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THE FACTS AND NOTHING BUT THE FACTS
ALA BOARD-STATEMENTS AND FACT SHEET REGARDING SHORT TERM RENTERS SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT - COMPLYING WITH THE PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

• Lake Arrowhead is a private lake. There is no litigation contesting the privacy of Lake Arrowhead.  All Directors have pledged to maintain that Privacy. Not a single Director desires Lake Arrowhead to become a public lake.

• We fully recognize that 2318 members voted in 2020 to adopt a bylaw prohibiting Short Term Rental clients from accessing ALA property.

  • However, at the time of the voting, members were not made aware of such an outcome potentially being a breach of the 1964 Agreement and therefore subject to a lawsuit for such an alleged breach.

  • As far as any of us can remember, 2021 was the ONLY summer season in the history of Lake Arrowhead in which STR client access was prohibited.

• The 2022 preliminary injunction issued by the Judge presiding over the lawsuit in San Bernardino County ORDERED ALA to not enforce the 2020 bylaw amendments, to the extent they are inconsistent with the 1964 Agreement, that prohibited STR renters from accessing ALA property, but allowed ALA to, for the first time ever, establish and enforce rules to mitigate the impact of STR client access, including:

  • STR clients must be registered by name on the STR owner’s account

  • STR clients must purchase wristbands from ALA and sign paperwork

  • STR clients may not use any watercraft including motorboats, sailboats and human-powered vessels such as kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs)

  • Hence, access is not unfettered but is regulated, controlled, and enforced  

• ALA has appealed the 2022 preliminary injunction, but unless and until such an appeal is successful, it is in the best interest of the ALA to comply with the terms of that injunction.

  • In 2023, the full board was advised by legal counsel that under the terms of the preliminary injunction the ALA should not prohibit dock owners from allowing access to the owner’s dock to any properly registered guest.

    • As a dock owner, who rents slips to members, the ALA has decided to update its rental agreements to prohibit access by short term rental clients. The ALA DOES NOT ALLOW dock owner to decide whether or not to allow such access to their private property.

    • At last count there were 129 docks owned by members whose homes are registered with the county of San Bernardino as Short Term Rentals. Each of these 129 members can and should decide for themselves whether or not to allow their guests or clients to access their dock, and ONLY their dock.

The ALA membership has been inundated with repetitive misinformation by a few members, likely resulting in over 900 ALA members opting out of the member emails. Many ALA members believe these comments are libelous and slanderous.  The ALA will protect its interests.

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• We fully support the rights of members to express their opinions to other members as provided under the California Corporations Code on issues reasonably related to their interest as members.

  •  We do not condone the use of member-to-membership communications for personal attacks, the spreading of misinformation, baseless speculation, misleading dialog, and unwarranted creation of fear.

  • We encourage members who choose to communicate with the membership to comment or reference bylaws, rules, regulations, policies, and legal documents, all of which are posted on the ALA website.

  • We support having more than one option available for member-to-membership communications. Prior to 2020, the ONLY option available was for a US Postal Service mailing at the member’s sole expense. Current options include low- and no-cost methods.

Questions raised about possible LACSD-AWAC merger

By Mary-Justine Lanyon

The Alpine Mountaineer

The passage of Senate Bill 1405 opened the door to the possibility of the Lake Arrowhead Community Services District (LACSD) assuming the duties currently held by the Arrowhead Woods Architectural Committee (AWAC).

In the first of what will be a series of public forums on the possible merger, Rich Scott, the AWAC president, and Crystal Upton, who became the AWAC executive director following the retirement of Stacey Lippert, fielded questions from a standing-room-only crowd.

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In addition to those attending in person at the LACSD board room, there were 100 people logged on to the meeting via Zoom. More had wanted to log on but the virtual meeting was at capacity.

The series of meetings – a date has not yet been set for the next meeting – will lead up to a vote on the part of all Arrowhead Woods property owners on whether to approve the merger.

That vote, Scott said, is not and has never been scheduled for June, as erroneously reported in another newspaper. Scott speculated the vote could take place in November, although later in the meeting Upton said she didn’t see how they could hold a vote in 2023.

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The majority of the meeting was devoted to comments by members of the public.

“Anyone who thinks this merge is a good thing is sadly mistaken,” said George Hatt, the first speaker. “AWAC is a bad organization and LACSD will become one.” He went on to detail a court case he was involved in over a tree he had been noticed to cut down by Cal Fire. “This is not a homeowners association; it is a moneymaking racket,” Hatt said.

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“I thought I was going to hear how LACSD was going to assume your responsibilities,” said Ted Heyck. “Where are the LACSD representatives? Are they not going to be here?” Later in the meeting, LACSD General Manager Catherine Cerri, who was present, said it was an AWAC meeting, not an LACSD meeting.

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She also clarified that LACSD would not be able to use any water or wastewater funds to enforce the CCRs (covenants, conditions and restrictions). In an article in the July 22, 2022, issue of The Alpine Mountaineer, Cerri was quoted as saying that LACSD would review permit applications for such things as tree removal or additions to homes. Those fees, she said, would pay for the inspectors who would enforce the CCRs.

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“We expect that the permit fees will fund the additional personnel LACSD would need to enforce the CCRs similar to the way it works now,” Cerri said last year. “No funding for AWAC may come from water or wastewater fees.”

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Heyck also told the crowd that, since 2021 and for 592 days, the California Department of Justice has had copies of written notices sent to AWAC “informing them they are delinquent in filing required annual reports and filing fees. They are not in good standing. As of May 1, 2023, the DOJ still lists AWAC as being delinquent. How does LACSD plan to do business with your organization that has been notified they are prohibited from doing business in California?

