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07/27/2010
The Johnson Valley Improvement Association is rolling along quite well these days in spite of a few blips in the
road. One of these blips was that a while back someone called the Board of Health and complained that He had
gotten sick because of the food at the Saturday breakfast at the JVIA. The Health Dept. stated that the JVIA'S
equipment is old but clean. One of the things mentioned was the water supply, they would have preferred a well or
a pressurized water system. That kind of put the Association in a quandry, but along came Third District
Supervisor Neil Derry, and his Field Rep. Alan Rasmussen. Mr. Derry said that the county would provide a grant
for the well. That was great news for most of the Johnson Valley residents, except for two people, both involved
with the Bighorn Water Agency. For some convoluted reasons they kept lying to the Johnson Valley folks that
there was no money for a well, that the county was only going to come up with $ 12,000.00. For whatever reason
these two people are the only ones that are not happy about the Association getting a well. Now they are trying to
convince the board members that they need Bighorn Water Agency to do all the inspections and let them take
over the well. Bighorn Water Agency, and it's board is so messed up it gave the General Manager in these bad
economic times a $ 6000,00 raise, another weeks vacation, forty hours of use it or lose it time, which is like
another weeks vacation, and more money for education. And the board took this action when the General
Manager still had another year left on her original contract. These people do not care about how they spend your
money. It is like a microcosm of the city of Bell where no one was paying attention to what was going on. These
two Johnson Valley residents are no friends of Johnson Valley spreading their lies telling the good folks that the
county does not have the money for the well. They need to be called out everytime a falsehood is uttered by
them. Listen to them very closely, and you just might be able to determine that their agenda is also Bighorn
Water Agency's agenda.
Jim Hanley
Response: 7/28/2010
I applaud the Johnson Valley Website for its diligence in watching out for our community,
Especially concerning the continued ridiculous acts of Bighorn Desert View Water Agency.
Thank You
Harvey Helfand
8/12/2010
Hey everybody.....
Come to a meeting of Bighorn Desert View Water Agency. They are open to the public.
My only effort, as general manager and your public servant , has been information providing and
informatin asking, I offered my services because a large portion of Johnson Valley is within the BDVWA
boundaries... The original JVIA well details seemed sketchy at best and I questioned them. Then, I
provided technical information to the 3rd District, work products that benefit you, and I have relayed
my concerns and asked questions., offered my professional services and I strongly feel .....It is the
responsible thing to do.
In contrary, I, as a member of JVIA and citizen of the Homestead Valley never received a copy of the
actual County of San Bernardino Health Department Letter addressed to the JVI Association. It is
many months old now, did you ever get a copy from the JVIA Board of DIrectors? Do you feel
confident that you know the isseus? Does anyone know the ongoing operations and maintenance cost
of owning a well? Isn't JVIA and HVCC fighting the rights of hauled water in extremely rural
communities? Why do you need a well? As a member of the Association, are you given all the
information to understand what is really going on? The information in JVIA minutes and newsletters is
not comprehensive. Nor is it readily distributed.
Don't blame two, maybe there are more of us who question the situation, maybe there are more of us
that want additional factual information concerning this very important subject.
Marina
Response 8/13/2010
This incoherent gibberish is all we get for an undeserved 6 figure salary with education allowance?
Kids: stay in school, work hard and don't end up with limited writing skills like these.
Hey Marina: Tools > Spelling and Grammar. Your worth every penny! Good luck with that.
Let me give you a little advice Marina. Not that I want you to succeed in your misguided agenda to
exploit Johnson Valley, our wonderful residents, and our water resources, but I want to help you
stop making a fool of yourself as a "citizen of Homestead Valley".
Keep your nose out of matters you have no business meddling in. You were never asked to review
this proposal. Many competent, qualified people are handling this project. Your miserable lack of
management skills are the last thing needed here. Given your reputation, we should all be
suspicious of your motives.
