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As the coronavirus loosened its grip, there was plenty of other news in 2022 in the Inland Empire.
Talk of seceding from California swirled in San Bernardino County. In neighboring Riverside County, leaders probed county’s care of children who had been tortured by their parents.
The November election brought conservative candidates to school boards, unseated incumbents and made history in other ways. And a long-awaited museum showcasing Chicano art opened in downtown Riverside, instilling pride and promising to draw tourists.
Here’s a peek back at the top five stories of 2022 in the Inland Empire.
San Bernardino County secession movement
What happened: What started as a pitch by Rancho Cucamonga real estate developer Jeff Burum became a clear directive by San Bernardino County voters when a majority of them demanded the Board of Supervisors get the county its “fair share” from the state and federal governments.
And, if officials don’t get what they want, voters gave county leaders the green light to explore seceding from the state of California.
Measure EE made headlines for its sheer ambition. Burum and Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman have said the measure was about political and economic fairness for the largest county in the country.
But the idea of fairness isn’t what drew everyone’s attention.
In October, Burum said he wanted the word “secession” in Measure EE “because it needed to provoke people. It needed to provoke intellectual debate on the issue.”
That it did.
Why it mattered: While Burum’s proposal drew the ire of some of the county’s legislative representatives, the thought of San Bernardino County not getting its “fair share” had county officials analyzing data to determine where the county stood among others.
Officials said San Bernardino County ranked 36th out of 56 counties in the state as far as how much money it gets, per capita, from the state and federal governments – ahead of wealthy counties such as Sonoma (45th), Santa Barbara (52nd) and Orange (55th).
What’s next: County supervisors expect a report from county administrators on future steps. Hagman has said the board is “going to take one step at a time and dig into the budgets and compare ourselves to other counties.”
Secession would require the OK of the California Legislature and U.S. Congress.
Care of Turpin siblings scrutinized
What happened: The saga of the 13 Turpin siblings who were tortured by their parents before being freed in 2018 continued this year in boardrooms and courtrooms.
Riverside County released an outside report, commissioned to address the public outcry after two of the siblings said on TV that they struggled to find money for food, were forced to live in bad neighborhoods and were sent into the world with poor life skills. Retired judge Stephen Larson’s 634-report details problems with the county’s child and adult protective services along with recommendations. These included stronger oversight of its foster homes program, and devoting more resources to vulnerable children in the system.
Meanwhile, three Perris foster family members were charged and accused of abusing nine children — including five Turpin minors. Two lawsuits filed in summer against Olguin family members allege the siblings were forced to eat their own vomit, were told they should kill themselves and made to recount details of their parents’ abuse.
Why it mattered: At a Board of Supervisors meeting, speakers blasted the county for what happened to the Turpins, with many saying they were “victimized again by the system” and deprived of resources. Many in the general public shared the sentiment after watching the two siblings’ interview on ABC’s “20/20” in late 2021.
What’s next: County supervisors and officials promised improvements and a committee of two supervisors will oversee reforms. A news state law lets child and adult protective services employees better share information, an issue pointed out in Riverside County by Larson’s report. As for the Turpins, four of the siblings will likely receive $50,000 each from the Jayc Foundation.
Conservatives conquer school boards
What happened: Five of seven candidates in a bloc running for southwest Riverside County school boards, all backed by a conservative Christian PAC, won in the Nov. 8 election. Many ran on the promise of returning what they called parent choice to public schools. They are joining the Temecula Valley, Murrieta Valley and Lake Elsinore school boards.
At their first Temecula Valley meeting in December, three conservative trustees — who now form a board majority — swiftly moved to ban critical race theory. Some students walked out of classes in protest, saying it will affect the way American history is taught.
Meanwhile, in the Chino Valley Unified School District board election, two seats were won by conservatives Sonja Shaw and Jon Monroe. They were named as board president and vice president, respectively. The Chino Valley board has see-sawed between religious conservative members, including those who belong to the Calvary Chapel evangelical megachurch, and other members. Monroe and Shaw are now part of a four-member conservative majority on the five-person board.
Why it mattered: Some, including past board members, have expressed concerns about the possible intrusion of religious beliefs into the affairs of public schools. Conservative Chino Valley board members have brought up contentious issues the past two school years, such as opposing state-protected transgender bathrooms and abortion rights.
What’s next: Temecula Valley school board member Steven Schwartz hopes to rescind the critical race theory ban until further vetting, fearing legal and education effects in the districts. Some Temecula residents, including teachers and those involved with the One Temecula Valley PAC that opposed the conservative candidates, say they’ll be monitoring future board meetings.
Election causes changes, milestones
What happened: The Nov. 8 election saw some incumbents ousted and political milestones reached.
In Riverside County, Jeff Hewitt lost his re-election bid for District 5 supervisor to Moreno Valley Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez. Also, incumbent Paul Angulo — who clashed with the county Sheriff’s Department over his office’s audit reporting — lost the auditor-controller’s race to Wildomar Mayor Ben Benoit.
In San Bernardino, former city employee Helen Tran became the city’s first Asian American mayor by beating Jim Penman, who once served as the longtime city attorney.
Corey Jackson, a nonprofit group leader and Riverside County Board of Education trustee, won the 60th Assembly District seat, becoming California’s first Black, openly LGBTQ, state lawmaker — and the first African American to represent Riverside County in the state Assembly.
Why it mattered: Gutierrez’s win marks the third time since 2000 and the second time since 2012 that a Riverside County supervisor lost a reelection attempt. Gutierrez will be one of the youngest supervisors in county history, and the second Latino in the post, after V. Manuel Perez. More than half of the county’s 2.45 million residents are Latino.
Tran’s victory made national and international headlines, including in media outlets in Vietnam. The daughter of Vietnamese refugees said she “didn’t run for fame or to be the first Asian American mayor … (but) saw a community in great need of effective leadership.”
What’s next: In San Bernardino, Tran promises to focus on the lack of jobs, housing, climate initiatives, crime and homelessness. Residents are hoping things will turn around in the once-bankrupt city that has seen recent scandals in past councils. In Riverside County, though supervisor seats are officially nonpartisan, Gutierrez’s win gave Democrats a majority on the board.
The Cheech opens
What happened: After five years of planning and fundraising, as well as coronavirus-related supply delays, comedian and actor Cheech Marin’s Chicano art museum, nicknamed The Cheech, opened in June in downtown Riverside.
The $14.5 million public-private collaboration, which has a city subsidy of nearly $1 million a year, is run by the Riverside Art Museum in the city’s old but now renovated main library.
Why it mattered: Backers said the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture will put the city on the map as a destination for art lovers. Marin, an avid Chicano art collector, and community members are excited that Latino art, history and culture are being represented. The center boasts more than 500 paintings, photographs, sculptures and other works.
What’s next: Special events, artist talks and festivals will continue at the museum, including a free “Dia De Los Reyes Magos” celebration on Sunday, Jan. 8, with food and entertainment. There are two upcoming exhibits, including the group exhibition “Life Logistics,” and “Land of Milk & Honey.”
The Cheech will stage one-year anniversary events in June. Visitors can also look forward to new exhibitions and festivities in the coming year, Riverside Art Museum Executive Director Drew Oberjuerge said.
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