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The Big Comport Post

The Official Newsletter of the Urban center of Large Bear Lake Councilman Alan Lee

Serving the communities of Big Bear Lake, Comport City, Sugarloaf, Fawnskin, Erwin Lake and Baldwin Lake

Quango Awards Political Appointees a 25% Increment

Herrick Refuses to Recuse Himself

Over Conflict-of-Interest Questions

At its February seven, 2022, meeting, the City Council increased the pay of its political appointees at the Urban center's DWP Board of Commissioners to $250 an hour. The Commissioners meet in one case a calendar month for about 2 hours. And so the increase to $500 a month amounts to $250 an hour. The Commissioners are moving from $400 to $500 each month. The Commissioners also receive a modest taxpayer'due south subsidized retirement and a Urban center-paid life insurance policy for their limited service.

Councilman Lee blocked a proposed 50% increment to the Commissioner's salary at the Council's June 2021 meeting. At Councilmember Bynette Mote'due south request, this item was brought back for give-and-take on February 7, 2022, where she led the accuse to qualify the 25% increase. Councilman Lee requested that Councilman Rick Herrick, acting as Mayor, recuse himself from the vote since he and the DWP General Manager, Reggie Lamson, are neighbors in the same gated customs. Lee also pointed out that a contempo three-year review found that Councilman Herrick receives ongoing payments of approximately $750 a month from the City's Water Department for advertisement. Herrick declined to recuse himself, stating he didn't believe a conflict of involvement existed. He voted to approve the 25% increment. In the past, Herrick was forced to recuse himself due to his financial conflict of interest related to the 30-million dollar deal reached with the City of Large Comport Lake and Visit Big Bear. Due to his financial entanglement and business organisation relationships with the brusque-term rental manufacture, he has too had to recuse himself from votes on the short-term rental consequence .

DWP General Manager's Salary More Than The Governor of California

Before being elected to the Urban center Quango, Lee served a 4-year term as DWP Commissioner. He spearheaded several cost-saving initiatives, forced management to cut waste, and led the efforts that reduced our water rates by xv%. Lee was awarded a Urban center annunciation for his outstanding service and contributions to the DWP.

According to Lee, the City's h2o section is poorly managed at the top. Reggie Lamson, General Manager of the DWP, is i of the highest-paid bureaucrats in California, overseeing one of the smallest h2o departments. The DWP General Managing director is the 2nd-highest-paid Urban center employee, making $225,000+ a yr, and the City Manager makes an astounding $258,125+ a year. Both the DWP Director and the Urban center Manager receive two taxpayers' subsidized retirement plans and make more than the Governor of the State of California. Governor Newsom salary is $209,747. Frank Blitz is the only known City Manager in California to receive a $20,000 taxpayer-funded bonus in December 2021.

The City's DWP current organization structure is based on the City'southward 40-year old obsolete charter and is contrary to practiced governance, transparency, and public accountability. Section xiii.24.150 (c) of the Urban center's charter mandates that the DWP General Manager files a written monthly study on the work of DWP with the City Quango. However, no such reports have been filed with the City Council in years. The Council may non go its required reports to provide the necessary oversight, but Mayor Herrick has gotten a paycheck from DWP every month without missing a beat out. Whatever other identify this would exist a scandal, but in Big Bear Lake, it'southward business as usual.", said Councilman Lee.

Vacation Rental Manufacture Seeks To Recall Councilman Alan Lee

Email With Racial Overtures Sent to Voters

The vacation rental industry has appear plans to launch a remember of Councilman Alan Lee based on his support of the citizen's-led initiative to improve holiday rental oversight in the Urban center. The call up announcement was made on the same day Lee joined the official kick-off of signature gathering for the initiative. "It was symbolically important for me to join our full-time residents as they kicked off their campaign to restore balance and quality of life back into neighborhoods." said, Councilman Alan Lee.

