Supervisors Gonzales, Lovingood, Ramos Take Oath

SAN BERNARDINO>> Supervisors Josie Gonzales, Robert Lovingood and James Ramos spoke of the County's accomplishments and plans for the future as they began new four-year terms on the Board of Supervisors following Oath of Office ceremonies at the County Government Center in San Bernardino. Gonzales began her fourth and, under term limits, final term on the Board of Supervisors representing the Fifth District, which includes the cities of San Bernardino, Colton, Rialto and Fontana and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy. Gonzales was first elected to the board in 2004 and was re-elected in 2008, 2012, and again this year. She served as Board Chair from January 2011 until January 2013. Gonzales spoke of the progress County Government has made in a number of areas during her time in office and said, "Today, we can speak with honor about transparency and having a common goal," giving credit to the level of teamwork under which the current Board of Supervisors operates. Lovingood began his second term on the Board of Supervisors representing the First District, which includes the cities of Hesperia, Adelanto, Victorville, Apple Valley and Needles and many unincorporated communities including Wrightwood, Phelan, Newberry Springs, Hinkley and Baker. Lovingood was first elected to the board in 2012 and was re-elected this year. He has served as Vice Chairman of the Board since January 2015. "We have come through some tough economic times," Lovingood said, pledging to strengthen public safety because "companies will come when they feel safe." He also cited the need for infrastructure and more technical training. "There are so many opportunities to create living wages for our residents," he said. Ramos began his second term on the Board of Supervisors representing the Third District, which includes the cities of San Bernardino, Highland, Redlands, Loma Linda, Grand Terrace, Colton, Yucaipa, Big Bear Lake, Barstow, Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley and many unincorporated communities including Joshua Tree, Forest Falls and Lucerne Valley. Supervisor Ramos was first elected to the board in 2012 and was re-elected this year. He has served as Chairman of the Board since January 2015. "We continue to work as a team to move San Bernardino County forward," Ramos said. "The people San Bernardino County will unite around each other when we have trouble. It's only when we stand united that we will be able to move forward." Supervisors Lovingood, James and Gonzales join Supervisors Curt Hagman and Janice Rutherford in leading a dynamic public service organization of more than 22,000 employees working in dozens of agencies, departments and divisions that provide a diverse array of vital public services. Those services include public safety, economic development, aid to the needy, infrastructure construction and maintenance, elections, parks, museums, libraries, airports and a variety of healthcare services. The Board of Supervisors works with the community to achieve the Countywide Vision, www.sbcounty.gov/vision, which was created by county residents and community stakeholders and calls for the establishment of a "complete county" that offers residents and investors a wide range of choices in how they live and prosper. Key to the Vision is realizing that all elements of the community - education, wellness, jobs and the economy, public safety, housing, the environment, water, infrastructure, quality of life and image - are interrelated and interdependent. Community experts in various element areas are working together to achieve the vision and the vision's two regional goals to establish San Bernardino County as a model in the state where local government, regulatory agencies and communities are truly business friendly and partner with all sectors of the community to support the success of every child from cradle to career.