Eastvale: An Interview with Council Member, Bill Link

Eastvale Council Member Bill Link

Eastvale Council Member Bill Link

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge for 2014?

A. “I feel the biggest challenge in 2014 is to review the use of our vacant land and determine the best use of this land as defined by what our citizens need, as well as a long-term revenue stream for the city.”

Q: What is your number one goal for the City of Eastvale this year?

A. “My focus this year would be an economic development plan aimed at the financial sustainability of Eastvale for years to come. Everyone wants better law enforcement, fire protection, safety, and a great quality of life; these can only be achieved when the city has long-term financial stability. In years to come, with population increases and inflation, these services will cost more. I read a quote years ago, ‘What works today may not work tomorrow; evolution is mandatory’. I believe this applies to how we must handle the future needs of our residents.”

Q: What feels great about Eastvale to you?

A. “The great feeling I get about Eastvale revolves around our fantastic residents. They are more in tune with this community than anywhere else I’ve ever lived. They participate in community activities as volunteers with no anticipation of any reward other than the betterment of Eastvale. As an example, a few years ago I read on Yahoo Residents website that a mother of three wanted to take her children to the snow and she asked if anyone had snow clothes she could borrow. Within 20 minutes she had three different strangers offering to help. You will not find that anywhere else. Anyone who thinks about this a bit has to feel a little warm inside.”

Q: How long have you been here in Eastvale? What’s your history with the city?

A. “My lovely wife, Sharyn, and I moved to Eastvale in 2008 purely by accident. Our kids, who live in Chino Hills, had just given us a new granddaughter and like any grandparents we wanted to be closer to her. So one Saturday morning we left on an excursion in search of a home closer to our granddaughter and in our travels into different areas we stumbled upon Eastvale. My wife was driving, so it is obvious that at some point a wrong turn was to be made and we would be lost. We just turned into a track for the purpose of turning around when we saw an Open House sign and decided to take a look. Sharyn immediately fell in with the house and we put an offer in the next day. It was accepted and here we are.

Since moving to Eastvale, we have participated in many civic activities. The first thing we became involved in was the Cityhood Celebration, for which I was in charge of logistics, working with Al and Gina Nassar (the greatest event coordinators anywhere). Then I was appointed to the first Planning Commission right after cityhood, where I served for three years, two of which were as Planning Commission Chairman. On January 8th of this year I was appointed to the City Council to fill the remaining term of Kelly Howell, who had resigned. Kelly did a magnificent job. I can’t give her enough praise for her hard work and dedication. To be honest, she is the one that influenced me to apply for the City Council.

Sharyn has been active in many volunteer positions and is currently the Executive Director of the Eastvale Community Foundation. I’m so proud of her for all the unselfish giving of her time and efforts to make the foundation great.”

Eastvale: Jan. 28 Town Hall Meeting Recap

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

Eastvale – The Eastvale Town Hall Quarterly Meeting was held at Ramirez Junior High on Jan. 28. Various departments and organizations came to give updates and answer questions for the community. Here is a brief recap of what information was presented.

Riverside County Sheriff Report/CALFIRE Update: Asst. Police Chief Michael Yates updated the public on various crime statistics in Eastvale. He stressed the importance of Eastvale being named one of the safest cities in California (FBI Report October 2013), noting overall community involvement.

Yates says Part One crimes have declined. In the time period from Jan. 1, 2013 to Dec. 31, 2013, there were 28,982 calls, with 9,729 citations written, 43 DUI arrests, 128 injury auto accidents, 243 non-injury collisions, and zero fatal collisions. Police response time has been getting better, as well.

Many marijuana grow houses have been successfully shut down, said Yates. In 2013, 27 houses were shut down with a total of 46 houses in Eastvale overall. The Sheriff’s Department has been extremely successful with the help of the community in identifying and taking these houses down. At one point, they were seeing two houses per week, but they have seen a steady decrease over the past few weeks.

A new trend in crime in Eastvale is “fishing.” Yates says this typically involves young groups of kids out at night between midnight and 3 a.m., walking through neighborhoods checking to see if car doors are unlocked. They simply walk by and lift the handles. If cars are open, they quickly grab loose change, computers, phones, etc., and move on to the next vehicle. The money is often used to buy alcohol and drugs, as the amount of change adds up rather quickly, said Yates.

CAL/FIRE stressed the importance of fire safety, especially in the dry, drought conditions that we are currently facing. Of all the calls they have received in 2013, 72.3% were medical and 2.6% were fire related. The medic squad has taken 27 responses since it came into operation in the latter part of 2013. This has taken some of the load off of the fire engines. When the second fire station at Selby/Chandler opens, this will reduce the call volume even more, according to fire officials.

eastvale, jcsd

Ric Welch of JCSD addresses the community during the Jan. 28 town hall meeting in Eastvale. (Jennifer Madrigal)

Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD): Ric Welch of JCSD announced that Eastvale Community Park will be opening March 8. Welch also said the district has added more recreational classes for mature adults and is forming a citizen’s advisory board to receive input from residents.

Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD): The state has changed how school districts get their funding and it is now connected to local control. Money must now be tied to a local plan with community engagement. A committee with 32 people has been formed to look at relevant data (student achievement, attendance, climate of school, etc.) to establish guidelines.

