This season has brought more to our High Desert community than just spring allergies. In only a few months, local life has seen a drastic change. Businesses are re-opening, friends and families are reuniting, and life has seemed to be back on the path towards a form of normalcy. In spite of local optimism, the High Desert is still undergoing many challenges and controversies.
Vaccine Information
Everyone ages 16+ in San Bernardino County are now eligible to receive a vaccine. In order to combat this pandemic, it is crucial that everyone gets vaccinated as soon as possible. The county has numerous ongoing and short term vaccination sites in the High Desert, of these include: Hesperia Health Center, Hook Community Center, Columbia Middle School, Costco Pharmacy, Vons, Walmart, Walgreens, Rite-aid, CVS, Victor Valley College, and most High Desert pharmacies and hospitals. In order to make an appointment please register at the county website.
Representative Obernolte
Congressperson Jay Obernolte has now voted on several bills throughout his term, revealing what policies he considers important or needless. In March, Rep. Obernolte voted against the Violence Against Women Act, legislation that would offer women protections from domestic abuse, harassment, and sexual assault. Again in March, Rep. Obernolte voted against Joe Biden’s Stimulus Bill, this major piece of Legislation included funding to reopen schools, vaccine distribution, the Child Tax Credit, and stimulus checks. In February the House passed the Equality Act, Legislation that would prohibit discrimnation against sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Rep. Obernolte voted against this Bill, out of concern for this vote, I emailed him awaiting a response. Rep. Obernolte stated to me “Unfortunately the bill also contained a major flaw that prevented me from voting for it: I do not believe it is fair to women to allow biological males to compete in women's sports, as this bill would require.”
Midterms
Jay Obernolte’s controversial time as our Representative has led to challengers announcing congressional campaigns for his seat in 2022. Victorville City Council Member Blanca Gomez (D) is running for election. On her campaign website she states, “With Blanca's selfless, consistent volunteerism and first-hand participation in our community she is touch with the real needs of the People. We ask for your vote to help Blanca Gomez represent You. Thank you.” Progressive activist Derek Marshall is also running for election. Derek Marshall also worked for the Bernie Sanders Presidential campaign in 2019/2020. His campaign website states, “When elected, Derek looks forward to bringing his diverse experiences, organizing skills, and passion to the Halls of Congress to fight on behalf of the working people of California’s high desert and the Inland Empire with everything he’s got.” There has been no update if former Congressional Candidate Chris Bubser will be launching a bid for election.
High Desert Politics
Long serving Victorville City Council Member Rita Ramirez was voted to be removed from the Council in March, due to evidence that she no longer lived in Victorville. Ramirez denied the allegation, however after evidence from the City Attorney showed Ramirez had been receiving mail from her home in Twentynine Palms for at least nine months, the Council voted 3-2 to remove her.
This decision left the Council with an empty seat. This empty seat would lead to strong division and debate among the public and council. The Council had a deadline until May 1st to make a decision or else the seat would remain vacant until next election. Council Member Becerrra introduced a motion to appoint someone to serve the empty seat on the council. This appointment would be chosen from one of the five runner ups to the 2020 City Council election. The motion failed to pass, as it was a tie vote. Mayor Jones and Council Member Becerra became strong supporters for an appointment process as to where Council Members Irving and Gomez strongly opposed an appointment and favored a special election.
Later that month the Council held a special meeting to address the vacant seat. At this meeting, avid supporters for both sides spoke out. After hearing these testimonies, the Council voted once more, resulting in the same deadlock 2-2 vote as before. Council Member Irving stated, “I feel that there is no cost for democracy - In the manner in which we ousted Ramirez, I think that the people elected her, and I think that the people should elect her replacement.” This stalemate vote led to the council failing to adopt a motion by May 1st.
Remembering Adelanto Mayor Charley Glasper
84-year-old former Adelanto Mayor Glasper passed away from cardiac arrest in late April. He had served three terms on the Adelanto City Council and is also an Air Force veteran. Charley Glasper was the second Black mayor in the Victor Valley and the first and only Black mayor of Adelanto. In 2009 he also served as President of the Victor Valley NAACP. Adelanto Council Member Jeanette states he, “was loved and respected because he believed in people, not politics.”
Sources
2022 election United States house - California - District 08. (n.d.). Retrieved May 10, 2021, from https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/house/CA/08/2022/
Cicilline, D. (2021, March 17). Text - h.r.5 - 117th CONGRESS (2021-2022): Equality Act. Retrieved May 10, 2021, from https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5/text
Estacio, M. (2021, March 03). Victorville city Council ousts RITA Ramirez for reportedly not living in the city. Retrieved May 10, 2021, from https://www.vvdailypress.com/story/news/2021/03/03/victorville-city-council-ousts-rita-ramirez-reportedly-not-living-city/6910361002/
Estacio, M. (2021, March 11). After ousting RAMIREZ, VICTORVILLE City council can't agree on how to FILL VACANCY. Retrieved May 10, 2021, from https://www.vvdailypress.com/story/news/2021/03/11/after-ousting-ramirez-victorville-city-council-cant-agree-how-fill-vacancy/6953118002/
Estacio, M. (2021, March 24). Victorville city Council deadlocks again on how to fill vacant seat ahead of April 30 deadline. Retrieved May 10, 2021, from https://www.vvdailypress.com/story/news/politics/government/2021/03/24/victorville-city-council-deadlocks-again-how-fill-vacant-seat-ahead-april-30-deadline/6978740002/
Full list of 172 Republicans who opposed the violence against Women Act. (n.d.). Retrieved May 10, 2021, from https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/full-list-of-172-republicans-who-opposed-the-violence-against-women-act/ar-BB1eItQu
Jackson Lee, S. (2021, March 22). H.R.1620 - 117th CONGRESS (2021-2022): Violence against Women Act Reauthorization act of 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021, from https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1620
Jay Obernolte (California (CA)), 117th CONGRESS PROFILE. (n.d.). Retrieved May 10, 2021, from https://clerk.house.gov/members/O000019
Rep. Obernolte votes "no" on costly $1.9 trillion stimulus BILL, calls on Congress to focus on REOPENING schools and businesses instead. (2021, March 10). Retrieved May 10, 2021, from https://obernolte.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-obernolte-votes-no-costly-19-trillion-stimulus-bill-calls-congress
Reports, S. (2021, April 10). Desert Valley Hospital, Victor Valley COLLEGE partner to bring more vaccines to the high desert. Retrieved May 10, 2021, from https://www.vvdailypress.com/story/news/healthcare/2021/04/09/desert-valley-hospital-victor-valley-college-partner-bring-more-vaccines-high-desert/7165869002/
Vaccine locations & registration - COVID-19. (n.d.). Retrieved May 10, 2021, from https://sbcovid19.com/vaccine/locations/#load
Yarmuth, J. (2021, March 11). H.R.1319 - 117th CONGRESS (2021-2022): AMERICAN rescue PLAN act of 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2021, from https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1319
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