In July, in response to the City of San Bernardino’s application for a $26 million grant to cover the cost of constructing a comprehensive and full-service homeless shelter, the State of California came across with $17 million.
The following month, however, interim City Manager Rochelle Clayton declined the state’s offer.
At this point, with members of the city council having learned of what occurred within the last few days, the question remains why Clayton did not take the final steps to actuate the grant.
Indeed, inexplicably at this point, Clayton on August 23, Clayton wrote a letter to Connor Leahy, the homeless housing program manager for California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Homekey Program, informing him the city did not want the money.
On May 17, 2023, the San Bernardino City Council voted unanimously to enter into a partnership with North Hills-based Hope the Mission for the development of a 224-bed so-called navigation center for the homeless. Under that agreement, the city committed to converting the former School of Hope building at 796 6th Street and the surrounding property into what was to be the SB HOPE Campus, a facility that was to provide interim housing and supportive services to homeless men and women. The city initially slated $7 million to be used in constructing the project and thereafter devoting $3.5 million to it on an annual basis to defray the cost of operations. Continue reading →

In a political comeback that in at least some respects was as or more remarkable than the one achieved by President-elect Donald Trump at the top of the ballot, Councilman Joe Baca Sr defeated four-term Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson on Tuesday.
Baca’s storied political career has entailed an uncommon degree of persistence and a litany of rivals, some of them of impressive stature, who have interrupted his electoral/ re-electoral prospects in almost as many contests as he has proven victorious.
With his vanquishing of Robertson, Baca cements his reputation as one of the more, in not the most, resilient politicians in San Bernardino County history.
In addition to being the county’s most variegated politicians in terms of the levels of office he has held, he is also the longest serving of the county’s current crop of officeholders, with his first term in office extending back to 1979. That year, he cut his political teeth when he was elected to the San Bernardino Valley College District Board of Trustees, the first Latino to hold that post.
A Democrat, Baca nonetheless remained boxed in by his quintessential rival, Jerry Eaves, a unionist Democrat. Baca’s political ambition led him to challenge Eaves, who served as a Rialto city councilman from 1977 until 1980, Rialto mayor from 1980 to 1984 and as a member of the California Assembly from the 66th District from 1984 to 1992. Eaves turned back each of Baca’s challenges in the 66th District in 1988 and 1990. In 1992, when Eaves elected to leave the Assembly and make a successful run for Fifth District San Bernardino County supervisor and designate his protégé, then-Rialto Mayor John Longville to succeed him in the Golden State’s lower legislative house, Baca handily defeated the well-financed Longville in the Democratic primary, going on to an easy victory in the heavily Democratic district in the November 1992 race. Continue reading →

Eight years after Blanca Gomez floundered her way onto the Victorville City Council, the county’s voters and those in the Victorville council district she was responsible for creating have shown her the door, closing what may or not be the last chapter of her far from ordinary political career.
Nearly from the outset of her tenure in office, Gomez clashed with all of her fellow and sister officeholders. A Democrat and social activist convinced that Hispanics have been historically oppressed by the white population in California and elsewhere in the United States, she was intent on crusading for the enablement and ascendancy of Latinos and Latinas at each turn. When confronted by those who question the premise at the core of her activism – that the predominant holders of political office are Anglos inveterately intent on exploiting Hispanics at every opportunity, she routinely took recourse in accusing those taking issue with her efforts and approach of having racist motivation.
Gomez’s difficulty with her colleagues and her colleagues’ difficulty with her stemmed in large measure from her misunderstanding with regard to the limitations of municipal authority and the requirements of protocol and parliamentary procedure, not to mention her belief that she had been elected to effectuate social change and ensure that Hispanics were accorded equal treatment within the community and not abused by their white oppressors rather than the business of overseeing land use issues, maintenance of local infrastructure and the provision of basic municipal services.
The situation was exacerbated by Gomez’s oftentimes antagonistic and contentious style frequently aimed at goading her colleagues, as when she draped herself in a Mexican flag during a council meeting.
Moreover, in addition to the enmity she inspired in the white members of the political and governmental establishment by her incessant insistence that they were bigots and racists, she found herself at odds with the three of the Latino officeholders she served with on the council, Gloria Garcia, Eric Negrete and Liz Becerra, who were making a go of abstracting themselves into the American, California and local political mainstream. Continue reading →

