Saying he “supports fiscally conservative views with socially pragmatic policies,” Rodgir Cohen explained that “I am running for city council because I feel that public policy can be done better in Redlands.”
Cohen, along with Andrew Hoder and Tom Berg, is vying in the November 8 election against Redlands First District Councilwoman Denise Davis, who is nearing the end of her first term in office after she was initially elected to the city council in 2018.
“As a combat veteran, I am a seasoned leader with the vision needed to stimulate the economic growth of Redlands,” he said. “Redlands needs bold leaders that envision economic prosperity for our city. I believe in freedom and liberty, and abhor government overreach.”
Cohen said he believes he is qualified to hold the position of city councilman because “I am a data-driven person. I don’t want to make decisions based on party agendas or personal whims. As an author of political science books in California, I believe in the importance of data. How one interprets that data is essential. As a seasoned combat veteran and academic, public service is important to me.” Continue reading →

Mike Saifie has shown an uncommon degree of determination to become a political player in Redlands.
He ran for the city council at-large in 2010, 2012, 2016 and when the city changed to by-district elections for city council in 2018, for the District 3 council post.
In 2020 he ran for election to the Redlands Unified School District Board of Education representing that entity’s Area 5.
Once again he has entered the political fray, again running for the District 3 berth on the Redlands City Council.
In his last effort to get on the city council four years ago, Saifie competed against incumbent Councilman Paul Barich, Planning Commissioner Joe Richardson and Enrique Estrada. Barich essentially ignored Saifie and Estrada during his campaign, reserving all of his firepower for Richardson in what many considered to be an underhanded electioneering effort. Barich prevailed. With the redistricting of Redlands that occurred after the 2020 Census, the section of the city Barich lives in now falls within District 5.
According to Saifie, he remains on good terms with Barich, who is currently serving as the council’s appointed mayor. Saifie said Barich encouraged him to run again in District 3 this year.
“I was asked by the Mayor of Redlands to run for this position, to serve the Redlands community,” Saifie told the Sentinel. “My academic and work experience with public safety and public policy is a valuable asset that the current council needs.”
Saifie said he is qualified to hold the position of city councilman.
“I have a master’s in public administration and public policy,” he said. “I have over 20 years of public policy-making experience and 21 years of running and owning small businesses throughout California. Now, as a veteran from a county job and semi-retired, I am giving back to my community where I have lived for long time.”
Saifie said he is distinguished from his opponent in District 3, Mario Saucedo, “in every aspect. Academically, I have a master’s in public administration and public policy. I have worked with the county board of supervisors in making public policies and have been an executive administrator, handling multimillion dollars budgets for cities and the county. As a successful business owner, I have created over 70 jobs in the Inland Empire alone and over 200 jobs throughout multiple states. I am duly recognized by the California State Senate and the US Congress for my community and public service.”
In sizing up the major issues facing the city, Saifie said, “The Public Safety Department is not fully funded and is working as a reactive agency rather than a proactive one. Public safety and homelessness issues are the two biggest challenges the city is facing that need immediate attention.”
Saifie said, “Police and fire contracts need to be fully funded. We need to fill and budget all police vacancies. They only have 3 or 4 officers to cover the entire city at any given time. They need to have adequate staffing to address the city’s growing drugs, homicide and house invasion issues. Equally, we need to work closer with county public social service agencies to handle the growing homeless population in Redlands.”
To pay for the solutions he is suggesting, Saifie said, “We have funds from Measure T. That fund was allocated to address shortfalls in public safety budgets. In addition, as a business owner myself, I like to promote and help local businesses to grow to generate more revenues for the city.”
Saifie, who was a business systems analyst for the County of San Bernardino, said he has previous experience relating to government.
“I have worked for the County of San Bernardino and the County of Riverside, managing multimillion dollar funds for the county and cities. As a county executive, I managed contracts and made public policies for the department. I worked with state and federal agencies to get funding for specific programs for cities and the county. I am currently serving the LA County Sheriff on the business advisory council. Where I help the LA County Sheriff is to make polices that help small and local business to grow in our communities.”
Saifie said he has lived in Redlands, “a very long time; 20 plus years.”
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Saifie lived in Malta until he was 7, then moved with his family to England. He came to America when he was 12. He attended high school in Los Angeles, and obtained a bachelor’s degree in management from California State University Los Angeles, and a master’s degree from California Baptist University in public administration and public policy. He also attended UCLA,  where he studied management and auditing.
He was an administrator of MB Food Inc., a system administrator for McCargo Transportation and a Del Taco restaurant franchisee.
“I am business owner and have over 200 employees in multiple states,” he said.
Saifie said, “I am married for 20 years, and I have 3 children and am looking forward to being a grandfather in the near future.”
He is a long-time member of the Redlands Family YMCA, Friends of Smiley Library and he served as board member and elected division governor for Toastmasters.
-M.G.

