Well it's starting to happen...DOGE cuts and Trump tariffs are affecting our Mountain community.  We need to "educate" the Republicans THIS IS WHAT THEY VOTED for. Jobs lost, prices rising, services disappearing, small businesses closing.....much more to come....  
	With federal funds cut, California and SB County are going to have to make some “Sophie’s" choices.  Do we feed homebound elderly with Meals on Wheels or do we keep the Senior Center open?(Cuts are already being made to the Senior Center).  Do we hire more firemen or do we let Trump cut down our forests?  
      Have you seen Lake Arrowhead Village lately?  It is a disaster!  Tariffs are going to put many of the businesses that survive the remodel out of business.  What is the Chamber of commerce doing?  (Nothing...kissing Jay Obernolte's ego that's what!). 			
       They thought they didn't get handouts.....they thought their American privilege made them immune...but now that their jobs, kids education, forests, Senior Center, Medicaid and 401Ks are on the chopping block they might see what their greed and privilege has bought them.

	Soooo …..this is where YOU come in.....We need your experiences, we need your story, we need writers, we need leads.  Please contact us if you are interested in this project. Email MountainBearDemSecretary@gmail.com

May 27, 2025 Club Meeting Speaker #1
Speaker: Sue Walker
Organization: Mountain Homeless Coalition

Speaker Info: Sue Walker has been a resident of the mountain for 19 years. She was an elementary school teacher for 28 years on the East Coast. She led two non-profits – one for young children and the second for seniors! Sue writes grants for the Mt. Homeless Coalition and serves as president. She represents Mt. Homeless Coalition on the Continuum of Care Board which oversees the funding for the county homeless.
Topic: Who is homeless and why? How the Mt.Homeless Coalition helps the homeless from Crestline to Big Bear: Emergency Shelter; Permanent Housing; Eviction Prevention.
Links: https://www.mountainhomelesscoalition.com/

May 27, 2025 Club Meeting Speaker #2
Name: Tessa Lynn Hodge
Running For: US House of Representatives CA Congressional District 23
Election Date: Primaries: June 2, 2026   General Election: November 3, 2026

Summary of Candidacy: My name is Tessa Lynn Hodge and I am grateful for the opportunity to run for election to represent Congressional District 23 in the 2026 midterms. My grandparents settled in the district in the 1970s when my grandfather retired from the Air Force after 22 years of service. My grandmother, a registered nurse, spent close to 30 years as an RN at St. Mary’s in Apple Valley where I was born in the 1980’s. I spent my childhood in the High Desert horseback riding, attending Rebeka’s and Oddfellows meetings with my grandparents, and taking trips to Afton Canyon near Baker with my dad. After graduating from Snowline Joint Unified School District I eventually began my pursuit of higher education at Victor Valley College before transferring to California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). At CSUSB I obtained both my bachelors and my masters in Social Work. I am now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and I have worked in the community as a child welfare worker, in medical social work at St. Mary’s, in our schools providing school based mental health services, with the county providing community based crisis response services, and now as a mental health provider for a non profit that provides medical and mental health services to rural and underserved communities. I have spent my life living in the 23rd district and my career giving back to it. 
I am running for this position because I believe that it is high time that someone born and raised in the 23rd be elected to represent the 23rd. Our community is so unique in that it covers mountain regions, desert regions, vast wide open regions, and densely populated city areas as well. Every region in this district has its own unique needs, and unless you’ve lived in the community and have relationships with community members, it can be difficult to truly grasp how unique each area is. As I have not only lived in the area my entire life, but also worked from one end of the community to the other as a social worker I not only have deep roots here, but know this community as few could. Part of my platform is to bring better paying jobs to the region so that so many of our community members do not have to drive the Cajon Pass for work. I also want to increase transportation funding for rural school districts to help get kids to school. Housing is more expensive than ever and requires that housing options of all sizes, not just 3000 sq ft tract homes, are built. As they say, a rising tide lifts all boats, and I want every member of my community to thrive. Please visit my website for more information, to donate, sign up for my mailing list, or sign up to volunteer. Thank you for your time. 
Links: Tessaforca.com
Email: Tessalynnhodge@tessaforca.com
Phone: (760)209-6785
Instagram: Tessalynn_hodge

The 2025 May Day protests were held internationally on May 2025. Demonstrations are being held in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States. There were also protests in Manila and Taipei. In the United States, protests were organized as part of the 50501 movement.

Jay Obernolte and Tom Lackey held mobile office hours in Lake Arrowhead Thursday, 5/1. MBDC and other concerned citizens showed up to discuss Jays House votes that hurt his constituents. Concerns ranged from Medicaid, forest logging, education, immigrants in concentration camps, Jay’s basic kissing the ring of Trump and basic disregard for THE RULE OF LAW and our CONSTITUTION.

Jay did NOT show up!

Based on the available information, here’s a breakdown of Jay Obernolte’s votes and positions related to benefit cuts in 2025:

Votes on Budget Proposals:

• Obernolte voted for the House GOP budget bill, which has been criticized for potentially leading to cuts in social safety net programs like Medicaid. This bill proposes significant cuts to programs under the purview of several House committees.
• These proposed cuts include: $238 billion over nine years to programs within the House Committee on Agriculture (including SNAP), $330 billion over nine years for the House Education and Workforce Committee (which oversees child nutrition), and $880 billion over nine years for the Energy and Commerce Committee (which oversees Medicaid). 

Name: Seta Ghazarian
Running For: California Democratic Party Region 11 Director
Election Date: May 31, 2025
Where to Vote: Anaheim at the CADEM Convention (only Region 11 delegates can participate)
Summary of Candidacy: My name is Seta Ghazarian, and I am honored to be running for re-election as Region 11 Director in the California Democratic Party. It has been a privilege to serve in this role for the past two years, and I am eager to continue the work. With 23 years of experience as a high school teacher, I engage daily with the next generation of voters—listening to their concerns, understanding their hopes, and helping them find their voices. I also advise the Hesperia High School Democrats, working to ensure that young people have a seat at the table and a say in the future of our party. Beyond the classroom, I am a proud union member, serving as a site representative and formerly as a PAC Chair. My work in labor organizing, along with my leadership as Founder and Lead Organizer of the High Desert Resistance (2017–2019) and as the Current and Past President (2019–2023) of the High Desert Progressive Democrats, has equipped me with the experience, dedication, and strategic vision to continue leading as Region 11 Director.  
In my first term as Regional Director, I prioritized increasing participation in the ADEM election process and expanding access to critical party information. By leveraging technology, launching regional social media pages, creating a dedicated website, and implementing an email marketing system, I ensured that every delegate and club president received timely and transparent updates. I also made it a priority to be present for our communities—driving thousands of miles between the two major population hubs in our region, the Antelope Valley and the Victor Valley, while also visiting the mountain communities and rural areas. Looking ahead, I plan to build on this momentum by continuing to offer support, guidance, and resources that empower our region’s Democrats, such as original informational sessions like the popular “So You Wanna Be a Delegate?” Zooms I hosted this past winter.
Thank you for your time and consideration. 
Links:
– Website: https://setaghazarian.com
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seta4cdp11
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seta4cdp11/