| Feb. 06, 2009
Josie Gonzales, Supervisor for San Bernardino’s 5th District was sworn in
today as the newest member of the South Coast Air Quality Management
District’s Governing Board.
Gonzales will represent 16 cities in San Bernardino County on the AQMD
Board.
She represents central San Bernardino County on the Board of Supervisors and
was elected to that post in November 2004 and re-elected in 2008. Prior to
being elected 5th District supervisor, Gonzales spent seven years in public
service with the City of Fontana, the last six of those as a City of Fontana
Councilmember. She also served as the Chair for the Fontana Redevelopment
Agency and was the Chair for the Fontana Downtown Revitalization Task Force.
Her priorities include improving air quality and developing smart growth
opportunities in the region.
In 2006, Gonzales initiated a countywide campaign called Healthy Communities
to promote exercise, nutrition and the development of walkable communities.
As a result of that project, seven San Bernardino County cities – including
the cities of Fontana, Rialto and San Bernardino which are part of her
supervisorial district – have developed or expanded their Healthy Cities
program to help residents make healthy lifestyle choices. She also helped
secure a $10 million state grant for the expansion of the Santa Ana River
Trail.
In 2007, Gonzales was instrumental in developing the County’s recently
approved illegal dumping ordinance. Her colleagues on the Board of
Supervisors approved her proposals to use surveillance cameras and a $25,000
reward program to increase the effectiveness of the ordinance.
Last year, a national crime-fighting organization honored Gonzales as
“County Supervisor of the Year” for her work developing the anti-illegal
dumping program. This month the Women’s Transportation Seminar Inland Empire
Chapter presented Gonzales with its “Woman of the Year” award, acknowledging
her promotion of regional transportation projects that increase mobility and
safely accommodate growth in the Inland Empire.
Gonzales currently serves on 29 boards, committees and commissions. She is
chair of the Children and Families Commission for San Bernardino County
(First 5) and the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center’s Joint Conference
Committee. She is also a member of the San Bernardino County Homeless
Coalition and the Inland Valley Development Agency.
The lifelong resident of San Bernardino is also a successful small business
entrepreneur. With her parents, she owned Mexico Lindo restaurant in Fontana
that proudly served the community for 46 years.
AQMD Board members serve four-year terms. Gonzales will serve the remaining
portion of former Board member Gary Ovitt’s four-year term ending Jan. 15,
2011.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
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