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On February 5, 2022, the recall group sent emails to registered voters announcing their call back plans. They ready an online petition, established a recallAlanLee.org domain, and created an anti-Councilman Lee FaceBook page. On February eleven, 2022, the group sent a racially charged electronic mail to the registered voters depicting Councilman Lee every bit a hip-hop rapper. Councilman Lee refused to comment on the racial overtures contained in the email. "Power brokers and political insiders aside, Big Conduct Lake residents have shown my family and me nix merely love. I will not dignify that mean e-mail with a public response.", said Councilman Lee.

The master consequence in the campaign was the lack of regulation of vacation rentals. Councilman Lee and his then-opponent, Metropolis Commissioner Maureen Auer, took utterly different positions. Councilman Lee sided with the full-time residents seeking to strike a balance and restore the quality of life in our neighborhoods. While Auer, a local realtor endorsed by the Big Carry Lath of Realtors and the Vacation Rental Industry, adopted their platform. "Information technology'southward a joke to seek to recall someone for doing what they promised to practice if elected, and for which the community voted them in to do.", said Councilman Lee. Councilman Lee won 62% of the vote and even outperformed all other local, state, and federal candidates in the precincts in his district.

"Maureen Auer and the Vacation Rental Industry have been harassing me since I won the election and have been naught just sore losers. They currently control all the leavers at City Hall, and Auer served as the City Manager's realtor in his Large Conduct Lake real estate transactions. With (3) of the Council members upwards for election in less than 9-months, they are running scared. They accept tried to bully and threaten me, simply they will learn that it has the opposite effect on me. While I adopt to work mitt-in-hand, I am non afraid to go toe-to-toe. Our community has been taken advantage of long enough," said Councilman Lee.

Auer's vacation rental manufacture friends accept regularly showed up at council meetings to lambast Councilman Lee and have sought to appoint in social media bullying and domestic dog-whistle rhetoric. "Several realtors have privately reached out to me to offer their back up and encouragement. Realtors are an important role of our community and essential to our local economy. There are a small-scale number of realtors giving their manufacture a bad name in our community." said Councilman Lee.

Separate from the recollect endeavour, some council members are currently seeking to manipulate the redistricting procedure to endeavor to forcefulness Councilman Lee out. They are seeking to push Councilman Lee out of part past drawing him out of his district. During the last redistricting process, the Council drew the districts in such a way that kept each of them in office. Now, in a cynical twist, they are trying to exclusively draw Councilman Lee out of office. "This is going to be a fight for the soul of Big Bear Lake, and my whole center is in it!" said Councilman Lee.

According to financial disclosure reports, Airbnb and the holiday rental industry spent $478,575in their failed efforts to stop the City South Lake Tahoe residents from passing a citizens initiative to restore balance in their community. The 3 (3) incumbent City Quango members who supported Airbnb over their full-time residents were also defeated at the polls. Frank Rush, who then served as Due south Lake Tahoe City Manager, unexpectedly resigned shortly after the new Quango members were seated and was hired by Big Bear Lake City Council.

In anticipation of legal expenses and another campaign, Councilman Lee announced he is immediately activating his fundraising efforts. "I will be calling on my friends and family from around the country for support and contributions. I will too be reaching out to our Large Deport Valley full-fourth dimension residents. The only persons I won't have a contribution from are the Vacation Rental Industry and those doing business with the City. This volition exist a David versus Goliath fight, merely I am reminded that David won!" said Councilman Lee.

Before switching to Remax, Maureen Auer was employed at Keller William Realty. Her colleague at Keller William, Alaine Uthus, has filed frivolous complaints at City Hall and has shown upwardly at Council meetings to criticize Councilman Alan Lee. Like Marker Dolan, the Broker of Remax, Alaine Uthus has failed to disembalm her personal human relationship with Maureen Auer or the fact that she was serving as the President of the Big Acquit Lath of Realtors. The Big Bear Board of Realtors endorsed Auer in her failed entrada.