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“AWAC hasn’t filed tax documents for three years,” Heyck added. “Supposedly AWAC is broke. I don’t know how you can come in here with a straight face and tell us you are transparent.”

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That was something Upton, who has been on the AWAC board for 10 years, had said. “My intention is to be transparent. The organization is yours.”

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When Jim Hannon asked Scott and Upton if AWAC would provide their financial statements at the next meeting, Upton said they would. “Taxes were filed,” she said. “I have the tax returns.”

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Heyck also noted that, prior to the existence of AWAC, there were “hundreds of architectural committees. Each tract elected its own policeman who understood the circumstances of each tract. It might be fair to cut down a tree in one but not another. Every tract has the right to secede from AWAC.”  Upton agreed, saying, “We can be gotten rid of.”

“Then why don’t you tell people they don’t have to have you?” Heyck asked. “They can elect their own architectural committee with a majority vote.”

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When Roberta Rindenow asked for a show of hands of how many people in the room were opposed to the merger, nearly every hand went up.

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“I’m struggling with the scope of AWAC and the implied scope of LACSD,” said Seline Karakaya. “They are two very different things. You should be an extension of the homeowner, an advocate. There’s a lot in the CCRs that is offensive and unlawful.”

“I was here to discuss the merger,” said Marilyn Dishell. “Obviously LACSD is in favor of it or they wouldn’t consider it. I don’t know why they’re in favor of it.”

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“We never pursued this,” Cerri responded. “AWAC came to LACSD and said they needed more resources and wanted to do a better job. We’re able to provide services beyond water to unincorporated areas.

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“When we’re asked to serve our community, we’re willing to help if the community wants it. We’re happy running our water and sewer services,” Cerri said.

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Toward the end of the three-hour meeting, Bob Mattison, the general manager of the Arrowhead Lake Association, said that “it strikes me there needs to be more structure to our decision making. The cart is way ahead of the horse. It’s premature to say LACSD should assume AWAC.” He added there should be a representative from each of the 50 tracts involved to bring a decision to the table. Mattison agreed with others at the meeting that there should be strong CCRs.

“Each tract could decide what their CCRs should be. Do they want to be part of AWAC or do they want to govern themselves? It’s illogical to me that a water company would be in charge of CCRs.”

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As the meeting wrapped up, Upton said that, if she hadn’t taken over as executive director, there would be no AWAC.

Someone called out a question to Upton: “Given what you know right now, would you vote for the merger?”

Her answer: “No.”

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FREE MOUNTAIN TRANSIT BUS SERVICE FOR RIM AREA RIDERS NOW UNDERWAY

CRESTLINE, CA / May 26, 2023 — Free Mountain Transit bus service for riders in the Rim area is now being offered thanks to Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe’s Discretionary Fund - District Specific Priorities Program and funding from Mountain Transit’s Board of Directors, and will be offered for the next two years. “This funding provided by my district priorities budget, will ensure that residents and visitors alike have access to free convenient transportation in our mountain communities,” Rowe said. “The two-year contract with (Mountain Transit) helps our local businesses, while also reducing traffic congestion.” “We are excited to provide free public transportation,” Sandy Benson, Mountain Transit’s general manager, said. “The Rim is still recovering from a very tough winter. Mountain Transit appreciates Supervisor Rowe’s commitment to the mountain communities and her support of free public transit. We hope this free service will support our community, help reduce traffic on busy weekends and contribute to maintaining our clean mountain air.”

Mountain Transit Route 2, including Valley of Enchantment, Crestline, Twin Peaks, and Lake Arrowhead (Monday through Sunday), and Route 4, including Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs (Tuesday through Saturday), and both the Crestline and Lake Arrowhead Summer Trolleys will all be free to ride. Mountain Transit’s route 5, commuter service to San Bernardino, will retain its current fare structure.

Approval for the two-year fare replacement funding came Tuesday, May 23, at the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting. The purpose of the supervisors’ discretionary fund in Rowe’s third district area is to support (Mountain Transit) in providing free public transit to meet the social service, welfare and economic needs of the residents of Rim of the World and surrounding communities. The funding amount approved at Tuesday’s board meeting for the two-year free ridership service in the Rim area is not to exceed $282,704.

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BEGINNING 5/26/2023 RIM ROUTES 2, 4, AND DIAL-A-RIDE FARES ARE FREE!

A Press Release and graphic alert is attached for you to share and post.

Check mountaintransit.org and Facebook for updates to service. Use the Double Map app to see your bus approaching the bus stops in real time.

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Supervisors create mountain Business Grant Program

San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe announced today that the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a program to help mountain businesses impacted by this season’s crippling snowstorms get back on their feet. 

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Under the Mountain Small Business Grants Snow Response Program, mountain businesses and non-profits with 50 or fewer employees are eligible for a one-time $3,000 grant, and businesses with more than 50 but fewer than 500 employees can receive $15,000 to assist with recovery from the recent snowstorms.

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To qualify, businesses must have been in operation prior to February 27 and have a brick-and-mortar location in the affected San Bernardino Mountains that is used by employees and customers. Funds are intended to help businesses defray overhead costs such as rent and utilities.

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Supervisor Rowe said, “The recent snowstorm had devastating impacts for many businesses in the mountains. These grants will help them to recover financially as they work to reopen to serve the community. I will continue working hard to obtain additional resources for our mountain businesses and residents.”

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Many mountain businesses, like Steven Ayala, owner and coach at Apex Boxing and Fitness in Twin Peaks, were cut off from their customers or unable to work in their stores, shops and offices for weeks because they were blocked by snow or isolated by unsafe roads. The grants approved by the Board today will help many of those businesses stay in business, keep mountain residents employed, and contribute to the area’s economic recovery.

