Assemblyman Mayes Authors Legislation To Keep Measure K’s Salary & Term Limit Reforms From Being Applied

In an effort widely viewed as making good on a political chit he issued over a decade ago, Assemblyman Chad Mayes has authored legislation aimed at preventing Measure K, the county government reform initiative approved by more than two thirds of San Bernardino County’s voters in November 2020, from going into effect.
In one fell swoop, Mayes with Assembly Bill 428 is aiming at preventing both prongs of Measure K – the imposition of a one term limit on San Bernardino County supervisors and putting a cap on their pay commensurate with the mean income level of county residents – from being implemented.
Mayes began his political career as a fiscal conservative and anti-big government advocate at the age of 25 when he was elected town councilman in Yucca Valley in 2002. He remained on the council until 2011, twice serving terms as appointed mayor during that time. In 2010, he was given a major boost in his political/governmental career, when Janice Rutherford, newly elected as San Bernardino County Second District supervisor, hired him to serve as her chief of staff. Mayes’s position on the fifth floor of the county administrative building put him at the center of confluence between the county’s most powerful elected officials and staff employees and major financial interests in the county, including deep-pocketed donors to political campaigns. In 2014, Mayes was able to use the contacts he had made and the favors he had done to various entities to gather the wherewithal to seek election to the California Assembly.
Mayes is the son of the Reverend Roger Mayes, the pastor of Grace Community Church and a politician himself as an elected board member of the Hi-Desert Water District. Young Mayes attended and graduated from an evangelical Christian college in Lynchberg, Virginia, Liberty University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in government while interning for then-Missouri Senator John Ashcroft.
From the outset of his time in political office, Chad Mayes established his reputation as a social and fiscal conservative devoted to Republican politics and reducing the size and scope of government. Indeed, in 2004, a decade before he made the transition to Sacramento, he voted against a proposed 42-percent pay increase for the Town of Yucca Valley’s elected officials. As both councilman and mayor, Mayes worked assiduously at holding spending in check. In his final year as mayor of Yucca Valley he pushed for a reduction of the town’s spending from what had been proposed by city staff, paring the city’s general fund to $8.7 million, below what had been the spending allotment the previous year, and ensuring the town had $5 million salted away in reserves.
That was then. More recently, after six years in Sacramento, he has abandoned the principle of keeping the size and expense of government in check.
Upon his election to the Assembly, Mayes, who was yet adhering to his conservative roots, made an impressive rise up the Republican Party totem pole. Shortly after his swearing in and being assigned to six committees, he was made vice chairman of the Assembly Human Services Committee. His GOP colleagues bestowed on him the position of Chief Republican Whip less than a month after his arrival at the statehouse.
In his first year in office, he took up two issues of central concern to conservatives and the Republican Party, reducing or streamlining governmental regulation of the private sector and reducing or eliminating double or redundant taxation. He introduced Assembly Bill 1286, which created a subcommittee to reform California’s regulatory environment and practices. He then authored Assembly Bill 1202, aimed at substantially reducing the California State Fire Prevention Fee for residents who were already subject to fire prevention or fire service taxes at the local level.
On September 1, 2015, less than ten months after he was sworn in to the Assembly, Mayes was selected by his colleagues to serve as Assembly Republican Leader, succeeding Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen effective January 4, 2016.
In 2017, disaffection between Mayes and the Republican Party set in when he and six other Assembly Republicans joined with the overwhelming Democratic majority in the state’s lower legislative house to support the perpetuation of a long-established system in the Golden State by which manufacturing companies which generate hydrocarbons or exhaust as a consequence of their industrial activities are required to obtain through previously established “smokestack rights” air pollution credits that can be bought and sold under a regime controlled by the state’s various air quality management districts, a system known as “Cap and Trade.” This program is and was considered to be an abomination by conservative Republicans in California. As a consequence, in August 2017 Mayes was deposed as Republican leader in the Assembly.
In the time since then, Mayes has distanced himself from the conservative Republican principles he formerly championed. On December 6, 2019, Mayes left the Republican Party and re-registered as an independent.
The 42nd Assembly District in which Mayes serves is one in which the Republicans hold a distinct registration advantage over Democrats. Despite that and the consideration that Mayes, running as an independent, was opposed by a Republican, Andrew Kotyuk, Mayes’s name recognition and heftier political war chest allowed him to overcome Kotyuk by a 10,359 votes or 55.6 percent-to-96,172 votes or 44.4 percent margin in the 2020 election.
During a signature gathering drive that began in 2019 and ended in 2020, the Red Brennan Group, an affiliation of activists devoted to government accountability, succeeded in gathering 75,132 signatures of county voters to put a county government reform initiative on the November 2020 ballot in San Bernardino County. Ultimately dubbed Measure K by the Registrar of Voters Office, it called for setting the total compensation for an elected supervisor in San Bernardino County at $60,000 per year – including both salary and benefits – and imposed a single four-year term on supervisors. The board of supervisors rushed to place its own initiative on the ballot, which was given the place before Measure K on the voting guide and the ballot as Measure J. Measure J essentially left the supervisors’ total compensation at around $260,000-to-$280,000 annually by giving each of them a salary equal to 90 percent of that provided to a Superior Court judge and a benefit package equal to that provided to the county government’s department heads. It further left intact the current term limit restriction of three four-year terms for the supervisors. Going head-to-head with Measure J as a competing government reform initiative in November, Measure K found far greater support by the county’s electorate. While Measure J garnered passage, with 378,964 votes or 50.72 percent of the 747,188 votes cast supporting it and 368,224 or 49.28 percent opposed, it was soundly outdistanced by Measure K, which passed with 516,184 or 66.84 percent of the 772,282 voters participating supporting it, and 256,098 voters or 33.16 percent opposed.
Because they dealt with the same issues of salary and term limits, under California law Measure K was to go into effect rather than Measure J because it was passed by more votes.
In short order, the board of supervisors sued the supervisors’ own employee, San Bernardino County Clerk of the Board Lynna Monell, to prevent her from implementing Measure K. The legal action, a petition for a writ of mandate, alleges that Measure K is fatally flawed because it “violates California Constitution Article XI, Section l(b) by seeking to set supervisor compensation via citizen initiative… [and] it exceeds the initiative power of the electorate by intruding on matters that are exclusively delegated to the governing body, in this case the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors… [and its] term limit provision for members of the county board of supervisors violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution [by] impermissibly infring[ing] on voters’ and incumbents’ First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.” Additionally, the writ of mandate maintains Measure K violates “the single subject rule” pertaining to voter initiatives and that “Measure K must not be implemented because it does not embrace a single subject.”
The suit put the enforcement of Measure K on hold while the matter is adjudicated in the court.
It has been pointed out that the grounds cited in the supervisors’ lawsuit for invalidating Measure K would equally apply to Measure J, and there is some concern among the supervisors and their supporters that the lawsuit will fail and eventually Measure K and its salary and term limitations will go into effect.
Accordingly, Supervisor Janice Rutherford, who played a role in advancing Mayes’ political career by hiring him as her chief of staff in 2010, importuned him to author legislation that will keep Measure K from achieving the ends the Red Brennan Group designed it for.
Mayes indulged Rutherford by drafting Assembly Bill 428 which, with regard to the number of terms a supervisor may serve, states, “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the board of supervisors of any general law or charter county may adopt or the residents of the county may propose, by initiative, a proposal to limit to no fewer than two terms or repeal a limit on the number of terms a member of the board of supervisors may serve on the board of supervisors.”
With regard to the pay county supervisors are to receive, Assembly Bill 428 explicitly calls for preventing the citizenry at large from setting the pay grade for members of a board of supervisors, stating, “The board of supervisors shall prescribe the compensation of all county officers, including the board of supervisors, and shall provide for the number, compensation, tenure, appointment and conditions of employment of county employees.”
On April 7, Scott Kaufman, the legislative director for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, sent a letter to Mayes. The letter reads, “This is to inform you that the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association must oppose AB 428. AB 428 seeks to undo the overwhelming approval of Measure K in San Bernardino County that amended the county charter to impose a term limit of one term and reduced the total compensation for each member of the board of supervisors to $5,000 per month.”
Kaufman continued, “Now, other counties are concerned about the potential for similar measures. If Measure K is a problem, it is no worse than stripping voters of the ability to designate their preferred length of terms and set pay of the county supervisors because we dislike the outcome of an election.”
Kaufman thereafter concluded his letter with a reference to Proposition 218, passed by the state’s voters in 1992, and which requires that any general tax the government is going to impose on its citizens must be passed by a majority vote of those upon whom the tax is to be levied and that any “special tax” to be used for a specified purpose by local or state government must be passed by a vote of two-thirds of those upon whom the tax is to be levied. “Elected officials frequently complain when seeking to undermine Prop. 218 that getting two-thirds of voters to agree is almost an impossible feat,” Kaufman noted. “Yet Measure K was approved by a two-thirds majority (66.84%) of voters and AB 428 still seeks to undo it. The people have spoken.”
Mayes did not respond to inquiries by the Sentinel.
-Mark Gutglueck

