council members acknowledged that the city workers who fill potholes do a good job at providing short-term solutions, a long term fix is needed. Gomez asked the city staff to look at how other cities are handling their pothole problems and to compile a list of claims the city has received due to potholes.

GOMEZ FOR MAYOR

2008-04-23T01:05:00.000-07:00

By Aaron Aupperlee, city editor This is an updated version of a story posted earlier on Tuesday. BARSTOW — After one term on the City Council, Joe Gomez decided to step up to the next level and challenge sitting Mayor Lawrence Dale in November. Gomez announced Monday night during the council meeting that he intends to run for mayor. “I just think it’s time for change. We need to jump start the city,” Gomez said on Tuesday. “We need a new leader for a new tomorrow.” He said he made the decision to run for mayor late last year after the city terminated contracts with HDR to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant in July — costing the city $1.7 million — and then with the leaving of City Manager Hector Rodriguez in November. Top on Gomez’s agenda are streets and public safety. He said that if the city expects to attract big businesses and retailers, work must be done to repair the city’s streets. He is already looking at potential solutions to the road problems in Barstow including hiring more maintenance people, he said. For public safety, Gomez said that hiring Dianne Burns as chief was a good first step but more needs to be done to lower crime. “I am concerned with the amount of gang activity going on in the city,” he said. Gomez, who grew up in Barstow, is counting on his connection to the people here to push him past Dale. Even with only one term on the council, Gomez said he thinks he has the experience to sit as mayor. He said he will be looking to younger voters throughout his campaign for support. Whichever candidate loses the November race for mayor will lose their seat on the City Council. “If anyone in town can beat him, I think it will be me,” Gomez said of Dale. “To be honest, the mayor has to go.” Citing lawsuits over land deals and the failure of the casino project, Gomez said that poor decision-making in the past had led the city to mismanage funds. Dale, who will be running for his third term as mayor in November, was not surprised by Gomez’s announcement, wishing him good luck during the council meeting. The two have often sparred during council meetings. Dale said he is looking forward to running against Gomez but rejected Gomez’s claims against him. “Joe has got an idea that I have not done what I should have for the city,” he said. “I’m going to be focusing on all the voters of Barstow to get the true story out about what I’ve done for Barstow.” He agreed that streets and public safety would big issues in the campaign but also stressed a focus on increasing economic development in the city. He said he worked hard during his last term to move the Barstow industrial park forward and hopes to make it and many new jobs a reality. Both candidates said they would run clean campaigns and hinted that the other side might not. Gomez accused Dale of rallying the “good ol’ boys” together to support him, and Dale warned of a smear campaign from the other side. Filing for mayor and other city races contested in November begins on July 14 and ends August 8, said JoAnne Cousino, city clerk.Contact the writer:(760) 256-4121 or aaron_aupperlee@link.freedom.com

Shop class is back in style

2008-04-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

As a former student of Barstow High, I am very delighted te vocational program at Barstow High is back. While I attended Barstow during my junior and high school years, I had the opportunity to take shop classes such as wood, metal, drafting and small engines. The classes taught the fundamentals, how to use a hammer, change oil, make a lamp, just to name a few. Many of my classmates during those years focused on these vocational programs and learned trades to get jobs at Santa Fe or the Marine Bases.

Barstow schools receive $232,000 grant to expand career programs March 31, 2008 - 3:50PM By Jason Smith, staff writer BARSTOW - Barstow High School senior Greg Roberson, 17, stood up in class on Monday, put on his helmet and let the sparks fly. He used an arc-welder at the school's shop to practice fusing bits of metal together, learning welding skills that he and his teachers hope will get him a good-paying job someday. With a $232,000 grant from the county, Barstow High School will upgrade the electrical system in the school's metal shop, allowing the school to offer expanded welding and other vocational classes in the future, said BHS Principal Claire Ellis. She said that a better electrical system will allow the classes to work with more modern welding equipment that are used in the workforce today.The renovations will also replace the doors in the school's vocational education building, built in 1954, and add air conditioning to computer labs used for career training. The work is expected to be completed in June. Barstow schools' superintendent Jerry Bergmans said that the district worked with the county to procure the extra funds in order to update the high school's career training options. "The old vocational programs that we've had have gone downhill because of more emphasis on traditional ‘academic' classes," Bergmans said. "What were finding is more of our students who don't go on to a four-year college or university are kind of disenfranchised because they aren't being trained with programs like these." Ken Eaves, director of vocational programs at Barstow Community College, said that schools across the country are experiencing a resurgence in the popularity of trades classes, because an aging workforce will demand more skilled workers. He said upgraded facilities at BHS will also be beneficial for the approximately 75 BCC students who use the school's welding facilities. "We don't have any space to do that here (at BCC)," Eaves said. "It gives us the capacity to advance the skills for the employers in the area." He said that BNSF, Fort Irwin and the Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow are all seeking employees who can handle technical tasks, and much of that work can't be outsourced to other counties. "If you're going to wire a building, how do you send that offshore? It has to be done locally," he said. Mike Miller, owner of Mike's Ironworks, which offers welding services, said that while he's not currently looking for newly-trained welders, a lot of local employers are. "There's just not enough welders in Barstow," he said. "I cannot express to you how much everyone is looking for welders these days." Although he said many students find welding to be hard work under hot and difficult conditions, the $15-to-$20-per-hour paying jobs are a good fit for some students. "Every student that goes to high school is not bound for college, these kids need to get some kind of trade." Miller, who graduated Kennedy High School in 1974, said he'd like to see the schools offer expanded carpentry, plumbing and other skill trades program. Additionally, he said he'd like to see the schools do more to get students interested in trades at the younger grades before they reach high school.

Above the call of duty

2008-02-16T09:08:00.000-08:00

I would like to congratulate these 3 courages officers Frank Benitez, David Edwards and Cpl. Daniel Arthur for an award well deserved. Everyday our officers serve our community with pride. Thanks Joe

Three Barstow police officers honored for pulling woman from burning building

BARSTOW — On Valentine’s Day, City Hall was a room full of blue, but not gloom. Several Barstow firefighters and Barstow police officers, all dressed in their blue uniforms, filled the City Council chamber Thursday to praise three police officers for saving a local woman’s life. On Nov. 27, Cpl. Daniel Arthur and officers Frank Benitez and David Edwards responded to a report of an apartment fire near the police station on the 500 block of South Second Avenue. Benitez said when they arrived the apartment was on fire and several neighbors told them that no one was inside. However, Benitez said, Arthur insisted the three head into the apartment and check for people. Inside, the police officers used a fire extinguisher to suppress the flames and found a woman lying on the kitchen floor. “I just wanted to check for myself,” Arthur said. “It’s a good thing we did.” The officers carried the woman out of the apartment and got her medical treatment. She has since made a full recovery, said Fire Chief Darrell Jauss. The three officers received applause from firefighters of the Barstow Fire Protection District and its governing board. The board’s director, Paul Courtney, said the officers put their lives on the lines and risked a great sacrifice to protect and serve the community. Fire Capt. Steve Ross thanked officers on behalf of the firefighters and said their actions changed the outcome of the fire. “They went above the call of duty, and I want to thank them for that,” Ross said. Ross also thanked the district’s governing board for securing $150,000 in additional funding from the county. The money was given to the district in October 2006. The district received the check from the county on Thursday. The money will go toward training.

Switch to paper ballots causes few problems locally

2008-02-06T09:30:00.000-08:00

As I arrived to my local precinct to vote yesterday, I realized that I may be part of history. In the past year I have following both Clinton and Obama with great interest. Hillary, possibly the first female president and Barrack, the first black president. Change is coming, I will be happy with either one. JOE
Barstow sees steady stream of voters By Jason Smith, staff writer BARSTOW — Despite a switch back to paper ballots and a host of potentially confusing ballot measures, Tuesday’s voting went relatively smoothly, some Barstow voters said. As of Monday afternoon, many of the city’s nine polling places had seen a steady stream of voters, according to City Clerk JoAnne Cousino. “People are constantly coming in. There’s a line in some places,” she said. “It just shows that America is very interested in choosing our next leader.” She said that Barstow voters usually turn out in larger numbers after their work day ends at 5 p.m. Cousino estimated that more than 30 percent of Barstow’s registered 8,600 voters — more then 2,600 — would cast their ballots. By 1 p.m., more than 200 voters had visited the Cora Harper Fitness Center, one of the city’s busiest polls. Poll inspector Dolores Ortega said that poll workers reported few problems but fielded a few questions from retirees about the optical scan ballots used this year. The ballots require voters to fill out the center of an arrow between the blank space and their candidate’s name. “They didn’t understand the little arrow,” she said. She said that about 75 percent of the voters she spoke with said they like the paper ballots better than the electronic voting machines used in previous primaries. The switch was made due to concerns about the electronic machines’ security. “They didn’t like the machines,” Ortega said. “They didn’t like the idea of the printer.” Some voters said they prefer the machines. “I miss the electronic ballots; they were so easy to use,” said James Yee, who cast his ballot on Tuesday. He said he expected to see higher turnout this year because of the wide open primary and thought most voters would vote against the propositions on the ballot as he did. He said he hoped voters would reject Proposition 93, which would reduce the maximum term that legislators can serve in the Assembly or the Senate from 14 to 12 years but allows all 12 years to be spent in one house. “It’s not a term limits reduction,” Yee said. “You let them stay in power longer and it runs the risk they’ll become corrupt.” Voter Robert Dettrey said that he was more interested in outcome of the presidential election than any ballot measure. Dettrey, a Democrat, said he voted for Hillary Clinton rather than Barack Obama because he felt she had more experience. “He’s not educated about the issues in the field,” he said. “Hillary Clinton, she’s been a president’s wife and a governor’s wife; it’s better training,” he said. Dettrey said that although some of the ballot measures were slightly confusing, he thought most voters would understand the issues.

Relay for Life 2008 kicks off

2008-01-21T19:34:00.000-08:00

By BETTE MOSES Last Friday evening sponsors, survivors and this year's committee gathered together at the 10th Annual Kick-off dinner held at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Lenwood. Co-Chairs Renita Wickes, JR Sanchez and Martha Rochelle put together a great program, including survivor stories by Carmen Cortinas and Deede Crigler, introduction of the committee, a luminaria ceremony and a beautifully rendered song by Leslie Smith followed by a short speech by JR Sanchez emphasizing the mission of the relay. There was a lot of humor as the Fight Back closing had staff donning boxing gloves and headgear to emphasis fighting cancer to survive. The luminaria ceremony was a duplicate of what is done at the relay. At each place setting was a lumineria sack, either honoring or in memory of someone and we put a light stick in it as is done on the evening of the actual ceremony at dark. A very moving part of the evening was putting survivor sashes on the survivors present. This was new and very effective. I had no idea that some of my friends were survivors. Kathi Brant has survived cancer twice. Others were Alex Ross, Deede Crigler, Carmen Cortinas, Joyce Armstrong and Crystal Robinson. I knew Renita Wicks was a survivor, but the shocker for me was Robert Rochelle. I had always thought that Martha was the survivor because for such a long time she has been an important part of Relay here, but she does it to honor her husband. Regina Lawrence was introduced as the new High Desert American Cancer Society coordinator with headquarters in Riverside and satellite offices in Palmdale. We met her at the first meeting and she's really a great person to work with. Sponsors present included Robert Lewis, general manager of Wal-Mart, Margaret Baca and Dianne Jaramillo of Dress Barn and Jennifer Rodriquez, general manager of Tangier Outlet Center. If I've left anyone out, I apologize. Jennifer Rodriquez presented Renita a check for $29,277, raised at Tangier Outlet Center. When presenting the check she told of the two fundraisers they held out there. Stores at Tangier Outlets sold close to 25,000 Pink Ribbon cards at a dollar each. Jennifer wanted to give Coach Outlet recognition for selling over 14,000 of the Pink Ribbon Cards. The other fundraiser was the 12th Annual Cruise for the Cure car show which featured over 80 cars from the entire High Desert. This activity takes six months preparation and is done by the Apple Valley Over The Hill Gang Car Club. This year they raised $4,500. During the evening Martha Rochelle, auctioneer par excellence, auctioned off a blanket made for the relay, bought by Pat Esquivel. I had wondered why Pat had changed into blue boxing shorts when she came in as it was cool in there. When the fighters came on I understood. The relay store was open, like it is at the relay. It was manned by Deede Crigler and merchandise was sold. Some merchandise was given as door prizes by the Prize Patrol. This happened three times during the evening. Some of the others present included Lisa Spurlin, Jackie Randa, Alma Rochelle, Ron and PJ Stark, Cindy Charlton, Nakayla and Tshara Wickes and Erica Smith. A buffet meal was served culminating in a super cake-cutting. Those that didn't go this year missed a fun evening. It was a great start for the Tenth Annual Relay for Life to be held next May 17 and 18. ABOUT THE WRITER Bette “Bee Jay” Moses is a special events correspondent to the Desert Dispatch. She can be reached at (760) 987-6915 or dolphinlady9@verizon.net.

Duarte, Diaz nominated for "Man of the Year"

2008-01-17T08:50:00.000-08:00

Coach James Duarte and Helphinkley.org founder have been nominated for "Man of the Year". Both are deserving of the award! Coach Duarte has devoted his time and energy to continue rerepresenting Barstow by winnining his 5th State Cross Country Championship in 2007. Norman Diaz has relentlessly fought and organized a strong group to fight the outdoor compost sludge facility 7 miles west of Hinkley. Good Luck! Joe

See who's nominated for Barstow's Community Recognition Awards FROM STAFF REPORTS

BARSTOW — The following people and organizations have been nominated for a Community Recognition Award. The awards ceremony will be on Jan. 26:

Woman of the Year Police Chief Dianne Burns Emma Gross Dr. Alberta Olegaro Aimee Hernandez Angel Ebel Jeri Justus Hermie James Renita Wicks Carol Randall De De Cringler Donna Zeller Molly Ulm Man of the Year Jeff Eason Sr. Cory Baker Cliff Brock Joel Stankavich Leonard Purdy John Wang Ed Hignet Norman Diaz Jim Duarte Woman of Continuous Service Joanne Cousino Kris Watson Renita Wicks Man of Continuous Service Ace Acevedo David Booze Dr. Kevin Smith Larry Collins Jeff Eason Sr. Up and Coming Volunteer Jeff Eason Sr. Mark Sielski Larry Munson Steve and Jodi Richardson Miranda Wessel-Allmon Organization of the Year Main Street Murals Barstow Senior Citizens Center Cameron PTA Barstow Junior High Band Boosters Barstow High School Cross Country Team Barstow Pageant Large Business of the Year Stater Bro’s Valley Lumber & Truss Co. Raytheon Technical Services Small Business of the Year Alliance Management Group Head to Toe Conversion Firestone Sparkle Car Wash Karl Brown Bookeeping Curves Printing Solutions Best Event of the Year Mojave Trail Days The Barstow Pagaent Cops 4 Kids Sandcastle Competition Curves Food Drive Old Spanish Trail Conference Rodeo Stampede Toys 4 Tots

27th Annual Community Recognition Awards January 26th, 5 p.m. cocktails, 6 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. program At the Cora Harper Fitness Center 841 Barstow Road Tickets $30, $35 (after Jan. 18) Available at the Barstow Area Chamber of Commerce, 681 North First Avenue For more information call the Chamber at 256-8617

Council to discuss wastewater contract bidding process

2008-01-07T07:08:00.000-08:00

FROM STAFF REPORTS BARSTOW — The City Council will meet on Monday to discuss the bidding process for a contested construction contract to upgrade the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Bureau Veritas, an outside consultant hired by the city, will present its analysis of a $15 million bid to design the facility by Micromedia Filtration Inc., a relatively inexperienced firm which some council members dispute is equipped to handle the project. After hearing the consultant’s recommendations, council members will vote to consider hiring Bureau Veritas at a cost of up to $160,000 to further assist it in selecting the contractor for the facility upgrade. Also at the meeting, the council will review the findings of an outside consultant hired to analyze the effectiveness of the organization and management of the city. According to the analysis of the Matrix Consulting Group, many of the city’s operating policies are decades out of date and the city is unprepared to meet the needs of expected future growth at current staffing levels. The council will also hear a presentation from electricity producer Southern California Edison about the state of the region’s electric utilities. The council will meet at council chambers at City Hall, 220 E. Mountain View. Regularly scheduled meetings are televised live on Time Warner Cable channel 6 and recordings are placed on the city’s Web site, http://www.barstowca.org/.

