Contestants wishing to compete in the new beard division must appear clean-shaven during office hours at the Community Services Office of the Yucca Valley Community Center on Monday, March 1st for registration, verification and entry photos.  At the end of the three-month growing period, competitors’ beards will be judged and awards presented according to various categories including best overall beard, longest beard, thickest beard, best groomed, most original, best mustache, and best effort.  Similar criteria will be used for judging the existing beard category.

To learn more about the contest, contact Maureen Randall at the Community Services Office, 760.369.7211.

It was a packed house of many officials and citizens, including Mayor Pro Tem Lori Herbel, Twentynine Palms Mayor Steve Flock, Town Police Chief Donnie Miller and even Miss Yucca Valley 2010 Janis Parke.

Takata will be taking on the task of being Banning’s City Manager on February 15th.


(Photo: Miss Yucca Valley Janis Parke, First Princess Abigail Lombardo, Second Princess Tiffany Caricchio and Third Princess Megan Stover.)

Takata has served for the town since 2004, having come from Newcastle, Washington. He has now accepted a job as City Manager for the city of Banning, which he will start on February 15th. His salary for the town of Yucca Valley was about $176,000 annually. Takata’s reasons for accepting the position in Banning was because he needed to be closer to his family.

Mayor Chad Mayes stated, “When I first got the news, I was a little bit upset. My eyes got misty over it.” He described how Takata took on the position at a critical time for the town, when things were out of balance. “Paul Cook (Assemblyman) said we didn’t have good chemistry until we had a good chemist. I’m going to be sad to see him go.”

A representative from Assemblyman Cook’s office brought forth a proclamation for Takata, acknowledging him for his work.

Takata added, “Yucca Valley will always have a special place in my heart.” In a press release, he reminisced about his work in Yucca Valley. “When I look back over my 5 ½ years in this community, I will remember it fondly. I feel that the Town has matured into a excellent organization during my time here. I will also miss the relationship with the Marine Base. They are one of the important economic engines for this basin. They have been great partners. I am sure who ever the next Manager is, he or she will have a solid staff and fantastic community to work with. It will be one of the more attractive City Manager jobs in Southern California. Even though I will be leaving, I am more then happy to help the Council with any of their needs. When the nation begins its economic recovery, I believe Yucca Valley will be ready for anything that might happen. None of the successes could have happened with out a supportive Town Council and hard working staff. I thank them for making my stay here enjoyable.”

In 2007, Takata also declined to accept a pay raise, during the time when the economy took a downturn. Taking over will be John Tucker, former City Manger of Yucaipa, as an interim Town Manager, as Council voted unanimously.

The town will hold a special reception for Takata at the California Welcome Center on Thursday, February 11th at 5:00 p.m. in Yucca Valley.

Councilman Bill Neeb supported the proposed raises, which would have upped the monthly salary to $538.72 and would increase annually. “When towns incorporate, they start at $300. I think this five percent is money well spent,” he said.

Mayor Pro Tem Lori Herbel agreed with Neeb, saying, “For future councils, this is important. This will not make nor break me.”

Councilman Frank Luckino voiced an opposition against any raises. He stated, “I’m not going to support this. It’s a big no-no.” And Mayor Chad Mayes agreed, saying “I have not supported a pay increase. For me, I sense that it’s a conflict of interest. I philosophically oppose it.”

And with that, Mayor Mayes, Luckino and Councilman George Huntington opposed, while Herbel and Neeb favored.

In other town council news, members voted to approve the Community Development Block Grant for the 2010/2011 fiscal year. Many members of the community spoke out during public comments pleading with Council to allocate funding for their causes, ranging from Domestic Violence shelters to Desert ARC, which supports developmentally challenged persons. It was recommended that the town’s allocation of $147,023 be applied to the Community Center Playground and Splash Park project and to direct staff to redirect the additional anticipated revenues in the upcoming year’s budget proposal.

Plus, discussion for the Pomona First Federal building (now abandoned) will be on hold until the next meeting.