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The application process is expected to go live in the next couple of weeks online at https://snowinfo.sbcounty.gov/. In order to stay updated, residents are encouraged to sign up for Supervisor Rowe’s official newsletter at bosd3.sbcounty.gov and follow her and the County's social media channels.

Take precautions!

The County urges residents, especially those in the mountains and areas susceptible to flooding, to take the following precautions:

• Limit travel as much as possible. When you do have to travel, do so with caution.

  • Stay abreast of road conditions on state highways, https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/, and County roads, https://dpw.sbcounty.gov/operations/road-closures/.

• Maintain at least a two-week supply of food, water, medications, essential equipment, and fuel.

• Stay clear of moving water.

• Monitor weather reports for emergency advisories. Visit the National Weather Service, San Diego, https://www.weather.gov/sgx/ for the latest weather information impacting San Bernardino County

• The TENS system is preloaded with all landline telephone numbers in the county. However, it is updated only every six months and does not include mobile numbers. To ensure you receive TENS alerts, sign up here: http://www.sbcounty.gov/sbcfire/Tens/TensContact.aspx.

• Do what you can to prevent snow from accumulating on roofs and adjacent to your home.

• Beware of snow and ice sliding down from rooftops.

• Protect your property with sandbags if you believe you might be vulnerable to flooding.

  • Check the County Fire sandbag website, https://sbcfire.org/sandbags/, for tips as well as locations where sandbags and sand may be available.

• Use tarps to protect damaged structures.

• Check for updates and helpful information on the County’s Snow Information website, https://snowinfo.sbcounty.gov/; on the County’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SanBernardinoCounty/; and on Twitter and Instagram, @sbcounty.

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If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

For storm information and assistance, call the County’s information line at 909-387-3911. The line is staffed seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Voicemails left after hours will be returned the following morning.

A MESSAGE FROM THE RIM OF THE WORLD RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT

Thank you so much for your patience with the Park District during this storm and sorting out the aftermath. Certain areas of our District Office in Rimforest have sustained damage and have been deemed unsafe and therefore we haven’t been able to quickly respond nor come together for planning purposes.

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There is an overwhelming amount of need for the LGECC and due to the current situation, the Park District must look at each consideration with careful discretion:

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Indoor Pickleball at LGECC is currently closed until further notice. If you paid for the month of March 2023 you won’t have to pay for April 2023. We hope to be back and running on Tuesday, April 4th, but it may be at a different location. More information to follow.

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The Sunrise Children’s Club Preschool is closed. We are preparing a temporary Children’s Day Camp for our current enrolled children and hope to open on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, while we wait for a waiver from the Community Care Licensing for a temporary licensed childcare facility. The temporary Children’s Day Camp will be located at the Lake Gregory Education and Community Center in Meeting Room 1 - The Dance & Fitness Studio. LGECC is located at 24740 San Moritz Way, Crestline, CA 92325. If you have any questions, please notify your child’s preschool teacher via Brightwheel.

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For recreational programs, please contact your instructor when class resumes. 

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We will post additional updates as they come on our website, www.rim-rec.org and our Facebook Page.   

Thank you,  

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The Rim of the World Recreation and Park District 

Governor Newsom Proclaims State of Emergency in 13 Counties Due to Winter Storms, Activates California Guard

Mar 01, 2023

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SACRAMENTO – Working to support Californians impacted by severe winter storms, Governor Gavin Newsom today proclaimed a state of emergency to support disaster response and relief in the counties of Amador, Kern, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Sierra, Sonoma and Tulare. The text of today’s emergency proclamation can be found here.

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The Governor has also activated the State Operations Center to bring state support to county-led emergency response efforts and coordinate mutual aid from neighboring jurisdictions, especially in San Bernardino County. Significant numbers of state personnel are on the ground supporting San Bernardino County, including from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol, working closely with the county-led Incident Command to rapidly deploy resources and address emergency management needs.

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Cal OES is working with Caltrans and San Bernardino County officials to bring in additional snow plows as well as road crews, and personnel from CAL FIRE and the California National Guard are readied to support operations. The state is also contracting with private companies to accelerate snow removal and clear roadways, and is coordinating with investor-owned utilities to rapidly restore power.

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Cal OES is coordinating with local officials to open two shelters for residents in San Bernardino County and is coordinating with law enforcement to escort power companies, food and water deliveries and service providers for vulnerable populations.

  
Monday February 27, 2023, 1:52 PM
SBSD - Headquarters
Advisory: Information on Current Efforts Regarding Snowstorms in San Bernardino Mountains

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DATE/TIME: February 27, 2023/11:30 a.m.

INCIDENT: Snowstorm in San Bernardino Mountains

LOCATION: Running Springs, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline Areas 

SUMMARY: The San Bernardino Mountains received several feet of snow over the last few days, impacting the day-to-day operations throughout the mountain communities. Cal-Trans and the San Bernardino County Roads Department have been working day and night to create single-lane pathways along the major roadways, enabling first responders to have access to those in need. However, due to the volume of snow remaining on the roadways additional work is needed before they will be safe for regular traffic. The San Bernardino County Fire Department is utilizing tracked vehicles to  access patients in medical need. Some areas have experienced power outages and Southern California Edison is working tirelessly to restore power for these customers. Weather reports indicate the possibility of several more feet of additional snow over the next few days.

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At this time, we are asking non-residents and residents not currently on the mountain to avoid the area and allow road crews, first responders, and resupply efforts priority access to the limited number of roads that have been cleared. Gas stations and grocery stores have reached critically low levels and cannot support any additional consumers at this time. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is working with local agencies to create a warming center for those on the mountain in need of additional resources. We will continue to monitor road and infrastructure conditions in conjunction with Cal-Trans, County Roads, and California Highway Patrol. 

