Loma Linda Is Sound, but Clouds Could Move In

Loma Linda’s budget is balanced and there are various projects in the works that will affect the medical, educational and business sectors. State and local leaders, medical officials, and educators told this to residents during the 22nd Annual Loma Linda State of the Community presentation hosted by the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 16 at the Loma Linda Senior Center. Loma Linda Mayor Rhodes Rigsby shared that Loma Linda is a sound city but could face financial difficulties ahead. “The City of Loma Linda has, this year, shown that they are a very strong city, and every strong city has that silver lining but with every silver lining there is a cloud,” he said. Rigsby was hinting at the possible outcome of the City’s decision to sue the State of California over the state’s demand that Loma Linda immediately pay in full the $15 million loan the city took out from the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) before the RDA’s dissolution, which he elaborated on later in his speech. Visitors enjoyed a lunch catered by Najwa Medina Catering just before the program and were welcomed by Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce President Gary Nelson before Loma Linda University Church Executive Administrator Dustin Aho gave the invocation. The Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce Color Guard presented the Colors and Chamber Chief Executive Officer Phil Carlisle introduced the afternoon’s speakers. State Senator Bill Emmerson (R-Riverside) of the 23rd District addressed the audience first, touching on legislative changes that have affected cities throughout the state, most notably the dissolution of the RDA and the end of Enterprise Zones. Senator Emmerson also discussed various bills currently making their rounds through the state government, and Assemblyman Mike Morrell (R-Rancho Cucamonga) of the 40th District focused on business. Mayor Rigsby in his speech touched on the developments the City is seeing, including what he described as the “strong” relationship between the Loma Linda and Colton Fire Departments to provide safety to residents of both cities; the development of a new memory care facility; a new Campus Street parking structure; the addition of new senior apartments; the progress of the Interstate 10/Anderson Interchange; further development of the Center Point shopping center, which now features the newly opened McDonald’s restaurant and will feature additional shops, a bank and a grocery store; and the San Bernardino Express (sbX), which when completed will transport riders to and from Loma Linda and San Bernardino. He also discussed the “huge risk” the City is taking in its lawsuit against the State of California in an RDA lawsuit. The State is demanding that Loma Linda immediately repay a $15 million loan it took from the former RDA, which was contracted to be paid back “as funds became available,” Rigsby said. With the RDA’s dissolution, the state mandated that any repayments contracted to be repaid as funds became available were immediately due. In its 43 years as an incorporated city, Loma Linda has accumulated $9 million, said Rigsby. “And they (the state) want 60 years of savings,” Rigsby said, though he was confident the citizens of Loma Linda would find a way to persevere, no matter the outcome of the lawsuit. He said, “We are fiscally sound. We live in our means and we can live on less than our means as we go forward,” he said. “How much is enough? Do they really need to devour their young? Do they need to eat us alive?” He finished by noting that the city in the last year has not reduced city staff, has expanded animal control, and has always cut spending to match revenue loss. Loma Linda University President Dr. Richard Hart, M.D., Ph.D., discussed the various developments Loma Linda’s medical facilities would see by the year 2020, with the first being the new parking structure on Campus Street, which will make way for the University’s expansion. The city will see a $1.4 billion university campus transformation which includes the expansion of the children’s hospital and the replacement of the existing adult hospital. He noted that the University’s goal is to raise 25 percent of the necessary funds needed for the transformation. Barbara Fallon FACHE, Director of the VA Loma Linda Healthcare, discussed the developments the veteran’s hospital will see, as it is now servicing 70,000 patients. A new pharmacy, nursing home, cancer center, healthcare center and an expanded emergency department are all in the works, she shared. Doug Herrmann, CAO of Loma Linda Academy, talked about the accomplishments and academic strides of the Academy’s 1,200 students, including their community service efforts, travel opportunities and academic accomplishments. The school will also receive a WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) visit this year to keep its accreditation, he stated. University Realty’s Scott Stockdale closed the program with a short update on the real estate market in Loma Linda. He noted that last year he predicted that home prices would rise this year, but in fact, he said, they have stayed the same. What has gone up, he noted—by 19.2 percent, a large margin—were home values. “We still have more buyers than sellers,” he said. “Investor fever diminished a bit,” but he said this is allowing average families to purchase homes in the market. Gary Nelson gave closing remarks to officially end the program, and thanked the visitors and the sponsors for their contributions.