pointofview

What’s To Become of the City of San Bernardino?

S

ince the city of San Bernardino declared bankruptcy in July 2012, there have been many opinion pieces written with all sorts of different ideas about how the city got to where it is. While the entire story really is comprised of

values and neighborhoods, a sinking tax base and a county seat that is home to many of the social services needed by those resting upon society's safety net, the crux of the issue resides with the system that dictates the operations of the

that is on the brink of insolvency, disincorporation, no longer being the city of San Bernardino, and losing the oldest historic city in the county. The City Council is fundamentally unable to make city back off the brink of the precipice. This is the result of a council that is bound by rules imposed

highly functional city councils and quality delivery of services. So, what is to come of the city of San Bernardino? in any way to San Bernardino? Yet, these cities were some of those that Police Department salaries were based upon. The inability to create effective public policy is also a result of the toxic and unhealthy relationship unions that have consistently spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy elections, castrate

The inability to create sound public policy also results from a lack of clear authority and lines of responsibility and accountability to the voters of San Bernardino. Many will suggest that the charter creates a system of checks and balances and ensures someone is looking after the "people" of San Bernardino. This is the biggest lie that has ever been placed before residents and business owners of San Bernardino.

makers what to pay certain city employees (public throughout the state that share no commonalities with San Bernardino.

Many have suggested letting the whole system dissolve and become the largest city ever to disincorporate. What does it really mean for the property owners in San Bernardino? Property owners will ultimately feel the pain of disincorporation, as the debts and liabilities that have been incurred over the years will not simply one way or another. This means a special assessment will be imposed on the property owners in the area formally known as the city of San Bernardino to collect money through the property tax rolls. In a disincorporation scenario, property owners will not only have to pay for the past debts that were incurred, they will also have to pay for basic services such as trash collection, water/sewer and public safety. Property owners need to wake up and demand their elected City Council step up to the plate and and not a disincorporated failure.

This archaic charter has created a system of chaos that has no accountability. Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana all operate as

James M. Smith lives in San Bernardino.

San Bernardino has a median household income

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VOICE | MAY 16, 2013 | theievoice.com

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