CNUSD is still considering the feasibility of the “Geo Bond.” A survey was done last year and the district is still looking at the details and what the plans will be for the communities. It is important to note that Yorba Elementary School in Eastvale will be completed with or without the bond. However, the district still needs more schools, because more growth is expected in Eastvale over the next seven to ten years. The “Geo Bond” for Eastvale would most likely be used for technology, infrastructure, and safety, as well as another elementary school and possibly an alternative high school. CNUSD will be doing another public survey and hopes to make a decision early to mid-summer on whether or not to proceed with bond. If they do proceed, this bond would be on the ballot for the November election season.

Senator Roth’s Office: Roth’s office says the senator is still fighting for our funds from Vehicle License Fees (VLF). Last week, Roth was able to gain the support of Assembly Speaker John Perez. Roth’s office has decided to change the bill by splitting it into two separate parts with hopes of making it easier and more cost effective. One part of the bill is now called SB69 and will deal with the recently incorporated cities like Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Menifee, and Wildomar. The other part of the bill will deal with annexations. The hope is that this new method will focus more on assisting new cities now. It also makes the bill more cost effective, which will make it more appealing to the governor. Roth’s office is optimistic that this is a step in the right direction.

Bill Newberry also shared that Roth has been nominated as “Legislator of the Year” for all the work he has done for Riverside County.

State Assembly Office: Assemblyman Eric Linder will be backing up Senator Roth on the Vehicle Licensing Fee issue. However, Linder’s office is focusing on AB 1438 – a bill concerning sex offenders. Currently, a sex offender can apply for a certificate of rehabilitation, and if they are successful, they do not need to register as a sex offender. AB 1438 seeks to remove this for offenders who violate children. The Assembly is also working on the surplus from Prop 30. They are hoping to have funds allocated more toward education and to put the rest away for a “rainy day” fund.

Leal Specific Plan: Asst. Planning Director Cathy Perring spoke to the public about the development of the Leal property. The property was originally part of a general plan for mixed-use, with retail, offices, etc. Although the land is not owned by the city, they are working with the Leal family to prepare a plan that will guide development. The city has asked for the public’s opinion and ideas for what the land could be used for. Please go to www.lealspecificplan.com to submit ideas and vote by February 7. The ideas will be presented to the City Council at the February 26 meeting, with action on a vision plan expected at the March 26 meeting.

Goodman Commerce Center: Goodman Birtcher is a real estate company that owns, develops and manages property. They will be investing $250 million in the City of Eastvale. The Goodman Commerce Center will be opening in Eastvale in conjunction with Lewis properties. Over the last two years, they have been meeting with constituents, planning staff, etc., on how to develop the 200 acres located in the “pan-handle” of Eastvale. The property is adjacent to the I-15 freeway off Cantu-Galleano and Bellegrave.

Some of the land will be used for industrial purposes with direct freeway access for trucks. This will limit trucks on our roads and prevent more traffic issues, according to Birtcher. The south 25 acres will be a business park and will have employee pathways and trails, which will be more visually pleasing and add to the landscape of the area. There is also a retail/commercial component of about 45 acres. It is currently zoned for a hospital, hotel, etc. Currently, this is in the conceptual stage, but it could be a draw for major retailers.

An Environmental Impact Report has been started and Goodman also plans to widen Hamner Avenue by three lanes, as well as build and maintain landscaping in that area. The commerce center has the ability to generate as many as 2,500 – 4,600 jobs to our area, according to Birtcher.

Chino Desalter Expansion Project: Joseph Blume and Cindy Miller of the Chino Desalter Authority/Butier Engineering Inc., spoke about the project, which will bring more drinking water to the cities of Eastvale, Ontario, Corona, and Norco. This part of the project, which involves placing a 30-inch diameter pipeline through Eastvale, is part of an overall expansion project of the CDA’s water treatment plant and delivery system. Once completed, expansion will provide 10 million gallons of drinking water per day to the communities. Construction is expected to start on Mississippi Drive in Eastvale and run north along Hamner Avenue to Riverside Drive. Hamner will stay open, although there will be some delays. However, no detours are expected. They also plan some night construction, using flag men, and will be working during the holiday season (Thanksgiving 2014 thru Jan. 1, 2015). There also may be some water shutdowns, but the plan is to use phasing limits in construction to keep inconveniences to a minimum. The project is expected to be completed by February 2015.

Riverside Animal Control: Mark Visyak, Animal Control Officer, spoke to the community about 2013’s statistics. In 2013, there were 1,463 calls overall. The breakdown of these calls consisted of: impounds (346), returned to owners (24), dead animal retrieval (167), citations (85), requests for patrol (329), assists to the fire department (2), assists to code enforcement (1), assists to the police (11), investigations for bites, barking, etc. (107), and lots of opossums.

Eastvale Community Foundation: The foundation announced it will start selling Eastvale decals for cars as a way to help raise money. It was announced that the Youth Scholarship Program is back. Applications will be available at Eastvale City Hall beginning Monday, Feb. 3 through May 1, 2014.