Matthew Rutledge said he would make a good civic leader in Apple Valley because his approach to governance goes beyond the staid confines of the existing political establishment.
Rutledge is running against incumbent Councilman Curt Emick in District 4.
“I am running for town council because I would like to make a difference in my community,” said Rutledge. “I want to make things in my community more accessible for those in wheelchairs, senior citizens, and people who ride bikes. I also want my constituents to know that their concerns and voices are truly heard, that their concerns won’t be ‘swept under the rug.’”
Rutledge said, “I believe I am qualified to hold the position of town councilman because I have the ability to put myself on the front lines. I would fight for the rights of my constituents but also ensure that issues in town are handled correctly and properly the first time when the issue is brought to our attention. I also believe I’m qualified because I’m always up for a challenge, and I’m not one to back down. I’m willing to go above and beyond when situations require it, and when I tell you I’m going to do something, I’m going to follow through on my word.”
Rutledge said, “I believe what distinguishes me from my opponent is that I am younger. I am 28 years old. I have many new ideas for improvement in the town. I’m willing to meet one-on-one with my constituents, and I’m willing to follow up on concerns that are shared with me. I also will not shut out someone’s opinions about town issues, even if they conflict with my own. I’m always willing and ready to hear from my constituents.”
In sizing up the challenges Apple Valley must come to terms with, Rutledge said, “The major issues that I believe that the town faces are road repair, crime, accessibility and traffic safety. I believe these issues should be redressed by looking into their main causes, starting appropriate studies to find ways to address problems brought to my attention, and ensuring that my constituents are satisfied with the final results.”
He said the town can defray the cost of the solutions he proposes using existing revenues and available money for specific purposes, which can be obtained by making successful grant and funding applications with the State of California and the federal government.
“I propose that the solutions will be covered out of community improvement grants, state funding, and if necessary out of the town budget but not until other resources have been exhausted,” he said.
Rutledge acknowledged, “I don’t currently possess government experience, but I have personally witnessed and experienced individuals fighting for civil rights and have attended many town council meetings.”
His lack of hands-on experience should not be seen as a detriment, he said, but an opportunity to embrace innovation and new ideas.
A resident of Apple Valley for seven years, Rutledge attended high school at Grace Academy PSP, a private study program. He studied at Victor Valley College and Cerritos College before attending UMass Global, formerly known as Brandman University, from which he obtained a BA in liberal arts. He was formerly employed as a special needs paraeducator, and is now seeking employment
“I am not currently married, nor do I have any children or grandchildren,” he said.
Rutledge said, “I am a person of high morals and values, and my constituents can feel free to reach out to me, regarding their concerns.”
-M.G.

For the first time in its 34-year history, the City of Hesperia will not conduct a city council race this election cycle.
No one emerged to challenge incumbent District 3 Councilman Cameron Gregg and incumbent District 4 Councilwoman Brigit Benington, who were due to stand for reelection this year.
This year as well, the four-year term of District 2 Councilman Bill Holland is set to expire in December. Because of redistricting that took place last year based on the 2020 Census, the borders for District 1 were moved to include Holland’s residence. In Hesperia, elections are sequenced so that districts 1 and 5 hold their races in years corresponding with presidential elections and voters in districts 2, 3 and 4 select their council representative in conjunction with the gubernatorial general election.
In this way, Holland is to be redistricted out of office. His only options at present are to bring his political career in Hesperia to a pause or a close and/or wait until 2024 to run in District 1, where currently Rebekah Swanson holds the council position. Holland, who was first elected to the council in 2010, could not have opposed her in 2020, as the configuration of the city electoral map at that time yet had him living in District 2.
Perhaps out of apathy or perhaps because a significant number of the city’s residents who might have contemplated running for the District 2 council post incorrectly but understandably believed that the position was held by an entrenched incumbent, no one surfaced to run for the District 2 slot on the council this year. Continue reading →