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Additionally, the Sheriff’s Department and other first responders have had to divert resources from our current efforts to assist with several search and rescue calls for individuals engaged in non-essential travel activities across our mountain region. We ask that people respect the travel restrictions and road closures as we work with our partners to open access.  

For information on San Bernardino Mountain area road conditions/closures refer to Caltrans District 8, www.caltrans8.info / @Caltrans8

Station: Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station

Phone No. (909) 336-0600

SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department

        
For full details, view this message on the web.

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FROM COUNTY SUPERVISOR DAWN ROWE FEB. 27, 2023

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County Declares Emergency in Wake of Massive Snowstorms
San Bernardino County today declared the existence of a local emergency after residents of mountain communities found themselves trapped at home or unable to reach home due to several feet of snow that fell over the weekend, with more to follow during the next several days.

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The declaration seeks state and federal assistance to clear snow from mountain highways and neighborhood streets and support any other necessary work and services.

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“Today’s emergency declaration is an important step which will elevate the state’s response to this extreme weather event,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Dawn Rowe, whose Third District includes the impacted mountain communities. “Our team of state and local partners will continue working round-the-clock on a coordinated and comprehensive strategy to bring relief and resources to our residents, while also prioritizing the safety of all.”

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County Public Works and Caltrans crews have been working tirelessly around the clock to create access along key routes for first responders, and progress is being made in some residential areas. However, there is no estimate for when mountain highways will open to public traffic or when residential areas will be safe for local travel.

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The County and the American Red Cross have established an emergency shelter and resource center for mountain residents who cannot get home at Redlands East Valley High School, 31000 E. Colton Ave. in Redlands. Resources will be available until 8 p.m. tonight and daily starting tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. A call center will operate at 909-387-3911 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. to provide information.

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The San Bernardino County Fire Department is utilizing specialized snow vehicles to access patients in medical need. Some areas have experienced power outages and Southern California Edison is working to restore power for these customers.

All agencies are asking mountain residents and non-residents not currently on the mountain to avoid the area and allow road crews, first responders, and supply vehicles priority access to the limited number of roads that have been cleared.

The Sheriff’s Department and other first responders have had to divert resources to assist with several search and rescue calls for individuals engaged in non-essential travel across the mountain region. This is why agencies urge the public to be patient and respect the travel restrictions and road closures.

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County Public Works has been in coordination with multiple agencies including CalFire, County Fire, the County Office of Emergency Services, Caltrans, and Southern California Edison. Crews have been working diligently around the clock to plow County-maintained roads as quickly as possible.

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The priority is on primary roads creating arterial access from the state highways. Crews have been successful in plowing most primary roads across the mountain. Loaders are the primary snow removal heavy equipment in many areas due to the depth of the snow. Road graders and trucks cannot effectively remove snow in deep snow in excess of 3 feet.

Secondary roads will be completed once primary roads are passable. When storms stop, the County will begin to work on the widening and clearing of roads.

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Answers to many storm related frequently asked questions are available on the County’s FAQ’s webpage, https://dpw.sbcounty.gov/operations/snow-removal/FAQ/. 

GUIDELINES 

Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council (MRFSC) has a new email address, info@firesafenow.org.  Please add this to your contact list to avoid messages being sent to spam.

In an effort to respond to the severe amount of fuels downed in the recent winter storms, MRFSC's board authorized opening the curbside chipping program early this year.

The hauling fees have been eliminated this year.  You have the option to have the chips blown back on your property (for erosion control), left in a pile to spread wherever you like on your property, or hauled away.

Registration will open on Saturday, April 15th. No requests will be accepted prior to that date.

Registration for this first cycle will close Sunday April 30th. Actual chipping should commence the first week of May.  Go to www.FreeChipping.org to register your request for curbside service. Or you can call 866-923-3473.

MRFSC will offer free curbside chipping monthly through August.

Free Curbside Chipping is available thanks to funding from CAL FIRE's California Climate Investment Grant Program.

Laura Dyberg
President
Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council 

Amateur Radio Field Day 2022

Tracy Lenocker, WM6T

This Saturday, June 25th, the Mountain Top Amateur Radio Association (MTARA) will hold their Amateur Radio Field Day at the Masonic Lodge in Twin Peaks on Saturday, June 25th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. The public is invited to this free event. 

There will be three radio stations set up. There will also be eleven special educational presentations and demonstrations put on by club members. These presentations will showcase emergency radio equipment, trying your hand at Morse Code, learning to solder, how to throw a wire antenna over a tree branch, solar power, radio operations at a mountain summit or a park. 

Learn more about how these club members provide emergency communications during extreme weather conditions, reporting fires, accidents and provide safety communications for special events like the ALA 4th of July fireworks, Tour de Big Bear, Gran Fondo and many other events.    

Lake Arrowhead Lighted Boat Parade

On Saturday, September 2, 2023, Lake Arrowhead will hold its annual Labor Day Weekend Lighted Boat Parade. With an anticipated 50 - 60 boats participating, the event will begin at 8:00 PM in the ALA Marina. The stream of lighted boats and their ALA  Lake Safety Patrol boat escort will be circling the lake for all to see. In past years, countless undecorated boats also joined in following the parade of lighted boats as they made their way around the lake in the 5 mile per hours zone. All along the shoreline, the lighted parade will be greeted by cheering crowds on docks, at their lake front homes and at the Village. The annual boat parade Labor Day Weekend Lighted Boat Parade is always enjoyed by hundreds of onlookers on and around the lake. With so many full time and part time residents staying at their mountain homes for the holiday, this looks to be another great event. Every year, this event grows bigger and better.

