Editorial from January 5, 2007

“These are the good old days”

By Danielle Seckler

   At a time, where most people are looking at what has been done for the last year and what needs to be done for the next year; it seems only appropriate that we do some reflection and projection, politically that is.

   In Big Bear Lake last year the voters faced Measure G, private home rentals (PHR), and City Council elections. Measure G was strongly supported by the old City Council as a way to get more road repairs done. It needed two thirds of the number of voters, who actually voted, to pass. The final tally was 60-percent of the people wanted Measure G, leaving 40-percent against it. As we have been reminded by some of the city council members, the measure won the majority, but lost by the numbers.

   The PHR problems were hotly discussed, with a petition having been signed with almost 500 Big Bear Lake voters signing on the dotted line. San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters will certify the valid number by Jan. 25th. Then it will be up to the City Council to decide if they will except the PHR ordinance as it is or let it go to the vote of the people, either in the November election or a special election before that date. Assuming that if the election was held and the new ordinance was passed, we believe that it will end up in the courts to do the final decision. That could take years, as I vaguely remember a car insurance proposition that would reduce out rates. What ever happen to that one?

   For years people have whispered that the City Council was always a lock for the pro-business people and no one could be elected who wasn’t part of the ‘good old boy’ club. I can only guess that in politics the ‘good old boy’ club has been feminized with Liz Harris having been elected twice during my tenure. Having said what people whisper in our ears, it looks like Michael Karp, considered an outsider, made it into the club.

   Then there was the BBARWA water recharge investigation. Many rose up, making a loud group, which caused the project to be shelved before the cost of the project was mailed down. While at the same time the USGS is doing a study on where and how much water the valley has. That report will be coming in the next couple of months, however it is only a partial report and more studies will be needed before the answers to those two questions can be made with confidence. That will take a few more years.

   Then there is the building of a community pool with the County’s Recreation and Parks district. With the meetings having been held, where the public was allow to attend but not speak, and a final cost of the reduced proposed plan in the last minute having not entirely been defined; people are wondering more and more. What is more important? Is having a pool, constructed to attract people from down the hill, really needed when compared to all the larger issues that face the community? To date, the reduced plan will cost more than $45 per piece of property and a ballot is now scheduled for April 1st, April Fool’s Day, to be mailed to decide if the property owners want to pay for it.

   Water or the lack of it, seems to be another major question on everyone’s mind. Do we have enough for the people living here now and what will the future bring in growth. How many of the baby boomers will move into the homes already built? How many more homes will be built? If the electrical company isn’t allowed to build new lines coming up from down the hill to service the community, where will the electricity come from? Will the roads, fire departments, hospital, etc. be able to handle the influx?

   This brings us to the inevitable question of taxes. The roads and drainage are a mess throughout the Valley. The hospital struggles to stay afloat. The Sheriff’s department can’t keep up. The infrastructure is a mess. This leads to the biggest question of it all. Who will pay for it?

   Many of these questions of fire dangers, lack of water, inferior infrastructure, and growth are leading many of the residents to say, the hell with it, let’s just sell and get the hell out of here. This upcoming scenario of what this Valley might look like, is not what a lot of people bargained for.

   No one can say that this Valley or any where else looks the same as it did 50 years ago. With the influx of the Northeastern state’s population looking for a warmer climate and add into the mix the growth of immigration to through our open borders, California has long been a destination of many. The population will explode exponentially. This has been happening since the potato famine in Ireland and will continue to happen forever this world exists.

   We don’t know what the future will bring. Some will like the changes, others will not. We do know that if the public doesn’t get involved, they won’t be part of the answer. These people will be sitting on their sofa one day, lamenting over the ‘good old days’ and how could all these changes happen without them knowing about it. This all just reminds us of the song, “These are the good old days”. I guess we should enjoy them. Welcome to 2007.

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