Sacramento May Hold the Key  to Our Economy

  It is rare that politics are discussed in this 

  column, but I feel compelled to share very

  serious concerns. No, this is not about our

  local elections, or the upcoming    

  Presidential fray. It’s about Sacramento politicians and their desire to take our local funds away to help pay off the enormous debt of the State of California.

While we’ve operated our municipal government accordingly on sound financial principles, that any competent business would deploy, the State of California appears intent upon wreaking havoc upon us.  The mismanagement of our State government has resulted in a much publicized deficit exceeding $15 billion. Newspapers and other media have chronicled the State leadership’s intent to slash services, raise taxes and sell assets. Little known is the preliminary efforts of the State of California to pilferage essential revenues that normally go to local Cities and County governments. Local governments, not the State, provide law enforcement, fire protection, sewer, sanitation and essential day-to-day public services.  And generally run the critical operations we’ve created for service to our neighborhoods.

Of particular concern is the jeopardy to the new relationship the City of Big Bear Lake has been building with its businesses and residents alike. Previous columns have presented the innovative business assistance program that our Improvement Agency has on the drawing boards.  Also in recent months, we have unveiled the City’s ambitious 25-Year plan to rebuild and renovate our infrastructure and essential facilities throughout the community. This is traditionally funded with a judicious use of property tax revenues. However, at the time of this writing, the good folks in Sacramento are proposing to take away over $500,000 a year from the City of Big Bear Lake to pay for the excesses of spending by the bureaucrats of the State of California.

While we are locally thankful for the service rendered by our solid CHP Office and the hard work of Caltrans, it is baffling to contemplate the irrelevant programs and others services of the State as a financial liability that our local government should subsidize. State Senator Bob Dutton and Assemblymember Paul Cook, our two representatives in Sacramento, are former City Councilmembers and know local tax revenues keep our streets safe & homes protected, and should not be taken by Sacramento. Although we all have busy schedules, it would be helpful if our State representatives heard from you and were further encouraged to maintain the fight against the State of California taking away local funds that are vitally needed for local public services and programs.

Jeff Mathieu
City Manager
(909) 866-5832
bblcm@citybigbearlake.com