The next Eastvale Quarterly Town Hall Meeting will be held in March, with date and location to be announced.

Three Men Charged in Colby Fire

STAFF REPORTS

Glendora – Three men were recently charged in the United States District Court with illegally setting a campfire above Glendora that erupted into a destructive wildfire, known as the Colby Fire, perpetuated by the Santa Ana wind conditions.
Federal prosecutors filed a criminal complaint that charges the three men with unlawfully setting timber afire, a felony offense that carries a possible five-year prison term. Clifford Eugene Henry, Jr., 22, of Glendora, Steven Robert Aguirre, 21, a transient, and Jonathan Carl Jarrell, 24, also a transient, were taken into custody by local officials last Thursday after the fire started and turned over to federal authorities.
The Colby Fire started on the morning of January 16. By that evening, the fire had consumed more than 1,700 acres of federal, state, local and private lands. The fire had also destroyed five residences, damaged 17 additional structures, and resulted in injuries to one civilian and two firefighters.
Henry, Aguirre and Jarrell were detained by Glendora Police Officers after they were seen escaping the fire. During interviews with Glendora Police and personnel with the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Arson Investigations Unit, all three defendants admitted to playing a role in the starting of a campfire that started the Colby Fire after wind blew burning paper into the brush in the hills above Glendora, according to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint.
A United States Forest Service fire investigator has determined that the origin of the Colby Fire was at a point near a fire ring built by Henry, Aguirre and Jarrell; the cause of the fire was embers from the campfire that set dry grass adjacent to the campfire ring afire. Both the campfire ring and the origin of the fire are clearly located on Federal lands within the Angeles National Forest.
The investigation is being conducted by the United States Forest Service, the Glendora Police Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Chino: Crime Report, City of Chino

STAFF REPORTS

Chino – Police Officers arrested a third suspect wanted in connection with the New Year’s Eve shooting that left one man dead and another seriously wounded.
According to the City of Chino, Francisco Orozco, Jr., 22, a resident of Chino, was arrested without incident near the border of Mexico on Jan. 20, 2014 and was transported to the West Valley Detention Center by Chino Police Detectives. He was booked on a warrant for murder, and joins two other murder suspects already in custody.

The victims, Robert Sanchez, along with a second male, were shot at approximately 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013, in the 12800 block of Benson Avenue. Sanchez was transported to the Chino Valley Medical Center, but died there as a result of his injuries. The second victim was hospitalized, and has since been released.

On Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, Angel Edwardo Valenciana, 24, a resident of Los Angeles, was arrested by Police Officers in Grand Island, Nebraska, in connection with the New Year’s Eve shooting. The City of Chino states that Police Officers are working to extradite Valenciana back to California.

David Colomo, 19, a resident of Bell Gardens, was also arrested near the border of Mexico on Jan. 11, 2014. He was transported to the West Valley Detention Center and booked on a warrant of murder.

In another incident, the City of Chino reports that a truck driver was killed at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, 2014 when he stepped out of his semi-truck onto Euclid Avenue and was struck by a car.

The City of Chino states in a news release that the initial study by Chino Traffic Investigators determined Wilson Iraheta, 55, a resident of La Puente, parked his Peterbuilt truck and trailer in the center median of Euclid Avenue, where he was preparing to unload in front of Nature’s Best warehouse. Iraheta exited the driver’s door onto Euclid Avenue and was struck by a 2002 Subaru Station Wagon, driven by Karen Lockie, 69, a resident of Rancho Cucamonga. Lockie showed no signs of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

And, finally, the City of Chino reports that a suspect is in custody following an attack of a Chino High School student at approximately 1:17 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014. The 16-year-old male victim was struck on the head with a hammer. He was airlifted to a local hospital and is in critical condition.

Chino Police Officers arrested suspect, Gregory U. Richmond, 48, a resident of Chino, who fled after the attack. He was arrested without incident in the 5800 block of Riverside Drive a short time later, and was booked on charges of attempted murder.

The attack took place on the sidewalk across the street from Chino High School. The high school, along with Walnut Elementary, remained in lockdown until the suspect was in custody.

These investigations are all ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Chino Police Department at (909) 628-1234.

Are We Making Food A “Four-Letter Word”?

By K.P. Sander

Eastvale – They say, ‘You Are What You Eat’, but what if I don’t want to be Potassium Bromate? What if Butylated Hydroxyanisol gives me the creeps (after all, “butylated” sounds like “mutilated”)? In today’s world of high technology and instant gratification, have we microwaved ourselves into a toxic nightmare of diseases, obesity and unhappiness? These are questions I’m willing to find the answers to.

The artificial sweeteners, preservatives, dyes and flavor enhancers that have been added to our foods for decades have fattened not only corporate pocket books through prolonged shelf lives and disguising cheaper, sub-standard products, but they have fattened us up as well. They have created maladies in our bodies including Alzheimer’s, cancers, diabetes and heart disease, and have contributed to emotional disorders in our children – even health concerns for our pets. A hundred years ago, when you grew your own food and fast food was a chicken on the run from the chopping block, these diseases were rare, and even non-existent. But with the initiation of processed foods in the second half of the 20th Century, the health of people everywhere has taken a turn for the worse.

