Local

Dr. Margaret B. Hill

RIVERSIDE, CA– Extraordinary leaders and youth programs will be recognized and awarded at the Theta Pi Sigma Inland Empire alumnae chapter observance

Tori Weiston, Ph.D

of the 93rd Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Founders’ Day on Saturday, November 14, 11 a.m., at the Mountain Meadows Golf Club in Pomona.

The honorees are: Dr. Margaret B. Hill, a 40+ years educator, administrator, author, columnist and founder of Maggie’s Kids Foundation; Tori Weiston, Ph.D., scholar, mentor and practitioner as well as founder and executive director of the Youth Mentoring Action Network; and Shannon O’Brien, co-founder and executive director of Children Resources Inc., as well as a member of the San Bernardino City Unified School District’s Task Force for African American Student Achievement. Also being honored is the Evelyn E. Perkins Scholarship Foundation, co-founded in their mother’s name by sisters Danessa Jackson, Michelle Heard and Trudi Perkins, which in just six years has awarded more than $20,000 in scholarships to high school students from single-parent homes. Each of this year’s honorees has established impactful local community movements geared toward equipping and inspiring youth to dream more, learn more, do more and become more.

“The endeavors of these trailblazing leaders and organizations strongly align with our sorority’s focus,” says Deborah Moore, president of the Theta Pi Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho. “And it makes this a most fitting tribute marking our 93^rd Founders’ Day observance.”

Tickets are $45 each for the Founders’ Day observance and can be purchased through Eventbrite.com by entering “Theta Pi Sigma Gospel Brunch”; by contacting the chapter at

Shannon O’Brien

thetapisigma1922@yahoo.com or 951.777.4148; or by contacting any of the chapter members directly. Proceeds will help fund scholarships for Inland Empire youth. Donations are also accepted via Eventbrite.With the theme “This Means WAR!”, the November 14 event will also feature gospel music

Danessa Jackson Co-Founder for EEPSF

from soloist Lillian Crawford, a performance by the Victory Praise Dancers and songs of praise by the Loveland Church Praise Team Leads (Allegra Parks, Valerie Singleton and Brian Bradley, featuring Grammy nominated arranger Marco Basci).

Moore explains, “We’re praying that attendees will leave fully armored to join us in going to war against low self-esteem, bullying, police brutality, poverty, teen pregnancy and anything else that prevents our youth from becoming all that they can be.”

The IE Hair EXPO 2015 is WHAT IT DO WITH THE LUE! Umm, can you say major SUCCESS! I can’t say enough how much fun and how exciting the hair show was. This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending the 1st Annual IE Hair Expo hosted by Jacquetta Green of Cali All Stars Entertainment and Jessie Green of Joe Reed Records and all the sponsors that helped to make this happen in the IE. They knocked it out of the ball park. This was a much needed event, not just for the San Bernardino Community, but for the Cosmetology and Barber community as a whole.

I mean, you had just about every barbershop and hair shop from the IE in that thang representing to the fullest. You had Loved Ones, Artistically Yours, Cold Cutz, Anointed Braids, Star’s A Cut Above, Nappy Roots Salon, and Barber City to name a few. There was nonstop action! It was an all age event that included barber competitions, a fashion show, tutorials, food vendors, and community vendors such as Crown Wigs and The Plug, an urban fashion and graphic store; and Ribs. Local artists also lit up the stage with their talent.

The event was hosted by DJ Fredy Fresco of 99.1 KGGI. There was a special guest appearance by Doris Mosley, Mater Stylist educator, and produce of SIBE which stands for Spectrum International Beauty EXPO.

Sunday this was the place to be in the Inland Empire. I was especially happy that I was able to spend $20 bucks and receive $75.00 to $100.00 worth of hair product. Now that’s winning!! The day ended with a night of celebration featuring rapper Staxx Huges and Fitz Taylor and others. Congratulations to all the talented winners which included: Anointed Touch Braidery, they took 1st place in Most Original; Make Up artist Peaches of Straight To The Head; DJ Mysteree and Deevetva Foy, Director of ADMIN for LUE Productions; Jacquetta Greeen, event coordinator and CEO of Cali All Stars; and Mr. Wilson, owner of Crown Wigs in San Bernardino. Can’t wait for next year! L’zzz!