Rancho Cucamonga Declares A Moratorium On Service Station Development Projects

In a move hailed by both environmentalists and futurists and conversely decried by free marketeers, the City of Rancho Cucamonga this week put a 45-day moratorium on the approval of new or the revamping of old service stations within its city limits.
The vote by the council puts on hold or will perhaps impede permanently the construction of two pending new gas stations and the revival of two currently shuttered filling stations.
The council action sets the stage for the eventual adaptation of standards intended toward facilitating the so-called net zero carbon target, which originally six years ago was to entail a stabilization in the use of fossil fuels throughout the entirety of California at 2015 levels by the end of this year going forward even in the face of further state population growth and development. Zero carbon target advocates have more recently reset the fossil fuel use stabilization goal at the year 2030.
On March 17, 2021, the city council asked city staff to gather information pertaining to and conduct some analysis of gas stations in the city of Rancho Cucamonga in order to give that decision-making panel some direction with regard to the regulation of gas stations and their future development as to be overseen by the city and its planning division.
On Wednesday afternoon, April 21, 2021 the council considered and later that evening signed off on a set of findings that grew out of the municipal planning division’s inquiry along the lines the council suggested on March 17. At a specially-called afternoon session devoted to the consideration of the city’s future policy with regard to filling stations that was intended to augment the city council’s regularly scheduled meeting that night, Planning Director Anne Browning McIntosh said, “We have had a recent activity in our planning department and building and safety [division] around service stations that we haven’t seen for other commercial uses.”
After having last approved a new gas station nine years ago, the city is currently considering four applications to build new or revive shuttered existing gas stations.
McIntosh said, “It is a good time to look at this issue and determine whether or not we are adequately prepared to review additional applications, whether or not our codes are adequate to regulate these. There are concerns around land use impacts related to service stations.” She said there were questions about the relative financial benefits of gas stations to the city and how they compare with other potential land uses, as well as what the optimum number of gas stations in the city would or should be.
McIntosh noted that in common parlance there are strict differences in the definitions of gas stations and service stations, with service stations defined as ones providing mechanic services such as radiator work, smog checks and tire replacement, but that the city code uses the term service station as a catch-all that blurs the distinction between gas stations and service stations even if a gas station “does not have those additional vehicle services.”
The point was made that service stations that included a full range of mechanical services and which proliferated in the past are declining, and that gas stations now more commonly entail gas pumps and a convenience store.
McIntosh noted that Rancho Cucamonga, with its 32 active stations and two inactive ones had a larger number of service stations than its surrounding cities, as there are 21 in Fontana, 20 in Ontario and 17 in Upland, though McIntosh said Upland had more stations per square mile than does Rancho Cucamonga.
The findings contained in the staff report presented to and ultimately adopted by the city council suggested that gas stations represent in much of their aspect negative environmental consequences. A glut of gas stations, the report propounded, could intensify the disadvantage inherent in such land uses because ruinous competition between them could lead to some of the stations closing and being neglected, thus resulting in harm to the environment.
“The Environmental Protection Agency has classified service stations and fuel storage locations as uses that may result in a brownfield site,” according to the statement of findings. “Brownfield sites are properties, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Common contaminants found at service station sites include gasoline, diesel, and petroleum oil, volatile organic compounds and solvents, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and lead. Exposure to the types of contaminants present, or potentially present, at service stations threatens the public health, safety or welfare of neighboring communities.”
The statement of findings continues, “There are thirty-two service stations currently in operation in the City of Rancho Cucamonga. There are an additional two more service stations that are currently in plan check review for building permits or under construction. Many of the existing service stations are located near sensitive receptors. The close proximity of service stations to these areas increases the risk of contaminant exposure to vulnerable populations. This problem is exacerbated in situations where the service station may become a brownfield site. A disproportionate amount of the city’s existing service stations are concentrated in the southwest and central areas of the city. Thirteen service stations are located in District 2 [on the city’s south and southwest side] and eleven are located in District 3 [in the city’s central core]. In contrast, districts 1 [in the northwest corner of the city] and 4 [on the northeast and east portion of the city] have only five service stations each. The proliferation of service stations in districts 2 and 3 inequitably increases health risks for the residents of these districts due to the potential contaminants present at service stations. As a matter of environmental justice, the city council must carefully consider how such uses are zoned under the city’s general plan and development code in order to avoid an undue concentration of service stations in any one part of the city.”
The findings touched on the degree to which gas stations appear to be a magnet for crime.
“Based on data provided by the sheriff’s department, the amount of criminal activity that occurs specifically at service stations necessitates that police services be routinely deployed to service stations,” the statement of findings puts forth. “Over the past five years, the number of calls for service at service stations has steadily increased. In 2020, a total of 1,059 calls for service were made at service stations in the city, resulting in approximately 2,455 hours of police time spent policing and protecting service stations. The development of additional service stations within the city would result in additional strains on police services to counter the potential for increased criminal activity.”
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department provides contractual law enforcement services to the city and serves as the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department.
During Wednesday afternoon’s meeting, both McIntosh and City Manager John Gillison observed that gas stations in the city are so plentiful that everywhere within the city except at its extreme north end, residents are no more than five minutes driving time from a filling station.
According to the statement of findings, “Applications for additional service stations continue to be submitted to the city despite the already high concentration of service stations in the city and declining demand. The declining demand for gasoline is partly demonstrated by the decline in annual service station revenues in the city. According to revenue estimates reported to the city by existing service stations, such revenues have declined by over half a million dollars from 2019 to 2020, echoing global trends, which have seen the decline in service stations over the past ten years due to a variety of factors, including the proliferation of electric vehicles, shared mobility solutions, and alternative fuel options. Furthermore, vehicle technology is rapidly evolving such that reliance on gas is steadily declining. According to a report from the Boston Consulting Group, it is estimated that by 2030, more than one third of all new vehicles will be fully or partially electric. Charging for electric vehicles can take place in a variety of locations such as at home, work and in parking lots. Ride-sharing solutions further reduce demand for gasoline as car ownership becomes more obsolete.”
Moreover, according to the statement of findings, “The declining demand for gasoline may increase competition amongst the existing service stations in the city such that closures may occur over time. Due to their propensity to become brownfield sites, service stations require significant investment to remediate any potential ground contamination prior to redevelopment. Closed sites may be abandoned and left unused for years and removal of contaminants may present health risks for neighboring communities and sensitive receptors. Additional closures could result in increased blight and dangerous conditions throughout the city, thereby threatening public health, safety and welfare. The city council wishes to assess the appropriate concentration and locations of service stations given declining demand.”
Dan Titus, a resident of the Alta Loma district of Rancho Cucamonga, in comments provided in writing to the city council, disputed multiple elements of the findings.
“Staff claims that ‘The analysis of issues related to service stations makes clear that service stations pose a threat to public health, safety, and welfare and the city must evaluate new regulations to address that threat,’” Titus wrote. “Citing that service stations are a ‘threat’ is a bold statement, especially in the context of public health, safety and welfare. Staff cites police service calls as a primary criteria in determination that service stations are a ‘threat.’ However, no other statistics were offered, for a baseline comparison of other business classifications, liquor stores, salons, etc. Therefore, this data does not support staff’s argument in a meaningful way.”
Titus took issue with city staff’s contention that the definition of service stations does not consider forms of fuel, and is outdated, and that the definition of the use should be refined to contemplate how natural gas and electric vehicle fueling stations are treated under the city’s zoning regulations. Calling this “staff speculation,” Titus said, “There is no way of knowing what will define a ‘service station’ in the future. Types of products offered will be predicated by market demand. It is the responsibility of providers of service stations to satisfy the wants of its customers. Those wants will be predicated on the types of vehicles people choose to drive, whether they are gasoline, natural gas, propane, or electric.”
With regard to the justification of imposing the moratorium on the basis that it would, in the finding’s words, “allow staff to evaluate the typical operations of a service station in greater detail, the technical standards that should apply to them, and, incorporate necessary requirements and regulations that will minimize their operational and site development impacts,” Titus countered that “It is pretentious for staff to promote socially-controlled centralized planning by dictating ‘technical standards.’ It is impossible for staff to evaluate ‘typical operations of a service station.’ Operations are predicated on the development, manufacture and distribution of products and services. In a capitalist economy, this involves risk. Service stations must adapt to market demand, as previously noted. Those that do will stay in business; those that don’t will go out of business.”
City staff’s assertion that tax revenue from the city’s service stations will “decline over time in part due to the availability and preference of alternative energy sources for powering an automobile,” Titus said, “is speculation. No scientific proof for this claim was presented.”
Likewise, he dismissed as “conjecture” staff’s contention that “electric cars powered by batteries are becoming more commonplace [and] It is estimated that by 2030, more than a one third of all new vehicles sold will be fully or partially electric powered.” He disputed the assertion in the statement of findings that “As battery charging can occur at home, work, or in parking lots, the need for service stations is likely to decline in a corresponding manner.” This, Titus said, “is based on assumptions; therefore, the likelihood of service stations declining in the future is speculation.”
Titus dismissed as a “false statement” staff’s claim, layered into the statement of findings ratified by the city council, that “The declining demand for gasoline due to changes in technology and consumer preferences may increase competition among the existing service stations in the city such that closures may occur over time.” Rather, he said, “Due to changes in technology, existing service stations will adapt to consumer wants and adapt their business models accordingly in order to stay in business and make a profit.”
In the same way, he maintained, the council’s finding that “as hydrogen, liquid petroleum service, compressed natural gas service, and biofuels become more readily adopted as power sources for automobiles, conventional service stations could potentially become obsolete or unable to provide the demand for these alternative fuels,” is based on assumption and unsupported by any tangible evidence.
Titus further disputed that ride sharing services and mobility alternatives will become more popular in the future to the point that reduced personal automobile usage will result and reduce demand for service stations of any kind, and that the use of alternative fuels and ride sharing will result in service stations becoming fiscal “underperformers.”
Titus told the city council he was “opposed to the moratorium because staff has proposed central economic planning in regards to service stations in the city. At its core, this ordinance is anti-free market. The staff report tries to disparage honest business practices through speculation statements.”
During Wednesday afternoon’s session, Councilwoman Kristine Scott said, “I’m glad we’re taking a look [at the moratorium concept]. I’m not a fan of moratoriums. I don’t like moratoriums, but in this case I feel that hitting the pause button… is appropriate for this. Let’s look at the data, look at what we’re doing and [find out if] these are the best options, the best uses for this land. I also understand that we do have some applications in and I understand people put in time and energy so far into those applications, so I would also recommend we do a moratorium exempting those.”
Councilman Ryan Hutchison, while saying that the city should consider putting “more detailed standards and operational requirements in the city’s development code [including] regulating hours of operation, lighting, security, safety, proximity to neighborhoods, residents, and vehicles queuing on the streets,” indicated such examinations should be made for all types of commercial development and should not be confined simply to gas stations. He said a consideration of new development standards would be “a great thing for every single development. I want to be clear: I don’t think that I would ever support currently a long-term ban on the development of gas stations in the city. I think that’s something the market will bring about as a necessity rather than through government. I also think people that made that significant investment [into planning and seeking permitting for a gas station should] be able to continue and that we’re not hitting the pause button for them who are already working on an application.”
Mayor L. Dennis Michael expressed the view that the government should exercise its oversight in shaping what sort of development is to come into the city. He seemed to suggest that the judgment of municipal officials should have at least equal weight as that of the private sector in determining what commercial and other uses, and the types of those uses, are best for the community and its residents.
“I guess I’ve got a concern,” Michael said. “Some of those concerns rest with the competition oversaturation [and] what happens to the older, more well-established stations that don’t have the kind of good-looking, nice amenities available to residents, and we start ending up seeing stations, like the two that are vacant, go out of business. Now we have a brownfield problem when we have a developer come in who wants to do something really cool, but he’s got a huge expense in remediation on the site. I want to thank the staff for your recognition that, hey, this seems like we’re getting a real spike in these kind of facilities – service stations, gas stations, however you want to call them, and convenience stores – and at least at this point in one specific area of the city.” Michael indicated he was concerned that the proliferation of gas stations with convenient store components, with their propensity to locate at a corner of major intersections, would preclude the development of a substantial shopping center containing a grocery store in the southwest quadrant of the city, which he said was devoid of such uses.
“I would support taking a pause to look at this a little more deeply,” he said. “I would like to find out, and maybe staff could do an analysis on, what would happen if a number – three or four – gas stations came in one centralized area of the community, what that would do to the existing market of the other stations that are currently probably struggling themselves. I just think we need to be careful. We have only so much vacant land left in this city, and we certainly need to look for the highest and best use, and be patient… and look towards what opportunities, what potential risk we are running into when we can never get back what we gave up.”
The mayor said he would support up to a two-year moratorium on any new applications for gas stations.
The council deferred voting on the moratorium until the regular meeting held that evening, at which time its members voted unanimously to put it into place.
Titus lamented that “In a convoluted argument, staff conflates service stations as becoming fiscal ‘underperformers’ in regards to the contribution they make to city tax revenues. They speculate about their profitability potential based on probabilities of future products and services they might offer.”
-Mark Gutglueck

Exemption Sought In Building 722 Apartment Units At Redlands Mall

Next week, the Redlands Planning Commission will consider Village Partners Ventures, LLC’s proposal to transform the largely vacant 11.15-acre Redlands Mall, which formerly hosted the Harris’ department store, from what was once an intensified and flourishing commercial center into a mixed use development with a dense residential component.
Village Partners’ effort hinges on three premises, with the first and most dynamic being that city officials will welcome the rejuvenation of the property after it has remained unproductive for more than a decade, and that those officials will accordingly facilitate the application for the project’s approval. The second premise is that it can be considered to be in conformance with the Transit Villages Specific Plan, a subcomponent of the Redlands General Plan adopted in 2017 that envisions mixed uses including relatively high density residential units in the districts around the train stations to be built in Redlands as part of the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority’s “Arrow” light rail passenger line tentatively slated to begin operating in 2022. Those train stations are to be located proximate to the New York Street/Redlands Boulevard intersection, the Downtown Redlands station at the historic Santa Fe Depot at the convergence of Orange Street and Shoppers Lane and the rail line terminus at University Station at University Street and Park Place. The third premise is that the project will be deemed exempt from Measure U, which was passed by Redlands’ voters in 1997 and imposed strict height and density restrictions on development that can only be suspended with a four-fifths vote of the city council.
Noteworthy characteristics of the project are that it will entail a five-story structure and 722 residential units.
On the Redlands Planning Commission agenda for its meeting on Tuesday, April 27 is the consideration of the project, described as “a transit-oriented mixed use project built in phases.” Approval of the item would clear the way, according to the staff report accompanying the agenda, for Village Partners Ventures, LLC to “demolish existing on-site buildings and improvements; construct multiple mixed-use buildings with up to 3-, 4-, and 5-stories; construct up to 722 multifamily dwelling units to include live/work, studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units ranging between 475 and 1,500 square-feet each; construct an approximately 10,000 square-foot recreational amenity multi-story building including an exterior pool and resident areas; construct up to 73,000 square-feet of commercial floor area on ground floors to include retail and restaurant uses, as well as a rooftop restaurant; construct up to 12,000 square-feet of office space on upper floors; [complete a] pedestrian plaza totaling approximately 16,500 square-feet; construct a six-level parking structure with 780 spaces and two single-level subterranean parking structures each with approximately 240 spaces; construct a 14,600 square-foot single tenant retail building for a pharmacy on the south side of Citrus Avenue at Eureka Street; construct public and private open space areas to include landscaping, shade trees, street trees, and pedestrian improvements; and construct related site improvements to include sidewalks, driveways, landscape, lighting, flood prevention, and public and private utility connections.”
The pharmacy referenced pertains to the CVS drug store, one of the last remaining commercial operations yet open on the mall site. It will be relocated across Citrus Avenue onto 1.1 acres located at the southeast corner of Citrus Avenue and Eureka Street, which currently exists as a parking lot.
West State Street, which currently terminates at Orange Street, is to be extended through the project.
The project is intended to be transit-oriented in keeping with the Transit Villages concept, such that the residents in the project’s apartments will be able to leave their vehicles parked in the project’s parking structures and easily walk to the downtown train platform located at most no more than the distance of three football fields – 1,200 feet – to the north. Those residents will also be able to “make multiple stops at a coffee shop, restaurant, bank, medical office, neighborhood grocery, pharmacy, post office, or cleaners all within a half-mile radius, in about one hour or less, and without needing a motor vehicle,” according to the staff report prepared for the planning commission.
The staff report indicates that elements of Measure U, a growth limitation measure passed into law by the city’s voters more than two decades ago, can be bypassed. The first section of the staff report addresses the importance of evading the restrictions of Measure U if the project is to proceed.
The report notes that the developer is attempting to maneuver around the city’s restrictions banning projects involving structures higher than two stories or more than 18 units per acre. “The applicant is requesting a city council determination that the proposed project is exempt from Measure ‘U’ (which included provisions specifically exempting certain types of development),” the report states. “Measure ‘U’ Section 2, Part B (Exemptions), is listed below. The applicant is requesting exemption based on category D, “Development directly related to proposed Metrolink stations in the City of Redlands….”
The report then quotes the language in Measure U relating to such exemptions. That language reads, “2. Special Categories of Development. The provisions of this initiative measure shall not apply to the following:
A. New individual infill construction of single family homes on existing lots of record bounded by developed property as of March 1, 1997;
B. Rehabilitation, remodeling or additions to existing single family residential structures;
C. Reconstruction or replacement of any uses to the same density, intensity and classification of use as existed on the effective date, including legal non-conforming uses;
D. Development directly related to proposed Metrolink stations in the City of Redlands, including one at the University of Redlands;
E. New development projects subject to the Downtown Specific Plan 45, upon a four-fifths (4/5ths) vote of the total authorized membership of the city council; and
F. Special, temporary or occasional uses of public streets including parades, local sporting and cultural events, graduation ceremonies, approved and other occasional public gatherings.”
It is Village Partners Ventures, LLC’s contention that the project it is proposing qualifies for the exemptions under category D and possibly E. The Downtown Specific Plan 45 has in some measure been superseded by the Transit Villages Specific Plan.
According to the staff report, “The Mall site (11.15 acres) is approximately 650 feet to the south of the Santa Fe Depot train station at its closest point (with three routes of pedestrian access available along Third Street, Orange Street, and Eureka Street), and approximately 1,200 feet to the south of the Santa Fe Depot train station at its farthest point. The property at the southeast corner of Citrus Avenue and Eureka Street is approximately 1,300 feet to the south of the Santa Fe Depot train station at its farthest point, which is no more than 1/4-mile from the Metrolink and Arrow train platforms.”
It is unknown at this time whether there will be active resistance to granting the exemptions by a heavy contingent of Redlands residents and activists who consider themselves watchdogs with regard to any efforts to compromise the principles of Measure U.
Last year, Redlands residents were called upon to consider Measure G, which was placed by the city council on the March 3, 2020 California Primary ballot. Measure G sought to undo all of the provisions of Measure R, Measure N and Measure U in the city’s 782-acre central corridor and make further general sallies against Measures R, N, and U throughout the city. Specifically, Measure G called for eliminating the requirement that a four-fifths vote of the city council is needed to approve residential densities exceeding 18 dwelling units per acre, eliminate the current requirement that a four-fifths vote of the city council is needed to approve residential buildings exceeding two stories or 35 feet in height, eliminate the need for developers to ensure that the level of traffic flow that exists at the intersections proximate to their projects prior to the construction of their projects be maintained after the projects are completed, eliminate the requirement that the voters of the city rather than the city council be solely authorized to establish any new land use designations in the city, eliminate the requirement that the proponents of certain new development projects prepare a socioeconomic‐cost/benefit study before approval of those projects, eliminate the requirement that certain residential subdivision projects be subject to competitive review for issuance of building permits, and eliminate the requirement that the developers of new projects pay 100 percent of the development impact fees that are imposed on those projects. Measure G also called for rescinding the earlier voter‐approved measures R, N and U, which prohibit more than 400 residential dwelling units being constructed within the city in any year.
Measure G was soundly defeated, gathering 7,798 votes of support, or 35.12 percent of the ballots cast, while being met by 14,407 votes in opposition, equal to 64.88 percent rejection.
-Mark Gutglueck

Mayor Politically Outmuscles Bare Majority San Bernardino City Council On Concrete Removal