The event is FREE to participate and there is NO SIGNUP required. Power inverters are recommended for boat lights.

August 17, 2022 

District:  Headquarters 

Contact: Will Arnold 

Contact: Tamie McGowen 

Phone:    (916) 956-0633 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Caltrans QuickMap Push Notifications Now Available

New App Feature Alerts Drivers to Nearby Road Closures and Emergencies

SACRAMENTO — Caltrans has launched a new push notification feature on its QuickMap app that allows drivers to automatically receive real-time notifications about nearby road closures, emergencies and other traffic updates.  

“With this new QuickMap upgrade, Californians now can receive instant traffic notifications based on their location,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “Drivers can use this information to adjust their plans when needed, compare route options, save time and travel safely to their destinations.”

Caltrans’ QuickMap is a mobile app and website available to the public at no cost for travel planning. QuickMap provides immediate traffic information, including traffic speed, lane and road closures due to construction and maintenance activities, emergency incidents, electronic highway message sign content, rest area locations, camera snapshots, and active chain control requirements.

The new QuickMap push notification feature allows travelers to opt-in to receive location-based alerts on their mobile devices. When a device with the QuickMap app enters an area within 10 miles of a road closure or other traffic-related event, a pop-up message will appear alerting travelers of the incident, including time, location and reason for closure.

Caltrans reminds drivers to use their mobile device responsibly, including only in hands-free mode when operating a vehicle. Using your cell phone while driving is not only dangerous, but also illegal. In California, drivers 18 and older can only use their phones in a hands-free manner, such as speaker phone or voice commands, but never while holding it.

For more information, and to use the new feature, download the QuickMap app onto your phone or visit QuickMap.dot.ca.gov.

January 1, 2023

News Release: 
•    Program Sunday January 8, 2023 @ 12:30 pm
•    Training  January – various times online
•    Homeless Count – Point In Time Count Thursday Jan. 26, 2023 @ 6 am

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Contact: Sue Walker (909) 337-1279  suew@mtnhomeless.com 

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RELEASE:
The Mountain Homeless Coalition invites you to an engaging program on Sunday January  8, 2023 at 12:30 pm at Lake Arrowhead Community Presbyterian Church at 351 State Hwy 173 in Lake Arrowhead. Don Smith, Executive Director of Creating Community Solutions will present the causes of homelessness and the solutions our County is using to end homelessness. Don works closely with the Mountain Homeless Coalition and can speak to the issues of the mountain homeless.
You will be able on Jan. 8th to sign up as a volunteer for the Point In Time Count of the homeless to be held on Jan. 26th. Or you can use the volunteer sign up link by Jan. 18:
https://sbchp.sbcounty.gov/community-projects/point-in-time-count/

There will be trainings for the PITC Volunteers online at various days and times. The registrant’s training will be one hour. 

The Point in Time Count will start at St. Richard’s Church at 6 am on the 26th of January.  The volunteers will be out in the field from 7 am – 10 or11am. For further information call Sue Walker (909)337-1279.
Thank you!

Sue Walker, President MHC
suew@mtnhomeless.com; (909) 337-1279 
   

https://www.facebook.com/MountainHomelessCoalition/ mountainhomelesscoalition.com     

ARROWHEAD LAKE ASSOCIATION (ALA) PROPERTY RIGHTS LAWSUIT

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CLICK HERE TO SEE COURT DOCUMENTS FROM THE ALA WEBSITE

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UPDATES: 

On March 10, 2022, the Arrowhead Lake Association through its law firm Best, Best & Krieger LLP filed a Notice-Register of Actions to the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino Appeals Division.

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On January 19, 2022, the ruling was made final with the plaintiffs being ordered to post a $100,000 bond. The next hearing on the matter is set for May 4, 2023, for a Trial Readiness Conference followed by a Jury Trial beginning on May 8, 2023 at

10:00 AM in Department S24.

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On January 19, 2022, Judge Gilbert G. Ochoa issued a Tentative Ruling on two motions. The first motion/Demurrer was filed by defendant Brian Hall, former ALA Board Member. The court ruled against Hall's Demurrer and it was taken off calendar. The second ruling by Judge Ochoa was as follows:

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(1) GRANT in part and DENY in part Plaintiffs Vertical, McKinley, Karakaya, and Lee’s Preliminary Injunction and

ENJOIN Defendants ALA, Clifford, Mattison, Kaitz, Hall, Heissler, O’Keefe, and Wilson from (a) precluding short-term lessees within Arrowhead Woods’ property from accessing the Lake and surrounding shoreline area and (b) precluding Arrowhead
Woods’ property owners, whether ALA members or not, and their lessees and guests from accessing the Lake and surrounding shoreline area;
(2) ORDER Plaintiffs Vertical, McKinley, Karakaya, and Lee to post a reasonable bond within 10 days of the Order;
(3) GRANT Plaintiffs’ request for judicial notice filed on November 8, 2021, but DENY Plaintiffs’ request for judicial notice filed on December 1, 2021;
(4) DENY Defendants Clifford, Mattison, Kaitz, Hall, Heissler, O’Keefe, and Wilson’s request for judicial notice;
(5) GRANT Defendant ALA’s request for judicial notice of the pleadings and Exhibits 4 and 6, but DENY Defendant ALA’s request for judicial notice of Exhibits 2-3, 5, and 7;
(6) Movant to give Notice and provide Order. 