2007 year in review

2007-12-30T19:03:00.000-08:00

A look back on the stories that made news in 2007 Both good and bad, these are some of the stories that made news in 2007. Barstow got a new skate park, a new police chief and a $300,000 fine for a sewage spill. The Tanger Outlets expanded, new tenants moved into the Barstow Mall and hopes for a casino in Barstow all but vanished in the halls of Sacramento. Hinkley continued to fight a proposed composting facility and residents of Soap Mine Road received bottled water courtesy of the city and an order from Lahontan. Sure, there were some disagreements, some concessions, but doesn't Raquel Beezley look great with her Miss California tiara?

January
New Year's Eve shootings leave one dead, two wounded, Jan. 1 Shortly after midnight on Jan. 1, 2007, shots rang out in Sawtooth Canyon. Paul Joseph Dubay, 20, was killed and two other young Barstow men, Richmond Wagner, 20, and James Eichler, 24, were wounded, both recovered. Later that day, deputies with the sheriff’s department arrested a 24-year-old Apple Valley man, Dennis Carpenter, in connection with the shooting. It is believed that a fight broke out between several people at the party in a desert area off of Highway 247. Carpenter pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and is scheduled to stand trial in February of 2008. Governor budgets for vet wing reopening, Jan. 12 The Veterans Home of California in Barstow got a late Christmas gift at the beginning of 2007 when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger set aside $2.3 million in the 2007-2008 budget to reopen the skilled nursing wing that would provide around-the-clock medical care for residents. The state closed the wing in 2003 after the death of two patients due to negligence. It is scheduled to reopen early in 2008.

February
Dual-casino project restarted in state legislature, Feb. 1 Leaders from Barstow were in Sacramento to announce a second effort at pushing compacts through the state legislature that would bring a casino to Barstow. The compacts, approved by the governor in 2005, would allow The Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cuperno Indians and the Big Lagoon Rancheria tribes to build a dual casino in the Lenwood area. The compacts stalled in the legislature in 2006, but area law-makers started the year confident they would pass through this year. The casinos would create approximately 4,000 jobs in the area and bring in several million dollars to the city each year. Cortez sentenced to 100 years, Feb. 23 A tearful Paul Cortez said he did not know why he took part in the rape and murder of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and the murder of her family after testimony ended in his trial at Fort Campbell, Ky. The Barstow soldier received 100 years in prison the crimes committed while serving in Iraq in March 2006. Cortez pleaded guilty to four counts of felony murder, rape and conspiracy to rape in order to avoid the death penalty. Supervisors approve composting facility, Feb. 28 After hours of testimony, a petition with more than 1,500 signatures and more than 1,000 letters in opposition, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a permit allowing Nursery Products to build a composting facility near Hinkley. The motion to approve, made by First District Supervisor Brad Mitzerfelt, further regulated the operation of the facility, but that gesture fell on the deaf ears of the two charter bus loads of residents who made the trip down to San Bernardino to protest the facility. "We feel like it's a death sentence," said Hinkley resident Judy Miller. Following the decision, plans for a lawsuit against the facility were announced. (Full story)

Christmas Cops and Kids

2007-12-22T22:26:00.000-08:00

This morning a few hundred volunteers gathered together in a vacant store once occupied Miller's Outpost in the Barstow Mall to get instructions and load 1,000's of toys in SUV's and trucks. (Watch video, Officer Ellis) This was the 12th annual Christmas Cop's and Kid's event that gives the opportunity for children in the Barstow area get to interact with our local police officers and members of PAL. As we delivered the gifts throughout the day in different neighborhoods, I could see how the children appreciated the toys, game boards. Free pizza coupons donated by Jeff Eason of Strawhat Pizza were also distibuted. A special thanks to the families of Tim Heiden and Jeff Eason for their time and efforts. For all the Barstow Police Officers, Sheriffs and Fireman who volunteered throughout the day, thanks! I want to wish all of a you a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year. Joe

Council member speaks out about city manager's treatment

2007-12-19T21:51:00.000-08:00

By JOE GOMEZ

Editor’s note: City Council members have a standing invitation to submit a guest commentary once per quarter. We have invited Mayor Lawrence Dale to respond.

People of Barstow deserve a response to the separation of the former City Manager Hector Rodriguez, not speculation. I don’t care if you live in an at-will state in which you can terminate anyone at any time, it is still immoral to fire people without helping them understand what they need to improve and providing the opportunity to do so. Hector did not get fired, although the Mayor told me he wanted him dismissed and tried to call an emergency closed session meeting to terminate his contract sometime during the month of September, which I strongly opposed. We have lost a good city manager, who cared about Barstow and the citizens in this community. He took the moral high ground because he is a man with integrity. To understand how our local government works and my personal opinions of Mayor Lawrence Dale's management style, I felt it necessary to express thoughts in writing. Barstow is a General Law city . It is the role of the mayor and council to serve as stewards of the city and to establish policy for the city. It is the city manager’s role, along with the support of city staff to implement the policies established by the mayor and council. In some ways it is part of a system of checks and balances. The mayor of Barstow isn’t bestowed with powers like the mayor of Los Angeles or New York . The people of Barstow haven’t given the mayor that kind of control. Consider the following: Since the Mayor took office in 2000, Barstow has had six city managers. Since 2003 Barstow has had four city managers. That’s like having a new city manager every year. That kind of turn over signals deep-rooted systemic problems at City Hall. And it doesn’t stop there — the turnover among the city’s senior managers and police officers have been equally alarming. Think about it: • If things are on the up and up, there’s no need for the mayor or members of this council to meddle behind the scenes in the business of city staff. • If things are on the up and up, there’s no need for the mayor to convene so many closed-door City Council meetings. • If things are on the up and up, there’s no need to schedule so many council meetings during the work day when people can’t attend the meetings or outside of our regularly scheduled Monday night Council meetings. When the independent council majority appointed Hector Rodriguez as city manager in 2006, Mayor Dale opposed us. The mayor was furious! Since Hector Rodriguez was appointed city manager more than 18 months ago, the mayor has worked behind the scenes to undo the previous council’s decision and undermined Hector’s success and decision-making. Earlier this year the Mayor tried to dismiss Hector but there was an outpouring of support from the community for Hector. So instead the Mayor has worked behind the scenes to get rid of Hector. Recognize that Hector wasn’t the mayor’s guy. And if you’re not the mayor’s guy, you’re not going to be in a job for very long. This past year, the mayor fought against Hector’s choice for police chief and tried to undermine that recommendation. Chief Burns has proven in a short period that Mr. Rodriguez made great choice by hiring her. When the mayor wanted his friends at Micromedia Filtration to take over the $15 million contract for the sewer treatment facility, he fought against Hector and the concerns of key city staff. Now we’re back to business as usual. Mayor Dale has a hungry, unhealthy appetite for control and leverage over the council and over those who manage things at City Hall and in our police department. Anyone who crosses the mayor or his friends, or who is independent in thought, seals their fate; including myself. Micromanagement of city staff has kept Barstow from moving forward since the Millennium. At best, Barstow has stood still the last seven years. For every step forward, there’s been a step or two back. At the root of the stagnation is a mayor’s leadership style that is holding Barstow back. There’s something suspicious about elected leadership that prefers to meet behind closed doors and has to rule with such an iron fist. He poses the management style of a dictator or director; I compare Mayor Dale’s management style to Al Davis, owner of the Oakland Raiders. That can’t be in the best interests of the people of Barstow. And after the last seven years, the people of Barstow are smart enough to see that.

ABOUT THE WRITER Joe Gomez is a member of Barstow’s City Council. His term expires in 2008.

T.J. earns Pro Bowl honor, former Barstow High star

2007-12-18T19:09:00.000-08:00

Former resident and Barstow High football star was selected to the Pro Bowl. TJ adding to the late success of champions that have put Barstow, CA on the map, along with Raquel Beezley, Miss California and the Barstow Aztecs state cross country team. The City of Barstow is proud of TJ Houshmandzadeh and would like to recognize his accomplishments after the season.JOE

From seventh-round draft pick as the 204th player drafted in 2001 to bubble player at training camp in 2002 and 2003, T.J. Houshmandzadeh's journey as an NFL player reached a peak this afternoon when he was named to the AFC all-star team for the Pro Bowl. The game will be played Feb. 10 in Honolulu. The Pro Bowl nod is the first Houshmandzadeh, who was a third alternate in last year’s voting. Houshmandzadeh and Cleveland's Braylon Edwards are the backup AFC wide receivers, behind starters Reggie Wayne of Indianapolis and Randy Moss of New England. Houshmandzadeh leads the NFL with a Bengals-record 101 receptions through 14 games, and he has gained 1,028 yards with 11 touchdowns. On Saturday night in the loss at San Francisco, Houshmandzadeh set the franchise's single-season receptions record with 101, besting Carl Pickens' mark of 100 from 1996.Houshmandzadeh played college ball at Oregon State, with fellow Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson."T.J. has worked very hard to earn this honor," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement released by the club. "He has worked through some injuries during the course of the season, and he has been a very consistent performer and producer for us for the last three years."Houshmandzadeh becomes the seventh Bengals wide receiver to make the Pro Bowl. The other six have been Isaac Curtis (four times), Chad Johnson (four), Cris Collinsworth (three), Carl Pickens (two), Eddie Brown (one) and Chip Myers (one). Additionally, tight end-wide receiver Bob Trumpy was selected to two AFL All-Star games and two Pro Bowls.Houshmandzadeh scored at least one touchdown in each of the season’s first eight games. He became the first Bengal to find the end zone in each of the first eight games of a season, and his streak of eight is the franchise’s longest at any point within one season.Houshmandzadeh’s season-opening streak of eight straight games with a score tied for second-longest in NFL history at the start of a schedule.The team’s total of Pro Bowl players could grow. Four Bengals earned alternate status for the AFC team: wide receiver Chad Johnson and kicker Shayne Graham as first alternates, and left tackle Levi Jones and quarterback Carson Palmer as third alternates. Alternates take roster spots if players in front of them are injured or opt out of the game.Pro Bowl spots are determined based on voting by players, coaches and fans,. Each group's votes count one-third.

Friends of Joe Gomez: A dynasty blooms in the desert

2007-12-14T09:51:00.000-08:00

Friends of Joe Gomez: A dynasty blooms in the desert

She's not Miss Barstow anymore

2007-12-09T16:50:00.000-08:00

Staff photo by Jason Smith Recently-named Miss California, Raquel Beezley, stands near the Barstow sign at Centennial Park on Friday. The former Miss Barstow was crowned Miss California on Thursday.

Crowned Miss California amid controversy, Raquel Beezley looks ahead
By JASON SMITH, staff writer BARSTOW — Raquel Beezley was waiting on customers on a busy night last week at DiNapoli’s Firehouse Pizza when she received a phone call that she isn’t likely to forget. “I thought it was strange to get a call at the restaurant,” she said. “All my friends have my cell phone number.” The caller, Keith Lewis, executive director of the Miss California USA organization, called to tell Beezley some surprising news: a mistake had been made and Beezley was the rightful winner of the pageant. Beezley, a lifelong Barstow resident and former Miss Barstow and Miss Teen Barstow pageant winner, had competed in the Nov. 26 Miss California competition and had placed third among 90 participants. She said she was satisfied with her performance. “I was OK. I found comfort in it; I did the best I could” she said. When Christina Silva, the recently crowned Miss California, got on the phone to tell her that pageant judges had made an accounting error and Beezley was the rightful winner, she was shocked. “I didn’t want it to happen this way,” Beezley said. “But then again, I worked so hard for it.” Beezley said that she hasn’t spoken with Silva since the phone call, but feels bad that Silva had to give up the title. “She was so sincere, full of congratulations. You can’t help but feel sympathy towards her,” Beezley said. She said that she was friendly with Silva and had voted for her for the title of Miss Congeniality, a distinction given to the pageant contestant with the most likable personality. Since being told about the error, Beezley said that she’s been busy adjusting to the news and preparing for her crowning, which took place Thursday. She appeared on Fox News, “Extra,” “Inside Edition” and other shows talking about the experience, good training for someone who wants to be a corespondent for an entertainment television program. Beezley will finish her studies this semester at Barstow Community College and had originally planned to transfer to the California State University at Fullerton in order to study communications with an entertainment studies concentration. “Miss California will hopefully catapult my career in that direction,” she said. Beezley graduated in 2004 from Barstow High School, where she was a cheerleader and participated in multiple beauty pageants both nationally and internationally. She said that to prepare for the competitions she spends hours in the gym and runs up to four miles per day. She said the mental preparations are just as crucial to a good performance as physical training. “I make sure the personal relationships in my life are in good standing,” she said. “I have a lot of alone time.” Now that she’s won the statewide title, her preparations for the national Miss USA pageant will become more intense. Beezley said that she will relocate to Los Angeles to prepare nearly full-time for the April 2008 competition, training that will involve work with a nutritionist, personal trainer, speech teacher, and walking coach, among others. She said that she will miss living in Barstow with the small town atmosphere. She said that without the support of many people in the Barstow community, including business owner Leonard Purdy, who paid Beezley $1,500 entrance fee in the contest, she would not have been named Miss California. In recognition of her accomplishments, Beezley will receive a proclamation from the city at an upcoming City Council meeting, according to Mayor Lawrence Dale. “We are extremely lucky and proud to have one of our young ladies as the next Miss California,” Dale said. “The extra efforts she’s put in to earn this title have paid off.” He said that Beezley has represented Barstow well in numerous beauty pageants. Beezley said that she’s heard a lot of jokes and unflattering comments from people in other cities about Barstow and hopes to counter some peoples’ negative impressions about her town. “I’ve spent my whole life defending Barstow,” she said.

