Phelan May MAC Meeting – Video about the closure of Highway 138 – Local Redevelopment District On Hold Due To State Law Change

Phelan MAC Meeting

(Best Syndication) There were some questions brought up concerning the closure of Highway 138 at the May Phelan Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meeting. Michael Orme, representative to Country Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, tried to answer some of the questions since Dennis Green of Caltrans was not present.

Michael Orme said that the contractor asked to shut down HWY 138 because of incidents that occurred last summer during the closure. Two flagmen were intentionally hit by impatient drivers. The contractor said that the employee’s lives were at risk. Many of the original contractors did not want to bid on the project because of the escort problem, according to MAC member Jon Perry.

Orme also spoke about the redevelopment agency issue concerning the Phelan area. A Redevelopment Agency (RA) is an “entity” that assures that the tax money stays in the community. The Fontana speedway was built with RA money.

The state law has changed and we are no longer eligible to become a redevelopment agency district. According to Orme, we are considered rural and not urbanized enough to qualify for that program. The process stopped after that new law was passed.

In fact no district in the county is eligible to become a RA. As a result the county supervisors placed a call to the state officials to see if that law can be changed. Although the entire city of Victorville is considered a redevelopment area, Phelan does not qualify.

Orme said that the county representatives came out a year ago and offered the area the option to become a redevelopment agency district. He admits that it was a poor presentation, but the local residents said “get out” and we don’t want one.

For those that are still interested in opting into a redevelopment agency plan, Orme said that our county supervisor is good friends with Anthony Adams, and Sharon Runner may listen to the community. Both Runner and Adams may work to change the law.

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By Dan Wilson
Best Syndication Writer