And, are the poisons ingested in our bodies the only cause for concern? Is there more social anxiety prevalent because of social media? By involving more people into our lives via technology, are we becoming more anti-social by hiding behind it? Look around you. The majority of people walking around (and yes, even driving around) aren’t paying attention to where they are going because they are completely focused on their phones: texting, Facebooking, Instagramming.

I’m guilty of all of it, but I can’t remember the last time I truly felt full of health and vitality and just plain old GOOD. I wake up to caffeine, drive-thru when I’m rushed, crack open a can of high-fructose corn syrup for energy, and text instead of call. But I, for one, don’t want to find myself looking a heart attack (or worse) right smack in the face, knowing I contributed directly to it. I’m going to educate myself, read more labels, and avoid ingredients I can’t pronounce or know to be toxic. I’m going to buy more organic foods and less processed foods. I’m going to consider an apple and a handful of almonds as “fast food”. And I’m going to contribute to my general well-being by participating in some actual face time with those I love. I’m guessing my fitness routines will be enhanced, my body and mind will feel better, and my relationships will benefit.

I don’t want “food” to become a four-letter word to me, like “sodium nitrite”. I want it to be a source of joy and nourishment. I want to associate food in the ilk of other four-letter words that I used to describe things that contribute to my well being. Words like good, glad, hale, well, wise…and love.

Tips to Help Prevent a Burglary

LEAFF Law Enforcement and Fire Protection

L.E.A.F.F. Eastvale

By LEAFF

Eastvale – In light of a few residential burglaries that have occurred in the city and the repercussions of AB109, 12 basic steps to prevent your house from being burglarized can be taken.

1. Perform routine tasks and clean up the outside of your property on a regular basis to show you are occupying your home. Empty your mailbox on a regular basis, collect old newspapers from your driveway, and pick up discarded trash that has landed in your yard.

2. Install timed lights or leave a radio or television playing if you are traveling or will be absent from your home for long periods of time. You may want to enlist a trusted friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your property and to collect your mail while you are traveling away from home.

3. Lock all your doors, windows, garages, and sheds when you leave your home to make it difficult for burglars to enter without attracting the attention of others. Test your locks durability by trying to open your doors and windows from the outside. Install sturdy deadbolt locks on your doors to prevent thieves from breaking in easily. If you have double front doors, use bungee cords to connect the door knobs to prevent thieves from kicking the door in. Remove the red knob tied to the string on your garage door track lock. This prevents hooking the knob and unlocking your garage door.

4. Make your doors and windows visible to the neighborhood and to the street. Cut away tree branches or high shrubbery that can hide burglars when they are breaking and entering your home.

5. Store your valuables away from windows or doors where they can easily be seen from the outside. You may want to hang privacy curtains over windows to make it difficult for others to see inside. Close shutters, blinds and pull curtains to prevent thieves from peering into your house.

6. Hide or destroy any outside trash that may advertise your personal belongings to the rest of your neighborhood. For example, you may want to break down or destroy boxes that contained valuable, expensive electronic devices you may have just purchased, such as a large television or stereo system.

7. Leave spare house keys with trusted friends, family, or neighbors instead of placing them outside on your property. Burglars may be familiar with common hiding places for spare keys.

8. Park your vehicles inside a closed garage to make it difficult for burglars to determine if you are home or not.

9. Install a home alarm system to deter burglars and to alarm authorities if there is a break-in. Consult with your home insurance provider to seek discounts for alarm systems. Place home alarm signs in the front yard to alert burglars that your home has an alarm.

10. Stray away from routine schedules to make it more difficult for burglars to predict when you will be absent from your home.

11. Only use fully shielded neighbor-friendly lighting that is equipped with motion or infrared detectors. Don’t create a nuisance or safety hazard with glaring lights that impair vision. Crime Prevention through Environmental Design recommends, “Lighting that does not create glare, light trespass, or deep shadows. Lighting only has potential to act as a deterrent if witnesses are present and can counter-productively attract attention to a target and assist a burglar. FBI statistics demonstrate that the majority of residential break-ins occur during daylight hours.”

12. Alter your outside landscaping to make it difficult for burglars to navigate your property without being seen or heard. You may want to surround your windows or home with loose gravel, stones, or rocks that will make noise when stepped on. Place plants or shrubbery under your windows or on your property that are difficult to navigate around, such as rose bushes with lots of thorns.

Walnut Valley: WVUSD to Honor Classified Employees

Walnut Valley Unified School District

Walnut – The Walnut Valley Unified School District (WVUSD) will honor the monthly 2013 Cornerstone Award recipients during the 15th Annual Class Act Gala on Friday, Feb. 7, at the Pomona Valley Mining Company.

Twelve classified (non-teaching) employees received this award for providing outstanding service to the District.