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CLICK HERE TO SEE THE COURT'S TENTATIVE RULING OF 1/19/22

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On November 9, 2021, the Superior Court of San Bernardino ruled on the defendants motion to Compel Arbitration in this case. Both the plaintiffs and defendants submitted their arguments to the court regarding their positions. In the public notice filed by Judge Gilbert G. Ochoa, the following decision was rendered:

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"The Association's Bylaws, at Article II (Members), Section F (Enforcement of Bylaws and Rules), paragraph 9, states, "Any disputes between ALA or ALA Members regarding any pier site, dock, or fixture on the reserve strip or reserve strip additions or any property owned by ALA or pertaining to any membership in ALA shall be resolved by binding arbitration." [Hereinafter "Arbitration Clause"] (Defendant's Exh. 5.)

Under the Arbitration Clause, arbitration is mandated for disputes between the Association and its members concerning (a) pier site, dock, or fixtures on the reserve strip or reserve strip additions, (b) property owned by the Association, and (b) the membership in the Association. None of the limiting scopes is at issue in any of the causes of action pled in the
FAC. The causes of action concern the Association and Individual Defendants' actions in violation of a 1964 Agreement and engagement in discriminatory, harassing, or retaliatory behavior. Plaintiffs Vertical, McKinley, or Karakaya are not asserting any claim associated with the rights as members of the Association. They are not asserting any rights associated with a pier site, dock, or fixture. They are not asserting claims concerning the Association's property. Again, they are asserting rights under a different contractual agreement providing certain rights to Plaintiffs and other Arrowhead Wood residents. Thus, Defendant Association fails to establish the Arbitration Clause in the Bylaws covers the claims pled in the FAC. Therefore, the Court denies Defendant Association's Motion to Compel Arbitration. Movant to provide Notice and Order."

The ALA has 30 days from this decision to respond. 

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On November 8, 2021, the Plaintiffs filed a lengthy Motion for Preliminary Injunction against Defendants Arrowhead Lake Association, its General Manager and 5 of its Board Members. Details of the motion can be found at the County Superior Court website under case #CIVSB2120604 - VERTICAL WEB VENTURES, INC., ETAL -v- ARROWHEAD LAKE ASSOCIATION, ETAL. The hearing on this motion originally scheduled for December 8, 2021, has been continued until January 19, 2022 at 9:00 AM in Department S24.

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On December 8, 2021, the Plaintiffs filed the follow request for injunction against the ALA:

NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION 
TO ALL PARTIES AND THEIR COUNSEL OF RECORD HEREIN: 

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on December 8, 2021 at 9:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, before the Honorable Gilbert Ochoa in Department S-24 of this court, located at 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, California 92415, Plaintiffs Vertical Web Ventures, Inc., Jackie McKinley, Seline Karakaya, and Christopher Lee (“Plaintiffs”), will, and hereby do, move for the issuance of a preliminary injunction enjoining Defendant Arrowhead Lake Association (“ALA”), its employees, agents, and/or anyone acting on its behalf, from: 

1. Enforcing Article II, Section C of the ALA’s Bylaws or any other regulation prohibiting Arrowhead Woods’ guests and lessees from accessing Lake Arrowhead (the “Lake”) and its surrounding shoreline area (“Reserve Strips”) as permitted by paragraph 3 of the 1964 Written Agreement entered into between the Arrowhead Woods property owners, the Lake Arrowhead Development Co., and Arrowhead Mutual Service Co. (“‘64 Agreement”); 

2. Restricting Arrowhead Woods property owners, their guests and their lessees who are not members of the ALA from accessing the Reserve Strips and the Lake permitted by paragraph 3 of the ‘64 Agreement; 

3. Enforcing rules that violate paragraph 3 of the ‘64 Agreement by unreasonably and arbitrarily limiting the number of radio frequency identification (“RFID”) cards issued to Arrowhead Woods property owners; 

4. Enforcing rules that violate paragraph 3 of the ‘64 Agreement by unreasonably requiring Arrowhead Woods property owners to register their guests by name; 

5. Permitting ALA enforcement personnel to stop and demand that Arrowhead Woods property owners, their lessees, and their guests provide identification; 

6. Erecting any new fences or gates restricting access to the Lake and the Reserve Strips; and Plaintiffs also request an order that the ALA remove all new fences and gates and RFID access sensors installed in 2020 and 2021. 
 

On November 23, 2021, Defendants filed an eight page response in Opposition to the Plaintiffs Motion for Preliminary Injunction.

The Motion for Preliminary Injunction will be heard on January 19, 2022 at 9:00 AM in San Bernardino Superior Court Department S24 by Judge Gilbert Ochoa.

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Original story:

On July 28, 2021, notice was filed on the San Bernardino Superior Court website that a group by the name of Vertical Web Ventures, Inc., in addition to Jackie McKinley, Seline Karakaya and Christopher Lee have filed a lawsuit against the Arrowhead Lake Association (ALA) and several members of the Board of Directors. Named in the lawsuit, as defendants, are the Arrowhead Lake Association, ALA Board Members Gary Clifford, Eran Heissler, Alan Kaitz, Anthony O’Keefe, Christopher Wilson and Brian Hall (former ALA Board Member), Does 1 to 10 and General Manager Robert Mattison. Representing the Plaintiffs is the law firm of Arent Fox LLP of Los Angeles. Representing the Defendants are Greg Garrison and Michael Scafiddi for the ALA and the Law Office of D. Wayne Leech APC, for the named Board Members and General Manager. As to the former Board Member, as of 9/24/21, no legal representation has been listed on the court website.  

On September 3, 2021, Plaintiffs filed their First Amended Complaint.

