Chuck Bell, center, discusses Lucerne Valley during Wednesday night's Community Workshop meeting at the Lucerne Valley Community Center. Peter Day, Lucerne Valley Leader
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By Peter Day
Senior Reporter
LUCERNE VALLEY — The county of San Bernardino is calling on Lucerne Valley residents to help describe the essence of the town and the direction they want it to take.
On Wednesday, a group led by county planning manager Karen E. Watkins facilitated the first of three two-hour community workshops at the Lucerne Valley Community Center. Four roundtable discussion areas were set up, but only a few diehards from the Lucerne Valley Economic Development Association showed up to fill one table. A second table was mostly filled by a small, curious group from Newberry Springs, which will begin its workshops at a later date.
The core of meeting was facilitated by planning and community engagement specialist Courtney Wood, who had participants write information on sticky notes. Questions included, "What are the top three things that define the character of Lucerne Valley?""What do you hope never changes about the town?" and "What about Lucerne Valley do you hope to change?"
Small group facilitators helped move along each topic. Lucerne Valley's table leader Mark Teague, who like Wood works for Michael Baker International, walked a spirited, opinionated group led by Chuck Bell, who serves as president of the Lucerne Valley Economic Development Association, through the questions and answers. Also in attendance were LV-JV MAC Chairman Richard Selby, Lucerne Valley Market & Hardware Store owner Linda Gommel and Bill and Jan Lembright, also from the Market, and Lorrie Steely of the Mojave Communities Conservation Collaborative.
"We have so many strengths," Bell told Teague. "But we lost half of our school population (due to an economic downturn) and haven't recovered." Bell added, "This county is getting so urban oriented us rural people are having a tough time with all the change."
Despite the negatives mentioned by participants, Lucerne Valley positives were numerous. Sticky notes of various colors filled a quadrant on a large sheet of display paper with remarks such as "beautiful views,""great Market,""individualism,""great FFA program" and much more.
Currently the county has 14 community plans in use since their adoption in 2007. Oak Hills' was adopted in 2013.
Last year, the county set the framework on Lucerne Valley's plan. This year, the county — with extensive input — will begin establishing policy. In 2017, the business plan will be addressed, and in 2018 Lucerne Valley's community plan is expected to adopted and implemented.
The next workshop in Lucerne Valley will be held on March 30. Additionally, according to Watkins, the county will host eight regional meetings.
There are numerous ways to get involved. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the workshop meetings, but you may also stay connected by visiting www.countywideplan.com/cp or email CommunityPlans@lus.sbcounty.gov. On Facebook, you can find more information at facebook.com/countywideplan.