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El Chicano - 05/28/26

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EL CHICANo Weekly

Vol 63, NO. 34

May 28, 2026

San Bernardino Arts Collaborative Presses Candidates on Creative Economy, City’s Future

IECN.com

Inside San Bernardino’s National Orange Show Sports Center Horse Racing Experience Pg. 3

PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL San Bernardino mayoral candidates Rick Avila, John Valdivia, Ronnika Ngalande, Ivan Garcia, incumbent Mayor Helen Tran and Amy Malone participate in the North End Neighborhood Association mayoral forum at Arrowhead Country Club on May 21st.

By Manny Sandoval

San Bernardino’s quality of life.

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The San Bernardino Arts Collaborative is hosting two candidate forums this week at the Garcia Center for the Arts, pushing candidates to discuss how the creative economy can shape the city’s future. A mayoral forum was held Tuesday, May 26, and a Ward 1 forum is scheduled for Thursday, May 28.

or Michael Segura, the question facing San Bernardino’s candidates is bigger than homelessness, public safety or City Hall dysfunction. It is whether the city’s next leaders understand that arts, culture, identity and economic development are inseparable from

Both forums are being held at 6 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m., at the Garcia Center for the Arts, 536 W. 11th St. IECN Co-publisher Denise Berver is moderating both events. The forums come less than a week before San Bernardino’s June 2 primary election, when voters will decide races for mayor SB Arts Collaborative, Cont. next pg.

As Housing Compliance Lags Across San Bernardino County, New Trust Chair Joe Baca Sr. Seeks to Unlock Funding 15 Inland Empire Nonprofits Honored at State Capitol as California Nonprofits of the Year Pg. 4

San Bernardino County UPK Programs Help Children Build Confidence Before Kindergarten Pg. 5

PHOTO CHRISTOPHER SALAZAR The Metro View apartment complex is an affordable housing development that Mayor Joe Baca Sr. aims to replicate across the city and San Bernardino County.

By Christopher Salazar Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals : iecnlegals@gmail.com

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ialto Mayor Joe Baca Sr. was appointed chair of the San Bernardino Regional Housing Trust, a body which oversees the support and creation of affordable housing in San Bernardino County, on Tuesday, May 12.

The appointment comes at a critical juncture for the region, as state compliance mandates dictate which municipalities secure funding and which are penalized. Rialto achieved compliance with California’s Housing Element earlier this year in March, aligning the city’s longterm housing plan with state law; likewise,

the city of San Bernardino reached the same milestone in June 2024. However, much of San Bernardino County is lagging, leaving eligibility for critical state and federal funding streams locked, putting local budgets at risk with severe financial penalties — something Baca Housing Compliance, cont. next pg.


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