Congratulations to the following honorees:

January: Margaret Wong, School Office Manager, Evergreen Elementary
February: Sharon Liu, Instructional Aide-I, Bilingual/Bicultural, Maple Hill Elementary
March: Laura Morris, Instructional Aide-II, Special Education, C.J. Morris Elementary
April: Shelley Patton, Instructional Aide-II, Special Education, Maple Hill Elementary
May: Lorraine Gomez, Health Clerk, Suzanne Middle School
June: Yenny Ong, Food Service Worker-II, Quail Summit Elementary
July: Monica Cazares, Accounting Assistant-II, Child Care Program
August: Patricia Acevez, Office Assistant/Health Clerk, Vejar Elementary
September: Patti Malatacca, School Office Manager, Quail Summit Elementary
October: Maria Cabrera, Instructional Aide-II, Vejar Elementary
November: Marilyn Higa, Instructional Aide-II, Special Education, Evergreen Elementary
December: Gale Taylor, Library Media Technician-II, South Pointe Middle School

The Classified Employee-of-the-Year will be announced at the culmination of the program, sponsored by the WVUSD Personnel Commission and Walnut Valley Educational Foundation.

Tickets are $25 for Adults. For reservations, please contact the Human Resources Department at (909) 595-1261, by January 24.

The Pomona Valley Mining Company is located at 1777 Gillette Road in Pomona.

Diamond Bar: Hotel To Replace Honda, DB Bans MJ

By Ariel Carmona, Jr.

Diamond Bar – The Diamond Bar City Council approved several resolutions at the Jan. 21 meeting dealing with crucial development decisions in the City, including a proposal to establish a zoning district for the possible construction of a hotel at the site formerly known as the Honda Dealership, and an emergency ordinance amending the City’s Municipal Code prohibiting the operation and establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries in order to comply with Federal laws, among other items.

During the public hearing portion of the meeting, the Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 1(2014), which would establish a new overlay zone district to promote and facilitate the development of a prominent site, which was formerly the location of the Honda Dealership and a Burger King drive-thru restaurant, located across the 60 Freeway off-ramp, in a manner staff reports describe as, “Consistent with the City Council’s adopted goals and objectives since 2009.”

The City’s Staff Report to the Council specified the City’s plans for redevelopment, including specific plans to revitalize the Burger King and Honda property areas, “In a way that provides the greatest net benefit to the community.” The staff determined, based on the criteria set forth in the Council’s goals and objectives, that the highest and best use for the overlay would be a hotel.

“Any future reuse of the land would require a hotel to be the anchor use,” said Greg Gobman, Community Development Director. “And, any secondary uses on that site would be limited to those prescribed in the Development Code,” he added.
City staff told the Council that a world-renowned consultant took several factors into account to determine what would be the most optimal use of the property. According to the report, two major, mutually exclusive projects have been approved next to the Honda site: The Industry Business Center (IBC), and an NFL Stadium. Under the IBC scenario, a business park including office and industrial space would be built out, while the stadium project would include an ancillary office, medical and retail uses. Neither option would include a hotel.

The staff concluded that based upon the analysis of the consultant, the highest and best use of the Honda property is one with a hotel anchor, with project-specific characteristics dependent upon other factors. “The Honda site itself is literally set aside from the rest of the City. That’s also true figuratively in that its physical isolation and its prominent location at the convergence of two freeways is where we see 200,000 vehicles passing by each day, and in addition to this site being located right at existing and future on/off ramps, there is tremendous opportunity to develop this site in ways that really are not possible elsewhere,” said Gobman.

After hearing feedback from a resident opposing the proposed hotel development option, the Council weighed in on the issue. “I think the opportunity there is to capture the between $600,000 and $1 million in transient occupancy taxes, so I think it makes sense to take that action on this property,” said Mayor Pro Tem, Steve Tye.

In other actions, the Council voted 5-0 to adopt an emergency ordinance prohibiting the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries in the City. Previously, the City’s code permitted one use, but City Manager, James DeStefano, said that code may be in conflict with Federal law. He pointed out that the City does not have any dispensaries currently operating.
According to staff reports made public by the City, the conflict between State and Federal laws has led to many Southern California cities, including Whittier, San Dimas, Fullerton, and other cities in Orange and Los Angeles Counties, to place restrictions on medical marijuana dispensaries, as a permitted land use or place a moratorium on the establishment of such a use.

In 1996, California voters approved Proposition 215, which enabled seriously ill patients to legally possess, use, and cultivate marijuana for medicinal purposes under State law. Subsequently, SB420 was enacted by the State Legislature to clarify the scope of the Act, and to allow local jurisdictions like Diamond Bar to adopt and enforce rules and regulations consistent with the Act.

The emergency ordinance prohibits the establishment or operation of what the City deems retail marijuana dispensaries for a period of 45 days and ultimately provides the City time to adopt an ordinance permanently prohibiting medical marijuana dispensaries as a permitted use under the City’s zoning laws.

During the subcommittee reports part of the meeting, Mayor Carol Herrera said that with a lot of people being out of work, there was a minor rash of burglaries during the holiday season. “We are intersected by two major freeways, so we are a relatively easy target,” said Herrera. “I have said before that we have an outstanding Sheriff’s Department that is on the alert to watch out for all of you”, she added. Herrera said officers noticed burglary tools and merchandise in a vehicle during two recent traffic stops. “That’s further evidence that our Sheriff’s Department is doing an outstanding job looking out for the homeowners, and for all of us.”