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE
NUMBER CIVSB 2213752
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: DEBORAH STROTZ OBETSANOV and CHARLES STROTZ, JR. filed with this court for a decree changing names as follows:
CHARLES KURT STROTZ, III to KIRKY CHUCK STROTZ 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: September 6, 2022
Time: 10:00 AM
Department: S36
The address of the court is Superior Court of California,
County of San Bernardino, 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415
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: 08/03/2022
Judge of the Superior Court: MICHELLE H. GILLEECE
Published in the San Bernardino County Sentinel on 08/05/2022, 08/12/2022, 08/19/2022 & 08/26/2022

FBN 20220006980
The following person is doing business as: LAW OFFICE OF JON F. HAMILTON 700 E. REDLANDS BLVD., SUIT U #165 REDLANDS, CA 92373
JON F HAMILTON 1320 GARDEN STREET REDLANDS, CA 92373
The business is conducted by: AN INDIVIDUAL
The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: JULY 1, 2022
By 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/ JON F. HAMILTON, Individual Owner
Statement filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on: 07/26/2022
I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office San Bernardino County Clerk By:/Deputy G8420
Notice-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 on 8/5, 8/12, 8/19 & 8/26, 2022. Continue reading →

By Mark Gutglueck
The opening of the 2022-23 School Year in the San Bernardino City Unified School District has revectored attention to the sheer number of charter schools being sponsored by the district. Coupled with the upcoming November election in which four positions on the school board are up for election or reelection, the issue of the efficacy of at least some if not all of those charter schools and their cost-effectiveness is being raised, particularly as one of the charter schools is run by the daughter of one of the board members up for reelection.
Scrutiny of that relationship has given rise to the larger issue of the degree to which the members of the school board, either directly or indirectly through their associates, political supporters or family members, have an interest in entities that are involved in providing educational or other support services to the district and its students.
Some have suggested that the conflicts or potential conflicts inherent in these relationships have compromised the educational mission and commitment of those running the district, as the financial interest of those supplying the services or goods overrides those commitments.
In May, the district’s superintendent since June 1, 2021, Harry “Doc” Erwin, was forced out of his position by board members Barbara Flores, Abigail Medina and Danny Tillman. There was an effort to window dress the situation and represent Erwin’s departure as one which he was making voluntarily. Nevertheless, on May 3, 2022, during the meeting when Erwin announced his pending departure at the close of the school year, Board Member Mayra Ceballos openly stated that she was being pressured to “show a united front and say that ‘Nothing’s happening. Mr. Erwin’s deciding to retire early.’ Well, he’s not. This is a forced retirement. Make no mistake about it.” Continue reading →

The City of Big Bear Lake has succeeded in luring San Clemente City Manager Erik Sund to take on the position of the mountain municipality’s city manager, some five months after Frank Rush departed.
Sund is to move into the position, which in the interim has been filled by Jeff Mathieu, who was city manager of Big Bear Lake prior to Rush assuming the post in 2019.
The hiring comes during what is arguably the most contentious period in the city’s 42-year history. Differences between the city’s residents and the proprietors of tourist-related enterprises have manifested in a citizen-inspired initiative aimed at instituting regulations on short-term rental units being placed on the November 8 ballot, which is countered by a recall effort against the odd-man-out on the pro-tourist-industry city council.
Sund, who has been serving as San Clemente’s city manager since May 2021, has one-third of a century experience in local government in Southern California. He previously served as the finance manager/director for the City of Long Beach, the purchasing manager for the City of Downey, and as Continue reading →