Special Announcements

This page is for time sensitive and/ or urgent matters. Please check in here regularly.

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The BCVWD is now buying "Paper Water" from South Mesa Water Company with your San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency Importation Dollars! This is definitely a MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS! That money was to be in a separate account and was to be spent ONLY for State Water. The $270,000.00 we are paying to South Mesa is NOT NEW WATER!....it is merely an accounting transfer of numbers.

The only NEW water into the Beaumont Basin is from State water OR recycled water ... IF that system is ever completed.

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The Grand Jury report to the Beaumont/Cherry Valley Water District (BCVWD) has been released to the public. It found quite a few areas in need of immediate improvement, and made many recommendations. This report has fired up some strong emotions, and is sure to stir up more. For the latest coverage, stay tuned to this page, and we will keep you updated as things unfold.

You can start by reading the original Grand Jury Report here.

Here is the BCVWD Valley General Manager's response to that report: Response

This is an article by Cassie McDuff, writing for the Press Enterprise, giving readers her take on the situation. You can read it by clicking here.

This is by Mona Shadia, for the Record Gazette; DA looks at grand jury report on water district

Board declines comment on grand jury report, by Erin Walnder

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Redevelopment

As you may know, there are those who would like to bring "Redevelopment" to the Cherry Valley area. This is something we need to watch closely, as "redevelopment" often comes with some very nasty and unwanted consequences.

While we'd never try to tell you what to think about anything, we do feel it's our responsibility to keep you informed, so you can make up you own mind. So... we'll be adding links to various publications, articles and blogs that should make for some interesting reading, and that will help bring you "up to speed." We'll post more as they come to our attention.

"Redevelopment: The Unknown Government" is a publication that'll give you insight into the "dark side" of redevelopment.

Here is a link to the May 2008 issue of our newsletter, The Ruralist, that has an article on redevelopment. The article starts on page 2.

Huell Howser is planning a 14-part series of programs on redevelopment, and many are NOT happy about that. This is a blog entry wherein one man has some things to say it.

This is a letter to Mr. Howser from the President of CVAN, Patsy Reeley. She is sending this to him. If you feel strongly about this, you may want to do something similar.

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The quality of the water in the Cherry Valley/Beaumont area is a very hot topic right now, and has been for awhile. In CVAN's continuing efforts to keep folks informed about important matters, and as there is nothing more important than the water we all drink and bath in, we have dedicated a section of this website entirely to this issue. You can access it here, in our Water Quality Information Site.

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Here are a couple of interesting articles from the Press Enterprise, March 5th. One is called Modernize Management, and the other is Water Grumbling. Both are worth reading.

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Here is another interesting article from the San Bernardino Sun. Read it.

Our view: Financial oversight needed by water agency that is far behind on audits.

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Important Updates!

Regarding Black Bench, the litigation has been settled and the petitioners have prevailed.

SunnyCal - The first court date will be held on January 18th. We will keep you informed as these issues move along. Check back here for the latest information!

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Water Board members accused of violating the Brown Act -- face jail time!! Sometimes public officials feel they can run roughshod over the people they are intended to serve in order to get what they want. There are laws against that, and sometimes they need to be called on it. This community has done just that.

We've downloaded the full report for you... click here to read it.

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To read the Beaumont Water Quality Improvement Program Worksheet, click here.

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Water questions & information

Do you know the Beaumont Basin is adjudicated?
Do you know what that actually means?
Were you notified as a well owner/overlyer?
Are the water levels in your well going down?
Are you having any trouble, in any way, with your well?

If so contact Chief WaterMaster, Andy Schlange, 4 Crown Ct. Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 - in writing for your record.

If you would like a copy of the Judgment you can read it or download it from the following web site: www.beaumontwatermaster.org

It is to our best interest that we ALL keep informed as to what's happening in the water industry in our area. Patsy.

Here is an interesting article on Ground Water Vulnerability!