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- It’s Scorpio season and the Westside Story Newspaper has quite a few ladies born in the month of November. Our Editor Naomi K. Bonman, Marketing Director Naomi Riggins, and Columnist/Administrative Manager Lou Coleman all work very hard to edit and market the paper each week to bring you the latest news within the Inland Empire.  If you also have a birthday coming up or know someone who does, send them or yourself a special keepsake that can be cherished and posted on the wall. Please email walleniv@yahoo.com or hired2market@gmail.com for rates.

Lou Coleman, November 14

Naomi Riggins, November 11

Naomi K. Bonman, November 20

Sheba Jennings – 11th grader at Summit High School

By Angela M. Coggs

Student Rally in front of the Department of Education, Sacramento, Ca

On November 4, 2015, 50 African-American students and educator chaperones from the Inland Empire boarded a charter bus at 11:00pm that was headed to Sacramento to rally for equal access to education in front the Department of Education and the state capital. The group, invited by Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement (C.O.P.E.), consisted of 9^th -12^th grade students from the following high schools: Cajon, Carter, Grand Terrace, Pacific, San Bernardino, and Summit. The trip was sponsored by The California Alliance of African- American of Educators (CAAAE), The California Endowment, The Education Trust-West, and UMOJA Community.

C.O.P.E. got involved in the Black Minds Matter rally because the Education Trust-West report features the work of the Task Force for African American Achievement, convened in the San Bernardino City Unified School District, as a promising practice for addressing

Terriq Singer (10th) and Joshua Stewart (9th) both from Cajon High School

persistent poor academic outcomes for African American students. “We wanted students from our district to participate in the rally because of the important strides SBCUSD is making for African American students and to address their needs, “stated Felicia Jones, C.O.P.E. Associate Director.

The Education Trust-West recently released the Black Minds Matter white paper. The paper is a reality check for secondary and postsecondary education. At the subsequent Student Rally the goal was Black Minds Matter to serve as a rallying point for engagement and, discussion, and action. The rally was held at the state capital on Thursday November 5th at 10 am. The event was called Black Minds Matter – A Day of Student Activism.

Cajon High School Students: Ashley Rodgers (10th), Yonathan Habtemariam(9th), Brianna Robertson(10th), Lyndon Nicholls(12th), Cherq’uora Hunn (10th), and Terriq Singer(11th)

The California Alliance of African- American of Educators (CAAAE) sent over 300 students and advocates to Sacramento to convene with over 200 Community college students attending the UMOJA conference and where they joined another 100 California State University and University of California systems students on the steps of the Capital Building to make a historic statement: “Black Minds Matter.” The mission of the California Alliance of African American Educators (CAAAE) is to provide programs and services to students, families, and teachers in order to create culturally conscious African American students who are life-long learners and critical thinkers. The summit featured highly-interactive workshops, dynamic student speakers, motivational words from inspired educators, and support from local California politicians.

Antonio Villaraigosa and Yonathan Habtemariam

The “Black Minds Matter” is a powerful and important research report written by The Education Trust-West and released at the Black Education Summit looked at the statistics of the educational success of black children in California. The report indicated that black children are least likely to:

• Become proficient readers by third grade;
• Be placed in Gifted and Talented Education programs;
• Master the mid-level mathematics skills that position students for success in college-preparatory math courses;
• Be placed in a full sequence of college-preparatory courses;
• Graduate from high school in four years; and
• Complete a college degree.

At the same time, black children are the most likely to:

• Be suspended or expelled;
• Be taught by ineffective teachers;
• Be identified for special education; and
• Take remedial, non-credit bearing coursework as college students.

Villaraigosa taking pics of the crowd

Outside the Capital building

Although California has the fifth largest Black population in the country and is home to about 900,000 African American under the age of 25, the California Department of Education lacks and office, initiative, or committee focused on African American achievement or the achievement gap. The inequalities and problems start in the early years. Black children are more likely to live in homes affected by financial hardship and caregiver instability and more than half of California’s Black children live in low-income households. Because of disparities on financial stability, health, and well- being, learning gaps appear early. By age 2, low-income children- regardless of race- are already six months behind their higher  income peers in language development, and by age 5 they are more than two years behind ( “Research Shows: The Benefits of High-Quality Early Learning”, Oakland, Ca: Early Edge California).

