Election results

For election results in the Morongo Basin, go to this page and scroll down to San Bernardino County Races.

ADDENDUM: For semi-official results in the local contests:

• Hi-Desert Star
• Desert Trail

More opportunities to meet the candidates

The Desert Trail posts a question-and-answer with the candidates for the Twentynine Palms City Council in its last edition before next Tuesday's election.

As well, the Trail covers last week's forum for candidates for the Copper Mountain College Board of Trustees.

And a reminder: You can read the words of candidates for these and three additional local races in the MBCA 2008 Candidates Virtual Forum on our Website, answering questions on conservation issues as submitted by you, our members.

Correction: No JBWD Forum on Saturday

Notice that we were given incorrect information and apparently there will NOT be a forum of the candidates for the Joshua Basin Water District board at Coyote Corner this Saturday as had been reported in the previous post.

Again, you may read the words of the candidates for JBWD on the MBCA 2008 Candidates Virtual Forum here.

More candidates forums

More opportunities this week to learn where the candidates stand:

• A Joshua Basin Water District Candidates Forum will to be held at the Coyote Corner stage on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m., sponsored by the Joshua Tree Highlands Owners Association. CORRECTION: APPARENTLY THIS INFORMATION WAS INCORRECT AND THERE WILL BE NO JBWD FORUM ON SATURDAY.
• Candidates for the Copper Mountain Community College board of trustees will appear at a forum sponsored by the Associated Students of Copper Mountain College at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27 in Room 11 at the Joshua Tree Campus on Rotary Way north of Twentynine Palms Highway. More coverage in the Desert Trail.
• All four official candidates for the Twentynine Palms City Council spoke at a breakfast meeting of the Twentyine Palms Kiwanis Club on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Read what they had to say in the Desert Trail.

As well, you can read the candidates' own words on conservation issues on the MBCA 2008 Candidates Virtual Forum.

"Katz-Funded Group Attacks JT Water Candidates"

The following press release was issued by Joshua Tree Development Oversight Group (JTDOG):

Katz-Funded Group Attacks JT Water Candidates
Big Money Brings Ugly Campaign Tactics To Local Race

KB Construction of Warrington, PA, owned by the family of developer Steven Katz, has contributed a total of $7,500 since June to a group called Taxpayers For Good Government, according to information posted on the California Secretary of State website. The group, which is based in Pomona, is a registered Political Action Committee heavily funded by developers and builders, and active in San Bernardino County politics.

Days after receiving the latest donation from KB in September, the group registered an Internet domain and subsequently launched a website devoted to personal attacks on Michael Luhrs and Iona Chellette, two candidates for Joshua Basin Water District board seats. The two have made their opposition to Katz’s proposed 2,700-home development in Joshua Tree central to their campaign.

The professionally designed website is registered anonymously, but credits Taxpayers For Good Government as its sponsor, listing a Joshua Tree PO Box. Using a Halloween theme to make its point, the website portrays the candidates in ghoulish fashion and urges voters to “be very afraid”. The site does not discuss issues, but rather levels personal attacks, claiming the two “have set their sights on gaining control” of the Water District. While not supporting any candidate, the website urges voters to “Vote No” on Luhrs and Chellette. In fact, voting “no” is not an option in this race, which allows only votes in support of candidates. There are four seats up for grabs.

A mailer using the same graphics as the website has been received by many Joshua Tree voters.

Joshua Tree Development Oversight Group (JTDOG) does not endorse any candidates, but strongly condemns this injection of ugly negativity into the race. JTDOG calls on all candidates to condemn the action of Taxpayers For Good Government.

“This ugly campaign is the work of a special interest group exercising its influence in the worst possible way,” said George Kopp, president of JTDOG. “Thanks to California’s campaign disclosure laws, it is easy for anyone to ‘follow the money’ and see who is funding Taxpayers for
Good Government.”

In its role as an oversight group, JTDOG feels it is vital that the community knows what role Steven Katz’s money is playing in our water board election. While all the candidates have categorically denied taking contributions from Katz, he has nonetheless found a way to inject his influence. This is not Katz’s first contribution to this PAC. According to election filings, in 2006 KB Construction donated $25,000 to Taxpayers For Good Government. Another contributor that year was Wal-Mart, which donated $39,000.

