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County questions elected mayor
initiative
initiative
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
More layoffs shake school district
Retiring teachers honored by Mesquite
Council, manager face lawsuit
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
Teachers urge use of reserves to mitigate job losses, admins want cash-flow buffer as state delays
millions in payments
millions in payments
By REBECCA NEIPP,
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
Teachers and other school employees are facing another round of layoffs as state revenues continue to be cut and
delayed. “We are truly living in uncertain times,” Sierra Sands Unified School District Superintendent Joanna Rummer
told the Board of Education at last week’s meeting. District staff has enacted several measures to adjust to funding
losses, she said, including reducing and eliminating programs and services. “Unfortunatley, our expenditures are still
exceeding our revenues.” Advisors are projecting additional funding cuts, “and in the next few years our flexibility from the
state and our one-time money from the federal government will be gone.”
delayed. “We are truly living in uncertain times,” Sierra Sands Unified School District Superintendent Joanna Rummer
told the Board of Education at last week’s meeting. District staff has enacted several measures to adjust to funding
losses, she said, including reducing and eliminating programs and services. “Unfortunatley, our expenditures are still
exceeding our revenues.” Advisors are projecting additional funding cuts, “and in the next few years our flexibility from the
state and our one-time money from the federal government will be gone.”
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Three Ridgecrest residents who oppose the city’s
mandatory trash and recycling program have filed a lawsuit
against the five members of the Ridgecrest City Council, as
well as City Manager Harvey Rose and Kern County Elections
Officer Ann Barnett.
Robert Eierman, Walter Maurer and Michael Neel began
circulating a petition last fall in an attempt to overturn the city’s
controversial program mandating curbside collection of trash
and recycling. City Attorney Keith Lemieux, who was asked to
provide title and summary for the petition, informed the group
that it was worded not as an initiative, but as a referendum.
Because the 90-day window has expired, the referendum was
no longer valid.
mandatory trash and recycling program have filed a lawsuit
against the five members of the Ridgecrest City Council, as
well as City Manager Harvey Rose and Kern County Elections
Officer Ann Barnett.
Robert Eierman, Walter Maurer and Michael Neel began
circulating a petition last fall in an attempt to overturn the city’s
controversial program mandating curbside collection of trash
and recycling. City Attorney Keith Lemieux, who was asked to
provide title and summary for the petition, informed the group
that it was worded not as an initiative, but as a referendum.
Because the 90-day window has expired, the referendum was
no longer valid.
The fate of the elected mayor initiative remains uncertain
since handling of the issue was called into question by Kern
County Elections Clerk Ann Barnett.
A special meeting tentatively scheduled for today at 4 p.m. is
expected to determine whether the measure will move forward
as planned to appear on the June 8 primary ballot.
Councilman Tom Wiknich began last fall collecting support
for his initiative to have the mayor elected by the public rather
than appointed by the council.
since handling of the issue was called into question by Kern
County Elections Clerk Ann Barnett.
A special meeting tentatively scheduled for today at 4 p.m. is
expected to determine whether the measure will move forward
as planned to appear on the June 8 primary ballot.
Councilman Tom Wiknich began last fall collecting support
for his initiative to have the mayor elected by the public rather
than appointed by the council.
Council to hear
unmet transit needs
unmet transit needs
Dan Clark and Peggy Spraker, both of
whom will retire at the end of this school
year, were honored for longtime service to
Mesquite High School. The presentation took
place during Thursday’s meeting of the
Sierra Sands Unified School District Board of
Education.
whom will retire at the end of this school
year, were honored for longtime service to
Mesquite High School. The presentation took
place during Thursday’s meeting of the
Sierra Sands Unified School District Board of
Education.
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
A public hearing on unmet transit
needs is scheduled for tonight’s
Ridgecrest City Council meeting, slated
for 6:30 p.m. in City Hall.
The council will “consider public
comments to establish a finding for
unmet needs that are reasonable to
meet in and with the public
transportation system.”
Other discussion items include a
proposed drop-off area to allow self-
haulers to divert recycling from the local
landfill, as well as discussion of SERAF
payments.
needs is scheduled for tonight’s
Ridgecrest City Council meeting, slated
for 6:30 p.m. in City Hall.
The council will “consider public
comments to establish a finding for
unmet needs that are reasonable to
meet in and with the public
transportation system.”
Other discussion items include a
proposed drop-off area to allow self-
haulers to divert recycling from the local
landfill, as well as discussion of SERAF
payments.
Spraker retires after 36 years of leading Mesquite’s popular culinary arts
program. In addition to being highly sought-after caterers for high-profile
events in town, Spraker’s students also won numerous awards at the
People’s Choice ROP competition in Bakersfield. The program has won 10
gold medals and three silver medals under Spraker’s direction.
“It has been a real journey — I am so glad I was able to take the trip,” said
Spraker. She said she will miss everyone at Mesquite, but she is glad she
had the opportunity to work with them. In addition to leading the culinary arts
program, she was also involved in the associated student body and prom
committees.
program. In addition to being highly sought-after caterers for high-profile
events in town, Spraker’s students also won numerous awards at the
People’s Choice ROP competition in Bakersfield. The program has won 10
gold medals and three silver medals under Spraker’s direction.
“It has been a real journey — I am so glad I was able to take the trip,” said
Spraker. She said she will miss everyone at Mesquite, but she is glad she
had the opportunity to work with them. In addition to leading the culinary arts
program, she was also involved in the associated student body and prom
committees.