The next meeting of the Diamond Bar City Council is scheduled for Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m., in the Government Center South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Main Auditorium, located at 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar.

Diamond Bar: Dr. Jeffery W. Lowe Passes Away

By Michael Armijo

Jeffrey Lowe

Jeffrey Lowe (Photo Courtesy of SB County Sheriffs Dept/Chino Hills)

Diamond Bar – Dr. Jeffrey W. Lowe, a long time Chiropractor and Community Activist, passed away at 48 years old on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014 of apparent heart failure.

Dr. Lowe held his practice in the Albertsons shopping center on Diamond Bar Boulevard and Grand Avenue for almost 20 years. He was the current President of the Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff Booster Club, former Diamond Bar Rotary President, past board member of the Diamond Bar Chamber of Commerce, and a San Bernardino County Sheriff Reserve Deputy for over 20 years, in the patrol and homicide division.

Dr. Lowe was born in Montebello, California and grew up in La Habra, where he graduated from La Habra High School in 1983. From there, he went on to get his Bachelor’s Degree in 1992 from the Los Angeles Chiropractic College.
He was described by his peers as a “giver, family man, compassionate individual, special, caring, and a loving man.”

“Jeff always made me feel special and beautiful,” his wife, Kim Lowe said. “I am so very proud of all his accomplishments.”
“He was an excellent partner, neighbor, and friend,” said fellow Deputy Mike Kreeger. “Laughter and friendship are both words that describe Jeff well, as he loved to laugh.”

I write this story, as a reporter, but more importantly, as a personal friend to Jeff. I will always miss his infectious smile, his servant’s heart, warmth-filled hugs, and compassionate element of being a healer, brother, giver, deputy, friend, and leader.

Dr. Lowe was married in 2005 to his wife, Kim, and has been a Chino Hills Resident for over 20 years. He is survived by his step-daughter Robin, grandmother Nana, parents Ron and Karen, sister Kellee, brother-in-law Paul, and nephews Dylan, Karissa, and Sydney. On his wife’s side, he is survived by his brother-in-law Larry, his wife Edenna, and his three nieces Lilly, Tori, and Violet.

Eastvale: Quarterly Town Hall Meeting Reminder

The Eastvale Quarterly Town Hall Meeting will be held at 6:30 on January 28th, 2014 at Augie Ramirez Intermediate School located at 6905 Harrison Avenue, Eastvale, California 92880. Doors open at 6:00.
A variety of topics and updates will be covered including:
City Update by Mayor Ike Bootsma, Waterline Project, CALFIRE update, Leal specific plan, Animal Control update, CNUSD update and more. The meeting will close with public comments and open forum as time permits.

Eastvale: RCSD Conducts Probation Sweep

By: Staff Reports

According to a Riverside County Sheriff Department Press Release, on Thursday, January 23, 2014, deputies assigned to the Eastvale Special Enforcement Team, assisted by the Riverside County Gang Taskforce and Probation Department, conducted a probation compliance sweep on persons residing within the city of Eastvale. During this operation, compliance checks were conducted at 30 residences, resulting in three felony arrests. During this operation, deputies seized narcotics and narcotic paraphernalia.

All three subjects were booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center and have been identified as:
1.Cynthia Gomez, 23-year-old resident of Eastvale – Possession of methamphetamine and violation of probation
2.Anthony Rodriguez, 32-year-old resident of Eastvale – Possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and violation of probation
3.Ashly Hawkins, 20-year-old resident of Eastvale – Possession of heroin, under the influence of a controlled substance, and violation of probation

Walnut: Council Corner- Conserve Water

Walnut City Council

The Walnut City Council warned residents to conserve water due to California’s drought. (Photo courtesy: Raymond Mendoza)

By Raymond Mendoza

Walnut – There was a short supply of agenda items at the Walnut City Council and Housing Authority meeting on Wednesday, but a major warning was given from Council Members about California’s drought problems.

After the approval of the Dec. 11, 2013 Study Session and City Council Meeting Minutes, and the Jan. 8 City Council Meeting Minutes, the City Council unanimously approved all items on the consent calendar.

The consent calendar included Resolution No. 14-03, for a resolution of the City of Walnut to allow certain claims and demands in the amount of $548,442.32; Walnut’s participation in the Cal Recycle Used Oil Competitive Grant for the 2013/2014 fiscal year; and youth sports groups requests for bi-annual facility use for FC Man United Soccer, Walnut Valley Pony Baseball, Walnut Youth Softball and the American Youth Soccer Association.

During the comment and updates section, Council Member, Mary Su, urged Walnut residents to be mindful of wasting water for the foreseeable future due to the latest statewide drought.

Council Member, Bob Pacheco, agreed with Su, saying that citizens should be careful not to waste water in an “unnecessary” manner.

The Housing Authority Meeting then started, which unanimously approved the only item on the consent calendar: Resolution No. 14-01 for the Walnut Housing Authority, allowing certain claims and demands to be paid in the amount of $52,820.25.

Mayor Antonio Cartagena then asked for all attendees of the City Council Meeting to join him in a moment of silence for the passing of Walnut Parks and Recreation’s Commissioner Ernie Quejado’s mother, Theresa.