It is unfortunate the customers of BDVWA are victims of your incompetence and disregard for the
rule of law, especially the Johnson Valley customers. From the gross Prop 218 violation of denying
them a right to vote on their water rate proposals, to leaving Well #10 down as long as you did a
few winters back, the people of Johnson Valley have a very clear picture of what you think of us.
Now we are hearing about your shenanigans at the Landers Community Center. What a shame.
They most certainly deserve better.
Thanks but no thanks Marina West. The JVIA board is more than capable of handling JVIA and
Johnson Valley affairs. Your insinuation to the contrary is laughable. Wise up and butt out!
Jim Harvey
Response 8/17/2010
In reply to BDVWA General Manager West's tirade against the Johnson Valley Association for not informing her
about the proposed well. The arrogance, and incompetence of the General Manager, and Board President of the
BDVWA has no limits. To insinuate that the JVIA is not qualified to operate and maintain their own well is
unbelievable. One can only imagine what motivates them, and some private residents to attempt to undermine the
hopes and aspirations of the good citizens of Johnson Valley. This group has consistently tried to put roadblocks
on a number of projects that would only enhance the quality of life for the residents of Johnson Valley. Shame on
them. This same group has also tried to undermine the HVCC, another great organization dedicated to the uplifting
of all four communities that are part and parcel to the HVCC. One can observe the BDVWA, and see a parallel on
a smaller scale with the City of Bell, and their shenanigans. A General Manager given a $6000.00 raise to
$106,000.00, another weeks vacation, 40 hours of use it or lose it time which is just like another vacation. And all
this when her contract still had a year left to go. The Board of Directors led by Terry Burkhart must be very proud of
themselves in these trying economic times to give a raise like that when a lot of workers are being laid off or taking
cuts in their pay. Also Director Martha Oswalt resigned recently, and someone will be appointed by the board to
take her place. What are the odds that a previous director who despite being voted off the board by the folks in the
last election will be appointed? I for one would not take that bet.
Jim Hanley
8/19/2010
To Marina West,
Thank you for your recent post on the Johnson Valley website. I'm confident I echo the sentiments of most of us up here when I say, "We love hearing from you". Keep them coming.
By the way, you posted a notice, calling for a special meeting of the Finance/Public Relations/Education & Personnel Committee, to be held today, Thursday, August 19th, 2010 at 8:45 A.M. This notice was affixed to the bulletin board at the BDVWA meeting building (1720 Cherokee Trail, Landers), and also on the bulletin board at the Johnson Valley Improvement Association. These notices were still posted as of today, August 19th.
OOPS! The meeting was actually held yesterday, Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 at 12:45 P.M.
It is good to see you are continuing the level of management excellence we have all come to expect from a fine General Manager such as yourself. Keep up the great work!
Johnson Valley has all the confidence in you. In fact, you might say we place you on the same level of respect that we have for Terry Burkhart. Know what I mean?
All the best, and good luck with that.
Jim Harvey
To Marina West,
Thank you for your recent post on the Johnson Valley website. I'm confident I echo the sentiments of most of us up here when I say, "We love hearing from you". Keep them coming.
By the way, you posted a notice, calling for a special meeting of the Finance/Public Relations/Education & Personnel Committee, to be held today, Thursday, August 19th, 2010 at 8:45 A.M. This notice was affixed to the bulletin board at the BDVWA meeting building (1720 Cherokee Trail, Landers), and also on the bulletin board at the Johnson Valley Improvement Association. These notices were still posted as of today, August 19th.
OOPS! The meeting was actually held yesterday, Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 at 12:45 P.M.
It is good to see you are continuing the level of management excellence we have all come to expect from a fine General Manager such as yourself. Keep up the great work!
Johnson Valley has all the confidence in you. In fact, you might say we place you on the same level of respect that we have for Terry Burkhart. Know what I mean?
All the best, and good luck with that.
Jim Harvey