By Mark Gutglueck
A confluence of factors, including three city council members’ intense distrust of Mayor John Valdivia, is preventing San Bernardino city officials from resolving the environmental hazard that has come about as a result of over a thousand tons of fragmented concrete having been left unattended at the north end of the city.
On June 5, 2020, a fire broke out in the Kuehne & Nagel warehouse, a 600,000 square foot structure in the 2200 block of West Lugonia Avenue in Redlands which had served as a holding/distribution/dispatch facility for large items sold by on-line retail behemoth Amazon. The fire gutted the building, which was a total loss.
The concrete walls were torn down. Initial plans were to haul them off to whatever landfill would take them.
In San Bernardino, some 12.5 miles away as the crow flies or variously 15.6 miles or 18.3 miles distant via differing routes using the local freeway system, there was a place where someone thought the rubble could be put to use.
At the far extension of Palm Avenue in North San Bernardino’s Verdemont District, the so-called Oxbow project, a planned development of 40 single-family residential units by Newport Beach-based Oxbow Communities, Inc. that had been on the drawing board for nearly a decade-and-a-half, was on hold. There had been a number of financial, practical and administrative considerations that were preventing the project from moving forward. A key obstruction was that the land upon which the project was to be built was uneven and would require either intensive grading and then hillside reinforcement or the introduction of fill into the low-lying side of the property or its crevices to render it level. The emerging availability of the concrete from the Kuehne & Nagel warehouse represented what appeared to be an ideal solution to Eric Cernich, Oxbow Communities’ principal. With the approval of Redlands city officials, Cernich arranged to have the concrete walls partially broken up at the Lugonia Avenue property. He then had the concrete trucked over to the Oxbow project site.
In August 2020, Verdemont District residents noted that dump trucks were transiting up Palm Avenue and depositing massive loads of the large shards and chunks of shattered concrete onto vacant land near the Oxbow project site. When they queried of San Bernardino city officials what was happening, they were told that Oxbow Communities had clearance from the city to utilize the concrete as fill. If they would just be patient, those residents were told, the eyesore would disappear as the concrete was pulverized and ground into manageable-sized pieces and mixed with dirt to be thereafter compacted so it might disappear under the foundations of the homes that were to built and the yards and lawns that would eventually surround those homes.
When the wind kicked up, however, the people in the neighborhood found themselves, their houses, cars and pets peppered and pelted with dust and concrete fragments anywhere from the size of sand to pebbles. There was concern that the concrete itself was not stable physically or chemically and that it represented a safety and health hazard. When City Hall was met with complaints, then-City Manager Teri Ledoux downplayed the problem, offering an assurance that the Environmental Protection Agency’s standards contained in its Land Development and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System guidelines rated the concrete as a low-level or nonexistent health threat.
Residents countered that the dozens of heavily-laden diesel trucks carrying the concrete to its destination were spewing exhaust into the air and tearing up the surface of Palm Avenue.
At that point, in late September and early October 2020, then-Fifth Ward Councilman Henry Nickel, in whose ward the Verdemont District lies, was locked in a reelection effort. For him, the matter represented both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge consisted of the perception that City Hall was insensitive to the problem, the visual blight and the inconvenience the presence of the concrete represented to the community, and that Nickel was likewise insensitive to the problem or, if he was indeed empathetic to the plight of his constituents, that he was ineffective in bringing about a resolution to the dilemma. The opportunity the situation presented to Nickel was that if he acted effectively in redressing the issue, he would gain, or retain, a reputation as an effective representative of the Fifth Ward, and that would redound to his benefit in his reelection effort.
Accordingly Nickel was the city council’s most vocal critic of what Oxbow Communities was doing, and he demanded that the city ensure that the processing of the concrete – further crushing or grinding to reduce it into composite for fill – take place offsite so as to obviate the generation of dust and particulates that would represent a health threat to those in the area who were breathing it.
City staff took samples of the concrete, intending to subject them to tests to ascertain if the material represented a toxic threat to nearby residents.
In October, Nickel in conjunction with then-Seventh Ward Councilman Jim Mulvihill, who was also up for reelection in November, convinced two of their colleagues – Sandra Ibarra and Juan Figueroa – to issue a demand to Oxbow Communities and Cernich that the concrete be removed, and that any processing of the concrete – crushing, grinding or pulverizing – be carried out offsite.
Councilmen Theodore Sanchez and Fred Shorett, who reasoned that allowing Oxbow to keep the concrete onsite so it could be processed to be used as fill would expedite the progression toward the ultimate completion of the Oxbow project, were opposed to giving Cernich any such ultimatum. Then-Councilwoman Bessine Richard was absent from the October 21 city council meeting, and did not vote on holding Cernich and Oxbow to account. If she had been present and had voted with Sanchez and Shorett, that would have given Mayor John Valdivia authority to veto the vote by Nickel, Mulvihill, Ibarra and Figueroa.
Under normal circumstances, Valdivia, as mayor, is not empowered to vote. He does, however, have veto authority on 4-to-3 or 3-to-2 votes. Since the vote to order the removal of the concrete had passed on a 4-to-2 vote, Valdivia did not have the reach to veto it.
Valdivia was motivated to assist Cernich in keeping the concrete at the Verdemont site. Cernich had provided Valdivia’s electioneering fund with $1,500 in two $750 installments, one on July 14, 2020 and another on September 8, 2020. Greenleaf Engineering of Huntington Beach, owned by Tim Greenleaf, who had the contract for the demolition of the Kuehne & Nagel warehouse and relocating its concrete walls to San Bernardino, had provided Valdivia’s election fund with $2,000 in two $1,000 installments on October 2, 2020 and on October 7, 2020.
On December 16, 2020, Ben Christmas-Reynoso, Kimberly Calvin and Damon Alexander were sworn in to office to replace, respectively Nickel, Richard and Mulvihill, all of whom lost their council berths as a consequence of the 2020 political season.
If Cernich had hopes of convincing the council to allow the concrete to remain onsite so he could crush it there and combine it with dirt and pour it into the crevices and ravines at the site where the subdivision is to be built, that was dashed when Chirstmas-Reynoso proved every bit as adamant as Nickel in seeing the concrete removed and Oxbow Development prevented from crushing it on site.
In December or thereabouts, Cernich handed the Oxbow project off to another entity, Carson-based Pacific Coast International Group. In turn, Pacific Coast International created a sub-entity, Palm Avenue Development, based in Irvine, to see the residential subdivision built.
The council at some point in a closed session resolved to mandate that the concrete be removed. On January 15, 2021, Pacific Coast International/Palm Avenue Development and Jazzar Construction Group, a parallel entity involved in the Oxbow project, were presented with a notice that the city was giving the new Oxbow project developer 30 days to remove the concrete.
The city indicated that if an effort to remove the concrete was not under way by January 25 and substantial progress toward the complete removal of the concrete was not made by February 14, it would undertake to do that removal and slap a lien against the property to ultimately recover its costs in carrying out that job.
February 14 came and went without any of the concrete being removed.
The city then made good on its threat, seeking from the San Bernardino County Superior Court authorization to go onto Pacific Coast International’s property at the top of Palm Avenue and begin the removal of the concrete rubble. Superior Court Judge Charles Umeda granted the city’s request for the warrant to do the abatement, contingent upon the city giving Pacific Coast International 24 hour’s notice via posting at the site or 48 hours notice by U.S. Mail or email delivered to the head of Jazzar Construction Group, Ronald Aljazzar.
On April 7, the city council voted to authorize the expenditure of $2 million toward the concrete removal effort, slating the work to begin on April 12 and proceed at a steady pace, such that the debris would be removed 50 days hence, on June 1. The work was to be done by Cemex, a Mexican multinational building materials company with California corporate headquarters in Ontario. To pay for the abatement, the city intended to place a lien on the property, such that it would be able to recover the $2 million from Pacific Coast International/Palm Avenue Development/Jazzar Construction Group before the construction on the Oxbow subdivision could proceed.
The vote to give Cemex the concrete removal assignment passed 4-to-3, with Christmas-Reynoso, Calvin, Sandra Ibarra and Damon Alexander prevailing, and councilmen Fred Shorett, Ted Sanchez and Juan Figueroa dissenting. Valdivia then vetoed the approval of the abatement plan.
Sanchez, Shorett and Figueroa believe that subjecting the developer to the cost of removing the concrete from the site and carrying out the processing of the material elsewhere before relocating back to the site where it will be used to form the base beneath the subdivision would be prohibitively expensive and that once the material is removed it will never come back and the project will be abandoned, with the land lying fallow for another 15 years.
Shorett prides himself as being pro-development and does not want to see the city surrender the prospect of having upscale homes built at the site.
Sanchez told the Sentinel that the fears expressed by some residents that the concrete represents a health hazard do not comport with actuality.
“The concrete has been tested by two scientific labs and they have found it is not toxic,” Sanchez said. “It will not be hazardous to crush it where it is, as long as it is done correctly. What will be far more hazardous is making thousands of trips using diesel-fueled trucks to get it out of there. The ideal way is for the developer to crush it onsite and then use it as fill along with earth that will be compacted to even out the ground, because those houses cannot be built on those slopes. Doing it any other way at this point will be difficult and will cost millions of dollars.”
An issue with the crushing of the concrete is that it will be to some degree powderized into particulates that when stirred up by the wind could spread over the area. Those breathing that concrete dust could suffer severe lung damage. A methodology that could be applied, building industry sources maintain, is to spray the concrete as it is being cut, crushed or stamped into smaller fragments to anchor the dust, after which the final product would be covered until it is mixed with dirt and pressed into place as the base for the construction site.
Sanchez acknowledged that the wind does blow debris from the piles upon piles of concrete mounded about the neighborhood. He also acknowledged that Valdivia has an “ulterior motive” in seeking to help out the developer. Nevertheless, Sanchez said, working out a solution to the circumstance that avoids trucking the concrete away and back while getting the project site ready for development was the best way to approach the quandary.
Sanchez said he was certain that Christmas-Reynoso and Calvin could not be persuaded to give Pacific Coast International/Palm Avenue Development/Jazzar Construction Group an opportunity to process the concrete onsite to redress the property contour issues and move ahead with the project, and that it was highly doubtful that Ibarra could be made to come around and support Pacific Coast International/Palm Avenue Development/Jazzar Construction Group, either. He did hold out hope, however, that Alexander would see his way clear to fall in line with him, Shorett and Figueroa in forming a coalition with regard to letting Pacific Coast International/Palm Avenue Development/Jazzar Construction Group use the concrete fill too expedite the completion of the Oxbow subdivision.
Henry Nickel, who has now been out of office for more than four months, says he believes that the concrete rubble debacle did him in last November. Nevertheless, he said, “I’m 100 percent behind Ben [Christmas-Reynoso] on this. Ben’s definitely on the right track. That concrete needs to be abated. Aside from being a nuisance and an eyesore, it’s a hazard. They [Pacific Coast International/Palm Avenue Development/Jazzar Construction Group] are in absolute violation of whatever permits were issued, of the city code, of everything. That area is not zoned for concrete crushing or grinding. They do not have permits to use that as a dump site or holding site for concrete. It was a major staff faux pas to let them do that.”
Nickel said there was a lot of finger-pointing by staff, with no one willing to acknowledge responsibility for having given Oxbow Communities clearance to move the fragmented concrete onto the property near the top of Palm Avenue.
The only criticism he made of Christmas-Reynoso was to say that his successor needs to sharpen his skills in political horsetrading and logrolling. “I wish Ben could get five votes,” Nickel said. “Four votes is not enough. Four votes simply throws the decision to the mayor. Ben has to figure out how to amass five votes. He has to figure out how to win Juan’s [Figueroa’s] support on this. Juan is the swing vote. In October, Juan voted with us. Ben has to work to get that fifth vote. The fifth vote will come around. It’s a matter of trade-offs. He has to ask himself what he is willing to give and what Juan is willing to accept so he can get that fifth vote.”
Nickel said, “Staff dropped the ball on this. They should never have let the concrete be set down there in the first place. It is hurting our community. The bottom line is that the council has to reconcile this. How do they fix it now that staff has overstepped their authority and their discretion? This is an example of how there is this constant tension between elected officials and professional staff. Staff should have been defending the community. If they were going to let them bring that concrete in, they should have required a bond in case it had to be abated.”
Nickel said he suspected that Cernich and Greenleaf were provided with $2 million by the owners of the Kuehne & Nagel warehouse to haul the concrete off. He said he further suspected that Oxbow Development/Cernich and Pacific Coast International/Palm Avenue Development are one and the same.
“They may very well have created these shell companies and LLCs,” he said. “Corporations have funny ways of moving things around. I have seen so many deals like that, it wouldn’t surprise me. Whoever holds that property, whether it is the original owner in another guise or a new owner, has assumed the liability. The city needs to move in there and abate it. We need to get compensated, so we should slap a lien on the property and recover our costs. If it is a new owner, the new owner bought this mess. If the problem wasn’t disclosed because the previous owner violated the terms of the permit, then the new owner should sue for nondisclosure.”
Nickel said that Shorett was not willing to support forcing the abatement of the concrete because, ‘He doesn’t want to be seen as doing something that will hurt developers. The thing is, I think it is pretty clear the developer in this case accepted money to take the concrete off the hands of the owner of that warehouse and dump it someplace. They ended up dumping that material near existing residential properties. That was probably fraudulent conduct and possibly criminal. The city and the residents are being played for fools here. I am not against development, and I would say that I was as pro-development or more than anyone on the council. But in this case, the developer is taking advantage of the city. This is a threat to the health and safety of the community. There can be no crushing activity in that area. If I was on the council, I would be more than happy to go after everybody who had a hand in this. That is what the council needs to do: The city should front the costs of cleaning this up and then go after anybody and everybody who tried to take advantage of us. We should sue, and not just stop there, but put a lien on their property. We should make their lives a living hell. We need to say to them, ‘If you want to pull a fast one on the city, you are going to get your ass handed to you and we are going to get our pound of flesh.’”