A dynasty blooms in the desert

2007-12-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

It was an honor for me to be interviewed by my friend Paul Gutierrez, former Desert Dispatch sports editor. It is obvious Paul's heart is still in Barsow, but more important he has recognized that Barsow High Cross Country program is a powerhouse in California and throughout the nation. Thanks Paul. JOE

Barstow (Calif.) X-C runs to fifth title in seven years

By Paul Gutierrez, Special to SI.com It is derisively known as a dusty backwater bathroom stop on the road to Las Vegas, a desolate Southern California desert town in the middle of nowhere on old Route 66. It is also home to a budding high school boys cross-country dynasty, a unifying source of immense pride for a hardscrabble-yet-tightly knit and diverse community. Welcome to Barstow, where any day of the week you'll find members of the three-time CIF Division III state champs, who just won their fifth title in seven years, getting their road work in. If they're not avoiding scorpions and rattlesnakes in the hills and ravines of the surrounding desert, they might just run by the first Del Taco in the country on their way past what was, as local legend has it, the largest McDonald's in the world, before meeting in the parking lot of Wal-Mart, the town's seeming social center. "I've always seen it as a working class town, very blue collar," said Barstow High coach Jim Duarte, a BHS graduate (Class of 1966). "A lot of people struggle in this town. It's nice when I see some of these kids go on and prosper." Especially when it's his program, which has qualified for the state finals 10 years running, that serves as a springboard for youngsters who otherwise may not have had the opportunity. After all, some team members had never seen the ocean or forest before a road trip. Throw in the self-respect the Aztecs bring home with their running exploits and it's easy to see how they provide such dignity for Barstow, which also boasts an NFL wide receiver in the Cincinnati Bengals' T.J. Houshmanzadeh and a major league baseball third-base coach in the Los Angeles Angels' Dino Ebel. But it is at the prep level around which the city of 23,575, which is 58.6 percent white, 39.6 percent Latino, 9.0 percent African American, has a median household income of less than $42,000 and is kept afloat by three military bases, a Santa Fe railroad depot and two outlet shopping malls, truly rallies. The Aztecs certainly gave their town reason to celebrate in their two most recent meets. At the CIF-Southern Section Finals at Mt. San Antonio College, BHS's team time of 77:08 set a Division III team time record and was the third fastest time in the venerated course's history. A week later at the state finals in Fresno, the Aztecs placed three in the top 10, six in the top 32, and their team time of 79:53 set a D-III state meet record as they beat runner-up Oak Park, 69-120. BHS has recorded four of the six fastest all-time D-III team times at the state finals. Anthony Solis, Barstow's lone senior, placed third in state at 15:27 and credited the team and Duarte for keeping him focused. "I'd probably just be out there screwing around with my friends," he said. Instead, Solis is eyeing Chico State or Long Beach State to continue his running career and education. Just 6.2 percent of Barstow's population had a Bachelor's Degree at the 2000 census. "Random people just come up and say, good job, congratulations. That feels good." Barstow High, with an enrollment of 1,800, is one of just four boys teams and two girls teams with at least five California state titles. Barstow's City Council has designated Dec. 17 as "BHS Boys Cross-Country Day." After their first state title in 2001, the Aztecs were feted with a parade. Now, city council member Joe Gomez envisions a "Gateway Sign" on the freeway, informing visitors and passers-by alike that Barstow is home to the five-time, and counting, state champs. "For one thing, they are putting Barstow on the map," Gomez said. "Not just in California; across the whole country. That's something that all of Barstow is really proud of. They have a great reputation as a classy team, not cocky, so that carries over for the city as well." Duarte, who ran four years as a walk-on at UCLA, said his team carries a chip on its shoulder as an underdog, much like the town. A few years ago, the coach of a much larger school essentially dismissed Barstow when asked his thoughts of the Aztecs. "Yeah, they're good," the coach said, "for a small school." "What I've tried to make my kids believe in is, we can do it," said Duarte, a history teacher who took over the program in 1994. "Don't just be satisfied with beating schools our size; go after the bigger schools, too. We love winning the state titles and it's been fantastic, but we're also cognizant of the other schools that are out there. "It's really neat to hear the parents talking ... they're really jazzed about it. Some of the mothers, at the CIF meet, were crying during the race. I guess because it was going so well for us." Roses growing out of cracks in the concrete? More like birds of paradise blooming from the desert sand. Paul Gutierrez, a senior staff writer at The Sacramento Bee, is also a native of Barstow (BHS Class of 1988).

Miss Barstow named Miss California winner after accounting error

2007-12-04T08:14:00.000-08:00

By Aaron Aupperlee, city editor She got her start competing in pageants in Barstow, and now a former Miss Teen Barstow and Miss Barstow will vie for the title of Miss USA. Raquel Beezley, 21, was awarded the title of Miss California after organizers of the Nov. 25 Miss California pageant discovered an apparent accounting error that led to a shake up in the order. Christina Silva, 24, the declared the winner of the annual state beauty pageant, relinquished the title to Beezley, the second runner-up, after feeling pressure to step down. “They never could explain their accounting error, but told me that if I didn’t give up my crown to Miss Barstow, my personal integrity could be questioned, and my career could potentially suffer,” she said. The error, first reported by the celebrity TV show “Extra,” is the latest problem to beset Donald Trump’s Miss Universe Organization that controls the Miss Teen USA and Miss USA pageants. The pageant’s state director, Keith Lewis, said several judges questioned the results of the competition at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles. Lewis said the error was discovered the next day after the ballots were opened and recounted. “It was a simple human error,” Lewis said Monday. Silva has since hired an attorney and is weighing her legal options, according to her manager Tony Brewster. Kris Watson, the director of the annual Miss Barstow and other area pageants, said Beezley will be officially crowned later this week and will compete for Miss USA in April. She has worked with Beezley for many years. She said Beezley’s experience in Barstow pageants, national and international pageants gave her the experience she need to succeed on the Miss California, and hopefully the Miss USA, stage. “She’s done quite well for herself, but she hasn’t won every pageant she’s entered,” Watson said. “She’s had a lot of experience. Win or lose, you always learn something.” Watson said Beezley trained hard for the Miss California pageant, running up to four miles a day and spending countless hours in the gym. The contestants were scored by five celebrity judges who independently ranked them. The forms are then given to an accountant who assigns a point value based on the rankings, and the results are confirmed by an auditor. The mix-up occurred when the points were reversed, with the lowest point given to the winner and the highest to the fourth runner-up, Lewis said. Silva, Miss Los Angeles, was crowned the winner on stage followed by Miss Woodland Hills Brandi Williams, Beezley, Miss Greater San Diego Carrie Prejean and Miss Palos Verdes Nicole Chiu. As a result of the recount, Beezley became the reigning Miss California, followed by Prejean, Silva, Williams and Chiu, organizers said. Roger Neal, who represents the Miss California USA pageant, said Beezley is the rightful winner. The pageant allowed Silva to keep her crown, sash and necklace and returned her $1,500 entry fee after the error was discovered, Neal said. Duplicates were being made for Beezley. Beezley was crowned Miss Barstow in 2004, becoming the first woman to be crowned Miss Barstow and Miss Teen Barstow. She also competed in pageants in Mexico and China. Beezley could not be reached for comment.

Congressman Baca visits Barstow College

2007-12-01T00:25:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday Congressman Joe Baca was the guest speaker at Barstow College. Dr. Clifford Brock introduced Congressman Baca to several hundred members of the community. His message was inspiring as he spoke of his families struggles while growing up in Barstow. He earned his education within the Barstow school system, also graduated from BCC. Here is Congressman Baca's Bio;

Representative Joe Baca (43rd District, California) was elected to the United States Congress on November 16, 1999, in a special election. He was elected to a full two-year term on November 7, 2000, to serve in the 107th Congress. Rep. Baca is the first Latino Congressman to serve from the Inland Empire. He serves on the House Agriculture Committee, and is a member of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development, and Research, and the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. Rep. Baca also serves on the House Science Committee, and is a member of the Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards and the Subcommittee on Research. Beyond committee work, Rep. Baca also serves as Whip of Region One on the Democratic Steering Committee and as a floor whip. He is an active member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, where he serves as Caucus Whip. Rep. Baca also serves on the House Army Caucus; the Native American Caucus; the Congressional Diabetes Caucus; the Education Caucus; the Courthouse Caucus, the Meth Lab Caucus, and the Law Enforcement Caucus. In addition, Rep. Baca is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a consensus-building group of 33 moderate-to-conservative lawmakers dedicated to finding common sense solutions on public policy issues. For the Blue Dogs, he is the co-chair of the Education Task Force. Joe Baca served in the California Legislature for seven years. His career in Sacramento was one of historic firsts. After his election to the California State Assembly in 1992, Mr. Baca was elected Speaker pro Tempore of the Assembly - the first Latino since California joined the Union in 1850. From January 1997 through December 1998, he was the third ranking leader of the Assembly serving as Assistant Speaker pro Tempore and the Speaker's Federal Government Liaison. He also served as a member of the Rules Committee. He was elected to the California State Senate on November 3, 1998, where he served on the Rules Committee, which is responsible for confirming Governor’s appointments. His other committee assignments included the Veterans Affairs Committee; Public Employment and Retirement; Energy, Utilities and Communications; Local Government; and Governmental Organization. Congressman Baca has been recognized by the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda for his legislative achievements. He was the recipient of the Golden Eagle Award from Siempre Adelante and the Migrant Leadership Council for his achievements and accomplishments as a California legislator and a leader in the Latino community. Mr. Baca also has been extremely active in the community. In 1979, he was the first Latino ever elected to the board of Trustees of the San Bernardino Valley College District. He also has given his time and energy to business, veterans, and other civic groups in the district. Rep. Baca is a Vietnam War-era veteran, serving in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper with both the 101st and the 82nd Airborne Divisions from 1966-68, leaving with the rank of specialist E-4. Before coming to Sacramento, Mr. Baca earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from the California State University - Los Angeles. Later, he worked for 15 years in community relations with GTE. In 1989, he and his wife, Barbara, began their own business as partners in Interstate World Travel in San Bernardino. They have four children – Joe Jr., Jeremy, Natalie, and Jennifer. (8/10/01)

Memos show disagreement between Council, staff preceded city manager’s departure

2007-12-01T00:18:00.000-08:00

By JASON SMITH Staff Writer BARSTOW — Internal city documents show that the termination of City Manager Hector Rodriguez’ employment contract was preceded by disagreements between City Council members and city staff over the city’s wastewater-treatment plant upgrade contract. A memo dated Oct. 30, written by Rodriguez and addressed to the council, accuses Mayor Lawrence Dale of interfering with the process, wanting to directly award the $15 million contract to Micromedia Filtration, Inc., instead of reviewing bids from other firms. Rodriguez wrote that he’d been given direction to award the contract to Micromedia in a meeting held on Oct. 18 with Dale and council member Steve Curran. Dale and Curran disputed Rodriguez’ allegations. “The Mayor told me that the Council’s direction to me in this matter had been to write a (Request for Proposals) that would result in a contract award to Micromedia by effectively eliminating other potential bidders,” Rodriguez wrote in the memo. “(T)his was in direct contradiction of Council’s direction to me. As city manager, it is my charge to carry out the direction of the Council majority. For me to do otherwise would be both illegal and unethical ... Council’s direction to me was to administer an open Request For Proposals process, the ultimate outcome of which is unknown at this time.” Rodriguez stated in the memo that Dale had spoken directly with members of Buerau Veritas, the consultant which the city hired to assist with the request for proposals process, to select the wastewater contractor. “The very reason why I requested assistance was due to interference from the Mayor in the negotiations,” Rodriguez wrote. “This interference appears to be occurring again, likely jeopardizing the fairness of the Request For Proposals process and opening up the door to litigation.” Rodriguez did not return calls seeking comment. Dale and council member Steve Curran disputed Rodriguez interpretation of events, calling it a misunderstanding. “I did not direct the City Manager to create an RFP that would eliminate potential bidders for the wastewater facility upgrade project,” Dale wrote in an e-mail. “In fact, the City’s consultant Bureau Veritas is now moving forward with an RFP process that will be advertised with all potential bidders.” Dale wrote that he spoke with the city’s consultant because he worried that the firm is not moving fast enough to choose a contractor. Upgrades to the wastewater-treatment facility were mandated by the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Board because of elevated nitrate levels in the water. The city could face fines from $1,000 to $10,000 per day if it does not meet the July 2009 deadline set by Lahontan. Citing a contractual settlement, Dale declined to state if the disagreement with the city manager was related to the council’s 4-1 decision on Thursday to terminate Rodriguez’ employment contract. Curran said the bid-seeking process for the wastewater upgrade contractor is difficult due to the unique nature of the technology that Micromedia uses in its plant. “The council voted 3 to 2 to go with Micromedia. ‘Go’ is a misused term. When you say ‘go with Micromedia,’ do you mean the firm Micromedia, or the technology behind Micromedia?” Curran said. He voted against the council’s July 16 decision to cancel the city’s previous contract with contractor HDR Engineering in favor of Micromedia. The city spent $1.7 million on with HDR, but allegations of project delays and rising costs led the council to switch firms. Micromedia says its plan for the facility would save the city $1,183,600 annually in operating costs or potentially reduce each resident’s sewer bill by $11 a month Curran said he isn’t comfortable with awarding the construction contract to Micromedia because of the young company’s lack of a track record. “Our hopes are that other companies that use this technology will come up,” he said. Curran said that some of the concerns outlined in the memo are related to an ongoing disagreement over city staff members’ interactions directly with council members. Curran said that although he’s heard rumors, he’s not aware of council members directly giving instruction to city staff. “I would appreciate it if the city staff would come to me and say that this is happening. All we’ve heard is hearsay,” he said. According to the Barstow Municipal Code, the city manager is responsible for day to day operations of the city and the management of city employees. “The city manager works for the City Council. The staff does not work for the council, the staff works for the city manager,” Curran said. An Oct. 26 memo written by Rodriguez to the council and city department heads issued communication guidelines between city employees and council members. “There have been occasions when Council members have met directly with staff, and when Council members’ expressions of opinion have been interpreted as direction,” he wrote. The memo continued, “Council members may not give direction to subordinates of the City Manager ... Staff is required to adhere to this directive. Failure to do so will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.” The communication guidelines were rescinded by a decision of the council on Nov. 5, the same day that the council voted to place Rodriguez on indefinite paid administrative leave. City attorney Yvette Abich said that it was necessary to reverse the memo’s guidelines in order to clarify the communication policy so that council members can ask questions of staff members. “Essentially the City Council is to work with the City Manager in giving direction to city staff, but the city staff is free to talk to city staff on the basis of inquiry,” she said. She declined to comment further about the termination of Rodriguez’ employment contract or the circumstances surrounding his departure. “The law says we can’t talk about personnel matters,” she said. “He’s got a right to privacy, and we have to respect that.”