You may learn more about the candidates for the Joshua Basin Water District Board in their own words on MBCA's 2008 Candidates Virtual Forum.

MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: See the Land Use/Development and Joshua Tree Community pages of the MBCA Website. View previous blog posts: Joshua Tree, Katz Development/Section 33.

Twentynine Palms Candidates Forum

A write-in candidate has brought to five the number running for two seats on the Twentynine Palms City Council. Chris Verbel and the other four candidates appeared at a Chamber of Commerce forum on Wednesday. Read coverage in the Desert Trail.

Learn more about the views of the candidates of five local races in their own words on the MBCA 2008 Candidates Virtual Forum.

MBCA 2008 Candidates Virtual Forum now on-line

Below is an announcement of the MBCA 2008 Candidates Virtual Forum and our new Website. We thank all our members who sent in questions for the candidates; we hope the answers will help you make a more informed choice in the local races this November. We also appreciate the candidates who took the time to participate.

We encourage you to check out the rest of our newly revised Website, especially the recently added Communities and Take Action sections. We thank Cyberspike, our Web designer, for the terrific work, and we also especially thank former Boardmember Lesley Thornburg for pioneering our original Website.

Don't forget to vote!

Voters curious about the local candidates in November’s election now have a new source of information. The Morongo Basin Conservation Association has posted a Candidates Virtual Forum on their newly revised Website at www.mbconservation.org.

The electronic Forum covers five local races: The Joshua Basin and Hi-Desert Water boards, the Yucca Valley Town Council, the Twentynine Palms City Council, and the Copper Mountain College Board of Trustees.

“We asked our members to submit the questions they’d like to ask the candidates, then we edited and compiled a separate list for each race which we sent to all the candidates,” said MBCA Communications Director Chris Carraher. “Not all the candidates responded, but we really appreciate the ones who took the time to reach out to the voters this way. MBCA firmly believes that an informed electorate is key to our mission of promoting the economic and environmental welfare of the Morongo Basin.”

The Virtual Forum is only one feature of MBCA’s completely revised Website. Visitors will also find a variety of resources on issues and the communities of the Morongo Basin. Active in the Basin since 1969, MBCA brings a depth of experience and a Basin-wide scope to this move into the digital future.

Besides information on the organization and its history, visitors will find resources on such local issues as clear-cutting, invasive mustard, water and air quality, night sky, and land use and development.

“On our Communities pages you’ll find links, information, and the latest developments for wherever you live in the Basin,” said Carraher. “And in our Action section you’ll find the tools you need to get moving and start making an effective difference.”

One key addition to the Website is the regularly updated MBCA blog, where users can get the latest news on conservation issues across the Basin. But the site also features in-depth articles, such as “Urban Growth and Carrying Capacity in the Morongo Basin”, a new MBCA position paper by journalist and MBCA Boardmember Mark Wheeler.

Carraher invites Basin residents to visit the 2008 Virtual Candidates Forum and to return to the MBCA Website and blog often at www.mbconservation.org.

Coverage of HD Water District canddidates forum

"Six candidates vying for three seats on the Hi-Desert Water District Board of Directors detailed their qualifications and views at a candidate forum held at the community center Tuesday." Read full coverage of the forum in the Hi-Desert Star.

MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: On the Water pages of the MBCA Website. Related blog posts: Water, Yucca Valley, YV water/waste/sewage, Meet the Candidates.

Candidates forum for 29 Palms City Council on Oct. 8

All four candidates for the Twentynine Palms City Council will participate in a forum sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, to take place next Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Audience members will participate in the forum by submitting questions which will be posed to candidates in the space between opening and closing statements. Questions will be placed in a box and then drawn and answered one at a time by each candidate. Candidates will have one minute to
answer each question which will then be placed back in the box.

The forum will be videotaped and can be viewed on Time Warner Cable Channel 10 at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 and 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.

The event will run 6 to 9 p.m. in the community hall at Little Church of the Desert, El Paseo Drive at Ocotillo Avenue.

Read more about the forum and the candidates in the Desert Trail.