The backlash from the January 2023 creative sacking of Yucaipa City Manager Ray Casey hit with resounding intensity on November 5, as one of the three members of the city council who supported that controversial action was removed from office that day. While a second of the city leaders who participated in the backroom maneuver to oust Casey did manage to gain reelection, the councilman who represented the third potential crucial vote to effectuate that highly polarizing move opted out of running for reelection entirely.
As of yesterday afternoon at 4 p.m. 2,389 or 66.83 percent of 3,575 voters in District 1 who turned out to vote or had submitted mail-in ballots that have been counted thus far endorsed the recall of Councilman Matt Garner, less than two years into the term he was elected to just two years ago in the November 2022 election. 1,186 or 33.17 voted against removing him. A simple majority was all that was needed to end his tenure in office.
Mayor Justin Beaver, who was exposed as the ringleader in the successful plot to get rid of Casey and replace him with Mann, was able to withstand the widespread anger getting rid of Casey provoked within the city’s District 4, with 1,445 or 49.12 percent of the 2,942 votes counted so far in his favor. Kristine Mohler and Gordon Renshaw, who ran as alternatives to Beaver, polled 1,155 votes or 39.26 percent and 341 or 11.59 percent, respectively. Continue reading →

Incumbent Rancho Cucamonga Councilwoman Ashley Stickler has turned back a spirited challenge by a fellow Republican, Luis Cetina, achieving a victory that was in large measure engineered by her allies who are currently at the top of the San Bernardino County Republican Party.
Assisted by a coterie of political operatives closely associated with San Bernardino County Republican Central Committee Chairman Phil Cothran Sr., those handling Stickler devised a strategy aimed at dividing the Hispanic vote in Rancho Cucamonga’s District 1, and then executed upon it with flawless precisio

What to all appearances seemed a heavy-handed effort by the legal counsel to the Adelanto Elementary School District to tip the outcome of the race in that district’s Governing Area 1 in Tuesday’s election in favor of the incumbent failed, as the challenger in that contest, the district’s former superintendent, has scored a narrow victory in the combination of Tuesday’s polling place ballot casting and mail-in ballots received and tallied by the registrar of voters so far.
Former Superintendent Michael Krause’s victory over Christine Turner creates what promises to be an awkward circumstance, as he is now in a position to influence district policy, potentially in directions that the district board in the recent past resisted when he was in charge of the district’s administration and educational mission.
More pointedly, what is at stake is whether the law firm the district has used over the last several years to guide it in terms of legal advice and governing procedure will be able to remain in place after the attorney with that firm who is assigned to the district engaged in a bare-knuckled effort to prevent the election of the individual who is likely to prove the most knowledgeable member of the board with regard to educational issues, approaches and policies from a professional standpoint.
A question that yet stands is how civilly and cooperatively the other members of the school board will be able to accept Krause as a colleague and work toward improving the academic performance of the district’s schools. Three of those four board members earlier this year voted along with the board member Krause is to displace to suspend him from his role as superintendent before he and the district entered into a separation agreement in June. Continue reading →