City manager's contract terminated

2007-12-01T00:07:00.000-08:00

In my opinion Hector was leading the City of Barstow in the right direction. In the past year he has made significant contributions to our city. He will be missed. JOE

By JASON SMITH, staff writer BARSTOW — The City Council voted Thursday afternoon 4 to 1 to terminate the employment agreement of City Manager Hector Rodriguez, effective Friday. City Council member Joe Gomez cast the sole dissenting vote. According to the terms of Rodriguez’s separation, he will receive eight months severance pay and will be paid accrued sick and vacation time. He will also waive any claims against the city. No reason was given for the departure, but a four-sentence press release from the city said the separation was agreed to mutually. “Both Hector Rodriguez and the City of Barstow felt that it was in the best interest of both parties to voluntarily end the employment relationship at this time,” the release stated. On Nov. 5, Rodriguez was placed on indefinite paid administrative leave during a closed session meeting of the City Council. Rodriguez, Mayor Lawrence Dale and other council members declined to comment about the terms of the settlement or reasons for the departure. Dale also declined to give his opinion of Rodriguez’s performance during his 18 months as city manager. Council member Joe Gomez said he was disappointed with the decision and believes that the city will have to offer more money to its next manager due to a history of high turnover in the position. He blamed Dale for micromanaging city staff, charges Dale denied. “In my opinion, I believe the city manager was not able to do his job because of the interference of the mayor,” Gomez said. “The mayor was elected by the people to be the mayor; he was not elected to be God.” Council member Tim Silva, who voted to terminate Rodriguez’s contract, said he approved the settlement as beneficial for all parties. He said he’d like to see the city bring in “strong, qualified” candidates to fill the open position, but declined to give details about Rodriguez’ departure, citing privacy concerns. “Trust me, I’d like to tell the whole story of the closed session, but we have to stay within the limits of the Brown Act,” Silva said. The Brown Act protects the discussion of city employee performances as confidential matters. Although details about Rodriguez’ departure are scarce, a Nov. 14 letter on file with the Barstow City Clerk discussed a confidential settlement between the city and Rodriguez. The text of the letter, from Rodriguez’s attorney, Alan J. Leahy, to the city attorney, was mostly blacked out, but one paragraph indicated the parties wished to settle the issue. “Nevertheless, he is willing to reasonably bring closure to this matter in lieu of civil litigation over potential claims, including for wrongful termination in violation of public policy in order to avoid the time and expense otherwise attendant to this matter and so that the parties may move productively forward,” one paragraph of the letter stated. Rodriguez began working for the city in March 2006 as finance director. He was named interim city manager a month later after then-City Manager Mike Stewart resigned. Rodriguez was permanently appointed to the post in July 2006. His salary is $147,000 per year plus benefits under an employment contract that expires in December 2008. Previously, Rodriguez was regional manger for MV Transportation in Los Angeles and was responsible for accounting functions for 23 divisions in six states. Rodriguez is the fifth city manager in about 10 years. For about seven years, Paul Warner worked as city manager and then retired in 2003. Both Robert Van Nort and subsequently Vijay Singhal filled in as interim city managers while the city continued its search. Mike Stewart started in February 2004 and stayed for a little over two years

Barstow win 3rd straight cross country title

2007-11-25T00:18:00.000-08:00

This was my 10th year supporting the Barstow High Cross Country team at the state championships and it was awesome to see this great team dominate the field. Former great Barstow runners, Jim Ortiz, Arturo Gonzales, Ted and Alvin Gomez, Vernon Morris, Ray Perea and Curtis Barela traveled to Fresno to cheer on one of Barstow's best team ever. Congratulations! JOE

By MATTHEW PETERS Nov 24, 2007 11:07 pm FRESNO — If there are three things Anthony Solis knows, they are heat, cramps and championships. The Barstow High School senior cross country runner battled cramps for a second straight week but still led the Aztecs to their third consecutive CIF Division III state championship on Saturday at Woodward Park in Fresno. Solis, who brought his other two championship rings to the meet, became the first Barstow runner ever to compete on three championship teams. The Aztecs continued their reign of dominance, winning their fifth CIF title in seven seasons. “(It felt) wonderful,” Barstow coach Jim Duarte said. “We kind of felt it was coming, it was going to happen. Of course we didn’t know how dominant we could be until CIF-SS Finals.” Solis battled cramps during last week’s CIF-Southern Section finals, and the cramps returned during the first mile of the race Saturday. Solis dropped as far back as 10th place, but recovered as the race went on. “I just fought through it and tried to catch up,” Solis said. “There were a couple people that passed me and Isaac (Chavez), but I said ‘I’ll get them in the second mile.’ ” Solis also said he thrived as the midday temperatures began to rise into the high 60s. “I like it when it’s warm because we train up in the heat so we’re not real uncomfortable in it,” Solis said. Still up in the air is Barstow’s bid for a trip to the Nike Team Nationals in Portland, Ore. next Saturday. California has two automatic bids for nationals. All the races and times are merged into a database and runners are assigned points based on their times. Duarte said he didn’t think Barstow made it, but the Aztecs wouldn’t be far away either. Barstow could also go as an at-large selection. There are four at-large berths available for the entire country. As runners came in, Duarte knew his top three runners’ performances tremendously helped their title hopes but worried about his last few runners’ scores. “I thought our first three guys were in the best of positions to be able to defend the title,” Duarte said. “I thought our fourth, fifth and sixth guys were up a bit further than I hoped they would be.” Ian Barba, Josh Ow and Jeremy Trujillo finished within 10 seconds of each other in 26th, 30th and 32nd place to secure Barstow’s title. Barstow’s closest competition, Oak Park, finished 51 points behind the Aztecs. The Eagles’ title hopes took a blow earlier in the week when they learned that their No. 5 runner was done for the season with a fractured hip. Oak Park coach Kevin Smith said the extra runner would have helped but called Barstow’s effort “phenomenal.” “In no way do I want to sound like sour grapes,” Smith said. “Barstow was the clear, clear champion. We are thrilled to share the podium with them.” The Aztecs came off a dominating performance at CIF-SS finals and continued to set records in Fresno. Barstow set the best team time ever for a Division III school at the meet with a mark of 79 minutes, 53 seconds. The Aztecs kept three runners in the top 10 for almost the entire race. Solis was followed by Chavez and Andrew Romano. It was the second time the Aztecs placed three runners in the top 10. The 2001 state championship team had Kalan Ray, Adam Rodriguez and James Tawney accomplish the feat, but Barstow’s current trio each beat their times. Duarte said he thought his team could have been even better in more mild conditions. Duarte said the Aztecs could have run as much as 40 seconds faster collectively if the temperature was just 10 degrees cooler.

Barstow Cross Country, National recognition

2007-11-22T22:09:00.000-08:00

Barstow is finally getting the recognition they deserve, a program that has been respected in Caifornia is now noticed at the national level. This years team is the best team Barstow has produced, a record breakin year! Saturday's race at the state championships will determine if we qualify for the Nike High School Championships in Eugene, OR. Below is a article written on Dyestat California, a website devoted to running. Good Luck Barstow!JOE

Barring a massive upset, the division should be re-named “Division Barstow.” The defending champions are back stronger than ever in 2007 – and nearly everyone returns again in 2008! The Aztecs breezed past the competition at the SS Finals, ripping a divisional record 77:08 team time that also ranks third fastest in state history regardless of division. Legendary coach Jim Duarte has mentored the group along masterfully yet again, with lone senior Anthony Solis earning the divisional title last weekend (15:01) with star junior Isaac Chavez also crossing along in the same time for second. With six runners safely under 16 minutes on the very hilly 2.91-mile Mt. SAC course, look for Barstow to threaten inclusion into the Woodward Park record books this weekend. Oak Park ran among the fastest Division III times in section history to sew up the runner-up position to Barstow in the SS wars, but was 67 points in arrear. The Eagles are primed for another podium trip this weekend, with James Goldstein and Garrison Gourdeau equipping the crew with excellent up-front race presence. The rest of the state has been closing the gap on the Southern Section powers, with Aptos (led by junior Rylan Hunt) coming along very nicely in recent weeks to handily win the Central Coast Section crown, and North Coast Section rivals Campolindo and Maria Carrillo battling for regionalized supremacy there. Robert Pulford paced “Campo” to the section crown while senior Nate Huckeba helped fuel the Maria Carrillo attack to a runner-up finish. Senior James Attarian of Dublin might be he best-kept secret in America, with the Stanford and Mt. SAC divisional race winner in non-featured races still ranking among the best performances in the Western U.S. this year. Attarian is the individual favorite, with super Acalanes talent Nate Beach, Barstow’s aforementioned Solis and Chavez and Cabrillo of Lompoc’s Miguel Ortiz also in the mix. Keep an eye on Central Coast Section rivals Gambileg Bor of Jefferson and Mohamed Abdalla of Willow Glen as well.

CIF-State Division III Rankings

1. Barstow (Southern)

2. Oak Park (Southern)

3. Aptos (Central Coast)

4. Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates (Southern)

5. Lutheran, Orange (Southern)

6. Campolindo, Moraga (North Coast)

7. Maria Carrillo, Santa Rosa (North Coast)

8. Cabrillo, Lompoc (Southern)

9. St. Ignatius, San Francisco (Central Coast)

10. Las Lomas, Walnut Creek (North Coast)

Community Thanksgiving dinners make holiday a shared event

2007-11-22T21:48:00.000-08:00

While I am here in Fresno, Ca on this day of Thanksgiving to support the Barstow High Cross Country team, I am thankful to have my friends Jeff, Max and Gabriel giving back to the community by offering free meals to nearly 600 people. Not to mention the 200 residents from PAL and New Life Fellowship. Happy Thanksgiving, JOE

By JASON SMITH Staff Writer BARSTOW — Hinkley resident Mel Cooper doesn’t have relatives living nearby, but spent her Thanksgiving holiday eating turkey with several hundred friends and neighbors. Cooper, who is currently without a job and living a motor home without running water or electricity, spent her holiday with more than 200 other community members as part of Thanksgiving at the New Life Fellowship Church in Barstow on Thursday. Parishioners and community members crowded around folding tables at the church sharing in the traditional turkey meal. Local organizations served thousands of meals during the week and prepared several hundred more for people in need to eat in their homes. For many local residents, the events have become part of a holiday tradition, a chance to give back to those less fortunate and share a meal with neighbors. Cooper said that she enjoys going to the events not just for the free meal but for the camaraderie with other diners. “When you don’t have family, these people are the next closest thing,” she said. “They make me feel at home.” Joyce Silva, who volunteered to serve the meal along with about 40 others, said that giving back seems like a natural thing to do on Thanksgiving. “I just like seeing people enjoying it, not worrying about where their next meal is coming from,” she said. She said that she thinks many people aren’t doing as well financially as they have in previous years, causing more people to rely on the free meals for help. “I think right now with the economy the way it is a lot of people are between a rock and a hard place,” she said. Laila Berndt, 14, spent her holiday helping to serve dinner at Straw Hat Pizza and said the experience makes her more sympathetic towards the less fortunate. “I feel bad that they have practically nothing,” she said. “And some people have so much money, but they spend it on dumb stuff.” For Gabriel Diaz, owner of Ambiance Steakhouse, the community meal held at the pizza parlor is an annual event. Together with co-chefs Max Atalla, owner of Los Domingos restaurant and Jeff Eason owner of Straw Hat, Diaz spent two days cooking 25 20-pound turkeys for hundreds of guests. The dinner began several years ago as a Police Activities League program for parents and their families but grew into a larger community event. The meal is open to all interested residents and extra food is distributed throughout the community by PAL volunteers. Jeff Eason, owner of Straw Hat, said he’s surprised at how the event has grown. He estimated that the group served 600 people at the restaurant and prepared another 200 meals to go. “If everybody gets a little bit to eat, it’s a good day for everybody,” Eason said.

Solis leads Aztecs to title

2007-11-18T17:33:00.000-08:00

The 2007 CIF Southern Section Cross Country Champs

with Coach Duarte, his father and myself.

Barstow senior wins individual championship

WALNUT — With much separation before the next runner, the CIF-Southern Section boys Division III individual title on Saturday came down to a friendly battle between Barstow teammates Anthony Solis and Isaac Chavez. “We were just pushing ourselves with each other,” Chavez said. “We were both continually saying you can do it, don’t let me beat you.” Despite suffering from a cramp for much of the final stretch of the race at the Mt. San Antonio College course, Solis held off Chavez by practically a stride with both crossing the finish line in an identical time of 15 minutes, 1 second. It tied for the fourth-fastest time of the day. “I had a cramp from the bottom of the reservoir all the way to the end,” Solis said. “He started pulling away and it was getting worse. But I just had to win. I had to, I’m the No. 1 guy. It’s all up here (gesturing to his head).” Barstow finished with another dominating performance, as its top six all finished in the top 18. The team’s 34 points were easily enough to beat Oak Park (101) for its third straight Southern Section team title and fifth in seven seasons. The six runners placed in front of the Eagles’ No. 3 man and in front of third-place Palos Verdes’ entire team. The Aztecs’ team time of 77:08 was the second fastest of the day only behind Div. I Dana Hills (77:01) and sets them in good position for a third straight state title next week. Also advancing with Barstow to the state meet are Sultana’s Brett Walters, Apple Valley’s Daniel Rosales, Victor Valley Christian’s Nick Osborne and the Granite Hills boys team. Solis’ individual title was the first of coach Jim Duarte’s five section-champion teams. “We’re blessed,” Duarte said of his top two runners. “Because no doubt, we’ve had kids who’ve worked just as hard and wanted it just as badly. And they finally have a little more talent than what’s come before. So we’re blessed and they’re blessed.” Barstow’s third man, Andrew Romano (15:34), finished seventh and was honored for finishing in the top 10 at the awards ceremony.

Council to discuss museum improvements

2007-11-18T17:25:00.000-08:00

FROM STAFF REPORTS BARSTOW — The City Council will meet Monday at 7:30 p.m. to discuss awarding a contract for $27,000 worth of floor and carpet improvements at the Mojave Valley River Museum. The council will also consider enacting the city’s water efficient landscaping ordinance and updating the floodplain management program. At 7:00 p.m., the police department will swear in newly hired officer Andrew Reyes. The council will also receive a presentation by consultant DPRA about nitrates in the groundwater in the Soap Mine Road neighborhood.