The students did not know what to expect from the trip but many had a positive disposition as they took to the streets outside of the Department of Education to participate in the rally. “I expected this trip to be an experience I’d never forget and cherish due to the information and movement we were participating in,” said Kalynne Brantley, 11^th grade student from Carter High School in Rialto. “It (the trip) empowered me to be more active and vocal in my community ad stand up for what matters to me.”

During the rally, Yonathan Habtemariam, 9^th grade student at Cajon High School, noticed former mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa in the crowd. “I walked up to him, introduced myself, and had a really good conversation with him regarding school. He asked me if I was going to college and I told him that my parents never made it an option.” Later Villaraigosa, who put on a Black Minds Matter t-shirt over his shirt and tie, addressed the crowd of over 300 people and mentioned meeting Habtemariam and his mother prior to his speech. “It was cool how he mentioned meeting us in speech and that he believed that not only would I attend college but will also graduate.”

C.O.P.E. Staff- Sonya Hunn-Gray, Pastor Sam Casey, Devona Robertson, Sam (bus driver), and Felicia Jones

Cherq’uora Hunn, 10^th grade student from Cajon High School, said she learned “that we can make a huge impact if we try.” Her favorite part of the trip was chanting in front of the Department of Education office building.  Like Hunn, this was the first time many of the students had ever visited the state capital.

According to the Black Minds Matter research report, African American children often begin kindergarten already behind. Yet, instead of organizing the K-12 school system to ameliorate the problem the students also get less academically in school too. One notable fact is that California’s African American students, along with Latino students, often attend highly segregated schools. Where nearly 70 percent of their peers are African American and Latino, and just over 65 percent are poor.

Academically speaking, African American students not only have less rigorous core academic content, but they also have less access to a board and enriching curriculum. African American students are underrepresented in laborious courses such as Algebra 2, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, and Physics.  In addition, less than one third of African American students complete the A-G courses required to be eligible for a UC or CSU. According to the California Department of Education, only 31% of 12^th grade graduates African American students completed the A-G course sequence.

For some of the older students who are currently applying to college, the statistics regarding the state of African American success rates was upsetting but not discouraging. Dropout rates are far higher for African American students than for other students, and conversely, graduation rates are lower. This is not new information. “I feel that it (the rally) was very eye opening to the issues still present today,” said Lindsay Collins, 11^th grade student at Redlands East Valley High School. She believes that it was a great experience and that more students need to be able to be engaged in and that she was empowered by the event. “I matter in all things I do.”

The experience was eye opening for the students, even the ones who did not expect to learn anything new. “I came in expecting to hear things I heard before, but I ended up coming away with new knowledge and possibly a new mindset,” stated Lyndon Nicholls, 12^th grader at Cajon High School. “I learned, to achieve the best, that I can be anything I set my mind to and to ignore all negative voices.”

It is refreshing to hear the positive attitude of a African American student who’s next step in life is college, however; that is not what the numbers show as a majority. African American students are far more likely to attend community colleges that pubic four-year universities, partly because they are not properly prepare for the level of work needed to exceed in those school. Based on Education Trust-West analysis of California’s Academic Performances Index data from 2013, the institution types attended by California’s African American first –time freshmen are as follows: 67% California Community Colleges, 12% California State University, 11% Private For-Profit, 6% Private Nonprofit, and 4% University of California. For University of California, Irvine (UCI) student Sion Habtemariam, graduate of Citrus Valley High School and now in her junior year in college, not seeing other African American students on campus who are not athletes is a sad reality. “I know more African American could succeed in the UC system but the requirements are based on a students’ course load/level and the admission process is very competitive.” Just like UCI, African American students represent only 4%of the student body at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), a figure that has declined by 2 percentage points since affirmative action was banned at the University of California in 1995.

The Black Minds Matter report has “challenged district and state leaders to address the systematic inequities bearing down on you Black California’s. Both the report and the recommendations included in it are intended to be part of a larger effort that addresses educational disparities with the sense of fierce urgency our students deserve.” A concerted effort must be made by all that are involved, including educators, administrators, elected officials, policymakers, parent, and students to make equality a priority. Trimonisha Singer, mother, teacher, and active community, was pleased that her son Terriq Singer, 10^th grade student at Cajon High School, was able to participate in this historic event. “I am thankful that C.O.P.E. gave my son the opportunity to experience history. Many negative stereotypes exist about this generation and in particular black youth. This not only showed that our youth do care about their future and letting their voice be heard but also gave the students a chance to experience their civil duties and what being a part of positive chance looks like.” It was a very important event that was made a positive impact on all the students in attendance. Singer also noted that her son “came home with the desire to be involved in his community and helping others realize that Black Minds Matter.”

