Chairman Josie Gonzales: ‘We have a damn good board’
SB County welcomes supervisors Gonzales, Ramos, Lovingood,
By Cynthia Mendoza
On Monday, November 3, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors swore in its newly elected board members James Ramos, Third District and Robert Lovingood, First District. Incumbent Chair and Supervisor for the Fifth District Josie Gonzales was sworn in for a third term.
The Third District covers the High Desert and incorporated desert area. The Third District covers parts of San Bernardino, Loma Linda, Grand Terrace, mountains and desert. The Fifth District covers most of San Bernardino, Colton, Bloomington, Rialto and a small portion of Fontana.
Chambers at the San Bernardino County Government Building in Downtown San Bernardino were filled almost to beyond capacity as friends and family of the new supervisors as well as community supporters, elected officials, business leaders, educators, county employees and others came to be a part of the highly anticipated swearing in.
The first to be sworn in was Gonzales, by her very good friend and mayor of the city of Fontana, Acquanetta Warren. Ramos was sworn in by his father James Ramos senior and accompanied by his mother Rowena, who stood proudly by her son’s side as he became the first Native American to hold a seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. Lovingood was sworn in by his wife Melanie.
After each supervisor was sworn in, Chair Gonzales pinned Ramos and Lovingood and welcomed them to the dais and then Rutherford pinned Gonzales. The new supervisors and Rutherford finally all took a seat as each of the newly sworn officials offered words on their first official day on the job.
“We now have a board that can communicate, that can discuss, that can disagree, and can arrive at a consensus by which thought has been processed and opinions have been shared and that the conclusion will be of benefit to the people,” Gonzales said. “Know that we will strive to put away hidden agendas, lack of communication, do away with what has so long inhibited and imbedded itself in this county.”
Gonzales also recognized her husband Jess for his support.
“We are destined to change the way San Bernardino County is viewed,” Supervisor Ramos said during his remarks and after recognizing the ‘backbone’ of his success; his family. “We have to be able to start to work together as a board for the county as a whole. It’s no longer one district or another.”
“I ran on the idea and the concept that we are going to work on economic development for not only our First District but the entire county,” Supervisor Lovingood said.
Afterwards, Gonzales concluded the ceremony with few more comments that really packed a punch.
“For the first time since I’ve been on the board, I can honestly say, ‘We have a damn good board!’” she concluded emphatically and proudly.
After the swearing in ceremony, guests and supervisors enjoyed lots of hugs, well-wishes and a reception in the lobby.
Photos/Cynthia Mendoza
Josie and Acquanetta
Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales was sworn in by her best friend Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren on Monday, December 3, to a third term as supervisor.
Ramos
Third District Supervisor James Ramos was sworn in by his proud father, James Ramos Sr. as his mother Rowena Ramos also stood proudly by her son’s side. Ramos is the first Native American in San Bernardino County to hold the office of county supervisor.
The new board, minus Supervisor Gary Ovitt who was unable to attend the ceremony: from left, Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford, Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales, First District Supervisor Robert Lovingood and Third District Supervisor James Ramos.