Depth keeps BHS cross country team running for another title

2007-11-16T00:58:00.000-08:00

I will be traveling to Walnut, Ca. this Saturday to support Coach Duarte and the High School Cross Country team. I want to wish them luck! I am confident the team will win Southern Section CIF. JOE

By DAVID HELDRETH Staff Writer BARSTOW — Jim Duarte knows that a win often requires more than the starting line up. The Barstow High School cross country coach’s 13 years of experience have given him plenty of first-hand knowledge about creating depth on a team. Duarte witnessed Ventura, a Division I team that was ranked No. 1 in the state at the start of the season, fail to advance past the CIF-Southern Section Preliminaries Saturday. Ventura’s season ended when they lost the tie breaker for the final spot in their heat to Corona. In cross country the top five of the seven runners score and the tie breakers come down to the sixth runner, Corona’s finished in 41st while Ventura’s was 49th. Ventura’s first runner came in seventh and Corona’s was 10th. “A team can tie points wise, but lose on the sixth runner rule,” Duarte said. “You want to have as strong of a runner as you can in the six position because they might decide the meet. Secondly, everyone doesn’t always have a good race. Someone might have an off day. Our six, seven or eight man could easily get the five spot, and the team won’t be losing anything at all.” The Aztecs shouldn’t face the same problem Ventura had this weekend. Barstow’s six and seven runners, Josh Ow and A.J. Kanczel, had faster times than the No. 2 runner for all but five of the teams in their heat. On top of that the Aztecs didn’t even run, Josh Gomez, their normal seven man on Saturday. Kanczel, who is normally an alternate, ran the race instead. Duarte said Gomez will be back in the line up and Kanczel will be an alternate when Barstow takes the course at Mt. San Antonio College for the CIF-SS Finals at 9:25 a.m. on Saturday. Duarte said that although some of Barstow’s runners don’t always score for the team, he expects them to push themselves for more. “I always hope that as a coach these guys don’t settle for six or seven,” Duarte said. “You have to want to be a scorer, to beat your teammates and improve. I’ve told kids before that if they want to just be the seven man or on the traveling squad they should go out for another sport.” All seven runners Barstow puts on the course on Saturday will benefit from a little weight loss. The Aztecs didn’t diet, they switch from training shoes to running flats this weekend. Running flats are lightweight shoes that have little or no tread and are used primarily in distance running. The Aztecs first wore the flats during the Desert Sky League Finals on November 1, but switched back to the training shoes for the CIF-SS preliminary meet. “I like our flats a lot better,” Jeremy Trujillo said. “They seem faster because they’re lighter. We planned on us all having the same shoes, but Andrew Romano’s feet are too big and Anthony Solis got another color.” The Aztecs may not be wearing the same shoes on Saturday, but they will all have the same goal—an eighth CIF-SS title.

Officials say bobcat sightings not a cause for concern

2007-11-15T17:34:00.000-08:00

Some officials agree that sightings of a few bobcats may not be cause for concern at this time, I disagree! Although few may exist now, I am not an expert in wildlife, I prefer to be pro-active now instead of waiting until a serious incident occurs. My prediction is , they will multiply in the near future. Joe

By JASON SMITH, staff writer BARSTOW — Wildlife biologist Neal Darby was walking his black lab on desert lands close to his Barstow apartment several weeks ago when his dog started barking wildly at a nearby bush. He thought that his dog detected a snake, fox or squirrel and was a little surprised when a bobcat darted out from under the bush and ran away into the desert. “They’re more common than people believe,” he said. In recent weeks, people living close to the Robert A. Sessions Sports Park and the Veterans Home of California in Barstow have reported seeing the 20-pound wildcats close to human habitats, worrying some residents. Darby, a biologist with the Mojave National Preserve, said that bobcats are nocturnal animals that dislike interacting with humans. “Overall, it’s not a big concern. They’re very shy creatures. As long as people don’t harass the animals, they’ll hardly know they are there,” he said. Darby said that though sightings of the animals in the wild are not a cause for concern, residents who see bobcats near human habitats should call the county animal control office because the animals may be rabid. He said that the cats are attracted to the sports park because the lush grass provides habitats for rabbits and squirrels, the bobcats’ main source of food. City Council member Joe Gomez said that he’s heard several complaints from residents worried that the cats might attack children or pets. “I’m very concerned about it. The sports park has become an oasis for reptiles, rodents and animals in the area,” he said. Gomez said that with houses being built in the area, he fears that confrontations between humans and animals will become more common. Patricia Morris, assistant to the city manager, said that several city staff members and sports park neighbors have seen the animals, and the city is monitoring the situation. She said that staff contacted wildlife biologist Kevin Brennan from the state Fish and Game office. He advises residents to leave the cats alone. “He assured us they do not attack people, but like any cat if you antagonize them, they will scratch and defend themselves,” Morris said. Judy Carmon, who lives close to the area, said she that she notices that the cat food she leaves outside is disappearing overnight, something she blames on the bobcats. Although she hasn’t seen any recently, she said that early this year residents often witnessed a bobcat lurking in the early morning. The sports park isn’t the only place where bobcats have been seen. Jack Stormo, director of environmental programs for the Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow, said that several bobcats have been seen near the bases’ Nebo annex. He said that this year has been a good year for the animals because of a relative abundance of their food sources. “It’s just another example of a healthy local ecosystem,” he said. Stormo said that he’s been told of animals approaching housing units on the base, but he generally doesn’t consider the animals to be a nuisance. He said that residents shouldn’t be concerned, but acknowledged that some people are taken aback when seeing the cats for the first time. “It is a little startling sometimes to see them sitting on your back step,” he said.

Concerned citizens speak out

2007-11-09T07:03:00.000-08:00

Several concerned readers of the Desert Dispatch respond to a recent article printed on November 5, 2007 "City manager placed on administrative leave " Here are a few comments; For the record I have actual screen prints of replies printed on at 4:40 pm Nov 10. National known blog http://www.theverifiabletruth.com/ has written an article Barstow likely to lose fifth city manager in four years; Mayor blamed

Here it goes again, as soon as we take three steps forward, here comes the Mayor and his henchmen taking us four steps back. Have we not seen the positive changes in the town. I don't agree with everything that the city manager does, however, he is the city manager. Let him do his job. It's obvious that our gracious mayor wants that position. You should have applied for it Sir. I have seen the positive changes within the PD and Parks Rec and I must say, it's about time. Remember who you work for City Council, for the Citizens of Barstow who elected you to represent them, not to make a mockery of our town. Your nonsense is not tolerated. Remember what happenned to Gov Gray Davis RECALL. Barstowcitizen - Nov 11, 2007 03:47:34 PM Well folks here we go again less growth for barstow more section eight housing bigger potholes in the roads but yippie were getting a ninety nine cent store Maybe we could buy a house and settle down in a town that must constantly be in a nose dive. Those of us who even bother to vote somehow wind up with city leaders that have their own aggenda with exception to Mr Gomez. Hopefully the new police chief and staff will not be terminated. We need new blood to turn this town around. Scavenger Sam - Nov 11, 2007 01:24:53 PM I agree with PS Touft, I do watch the city council meetings and have been involved with city function and know many city employees. In talking with the majority of the employees they are sadden by what has happen. They feel they have lost a good leader and have fallen under a dictatorship. They finally felt comfortable at work and knew they had truely had a boss that was a team player, not like the Mayor and council who took their holiday's away last Christmas, because he found a loop hole in their contract. Who cares that the city negoated in good faith, and it was considered part of their benefit contract, and that the Mayor waited til less then a week away from Christmas to inform the employees. Also watch the council meetings see how rude the Mayor is begining to be to the citizen of Barstow. It shouldn't matter for reason those citizen are there, it is their right to get up and ask question and speak their mind. They should not be treated with anything less then respect, for Mr. Dales respect, repect. your idea - Nov 10, 2007 01:02:55 PM KILLING THEM WAS YOUR IDEA, NOT MINE, Uh huh. wiz - Nov 10, 2007 08:01:47 AM Im thinking of buying my own little shack in the city. Mayor Dale must stay. From what Im told when he was at the railroad he was tough, but he took his job serious and took the proper measures to do things right. possiblevote - Nov 10, 2007 07:59:59 AM Hey Wiz great idea? Kill the messenger. Uh huh - Nov 10, 2007 07:40:12 AM I like Mayor Dale he always greets me and Im no caucasian. He doesnt return phone calls just like the wonderful almost ex manager. The guy with the 85k a year Im trying to be nice here but will you have enough to retire on. Seriously not every word or exact punctuation can be placed here. Mayor Dale is set. Good for him. Barstow the town of who you know not what you know. This will never change. Go team Barstow. sagacontinues - Nov 10, 2007 07:34:38 AM Main street should be renamed Martin Luther King St. every other city has one. Little fish in a little river that flows under ground the wrong way. Sadly if not for your own good we will probably never truly understand why this upstanding character is being paid while on leave. The so called upper crust of Barstow appreciates it. They believe they are doing what is right for this city. I said it again upper crust. In this sentence I clearly mean mutants. partthree - Nov 10, 2007 07:31:32 AM One of Barstows young men makes international news because of you know what and murder in Iraq. One of our finest puts a bullet in a young womans head after she is forced to have intercourse off a major interstate. Another of our finest commits suicide after being reported for being a willing partner with a not willing partner. Actualandfactualparttwo - Nov 10, 2007 07:30:28 AM Good old boys no way. Ok I lied yes way. They are so qualified its better than a two hour special of Jerry Springer re runs. Much more than 10 years of Barstow being stuck. Barstow mall What mall. Lots of old buildings lots of yes they are being called murals. Unexplained fires left and right. ActualANDfactual. - Nov 10, 2007 07:28:12 AM THE SOLUTION TO BARSTOW'S PROBLEMS? GET RID OF THE DESERT DISPATCH! wiz - Nov 09, 2007 09:21:11 AM Many of you don't realize what has happened. I work with the City, and other Cities, regularly and have come to know a number of employees. It is apparent from watching the Council Meetings and working with the City that the problem is the Council. You have a Mayor that wants to run the entire City and has managed to get his little supporters into office to support him. I've seen the Mayor trying to influence staff into doing things that are inappropriate since the Council as a group, not any one member, tell the City Manager what to do, not the employees. The Mayor's strong-arm influence is not what this town needs as it leads to favoritism of his cronies - good ole boys. The other Council members need to think for themselves, without his influence. Only one of them seems to do this. Hector was doing a good job and should not have been put on leave. PS Touft - Nov 09, 2007 12:31:44 AM Do I hear a recall in the wind for the Mayor? Was it because Hector is Hispanic. He is a wonderful City Manager. Council, come to your senses. Hector took us out of the dark ages with his management style and peronable nature. Saddened by the news - Nov 08, 2007 10:12:58 PM Why hasn't Barstow grown at all in the last 10 years. Our only boast is the new Home Depot store. The old regime has kept Barstow from progressing into the future and competing against Victorville. Why are we hanging on to the old school mentality? Everybody is expanding but Barstow. Drive down Main Street at night as see what the city really looks like. And then, everybody thinks they can charge below the hill prices for their rundown Barstowian homes. What is up with this town? I am glad to take my 85k a year job and move on down the road. Even the posts here show how ignorant Barstowians are. Spelling errors, poor grammatic, incomplete sentences, etc. I refuse to let my children grow up in this backwater, sludge smelling town. Yeah, I know this is an inflammatory post, but people, wake up and look around. The truth is all around you. The Watcher - Nov 08, 2007 09:43:31 PM You are right, it takes time for any person to learn the ins and outs of a job. I would hate to have 5 boss looking over my shoulder wondering how in gods earth am I going to keep 5 people happy, and knowing I have no probation period. I think that takes a strong person to even attempt to take that job. good person - Nov 08, 2007 09:10:22 PM mr gordon, a good city manger should have some accounting background. don't you thing it would be for him to know how a budget works? I think so. The fact that he was in charge of 23 division shows he was a good leader, or he wouldn't be in charge of 23 division for 7 years. I think you should read between the lines or maybe look into what a city manger job is all about. good person - Nov 08, 2007 08:59:58 PM ugh how do they learn if we keep letting them go? wait 5 or 10 years to polish a current employee. no im sorry the precedent has been set, our council has a reactionary basis for decisions. Good luck filling the position. wow, who would want that job? Headache heartache no appreciation, governed by five seperate and differnt opinions and no security. Yvette F - Nov 08, 2007 08:55:20 PM Sure the City Manager was a nice guy but he's not qualified for the job. He came here with no municipal experience and it shows in his performance. It takes years to learn to be a City Manager. Most of them work their way up and spend time as an assistant city manager first. We shouldn't be paying someone $175,000 per year to learn on the job. Mr. Gordon - Nov 08, 2007 08:22:19 PM Dear Read it again You ever hear of personal or professional advancement? No, of course not, youre from Barstow arent you? Yvette F - Nov 08, 2007 02:52:38 PM dear maybe. Of course Joes vote counts. What a ridiculous thing to say. Joe Gomez has progressive thinking, which always, always gets knocked down and around in this town. Some of us want progress and quality of life here, these constant upheavels for whatever reason, keep holding us back, pushing us back. I encourage you and others like you, to strive for better, for some commong ground. We all ultimately want the same thing right? I wonder what could happen if Barstow actually worked together on a positive note. stallion - Nov 08, 2007 02:27:01 PM Dear good person. Read the article again it states . Previously Rodriguez was regional manger for MV Transportation in Los Angeles and was responsible for accounting functions for 23 divisions in six states. He was an accountant . not a manager. What a mistake to hire him. read it again - Nov 08, 2007 10:32:09 AM City council vote was 4-1 to put the city manager on leave. Joe's vote doesn't count. So maybe, just maybe the council had a good valid reason for putting him on leave. Maybe - Nov 08, 2007 08:49:57 AM Dale sounds like he might be racist. I should know everytime I have greeted him he ignores me! No vote - Nov 08, 2007 07:53:26 AM You all remember the trouble at the police department recently? Well look back at how that all started. Trouble came when the the chief and his lewtenants came up against that there mayor. and boom. the place just fell apart. That is what is happening now at City Hall. These decisions are destroying the foundation of our city. The constant chaos that is created and must be lived out by this little mayor and his stubborn and vindictive ways. Firing a perfectly good city manager, at what could be a most crucial time for our city. Where is the widom in that? Why, there is none, suprise! Just another emotional outburst from a Mayor gone wild. Bring back that city manager, council lets have some progress we can see now. Move on with your disagreements, remember, your decisions affect us all. London - Nov 07, 2007 09:50:47 PM Hector rodriguez is a good city manager. good basically to staff gets things done behaves professionally and ethically the mayor is the problem citizens of barstow look into what the mayor is doing to our city waste of time and waste of our money hundreds of thousands of dollars spent for job studies so that he can eliminate employees that disagree with him city managers we cant keep since hes been inoffice cant be all those city managers are bad the mayor is a vindictive controlling man watch his anger and emotions during the council meetings a little man out of control waste of money on lawsuits as a result of his involvement protect other elected official in lawsuit taxpayers paid 45 thousand dollars to bail out city clerk for messing with the recall election check out the money wasted folks topper - Nov 07, 2007 08:46:51 PM Hey triple A don't know who you are that you think he doesn't go to work. From an employee I see him all the time and he is always there expecially when we need him. We could always count on him for an anwers to our problems and a soultion to our issues. Shows you really didn't know him or don't know him. at work - Nov 07, 2007 07:29:01 PM Hector where or where are you. I guess it really doesn't matter. You really never showed up for work anyway. Flat tire man lol Triple A - Nov 07, 2007 07:20:29 PM Look at Mr Rodrigues back ground he worked for MV Transportation for 7 years was in charge 23 division for 6 states, wow, that sounds like a good track record to me. He also moved his family up here bought a house had a baby, not just moved into a apartment, like others have done in the past. He has participated in all kinds of community projects, really put his heart into Barstow, and this is how he gets repaid? Sounds like maybe the mayor and council are a little jealous of Mr Rodriguez and didn't want to compete with his popularity with the public. Maybe Mr. Rodrigues should cast his name in and run for Mayor in the next election he would get my vote. Good Person - Nov 07, 2007 06:47:41 PM Remove Comment Why is so hard to keep a city manager. From what I am told it is a long recuruitment with back ground checks. And you make them move within so many mile of the city. They sign a contract how many city manager have the council had to payoff their contracts early just to get them out of the offices because they decided they didnt like them. Do these City Mangers really do illegal things or is it just personal Sounds more like a personal issue when you look at how many city manager have come and gone the past 10 years years. What a waste of tax payers money. The council should be ashamed of themselves. Talk about a gift of public funds. hard to keep - Nov 07, 2007 06:42:34 PM if the mayor isn't micro managing, then why is he up at city hall all the time. does he use his office up there to do his other business for all those other committee he says he is on then. That doesn't sound fair,that he uses the city resouces and staff to that. Thats like any other city employee doing their personal business on city time. Being mayor for a geneal law city does not need a mayor that is up at city hall every day for the major part of each day, unless of course he is micro managing. interested citizen - Nov 07, 2007 06:31:37 PM

