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Building and Safety Offices Observe Reduced Operating Hours

County Cost-cutting Effort Impacts Big Bear and Twin Peaks Facilities

By Michael P. Neufeld
Monday, November 2, 2009

San Bernardino, CA - Twin Peaks and Big Bear Building and Safety offices are now following reduced service hours as part of San Bernardino County's efforts to reduce costs.

County Building and Safety Department offices in Big Bear and Twin Peaks reduced service hours effective Monday, October 26. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

The Twin Peaks office, located at 26010 Highway 189, will be open Tuesday and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Big Bear's office, located at 477 Summit Boulevard, will only be open Mondays from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

RIMOFTHEWORLD.net broke the news of the pending reduction of hours on September 10 amid rumors the offices were closing permanently.

At the time, county spokesperson David Wert explained, "County officials are in early discussions on possibly reducing hours, but closing the offices completely is not one of the options."

Numerous employees in Twin Peaks and Big Bear have received layoff notices and/or offers of other jobs off the hill.

"I just can't afford the commute," one impacted employee stated.

Inspector hours at all offices, except Barstow, will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Here is the schedule of office hours for other Building and Safety facilities:

• The San Bernardino Main office, located at 385 North Arrowhead Avenue, will operate Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Victorville office, located at 15456 Sage Street, is set to be open from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
• The Yucca Valley office, located at 57407 Twentynine Palms Outer Highway South, will be open Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Barstow's office, located at 301 East Mountain View Avenue, will provide limited permit services from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday.

This article was first published on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 9:41 am. This article has been viewed 1139 times.

Michael P. Neufeld, Senior News Editor, is a graduate of the Dwight Bentel School of Journalism at San Jose State University. His first job out of San Jose State was with the Associated Press in Los Angeles as overnight Radio Editor. Prior to joining RIMOFTHEWORLD.net, Neufeld was editor of two weekly newspapers—THE MOUNTAIN NEWS and CRESTLINE COURIER-NEWS. He also has experience as editor of an employee newspaper for a major utility company and during his tenure as executive director of the San Jose State University Alumni Association served as faculty advisor to the association's monthly newsletter. He also spent eight years in commercial radio doing everything from news to advertising sales and writing commercials to being an announcer and on-air personality. Neufeld is actively involved the mountain communities including serving as master of ceremonies for the Arrowhead Arts Music Festival held each summer.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. This column is copyrighted by Michael P. Neufeld.