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

It’s too late… There is nothing more I can do!  I want you to know that one of the most tragic phrases in the English language is “too late.”  It indicates something that once held promise now is without hope.  The tragedy of being “too late” is the implication that there was a time when it wasn’t too late.  There was a time when options were still available, an escape was still possible, a remedy was still viable. The parable of the ten virgins is a tragic story of being “too late!”  The parable of the ten virgins is a direct parable with a terrible consequence following a foolish decision.  In the parable Matthew 25 Jesus compares the coming of the kingdom of heaven to a wedding feast.  The parable concludes with the arrival of the bridegroom.  The time has arrived.  The celebration begins.  The great banquet is open.  The five wise bridesmaids with oil in their lamps enter the house, while the five foolish bridesmaids went wandering around the dark village streets looking for oil.  Jesus sternly said, “And the door was shut” verse 10.   And who were going to enter had already entered.  No one else would be allowed in.  It was too late! The five foolish bridesmaids finally showed up.  They shouted out “Sir, Sir, Open the door for us!” verse 11.  The bridegroom responded to their desperate pleas with an unflinching resolve, “I tell you the truth, I know you not” verse 12.   It’s a terrible word.  It’s a final word.  There is no room for negotiation. It’s too late! The sad part about it….The foolish virgins knew the bridegroom was going to get married, they knew he would come to the banquet, and they knew they needed oil for their lamps. It wasn’t a matter of a lack of information or having the wrong information. All ten virgins started with the same facts. The five foolish virgins just weren’t ready. Don’t do it…. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

Of course some will argue that it is never too late to mend, but the Bible says in Hebrews 6:4-6, “It is IMPOSSIBLE for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance.” I do not speak to you as an originator or discoverer of this tremendous truth—the impossibility of certain souls to be saved after they have reached a certain point; my business is to be faithful first to God, then to His Holy Word. Yes, people say, “It is never too late to come to Christ. It’s never too late to change my ways.  I can come at any time.  It’s never too late to be saved…” My friend, the idea that you can go just as far as you please, then turn back; the idea that you can descend into the well of sin and climb out again is a very comforting creed for those who believe it. But the question is, is it true? Will it stand the test? On the authority of the Bible, I do not think so; I say to you, it is False. I want you to know that the parable of the ten virgins reveals the awful truth that the kingdom of heaven has a door and it does close. I cannot tell you when the door will shut, only that it will shut one day.  I cannot tell you who will be allowed into the kingdom of heaven but only that Jesus is the gatekeeper.  And according to the gatekeeper’s own testimony, there will be those who will be left outside, the foolish ones, the ones who were invited but rejected the invitation or were so negligent and casual about the invitation they failed to prepare properly for it. Don’t do it… Don’t wait until it’s too late! Come to Christ now and let Him save you.

In Ezekiel chapter 33, God says, “As I live, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked” verse 11. That’s the heart of God, a God who pleads with His people, Repent, Repent. I don’t want to judge you. I don’t want to damn you to Hell. I don’t want you to come under My chastening hand of discipline as believers. Turn, Turn.”… I beg you my friend, I plea with you, don’t do it… Don’t wait until it’s too late! “Too late” is the heartache of sin. “Too late” is the history of missed opportunities. “Too late” is the heat of a burning hell, and Hell is real!  Don’t do it… Don’t wait too late!

By Naomi K. Bonman

The votes are in the tallies have been marked and read for the November 2015 San Bernardino County Election. It was a great race with amazing candidates. The overall precinct turnout was 7,721 and the vote by mail turnout was 36,314, giving the election a grand total of 44,035 votes. Here’s a recap of the winners for those who missed the results:

For the Chaffey Community College District the winners were Gloria Negrete Mcleod (9,388), Lee C. McDougal (9,129), and Gary Ovitt (9,458). In the Baker Valley Unified School District the winners were Linda D. Maria (30.83%) and Kelly Fisher (30.00%). The San Bernardino City Unified School District winners were Margaret G. Hill (19.57%), Gwen Dowdy-Rodgers (14.24%), and Scott Wyatt (15.77%).

