Two key developments moved the Idyllwild Historic Preservation District (IHPD) closer to becoming fully functional. One involves the county’s retaining a contractor to draw up the IHPD design guidelines and the timeline for completing them. The other is the opening of the application process for selecting the five members for the local IHPD board (see…
At the Nov. 21 Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) meeting, Jazz in the Pines Logistic Director Ted Cummings informed the directors that festival planners do not plan to continue their Jazz and Jambalaya Saturday night dinner and entertainment. This will also eliminate any conflict with the in-town Marshall Hawkins jazz concert which the Chamber sponsored…
The worsening state budget is posing a significant threat to local school district budgets. Fortunately, Hemet Unified School District (HUSD) has the wherewithal to withstand the potential short-term reductions. In the longer term, Hemet could possibly see its state funding reduced $12 million more within this budget year, according to HUSD superintendent Dr. Steven Lowder….
Forest Service lifts fire restrictions With recent rain across the southland, forest officials on the San Bernardino National Forest reduced fire restrictions effective today and have begun winter burning projects. “While campfires and recreational shooting are being allowed in portions of the forest, we are not completely out of wildfire danger yet, and ask the…
Third District Supervisor Jeff Stone is seeking five individuals for the Idyllwild Historical Preservation District local review board. This is a nonpaying position. Members must reside within a three-mile radius of the Historic Preservation District boundaries. Knowledge in architecture, construction techniques, and familiarity with the history of the Idyllwild Historical Preservation District is desired. The…
As a small community, we are certainly not represented by ICRC/ICC [the Idyllwild Community Recreation council or the Idyllwild Community Center committee]. Since Idyllwild is not incorporated, we have no mayor nor council members to hear our complaints. We are relegated to sharing our complaints or praise in this quaint little newspaper. We can write…
Can someone please explain how local politics work around here? We just had a general election. It was well publicized and well debated. Our fire department is in financial trouble, going from $1 million in reserves to $60,000 with very little accounting. The people of Idyllwild spoke loudly, strongly rejecting and voting out their president,…
I am responding to the letter from the new Town Hall employee, Susan Swanson [in the Nov. 17 issue of the Town Crier]. I agree with her that the children are our most important asset. I created and implemented the Forest Friends Preschool at Town Hall in 2005. I have been teaching children for over…
Should IFPD [Idyllwild Fire Protection District] seek higher property taxes to pay its bills? Absolutely not! This won’t fix its crumbling foundation, enabled by careless and uncontrolled spending. Its employees are paid higher than any other firefighter in the region, in some cases more than double. They have a full ride on their retirements, an…
Not so! I just recieved my Southern California Edison (SCE) bill dated Nov. 12, 2011, for service through Nov. 8. From Oct. 6 through Oct. 28 (22 days) I used 450 kWh (I have 23 photovoltaic panels, however that’s another story), which is an average use of 20.45 kWh per day, as recorded by my…