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Here is another very interesting article - Climate Change Threatens California Water Supply

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There have been a number of presentations at the City level - Water District - WaterMaster & STWMA, concerning elevated nitrate levels in the Beaumont/Cherry Valley Water District wells. They are studying the cause of these increased levels. Apparently they think the septic tanks/cesspools in Cherry Valley are the main source of the problem. This has not been documented nor proven as yet.

If this is going to develop into a big problem in the future, something has to be done about it in the very near future, however, all possible nitrate sources must be taken into consideration; Cherry Valley alone can't be blamed for the problem. If you read the article in the Press Enterprise, Dave Dillon states that Cherry Valley is putting the entire population of Beaumont in danger.

We need to be aware that Mr. Dillon works for Urban Logic, a consulting firm out of Temecula, and advises the City of Beaumont on many fronts.

There are many questions about this whole issue that beg for answers:

If Cherry Valley is serviced by the Beaumont Wastewater Treatment Plant, does that insure a profit for Urban Logic?

Can the Treatment plant handle all of the new growth, and Cherry Valley, too?

If our community is converted to sewers, and serviced by Beaumont, does that mean that Cherry Valley will have to annex into Beaumont?

If our community is “sewered,” do we maintain our ONE HOUSE - ONE ACRE zoning, or can parcels be split into small lots from then on?

Soooooooo many questions!

Please voice your opinion - CVAN needs your input.

Thanks, Patsy

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A note to all horse riders. It has been brought to my attention that a number of designated Horse trails have been closed off. If you have experienced this you should contact your County Supervisor and register a complaint. An example is the property across from the High School -- a trail exists but it is posted "no trespassing."

If you belong to a Horse Club, have them contact the County also. Hope this helps all of you that have run into this problem.

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It's that time of year. Every year about this time, we check our earthquake supplies. You may have noticed that there have been a number of large, deadly earthquakes around the world. We are sitting on one of the largest fault-lines in California, and it is only a matter of when.....

It isn't difficult to be prepared. Make a list of First Aid supplies (bandages, meds, first aid booklet), and purchase a plastic container to hold them. Multiply this by the number of automobiles you drive, plus one.

In my car I keep a First Aid Kit, a small piece of luggage with a change of clothes, one of those inexpensive 'throws', a can of hard Christmas candy & a container of clean fresh water. It doesn't take up much room and it could save your life.

For your home, you need a larger First Aid Kit, water (enough for at least 1 week), clothing (warm & cold), a supply of food that doesn't require a lot of water to cook, (don't forget a can opener), paper goods, plastic bags, toiletries, flash lights & batteries, a small battery radio, perhaps a camp stove with a can of fuel. Don't forget any medications you take regularly (sometimes this is harder to do but important!)

(Note from editor: Be sure to recycle your emergency supplies from time to time. That way you will not be caught in an emergency with supplies that are years old and have gone bad.)

All of these items can be stored in a couple of those see-through tubs. They can even be stored out of the house in a dry area, away from heat. Encourage your entire family to be prepared.

Last, have a plan! Know who you will call and where you will meet if you are away from home. Know the alternate routes you may need in case of road closures. REMEMBER – we are rural. Should a disaster occur, we might be on our own for at least 1-2 weeks. Our emergency response is limited, and most will be concentrated in the more populated areas. I hope this message is helpful to you all.

Patsy

For more earthquake safety information, click here.

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As you drive around Cherry Valley you will see a number of new homes going up on 1 acre lots (or sometimes smaller - smaller are those lots 'grandfathered' in at the time the Riverside Co. General Plan was adopted.) The homes are very up-scale, and a real asset to our community. If you have a chance, stop by and welcome our new neighbor to Cherry Valley and to CVAN. Overall, our Community is looking really good - this is what keeps Cherry Valley what it is.

The folks at BCRG are facing another huge project, south of the freeway - 3001 units!! According to the city, there will be no impact on traffic, air quality, and sewage control is sufficient and there is plenty of water.

CVAN and CVEPG (Cherry Valley Environmental Protection Group) has filed a litigation against this project.