Scripture of the Week: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." Luke 6:27
The Big Bear Post
News You Can Use - From A Source You Can Trust
May 18, 2022
Inside This Edition:
Discarded Flag To Be Displayed At City Hall
Voters To Decide The Number of Vacation Rentals
Remax And Herrick Try To Recall Councilman Lee
Stroke Awareness In Big Bear
Big Bear Small Business Spotlight: Lyle DeVore
Big Bear School News: Baldwin Lane Elementary
Community News: MountainTop Strings
The Big Bear Post
The Official Newsletter of the City of Big Bear Lake Councilman Alan Lee
Serving the communities of Big Bear Lake, Bear City, Sugarloaf, Fawnskin, Lake Williams, Erwin Lake and Baldwin Lake
A Report From City Hall
A white gloved hand presents a flag to a woman s hands

Discarded Burial Flag To Be Displayed At City Hall
 
In a show of respect to our Veterans, a discarded Burial Flag will be displayed at City Hall. The burial flag was discarded and came into the possession of the City. Commander Jim Lona of the American Legion Post 584 based in Big Bear provided remarks at the May 16, 2022, City Council meeting. Commander Lona explained the sanctity and significance of the burial flag. "I received the burial flag at my father's funeral, and I hold it dearly. It is fitting that the discarded burial flag should be displayed at City Hall in honor of the unknown soldier and all those in our community that served," said Councilman Alan Lee.
 
Councilman Lee will join Commander Lona, local veterans, and other dignitaries at the American Legion Memorial Day Ceremony. This year's ceremony is at Veterans Park at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 30, 2022. The public is invited. "Commander Lona and the local leadership of the American Legion are inspiring and give real meaning to 'God and Country'. I appreciate their service to our nation, leadership, patriotism and continued service to our Big Bear community," said Councilman Alan Lee
Short-Term Vacation Rental Regulations Heading To Big Bear Lake Voters

Big Bear Lake residents will get to decide the fate of the community. According to a report from City officials, the proponents for the Citizens' Initiative have qualified to be on the November ballot. Under the law, the proponents were only required to obtain 10% of the registered voters. However, they collected 25%, well under the time limit.

While tourism communities across California have adopted reasonable caps and other regulations to maintain a sense of community in their neighborhoods, the City of Big Bear Lake has lagged. Many have observed the power and influence of the vacation rental industry that has driven the City's policies. For the first time in the City's history, there are more vacation rental homes than actual owner-occupied homes.

Although the vacation rental industry has sought to attribute the uptick of vacation rentals to COVID, a review covering the last five years, including the period pre-dating COVID, shows a 73% increase in vacation rental homes inside our neighborhoods. At the same time, the local hotels and lodges sat empty.

Councilman Lee has been threatened with recall by the vacation rental industry and the politicians they control. "I make no apologies for giving voice to our full-time residents or helping to support the citizens' led initiative to restore balance to our community since the City Council refused to take appropriate action. Big Bear Lake is, and will always be, a tourism destination, and we can be a thriving tourism destination without the over-saturation of Short-Term Rentals inside our neighborhoods. Working together, and striking the right balance is what's critical." said, Councilman Alan Lee.
REMAX Joins Herrick in Targeting Councilman Alan Lee for Recall

Remax Real Estate Agents Among Those Signing Notice Of Intent to Recall Lee For Siding With Residents

Remax has targeted Councilman Alan Lee for recall due to his efforts to bring balance to the over-saturation of vacation rentals inside our neighborhoods. Privately, several real estate agents and other brokers have contacted Councilman Lee to distance themselves from Remax.

The Big Bear Association of Realtors is an advocacy group, and this organization is also part of the state and national Realtors. They have established their own internal political party known as the Realtor Party of California. They have created a "Realtor Action Fund", to encourage their members to contribute. According to their publications, "Every dollar of this fund is used to protect Realtors interest in government. Your contribution to the Realtor Action Fund is not a donation, it is an investment in your business."

"I appreciate that the Realtors have to protect the interest of their members, but my job is to protect the interest of the community. Their funds or attacks will not influence me. We reached out to the Realtors Association over eight months ago and requested a meeting, and they declined", said Councilman Lee."
Controversial Councilman Rick Herrick is photoed with his wife Cathy Herrick, who sits on the School Board, and their friends and owners of the Remax franchise in Big Bear Lake, Simeon and Dana Prophet. Remax and the Vacation Rental Industry helped bankroll Herrick's most recent campaign.

Remax also helped their agent, Maureen Auer, purchase a full-page ad in the local paper, sent multiple mailers to voters, and lined their real estate offices with her political signs. Auer was also endorsed by career politician, Councilman Rick Herrick, who is currently serving in the unelected ceremonial role of Mayor.
Vacation Rental Industry and Remax Agents Lead Recall of Lee From the Rear
Ms. Mickey Peterson is a Remax agent and President of the Big Bear Realtor Association. Peterson has attended several Council meetings to chastise Councilman Lee. The Big Bear Realtors also played a leading role in organizing a protest at a City Council meeting. They lambasted Councilman Lee for his support of the citizens' led initiative to restore balance.
Mr. Mark Dolan is the broker at Remax. He has appeared at Council meetings engaging in dog whistle-rhetoric. Dolan has bragged about recruiting other agents and clients to join him in berating Councilman Alan Lee as payback for Lee's support of the citizens' led initiative. Dolan has also accosted the senior citizens collecting signatures for the initiative.
Ms. Maureen Auer is a Remax agent. Auer was endorsed by the Association of Big Bear Realtors and the Big Bear Remax franchise owners. Alan Lee soundly defeated Auer at the polls, and Auer is now leading an effort to recall Councilman Lee. Auer recently appeared at a Council meeting and characterized Councilman Lee as "disgusting." Lee has ignored her attacks.
Stroke Awareness In Big Bear
 