Chino Planning Commission One Vote Shy Of Suspending Agency-To-Agency Privilege

The Chino Planning Commission this week came within one vote of violating the long and hallowed tradition of agency-to-agency privilege that is routinely extended between entities in San Bernardino County’s public sector.
By a narrow 4-to-3 vote, that panel, consisting of Commissioner Jimmy Alexandris, Chairman Brandon Blanchard and commissioners Kevin Cisneros, Steve Lewis, Jody Moore, Robert Nastase and Walt Pocock, recommended approval of the Chino Valley Unified School District’s request to have the Xebec Building Company engage in just under 385,000 square feet of construction on two sites within the city on its behalf.
The district had asked for the city to give Xebec Building Company an entitlement to proceed with erecting a 59,798-square-foot administration building on 4.52 acres at 13461 Ramona Avenue, and a 325,000-square-feet of warehousing on 14 acres on Yorba Avenue, between Schaefer and Chino avenues.
In San Bernardino County generally, when one governmental entity needs assistance or approval from another governmental authority, cooperation and accommodation is automatically extended. This spirit of courtesy and reciprocity is referred to as agency-to-agency privilege. Under the doctrine of agency-to-agency privilege, governmental entities do not hold their fellow and sister governmental agencies to as high of a standard as is exacted from the private sector.
As it turned out on Monday night, April 19, Chairman Blanchard and commissioners Jody Moore and Kevin Cisneros opposed the district’s request. Their issue was not with the new administration building but rather the warehouse, which is to be located along Yorba Avenue, a relatively narrow two-lane street.
Yorba XC, LLC is a limited liability company that is a corporate offshoot of the Xebec Building Company. Yorba XC, LLC, rather than the school district, is the applicant of record on the dual-phase project. Yorba XC, LLC entered into an agreement with the Chino Valley Unified School District to construct the district’s new administrative office building to be located at 13461 Ramona Avenue in exchange for a long-term ground lease on an adjacent piece of industrial property owned by the Chino Valley Unified School District.
The district’s administrative division, currently housed within a part of the Old Chino High School at 5130 Riverside Drive, will move into the Ramona Avenue district headquarters upon that project’s completion. The Riverside Drive facility will yet remain as the storage and facility yard for the district’s buses.
The district has owned the Ramona Avenue location since 1990 and currently uses the property for its Student Support Services Department. The Yorba Avenue site is currently vacant.
The proposed warehouse project to be located at 13404 Yorba Avenue is to consist of a 325,300 square foot industrial building that fronts the street. The building is designed to be flexible with office pods located at both the north and south ends of the building, which could accommodate either a single user or allow the building to be divided for two separate users. Loading doors are located on the west side of the building and face the interior property line.
Access is provided to the site via three driveways on Yorba Avenue. The north and south driveways will accommodate truck traffic and lead directly to the secure yard area at the rear of the site. The middle driveway is designed for passenger vehicle access only and provides direct access to the parking located in front of the building.
It was this ingress into and egress from the yard surrounding the warehouse that became an issue for Blanchard, Cisneros and Moore. They expressed misgivings about the narrowness of the street, which does not provide for a turning lane into the warehouse yard or an adequate opportunity for vehicles leaving the property to gradually blend into the Yorba Avenue traffic flow.
Both Blanchard and Moore referred to the convergence that would occur as a “bottleneck.” Blanchard said the configuration would “obstruct traffic flow.”
Cisneros concurred. The trio voted against the project based on traffic safety concerns, which they said would become more acute when the surrounding properties are developed.
Commissioners Alexandris, Lewis and Nastase and Pocock were more sanguine about the traffic issue, and their votes to approve the project prevailed.
The matter is now scheduled to go before the Chino City Council on May 4. That panel, which has the ultimate land use authority in the city, will be called upon to sign off on a zone change and general plan amendment for the project to be allowed to proceed.

April 23 SBC Sentinel Legal Notices

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME
STATEMENT FILE NO-20210002690
The following person(s) is(are) doing business as: Heartovrhabit, 9017 Sycamore Ave, 208, Montclair, CA 91763, Carlos A. Aviles, 9017 Sycamore Ave, 208, Montclair, CA 91763
Business is Conducted By: An Individual
Signed: BY SIGNING BELOW, I DECLARE THAT ALL INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE AND CORRECT. A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime. (B&P Code 17913) I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.
s/ Carlos A Aviles
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/17/21
I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.
Began Transacting Business: N/A
County Clerk, s/ I1327
NOTICE- This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14400 et. Seq. Business & Professions Code).
04/02/21, 04/09/21, 04/16/2021, 04/23/21

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME
STATEMENT FILE NO-20210002717
The following person(s) is(are) doing business as: Beautybysandyy, 141 E Foothill Blvd, #15, Upland, CA 91786, Mailing Address: 17494 Marygold Ave, Bloomington, CA 92316, Sandy Chavez, 17494 Marygold Ave, Bloomington, CA 92316
Business is Conducted By: An Individual
Signed: BY SIGNING BELOW, I DECLARE THAT ALL INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE AND CORRECT. A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime. (B&P Code 17913) I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.
s/ Sandy Chavez
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/17/21
I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.
Began Transacting Business: 02/04/21
County Clerk, s/ I1327
NOTICE- This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14400 et. Seq. Business & Professions Code).
04/02/21, 04/09/21, 04/16/2021, 04/23/21

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME
STATEMENT FILE NO-20210003207
The following person(s) is(are) doing business as: Primewash Express, 1191 E. Holt Blvd, Ontario, CA 91761, Mailing Address: 2243 Calle Margarita, San Dimas, CA 91773, Ontario Carwash LLC, 2243 Calle Margarita, San Dimas, CA 91773
Business is Conducted By: A Limited Liability Company
Signed: BY SIGNING BELOW, I DECLARE THAT ALL INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE AND CORRECT. A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime. (B&P Code 17913) I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.
s/ Joseph Bashoura
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/29/21
I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.
Began Transacting Business: N/A
County Clerk, s/ I1327
NOTICE- This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14400 et. Seq. Business & Professions Code).
04/02/21, 04/09/21, 04/16/2021, 04/23/21

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME
STATEMENT FILE NO-20210002259
The following person(s) is(are) doing business as: T.Martin Transportation, 6765 N Wade Ct, San Bernardino, CA 92407, Teahdre K. Martin, 6765 N Wade Ct, San Bernardino, CA 92407
Business is Conducted By: An Individual
Signed: BY SIGNING BELOW, I DECLARE THAT ALL INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE AND CORRECT. A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime. (B&P Code 17913) I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.
s/ Teahdre K. Martin
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/04/21
I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.
Began Transacting Business: N/A
County Clerk, s/ I1327
NOTICE- This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14400 et. Seq. Business & Professions Code).
04/02/21, 04/09/21, 04/16/2021, 04/23/21
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: JESUS Q. SANDOVAL
CASE NO. PROPS 2100337
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of JESUS Q. SANDOVAL
A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by CESAR SANDOVAL in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO.
THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that CESAR SANDOVAL be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.
The petition requests the decedent’s wills and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.
THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.
A hearing on the petition will be held in Dept. No. S-37P at 9:00 a.m. on MAY 12, 2021 at Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415, San Bernardino District.
Filed: MARCH 22, 2021
JUDGE TARA REILLY
IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.
IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under Section 9052 of the California Probate Code.
Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.
YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.
Attorney for the Petitioner: MICHAEL C. MADDUX, ESQ.
1894 COMMERCENTER WEST, SUITE 108
SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92408
Telephone No: (909) 890-2350
Fax No: (909) 890-0106
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on April 9, April 16 & April 23, 2021.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: MICHAEL RAY KELLEY
CASE NO. PROPS 2100359
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of MICHAEL RAY KELLEY
A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by JEFFREY KELLEY in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO.
THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that JEFFREY KELLEY be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.
The petition requests the decedent’s wills and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.
THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.
A hearing on the petition will be held in Dept. No. S-37 at 9:00 a.m. on MAY 4 2021 at Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415, San Bernardino District.
Filed: MARCH 29, 2021
JUDGE TARA REILLY
IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.
IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under Section 9052 of the California Probate Code.
Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.
YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.
Attorney for the Petitioner: MICHAEL C. MADDUX, ESQ.
1894 COMMERCENTER WEST, SUITE 108
SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92408
Telephone No: (909) 890-2350
Fax No: (909) 890-0106
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on April 9, April 16 & April 23, 2021.
SUMMONS – (CITACION JUDICIAL)
CASE NUMBER (NUMERO DEL CASO) CIVDS2018889
NOTICE TO DEFENDANTS (AVISO DEMANDADO): DAVID ZEPEDA, TRUSTEE OF THE DAVID ROSE, IVY KIRBY, JACK CADMAN, LYDIA CADMAN, ALBERT GUSTON, FRANCE GUSTON, TRUST; SB MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS UNKNOWN; ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN CLAIMING ANY LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RIGHT, TITLE, ESTATE, LIEN OR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT ADVERSE OF PLAINTIFF’S TITLE, OR ANY CLOUD OF PLAINTIFF’S TITLE THERETO,
YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF (LO ESTA DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE):
REFUGIO ROBELO
NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below.
You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons is served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.
There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 dias, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su version. Lea la informacion a continuacion
Tiene 30 DIAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una repuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entreque una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefonica no le protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar on formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulano que usted puede usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y mas información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida si secretario de la corta que le de un formulario de exencion de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corta le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia.
Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conace a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de referencia a abogados. Si no peude pagar a un a un abogado, es posible que cumpia con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratu de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov), o poniendoso en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación da $10,000 o mas de vaior recibida mediante un aceurdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corta antes de que la corta pueda desechar el caso.
The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y la direccion de la corte es):
SAN BERNARDINO JUSTICE CENTER
247 West 3rd Street
San Bernardino, CA 92415-0210
The name, address and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono del abogado del demandante, o del demendante que no tiene abogado, es):
MICHAEL C. MADDUX, ESQ.
1894 COMMERCENTER WEST, SUITE 108
SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92408
Telephone No: (909) 890-2350
Attorney for petitioner Refugio Robelo
DATE (Fecha): 07/02/19
Clerk (Secretario), by Nathanial Johnson, Deputy (Adjunto)
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on: 4/09, 4/16, 4/23 & 4/30 2021.

ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION FOR ORDER ALLOWING SERVICE BY PUBLICATION
CASE NUMBER (NUMERO DEL CASO) CIVDS2018889
IN RE: REFUGIO ROBELO, Plaintiff
vs.
DAVID ZEPEDA, TRUSTEE OF THE DAVID ROSE, IVY KIRBY, JACK CADMAN, LYDIA CADMAN, ALBERT GUSTON, FRANCE GUSTON, TRUST; SB MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS UNKNOWN; ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN CLAIMING ANY LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RIGHT, TITLE, ESTATE, LIEN OR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT ADVERSE OF PLAINTIFF’S TITLE, OR ANY CLOUD OF PLAINTIFF’S TITLE THERETO, AND DOES 1 THROUGH 20, INCLUSIVE,
Defendants
Hearing Date: 6/15/2021 9 a.m.
Department 22
Judge: HONORABLE BRYAN FOSTER
The court finds:
1. The Plaintiff has filed an application seeking service of summons and complaint by publication upon the Defendant.
2. After inquiry of the Plaintiff, it appears to the Court that the Plaintiff does not now know where the Defendant live(s). It appears that the Plaintiff has made reasonable efforts to find out where the Defendant(s) is/(are) living but has not been able to find out that information, and it appears that the Plaintiff has done all things reasonably necessary to try to find out where the Defendant is living. Defendant cannot with reasonable diligence, be served in another manner specified by the California Code of Civil Procedure § 415.10 et Seq. as shown by the declaration attached hereto.
3. The Plaintiff is allowed to give notice to the Defendant(s) All Persons Unknown Claiming Any Legal or Equitable Right, Title, Estate, Lien or Interest in the Property Described in the Complaint Adverse of Plaintiff’s Title, or Any Cloud of Plaintiff’s Title Thereto, by publication as is provided by Code of Civil Procedure section 415.10.
It is so ordered Dated 2-2-2021
BRYAN F. FOSTER, Judge
By Veronica Gonzalez, Deputy
MICHAEL C. MADDUX, ESQ.
1894 COMMERCENTER WEST, SUITE 108
SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92408
Telephone No: (909) 890-2350
Attorney for petitioner Refugio Robelo
DATE (Fecha): 07/02/19
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on: 4/09, 4/16, 4/23 & 4/30 2021.
ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION FOR ORDER ALLOWING SERVICE BY PUBLICATION
CASE NUMBER (NUMERO DEL CASO) CIVDS2018889
IN RE: REFUGIO ROBELO, Plaintiff
vs.
DAVID ZEPEDA, TRUSTEE OF THE DAVID ROSE, IVY KIRBY, JACK CADMAN, LYDIA CADMAN, ALBERT GUSTON, FRANCE GUSTON, TRUST; SB MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS UNKNOWN; ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN CLAIMING ANY LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RIGHT, TITLE, ESTATE, LIEN OR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT ADVERSE OF PLAINTIFF’S TITLE, OR ANY CLOUD OF PLAINTIFF’S TITLE THERETO, AND DOES 1 THROUGH 20, INCLUSIVE,
Defendants
Hearing Date: 6/15/2021 9 a.m.
Department 22
Judge: HONORABLE BRYAN FOSTER
The court finds:
1. The Plaintiff has filed an application seeking service of summons and complaint by publication upon the Defendant.
2. After inquiry of the Plaintiff, it appears to the Court that the Plaintiff does not now know where the Defendant live(s). It appears that the Plaintiff has made reasonable efforts to find out where the Defendant(s) is/(are) living but has not been able to find out that information, and it appears that the Plaintiff has done all things reasonably necessary to try to find out where the Defendant is living. Defendant cannot with reasonable diligence, be served in another manner specified by the California Code of Civil Procedure § 415.10 et Seq. as shown by the declaration attached hereto.
3. The Plaintiff is allowed to give notice to the Defendant(s) DAVID ZEPEDA, TRUSTEE OF THE DAVID ROSE, IVY KIRBY, JACK CADMAN, LYDIA CADMAN, ALBERT GUSTON, FRANCE GUSTON, TRUST; SB MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS UNKNOWN, by publication as is provided by Code of Civil Procedure section 415.10.
It is so ordered Dated 2-2-2021
BRYAN F. FOSTER, Judge
By Veronica Gonzalez, Deputy
MICHAEL C. MADDUX, ESQ.
1894 COMMERCENTER WEST, SUITE 108
SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92408
Telephone No: (909) 890-2350
Attorney for petitioner Refugio Robelo
DATE (Fecha): 07/02/19
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on: 4/09, 4/16, 4/23 & 4/30 2021.

ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION FOR ORDER ALLOWING SERVICE BY PUBLICATION
CASE NUMBER (NUMERO DEL CASO) CIVDS2018889
IN RE: REFUGIO ROBELO, Plaintiff
vs.
DAVID ZEPEDA, TRUSTEE OF THE DAVID ROSE, IVY KIRBY, JACK CADMAN, LYDIA CADMAN, ALBERT GUSTON, FRANCE GUSTON, TRUST; SB MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS UNKNOWN; ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN CLAIMING ANY LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RIGHT, TITLE, ESTATE, LIEN OR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT ADVERSE OF PLAINTIFF’S TITLE, OR ANY CLOUD OF PLAINTIFF’S TITLE THERETO, AND DOES 1 THROUGH 20, INCLUSIVE,
Defendants
Hearing Date: 6/15/2021 9 a.m.
Department 22
Judge: HONORABLE BRYAN FOSTER
The court finds:
1. The Plaintiff has filed an application seeking service of summons and complaint by publication upon the Defendant.
2. After inquiry of the Plaintiff, it appears to the Court that the Plaintiff does not now know where the Defendant live(s). It appears that the Plaintiff has made reasonable efforts to find out where the Defendant(s) is/(are) living but has not been able to find out that information, and it appears that the Plaintiff has done all things reasonably necessary to try to find out where the Defendant is living. Defendant cannot with reasonable diligence, be served in another manner specified by the California Code of Civil Procedure § 415.10 et Seq. as shown by the declaration attached hereto.
3. The Plaintiff is allowed to give notice to the Defendant(s) SB MANAGEMENT, by publication as is provided by Code of Civil Procedure section 415.10.
It is so ordered Dated 2-2-2021
BRYAN F. FOSTER, Judge
By Veronica Gonzalez, Deputy
MICHAEL C. MADDUX, ESQ.
1894 COMMERCENTER WEST, SUITE 108
SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92408
Telephone No: (909) 890-2350
Attorney for petitioner Refugio Robelo
DATE (Fecha): 07/02/19
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on: 4/09, 4/16, 4/23 & 4/30 2021.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME
STATEMENT FILE NO-20210003542
The following person(s) is(are) doing business as: Gearup Scuba, 14582 Pipeline Ave, Chino, CA 91710, The YSJL Corp, 1456 S Briar Ave, Ontario, CA 91762
Business is Conducted By: A Corporation
Signed: BY SIGNING BELOW, I DECLARE THAT ALL INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE AND CORRECT. A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime. (B&P Code 17913) I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.
s/ Joe Yong Ping Lin
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 04/06/2021
I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.
Began Transacting Business: 03/30/2021
County Clerk, s/ I1327
NOTICE- This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14400 et. Seq. Business & Professions Code).