City manager placed on administrative leave

2007-11-06T21:14:00.000-08:00

I want to thank Hector for leading the City in the right direction. We hired Hector as the Finance Director, not as City Manager. Council member Darling and myself encouraged Hector to apply for the position of CM because we knew he had the leadership abilities to make a positive differance in this community, which he did. I am proud of him for thinking independently and having the conviction to protect the cities best interest. Please send anonymous post of your feelings of this issue. JOE

BARSTOW — The City Council voted 4 to 1 to place the city manager, Hector Rodriguez, on paid administrative leave during a closed session meeting on Monday, raising questions about the relationship between the council and Rodriguez. City attorney Yvette Abich said that Rodriguez has not been terminated but declined to give further details, saying that the decision had occurred in a closed session of the council. “It’s a personnel issue, we have to respect Mr. Rodriguez’s right to privacy,” Abich said. She said that Rodriguez had been placed on paid leave for an indefinite amount of time but declined to say when or if he would return to work. In the interim, Ron Rector, city economic development director, will serve as acting city manager, Abich said. Citing the closed session discussion, Rodriguez, Mayor Lawrence Dale and other members of the council declined to comment about what happened in the meeting. Council member Joe Gomez, who cast the lone dissenting vote against the leave, said that he’s pleased with the city manager’s performance. “I am very saddened and disappointed by what transpired today,” he said. Gomez declined to discuss Rodriguez’s situation in detail, but alluded to disagreements between the city manager and the City Council. “This city is a general law city run by the city manager. We are not a charter law city run by the mayor,” Gomez said. Former city council member Helen Runyon said she’s angry with the decision to place Rodriguez on administrative leave and blamed the council for micromanaging city affairs. “It’s no secret what this is about; the mayor’s a control freak,” she said. Runyon, who lost a reelection bid in 2006, said that feels Dale and other council members play too strong a role in daily city affairs. Gloria Darling, who served alongside Runyon on the council until 2006, said she respects Rodriguez and thinks he is doing a good job for the city. “Hector is a city manager who won’t let the mayor run him. He runs the city well and is fair to the employees,” she said. Darling said that she thinks disagreements between the council are hurting Barstow’s prospects for economic development. “A mayor-run city is killing Barstow because nothing is happening here,” Darling said. She said she thinks that previous city councils had good working relationships with city managers, but thinks times have changed. Dale, who voted against appointing Rodriguez to the position in 2006, said that he and other council members respect the role of the city manager. Former council member Paul Luellig, who was recalled in 2006, also voted against Rodriguez. “I’m on enough committees and boards in this county that I don’t have time to micromanage the city manager. I don’t have time to do the city manager’s work,” Dale said. Dale said that he does not micromanage city employees. “Everybody and anybody can make accusations; they have to have foundation for those accusations, and its not just there,” Dale said. Rodriguez began working for the city in March 2006 as finance director. He was named interim city manager a month later after then-city manager Mike Stewart resigned. Rodriguez was permanently appointed to the post in July 2006. His salary is $147,000 per year plus benefits under an employment contract that expires in December 2008. Previously, Rodriguez was regional manger for MV Transportation in Los Angeles and was responsible for accounting functions for 23 divisions in six states. Rodriguez is the fifth city manager in about 10 years. For about seven years, Paul Warner worked as city manager and then retired in 2003. Both Robert Van Nort and subsequently Vijay Singhal filled in as interim city managers while the city continued its search. Mike Stewart started in February 2004 and stayed for a little over two years. Contact the writer: (760) 256-4126 or http://jason_smith@link.freedom.cpm Reader's comments

Just a couple of questions. How can a mayor and council members that are not qualified or have the degree to do the city managers job, do an evualation on city manger. Also how can they get a way with telling him how do do his job? Isn't he the one with all the degrees question - Nov 06, 2007 07:24:50 PM

For someone who says he is too busy being on committes to run the city he sure spends a lot of time at City Hall But then again he doesnt have to run the city he slid his best bud Mr Rector in to the City Manger job and he will just direct him of what of how and what he wants done with the City I think if you take a poll with the city employees you would find out they really respected Mr Rodriguez and felt they finally had a leader up there and not a follower of the council The people of Barstow should start inquiring and talking to the real people who know whats really going on up at city hall the city employees if you only knew - Nov 06, 2007 07:19:27 P

There are two things that are happening here. One, the Mayor is being blamed as he is thought to be overstepping his bounds. Two, there is indication of employee dislike of the City Manager. Either way, we will not know what the problem in for certain. It could be either of the above, a combination or something else. Joseph - Nov 06, 2007 05:42:12 PM

Update please what's going on? need info - Nov 06, 2007 04:54:4

Mr. Wood what is your beef with Scott? If you want things printed in the paper go there and have it done, you are a big baby, Scott this and Scott that, what is matter with you? I know other people who have their idea's printed maybe your's are from the space , have you thought of that For Mr. Wood - Nov 06, 2007 01:57:31

lr, You have no idea how much I have complained about the desert digrase editor. their solution? BANNED! BANNED FROM HAVING MY LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PUBLISHED AND BANNED FROM THEIR "COMMUNITY FORUM!" i WISH YOU LUCK IN GETTING RID OF THIS SORRY RAG. LOL RICKY WOOD - Nov 06, 2007 01:25:57 PM

This town will never change. This town has always been run by personal egos. Most our council members have always been sheep following the shepard. Paul - Nov 06, 2007 06:56:59 AM

Now if we can get rid of the Desert Dispatch Editor things will really turn around all it takes is citizens complaing to his boss on how he uses the paper for his own agenda and how the paper has turned into a gossip magazine once they realize what he's doing his bags will be packed lr - Nov 06, 2007 06:50:45 AM

Another one bits the dust, do as I say, or else you are out , yes sir, Mr. Dale I sure do wish the rest of the city was run like a German think tank, yes, do sure Mr. Boss man, oh, I can that train a coming , right down the tracks, get out of his way, oh, look there is an Indian out the way, better get those dimes ready folks Mrs Germany - Nov 06, 2007 05:56:04 AM

Road to State- Barstow dominates League

2007-11-03T23:55:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the great Barstow High Team for winning another league title! The CIF Southern Section Prelims will be November 10, 2007 at Mt. SAC. The race begins at 3:00 pm. See you there! JOE

Aztec, Hawks dominate DSL cross country finals Both teams defend DSL titles from a year ago By C.J. DAFT Staff Writer VICTORVILLE — The Barstow boys cross country team’s depth continued to shine at Thursday’s Desert Sky League finals. The Aztecs, the fifth-ranked California boys team, placed six runners in the top eight at the league finals and cruised to an easy 19-49 win over second-place Granite Hills. Anthony Solis, Barstow’s No. 1 runner, won the race in 15 minutes, 25 seconds. He was followed across the finish line by teammates Isaac Chavez (15:35) and Andrew Romano (15:45). The Aztecs’ top six were only broken up by Granite Hills’ Nick Kelley in fourth and teammate Chris Rivera in fifth. “That’s how we are every race,” said Solis, who was third at last year’s meet. “All three of us are together and everybody else gets closer and closer.” (rest of story)

Casino Update

2007-11-03T23:24:00.000-07:00

The whole Barwest/Los Coyote Casino project is starting falling apart, the true story has finally surfaced. Who knew there was another developer involved? My suspicion's about Barwest are now known, as most of you know, I have always supported Indian gaming in Barstow, but I have always questioned Barwest and the principles of the Detroit developer. The Verifiable Truth has been exposing the major players involved with several of the Detroit casino schemes throughout the country. I will keep you posted as this story continues. JOE

October 30, 2007 - 7:39PM

Internal documents indicate strife in casino project

By JASON SMITH, staff writer BARSTOW — Someone wants people to think that a Barstow casino project has fallen apart. The Desert Dispatch and other media outlets were recently sent internal correspondence from an unknown source showing that the deal between the Los Coyotes Band of Cahullia and Cupeno Indians and developer BarWest, LLC to build an off-reservation casino in Barstow near Lenwood had been called off. Representatives from both BarWest and the Los Coyotes said that although the internal memos are accurate, both parties are in negotiations, and the project is still moving forward. BarWest spokesman Tom Shields declined to comment about the internal memos between the tribe and BarWest, and said he’s not sure who leaked the documents. “The leaking of private correspondence between the Tribe and our business associates is just another underhanded attempt by those who are trying to derail this project. ... We look forward to meeting with the Governor to discuss how we can make this project a reality,” Shields said in a statement representing the Los Coyotes and BarWest on Tuesday. The Los Coyotes tribe had partnered with the Big Lagoon Rancheria Tribe and BarWest to develop a Barstow casino several years ago. The project was approved by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, but the agreements necessary for development stalled in the legislature and expired in September. In a letter dated Sept. 28 to BarWest president Michael J. Malik, Sr., Katherine Siva Saubel, chairwoman of the Los Coyotes tribe, discontinued the tribe’s relationship with BarWest. “The tribe is in the process of starting over and will attempt to open discussions with the Governor’s office to obtain a new gaming compact. As part of this new beginning and at least for the time being, the tribe will disengage from LCB BarWest LLC,” the letter stated. The letter also mentioned the tribe’s desire to negotiate the purchase of the proposed casino site, 47 acres near Lenwood, from BarWest. The developer currently owns the land but must transfer it to the tribe as part of the federal land-into-trust process before the project can move forward. Malik responded to the letter stating that he was “puzzled” by the tribe’s decision and said the land was not for sale. “Our willingness to transfer that property to the Tribe is part and parcel of having a relationship as the Tribe’s Developer and Manager. The use of that property is also contingent on agreements with the Big Lagoon Rancheria, which still holds the key to Barstow,” he wrote in response. The letter also stated that BarWest had spent millions on the Barstow project and blamed employees of the investment bank BarronHaus, for trying to “disrupt” BarWest’s relationship with the tribe and “sell the project to other developers.” Los Coyotes contracted with BarronHaus in May 27, 2003 to perform financing for a gaming facility in California. On Oct. 14, the tribe severed all ties with BarronHaus, according to a representative from the tribe. On June 21, 2007, BarWest sued BarronHaus in California Central District Court to stop the investment bank’s affiliation with the casino project, said BarWest spokesman Tom Shields. Employees of BarronHaus did not respond to calls seeking comment. Shane Chapparosa, spokesman for the tribe, said that although BarronHaus employee Gretchen Belli was once an assistant to tribal council member Kevin Siva, the firm is no longer affiliated with the project. Siva, who had served as a spokesman for the tribe and the project and had spoken about the project at Barstow City Council meetings, is no longer a member of the tribal council, Chapparosa said. Citing “internal matters of the tribe” Chapparosa declined to provide details, but said that the tribe did end its contract with BarWest after the tribe’s compact with the governor expired in early September 2007. He said the tribe plans to continue to work with BarWest to bring a casino to Barstow. “We are putting everything back into place — the arrangements with the developer BarWest, the City of Barstow and the governor,” Chapparosa said. He said that the Los Coyotes may continue to collaborate with the Big Lagoon Rancheria tribe on the Barstow project, but this is uncertain as Big Lagoon is proceeding with casino development plans on their Humboldt county reservation. “That would be up to Virgil (Moorehead, Big Lagoon’s chairman), as he has his own agenda,” Chapparosa said. Big Lagoon Rancheria Tribal spokesman Jason Barnett said that Big Lagoon recently sent a letter to the governor to begin negotiations to build a casino on their Humboldt County reservation, but may continue with the Barstow project. “As Chairman Moorehead said, ‘If Barstow is not in play, the tribe will consider it’s options back in Humbolt county’,” Barnett said. He said that despite the Humboldt development, the tribe has not given up on building in Barstow. “Barstow is still in play because we think and the state thought that it is the best location for the tribes and the city," he said. Barnett said that he couldn’t comment about the relationship between BarWest and the Los Coyotes, but said that the Big Lagoon Rancheria tribe is committed to working with both parties on the Barstow project. Barnett said that all three parties are working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to put the land for the proposed Barstow casino into federal trust, a neccesary step before the project can move forward.

Coach Duarte- Coach of the Week

2007-10-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

Coach Duarte top picture

Coach Jim Duarte (left) Barstow with his squad at the Running Center/So Cal Invitational A total of 13,555 runners ran at Mt. SAC invitational, the largest High School Cross Country invitational in the country. I had the opportunity to attend the meet and watch Coach Duarte's awesome team win the Super Sweepstakes race. Congratulations to Coach Duarte for "Coach of the Week" -Joe

One of the state's top traditional powers in the sport is Barstow High School. The school situated on the highway to Las Vegas in the High Desert area of the state's Southern Section continues each year to turn out great squads. 2007 is no exception, with Coach Jim Duarte's squad once again another dynamite crew. This past weekend the group dominated the Boys Division III-IV Sweeps event at the Mt. SAC Invitational, scoring 56 to runner-up Galena (Nevada) with 110. The squad raced a very fine 79:19, and have earned the top ranking Statewide Division III as they go in search of a repeat State title at that level later in November. While others may dwell on the weather or some other condition that prevents the work necessary for championship success, the Barstow group has gone right past that with the biggest task around school probably figuring out where to put this year's hardware that makes its way home from the championshp affairs. Seemed like last week's heat at Mt. SAC made the run just another day at the races for the Aztec group. Our DyeStatCal Coach of the Week Statewide is Jim Duarte from Barstow HS. Thanks Doug SpeckDyeStatCal.com

NASA's plans to bring museum, antenna to college detailed

2007-10-13T14:04:00.000-07:00

The Pioneer antenna at NASA's Goldstone Deep Space Communications complex. The antenna could be moved to a site south of Barstow Community College under a NASA/Goldstone/BCC proposal.

