Editorial from May 18, 2007

Taxation without representation

By Danielle Seckler

   On Tuesday, May 15th, the San Bernardino County Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Hansberger announced that Jennifer Mc Cullar was appointed to the Advisory Park Commission as the representative for the Sugarloaf. She replaces Jerri Boone, who abruptly left after quitting her job with the Chamber and the park commission. Mc Cullar’s term would be until January 31, 2010.

   The only problem with the appointment is that Mc Cullar does not live in Sugarloaf; she lives in the Maple Ridge development in Big Bear City. Denise Proffer, president of Sugarloaf Property Owners Association, handed in her application to Hansberger’s office twice. This has residents of Sugarloaf, feeling as if Supervisor Hansberger slapped them in the face and it leaves others scratching their head as to why Big Bear City has two representatives; Cassy Benson and Mc Cullar. Jeff Rigney spoke to Proffer and he stated that the representative appointed is located within the Sugarloaf ‘area’. Now add into the mix, that Boone worked for the Chamber and Mc Cullar previously worked for the Chamber and is now employed with the DWP; both agencies supported by the City of Big Bear Lake.

   The DWP board has only appointed positions and only people living within the city limits can be appointed. The customers of the DWP extend outside of the city limits, with one third of their 15,530 customers living in Sugarloaf, Erwin Lake, Lake Williams, Fawnskin, and parts of Big Bear City. Marge Mc Donald of the CSD board been asking the City of Big Bear Lake for fair representation and recently approached the City Council with her request.

   The park commission is only an advisory commission and the park district is run by the San Bernardino County employees. Even if the advisory commission were to vote 7/0 on any issue, the county can come back and say “thank for the advice, but we will do it our way.” This is exactly what happened to the advisory committee CSA 53B, when the county wanted to increase their sewer fees on the North Shore area; in a vote of 5/0 not to increase the fees, the county decided they would anyway.

   Everyone who joins in, including Mc Cullar, has done so because they want to do something for the valley and the residents. Mc Cullar, a mother who goes with her children to the Sugarloaf and Erwin Lake parks, is “very enthusiastic to be able to participate with the park commission.” This is how they all start out. Then along comes the division of the inequities of North, South, East and West, the stronger personalities who force the others to do what they want, and the absolute perception of the residents that their voices are never heard. Within the last 18 months, the turnover at the park commission has been 5 board members, some of which lasting less than a year. Looking from the outside in, the park commission seems to be broken. Otherwise, why are the rats jumping ship?

   Both the park commission and the DWP make decisions that affect the people of this valley. It seems only fair that those people that will be affected have a voice in how their boards will make those decisions. Taxation without representation was a cry long ago and nobody thought that King George could be beaten. It seems that history will have to repeat itself.

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