04/09/21, 04/16/2021, 04/23/21, 04/30/21

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME
STATEMENT FILE NO-20210002449
The following person(s) is(are) doing business as: La Bella Salon Suites, 5541 Arrow Hwy Suite A, Montclair, CA 91763, Toni Cummings, 461 Euclid Ave, Upland, CA 91786
Business is Conducted By: A Corporation
Signed: BY SIGNING BELOW, I DECLARE THAT ALL INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE AND CORRECT. A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime. (B&P Code 17913) I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.
s/ Toni Cummings
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/11/21
I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.
Began Transacting Business: 02/21/21
County Clerk, s/ D5511
NOTICE- This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14400 et. Seq. Business & Professions Code).
04/09/21, 04/16/2021, 04/23/21, 04/30/21

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME
STATEMENT FILE NO-20210003230

The following person(s) is(are) doing business as: Serrot Beauty Salon, 668 N. Mountain Avenue, Upland, CA 91786, Mailing Address: 390 Caliente Dr, Norco, CA 92860, Alfredo Torres, 390 Caliente Dr, Norco, CA 92860
Business is Conducted By: An Individual
Signed: BY SIGNING BELOW, I DECLARE THAT ALL INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE AND CORRECT. A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime. (B&P Code 17913) I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.
s/ Alfredo Torres
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/29/2021
I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.
Began Transacting Business: 03/17/2021
County Clerk, s/ I1327
NOTICE- This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14400 et. Seq. Business & Professions Code).
04/09/21, 04/16/2021, 04/23/21, 04/30/21

FBN 20210000017 The following person is doing business as BEL AIR BLVD 14762 SHADOW DRIVE FONTANA, CA 92337 JASMINE HENDERSON [and] JANAYA HENDERSON 14762 SHADOW DRIVE FONTANA, CA 92337, TAESHAWNA CLEMONS, 14762 SHADOW DRIVE, FONTANA, CA 92337 This Business is Conducted By: A GENERAL PARTNERSHIP BY SIGNING BELOW, I DECLARE THAT ALL INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE AND CORRECT. A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime. (B&P Code 17913) I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing. S/ JASMINE HENDERSON This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 1/04/2021 I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Began Transacting Business: N/A County Clerk, Deputy D5511 NOTICE- This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14400 et. Seq. Business & Professions Code). Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on 1/29, 2/5, 2/12 & 2/19, 2021 & Corrected on 03/05/21, 03/12/21, 03/19/21, 03/26/21 & 04/09/21, 04/16/21, 04/23/21, 04/30/21

FBN 20210002262 The following person is doing business as FP CO 10622 BRYANT ST SPC 62 YUCAIPA, CA 92399: FREDERICO A. PALMA 10622 BRYANT ST SPC 62 YUCAIPA, CA 92399 [and] GIGLYOLLA P. PALMA 10622 BRYANT ST SPC 62 YUCAIPA, CA 92399 This Business is Conducted By: A MARRIED COUPLE BY SIGNING BELOW, I DECLARE THAT ALL INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE AND CORRECT. A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime. (B&P Code 17913) I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing. S/ FREDERICO A PALMA This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 3/4/2021 I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Began Transacting Business: FEBRUARY 4, 2021 County Clerk, Deputy I137 NOTICE- This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious name in violation of therights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14400 et. Seq. Business & Professions Code). Published in the San

Bernardino County Sentinel on 3/5/ 3/12, 3/19 & 3/26, 2021 & Corrected on: 04/09/21, 04/16/21, 04/23/21, 04/30/21

ABANDONMENT OF AN FBN 20210003322
The following entity was doing business as GAMESTOP 3536 1883 N. CAMPUS AVENUE, SUITE B UPLAND, CA 91784: GAMESTOP, INC 625 WESTPORT PARKWAY GRAPEVINE, TEXAS 76051 State of Incorporation: MN Reg. No.: C1969245
Date of current filing: 11/16/2020
Previous FBN #: FBN20200010519
Mailing Address: 625 WESTPORT PARKWAY GRAPEVINE, TX 76051
This Business is Conducted By: A CORPORATION
BY SIGNING BELOW, I DECLARE THAT ALL INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE AND CORRECT. A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime. (B&P Code 17913) I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.
S/ GEORGE E. SHERMAN
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/30/2021 I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.
Began Transacting Business: DECEMBER 15, 2005
County Clerk, Deputy I6733
NOTICE- This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14400 et. Seq. Business & Professions Code).
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel April 16, 23, and 30 & May 7, 2021.

ABANDONMENT OF AN FBN 20210003320
The following entity is doing business as GAMESTOP 1296 222 INLAND CENTER DRIVE SAN BERNARDINO CA 92408: GAMESTOP, INC 625 WESTPORT PARKWAY GRAPEVINE, TEXAS 76051 State of Incorporation: MN Reg. No.: C1969245
Mailing Address: 625 WESTPORT PARKWAY GRAPEVINE, TX 76051
Date of Current Filing: 11/16/2020
Previous FBN#: FBN20200010515
This Business is Conducted By: A CORPORATION
BY SIGNING BELOW, I DECLARE THAT ALL INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE AND CORRECT. A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime. (B&P Code 17913) I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.
S/ GEORGE E. SHERMAN
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/30/2021 I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Began Transacting Business: JUNE 4, 1996
County Clerk, Deputy I6733
NOTICE- This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14400 et. Seq. Business & Professions Code).
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel April 16, 23, and 30 & May 7, 2021.

ABANDONMENT OF AN FBN 20210003326
The following entity is doing business as GAMESTOP 5047 2094 W, REDLANDS BOULEVAED, SUITE K REDLANDS, CA 92373: GAMESTOP, INC 625 WESTPORT PARKWAY GRAPEVINE, TEXAS 76051 State of Incorporation: MN Reg. No.: C1969245
Mailing Address: 625 WESTPORT PARKWAY GRAPEVINE, TX 76051
This Business is Conducted By: A CORPORATION
Date of Current Filing: 11/16/20
Former FBN#: FBN20200010533
BY SIGNING BELOW, I DECLARE THAT ALL INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE AND CORRECT. A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime. (B&P Code 17913) I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.
S/ GEORGE E. SHERMAN
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/30/2021 I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Began Transacting Business: September 25, 2003
County Clerk, Deputy I6733
NOTICE- This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14400 et. Seq. Business & Professions Code).
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel April 16, 23, and 30 & May 7, 2021.
NOTICE OF CONSERVATORSHIP OF THE ESTATE OF VERONICA WEBER aka VERONICA STONE
Case Number CONPS2000324
To any and all persons interested in the ESTATE of VERONICA WEBER aka VERONICA STONE;
Notice is hereby given that JENIFER FEJZIC, proposed conservator, has filed a PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT of PROBATE CONSERVATOR of the ESTATE of VERONICA WEBER aka VERONICA STONE, proposed conservatee
This notice is required by law. This notice does not require you to appear in court but you may attend the hearing if you wish.
A hearing on the matter will be held as follows:
June 8, 2021 10 a.m. Department S-36
The address of the court is Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415, San Bernardino District.
Attorney for the Petitioner: Jennifer M. Daniel, Esquire
220 Nordina St.
Redlands, CA 92373
Telephone No: (909) 792-9244 Fax No: (909) 235-4733
Email address: jennifer@lawofficeofjenniferdaniel.com
Attorney for JENIFER FEJZIC
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel April 16, 23, and 30 & May 7 and 14, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO-20210003902
The following person(s) is(are) doing business as: CJRL Capital Corp, 10535 E Foothill Blvd #460, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, CJRL Capital Corp, 10535 E Foothill Blvd #460, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Business is Conducted By: An Individual
Signed: BY SIGNING BELOW, I DECLARE THAT ALL INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE AND CORRECT. A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime. (B&P Code 17913) I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.
s/Jubilee Figueroa-Acosta
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 04/14/21
I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.
Began Transacting Business: 03/01/2021
County Clerk, s/ I1327
NOTICE- This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14400 et. Seq. Business & Professions Code).
04/16/2021, 04/23/21, 04/30/21, 05/07/21

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO-20210003026
The following person(s) is(are) doing business as: Mind Growers, 1035 Driftwood Street, Upland, CA 91784, Mailing Address: PO Box 1094, Claremont, CA 91711, Alejandro Segura-Mora, 1035 Driftwood Street, Upland, CA 91784
Business is Conducted By: An Individual
Signed: BY SIGNING BELOW, I DECLARE THAT ALL INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE AND CORRECT. A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime. (B&P Code 17913) I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.
s/ Alejandro Segura-Mora
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/23/2021
I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.
Began Transacting Business: 11/01/2006
County Clerk, s/ I1327
NOTICE- This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14400 et. Seq. Business & Professions Code).
04/16/2021, 04/23/21, 04/30/21, 05/07/21

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: RICHARD SILVA HERNANDEZ
CASE NO. PROPS 2100387
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of RICHARD SILVA HERNNDEZ has been filed by SHAWNA HERNANDEZ in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BRNARDINO.
THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that SHAWNA HERNANDEZ be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.
THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.
A hearing on the petition will be held MAY 25, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. in Dept. No. S37 at Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415, San Bernardino District.
Kimberly Tilley, Deputy
APRIL 1, 2021
IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.
IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under Section 9052 of the California Probate Code.
Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.
YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.
Filed: APRIL 1, 2021
Attorney for the Shawna Hernandez:
R. SAM PRICE SBN 208603
PRICE LAW FIRM, APC
300 E STATE STREET SUITE 620
REDLANDS, CA 92373
(909) 475 8800
sam@pricelawfirm.com
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on 4/23, 4/30 & 5/7, 2021.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER CIVSB2105448
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: Richard Moore filed with this court for a decree changing names as follows:
Richard Richy Moore to Richard Moore
THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.
Notice of Hearing:
Date: 05/22/21
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: S17
The address of the court is Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, San Bernardino District – Civil Division, 247 West Third Street, Same as above, San Bernardino, CA 92415, San Bernardino
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this order be published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel in San Bernardino County California, once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing of the petition.
Dated: February 19, 2021
Lynn M. Poncin
Judge of the Superior Court.
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on 04/16/21, 04/23/21, 04/30/21, 05/07/21
FBN 20210004235
The following entity is doing business as RESILIENT MARTIAL ARTS AND FITNESS 8654 BAY LAUREL STREET CHINO, CAL 91708: EXCELLENT ENGLISH EXPERIENCE, INC. 8654 BAY LAUREL STREET CHINO, CAL 91708
This Business is Conducted By: A CORPORATION
BY SIGNING BELOW, I DECLARE THAT ALL INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE AND CORRECT. A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime. (B&P Code 17913) I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.
S/ GYANGDI LIU
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 4/22/2021
I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.
Began Transacting Business: APRIL 16, 2021
County Clerk, Deputy I1327
NOTICE- This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14400 et. Seq. Business & Professions Code).
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on 4/23, 4/30, 5/7 & 5/14, 2021
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: JANICE LOUISE MANSELL
CASE NO. PROPS 2100420
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both of JANICE LOUISE MANSELL
A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by SANDRA MARIE MANSELL in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO.
THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that SANDRA MARIE MANSELL be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.
THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.
A hearing on the petition will be held MAY 27, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. in Dept. No. S36 at Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415, San Bernardino District.
Amy Gamez-Reyes, Deputy
APRIL 9, 2021
IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.
IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under Section 9052 of the California Probate Code.
Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.
YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.
Filed: DECEMBER 29, 2020
Attorney for the Sandra Marie Mansell:
R. SAM PRICE SBN 208603
PRICE LAW FIRM, APC
300 E STATE STREET SUITE 620
REDLANDS, CA 92373
(909) 475 8800
sam@pricelawfirm.com
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on 4/23, 4/30 & 5/7, 2021.