Cartagena officially adjourned the City Council Meeting at 7:17 p.m., with the next scheduled meeting planned for Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m.

A Better Place

BY SARAH ARMIJO

I went on a Missions trip to Haiti with a team last year, and lately we’ve been talking about going back. The team and I always talk about how much we miss Haiti, but I think it’s strange that we’re talking about how much we miss a Third World country, where people lived in poverty and barely had enough food to eat. So the other day, I really thought about what it was that I missed about Haiti and the first thing that popped into my head was: the people.

The Haitian people who lived in the villages were always so friendly to us. They would wave at us as we walked by, have us hold their children, or ask us to pray with them. They were so welcoming everywhere we went. They treated us as we were family, even though we were strangers who didn’t even speak their language.
And the Haitian children were a whole new level of welcoming. Whenever we had an opportunity to play with the children, my arm would end of being tired from holding so many of them and my legs would be tired from running around with them the entire day. At one point, I had a little over ten children surrounding me, each fighting to hold my hand, trying to play with my hair, try on my sunglasses, ask me questions in Creole or do anything to get my attention. The funny part was that as soon as I turned around to look at them, all they would do was give me the biggest smile. The love they showed us was truly remarkable.

It wasn’t until we were back in a United States airport that I realized how different Haiti was. The moment I realized we weren’t in Haiti anymore was the moment I turned to say “Bonswa” (meaning hello in Creole) to someone, and I didn’t see a smiling face like I was used to in Haiti.

It’s amazing to think that I miss a country where we didn’t have any electricity, where we didn’t have clean water, where we barely had enough food, and where I’ve sweated more than I’ve sweated my entire life. But still, I have the urge to go back just so I can see those friendly faces and feel that special love all around me.

The question I found myself asking is, why do I have to go back to feel this way? Why can’t I have that same feeling when I’m in my own hometown? Why can’t we be friendly to one another here? So I ask you to please help me spread love around the community. Say hi to one another, smile at each other, open doors, help with grocery bags, or do a simple act of kindness to show a stranger this love. As the years progress, I find the world becoming less civil. But who says we can’t change it? Let’s work together to make this world we live in a better place.

Diamond Bar: Stay or Go?

BY MARK HOPPER

We are in the beginning of a new sermon series at our church in the Old Testament book of Ezra. I have really enjoyed studying and preparing for this series.
The book of Ezra records events in the life of the Jewish people in the 500s BC. Leaders and families from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin have been living in exile in Babylon (Iran / Iraq) for about 70 years.
After the fall of Babylon, the new Persian King, Cyrus, issued a decree that allowed exiles to return to their homelands. In the British Museum, there is a cylindar (the Cyrus Cylindar), which was discovered in the 1800s, that records this remarkable event.
The decree, which was written in the 500s BC, allowed exiles from many countries to leave Babylon and return to their homelands.
The book of Ezra provides an account of how the Jewish exiles responded to this unexpected opportunity. Some decided to “go” while others decide to “stay”.
How do you think you would respond in their situation? Many of the exiles had built homes and raised families in Babylon. They were not anxious to leave.
Others felt this was a unique opportunity to return to their homeland, even though they knew that Jerusalem had been destroyed and was mostly uninhabited for the past 50-60 years. They were willing to “go”.
How do you respond to unexpected opportunities? Do you play it safe or are you willing to take a chance? Do you prefer the familiar or are you willing to venture into the unknown?
A lot of it has to do with your faith. Are you willing to venture out and trust God to lead and guide you or do you prefer to stay in your comfort zone?
If you have a Bible at home, I hope you will dust it off and use the table of contents to find the book of Ezra and read it for yourself. If you don’t have a church home, let me invite you to come to our church on Sunday morning and learn with us as we study the book of Ezra together.
Pastor Mark Hopper
Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd, (909) 594-7604; Sunday Services; 9:00 & 10:45 AM Website: http://www.efreedb.org.

Eastvale: Local Eastvale Boys Compete in Junior Olympics In Texas

STAFF REPORTS

Eastvale – On Dec. 14, 2013, five local boys from Eastvale competed in the USATF XC Nationals Junior Olympics located in San Antonio Texas. The USATF XC National Junior Olympics features the United States top youth club teams and individuals competing for the top 25 American Championship medals and top three team titles. With over 3,000 youth runners, the largest turnout in history, the Corona Panthers Youth Track Club are in the top one percent, a testament to their dictum of “Building Champions for Life.” The girls team defended their title and came in 2nd place. The boys 9-10 team came in 3rd place and the boys 13-14 team came in 5th place.

Eastvale: Open House

OPEN HOUSE SAT Jan 25 11 am- 2 pm
6599 Wells Springs, Eastvale, 91752 $499,000
Call Gil Rivera at (909) 967-4525.
TV in master bedroom, refrigerator, washer & dryer. Storage shelf hanging from garage ceiling
Description: GORGEOUS Eastvale area home with approximately 3652 sqft, 5 bedrooms, 4 baths! Large rear and front yards with plenty of grass plus a covered patio with pavered flooring. Firepit also at rear and solid, blockwall fencing. Interior offers custom painting, granite countertops in kitchen, high quality cabinetry and appliances, formal dining room, LARGE Family Room downstairs, HUGE Bonus Room upstairs. Master bedroom has a master retreat area plus spacious master bath with walk-in closet. There is 1 bedroom is downstairs! Ample 3 car Garage and the property is located on a corner lot in a quiet neighborhood.