Large Bear Vacations and the other major local holiday rental operators supported and campaigned for Maureen Auer. Large Bear Blvd real manor companies were lined with Auer'due south entrada signs, and she appeared in a full-folio ad in the local paper boasting of their support. The vacation rental manufacture has also pumped thousands of dollars into Rick Herrick'southward campaign. Despite existence endorsed past Herrick and v (5) former Mayors, Auer was largely rejected past the customs due to her holiday rental manufacture views and lack of community concern.

Councilman Lee soundly defeated Remax Realtor, Maureen Auer in a spirited campaign where the master issue was the over-saturation of vacation rentals. Since beingness defeated, Auer and her Remax bosses have constantly harassed Councilman Lee. Remax Broker, Mark Dolan, has appeared at Council meetings to lambast Lee. Marker Dolan has engaged in canis familiaris-whistle rhetoric to create partitioning in our community. On February 11th, an email was circulated depicting Councilman Lee as a hip-hop rapper.

Big Bear'due south Hawkeye, Jacki Lays Eggs

Customs Begins Egg Watch

On January 22, 2022, at 3:43 pm Jackie laid her first egg of the 2022 flavor! Three days later, on Jan 25, 2022, she laid her second egg at the same fourth dimension, iii:43 pm.

The first egg hatch due engagement is around March 17 ^th and the 2nd egg should follow 1-2 days subsequently. Shadow, Jacki's mate, has been incubating 2 to 3 times a mean solar day and bringing in food for Jackie to bask, including fish from the Lake.

The nesting location is in Big Carry Lake, and it is nearly 145 anxiety upwardly in a Jeffery Pine Tree. Jacki and Shadow's exact nesting location is not disclosed publicly to avoid nesting disruption, and the eagle'southward habitat expanse is closed to tourists. Jackie is 10 and Shadow is viii.

The non-turn a profit organisation Friends of Big Deport Lake, whose mission is to maintain the unspoiled beauty and unique environment of Big Carry, is the lead organization that helps track and educate the public on our resident eagles, Jackie and Shadow.

Several ravens accept harassed Jacki while Shadow has been off hunting. Despite equally many as a dozen ravens pestering Jacki, she has stood her ground in the protection of her eggs.

Grand Opening design template with ribbon and scissors. Grand open ribbon cut invitation

Councilman Lee To Host Restaurant'south M Opening

Please bring together Councilman Alan Lee in the M Opening Commemoration of one of Big Bear Lake's newest restaurants on Thursday, February 24, 2022, at 11:45 am. The community is invited to the ceremonial ribbon-cutting opening for Wrap it upwardly | Stick 'em up. The yard opening volition exist at 603 Pine Knot Ave, Big Behave Lake, CA. This new village- based restaurant is directly across the street from the movie theater. There will exist a special souvenir for each attendee. There will also be prizes and gratis dessert for the customs.

Councilman Lee volition join Mr. Peter Dawidzik CEO, of Big Carry Valley Eatery, in celebrating the opening of his new venture. "I am not merely a local businessman, but I live here in Big Bear Lake, also. It's important for me to create a great restaurant option and feel for our full-time residents. Our tourism business is of import, simply having a quality eating place for our total-fourth dimension residents is likewise important. I am honored to have the support of Councilman Lee, who has been a breath of fresh air in Big Bear's politics and who has given voice to our Big Bear locals.", said Mr. Dawidzik.

"I am committed to making sure our Large Deport Lake small businesses are supported and successful.", said Councilman Lee.

Shadow shares a live fish catch from Large Carry Lake with Jackie. Although Shadow is the male person, he is smaller than Jackie. Female eagles are generally larger. They both share in sitting on the eggs and in building their nest.

Photos from the scene captures the early stages of the fire and the fully engulfed fire.

