Wednesday - Dec. 10, 2008
Council provides downtown area for courts
Hoping to retain its status as the county's government center, the San Bernadino City Counsel voted Monday to provide 7 acres downtown, for the development of new courts.
The allocated land is located along Arrowhead Avenue, between 2nd and 3rd streets, would serve as the site for a new, eight story Justice Center, according to Economic Development Agency Director Maggie Pacheco.
San Bernadino-based attorney Tim Prince, a board member of the Downtown Business Association, called the new court's development crucial to the city's future.
"Our status as the county seat is our greatest marketing asset," Prince said, "When you think of the downtown area, the first thing you think of is the government center. It means millions of dollars in government-related business. Without it, the downtown would be a wasteland of outdated, empty offices."
Pacheco said that the new justice center could spark the growth of new businesses, downtown. Law firms and related businesses could relocate from their current locations in the south of the city.
According to a recent survey on the need for court services, San Bernadino is listed as one of the three neediest areas in the state.
Saturday - Nov. 29, 2008
On a most personal note, I have dedicated my next year of service to the San Bernadino County Bar to the memory of Ken Nydam. For those who knew Ken, these words will undoubtedly ring true in your ears. For those who did not, Ken was a lawyer for over forty years in the Inland Empire who donated countless hours to those in need of pro bono services. Ken served with pride as the President of the Legal Aid Society of San Bernadino for over fifteen years and was the President of Inland County Legal Services. Each of those organizations are dedicated to providing pro bono services to all those disenfranchised individuals who do not normally have access to the justice system. There was never a person nor a cause that Ken would not champion. It is in Ken Nydam’s memory that I pledge to call each member of the San Bernadino County Bar Association over the next ninety days. During that conversation, I will ask each person what is important to them and what would they like to see the Bar Association do for them. I will also ask each member of our Bar Association to donate some of their time for pro bono services. I will ask them to reach into their pocket to donate some money to help allow equal access to the courts. I know that in the tough economic times that we currently face, where money is short and time is even shorter, it is hard to do the things that we would easily do when the economy is robust and we have extra time on our hands. But I would suggest to everyone that to give more time for those less fortunate, to give money when you have less, is truly an act that would honor Ken Nydam, yourself, and our entire legal community.
-From the Bulletin of the San Bernadino Bar Association, by Michael
A. Scafiddi - President