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Inland Empire: Don’t Put Off Your Healing Anymore

BY NANCY STOOPS

The New Year is here and it’s time to start healing from the past. How many years have you put off your healing? How many thousands of excuses have you come up with over the years to not do the work to heal? Having healed from the pain of a brother committing suicide, another brother being murdered and a father dying from pancreatic cancer, I can certainly understand your fear and hesitance. It takes an incredible amount of courage to confront our demons that cause us to stay stuck in the past. It also takes the perfect fit between the client and the therapist.
The truth is that there is no time like the present to start your healing work. Don’t allow yourself to stay in that debilitating pain for another day. Ask people for referrals of good and effective therapists. Take the time to find that special therapist that you can totally trust and open your heart to. Isn’t it time that you or your loved ones were able to be set free and allowed to soar once again? I think we all deserve this, but many hard and horrific things keep us down, fearful and stuck.
Keep in mind that we all only have one life and deserve all the greatness life has to offer. Give yourself and your loved ones a chance to heal and be set free. I promise it’s much harder to stay in the pain than to do the work needed to heal from the pain. I have faith in all of you and know that you can do this. I see so many in pain and it breaks my heart. All I want is for all of you to be healed and to finally have the life that all of you so deserve. So go make that phone call you have been putting off and make today the day that you start your healing and/or the healing of your loved ones!
This article was written by Nancy Stoops, M.A., M.F.T. Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups for teens. She can handle many court mandated needs. Nancy is now accepting new clients. She also works as a motivational speaker.
For more information about any of these services, feel free to page Nancy at (626) 935-3818. You may email her at stoopsshecter@earthlink.net. Her new book, “Live, Heal and Grow”, is available for purchase http://www.RoseDogBookstore.com or at Amazon.com.

Eastvale: New Year, New You!

Nutritionist Nicole Gilles

Nicole Gilles, RD, CDE, CSR

BY NICOLE GILLES, RD, CDE, CSR

Eastvale – This year, give yourself the gift of a successful New Year’s Resolution. The New Year often comes with a drastic resolution that may be difficult, or even impossible, to obtain. Making unobtainable goals can leave you feeling worse than before the goal was made.

Rather than make an outrageous resolution, why not set yourself up for success? Instead of saying, “This year I am going to lose 50 pounds and I don’t care if I have to starve to do it”, try making smaller, healthier goals that will help you reach your ultimate objective. For example, “My doctor said I need to lose weight, so I will find a local weight loss expert to help me and I will join the Eastvale Walking Group”.

Choosing smaller goals makes the process more manageable and essentially more obtainable than making one large goal. Instead of focusing on the distant goal, focus your time and energy on the present, and how you’re going to reach today’s goal. Try making a schedule of weekly goals that improve your lifestyle habits, like walking three days a week or limiting eating out to just twice a week instead of four times a week. Your goals should be individualized to you and the areas of your life that you are ready to work on. The small lifestyle changes that you make today will add up to a weight and health improvement before you know it.

If you are seeking a true food professional to help make your goals a reality, look no further than Eastvale Registered Dietitian, Nicole Gilles, RD, CDE, CSR. Nicole is the owner of Happy and Healthy Nutrition and she is ready to help you achieve your health and weight goals. Through her program, you will learn how to eat for your body’s individual needs and learn how to deal with emotional eating. Happy and Healthy Nutrition members learn when to eat, why to eat, and how to eat to lose weight and keep it off. Start today, for a happy and healthy tomorrow.
Contact Happy and Healthy Nutrition at http://www.HandHnutrition.com, call them at (909) 816-0977, and like them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/happyandhealthynutrition.nicolegilles.

Walnut: Family Excursions In Walnut

NEWS RELEASE

Walnut – On Sunday, Feb. 16, the City of Walnut is off to see the most magical adventure of them all- Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of The Wizard of Oz. This new production is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic, totally reconceived for the stage. It contains all the beloved songs and characters and iconic moments from the Oscar-winning movie, plus a few surprises along the way. Seats are $70 and are located in the orchestra section of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Round trip transportation from Walnut, leaving at 5:15 p.m. and returning to Walnut approximately at 10:30 p.m., is included.
If a pirate adventure is more your style, join us on us on Saturday, April 5, for the Real Pirate exhibit at the San Diego Natural History Museum. Exhibit highlights include rare gold coins, jewelry, weaponry such as cannons, pistols, and knives, and a replica of an actual ship that visitors can board. After our time at the Museum, enjoy lunch and shopping on your own in San Diego’s Seaport Village. Ticket prices are $30 per person and include round trip transportation from Walnut, leaving at 8 a.m. and returning to Walnut at approximately at 5:30 p.m.
All busses depart from the Park N Ride Lot, located at 20983 La Puente Road in Walnut, (cross street Gartel Drive.) For more information or to register, please call the Walnut Community Services Department at (909) 598-5605.