Meet Yucca Valley candidates

The public is invited to "meet the candidates for sustainable growth" in Yucca Valley this Friday, Oct. 3.

Present will be Town Council candidates Bill Souder and Wade White, as well as Hi-Desert Water District candidates Rae Packard, Margo Sturgis, and Charles McHenry.

Bluegrass music, food, and drink will be on hand.

Friday, October 3, 6-8 p.m., at 51845 Saddle Lane, Pioneertown (east of Pioneertown Road, westerly end of Pipes Canyon). Pipes Canyon Road, North on Eastline, Left on Saddle Lane. "Watch for the balloons."

Candidate Forums for Water Districts this Tuesday

This Tuesday, September 30, the public will have a chance to listen to candidates for the boards of two different Basin water districts.

The Hi-Desert Water District forum will be at 6 p.m. in the Yucca Room at the Yucca Valley Community Center and is sponsored by the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce. Candidates in the race include Sarann Graham, Charles McHenry, Rae Packard, Matt Perron, Bob Stadum, Dan Munsey, and Margo Sturges. Members of the public may submit questions in advance, and the forum will be videotaped and broadcast on cable. Get the details in the Hi-Desert Star.

The Joshua Basin Water District forum will run from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Joshua Tree Community Center at 6171 Sunburst Avenue and is sponsored by the Joshua Tree Community Association. Candidates in the race include Greg Alkire, Iona Chelette, Bill Long, Mickey Luckman, Al Marquez, Mike Reynolds, Jay St. Gaudens, Gary Given, and Michael Luhrs. Read the details in the Hi-Desert Star.


MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: On the Water pages of the MBCA Website. Related blog posts: Water, Yucca Valley, YV water/waste/sewage, Joshua Tree, Joshua Tree water/waste/sewage.

Candidates forums in Yucca Valley

The Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce will be hosting two candidates forums this month.

The first, for the Yucca Valley Town Council candidates, will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Yucca Valley Community Center’s Yucca Room.

The second, for Hi-Desert Water District candidates, will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 30 in the Yucca Room.

The public may submit questions beforehand, and the forums also will be videotaped and broadcast. For details, see the Hi-Desert Star.

MBCA is also creating a Virtual Forum for candidates on questions of interest to MBCA members, which will be posted on our Website later this month.

Virtual Candidates Forum: Your questions invited!

Who will decide your future? Shouldn't you have a say?

A variety of candidates has filed for vacancies on the Town and City Councils of Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms, as well as the boards of the Hi-Desert and Joshua Basin Water Districts and the Copper Mountain Community College District. Who wins will have a significant impact on the future of our lives and homes and the health of this beautiful land we share. Shouldn't you be part of the equation?

To make the best choice, you need to know where the candidates stand. If you've ever wished you could quiz them on the issues important to you, here's your chance. MBCA will be submitting a list of questions to the candidates for the open positions, and their answers will be posted on our Website and publicized for review by the voters. In putting together our list of questions, we'd like YOUR ideas on what we should ask them in our Virtual Forum.

Please send your Candidate Questions to us at info@mbconservation.org, and please include which Town or City Council, Water Board, or College Board race your question is meant for. We will review the questions and come up with a list for each race that we feel will best test the candidates on their positions on issues of concern to MBCA and its members.

Please send your Questions to us by September 1, 2008. We look forward to hearing from you! And - don't forget to register to vote!

Candidates listed for November

The filing periods for candidates for the local elections in November have ended. There are important matters at stake in the Basin, and MBCA encourages you to familiarize yourself with the candidates and their positions, make sure you're registered, and get ready to vote!

The Desert Trail has profiles this week of the three candidates running for the Twentynine Palms City Council.

The Hi-Desert Star additionally lists all the hopefuls confirmed in the races for Hi-Desert Memorial Healthcare District, Hi-Desert Water District, Joshua Basin Water District, and Yucca Valley Town Council.

Coverage of Congressional candidates forum, 41st District

"Morongo Basin residents met and questioned three of four Democratic candidates hoping to challenge the incumbent, Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, for the 41st Congressional District seat at a candidates’ forum on Sunday, May 18 at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center."

Learn more about the candidates in Desert Trail coverage here.