The Planning Commission unanimously approved the
BMT Minneola Solar project at a morning hearing in San Bernardino
on May 9, 2024.
The Commission ignored the two-dozen plus letters
from residents, dismissing them immediately after the Land Use Services
planner, Oliver Mujica, announced their existence.
I provided the only oral opposition, but I was limited
to only 3 minutes while Oliver Mujica (LUSD), the applicant's engineering
representative, and the applicant were all given unbridled time to give
their sales pitch promoting the project.
It is amazing how people who know so little can presume
to know what is best for others.
These solar developments will keep on coming, increasing
the silica dust that you and your loved ones must breathe... unless Newberry's
residents stop them. We do have the ability to do it.
I hate to say it, but this logically falls to the
Newberry CSD. Perhaps they can partially redeem their earlier Mammoth
failure to protect Newberry from Clearway Energy.
Will the CSD file an appeal? The problem with that is
the Board members (minus Robert Springer) have all been named in an ongoing
lawsuit brought by the previous General Manager, Jodi Howard. By now the
Board would have spent tens of thousands of dollars defending themselves
and the CSD.
With the current flow of red ink, the CSD Board may not
see the bigger picture.
Their current legal expenditure is OK with the Board because
most of the Board members are personally named. But will they spend more
for the protection of the community? It would depend upon the Board
members' moral character, and that is questionable.
Has Jodi Howard taken the wind out of the CSD board?
That remains to be seen. The appeal has to be filed within 10 days
of the Planning Commission's decision on May 9th.
There is a lot that the County has been doing wrong.
My first letter to the LUSD planner regarding the BMT Minneola Solar
project was in December 2023. I will share it
here.
If you bother to read it, share your thoughts.
And better, contact the CSD and ask that they file
an appeal. Don't expect others to do it for you. They won't. So let
your voice be heard. CSD office: Wednesday - Friday, Noon to 4 P.M.