FBN 20210003107
The following entity is doing business as RUSTIC ROOT DESIGNS 10259 DORSET STREET RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91730: BRIANDA MEEWIS MENDOZA 10259 DORSET STREET RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91730
This Business is Conducted By: AN INDIVIDUAL
BY SIGNING BELOW, I DECLARE THAT ALL INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE AND CORRECT. A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime. (B&P Code 17913) I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.
S/ BRIANDA MEEWIS MENDOZA
This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 3/25/2021
I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.
Began Transacting Business: N/A
County Clerk, Deputy I1327
NOTICE- This fictitious business name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14400 et. Seq. Business & Professions Code).
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on 4/23, 4/30, 5/7 & 5/14, 2021
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER CIVSB2107348
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: YILDA MARLENA CASTILLO filed with this court for a decree changing names as follows:
YILDA MARLENA CASTILLO to HILDA CASTILLO
THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.
Notice of Hearing:
Date: 05/24/21
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: S17
The address of the court is Superior Court of California,County of San Bernardino, San Bernardino District – Civil Division, 247 West Third Street, Same as above, San Bernardino, CA 92415, San Bernardino
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this order be published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel in San Bernardino County California, once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing of the petition.
Dated: April 12, 2021
Lynn M. Poncin
Judge of the Superior Court.
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on 4/23, 4/30, 5/7 & 5/14, 2021
FBN 20210003138 The following person is doing business as: LONELYAKUMA 4228 N F ST SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407;[ MAILING ADDRESS 311 W CIVIC CENTER DR SANTA ANA , CALIF 92701]; ROBERT M KERSH 4228 N F ST SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUALThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: MAR 21, 2021By signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ ROBERT MATEO KERSH, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/25/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/02/2021, 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/23/2021 CNBB14202101CV

FBN 20210003254 The following person is doing business as: TAQUERIA MI RANCHITO ALEGRE 505 S. PEPPER AVE. STE C RIALTO, CA 92376;[ MAILING ADDRESS 14975 SEVILLE AVE FONTANA, CA 92335]; MARLYN MEDRANO 14975 SEVILLE AVE FONTANA, CA 92335The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUALThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/ABy signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ MARLYN MEDRANO, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/29/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/02/2021, 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/23/2021 CNBB14202102IR

FBN 20210003073 The following person is doing business as: E FLORES TRANSPORT 1428 E COLTON AVE REDLANDS, CA 92374; E FLORES TRANSPORT 1428 E COLTON AVE REDLANDS, CA 92374The business is conducted by: A CORPORATIONThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/ABy signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ ELIDA FLORES, CEO Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/24/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/02/2021, 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/23/2021 CNBB14202103IR

FBN 20210003055 The following person is doing business as: GOT PLUMBING 14721 CHOKE CHERRY DR VICTORVILLE, CA 92392; CRISTINA M MITCHELL 14721 CHOKE CHERRY DR VCTORVILLE, CA 92392The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUALThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/ABy signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.
s/ CRISTINA M. MITCHELL, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/24/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/02/2021, 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/30/2021 CNBB14202104IR

FBN 20210003148 The following person is doing business as: GIGI THE CAKE MAMA 13927 MONTERRA AVE FONTANA, CA 92337;[ MAILING
ADDRESS 311 W CIVIC CENTER DR SANTA ANA, CA 92701]; GISELLE BARRON 13927 MONTERRA AVE FONTANA, CA 92337The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUALThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: MAR 22, 2021By signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ GISELLE BARRON, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/25/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/02/2021, 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/23/2021 CNBB14202105CV
FBN 20210002374 The following person is doing business as: ADORA CONCEPTS 12168 HUMBOLDT PL CHINO, CA 91710; MARLYN A. VIRAY 12168 HUMBOLDT PL CHINO, CA 91710The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUALThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/ABy signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ MARYLN A. VIRAY, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/10/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021 CNBB15202105IR

FBN 20210002925 The following person is doing business as: BLUE HEAVEN TRANSPORT 7541 STONEY CREEK DR. HIGHLAND, CA 92346; DANNY MONTELONGO 7541 STONEY CREEK DR. HIGHLAND, CA 92346The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUALThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/ABy signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ DANNY MONTELONGO, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/11/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021

CNBB15202106IR FBN 20210003361 The following person is doing business as: TIMELESS CARDS & COINS 2185 W. COLLEGE AVE. APT #3065 SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407;[ MAILING ADDRESS 2999 KENDALL DR. SUITE 204-117 SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407]; RIGOBERTO AVILA MURRIETA 2185W. COLLEGE AVE. APT #3065 SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUALThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/ABy signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ RIGOBERTO AVILA MURRIETA, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/31/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021 CNBB15202107IR

FBN 20210003551 The following person is doing business as: DEB’S THREADS 450 MARTIN AVE COLTON, CA 92324; DEBBIE M WALKER 450 MARTIN AVE COLTON, CA 92324The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUALThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/ABy signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ DEBBIE M. WALKER, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 04/06/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021 CNBB15202108IR

FBN 20210002825 The following person is doing business as: LA TIENDITA 2215 W 3RD AVE SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407; SILVIA BRAMBILA
ARECHIGA 2215 W 3RD AVE SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92407The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUALThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/ABy signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ SILVIA BRAMBILA ARECHIGA, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/18/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021 CNBB15202109MT

FBN 20210003046 The following person is doing business as: THOMAS AND ASSOCIATES MARKETINGAND PROCESSING 8291 UTICA AVE #100B RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91730; CLAUDIA N THOMAS 8291 UTICA AVE #100B RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91730The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUALThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/ABy signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ CLAUDIA N. THOMAS, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/23/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021 CNBB15202110MT

FBN 20210003258 The following person is doing business as: ARMSTRONG INSURANCE SERVICES 11161 ANDERSON STREET SUITE 105 LOMA LINDA, CA 92354; RENEE S ARMTRONG 24784 DAISY AVE LOMA LINDA, CA 92354The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUALThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: MAR 14, 2021By signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ RENEE S ARMSTRONG, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/29/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021 CNBB15202111CH

FBN 20210003201 The following person is doing business as: ALL PROFIT ENTERTAINMENT 77 S WASHINGTON ST SEATTLE, WA 98104; ALEX J BATES 77 S WASHINGTON ST SEATTLE, WA 98104The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUALThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/ABy signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ ALEX J. BATES, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/26/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021 CNBB14202112MT

FBN 20210003199 The following person is doing business as: ALPHA LOGISTICS DISTRIBUTION 2069 SAN BERNARDINO AVE APT. #1179; JACQUELINE C VASQUEZ 2069 SAN BERNARDINO AVE APT. #1179 COLTON, CA 92324The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUAL
The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/ABy signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ JACQUELINE C. VASQUEZ, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/26/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021 CNBB15202123MT

FBN 20210003196 The following person is doing business as: MIND YOUR BEES-WAX 15767 BUCK POINT LANE FONTANA, CA 92336; ABRAYSV LLC 15767 BUCK POINT LANE FONTANA, CA 92336The business is conducted by: A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANYThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/ABy signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ CURTIS L. BRAY, MANAGING MEMBER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 03/26/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/09/2021, 04/16/2021, 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021 CNBB15202114M

FBN 20210003551 The following person is doing business as: DEB’S THREADS 450 MARTIN AVE COLTON, CA 92324; DEBBIE M WALKER 450 MARTIN AVE COLTON, CA 92324The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUALThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/ABy signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ DEBBIE M. WALKER, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 04/06/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021, 05/07/2021, 05/14/2021 CNBB16202101IR

FBN 20210003518 The following person is doing business as: OZS FASHION N SPORTS WORLD 13146 WARM SANDS CT VICTORVILLE, CA 92394; MIRAZA HASSAN 13146 WARMS SANDS CT VICTORVILLE, CA 92394The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUALThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/ABy signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ MIRZA HASSAN, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 04/05/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021, 05/07/2021, 05/14/2021 CNBB16202102MT

FBN 20210003586 The following person is doing business as: GARMETS OF PRAISE 2492 TORJAN WAY UPLAND, CA 91786; JULIA CORSINI VAZQUEZ 2492 TROJAN WAY UPLAND, CA 91786The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUALThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/ABy signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ JULIA CORSINI VAZQUEZ, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 04/06/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021, 05/07/2021, 05/14/2021 CNBB16202103MT

FBN 20210003593 The following person is doing business as: E & J HAULING SERVICES 8851 SAN BERNARDINO ROAD #1 RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91730; ERIC L SMITH 8851 SAN BERNARDINO ROAD #1 RAANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91730The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUALThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/ABy signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ ERIC L. SMITH, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 04/06/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021, 05/07/2021, 05/14/2021 CNBB16202104MT

FBN 20210003993 The following person is doing business as: SAYULITA 369 1315 HARDT ST UNIT A SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92408; CESAR A SIGALA OORTIZ 1315 HARDT ST UNIT A SANBERNARDINO, CA 92408
The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUALThe registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/ABy signing, I declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime (B&P Code 179130. I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing.s/ CESAR A. SIGALA ORTIZ, OWNER Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 04/19/2021I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/DeputyNotice-This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14400 et seq., Business and Professions Code).Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel 04/23/2021, 04/30/2021, 05/07/2021, 05/14/2021 CNBB16202105S

CNC Motors Closure & Controversy Update

This is an updated version, including notations of several fast-breaking events, in the article that ran in the Sentinel on Friday, April 16.

Upland Car Dealer Withholding $7.25M In Consignment Proceeds From Sellers

By Mark Gutglueck

An Upland-based high-end vehicle dealer has defrauded more than three dozen individuals on both ends of the transactions his company has been involved in over the last 12 months, diverting an estimated $7.25 million in the process from the sellers and title owners of the cars in question to accounts unknown.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office and the Upland Police Department have been inundated with complaints relating to how Clay Thom, the owner/operator of CNC Motors, transacts business. According to those who have dealt with Thom personally, he agrees to sell exotic vehicles, generally ones valued at in excess of $100,000, on consignment, rakes in the money from the sale and delivers the vehicle without the title to the purchaser. Thereafter, Thom pockets the money from the sale, allowing the seller to retain title to the vehicle in the form of possession of the car’s pink slip. When pressed, according to those who have dealt with him, he will make unkept promises to both the seller and the purchaser.

According to statements obtained by both NormalGuySupercar.com and the Sentinel, Thom uses his impressive showroom located just north of the 210 Freeway near the Campus Avenue exit in Upland, which at any given time features a fair number of highly impressive used and factory new vehicles, including late model Maseratis, Ferraris, Jaguars, Porsches, Lotuses, Aston Martins, Lamborghinis, Bentleys, Rolls Royces, McLarens, Mercedes Benzes, less expensive mid-range vehicles as well as restored vintage 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s cars to gain the confidence of owners of pricey vehicles looking to sell them. NormalGuySupercar.com is a website devoted to high-end vehicles. Making confident representations that he can sell the vehicles in relatively short order, Thom takes possession of the cars from the would-be sellers, committing to obtaining for the seller a price generally considered to be above the listed value of the cars, providing both himself and the seller a tidy profit.

In most cases, Thom then sells the vehicles, obtaining payment either in cash from the buyer or payment in full from the buyer’s lender. Thom invariably permits the purchaser to take immediate possession of the vehicle itself upon the cash sale or the signing of documents, offering assurance that the title documentation to the car will be soon forthcoming.

When the seller seeks payment, Thom uses a variety of assertions to defer passing the money received in the sale through to the title owner, including that payment will be made later that day, the next day, or within a few days. Upon coming to the dealership, either by invitation or unexpectedly, the seller will be told that the dealership does not at that juncture have sufficient funds in its accounts to make payment or that the company controller who has possession of the company’s checkbook is not there. On occasion, Thom will arrange for a check to be cut to the car seller, but payment on the check will be canceled or it will be returned for insufficient funds.

In some cases, Thom has sold the cars directly to a buyer. In other cases, he has unloaded the cars to a dealership. In virtually every case, Thom makes those sales without himself being in possession, even as an intermediary, of the title, such that the purchaser never receives title.

Multiple sellers have reported that they were not notified of the sales until they made an inquiry. In this way, the seller was not asked to hand off title nor provided with the opportunity to sign a release of liability. On at least three occasions known to the Sentinel, an owner, having logically bur erroneously assumed on the basis of a misrepresentation by Thom or another CNC salesperson the individual or entity in possession of the car had secured insurance for it, canceled his insurance coverage for the vehicle.

There is evidence to indicate that Thom has on some occasions taken cars on consignment and has then provided those cars to individuals or dealerships to whom he had previously owed money. Unverified by the Sentinel is a report that CNC is in arrears to Lotus well over $2.5 million, and as a result, those who have purchased brand new Lotus Evoara GTs have not been given title to the cars and therefore have not been able to register them.

Multiple narratives from Thom’s victims demonstrate he has, as a middleman, perfected the means of taking the money involved in the transactions he is involved in for himself and leaving ownership up in the air between the sellers and buyers, most often with the seller still in possession of the title and the buyer in possession of the car.

An element of Thom’s formula is keeping the seller in the dark as to who the purchaser is.

A significant number of the sellers financed the purchase of the vehicles in question and yet owe money on the cars. Thus, the sellers are often counting on the sale of the vehicles to pay off the debt relating to the original purchase of the vehicles. By getting involved with Thom and CNC, the would-be sellers end up in a position where they are still paying the liens on cars they don’t have. In such cases, the original owner has title to the vehicle and legal liability for it. The individual in possession of the car does not have title, which renders problematic the securing of registration and insurance for the vehicle in question. So, in addition to the owner yet making payments on a car he no longer possesses, he finds himself in the position of having to pay for insurance on the vehicle as well.

In one case, the owner of a car was stiffed by Thom after he dropped the car off with CNC as part of a consignment arrangement. The car then was transferred to a dealership to which Thom reportedly owed money as part of a trade to pay down on that debt. The owner of the car, unable to induce Thom to make good on the money owed from the consignment sale, without Thom’s cooperation, initiated a search for his car. He succeeded in locating the vehicle in the showroom of another dealer. After first feigning interest in purchasing the vehicle, the owner was able to obtain particulars with regard to what had occurred, at which time he produced his title to the car and informed the dealership that the car was his. The dealership’s owner, recognizing that the dealership could not claim legal ownership of the car, while acknowledging that the owner indeed appeared to have the right to take possession of the car, prevailed upon the owner to permit the dealership to make contact with Thom to get things squared up before that occurred. After several days, nothing was resolved and Thom was not forthcoming with any money. At that point, the owner returned to the dealership with his title document and members of the police department in the city where the dealership was located, and was able to recover his car.

Outcomes for most of those who have recently sought to have Thom and CNC Motors sell their vehicles have not been as satisfactory.

One factor is that the Upland Police Department has been reluctant to get involved in the matters involving CNC.

Thom’s mode of operation until recently consisted of impressing potential sellers with a showroom filled with well upwards of $30 million worth of impressive vehicles, and inducing the car owner into voluntarily turning the vehicle over to CNC by personally driving the vehicle into the CNC showroom and handing over the keys to Thom or one of CNC’s employees. This turns any dispute over CNC’s possession of a vehicle it does not have title to and any subsequent disposition of the car into a civil rather than a criminal matter. When those who have lost a vehicle or money to Thom’s tactics have approached the Upland Police Department, its officers have routinely referred them to the California Department of Motor Vehicles and its criminal/civil investigative arm.

In some instances, where Thom’s victims have proven a bit more determined and have insisted on remaining on the CNC premises to await the return of CNC personnel who were supposed to provide them with a check or cashiers check to make good on a past due payment or promised payment in full for a vehicle that had been sold, CNC employees have threatened to call, and on occasion have called, the Upland Police to effectuate the disaffected parties’ removal from the showroom or the premises.

Some of those who have experienced Thom absconding with their money feel the Upland Police Department has gone beyond passively ignoring the problem to running interference for CNC, which was given favored status by the City of Upland when it relocated to the 20th Street address in the form of sales tax springback incentives for a period of five years.

According to a man who has set up a website devoted to documenting his experience at CNC, he consigned two of his vehicles, a 2020 McLaren 720S Spider and 2017 Mercedes 4 X 4 Squared FG550, which he said were in “pristine” condition, to CNC through its sales representative, Joey Indrieri, in November 2020. He only received sporadic responses when he sought updates on the status of the vehicles in December. This continued into January, and on February 17, he went to the CNC showroom, where his vehicles were no longer on display. His inquiries were met with claims that Indrieri was not present. He persisted in waiting, at which point Indrieri emerged from his office to speak with him.

Indrieri told him the vehicles were sold, and produced a release of liability form for him to sign. With loans on the cars still outstanding, the seller was anxious to get the proceeds from the sales at once, a total of $500,000. Indrieri told him the funds would be wired to him by February 20. The funds were not transferred and the seller told CNC on March 2, 2021 that he would initiate legal action if the money was not forthcoming by March 6. At that point Clay Thom intervened, who offered his assurance that the seller would be paid by March 6. Thom asked for his wire transfer information, which had long before been provided.
On March 12 the McLaren 720S Spider and Mercedes FG550 owner again came to the CNC showroom, assuming that Thom would have already made good on his assurance that the liens on both cars would be paid off, and that two cashiers checks for the balance of equity he was owned on the cars would be provided to him. Inside the dealership, the receptionist informed him that Thom was not there. When he insisted on waiting for Thom to show, a CNC employee called the Upland Police Department to remove him from the dealership.

