Carter, cont. from frontmortgage crisis," Carter said. Foreclosed properties are oftenmarked by overgrown yards, heapsof trash and broken windows. Thedisrepair promotes blight andbrings down property values. Va-cant properties also become amagnet for squatters, gangs anddrug dealers."Civil penalties are working ingetting banks and realtors to main-tain foreclosed properties," saidAssemblymember Carter, whose

62nd District has been hit hard bythe mortgage foreclosure crisis."AB 2314 will ensure that local ju-risdictions continue to have thetools to fight neighborhood blightdue to foreclosures." Carter is one of several legisla-tors who have introduced bills inpartnership with California Attor-ney General Kamala Harris as apart of the "Homeowner's Bill ofRights" legislative package. Earlier this year, Californiasigned onto a $25 billion multi-

state agreement with the five lead-ing bank mortgage services, one ofthe largest financial recoveries ob-tained by the State Attorney Gen-eral in U.S. history. The agreementwill enable hundreds of thousandsof distressed California homeown-ers to stay in their homes throughenhanced loan modifications."We need to stabilize these com-munities," Carter said. "Well-keptproperties make for safer, cleanerneighborhoods.”

Cunningham, cont. from frontty!” said Cunningham. He volunteered for another fiveyears in Big Bear and VenturaCounty. He tested all over the stateto find a position at a departmentand was hired by Rialto in 1986.Being just a few miles from hishometown of Big Bear, where hestill lives, he did not have to go far. “It has been a pleasure workinghere.”Serving the community was themotivating factor for Cunninghamto join the fire service. He always

thought it was important to takecare of your own, he saw himselffulfilling that duty as a firefighter. “I felt it was more of a careerthan a job,” he said. Over the years his career hasbeen full of both tragic calls andgratifying rescues. The highlightsare always when he sees someonehe helped in the past on calls hewill never forget. “It’s very gratifying,” he said. For those young men and womenwho may be in the same place hewas as a young person and think-

ing about the fire service he en-courages them to volunteer in firereserve programs, get at least atwo year degree and take care ofthemselves. “Stay in school, get good grades,and stay out of trouble,” he says. To his younger colleagues hesays to keeping studying andlearning about the changes in fire-fighting. “It is always evolving,” saidCunningham.Cunningham is married to hiswife Karee and they have three

Page A2 •August 16, 2012 • Inland Empire Community Newspapers • Rialto Record

Kelley, cont. from frontthe bus was Bullseye the Targetmascot. As the excitement builtthe next surprise was BridgitMendler, an actress from DisneyChannel shows like Good LuckCharlie and Wizards of WaverlyPlace. She announced the $25,000 giftto the school. Both the childrenand teachers were very excitedabout the donation which includediPads and backpacks filled with

school supplies for every child. “We are very honored to be cho-sen,” said Principal Linda Miner.“Our kids are very well deserv-ing.”She said they hope to use thefunds to create a computer lab.Currently the school has only afew computers in each classroomand most of those are very old.Teachers agree. “It was an amazingly good sur-prise,” said third grade teacher

Alycia Perez. She and fellow third gradeteacher Leona Whitley said thatthe aging school would benefitfrom more computers and renova-tions. According to School Boardmem-ber Joe Martinez this is by far thelargest donation ever given to aRialto school by an outside donor. “Our partners play a huge role inmaking up what we are missing,”said Martinez.

City-Sourced delivers cus-tom mobile reporting ap-plications to our residents

across all the major smart-phoneplatforms (iPhone, Android,Blackberry, & Windows Phone).City-Sourced provides a simpleplatform empowering residents to

identify public safety issues (gangactivity, narcotics activity, graffiti,abandoned vehicles, etc.) and re-port them to the Police Depart-ment, Code Enforcement, or PublicWorks for resolution. This appli-cation will be available on August6, 2012. For more, visit our web-site at www.rialtopd.com.

Navy Seaman RecruitTania Duarte, daughter ofAna I. and Mario M.

Duarte of Rialto, Calif., recentlycompleted U.S. Navy basic train-ing at Recruit Training Command,Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program,Duarte completed a variety oftraining which included classroomstudy and practical instruction onnaval customs, first aid, firefight-ing, water safety and survival, andshipboard and aircraft safety. Anemphasis was also placed on phys-ical fitness. The capstone event of boot camp

is "Battle Stations". This exercisegives recruits the skills and confi-dence they need to succeed in thefleet. "Battle Stations" is designedto galvanize the basic warrior at-tributes of sacrifice, dedication,teamwork and endurance in eachrecruit through the practical appli-cation of basic Navy skills and thecore values of Honor, Courage andCommitment. Its distinctly ''Navy''flavor was designed to take into ac-count what it means to be a Sailor. Duarte is also the sister of JulietaDuarte of Rialto, Calif. She is a2008 graduate of Wilmer AminaCarter High School of Rialto,Calif.

IECN PHOTO NAIMA FORD

There was also a surprise visit from Bullseye the Target mascot.

IECN PHOTO COURTESY RUSDBridgit Mendler has been featured on shows like Good Luck Char-lie and Wizards of Waverly Place.

IECN PHOTO COURTESY RUSDThe entire school was present for the surprise check presentation last Thursday. Pictured from leftare Principal Linda Miner, Superintendent Harold Cebrun and Board Clerk Joe Martinez.

IECN PHOTO NAIMA FORD

After the announcement the students had a free time of play and had the opportunity to take pictureswith Bridgit Mendler.

Safety app for smart phones

Carter grad is now seaman

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