San Bernardino, as the county seat and the county’s largest city population-wise and its oldest municipality, is a trendsetter in multiple respects. It is further distinguished by having the largest city council in San Bernardino County, consisting of seven council members elected to represent the city’s seven wards, capped by an eighth member, the mayor, who is elected at-large.
With what were only two exceptions – the cities of Needles and Colton – San Bernardino County’s other 21 cites and two incorporated towns had five-member councils. Needles, the county’s smallest city population-wise, has a council consisting of six council members and a mayor. Colton, until 2022, likewise had a seven-member council with a mayor and six council members. Two years ago, however, Colton, San Bernardino’s immediate neighbor to the west on is south side, transitioned back to being a five-member council.
San Bernardino, in accordance with the municipal charter that had been in place from 1905 until the 2016, held its elections in odd-numbered years. In 2016, it became the last county city to go to even-numbered year elections. In gubernatorial election years, the city elects its mayor and its First, Second and Fourth ward council members. In presidential election years, the city’s voters in the Third, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh ward choose their council representatives.
Under normal and most circumstances, the San Bernardino mayor does not vote on matters decided by the city council. The exceptions to this are on matters relating to the hiring or firing of the city manager and city attorney, along with appointments to city commissions. The mayor is authorized to vote in those cases where the vote of the council has ended in a tie. The mayor also holds limited veto power with regard to council votes that passed by margins of 4-to-3 or 3-to-2.
Of note is that San Bernardino is a heavily Democrat city. Of its 106,873 registered voters, 48,523 of them or 45.4 percent affiliate with the Democratic Party, while 24,401 or 22.8 percent are Republicans. Nearly as many, 22.6 percent of the city’s voters, have no party affiliation, and 9.2 percent are members of the American Independent, Green, Libertarian, Peace & Freedom or other more obscure parties. Despite the Democrats overwhelming advantage in terms of voter registration, four of the council’s four current members – First Ward Councilman Ted Sanchez, Third Ward Councilman Juan Figueroa, Fourth Ward Councilman Fred Shorett and Seventh Ward Councilman Damon Alexander – are Republicans. Second Ward Councilwoman Sandra Ibarra, Fifth Ward Councilman Ben Reynoso and Sixth Ward Councilwoman Kimberly Calvin are Democrats, as is Mayor Helen Tran.
While municipal elections are under California electoral law considered to be nonpartisan in nature, in San Bernardino County, party affiliation is a major factor in local politics.
In March, Figueroa, running for reelection in the Third Ward and Mario Flores, who had challenged Calvin in the Sixth Ward, emerged victorious, gaining a majority of the votes cast in their respective elections, thus avoiding the need to compete in this week’s run-off. Also in March, Reynoso lost his bid for reelection in the Fifth Ward when two others in the race, former Councilman Henry Nickel and newcomer Kim Knaus, garnered more votes than he did. Similarly, in the Seventh Ward, Alexander’s hold on his position on the council slipped away when former City Attorney Jim Penman and longtime community activist Treasure Ortiz finished second and first in the vote, respectively. In the November 5 run-off in the Fifth District, Knaus, with 61 percent of the vote, outpolled Nickel, with 39 percent of the vote. In the Seventh Ward, Ortiz, with 56 percent of the vote, prevailed over Penman with 44 percent of the vote.
In this way, the 4-to-3 advantage to the Republicans over the Democrats on the council reverses itself. In the Third Ward, the Republican Figueroa remains in place. In the Fifth and Sixth wards, the Democrats Reynoso and Calvin are being replaced by Democrats Knaus and Flores. The overall Republican-to-Democrat balance on the council is being changed in the Seventh Ward, where the Republican Alexander is to be supplanted by the Democrat Ortiz.
Taken together with Tran’s Democratic Party affiliation, the political leadership in the city will move convincingly into the Democratic camp at the second city council meeting in December, when Knaus, Flores and Ortiz will be sworn in, along with Figueroa, and Reynoso, Calvin and Alexander will make their exodus from the council dais.
Beginning during Franklin Roosevelt’s Administration, for three decades beginning in 1936 when New Deal Democrat Harry Sheppard was elected to represent most of San Bernardino County, San Bernardino County was a Democratic County. In 1966, with the election of Jerry Pettis to Congress and Ronald Reagan as governor, San Bernardino County went Republican. It has remained a GOP bastion ever since, even after 2009, when countywide the number of registered Democrats eclipsed the number of registered Republicans throughout the 20,105 square-mile county. The now-significantly more numerous Democrats are gradually beginning to become more politically assertive and starting to take control of the county’s various local governmental entities away from the Republicans, who have historically turned out to vote in far greater numbers than their Democratic rivals.
In this way, the San Bernardino City Council switching from reddish purple to blue purple in this election city cycle is seen as a harbinger of San Bernardino County’s political future.

By M.R. Wainwright
In the aftermath of the 2024 general election, Helen Tran, Mayor of San Bernardino, finds herself isolated, her influence diminished, and her support base fractured. Her weakened position has left many residents and donors questioning her ability to lead, and her dwindling backing reflects a loss of confidence in her vision for the city. Once hopeful that Tran would bring meaningful progress, San Bernardino residents and city leaders alike have watched her administration falter, marked by missed opportunities, ineffective governance, and a disconnect from the community’s needs.
The election results only underscored Tran’s decreasing relevance. Her isolation became starkly evident with the decisive win of incoming Councilwoman-Elect Treasure Ortiz over former City Attorney Jim Penman, shutting down any hopes Tran may have had for a unified council under her leadership. Ortiz’s victory, alongside Kim Knaus’s election to the council, signaled a desire for fresh perspectives and highlighted Tran’s growing disconnect from a city in need of stronger, more cohesive leadership.
Further compounding her struggles was Tran’s involvement in the failed campaign of Dara Smith for County Assessor, a race marked by the support of out-of-town donors who seemed indifferent to local concerns. Smith’s loss delivered a resounding message that San Bernardino residents prioritize local interests over outside influence. Tran’s endorsement only reinforced perceptions of her as a mayor out-of-touch with the community, aligning herself with donors who did not reflect the city’s values.
The cracks in Tran’s support base have widened, with even her closest advisors beginning to quietly distance themselves. The failed recall efforts against her, disorganized and poorly executed, did more harm than good, highlighting her struggles to gain meaningful support within the city. Despite attempts to rally allies, Tran’s leadership missteps have become common concerns among her peers. With new council members like Knaus and Ortiz set to take office, Tran faces an increasingly isolated role as the council pivots toward San Bernardino’s future without her influence.
City Manager Rochelle Clayton’s recent decision to reach out directly to Councilwoman-Elect Ortiz and incoming Councilmember Knaus for individual discussions on the city’s future only underscores Tran’s diminishing relevance. The initiative, reportedly taken without Tran’s involvement, signals a new direction for San Bernardino—one that prioritizes collaboration and effective governance, distancing itself from Tran’s isolated administration.
Meanwhile, Tran’s standing with residents and donors is rapidly deteriorating, and fundraising records reflect a sharp decline in major contributions. Many large donors, once hopeful about her potential, are now withholding maximum contributions, with only token support remaining. For Tran, this lack of financial commitment paints a troubling picture, as even her backers appear hesitant to invest in her leadership. The growing disillusionment among donors suggests that, in the next election, Tran may find herself squarely in the crosshairs, with residents and funders alike seeking leadership that places the city’s interests first.
Recognizing her inability to deliver, Tran’s close advisors are quietly exploring new paths, seeking opportunities in neighboring cities like Rialto, where effective governance and collaboration seem more promising. Developers and donors, initially optimistic about Tran’s administration, are redirecting their support to campaigns and projects in nearby jurisdictions, viewing San Bernardino’s future under her leadership as incompatible with their goals. For Tran, this shift marks a devastating blow, as those who once supported her look elsewhere for effective leadership.
Tran’s failed association with the chaotic recall attempt only further alienated her allies, driving a wedge between her and remaining supporters. Poorly executed and mismanaged, the recall effort raised questions about her judgment and further damaged her credibility among donors. The failure of the recall not only backfired but also highlighted the disarray within her leadership, casting doubt on her ability to unify her base or rally support for future initiatives.
As the dust settles, it’s evident that Tran’s future as mayor is bleak. Her repeated missteps and fading influence depict a leader rapidly losing her grip on authority. With new council members ready to assume office, Tran finds herself sidelined, facing a political landscape that no longer welcomes her. As San Bernardino moves toward a new chapter under leadership committed to making tangible improvements, Tran is relegated to the role of spectator, watching as others work to achieve the progress she once promised but failed to deliver.
In sum, Helen Tran’s tenure as Mayor of San Bernardino has been marked by missteps, isolation, and now a clear message from the electorate: the city is moving forward—without her. Her term may go down as one of San Bernardino’s most profound missteps—a cautionary tale that a well-intended community leader can also easily become self-centered, becoming the very enemy they once aimed to remove from office.

