On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, the Newberry CSD celebrated the escrow closing of its purchase of a property to build a new office facility, fire station, community center building, and park, according to Kayleen Vanek, the CSD's general manager.

    Construction funding does not currently exist, but the CSD is optimistic about acquiring the necessary grants.

    The acquired site includes three parcels totaling 20 acres. The site was selected to geographically center the facilities within Newberry Springs.

    In 2019, director Jack Unger spearheaded a CSD 'Civic Hub' panel to explore the feasibility of a new civic center.  His year-long-plus effort, co-chaired by then director Victoria Paulsen, resulted in a poorly constructed report that the other CSD directors have since deemed unusable.

    Despite compiling readily available data, the report lacked the basics of a usable plan. The report also lacked the identification of an obtainable site.

    The report reflected the pattern of Jack Unger's leadership, where attempts by Unger to jump in, exert control, and be a CSD kingpin have repeatedly led to unproductive outcomes.  Unger has demonstrated that he can not complete a CSD assignment.

    Director Unger has catastrophically failed to properly represent Newberry Springs on the Clearway Energy project and the BMT Minneola solar project.  Along with another key figure, CSD director Robert Springer, Newberrians are now breathing increased carcinogenic levels of microscopic silica dust.

    In contrast, the arrival of Director Mike Matson on the CSD scene has injected a new energy and vision into the CSD.  Matson's business approach, evidenced by his successful revitalization of the community park, has invigorated the board and spurred progress on other key projects.

    Those projects have included the CSD's acquisition of a new fire engine, the current acquisition of land, the funding pursuit for construction funds for a fire station/CSD offices/community center building/new park, and a heavy expenditure to have a CPA firm correct the financial books to allow the CSD to pursue grants. Matson also acted on the much-needed replacement of Jodi Howard as general manager.

    Under Director Matson's drive and leadership, the Newberry CSD has been slowly transforming itself for the better. The other directors are beginning to see the light.

    Despite Jack Unger's failed endeavors and his lack of action for the past four years on the proposed civic center, Unger is now claiming undo credit for the current rebirth of the civic center effort.  He has publicly asserted that the project is his "Legacy."  I find this creepy.  Unger emits a gnarly karma.

    Unger's past failures to abide by his word in blocking the solar incursion into Newberry Springs have emphasized a dominant DNA loser gene. His repeated damages to Newberry Springs is his Legacy.

    The construction of a new fire facility will be the focus of the initial fundraising by the CSD board.

    Newberry Springs' population has dropped over one thousand residents since its heyday.  A number of its current residents are transient squatters, some tweaking on meth.  The landscape has been filling with unsightly trash and junk.

    Established residents have been waiting for economic development to rebirth Newberry Springs. Perhaps an Amazon or Walmart distribution center or housing developments for employees of the proposed BNSF Barstow International Gateway project ("BIG").

    The reality is that the Mojave Valley doesn't have a large enough drug-free workforce to support a major distribution center, and BIG probably won't impact Newberry much more than the military bases during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.

    If Newberry Springs is going to improve itself, it needs to look within. We have people who can transform their (our) community. They have been blessed with resources. Unfortunately, they have not been blessed with vision.

    I am reminded of the Biblical story in Matthew where a master departing on a long journey entrusted talents to three servants according to their abilities. One servant received five talents, the second received two, and a third received one.

    Upon the master's return, the first two servants had doubled the master's talents and they were rewarded. The third had done nothing, and he was severely punished for not taking the opportunity given.

    Likewise, some residents in Newberry have not stepped forward. They have buried their blessings, waiting for others to do the work. The story in Matthew is about the Creator rewarding those who put considerable effort into bettering their lives and the lives of those in their community.

    While hobbyists forming a social club and growing garlic for swap meets is fine, and the CSD improving its governmental facilities is helpful, neither is sufficient to ignite an economic stimulus for meaningful development. That takes effort from those who have been blessed.

    Fortunately, Newberry Springs is a cultural gem that is positioned to rapidly grow if fertilized with the proper stimulus. Something that is a local ingredient.

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