RIALTO/ SAN BERNARDINO
The City of Rialto celebrated it's 100 year anniversary and to mark the occasion, they held an anniversary dinner, as well as the opening of the highly anticipated 210 freeway expansion, elected officials from throughout San Bernardino County unveiled the George Brown Memorial Highway. The ribbon was cut by Brown's widow, Marta Brown as she stood surrounded by local community leaders and elected officials.
 Government officials, dignataries and elected representatives join Marta Brown, widow of Congressman George Brown, as they cut the ribbon to the George Brown Memorial Highway.
Marta said if George could speak now he would say "not me." She spoke of his modesty and of the important work he did in Congress. Assembly member Amina Carter also said that George was a nurturer, and he told her if she didn't like the way things were going she should run for office. She did and spent 16 years on the Rialto School Board. Many of his former staffers are elected officials. His impact on the area is still being felt and will be felt for a long time to come said the speakers who were remembering a time when politics were different.
Each speaker spoke of Brown and/or the process of developing the 210 freeway, that will join North San Bernardino, Rialto and Fontana to the 10 on the east and Pasedena on the west.
Councilman Rikke Van Johnson from San Bernardino said it will bring much needed development to a community that was shut off from the rest of the area some 50 years ago when all of the off ramps were directed away from the Westside.
Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod, joined Senator Lugar, head of the Transportation committee, to speak of this long awaited opening. Will Kempton, Secretary of Transportation, Supervisor Hansberger, chair of SanBag and Supervisor Josie Gonzales, also spoke of what the new freeway will spawn in the way of development. The list of speakers included Assemblyman Bob Dutton, and thanks went out to Congressman Joe Baca for federal funding to complete the freeway.
Ruthie Ragin, Real Estate Broker and owner of Ruthie Ragin Realty was the honoree of the award of Ambassador of the Year for the Rialto Chamber of Commerce. Ragin has served as an Ambassador since November of 2006 when the program started.
Since opening her business in September of 2001, Ruthie has done more than provide real estate services, but has also helped to place the elderly, and section 8 families. "Sometimes I wonder if this is a social service agency or a real estate company," said Ragin, "but I have devoted this office to God and it will be whatever He wants it to be."
Ragin and all of the chamber Ambassadors are a vital group of dedicated volunteers who put in countless hours to help make the chamber successful.
When opened, the 210 freeway expansion will relieve traffic congestion and provide convienient access for residents in Rialto's north end to other major arteries.
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