Next up are the City of San Bernardino Wards and Council Seats. In the Third Ward the winner and only candidate that ran was John Valdivia. In the Fifth Ward the winner was Henry Nickel (66.67%). The Sixth Ward was a very close call between Roxanne Williams (36.22%) and Bessine Littlefield-Richard (37.64%). Bessine Richard took it for the Sixth Ward. The Seventh Ward winner was Jim Mulvihill (29.10%). The City Attorney winner, which only had one candidate, went to Gary D. Saenz; and the City Clerk went to Georgeann “GiGi” Hanna. Lastly, the City Treasurer went to David C. Kennedy (71.16%).

Other winners included: Morongo Valley Community Services District, Johnny G. Tolbert (34.18%) and Matthew M. Campos (39.26%); Newberry Community Services District, Paula L. Deel (47.42%) and Larry W. Clark (27.96%); Phelan Pinon Hills Community Services District, Alex Brandon (23.52%) and Mark W. Roberts (22.80%); Chino Valley Independent Fire District, Brian Johsz (31.23%), John Demonaco (24.28%), and Sarah Evinger (24.70%); East Valley Water District, David E. Smith (29.24%) and Chris Carrillo (26.15%); West Valley Water District, Alan G. Dyer (17.90%), Greg Young (18.69%), and Don Olinger (14.15%); Bighorn-Desert View Water Agency, Michael H. McBride (44.59%) and J. Larry Coulombe (36.49%); and the Crestline-Lake Arrowhead Water Agency, Ron Kelly (54.34%).

For more results, please visit www.sbcounty.gov/rov/elections/Results/20151103/default.html.

Covered California is using a new data-driven approach to target specific ZIP codes across the state, pinpointing where higher numbers of uninsured and subsidy-eligible African-Americans live.

Research conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago in the spring of 2015 revealed that while California’s African-Americans are aware of Covered California, they lag behind other ethnicities when it comes to awareness of the financial assistance that is available only through Covered California and that helps consumers pay for their monthly insurance premiums. Data can be found at www.CoveredCA.com/news/PDFs/AAEI-slides.pdf.

New data show that active enrollment among subsidy-eligible African-Americans is at 2.4 percent while African-Americans constitute 5 percent of the state’s subsidy-eligible population. The exchange’s focused efforts to increase the enrollment percentage begins with the third open-enrollment period, which runs from Nov. 1, 2015, through Jan. 31, 2016.

The campaign centers around establishing enrollment storefronts at highly familiar and visible locations; conducting marketing and outreach that is specific to African-American consumers; and engaging businesses, schools, churches and community organizations. The exchange will encourage uninsured Californians to stop coping with a lack of health coverage and instead enroll in a health insurance plan through Covered California.

“Changing our state from a culture of coping to a culture of coverage is a long-term proposition,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said. “We’ve made great progress in helping African-Americans gain the coverage they need and deserve, but we recognize there is much more to be done to prove to the remaining uninsured the value of having health coverage.”

Outreach materials will advise African-American consumers that their health and well- being is worth insuring and that many Californians are receiving thousands of dollars each year to help with the cost of health insurance premiums — money that African-American consumers should not walk away from.

Covered California is targeting specific areas in Los Angeles and San Diego counties and the Inland Empire, where two-thirds of California’s 130,000 subsidy-eligible African-Americans reside, as well as targeting areas in Northern California in parts of Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano and Sacramento counties.

Covered California will push enrollment through service channels like storefronts in African-American communities where Certified Insurance Agents and Certified Enrollment Counselors will be on hand to assist consumers. With support from Covered California community partners, the agency will sponsor education and outreach campaigns, with resources for pastors at church enrollment events, informational materials for barbershops and hair salons, and “enrollment block parties” in high-priority African-American neighborhoods.

In addition, enhanced social media and marketing campaigns will be launched to reach African-Americans, and Covered California will have partnerships with local schools, businesses and community-based organizations that serve African-American communities.

“We’ll reach out to consumers where they live, work, pray and play,” Lee said. “Covered California will continue to focus on reaching the state’s diverse population and enrolling consumers in all communities during its upcoming open-enrollment period. We want to make sure we see the enrollment numbers in our African-American communities rise.”

