Hansberger vs. Derry

Left to Right: Neil Derry, Lori Gardner (NSIA president), and Supervisor Dennis Hansberger

By Danielle Seckler

   Last Monday, the North Shore Improvement Association held a candidate debate between San Bernardino County Supervisor Dennis Hansberger and his opponent, Neil Derry. The election will be held in June.

   Supervisor Hansberger has been in office for 14 years and is known in Big Bear Lake and the North Shore. Last year he sold his home in Moonridge and bought a home in Fawnskin. For the last few years he has been asked to come to the CSD, however he not come.

   Neil Derry is fairly new to the political scene is currently on the San Bernardino City Council and works for Southern California Edison.

   There were three questions given to both candidates before the meeting. Here were their responses.

Question 1 - Proposed construction in the North Shore area in spite of a lack of sufficient water to provide for the present needs of the existing community. What is your opinion of the water issues regarding extensive new construction?

   Derry stated that though he was basically pro-development for economic stimulation, he was against having track housing projects in the mountains and that the infrastructure would need to be considered in the growth process. Further, Derry said that he was not against people building on their land. Hansberger stated that conservation was needed, so as not to put a strain on water. Further mentioning that he had moved to Fawnskin, both he and his wife were pleasantly surprised that it was so quiet.

Question 2 - The North Shore is unique in the amount of land and habitat found there. It has significant amount of pebble plain habitat found only in Big Bear Valley.  The present rate of building and of consumption of our natural resources will soon destroy the current character of Fawnskin and the North Shore area. What, in your opinion, can be done to save this unique area for present residents and future generations?

   Derry stated that the environment needed to be protected and as he stated in the previous question, he was not for track housing in the mountains. Further he stated that he was for a sustainable growth in the valley, while keeping an eye on the growth of the needed infrastructure. Hansberger stated that he’d like to have the North Shore stay open and was unaware of the proposed track housing project called Moon Camp. Further he said that he wished the flatlanders would not come to build their homes without understanding the mountains.

Question 3 - The escalating cost of operating the sewer district CSA 53B, at the present time is $96.30 bi-monthly, and subject to increases in the future. This is significantly higher than other sewer costs in the Big Bear Valley. What action can be taken to bring this cost in line with other Big Bear Valley communities?

   Hansberger stated that the costs were so high, because there were so few people to pay and that if there were more people in the county system, then the costs would be less for each property owner. “I’m cheap”, he said, unlike his predecessor. Derry stated that as City Council member for San Bernardino City, they had a consultant company come in and do a ‘performance audit’ to see if they were providing the most services for the least costs. He believes that all special districts in the county should have the same performance audit done.

   In the summation for each candidate, Hansberger praised the forest management and how they have handled the daunting task of removing fire fuels from the forest. Derry stated that Southern California Edison (SCE), his employer, had done a much better job of thinning the forest in Big Creek and he will bring this experience to the Supervisor’s office.

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