Mr. Scott Surico, an Education Coordinator at Bear Valley Community Hospital, provided a community presentation at the May 16, 2022, City Council meeting on Stroke Awareness. May is Stroke Awareness Month. 

Mr. Surico began by telling a touching story of his grandmother, Mrs. Myra Steffler.
His grandmother suffered a severe stroke in 1984. On May 21, 1985, she died of complications related to her stroke. According to Mr. Surico, his grandmother loved to take drives, and he promised her he would take her on a drive once he got his license at age 16. She died months short of him getting his license. His personal experience led him to pursue a career in the medical field to help others.
 
Advances in the medical field over the last 20 years now allow medical professionals to treat strokes, reverse the causes and break up clots. Mr. Surico emphasized the importance of identifying the symptoms. He asked us to remember the acronym FAST to help us timely recognize a stroke. Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech impairment, and Time. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, dial 911. Our Big Bear Valley Firefighters are trained on stroke intervention and can get you to the appropriate treatment center.
 
To learn more about stroke prevention, please visit the American Stroke Association. 
Mr. Lyle DeVore is a 2007 graduated of Allied Home Inspection School. He has a Home Inspection Certification. His business licensed with the City of Big Bear Lake is #LC20220097. Contact Lyle for your service needs with:

  • Smart Thermostats
  • Light Switches
  • Fixtures
  • Home Theaters
  • Automated Blinds
  • TV Mount
Big Bear Small Business Spotlight
DeVore Maintenance & Home Inspection
Mr. Lyle DeVore is the owner and operator of DeVore Maintenance & Home Inspection. His business specializes in all phases of home improvement, including electrical, security cameras, smart homes customization, automatic shades and more.

Mr. Devore has an outstanding community reputation for his service and workmanship. DeVore's hours of operation are 9 am - 5 pm daily. He may be reached by text or call at 909 338-3471.
Note: The "Big Bear Business Spotlight" is sponsored by Councilman Alan Lee in partnership with his Business Council. If you are a Big Bear Valley based business and would like to appear in the "Big Bear Business Spotlight", please contact Councilman Lee at Alan@BigBearLake.us. The Big Bear Business Spotlight helps to promote your business to our full-time residents, at no cost.
Big Bear School News
Baldwin Lane Elementary

Mrs. Rodriguez is an Educator at Bear Valley Unified School District assigned to Baldwin Lane Elementary School in Sugarloaf. The school library is currently needing updated book series. Mrs. Rodriguez noted that most of her students that are reluctant readers usually gravitate to a series that they can get invested into. She hopes to refresh the library with new titles and characters that her students haven't met. "I love seeing the look on the student's faces when they get to try a new series and get a new spark for reading that will continue through school!" noted Mrs. Rodriguez. Please join Councilman Lee in supporting her efforts by contributing to this project. Click here to contribute.
Big Bear Community News
ChamberFest Italy 2022

The community is invited to join the MountainTop Strings "ChamberFest Italy 2022" on May 30, 2022, from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. This event will be held at Apple Bed & Breakfast Inn at 42430 Moonridge Road, Big Bear Lake, CA. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased by visiting www.MountainTopStrings.org, or you may pay at the door. This fun and relaxing outdoor concert will feature a diverse mix of classical, jazz, rock, and Latin music.

The MountainTop Strings were created in 2011 and is based in Big Bear Lake. They perform under the direction of cellist and music educator Sharon Rizzo. MountainTop Strings is a small ensemble of string musicians created to educate youth to concertize locally and tour abroad. These young musicians range from 13-17 years of age.

The MountainTop Strings have performed in concerts and workshops in prestigious venues in Italy and Austria, including Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Cremona Summer Series, Istituto Boccherini Musicale in Lucca, Chiesa di Sant’Agnese in Agone in Rome, and the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. In 2017, the MountainTop Strings was accepted to perform in the National Youth Concert in the world-famous Carnegie Hall in New York City. To learn more about the MountainTop Strings, click here.
About Councilman Alan Lee:
Of all the 24 incorporated cities within San Bernardino County conducting local elections in November 2020, Alan's Big Bear Lake City Council District had the largest voter turnout, with over 90% of eligible voters participating. Despite political insiders, power brokers and pundits giving him no chance to win, Alan soundly defeated his handpicked opponent with over 62% of the vote.

Since being elected, Alan has stayed true to his community and is one of Big Bear Valley's most active and engaged political leaders.
Councilman Lee is fighting for us and the insiders are attacking him. Please scan the QR code to ensure you receive updated information and be sure to share this communication with your Big Bear Valley neighbors and post on your FaceBook. By working together, we can make Big Bear Valley an even better place to live and call home!