Forde Shorts

Nikki to MB – Nikki Cummings turned over the post of president of the Greater Tehachapi Economic Development Council (GTEDC) to Mary Beth Garrison on Jan. 6 at the council's meeting in the Tehachapi Police Department community room. Cummings' three-term tenure as president was a period of robust growth and expansion for the organization, whose mission is to encourage economic growth in the Tehachapi area. When she first became involved with the GTEDC, she said, "I was the youngster hanging out with a bunch of rock stars." She wraps her service as president with $19,500 in the organization's bank account, an expanded presence in East Kern and Kern County, an increase of members (now called investors) from 29 in 2012 to 67 in 2016, an improved web site and plans for the re-energized 2016 Business Outlook Conference in conjunction with the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce and the city of Tehachapi.

Amazing city stats – Tehachapi City Manager Greg Garrett reported that the city processed 880 passports in 2015, a 47 percent increase over 2014. The city has completed more than $8 million in capital improvements in 2015, with an addition $7.5 million in capital projects in the queue for 20116-2017, with secured funding. In 2015, the number of housing permits issued increased by 166 percent, with three new home builders active in the city. The city's 2014-2015 general fund revenue totaled $6,828,646.00. The figures are in the city's 2015 annual report.

Beware phony IRS scam – Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce Presiddent Ida Perkins warns that phone calls from nasty people who claim to be from the IRS, who threaten jail time unless taxes are paid immediately (by your credit card, of course) are bad guys who are running a scam. "The IRS will not contact you by telephone," Perkins said. "The IRS notifies you by mail if you owe back taxes. Report such calls to the Sheriff's Office or the Tehachapi Police Department. Don't give out information on the phone. Hang up!" Forde Files note: It is naïve to think you cannot be swayed by these evil scammers. They are persuasive and forceful and they prey on your deepest fears ("Grandma, I'm in jail in Canada and I need some money to get out. Please don't tell mom and dad..."). Be vigilant and never, ever give out personal information to someone you don't know on the phone.

Affiliation timeline – If the Tehachapi Valley Healthcare District board of directors approves the affiliation agreement with Adventist Health at its Feb. 19 meeting, the clock will start ticking for the election, when the matter will be decided by voters who live in the district. The election can be held in April and – if the voters have expressed approval with a simple majority – Adventist can take over administration of the Tehachapi Hospital in May. Construction update: District CEO Eugene Suksi said the rain has enabled hospital contractors to deal with a few waterproofing problems. Most of the work now is on electrical, mechanical and plumbing.

Dump gatehouse -- Second District Supervisor Zack Scrivner's deputy Ryan Rush said a new gatehouse will be built at the Tehachapi Landfill at a cost of $650,000. The supervisors have extended the life of the landfill by 10 years.

Forde Files salutes – At the GTEDC, Christina Scrivner, in introducing her successor as Community Development Account Manager for Houchin Community Blood Bank, said of her four young children: "They will grow up. I will miss it if I don't do it now. You cannot outsource mothering." Joy Invina, 26, is taking over the job, for which Scrivner set a high bar. Invina earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a minor in marketing at California State University, Bakersfield, and her Masters in healthcare administration also at CSUB. The Bakersfield native has been with Houchin for four years.

A new face at GAVEA – Kimberley Maevers, president and CEO of the Greater Antelope Valley Economic Alliance (GAVEA), introduced Saharra White, the new special projects coordinator for the organization. White will gather data on tourism, filming and other fields.