The Redlands Bicycle Classic, scheduled for April 8-11, apparently will bypass Mentone. According to its website, at least three of the four races will go up through Oak Glen, down Sand Canyon to Dearborn and then over to the Sports Park on San Bernardino Road, bypassing Mentone’s main road, Highway 38.
MM reached out to the organization earlier in March, as to whether the fourth race will impact Mentone, but was ignored. As to the main races, Mentone residents can apparently breathe a sigh of relief that their ingress onto the two-lane Mill Creek/Mentone Boulevard, especially on Saturday, April 11, will not be impeded by bicycles/riders and bystanders/well-wishers.
Other upcoming events include:
“Cowboy Bingo” on May 8, from 12-4, at Mill Creek Cattle Company to benefit Angel’s Closet at Redlands East Valley High School, and Casino Night, September 17, at Mill Creek Cattle Company. More Casino Night details will be forthcoming.
According to a recent Redlands City Council agenda, the City is in escrow with the Sartin family on a parcel of land between Mill Creek Road and Mentone Boulevard, bordered by Amethyst and Garnet. The latter party plans to develop it – despite its statement in the contract of sale that the land would remain agricultural. This provides more Redlands city limits east of Mentone’s downtown.
“Redlands cannot annex all of Mentone, unless it comprises less than 150 acres,” stated Joyce Caraway, who assists C.O.M.E.T. in its quest to keep Mentone out of Redlands. “By law, the entire Mentone area must be annexed, if anything,” she added. “If the entire Mentone area is over 150 acres, Mentonites can vote to stay out of Redlands. However, Redlands’ demanded annexations nibble away at Mentone’s borders and decrease Mentone’s total area, year by year. If 50% of the property’s owners object to annexation, by law LAFCO has to deny Redlands’ demand, ” she concluded. MM