The responding officer told him that Thom would pay him by March 19, telling him Thom was taking on a new partner and investor who was going to buy out the business and provide an infusion of cash. March 19 came and went, and CNC has yet to provide the equity checks to the seller and the liens on the McLaren 720S Spider and Mercedes FG550 are not paid.

Upland Police Sergeant Rob Steenerson, the department’s weekday day shift watch commander, told the Sentinel, “We get several calls a week about CNC. Most of those involve a consignment issue, so we’re not the agency best suited to deal with those sorts of things, since they are not strict law enforcement matters. So, we’ve handed that over to the DMV [Department of Motor Vehicles] investigators.”

Thom’s methodology of victimizing buyers is a mirror image of his victimization of sellers.

Purchasers, basically, are divided into three categories: Ones who purchased the cars, took physical possession of them but have never actually taken legal possession of them by gaining title; those who have purchased the cars, took possession of the cars but then lost them when the actual owner succeeded in retaking possession; and those who purchased the cars and never gained physical possession of the vehicles at all.

Those who have purchased the cars and were able to drive them out of the showroom did so with an assurance by Thom or one of his salespeople that they would soon be provided with title to the vehicle. That title is rarely forthcoming. This has created difficulty, as the buyers have been unable to register their ownership and in many cases must endure resistance in seeking to get the vehicles insured.

In at least a few cases, buyers paid for their vehicles, took possession of them and then were confronted weeks or months later by the individual who yet had title to the vehicle. After considerable back and forth in those cases, involving ultimately futile contact with Thom and CNC to ascertain what can be done to ensure that the owner is either paid in full by CNC or that the purchase price is refunded to the buyer, the vehicles are sometimes repossessed by the original owner, in which cases the buyer is out the cash he put up to make the purchase or is yet responsible for loan payments for a car he no longer has.

Moreover, a fair number of the cars CNC sold, while appearing to be in top notch condition, were not mechanically sound.

One buyer’s horror story of dealing with Thom, yet ongoing as of this writing, entailed making a $16,000 deposit on one vehicle before he even saw it, then making an even larger cash payment augmented by a loan to cover the entirety of the cost. Upon driving the car out of the showroom and before getting home, the buyer learned that the transmission was faulty. He took it to a reliable mechanic who informed him the transmission was shot, and that his only option was to replace it entirely.

When the buyer informed CNC, the salesman insisted that installation of a new transmission was not necessary, and had the buyer return the car to CNC for servicing. The buyer did so, entrusting the vehicle to CNC to carry out the required repairs. More than two months elapsed, at which time the buyer learned that no progress toward repairing the transmission had been made or yet undertaken. Thereafter, CNC’s staff ignored the buyer’s calls. Meanwhile, the buyer’s bank informed him that CNC had yet to release the title on the vehicle.

At that point, it became clear that CNC was in such an atrocious financial circumstance that it was taking in money on car sales and using that capital to service long due arrearages without making payment to the owners of the vehicles most recently sold – an indication of a classic Ponzi scheme.

When the buyer returned to CNC to get the car earlier this month, no work on the transmission had been carried out. At present, neither he nor the bank have title, and the bank has raised his interest rate on a loan for a car he cannot drive.

CNC has been in existence for 15 years, and was founded by Craig Thom and his sons Fraser and Clay. After functioning out of three other locations, the company, now controlled by Clay Thom, moved to 1018 East 20th Street in Upland in 2018.

On March 28, NormalGuySupercar.com spoke with Clay Thom in a videorecorded interview.

Asked what had happened, Thom said he was “not exactly sure. Was it a case of too big, too fast? We went from a smaller location where we were selling 30 cars a month [to] 35 cars a month. It was easier then. Everyone was happy. We didn’t need to work as hard. It was more about the cars and the people. When you come over here and now you’re expected to sell anywhere from 80 to 100 cars a month, it’s a lot more to do, it’s a lot more to manage, it’s a lot more drama. You need the right accounting people. You need the right people managing your credit lines. We went from having a six million dollar credit line to having a 30 million dollar credit line. When March [2020] came around, we closed the store for 110 days, we laid off probably 30 of our 40 employees. I don’t know the answer. I’ve just been kind of rolling with it the whole time, but somewhere along the lines when the key people went away, I think it just got a little blurry for us on what order things needed to be done and how fast they needed to be done.”

At various times during the interview, Thom insisted that the COVID-19 pandemic had nothing to do with the major cash flow program CNC is experiencing, but at other times contradicted that, blaming what had occurred on the international, national, state and local health crisis brought on by the spread of the coronavirus.

COVID isn’t my excuse,” Thom said relatively early in the interview. “COVID didn’t cause my problems. My problems were not being prepared for something like that and not being able to maneuver around an obstacle. At the end of the day, it’s trial and error. If I could go back to March [2020] again and do it again, I wouldn’t be in this position, but I did the best I could during that time.”

At another point in the interview, Thom said, “If somebody told you, somebody came to you and said, ‘There’s a flu that’s going to come out and it’s going to shut the world down for a year,’ what would you have said? Come on, man. If anybody’s owned a business through this, they’ve seen the effects of it.”

Thom said CNC was initially thrown for a loop in the three-month March-to-May 2020 downturn in the economy that came with the advent of the COVID-19 crisis. Then, he said, “I think it was June, it started to pick back up and we were doing great sales again. We were still understaffed. We still didn’t have the right amount of people, but we continued to push through. We started experiencing a little bit of slowdown right around Thanksgiving.”

Things have been bad since then, he said, but vowed, “If we’ve made some wrongs, we’ll right them, and at the end of the day, everything in our world will go forward and we will make sure everybody on both ends of the stick, whether you’re owed a title or a car or money, all the rights will be wronged (sic) and there won’t be anybody standing there saying, ‘What happened?’”

Thom lamented that everyone is coming down on him now.

As tough as it is to get though a hard time, it’s even harder to do it when you have the amount of people that don’t know us at all that are 100 percent out there for hate. They’re only here to see the crash. They’re not here to see anything other than a negative, and then they move right on to the next guy who’s in the limelight.

We’re going to see this thing through,” Thom continued. “There’s nothing that we won’t do to get through this.”

Thom sought to deflect the most pointed criticism and concern about the way CNC is doing business, selling owners’ vehicles, taking in the money from the buyers and then not passing the money CNC has taken in through to the sellers, all the while avoiding those who are inquiring about where the money is, where their cars are and when the titles will be transferred. He admitted ignoring his disgruntled clients and customers.

I try to refrain once in a while from looking at the comments that people send via text message to me,” Thom said. “I just try not to read them. I’m not one of those guys who likes to be in the limelight. The comments that people are making out there are just… not accurate. I was told not to engage with them, to not fight that fight. There’s people out there saying, ‘Oh, you have a half-million or a million dollar Rolex collection.’ I don’t own a watch. I literally don’t own a watch. I don’t have a vacation house. I don’t even actually own a house. I’m a renter now, which is okay with me and my family. We’re happy wherever we’re together. We don’t have a beach house. We don’t have a lake house. We don’t have a plane. I don’t have a drug problem. I don’t even drink, never mind do drugs. You have a guy out there who’s saying you should drug test me before this interview. I don’t have much money right now, but if you want to put that guy on a three-way interview right now and ask him how much he is willing to put up, I’ll take a drug test if he’s willing to put some money up against it. I don’t have these problems because I spent somebody’s money taking care of myself or on myself or my family or on a vice.”

Rather, he insisted, “This is because of business decisions that I’ve made because of the crisis in the world. I’ve got some things coming down the pipe that’s going to change everything for me.”

Thom said he empathized with those whose cars he has sold and who have yet to be paid or those to whom CNC had sold those cars without their getting legal title to them.

These are actual human beings that work hard for their money,” he said. “We’ve got to make our wrongs right. Was I late? Yeah. I was. I’m sorry about that. If I need to compensate you for that, I will. I’ve made lots of wrong decisions. I’ve made a lot of right ones, too. And when I make a wrong one, I always go back and fix it. I hope that I’m given the opportunity, and I hope that once all the wrongs are turned right, I’m hoping that people are compassionate to take two minutes and not just grab their money or their car or title and run, but to actually listen to me and just say. ‘What went wrong? We’ve done business here for ten years. What happened?’”

Thom lamented, “I’m fighting the people that don’t want to see me make it.”

In addition to the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, Thom attributed what was happening to CNC to bad publicity on the internet and people, “automatically… judging the situation without the facts.” He did not explain, however, why he was withholding the money achieved from the sale of the cars from those who owned them and had commissioned him to sell them.

He reiterated during the interview what many of his clients and customers have said was one of his standard prevarications, which is that things are looking up, and the money everyone is owed will be forthcoming in a very short while if everyone remains patient.

We have large amounts of money that are coming to us that is our money,” he said. “We paid out, I think, a little over $800,000 on Friday [March 26, 2021],” he said.

An investigator with the California Department of Motor Vehicles told the Sentinel that his agency has opened a dual criminal and civil investigation into more than 40 complaints against CNC.

Thom and CNC Motors are defendants in at least two breach of contract lawsuits in Los Angeles Superior Court and a contract violation suit brought in federal court in Tampa, Florida.

A tally by NormalGuySupercar.com and the Sentinel of the value of the vehicles sold on consignment by CNC for which the sellers have not yet been paid exceeds $7 million.

Despite Thom’s claim that he is now a renter, documents at the county recorder’s office indicate he or his wife and the Thom Family Trust own, live at or otherwise have control of two homes in San Antonio Heights in the 2500 block of Euclid Crescent West, one valued at approximately $1.5 million and the other at roughly $1.4 million.

There is concern that Thom is on the verge of flying the coop.

Early last year, the CNC showroom and outside lot was filled with exceedingly expensive vehicles with a total value estimated at between $40 million and $50 million. Most of those have been sold and replaced with what is now a lesser number of vehicles contained entirely within the showroom, which, while impressive by average standards, are valued at, in total less than one quarter of what the vehicles present in the showroom and lot 15 months ago were worth. Neither Thom nor CNC holds title to most of those vehicles. Clay Thom is the owner of Craig Thom Properties, LLC., according to documents on file with the California Secretary of State. Craig Thom Properties, LLC., is shown in documents on file with the San Bernardino County Recorder’s Office as the owner of the CNC Motors property and the showroom/dealership building.

Craig Thom, who was Clay and Frazer’s father, died nine years ago.

Frazier Thom, Clay Thom’s brother, was previously heavily involved in CNC Motors, but has recently distanced himself his brother and the company. Frazer Thom is shown in documents on file with the San Bernardino County Recorder’s Office as the owner of a house at 2580 W Euclid Crest in San Antonio Heights just north of the Upland City Limits, a six bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom, 5,025-square foot home on a 0.42-acre lot. The house at 2588 W Euclid Crest, a five-bedroom, four-bathroom 5,100-square foot home on a 0.38-acre lot, is owned by the Thom Family Trust. Documentation indicates that Clay Thom and his wife, Amy, live, or lived at that address.

Previously, both houses on Euclid Crescent West were up for sale. As of April 12, 2021, the six-bedroom home had been listed at $1,398,888 on Realtor.com for 341 days, with an indication that a sale is pending. A Zillow link showed the sale had been pending since January 27, 2021. As of April 12, 2021, the five-bedroom home had been listed at $1,524,651 on Realtor.com for 336 days, with an indication that its sale was pending. That listing was removed from Zillow, an online real estate marketplace, on January 15, 2021. According to Zillow, the property at the 2580 W Euclid Crest address owned by Frazer Thom and his wife Michelle sold on April 14, 2021 for $1.35 million. That transfer has not yet been updated on the San Bernardino County tax assessor’s website. The same day, April 14, 2021, Realtor,com shows the home owned by the Thom Family Trust at 2588 W Euclid Crest, where Clay Thom and his wife Amy resided, sold for $1,4 million. Transfer of the property has not yet been updated on the San Bernardino County tax assessor’s website.

NormalGuySupercar.com’s interview with Clay Thom can be viewed at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuqbKW6OPIQ