BARSTOW — A piece of space history, a NASA research center, planetarium and Smithsonian-affiliate museum could be coming to Barstow. At a meeting on Thursday, the Barstow Community College’s board of trustees voted to further explore the possibility of relocating the 90-foot-tall Pioneer antenna to a site south of the BCC campus. The antenna would be placed alongside the college’s proposed science and technology building, a facility which would also house a space museum, observatory and several labs for college and NASA use, said Peter Robles, an environment, health, safety and facilities manager for NASA in Pasadena. He and other members of the Center of Space and Technology, which wishes to bring the space center to BCC, gave a presentation to the college at the meeting. Robles said that Barstow was chosen for the site because of its location at the intersections of Interstate 15 and Interstate 40. Once built, the project could attract as many as 250,000 visitors per year, he said. The facility is expected to cost $1.3 million annually to operate but could bring in as much as $2.5 million in ticket revenue. The museum associated with the facility would be affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution and would be eligible to receive items for the institution’s national collection, Robles said. The project could cost as much as $28 million to build, but none of the college’s general fund revenue would go towards the project, BCC President Cliff Brock said. He said that the college would contribute towards the construction of the college’s science building, but most of the cost of the facility and anticipated $3 million needed to move the Pioneer antenna from NASA's Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex at Fort Irwin would be paid by federal grants. Brock said he anticipates that the community could benefit substantially from the project. “I think a project like this could transform the college. Such a facility in Barstow could also transform the community in terms of businesses and tourism,” he said. Brock said that the college will form an exploratory committee and begin discussing the proposal with community members. He said he hopes that with the facility, the college would be able to better prepare students for careers in the space industry at places such as Goldstone and Edwards Air Force Base. He said that the project is still in the very early stages, but the facility could be built in four to eight years depending on state funding for the science building. Marie Massey, business manager for Goldstone-contractor ITT Industries, said that the partnership between the space center and the college would allow for the preservation of a invaluable piece of space history. The Pioneer antenna was built in 1958 as part of the deep space network of tracking stations to support the first lunar probes, Voyagers 1 and 2, as well as the Apollo missions which placed men on the moon. The antenna was decommissioned in 1981 and named a National Historic Landmark. It currently sits deep within the Goldstone complex, but with the expansion of Fort Irwin, the antenna is inaccessible to visitors and needs to be moved, Massey said. “We have a national historic landmark, and I can’t take anyone to go see it,” she said. She said that Goldstone, NASA and the college have been in talks for two years to move the antenna to Barstow. Massey said that the city has a strong historical tie to the antenna. “Back in the ‘50s (Pioneer antenna’s employees) were all Barstow residents. This is a piece of Barstow history,” she said. BCC astronomy instructor Scott Bulkley said he’s excited to see the project moving forward. “Before it seemed a little like a pipe dream. it seems like much more of a reality now,” he said. Bulkley said he sees “a tremendous amount of interest in astronomy” in Barstow and was pleased to see the proposal include space for NASA researchers to work at the site. He said that BCC will soon build a small observatory for educational purposes, but a larger facility as part of the space center would allow for research. Bulkley said he expects the project to generate substantial interest and would like to see a monthly community-wide “astronomy night” in Barstow. He said he’s happy to see moving the antenna as an alternative to dismantling it. “It’d be like getting rid of one of the Apollo capsules; you just can’t do that,” he said. Contact the writer: (760) 256-4126 or jason_smith@link.freedom.com To move a 90 foot tall antenna BARSTOW — The most difficult part of the plan to bring the Pioneer antenna to Barstow will probably be the moving of the 90-foot-tall structure. The entire structure would need to be disassembled, transported the 45 miles from NASA's Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex to the proposed site south of the Barstow Community College campus, said Marie Massey business manager for Goldstone-contractor ITT Industries. Tim Sink, antenna maintenance specialist with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said that although difficult, the relocating of the antenna is possible. The process would involve a 12-person work crew over several months and cost as much as $3 million. Sink said that the mirrored panels and support structures would be the first parts disassembled. The top parts of the structure would arrive before the bottom pieces. The parabolic dish used to “catch” the signals from outer space is 26 meters in diameter and would need to be disassembled by cranes and placed on large flatbed trucks. “Since it’s 26 meters in diameter when fully assembled, it will not go down the road real well,” he said. Sink said that the Mojave River Bridge, the First Street Bridge and the curves on fort Irwin road are just a few of the transportation challenges that the reassembly team would face. He said the major reassembly challenge would finding replacements for the 1958-era bolts used in the original structure. He said that although no longer functioning, the antenna is in relatively good condition. “It’s in good shape, we have no corrosion,” he said.

Solis, Athlete of the Week

2007-10-10T23:47:00.000-07:00

Male Athlete of the Week Sept. 20 - Oct. 6 Anthony Solis From Staff Reports Name: Anthony Solis Grade: 12 Position: Cross Country Captain Performance: Thomas placed 7th as Silver Valley's only medalist at the Trojans first Desert Mountain League meet and helped the girls team finish 2nd. Favorite sports team: Oakland A’s Favorite athlete: Bernard Lagat and Wes Ashford Favorite food: Josh Ow’s grandma’s shrimp fried rice Favorite movie: 'Friday' Favorite actor/actress: Eva Mendes Favorite TV show: 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air' and 'Life of Ryan' Favorite school subject: Economics Favorite band/musician: Kanye West Favorite song: 'Big Brother' by Kanye West Kanye West or 50 Cent: Kanye West Greatest accomplishment: Back to Back State team titles Future Goal(s): Pro runner Non-sports hobby: Listening to music Biggest influence: My parents and Carlos Perez Superstition: Wear two different socks on each foot every race.

Just another day in the park

2007-10-10T11:28:00.000-07:00

From left) Isaiah Montano, 13 and Brandon Turner, 12, sharpen their skating skills at the Dana Park skate park on Tuesday. According to Mayor Lawrence Dale an average of 60 to 70 skaters use the park every day since it opened in August.
So far, all the skaters have taken advantage of the skate park, there are bikers too! I have spent time observing the park in the last few month's. Looks like fun! JOE

Meet Dave Strachan

2007-10-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

Meet my friend Dave! I met Dave a few years ago after a City Council meeting. Dave was making a presentation on behalf of the residents that live near the golf course. I was very impressed with his knowledge of the area and his passion for Barstow. October 1, 2007 I appointed him to the Sun Cal project committee. Below is a recent artice of an interview published by Nuwire Investment.

Upon completion of his military service in the latter part of 2004, Dave Strachan obtained his real estate broker’s license and is currently serving as a broker associate/land and mines specialist at Elite Realty in Helendale, Calif. Strachan also serves as the manager of Real Estate Acquisitions and Sales for his family’s company, Strachan Enterprises. Strachan, an Eagle Scout, graduated from Claremont McKenna College with a dual major in Government and History in 1998. Upon graduation, Strachan was commissioned as an Army Medical Service Corps officer, and served as a Medical Platoon Leader and Hospital CIO. In 2003, Strachan volunteered for, and was deployed to Kuwait in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he assisted in the creation of the medical communications network for the entire Iraqi theatre. Shortly after that deployment, Strachan was granted a very rare branch transfer to the Armor branch, where he served as an Assistant Operations Officer in an Armored Cavalry Squadron. In 2004, he completed his military service and went on to become a real estate broker in Barstow, Calif. Strachan now lives with his wife, Megan, and their four children in Barstow, where they are active members of First Baptist Church

. NuWire: What is it in particular about the Barstow market...that you think should be exciting for investors across the U.S.?
Strachan: I think there's a tremendous amount of opportunity. Barstow, just like the rest of California and the California high desert, has experienced just an unprecedented amount of investor interest and growth in the last few years. The thing about Barstow is that it's located strategically right at the crossroads of the I-15...Interstate 40, Highway 58 and the rail hub that's located here is I think the biggest this side of the Mississippi, so there's a lot of people that come through here, and...there's a lot of interest that that's brought to the area. Barstow right now is currently in the process of trying to secure a dual Indian gaming casino/resort out in the Lenwood outlet center area. Barstow was also recently designated as a California Enterprise Zone, which provides a lot of tax incentives to companies and businesses that locate out here. Home Depot recently opened their doors here to take direct advantage of the Enterprise Zone. And Wal-Mart has also announced that they're planning on building an 8,000 square foot distribution center that'll service the super Wal-Marts in the region, and they're planning on doing that out in the Lenwood area as well. Hopefully, I think through the proper marketing and utilization of the California Enterprise Zone, what it'll do in the long run is attract more companies...and better paying jobs to this area....If the jobs are here, the rooftops will follow. Another major development that's going on in the area is the SunCal Companies' Waterman Junction development; they're planning a 20,000 to 25,000 home master planned community right along the I-15....There's a number of other pending and proposed developments in the area as well, whether they be residential or commercial. There's a number of things that are happening in the area that bode well for the future.
NuWire: How has the Barstow market changed over the last few years, and how do you see it changing over the next five years and beyond, particularly in real estate?
Strachan: I think the biggest thing is the interest level has really...risen dramatically, with the interest that's been brought by those developments that I mentioned, and...those things going on, there's really been a rise in the property value and...developers that are willing to take a second look at Barstow and I think that they're coming to really like what they see....I think that they see that Barstow is positioned well for a tremendous amount of growth, that there's a lot of potential here, and...I think they see that there's an opportunity here...to get land, commercial or residential at really bargain prices when compared to the rest of California, southern California in particular....The slowdown has affected the nation and it's certainly been felt here in Barstow but because we didn't rise as dramatically as some of the other areas such as...San Diego or L.A. or Orange County, the correction has been less dramatic here. (Read more)

Racing a reputation: Teams fear Barstow's home course

2007-10-03T11:54:00.000-07:00

Picture courtesy Steve Saenz

By MATTHEW PETERS Sports Editor BARSTOW — Read off the directions to the Barstow High School cross country team’s home course, and it might begin to sound more like an extreme miniature golf course. Up the giant hill. Into the desert. Around the home-made golf course. Beside the giant white cross. Past the freeway. Finish at the playground. For added effect, just add 100-degree heat. The course, which is located between Henderson Elementary School and the Interstate15, is unlike most cross country courses. If cross country is a sport of speed, strength and endurance, speed is taken out of the equation for Barstow’s home meets. Only one runner, Sam Melton, has ever broken the 17-minute mark. Of course they do “Barstow knows their course, and they know exactly where to take advantage of you,” said Sultana cross country coach John Mahr following the Sultans 22-34 loss to Barstow in 2006. The cross country team has yet to run its home course this season. The team will begin running it at 3:15 p.m. today when they face Burroughs High School. Many of the freshmen have only seen a map of the course until the team began preparing the course for the meet this week. That hasn’t stopped other teams from making assumptions about a relationship between Barstow’s success and its course. “We don’t really work out on it,” said Jim Duarte, Barstow cross country coach. “I’ve overheard opposing teams say, ‘If we had a course like this to train on we would be as good as Barstow.’ We’ve never told them. Even our own kids have gotten lost on the course. We just go to other areas to work out.” In a mountainous region in the desert, the Aztecs have little trouble finding hills. The team takes full advantage of its locale and doesn’t need to run its home course for practice, Barstow assistant coach Keith Shipman said. Perhaps these rumors began as a combination of the Aztecs recent success, winning four CIF Division III titles in the last six years, and the wild layout of their home course — suitable perhaps for only a championship team. Either way it has only helped to build up a mythology behind the team and create a mental advantage for the Aztecs. “Aztecs should love it,” said Vernon Morris, Barstow assistant coach and former runner. “Other teams fear it. If they fear the course and running against us, it’s a double benefit. “Home course advantage is huge. A football field is a football field. A gym is a gym in basketball. The difference is the crowd. In cross country, the difference is bigger. The route is different; the hills are different. When teams come to Barstow, it gets to them mentally.” (Rest of story)

Long-time Barstow police officer named new lieutenant

2007-10-02T21:58:00.000-07:00

By AARON AUPPERLEE, staff writer

BARSTOW — Even as a lieutenant, the second highest ranking officer within the Barstow Police Department, Albert Ramirez Jr. said his goal has remained the same since day one. “My goal is to continue to work in the law enforcement in this community in whatever capacity I can.” A nearly 17-year veteran for the department, Ramirez was promoted from the rank of sergeant to lieutenant by Chief of Police Dianne Burns after a series of interviews which wrapped up last week. The lieutenant position opened up when former Lt. Rudy Alcantara retired from the department in July. During his introduction as lieutenant at the City Council meeting on Monday, Ramirez thanked the community he has called home since kindergarten for helping him make the promotion. “This community is great here,” he said at the City Council meeting on Monday. “The community supports its people 100 percent.” Ramirez said that in his new capacity, he will be able to improve the department which will in turn, improve the community as a whole. He said the department has focused in on the major crimes in Barstow, mainly burglaries, and is working hard to reduce them. He said the department is also devising plans to target gangs and drugs in order to improve the city. “It means I can do a lot for them,” he said. “I feel I owe the community.” Ramirez’s thanks to the community stems from a stand-off police encountered with John Lathan Salsbury in December 2000. Salsbury shot Ramirez, sending bullets through both legs, when he responded to calls that Salsbury had shot and killed his neighbor. Two other officers, John Cordero and Andrew Ellis, were also injured during the stand-off. A jury later found Salsbury guilty of murder and attempted murder and sentenced him to two life terms in prison. Ramirez, confined to a wheelchair for several months, fought his way back and began working with the department again in September 2001. Ramirez called that time in his career a “really trying time” when “things could have gone either way.” Throughout the officers’ recovery, the community raised money and supported them, a gesture Ramirez still thanks them for. “Because of the community, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today,” he said on Monday. With many years at the department, Ramirez offers much experience to new officers just starting. During his military service, Ramirez served in a special operations groups and has passed on his tactical training officers with the department. Despite his tenure with the department, Ramirez said he is still learning. “There’s something new that we all learn every single day,” he said. Ramirez was named Barstow Police Officer of the Year twice, in 1996 and 1995. In 1994, Ramirez and his police dog, Arco, uncovered more than 440 pounds of cocaine in Barstow. Reports at the time said the amount was the largest grab in Barstow police history and carried a street value of $1.5 million. Arco retired from the police department in 1998 after six years of service