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*The plaintiffs have filed an Unlimited Civil complaint for:

1. BREACH OF CONTRACT

2. INFRINGEMENT OF PROPERTY RIGHTS

3. BREACH OF COVENANT OF GOOD FAITH AND FAIR DEALING

4. INTERFERENCE WITH EASEMENT

5. DECLARATORY RELIEF

6. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

7. RACE AND NATIONAL ORIGIN DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT

8. GENDER DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT

9. RETALIATION IN VIOLATION OF PUBLIC POLICY

10. PRIVATE NUISANCE

11. PUBLIC NUISANCE

In anticipation of the lawsuit, the ALA issued the following statement to its Members: “Since learning of the threatened STR litigation, ALA has assembled a legal team and taken all other appropriate action to prepare for the lawsuit. Your ALA Board of Directors will each do everything in their power to protect our private Lake and ensure that your children, and your children’s children, will be able to enjoy the same Lake Arrowhead experience ALA members enjoy today. Your Board thanks you for your continuing support.” 

Upon further examination of the lawsuit, there appears to be much more to it than just a Short Term Rental issue. ALA recently promulgated a new rule, which appears to impact all Arrowhead Woods Property Owners, by requiring membership in the association in order to use the lake and trails. According to the Plaintiffs' filing, these property rights/lake rights are protected under the 1964 Agreement. In addition, the Plaintiffs' filing also includes allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and more. 

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At the August 28, 2021 ALA monthly Board meeting, President Gary Clifford spoke of the lawsuit and  told the members “If you haven’t looked at the lawsuit, I suggest you do.” 

To view the court filing, go to the ALA website at www.ala-ca.org and click on the link on the front page to read or download the document. The 123 page complaint filed, is scheduled in the San Bernardino Superior Court for a hearing on January 28, 2022 in Department S24 with Judge Gilbert Ochoa. Further information on this case can be found on the San Bernardino Superior Court website under Case Number: CIVSB2120604.

Lake Arrowhead News will update this story as it develops.  You can also CLICK HERE to see the Amended Lawsuit.

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*From the First Amended Filing by Plaintiffs dated September 3, 2021.
 

CLICK HERE TO SEE COURT DOCUMENTS FROM THE ALA WEBSITE

PUBLIC AWARENESS MEETING 

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans District 8) initiated a project in 2018 to conduct studies and prepare engineer plans for the repair of embankment slopes between State Route (SR) 189 and SR 18 near the intersection of SR 18 and Lake Gregory Drive. The approximate postmile (PM) on SR 189 is from PM 0.16 to PM 0.26 and on SR 18 from PM 20.6 to PM 20.9. 

The purpose of this project is to repair the embankment slopes, the proposed sidehill viaduct will also improve safety within the limits of the project by wider lanes (11-foot lanes) and wider shoulders (2-4 feet). The wider lanes and shoulder are also anticipated to improve visibility around the curves. The proposed improvement will also upgrade existing barriers.

Caltrans is eager to deliver this important project information directly to you! We will be hosting a special virtual meeting to update you about the project and get your feedback. If you want to know how this project is going to affect you, now is your chance to participate.

The meeting will be on March 24, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. via Webex.

To register, please click the link below:

Register
 

PUBLIC MEETING 

At a public meeting held on March 19, 2022, at the North Bay Resort Clubhouse, real estate developer Jesse Wright briefly explained his proposed 41 single family home project. The entire project is slated for the 15 acres behind Arrowhead Lake Estates off of North Bay Road. The current stage of the project involves petitioning the county to change the zoning of the proposed development site from multifamily residential condos to single family residential. Wright said that if for some reason the county does not approve the re-zoning, he will move ahead with development of roughly 60 multifamily condos.
 
Of the roughly 50 residents in attendance, the majority of questions for the developer, dealt with the nature of the project itself and not the current rezoning request which is coming before the county. Wright told the sometimes highly vocal residents, that the project will be done in 3 phases. The first phase will be to construct 7 single family homes between 2 – 4 thousand square feet each on a 14,000 square foot sloped lot with a price tag of approximately $1.4 Million Dollars. Being built on a hillside, these homes will be built using a step-down foundation construction which would follow the terrain of the land.
 
Speaking on behalf of the project was Bruce Buchser, the home builder/contractor, Jeff Altmeyer, the grading contractor and Allan Hillwig and Bradley Brier, the land surveyors. An improved road will be constructed by developer Wright to access the 7 new homes. Phase 2 of the development project will be the development of 9 more lots, and then Phase 3 will be the final development of 25 lots. According to Wright, he will be using local workers on this project. Wright’s company, California Retail Properties, Corp. specializes in retail property development, according to its website and is located in Torrance California. Wright stated several times that there will be additional meetings like the one held on March 19th, as the project moves forward.

UPDATE:

A final approval vote of the newly revised ordinance was reached by the Board of Supervisors at their December 14th  meeting. On December 7, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the San Bernardino County Light Trespass Ordinance. The ordinance was first introduced to the San Bernardino County Planning Commission on February 4 of this year. Since that time there have been several workshops and meetings and on September 9, the San Bernardino County Planning Commission recommended approval to the Board of Supervisors. This initiative will regulate light trespass and outdoor lighting to minimize direct glare and light pollution that interfere with residents’ ability to enjoy the benefits of our night sky. To protect dark skies, the ordinance establishes reasonable outdoor lighting curfews and enforces limits on how bright lighting can be. 

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The initiative will gradually take effect over the next two years. Commercial and industrial properties must comply within 18 months, while all other properties will have 24 months.

For additional information, please call 909-387-8311 or you may visit the San Bernardino County Land Use Services website.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES NEW DARK SKY ORDINANCE

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., — September 09, 2021.  After much discussion and input from concerned residents and members of the County Staff, the San Bernardino County Planning Commission voted 5 to 0 to approve the new proposed County Ordinance on Light Pollution.  The proposed new Ordinance will now be sent to the County Board of Supervisors for its approval. If approved by the Supervisors, the new Ordinance will replace the current Ordinance on Light Pollution in the County. Lake Arrowhead News will update this story when more information becomes available.