Photo Credit: Sheriff's Department

There Were No Injuries Reported

According to a news release past the Big Bear Burn Department, a residential construction burn down was reported in the early morning hours on Big Bear Blvd in Big Bear Lake at approximately 3:17 am on Monday, February 7, 2022. Upon inflow, fire crews observed a well-involved residential construction with smoke and flames showing. The crew was able to quickly extinguish the fire within approximately 20 minutes. There were no occupants home at the time of the structure fire.

The structure fire required all Big Comport Fire Section units to respond with assist from San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and Caltrans due to the closure of Big Bear Blvd. Battalion Chief Luke Wagner was on-scene and in command. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Councilman Lee, who also serves on the Big Bear Burn Authority Board of Directors, acknowledged our firefighters' work to contain and put the fire down quickly.

Unincorporated Areas Forms New Group

Feeling disconnected from their elected representatives, a grouping of residents in the unincorporated areas of San Bernardino Canton has banded together to ensure

their voices are heard and their community concerns are addressed. At the request of Unincorporated San Bernardino Together, Councilman Lee joined with the group in lobbying members of the San Bernardino County Lath of Supervisors and the Planning Commission to adopt enhanced brusk-term rental standards. The Canton Planning Committee met on February 3, 2022, for over 6-hours but did not attain a decision, and the matter has been continued to a future meeting for additional deliberation. In a January x, 2022 advice, Councilman Lee urged Supervisor Dawn Rowe to adopt meaningful regulations to help bring balance to our community. Supervisor Rowe advised Councilman Lee that her role has been working with Canton staff on revisions and shared Councilman Lee's communication with her appointee on the Planning Commission, Mr. Michael Stoffel, a Real Estate Agent with Century 21.

Councilman Alan Lee to Honor

Big Bear School Teachers

Teacher and children with face mask back at school after covid-19 quarantine and lockdown.

Big Bear Unified Schoolhouse District teachers and students have had ane of the most challenging school years yet. COVID and other school controversies have created a difficult teaching and learning environs, but our professional educators were in that location through it all.

"Being a public school teacher is more than a chore; it's a calling. Our teachers are substantially underpaid and also often under-appreciated," said Councilman Alan Lee, whose father, sister, and youngest son all worked as public schoolhouse teachers.

In partnership with his Role of Educational activity Council, Councilman Alan Lee will be honoring a "Teacher of the Year" at each of the school campuses within Big Bear Unified School District. Parents, colleagues or administrators may nominate a teacher. Each of the selected educators will receive a cash award and other prizes in recognition of their exemplary classroom contributions. The winning teachers will be spotlighted at Councilman Lee's 2nd Annual Community Unity outcome set for August 2022.

Nominations should be sent to EducationCouncil@BigBearLake.us. The nomination should include the educator'due south name, school, the reasons the nominee deserves special recognition and the nominator'due south contact information.

Big Bear Telephone Town Hall Coming together Ready for March 5th

hand using phone white screen on top view

Big Bear Lake Councilman Alan Lee is hosting a live Telephone Town Hall Coming together on Saturday, March 5th, at x:00 a.m . You lot will be able to participate in this call from the comfort and convenience of your home.

During this Telephone Town Hall meeting, we volition exist discussing the over-saturation of holiday rental homes, traffic congestion, an update on the vacant K-Mart lot, and our growing homelessness problem. In addition, nosotros will explore the lack of workforce housing, urban center taxes, metropolis hall, public safety, the city'southward proposed take-over of Leisure Mobile Home Park, and the Hamlet'due south $500,000+ debt to the metropolis. Lastly, we will touch on the controversy surrounding the proposed 99-year charter by the metropolis of a restaurant and boat storage surface area and other important community problems impacting the taxes and the quality of life for our full-time residents.

You will be able to speak directly with Councilman Alan Lee, inquire questions, participate in polls or just listen.

You tin can register to participate past clicking here. Please be sure to register immediately. You will receive a confirmation of registration via email. On the day of the Telephone Town Hall, you lot will be chosen and patched into the live call.

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