Barstow leads county in welfare rolls, again

2007-10-01T23:52:00.000-07:00

Nearly 35 percent of Barstow residents get assistance By JASON SMITH, staff writer BARSTOW — In 2007, more than a third of Barstow residents received some form of welfare benefits, making the city the highest aid recipient in the county relative to its population size. According to a report recently released by the San Bernardino County Department of Human Services, about 8,400 people — nearly 35 percent of Barstow residents — are expected to receive some type of welfare assistance in 2007, totaling more than $45 million in benefits. The report tracks only the aid distributed through the CalWORKs cash benefit program, food stamps, child care assistance and the Medi-Cal insurance program. The welfare programs are funded through the federal and state governments but administered at the county level. The report does not include Social Security benefits, unemployment assistance, subsidized housing or any Veteran’s Affairs benefits that some residents receive. The 2007 projections represent little change from 2006, when Barstow topped county welfare roles as well with more than 36 percent of residents — 8,500 people — expecting to receive benefits. The number of residents receiving food stamps and Medi-Cal remained about the same over the year and the number of cash benefit recipients decreased slightly from 2,819 in 2006 to 2,720 in 2007. The total amount of child care assistance provided to Barstow residents moving from welfare to work, also decreased from $89,500 to $75,700. As a county San Bernardino residents receive more than $1.5 billion each year in welfare benefits. Barstow has the highest percent of residents receiving aid but larger cities, such as San Bernardino, Ontario and Victorville, also have high numbers of welfare recipients. Cities with comparably sized populations to Barstow such as Yucca Valley, Loma Linda and Twenty-nine Palms have about 10 to 20 percent of residents receiving aid. David Zook, spokesman for county First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, said that he is not completely sure why Barstow consistently tops the list of aid recipients but thinks that the low cost of rents in Barstow partly explain the high numbers. He said that Barstow’s low rents make the city an affordable place for low-income residents and the city’s distance from major population centers makes finding high-paying jobs difficult. “For example, comparing Barstow to the Victor Valley, it’s easier for Victor Valley people to find higher-paying jobs. Victorville is only an hour away from the major job centers. Once you get out as far away as Barstow, its less feasible for people to find those jobs.” Paul Herrera, communications coordinador for the county’s Economic Development Agency, agreed that finding adequately paying jobs for residents was key to reducing the need for welfare. He said the county offers a variety of workforce training, employment assistance and job fairs designed to help low-income residents find work. He said education was key in order for residents to qualify for better paying jobs rather than the minimum wage jobs many welfare recipients are forced to take. Barstow resident Cynthia Peralta, who currently receives food stamps, said that most recipients don’t want to receive aid but are forced to out of necessity. She said she’s seen “all kinds of people of all ages” asking for help. She said she thinks San Bernardino County receives a lot of low-income residents “shipped in” from larger cities and said the solution to reducing the welfare rolls lies in improving the educational system. “The school system doesn’t have enough programs to teach kids what life’s about. The school system needs to be better,” she said.

Gomez meets with Hispanic Leaders

2007-09-28T22:08:00.000-07:00

Photo of Assemblyman Joe Coto

Latino Leadership PAC

Today, I had the opportunity to meet with Hispanic leaders though out San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. The Latino Leadership PAC was founded by Rialto CouncilmemberJoe Baca Jr. Assemblyman Joe Coto was the guest speaker for the PAC's first gathering which kicked off Hispanic Heritage month. He spoke passionately about the issues effecting Hispanics throughout California.

Joe Martinez, another former Barstownian doing great

2007-09-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

Another Barstow Boy doing well! I have known Joe and his family for many years. I am proud of Joe and his accomplishments. Persistence pays off! We all wish Joe the best of luck in his fabulous career. Joe

By DAVID HELDRETH Staff Writer

Martinez, a Barstow native, has spent the last 12 years of his life pursuing a career in sports announcing. In that time he has covered everything from basketball to boxing. He is currently working for World Extreme Cage fighting a division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Q: What are you working on currently? A: I’ve been working with WEC which is under the umbrella of the UFC. UFC bought us back before January. They bought us but we still operate on our own pretty much. They have a lot to do with funding and the production.

Q: What’s it like to work for WEC? A: It’s awesome. It’s something I never thought I’d be doing, but now I’m getting to know the sport and a lot of the fighters. The production is top of the line. It’s a great show. It’s good for me and for the people watching at home. It’s a very personal show with WEC.

Q: How did you originally get involved with mixed martial arts? A: I did a show on a reference from a contact a couple of years ago in Lemoore at a casino. I drove up did the show and it went over really well. It was on HDNET so there wasn’t a lot of exposure. You didn’t see it unless you had a high definition TV and DIRECTV. Then the WEC called me up in December and talked about doing a show. They originally had another guy Barry Brock doing it. His show didn’t work out, I guess, so they called me up and offered me a multi-year contract. (Read More)

Councilman Gomez to run for county supervisor

2007-09-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am! A few people have question my decision to run for First District Supervisor, mainly because of the money raised by Brad Mitzelfelt's committee. Of course this will be a challenging task, but I am ready. I need all of your support during the campaign. I will keep you in the loop the next few weeks. Joe

By JASON SMITH, staff writer VICTORVILLE — Barstow City Council member Joe Gomez announced Saturday in Victorville that he will likely run for the office of county supervisor in the June 2008 election. Speaking at the annual picnic of the Victor Valley Democratic Club, Gomez told club members that he is forming an exploratory committee to consider a campaign against First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt. The first district is composed of 17,000 square-miles of the Mojave Desert, including the cities of Victorville, Barstow, Needles, Twenty-nine Palms as well as many smaller towns and unincorporated areas. “I believe the people of the High Desert have been neglected in recent years by the county,” Gomez said in a short speech to a crowd of 15 Victorville democrats. He said that he felt the smaller communities and unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County do not receive the support of the county politicians that the bigger cities do. He specifically mentioned the supervisors’ unanimous approval of a permit for Nursery Products, LLC., to build a biosolids-composting plant in Hinkley over the strong objections of residents. Gomez opposes the facility and traveled to Sacramento in August to testify before the state waste board against issuing a permit for the plant. Gomez, elected as a council member in November of 2004 with 2,301 votes, said that his political experience and previous history of community involvement has prepared him for county office. “I know enough about politics. I’ve learned enough about government during these past three years. I know what goes on behind closed doors and I don’t like what I’ve seen,” Gomez said. As the second-longest serving member on the City Council, second only to Mayor Lawrence Dale, Gomez has dissented against the majority of the council on topics including Indian gaming and the use of eminent domain for economic redevelopment. Gomez opposes allowing the use of eminent domain which the council recently voted to reauthorize and prefers the plans of the Chemehuevi Indian tribe to build a casino in Barstow rather than the dual casino project of the Big Lagoon Rancheria/Los Coyotes tribes supported by Dale. In the race for county supervisor, Gomez acknowledged that his biggest challenge will be overcoming the name recognition and approximately $464,000 reportedly raised by Mitzelfelt. Gomez said that he has just begun raising funds but believes he can win and announced that in the coming months he will temporarily close his insurance business to concentrate full-time on the campaign. “It wouldn’t be fair to my Allstate customers because my focus will be in politics,” he said. Gomez said that he and yet-to-be-named members of his exploratory committee will attend as many local government meetings as possible throughout the district in order to listen to constituents’ concerns. “It’s going to take a lot of meetings, a lot of homework,” he said. John Putko, chairman of the Victor Valley Democratic Club said that he met Gomez for the first time recently but said he likes what he sees so far. “I believe he knows what the issues will be to the county,” he said. Putko said that name recognition and fundraising will be the biggest challenges for any candidate. “It’s a big district; it takes a lot of money, but it’s doable,” he said.

Road to State Week #1

2007-09-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

Coach Duarte's cross country team looks pretty solid this year. I predict another state championship season for the Aztecs and look forward to supporting the team throughout the year. Good Luck! Joe

September 19, 2007 - 10:24PM Aztecs pace well on windy day
Walters, Bird close to personal records on home course despite conditions C.J. Daft Staff Writer HESPERIA — Sultana cross country coach John Mahr has experienced his share of windy race days in his 23 years of coaching in the High Desert. But with winds gusting up to 40 miles per hour for the Sultans’ nonleague dual meet with Barstow on Wednesday, Mahr couldn’t remember a day that was more brutal. But the wind didn’t seem to affect the runners — especially those leading the pack. “The fact that the kids weren’t affected is just amazing,” Mahr said. “(Barstow coach) Jim (Duarte) and I were talking before the race and were figuring it was going to be tactical and you just have to be tough. We’re not going to worry about times so much.” In a highly anticipated boys race, Sultana senior Brett Walters took the top individual spot with a time of 15 minutes, 22 seconds and was three seconds off his course record. It wasn’t enough for the team victory, though, and Barstow won 23-35. Sultana dominated the girls race, 15-48, led by junior Lainie Bird’s time of 18:56. The No. 1 Division III state ranked Aztecs, who won their seventh straight dual meet over the Sultans, were led by senior Anthony Solis (15:29) who took second and was backed by a strong supporting cast. Isaac Chavez (15:35) finished in third place, Andrew Romano (15:40) took fourth, Ian Barba (15:59) ran to a sixth place and Jeremy Trujillo (16:28) rounded out Barstow’s top five in eighth. More impressive than winning this race, Duarte was happy with the improved spacing between his runners. Last weekend at the Tri-County Invitational, Barba finished 45 seconds behind Solis as the No. 4 man. On Wednesday, that gap between the No. 4 and No. 1 runners was cut to 30 minutes. “That’s what we’re wanting,” Duarte said. “Closing the gap is important.” Added Solis, “We packed pretty good.” Kyle Gallagher (15:56) who finished in fifth and Art Parra (16:14) who took seventh were the only other Sultans besides Walters to finish in the top nine for Sultana. “We knew we were going to struggle against Barstow,” Mahr said. “We didn’t think we would struggle a lot but we struggled a lot against Barstow. We’re going to have to go back to the drawing board, shore some things up and get stronger in that area with the boys.” Sultana had no trouble in the girls race. Bird and senior Samantha Espinola (19:03) led the way as the first six across the finish line were Sultans. Espinola stayed with Bird until the pair reached Sultana’s Jay Reed Field for the final portion of the race. Bird, a junior, went on to finish a second shy of her personal best at the home course. “We have a lot of freshmen,” Bird said of the team’s prospects. “But I think we’re going to do pretty well. They’re stepping up.”

Big Lagoon tribe, Los Coyotes band may revive talks

2007-09-19T21:26:00.000-07:00

September 19, 2007 SACRAMENTO – Blocked by powerful tribal opponents, gambling agreements that authorized the Los Coyotes band of San Diego County and another tribe to build large, off-reservation casinos in Barstow have expired. The passing of a midnight Monday deadline to have land eligible for the joint project rendered the compacts “null and void,” said a spokeswoman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who negotiated the deals. However, the bid by Los Coyotes and the Big Lagoon tribe of Humboldt County to build side-by-side casinos along a popular route to Las Vegas may not be dead. “Within the next few weeks we'll meet with Big Lagoon and Barstow and try to get a meeting with the governor's office . . . to see what options are open,” said Shane Chapparosa, vice chairman of Los Coyotes. Jason Barnett, a spokesman for Big Lagoon, said “the compacts have expired but that doesn't necessarily mean we're at the end here.” The administration also said Barstow remains its preferred alternative to a casino on Big Lagoon's environmentally sensitive reservation along the Northern California coast. The compacts never developed much traction after they were signed two years ago. They were conceived as a compromise after the Big Lagoon tribe sued the state, seeking a compact to develop its coastal property. Without a compact, the Big Lagoon tribe may ask the court to push ahead with the litigation. The off-reservation casino proposals were always controversial. The Big Lagoon reservation is 700 miles from Barstow. Some of the state's most successful gaming tribes urged state legislators not to ratify the agreements, even though they recently approved a compact with an off-reservation casino for the Sycuan band of El Cajon. State Sen. Dean Florez, a Bakersfield Democrat who is chairman of the committee that screens gaming compacts, said California voters never intended for Indian gaming to be hundreds of miles from a tribe's reservation. “Gaming was to be conducted on Indian lands – period,” Florez said in an e-mail. “At this point, I don't believe the two-casino compact proposal is viable and I can't imagine the administration making a strong case as to why it should be reconsidered.”

Our Town: Long-time firefighter and restaurant owner returns to Barstow fire district

2007-09-18T00:39:00.000-07:00

Staff photo by Aaron Aupperlee Fire Capt. Nick DiNapoli, right, watches as firefighters Bobby Clemmer, middle, and Carlos Topete, cook dinner on Saturday night at the fire station.

By AARON AUPPERLEE, staff writer BARSTOW — On Oct. 30, 1996, on-duty firefighter Nick DiNapoli rolled by his restaurant, The Firehouse, with his fire truck just to check on it. He said that night he had an eerie feeling. Twenty-four hours later, the Firehouse was on fire. “It could have been my fire. It would have been my fire 24 hours ago,” DiNapoli said. “It should have been my fire.” The fire gutted the restaurant. He said watching his restaurant burn that night, Oct. 31, 1996, was like watching his life end. He lost one passion that night, his restaurant, and had to quit his other, the fire service. “I left because I had to, because of the fire,” he said. “After I left, I was depressed for a year.” But DiNapoli bounced back, reopening the restaurant and recently rejoining the fire district full-time as a captain. When former Fire Capt. Eric Bennett left the district in August, DiNapoli showed interest in the position. He had been working as a paid call firefighter for the district and taking classes to hone his firefighting skills. His wife, Sandy, and the management staff at The Firehouse shuffled around a bit to make it possible for him to return to the district, and when the test for captain came up, DiNapoli took it, and passed. “What an honor,” DiNapoli said. “It’s the greatest job in the world.” District Chief Darrell Jauss is also pleased to have DiNapoli back on the force. Before the restaurant fire made him leave the district, DiNapoli had been a Barstow firefighter for 14 years. After he left, he served on the board and would show up to volunteer around the station. “He knows the town better than anyone,” Jauss said. “He brings us many years of not just fire experience, but fire experience in Barstow.” DiNapoli, who came to Barstow from Brooklyn when he was a kid, started with the Barstow fire district in 1982. He cannot remember her name, but he said a nice old lady told him one day that she thought he would make a great firefighter, and as part of state program to give opportunities to low-income kids, DiNapoli joined the ranks. Still a kid, 19 years old, DiNapoli worked with firefighters who had been with the district since the 1940s and 1950s who learned from the firefighting pioneers of the turn of the century. He looked up to them, learned how to be a firefighter and a man, he said. “You had guys who learned how to be a firefighter from an incredible source, from when they had nothing,” he said. “I love the old school way. I liked what they stood for, the pride and ownership.” Now as a captain, responsible for the other, usually younger, firefighters on his engine, DiNapoli tries to pass on some of the wisdom he absorbed from his early days as a firefighter, whether it be firefighting instincts, life lessons or making sure a firefighter cuts the vegetables properly while cooking dinner. His exposure to the history of firefighting planted the seed for his Italian restaurant, The Firehouse, where he blended his nostalgia for old school firefighting — the helmets, the badges, the brass nozzles and photographs of horse-drawn fire wagons — with old style Italian food — the pasta, pizza and meatballs he grew up with as a child in Brooklyn. Throughout his career, whether as a firefighter or restaurant owner, DiNapoli has seen the two intersect. He said it is all about service. “You show concern for your fellow man, whether your bringing him a plate of pasta or putting out his fire,” he said. “And maybe we can make a difference in their moment of tragedy or loss.”