Inland Empire Progressive

I think that zoning plays a big part in how cities are prosperous or stagnant. San Bernardino should be building a city that can withstand recession because we did not go with the whims or fashions of the day. We should be a city that works for the long term and that can be distinct and competitive with our neighbors. We have a template now that can be leveraged to provide maximum benefit to our residents. Three corridors are zoned as commercial but we have yet to maximized the potential of that leverage. Highland Ave, Baseline Ave, and E St. are the commercial corridors that need to be developed into their full potential. Highland Ave. and Baseline Ave. are already built out. However, not all the stores are filled. Especially on the east end. Where it kind of dies out after Del Rosa Ave. then picks up on Sterling Ave. Baseline Ave. is built out as well. But these two corridors can use some TLC to be spruced up for provide less of a run down feel and more of an up and coming feel. ...

San Bernardino stands for small business! Whether it be from national chains like McDonalds, which started in San Bernardino, to long time restaurants like The Mexico, Alfredos, or Miltas, San Bernardino has not been hostile to folks who want to take risks. However, I do see some problems as far as retention is concerned. The inability to keep businesses here after they have grown to a certain size is a sad reality for a city that is full of promise. Starbucks bought Evolution fresh and moved it to Rancho Cucamonga. IEHP is moving to Rancho Cucamonga. We have to stem the tide before its too late. Here is a list of the major contributors to the inability to retain businesses: Weak Chamber of Commerce Our local chamber of commerce is lackluster at best. The communication and business recruitment strategy is nonexistent. They are not utilizing social media effectively to bring in younger and minority demographic businesses. I feel that the current Chamber has largely written off our...

I was in the new neighborhood Wal-Mart in San Bernardino the other day, which opened recently in strip mall that was anchored by an indoor swap-meet which went under recently, and noticed two shopping carts filled with the same food stuffs. One of the carts was labeled Wal-Mart and the other was labeled Stater Bros. As you might has guessed the one labeled Wal-Mart had the lowest prices, but I think this misses the point entirely. Stater Brothers, more specifically CEO Jack Brown, has contributed more to this community than Wal-Mart ever will. Our annual event to celebrate Route 66 bears its namesake. The business building at Cal State San Bernardino was dedicated to Jack Brown for all he has given to his community. Finally, when folks think Stater Brothers they think middle class. Stater Brothers employees are paid good wages and have good benefits. So Wal-Mart can have its low prices, but commitment to community and the middle class is what keeps customers loyal. Thank You Jack B...