I have written this letter to the following: Senator Jean Fuller 5701 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 150 Bakersfield, CA 93309 Assemblyman Tim Donnelly 15900 Smoketree Street, Suite #125 Hesperia, CA 92345 Robert Lovinggood County Board of Supervisors 15900 Smoke Tree Street, Suite 200 Hesperia, CA 92345 As I write to you this morning, I am observing impoverished people as they walk by my office window, to whom we have distributed sack lunches as we do every Wednesday and Thursday from our Parish Hall. We also distribute bags of food, among other services, through our St. Vincent De Paul Society, an independent organization affiliated with our parish church. But this morning, I heard some devastating news. It seems that the only grocery store that accepts food stamps or State assistance is closing. The closest store in the State of California that would supply general groceries from State of County sources to this city is one hundred twenty-nine miles away in Barstow, California. The grocery store we have until the end of May is called “Basha’s,” an independent, family grocery chain out of Arizona. Basha’s has been going through a financial crisis for some time now and has been going through bankruptcy proceedings. I understand that our local government and the Board of County Supervisors of San Bernardino have worked at keeping this store open in the past. It is my understanding that around 60% of the Needles, California population are on some type of government assistance. In recent years, two of our three elementary schools have closed. Gasoline is so expensive because of California requirements that people have to cross the bridge into Mohave Valley Arizona to purchase it, which defeats the purpose of the California mandated formula for gasoline. They come back into the state with the out of state formulas in their cars. That law is the proverbial “exercise in futility.” It seems more and more that Needles is conforming to the stereotype image of the old movie “Grapes of Wrath.” While the old Arizona towns used to come to Needles to spend their money, now the reverse is true, that is of course, if the people even can travel that far. This is the first image that travelers see of the State of California and the County of San Bernardino... an image of which holds no pride, success, purpose, or hope for a future of prosperity. Now, in less than two months, there will be the disaster of hunger. It saddens me that this gateway town offers such an image. I believe it to be terrible publicity to both the State and County. It is an embarrassment to government success. Knowing that these things are taking place, I offer you this image of the impending disaster in hopes that you, your office staffs, and your position in the level of government you hold, can get involved and provide some guidance or action to avoid such a catastrophe. We, as well as other churches in the city, are doing our best. But we can only offer assistance. We cannot produce jobs or economic growth. We can only feed the hungry if groceries are available. I ask for your helpful intervention. Sincerely, Rev. Amaro Saumell Pastor
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 18:56:41 +0000
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