On Monday, November 4, a majority of the association representing Chaffey College’s faculty registered a vote of no confidence against Chaffey College President Henry Shannon and two of the institution’s senior administrators.
The Academic Senate, representing the community college’s faculty – professors, teachers, lecturers, lab supervisors, instructors and adjunct professors – debated with regard to official action to be lodged against Shannon and associate superintendents Lisa Bailey and Alisha Rosas over the course of multiple meetings in September, October and this month before committing to taking the no confidence vote.
At issue was discontent with regard to hiring and promotional practices at the college, together with concern about decisions on conferring tenures or placing professors on tenure tracks, actions about which the faculty has been given no say. Some faculty members have alleged, and it now appears a majority of their colleagues have come to believe, that favoritism, cronyism and nepotism have tainted both hiring and policy decisions made by the college administration going back several years.
Shannon has led Chaffey College since 2007. Bailey has been associate superintendent of business services and economic development since 2013. Rosas, the who began at Chaffey in 2015 as the director of marketing and public relations, in 2020 promoted to associate superintendent for student services and strategic communications. Continue reading →

By M.R. Wainwright
In the aftermath of the 2024 general election, Helen Tran, Mayor of San Bernardino, finds herself isolated, her influence diminished, and her support base fractured. Her weakened position has left many residents and donors questioning her ability to lead, and her dwindling backing reflects a loss of confidence in her vision for the city. Once hopeful that Tran would bring meaningful progress, San Bernardino residents and city leaders alike have watched her administration falter, marked by missed opportunities, ineffective governance, and a disconnect from the community’s needs.
The election results only underscored Tran’s decreasing relevance. Her isolation became starkly evident with the decisive win of incoming Councilwoman-Elect Treasure Ortiz over former City Attorney Jim Penman, shutting down any hopes Tran may have had for a unified council under her leadership. Ortiz’s victory, alongside Kim Knaus’s election to the council, signaled a desire for fresh perspectives and highlighted Tran’s growing disconnect from a city in need of stronger, more cohesive leadership.
Further compounding her struggles was Tran’s involvement in the failed campaign of Dara Smith for County Assessor, a race marked by the support of out-of-town donors who seemed indifferent to local concerns. Smith’s loss delivered a resounding message that San Bernardino residents prioritize local interests over outside influence. Tran’s endorsement only reinforced perceptions of her as a mayor out-of-touch with the community, aligning herself with donors who did not reflect the city’s values.
The cracks in Tran’s support base have widened, with even her closest advisors beginning to quietly distance themselves. The failed recall efforts against her, disorganized and poorly executed, did more harm than good, highlighting her struggles to gain meaningful support within the city. Despite attempts to rally allies, Tran’s leadership missteps have become common concerns among her peers. With new council members like Knaus and Ortiz set to take office, Tran faces an increasingly isolated role as the council pivots toward San Bernardino’s future without her influence. Continue reading →