REDLANDS, CA- Senior Pastors Anthony and Jackie Green have led the historic Second Baptist Church for 28 years and have been a pastoral team that has preserved the Church History for future generations.  2015 marks l23 years that the first historic African American Church in the Inland Empire is still “alive and well.”

Sunday, November 8 will be celebrated with an l0 a.m. morning service and 4 p.m. evening service.  The morning speaker will be Reverend Michael Smith, Jr. of Reno, Nevada, a spiritual son who grew up and was licensed and ordained by Second Baptist Church.  The afternoon speaker will be Pastor Joshua Beckley, Senior Pastor of the Ecclesia Christian Fellowship of San Bernardino. Deacon Terry and Melissa Richey are the Anniversary Chairpersons.

Second Baptist has a unique history and was incorporated in 1892.  It has been at three locations in Redlands, founded on Orange Street in 1891, then moved to State Street and now resides at the corner of 9^th and Stuart Street in Redlands since 1924.  In its early years it was well known for Gospel quartet singers, founding of the Citrus Valley District Ushers and great cooks of African American cuisine.

Second Baptist Church has brought a unique flavor of high spirited worship and Gospel preaching. It is known for its work with the University of Redlands Martin Luther King Jr. Events, and Redlands Police Department in chaplaincy and a twenty year collaboration of Pastor Anthony Green through “Midnight Basketball Hoopz” to minister to At-Risks teens monthly on the third Friday of the month from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Redlands Community Center.  Second Baptist has led several city and statewide prayer gatherings and movements under the leadership of Bishop Dr. Jackie L. Green.

The community is invited to the grand celebration and afro-centric decorations especially for this historic occasion.  The Church is located at 420 East Stuart Avenue in Redlands.  For further information on worship and events, please visit www.secondbaptistredlands.com or call (909) 793-1074.

Tomas Morales, President, California State University, San Bernardino, (center), & several community members who joined the ‘MOB’ to greet & encourage the invited students, & to connect them to an academic future with CSUSB, & beyond.

By John Coleman

On October 23, buses from the Colton Joint Unified School District,  Fontana Unified School District,  Rialto Unified School District,  San Bernardino City Unified School district and Victor Valley Joint Unified School District, brought more than 300 African American and Latino eighth-grade boys to the Inaugural Black & Brown Conference for Young Males at California State University, San Bernardino.

As the students arrived, they were surprised but excited to be greeted by a “MOB” of campus and community leaders, including CSUSB President, Dr Tomas Morales;  City of San Bernardino Mayor, R. Carey Davis; a handful of others.

The FELLAS, a group of African American men who took time from their businesses and jobs to show their support for the growth, education and advancement of our Black & Brown youth, especially the males; that they, too, could take and learn required courses,  that the work they do in high school will prepare them for success in college and careers,  and that they still will have time for fun and a good life.

They entered the CSUSB Inaugural Black & Brown Conference as ‘champions’ through a path of well-wishers giving ‘high fives’ to each visiting student. Campus and Conference officials reported that student high energy and good behavior persisted throughout the Conference Program and events.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA- In appreciation for the contributions of the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces, Omnitrans is offering free bus rides to US military veterans on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11.

Veterans may simply show retired military ID when boarding any Omnitrans bus including the sbX rapid line, freeway express and local bus routes, or OmniGo community shuttles. Accepted IDs include those issued by US Departments of Defense or Veterans Affairs, and San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs.

“It’s our way of saluting those who served to protect our freedom,” said Omnitrans CEO/General Manager P. Scott Graham, himself a veteran of the US Marine Corps.  Approximately 79,000 veterans reside in the Omnitrans service area of the San Bernardino Valley, stretching from Yucaipa in the east to the Los Angeles County line in the west.

In January 2015, Omnitrans introduced a reduced fare category for veterans.  “Since then, we have tallied over 100,000 rides taken by local veterans,” said Omnitrans spokesperson Wendy Williams.  Osvaldo Maysonet, 211 Access & Mobility Coordinator for VetLink was instrumental in advocating for the discounted veteran fare.

“The introduction of a veterans fare by Omnitrans has meant the world to our veteran population of the San Bernardino Valley,” said Maysonet. “The thing I like the most is that Omnitrans sees this veteran fare not as a financial burden, but as just a small token of appreciation for their service to our country.