Upland Car Dealer Withholding $7.5 M In Consignment Proceeds From Sellers

By Mark Gutglueck
An Upland-based high-end vehicle dealer has defrauded more than three dozen individuals on both ends of the transactions his company has been involved in over the last 12 months, diverting an estimated $7.25 million in the process from the sellers and title owners of the cars in question to accounts unknown.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office and the Upland Police Department have been inundated with complaints relating to how Clay Thom, the owner/operator of CNC Motors, transacts business. According to those who have dealt with Thom personally, he agrees to sell exotic vehicles, generally ones valued at in excess of $100,000, on consignment, rakes in the money from the sale and delivers the vehicle without the title to the purchaser. Thereafter, Thom pockets the money from the sale, allowing the seller to retain title to the vehicle in the form of possession of the car’s pink slip. When pressed, according to those who have dealt with him, he will make unkept promises to both the seller and the purchaser.
According to statements obtained by both NormalGuySupercar.com and the Sentinel, Thom uses his impressive showroom located just north of the 210 Freeway near the Campus Avenue exit in Upland, which at any given time features a fair number of highly impressive used and factory new vehicles, including late model Maseratis, Ferraris, Jaguars, Porsches, Lotuses, Aston Martins, Lamborghinis, Bentleys, Rolls Royces, McLarens, Mercedes Benzes, less expensive mid-range vehicles as well as restored vintage 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s cars to gain the confidence of owners of pricey vehicles looking to sell them. NormalGuySupercar.com is a website devoted to high-end vehicles. Making confident representations that he can sell the vehicles in relatively short order, Thom takes possession of the cars from the would-be sellers, committing to obtaining for the seller a price generally considered to be above the listed value of the cars, providing both himself and the seller a tidy profit.
In most cases, Thom then sells the vehicles, obtaining payment either in cash from the buyer or payment in full from the buyer’s lender. Thom invariably permits the purchaser to take immediate possession of the vehicle itself upon the cash sale or the signing of documents, offering assurance that the title documentation to the car will be soon forthcoming.
When the seller seeks payment, Thom uses a variety of assertions to defer passing the money received in the sale through to the title owner, including that payment will be made later that day, the next day, or within a few days. Upon coming to the dealership, either by invitation or unexpectedly, the seller will be told that the dealership does not at that juncture have sufficient funds in its accounts to make payment or that the company controller who has possession of the company’s checkbook is not there. On occasion, Thom will arrange for a check to be cut to the car seller, but payment on the check will be canceled or it will be returned for insufficient funds.
In some cases, Thom has sold the cars directly to a buyer. In other cases, he has unloaded the cars to a dealership. In virtually every case, Thom makes those sales without himself being in possession, even as an intermediary, of the title, such that the purchaser never receives title.
Multiple sellers have reported that they were not notified of the sales until they made an inquiry. In this way, the seller was not asked to hand off title nor provided with the opportunity to sign a release of liability. On at least three occasions known to the Sentinel, an owner, having logically bur erroneously assumed on the basis of a misrepresentation by Thom or another CNC salesperson the individual or entity in possession of the car had secured insurance for it, canceled his insurance coverage for the vehicle.
There is evidence to indicate that Thom has on some occasions taken cars on consignment and has then provided those cars to individuals or dealerships to whom he had previously owed money. Unverified by the Sentinel is a report that CNC is in arrears to Lotus well over $2.5 million, and as a result, those who have purchased brand new Lotus Evoara GTs have not been given title to the cars and therefore have not been able to register them.
Multiple narratives from Thom’s victims demonstrate he has, as a middleman, perfected the means of taking the money involved in the transactions he is involved in for himself and leaving ownership up in the air between the sellers and buyers, most often with the seller still in possession of the title and the buyer in possession of the car.
An element of Thom’s formula is keeping the seller in the dark as to who the purchaser is.
A significant number of the sellers financed the purchase of the vehicles in question and yet owe money on the cars. Thus, the sellers are often counting on the sale of the vehicles to pay off the debt relating to the original purchase of the vehicles. By getting involved with Thom and CNC, the would-be sellers end up in a position where they are still paying the liens on cars they don’t have. In such cases, the original owner has title to the vehicle and legal liability for it. The individual in possession of the car does not have title, which renders problematic the securing of registration and insurance for the vehicle in question. So, in addition to the owner yet making payments on a car he no longer possesses, he finds himself in the position of having to pay for insurance on the vehicle as well.
In one case, the owner of a car was stiffed by Thom after he dropped the car off with CNC as part of a consignment arrangement. The car then was transferred to a dealership to which Thom reportedly owed money as part of a trade to pay down on that debt. The owner of the car, unable to induce Thom to make good on the money owed from the consignment sale, without Thom’s cooperation, initiated a search for his car. He succeeded in locating the vehicle in the showroom of another dealer. After first feigning interest in purchasing the vehicle, the owner was able to obtain particulars with regard to what had occurred, at which time he produced his title to the car and informed the dealership that the car was his. The dealership’s owner, recognizing that the dealership could not claim legal ownership of the car, while acknowledging that the owner indeed appeared to have the right to take possession of the car, prevailed upon the owner to permit the dealership to make contact with Thom to get things squared up before that occurred. After several days, nothing was resolved and Thom was not forthcoming with any money. At that point, the owner returned to the dealership with his title document and members of the police department in the city where the dealership was located, and was able to recover his car.
Outcomes for most of those who have recently sought to have Thom and CNC Motors sell their vehicles have not been as satisfactory.
One factor is that the Upland Police Department has been reluctant to get involved in the matters involving CNC.
Thom’s mode of operation until recently consisted of impressing potential sellers with a showroom filled with well upwards of $30 million worth of impressive vehicles, and inducing the car owner into voluntarily turning the vehicle over to CNC by personally driving the vehicle into the CNC showroom and handing over the keys to Thom or one of CNC’s employees. This turns any dispute over CNC’s possession of a vehicle it does not have title to and any subsequent disposition of the car into a civil rather than a criminal matter. When those who have lost a vehicle or money to Thom’s tactics have approached the Upland Police Department, its officers have routinely referred them to the California Department of Motor Vehicles and its criminal/civil investigative arm.
In some instances, where Thom’s victims have proven a bit more determined and have insisted on remaining on the CNC premises to await the return of CNC personnel who were supposed to provide them with a check or cashiers check to make good on a past due payment or promised payment in full for a vehicle that had been sold, CNC employees have threatened to call, and on occasion have called, the Upland Police to effectuate the disaffected parties’ removal from the showroom or the premises.
Upland Police Sergeant Rob Steenerson, the department’s weekday day shift watch commander, told the Sentinel, “We get several calls a week about CNC. Most of those involve a consignment issue, so we’re not the agency best suited to deal with those sorts of things, since they are not strict law enforcement matters. So, we’ve handed that over to the DMV [Department of Motor Vehicles] investigators.”
Thom’s methodology of victimizing buyers is a mirror image of his victimization of sellers.
Purchasers, basically, are divided into three categories: Ones who purchased the cars, took physical possession of them but have never actually taken legal possession of them by gaining title; those who have purchased the cars, took possession of the cars but then lost them when the actual owner succeeded in retaking possession; and those who purchased the cars and never gained physical possession of the vehicles at all.
Those who have purchased the cars and were able to drive them out of the showroom did so with an assurance by Thom or one of his salespeople that they would soon be provided with title to the vehicle. That title is rarely forthcoming. This has created difficulty, as the buyers have been unable to register their ownership and in many cases must endure resistance in seeking to get the vehicles insured.
In at least a few cases, buyers paid for their vehicles, took possession of them and then were confronted weeks or months later by the individual who yet had title to the vehicle. After considerable back and forth in those cases, involving ultimately futile contact with Thom and CNC to ascertain what can be done to ensure that the owner is either paid in full by CNC or that the purchase price is refunded to the buyer, the vehicles are sometimes repossessed by the original owner, in which cases the buyer is out the cash he put up to make the purchase or is yet responsible for loan payments for a car he no longer has.
Moreover, a fair number of the cars CNC sold, while appearing to be in top notch condition, were not mechanically sound.
One buyer’s horror story of dealing with Thom, yet ongoing as of this writing, entailed making a $16,000 deposit on one vehicle before he even saw it, then making an even larger cash payment augmented by a loan to cover the entirety of the cost. Upon driving the car out of the showroom and before getting home, the buyer learned that the transmission was faulty. He took it to a reliable mechanic who informed him the transmission was shot, and that his only option was to replace it entirely.
When the buyer informed CNC, the salesman insisted that installation of a new transmission was not necessary, and had the buyer return the car to CNC for servicing. The buyer did so, entrusting the vehicle to CNC to carry out the required repairs. More than two months elapsed, at which time the buyer learned that no progress toward repairing the transmission had been made or yet undertaken. Thereafter, CNC’s staff ignored the buyer’s calls. Meanwhile, the buyer’s bank informed him that CNC had yet to release the title on the vehicle.
At that point, it became clear that CNC was in such an atrocious financial circumstance that it was taking in money on car sales and using that capital to service long due arrearages without making payment to the owners of the vehicles most recently sold – an indication of a classic Ponzi scheme.
When the buyer returned to CNC to get the car earlier this month, no work on the transmission had been carried out. At present, neither he nor the bank have title, and the bank has raised his interest rate on a loan for a car he cannot drive.
CNC has been in existence for 15 years, and was founded by Craig Thom and his sons Fraser and Clay. After functioning out of three other locations, the company, now controlled by Clay Thom, moved to 1018 East 20th Street in Upland in 2018.
On March 28, NormalGuySupercar.com spoke with Clay Thom in a videorecorded interview.
Asked what had happened, Thom said he was “not exactly sure. Was it a case of too big, too fast? We went from a smaller location where we were selling 30 cars a month [to] 35 cars a month. It was easier then. Everyone was happy. We didn’t need to work as hard. It was more about the cars and the people. When you come over here and now you’re expected to sell anywhere from 80 to 100 cars a month, it’s a lot more to do, it’s a lot more to manage, it’s a lot more drama. You need the right accounting people. You need the right people managing your credit lines. We went from having a six million dollar credit line to having a 30 million dollar credit line. When March [2020] came around, we closed the store for 110 days, we laid off probably 30 of our 40 employees. I don’t know the answer. I’ve just been kind of rolling with it the whole time, but somewhere along the lines when the key people went away, I think it just got a little blurry for us on what order things needed to be done and how fast they needed to be done.”
At various times during the interview, Thom insisted that the COVID-19 pandemic had nothing to do with the major cash flow program CNC is experiencing, but at other times contradicted that, blaming what had occurred on the international, national, state and local health crisis brought on by the spread of the coronavirus.
“COVID isn’t my excuse,” Thom said relatively early in the interview. “COVID didn’t cause my problems. My problems were not being prepared for something like that and not being able to maneuver around an obstacle. At the end of the day, it’s trial and error. If I could go back to March [2020] again and do it again, I wouldn’t be in this position, but I did the best I could during that time.”
At another point in the interview, Thom said, “If somebody told you, somebody came to you and said, ‘There’s a flu that’s going to come out and it’s going to shut the world down for a year,’ what would you have said? Come on, man. If anybody’s owned a business through this, they’ve seen the effects of it.”
Thom said CNC was initially thrown for a loop in the three-month March-to-May 2020 downturn in the economy that came with the advent of the COVID-19 crisis. Then, he said, “I think it was June, it started to pick back up and we were doing great sales again. We were still understaffed. We still didn’t have the right amount of people, but we continued to push through. We started experiencing a little bit of slowdown right around Thanksgiving.”
Things have been bad since then, he said, but vowed, “If we’ve made some wrongs, we’ll right them, and at the end of the day, everything in our world will go forward and we will make sure everybody on both ends of the stick, whether you’re owed a title or a car or money, all the rights will be wronged (sic) and there won’t be anybody standing there saying, ‘What happened?’”
Thom lamented that everyone is coming down on him now.
“As tough as it is to get though a hard time, it’s even harder to do it when you have the amount of people that don’t know us at all that are 100 percent out there for hate. They’re only here to see the crash. They’re not here to see anything other than a negative, and then they move right on to the next guy who’s in the limelight.
“We’re going to see this thing through,” Thom continued. “There’s nothing that we won’t do to get through this.”
Thom sought to deflect the most pointed criticism and concern about the way CNC is doing business, selling owners’ vehicles, taking in the money from the buyers and then not passing the money CNC has taken in through to the sellers, all the while avoiding those who are inquiring about where the money is, where their cars are and when the titles will be transferred. He admitted ignoring his disgruntled clients and customers.
“I try to refrain once in a while from looking at the comments that people send via text message to me,” Thom said. “I just try not to read them. I’m not one of those guys who likes to be in the limelight. The comments that people are making out there are just… not accurate. I was told not to engage with them, to not fight that fight. There’s people out there saying, ‘Oh, you have a half-million or a million dollar Rolex collection.’ I don’t own a watch. I literally don’t own a watch. I don’t have a vacation house. I don’t even actually own a house. I’m a renter now, which is okay with me and my family. We’re happy wherever we’re together. We don’t have a beach house. We don’t have a lake house. We don’t have a plane. I don’t have a drug problem. I don’t even drink, never mind do drugs. You have a guy out there who’s saying you should drug test me before this interview. I don’t have much money right now, but if you want to put that guy on a three-way interview right now and ask him how much he is willing to put up, I’ll take a drug test if he’s willing to put some money up against it. I don’t have these problems because I spent somebody’s money taking care of myself or on myself or my family or on a vice.”
Rather, he insisted, “This is because of business decisions that I’ve made because of the crisis in the world. I’ve got some things coming down the pipe that’s going to change everything for me.”
Thom said he empathized with those whose cars he has sold and who have yet to be paid or those to whom CNC had sold those cars without their getting legal title to them.
“These are actual human beings that work hard for their money,” he said. “We’ve got to make our wrongs right. Was I late? Yeah. I was. I’m sorry about that. If I need to compensate you for that, I will. I’ve made lots of wrong decisions. I’ve made a lot of right ones, too. And when I make a wrong one, I always go back and fix it. I hope that I’m given the opportunity, and I hope that once all the wrongs are turned right, I’m hoping that people are compassionate to take two minutes and not just grab their money or their car or title and run, but to actually listen to me and just say. ‘What went wrong? We’ve done business here for ten years. What happened?’”
Thom lamented, “I’m fighting the people that don’t want to see me make it.”
In addition to the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, Thom attributed what was happening to CNC to bad publicity on the internet and people, “automatically… judging the situation without the facts.” He did not explain, however, why he was withholding the money achieved from the sale of the cars from those who owned them and had commissioned him to sell them.
He reiterated during the interview what many of his clients and customers have said was one of his standard prevarications, which is that things are looking up, and the money everyone is owed will be forthcoming in a very short while if everyone remains patient.
“We have large amounts of money that are coming to us that is our money,” he said. “We paid out, I think, a little over $800,000 on Friday [March 26, 2021],” he said.
An investigator with the California Department of Motor Vehicles told the Sentinel that his agency has opened a dual criminal and civil investigation into more than 40 complaints against CNC.
Thom and CNC Motors are defendants in at least two breach of contract lawsuits in Los Angeles Superior Court and a contract violation suit brought in federal court in Tampa, Florida.
A tally by NormalGuySupercar.com and the Sentinel of the value of the vehicles sold on consignment by CNC for which the sellers have not yet been paid exceeds $7 million.
Despite Thom’s claim that he is now a renter, documents at the county recorder’s office indicate he or his wife and the Thom Family Trust own, live at or otherwise have control of two homes in San Antonio Heights in the 2500 block of Euclid Crescent West, one valued at approximately $1.5 million and the other at roughly $1.4 million.
There is concern that Thom is on the verge of flying the coop.
Early last year, the CNC showroom and outside lot was filled with exceedingly expensive vehicles with a total value estimated at between $40 million and $50 million. Most of those have been sold and replaced with what is now a lesser number of vehicles contained entirely within the showroom, which, while impressive by average standards, are valued at, in total less than one quarter of what the vehicles present in the showroom and lot 15 months ago were worth. Neither Thom nor CNC holds title to most of those vehicles. Clay Thom is the managing member of Craig Properties, LLC., which owns the CNC Motors property and building.
Frazier Thom, Clay Tom’s brother, was previously heavily involved in CNC Motors, but has recently distanced himself his brother and the company. Frazer Thom owns the house at 2588 Euclid Crest in San Antonio Heights just north of the Upland City Limits, a five-bedroom, four-bathroom 5,100-square foot home on a 0.38-acre lot. The house at 2580 Euclid Crest, a six bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom, 5,025-square foot home on a 0.42-acre lot, is owned by the Thom Family Trust. Documentation shows Clay Thom’s wife, Amy, as living at the 2588 Euclid Crest address. Craig Thom, who was Clay and Frazer’s father, died 12 years ago.
Previously, both houses on Euclid Crescent West were up for sale. As of this week, the five-bedroom home had been listed at $1,524,651 on Realtor.com for 336 days, with an indication that its sale was pending. That listing was removed from Zillow, an online real estate marketplace, on January 15, 2021, but no title transfer has yet been recorded relating to it at the San Bernardino County Hall of Records. As of this week, the six-bedroom home has been listed at $1,398,888 on Realtor.com for 341 days, with an indication that a sale is pending. A Zillow link shows the sale has been pending since January 27, 2021, but no transfer relating to the home and property has been recorded at the San Bernardino County Hall of Records.
NormalGuySupercar.com’s interview with Clay Thom can be viewed at EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH CNC MOTORS – Nothing was off limits – YouTube.