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Click Here For The Link To The Ordinance

This generous donation is one of the single largest gifts in MCH Foundation’s History

Lake Arrowhead, California – January 21, 2021 – Mountains Community Hospital Foundation is thrilled to announce that it has received an incredible gift of $400,000 from the Bloye Charitable Trust, which will be used to renovate the hospital’s main public entrance and create a central registration and waiting area for patients.

“We thank the Bloyes for this important gift which will be used for our central registration project,” said Charlie Harrison, CEO. “Right now, everyone that comes for a non-emergent service, such as blood work, mammograms, ultrasound, etc. must register in a space adjacent to our ER waiting area, potentially exposing themselves to sick patients. This project will not only improve safety, but it will enhance the patient experience by creating a comfortable waiting room and privacy for registration.”

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The renovation includes:
– New central registration and waiting area
– Relocation of important services such as insurance eligibility
– Gift shop relocation

In 2000, the Bloyes were getting ready to leave their vacation home, when Mrs. Bloye experienced a medical emergency. She was treated at MCH and the Bloyes followed the physician’s recommendation for surgery and since then, everything has been fine. Around this time, the couple set up their charitable remainder trust. They have added and removed charities over the years, but MCH has always stayed on the list due to the great care they received.

Two or three years ago, the couple began conversations with CEO Charlie Harrison and Kim McGuire, the Director of Community Development, about making their donation. Those discussions became more serious several months ago. “I looked to them for suggestions as to how the funds could best be used,” Mr. Bloye said. He was impressed with the hospital’s plans to upgrade the entry area, create a waiting room and dedicated central registration area. “Mountains Community Hospital is small enough that it treats everyone like an individual. They are very concerned about their patients. At the same time, they are progressive enough to acquire the most current equipment. MCH seems like a small, personal hospital that has the desire and capability to provide big-time service. I have been very happy and impressed with their attention to detail, their follow-up and concern.”

“Their extraordinary philanthropy is going to improve Mountains Community Hospital for the entire community and we are so grateful to them,” Director of Community Development, Kim McGuire, said in a statement. “The plans for the renovation are moving through engineering, then architecture, and finally the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. We hope to begin construction in six months. There is urgency to getting this completed, so we will endeavor to make sure it happens as soon as possible.”

For more information about the project, please contact Kim McGuire, Director of Community Development at kimberly.mcguire@mchcares.com.

By: Abby Savich

Courtesy MCH Foundation Website

https://www.mchcares.com

Southern California Edison's in-house meteorologists and fire scientist (https://energized.edison.com/stories/groundbreaking-technology-accurately-predicts-wildfire-spread) are once again forecasting extreme fire weather conditions in 2021 that will affect our communities located in high fire risk areas as early as May. SCE is committed to completing more grid hardening work and improving operations that would result in reducing the number of customers impacted by PSPS events. They would also like Mountain Residents to know about their Medical Baseline program that provides reduced electricity rates to qualified customers to help offset the cost of operating medical equipment or devices. In addition, they are increasing enrollment in their Critical Care Back-up Battery (CCBB) program that offers eligible Medical Baseline customers a free portable backup battery to power medical devices in the event of a power outage.

SCE representatives are available to answer any questions you might have related to their customer programs including California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) as well as our clean energy efforts. They have identified 72 circuits for expedited grid hardening; these circuits experienced four or more de-energizations since 2019. There are circuit-specific plans for these circuits and have identified work that will be completed by October to reduce the need for PSPS events.

Here are some links for background information on PSPS:

Learn about SCE's wildfire mitigation efforts and where customers can sign up for alerts at: https://www.sce.com/safety/wildfire, https://www.sce.com/wildfire/wildfire-mitigation-efforts 

Public Safety Power Shutoffs interactive map for information during emergencies: https://www.sce.com/wildfire/psps 

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Tips for customers to prepare for a power outage: https://www.sce.com/outage-center/preparing-for-outages 

The primary objective of Rim of the World Special Athletes Foundation is to provide a recreational experience that is safe and positive for adaptive individuals. It provides year round activities for adaptive athletes, serving veterans and individuals from our mountain communities and beyond.

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Founded by Lake Arrowhead resident Jack Cooperman, Rim Special Athletes are individuals with visual and hearing impairments, amputations, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain Injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Down Syndrome, Autism, as well as many other cognitive and physical disabilities.

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At Snow Valley Mountain Resort during the winter Rim Special Athletes provides Adaptive skiing and snowboard lessons, including bi-ski and mono-ski. During the Spring, Summer and Fall we have weekly golf clinics.       Year round we provide yoga.  During the summer Rim Special Athletes’ water sports program includes kayaking, aqua biking, stand up paddle boarding, boating, biking, fishing, hiking and outings.  Our objective is to have the adaptive athletes have fun, learn a new skill, and develop self-confidence from the experience. 

There are many ways you can get involved and help the Rim of the World Special Athletes Foundation:

If you would like to volunteer in any of our programs, we would like to hear from you.   If you are a PSIA instructor certified in adaptive techniques please contact us.

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The Rim of the World Special Athletes Foundation is a qualified 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.  Our funding for the specialized equipment and many of the activities comes from donations.  If you would like to be a financial sponsor of the Foundation or would simply like to donate to the foundation, you can go to this link: https://www.givedirect.org/donate/?cid=14108 or send checks payable to:

Rim of the World Special Athletes Foundation
PO BOX 1914
Lake Arrowhead, CA  92352