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Big Bear Lake (San Bernardino County) California

75 centsbigbeargrizzly.net | Wednesday, December 10, 2014

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InSIdeVolume 74, Number 15

2 Special Olmpics3 Counting birds4 Adam update

5 In Brief10 Obits, Sheriff’s Log11 It rained, now what?

12 Webb is among the best20 Practice what they preach 21 Grizzly Classifieds

BiG Bear Valley renaissance society

McGinnis ousted from board

By Judi BowersReporter

The Big Bear Valley Renaissance Society has a new governing board of directors, and the list doesn’t include its founder.

The board members include Allen Becker, Pamela Brady, Mitzi Linscott, Brian Porter and Strider Weston. The five were named in San Bernardino County Superior Court Nov.

21, part of a three-month battle between members of the society and its founder, McGinnis.

Big Bear Valley Renaissance Society was formed in 2002, hosting Renaissance faires during the summer. The fairs began in Big Bear Lake, eventually finding what was thought to be a permanent home in Fawnskin at the former Pedersen Sawmill site. In addition to the Renaissance Faire, the society hosted a pirate fair and steam-punk events.

When McGinnis founded the society, she said the purpose was to raise funds to pro-

vide scholarships for high school students and other educational benefits.

In August, according to minutes of the society membership and court documents, several people were removed from member-ship and their board positions were vacated. A new board was elected, but the action came under legal scrutiny when it was noted there wasn’t a quorum in place.

In September, the Big Bear Valley Renaissance Society, along with Becker, Brady, Linscott, Porter and Weston, filed

BVCHD changes

By KATHeriNe dAVis-YouNGReporter

Bear Valley Community Healthcare District had multiple changes in leadership this week. On Dec. 5, Gail McCarthy was sworn in as a new board member, and Donna Nicely was named board president. On Dec. 8, the board hired Randy Simmons as interim CEO.

These changes fol-low several months of administrative flux at the hospital. CFO Marcus Armstrong left his position in June. CEO Ray Hino left the district on Oct. 17 and board president Sara Russ resigned from the board on Oct. 22.

Wade Sturgeon, who was permanently hired as CFO and COO in October, has been leading the hospital’s administration since Hino’s departure. Board vice president Barbara Willey led the board from the time of Russ’ resignation to Nicely’s appointment.

Amid so many changes, the board decided in October to forgo searching for an interim CEO. Instead, it opted to search for someone permanent. But this month, the members changed their plan again, hiring Simmons on a 60-day, renewable contract.

Willey said the board members felt they had put too much on Sturgeon’s plate asking

Board names interim Ceo, elects president

See changeS Page 6

county Superior court names new directors

See McgInnIS Page 6

A visit with Santa

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Scarlett Garcia, 18 months, left, isn’t sure if she’s happy or scared during her visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Village Dec. 7. Her older sister, Mia, 7, is having a good time. The Garcia family was visiting Big Bear from Los Angeles for the weekend. Santa

visits in the Village are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 21.

gail Mccarthy