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Page 12 - Idyllwild Town Crier, January 12, 2006 Zimmerman: private man leaves a public legacy By J.P. Crumrine Assistant Editor Editor’s note: This is the final in a two-part series. What are the differences among the SBNF ranger districts How did that affect your management The Front Country Ranger District stretches from San Bernardino to Rancho Cucamonga. It moves into the mountains from these urban areas; therefore, the urban interface is a major distinction creating unique confrontations, according to Zimmerman. “In the Front Country, … there are a lot of issues of climbing over the fence from private land into the forest,” he said. At night, they incur a considerable amount of “disrespectful” behavior. This conflict or interaction is not typical in the other districts. “The Mountain Top surrounds a lot of small communities, such as Crestline, Arrowhead and Big Bear,” he noted. “Whatever comes down our pipe has a bearing on them. “The San Jacinto [Ranger District] is a little bit of everything,” said Zimmerman. “There is an urban interface with Hemet and San Jacinto. A high country from Idyllwild to Pinyon. It’s more like a ranger district in the Sierras or Oregon and Gene Zimmerman Washington. The Forest Service is intertwined with community and engaged in core activities. Look at the Big Bear issues [for similarity].” How did your management style involve the public “We held a lot of public meetings. I encouraged district rangers to connect with locals. They are primary contacts [for local people], not the supervisor’s office.” he said. “I had them find ways to engage. Like Laurie Rosenthal [San Jacinto District Ranger] did in the forest plan process. Each ranger has their own strengths; Laurie is very dedicated to the community. Through the people selected, I was engaging the public because I couldn’t spread myself so thin because I don’t have the issue knowledge.” Zimmerman’s dependency on his field staff was reciprocated. His management style attracted managers who acknowledged the public’s role in the decision process. “The reason I was even interested in applying for the district ranger position I now occupy was because of Gene’s high value on partnerships and community collaboration,” wrote Rosenthal. “He was acting on this value long before it became a ‘norm’ in the Forest Service. “Some even considered him a maverick, yet today the San Bernardino National Forest is often looked to as a role model in this area. For example, the San Bernardino National Forest Association is considered one of the premiere nonprofits in the entire nation, and will be one of Gene’s many legacies. Gene made a difference not only locally, but nationally.” The users of the forest facilities are often not the same people who reside within the forest boundaries, how did you balance the different needs “We wrestled with that in Southern California. On the Angeles and Cleveland [national forests] especially, there’s a large number of Hispanics who use the lower country,” he began. “How do we engage these folks How do we find their needs “We struggle all time,” he continued. “We hear from people in Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead and Idyllwild: ‘Give us preference’. But we have to keep our eyes on the long run.” The Forest Plan, the response to the October Fire siege, fuels management … what else was accomplished under your reign Zimmerman replied without hesitation. The two major actions he will remember are engaging the public in the recently approved land management plans and the establishment of the Riverside and San Bernardino mountain area safety taskforces (MAST). “The partnership programs with volunteers and nonprofits are big in my mind,” he stated. “If not for those steps, it would have denied people involvement. “I remember calling the first meeting of MAST. Mary Moreland [of the Riverside County Office of Emergency Services] answered and we presented the idea to do something,” he said. “We just built one plan for multiple jurisdictions [and agencies] according to their capabilities. “You didn’t need [to use it] in Riverside, but it was very beneficial on the San Bernardino side when the urban [October 2003] fires occurred. The outcome was very successful,” he added. Residents and local forestry officials were aware of Zimmerman’s reaction and leadership during the bark beetle crisis, drought and threat of catastrophic fires. “We really appreciated his leadership and his fostering teamwork and cooperativeness in mitigating the tree mortality emergency,” said Kevin Turner, pre-fire management chief, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. “Gene Zimmerman exemplifies someone who really cares about the protection and health of the forest and the people who live, work and recreate in the forest,” Moreland said in a recent e-mail. “He was instrumental in getting the MAST organization(s) going (both in Riverside and San Bernardino County) and made sure all applicable entities at all levels of government and the private sector were included in that process. “He was also instrumental in organizing the ‘Mountain Summit: Creating a Positive Future for our Forests and Communities’ in 2003,” she added. “[This] brought together government, scientists, environmentalists, economists, public safety officials, utility companies and the general public to ‘discover, dream, and design the destiny’ of our forest lands.” What would you do differently “There’s a lot I’d do differently,” he quickly said. “I’m rough on edges and say things I regret later. I make decisions intuitively and should listen [to others] more.” How has the Forest Service changed during your career What troubles you about the direction of the FS “In the Forest Service, I used to go to work in the field and travel from the ranger district office over two hours on my own time,” he began. “I worked eight hours and at sundown, I’d drive two hours back. I thought the Forest Service went down the tubes when they decided we could drive on government time. But it’s more humane for our employees,” Zimmerman said. “We’re more sophisticated. “I did a lot without analysis. I never analyzed the action or its effects if it led to better land management,” he said. “I used to get an idea and did it. If something needed burning, we did it. But complications changed life. “I have no issue with the direction of the Forest Service,” he concluded. “I’m as proud today as the first day I put the uniform on. It’s been good.” What would the Forest Service be if you were director “If I were the chief, it would not be as good as it is,” he confessed. “I’m not as good in thought as the top leadership. I’ve worked with various chiefs early in their Forest Service careers. I’m amazed by their capability then and as chief. They do and say the right thing at the right time.” What are your plans “I’m in Home Depot now and preparing to start a lot of deferred maintenance on our house and cabin,” Zimmerman said. “I love blue-collar work. I have an old car to restore and there’s travel to Patagonia for trail maintenance and an Alaskan fishing trip.” MANUFACTURED LOCALLY FOR OVER 25 YEARS 3WOOD BLINDS 3VERTICALS 3MINI-BLINDS 3SHUTTERS 3DUETTES 3...and More! 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David Jason Occupation: U.S. Forest Service front desk information guy. Former occupation: Actor and stage director for 15-20 years; mountain, desert, island guide for California Native Adventure Tours; bookseller; “dorm parent” at Morning Sky School; worked for County and State parks prior to starting with the U.S. Forest Service more than three years ago. I’m an accomplished ne’er-do-well and a frustrated folk rocker. What community groups are you involved in and how do you serve them Not really active in anything right now. I’ve donated a few bucks here and there. I’ve donated some time at the Forest Service but so does everyone who works there, so it’s no big deal. Awards: I’ve gotten a few attaboys over the years. What accomplishments in your life are you most proud of I used to do pretty good narwhale impressions. Born: Santa Monica, a very long time ago. Where you grew up: Santa Monica. Your first job, where & when: I loaded pack mules for the High Sierra Camps out of Yosemite Valley, summertime, 1959-ish. Marital or partner status: I live with my sweetheart, Ellie Mae, near Dutch Flat. We just celebrated our seventh anniversary. Spouse: My sweetheart works at Idyllwild Green. She is also an accomplished photographer, poet, force of nature, and the best damn woman in America. Children: My son, Matthew, lives in Portland, Ore. At 26, he’s everything I’d want to be, if I had any ambition or discipline. Pets: Sol-The-Dog, my teacher and Zen master. How long have you lived in Idyllwild Fifteen years, give or take. Are you full-time or part-time Full-time. Where did you move here from & why Lastly, from Oregon. My bookstore in Corvalis went under. Over the years I’ve lived in L.A., Colorado, Oregon, San Francisco and New Personality profile York City. Time to settle down, and I must live in the mountains Hobbies and special interests: P h o t o g r a p h y, music, theater, movies, reading, hiking, road trips, camping and target shooting with historic guns. Your favorite food: Pizza, nature’s perfect food. Bacon cheeseburgers are a close second. Your favorite book: “The Dharma Bums” by Jack Kerouac. Many others by many authors. Your favorite movie: Way too many, but at the top of the list: “The Grapes of Wrath” and Buster Keaton’s “The General.” Your favorite TV show: Probably “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” Your favorite getaway: My beautiful little cabin, “Whistling Belly Ranch,” in Idyllwild. A really great evening is: Spent hanging out with good friends. Idyllwild Town Crier, January 12, 2006 - Page 13 Your dream car: My ToyTac, “Bronson Fourmoons,” or a ’56 MG. Your fantasy is: I’m living it. The best advice you received: “Eat, sleep, play,” Sol-The-Dog. The worst advice you received: Anything containing the words “should” or “shouldn’t.” In 10 years, you hope to be: 10 years I don’t know what I’ll be doing next Thursday! What you like best about the Hill: You can dress funny and go into town and nobody pays the slightest attention to you. What you dislike most about the Hill: Too many new houses being built. If you want to get away from the suburbs, fine, but buy an existing house. Don’t bring the suburbs up here with you! Your pet peeve: Drivers who won’t use the turnouts Caltrans has so thoughtfully provided for them. You knew you were grown up when: I tried being a grown-up many years ago, but I had to quit. Your most irrational act: Got an hour If you could change one thing about yourself: I’d like the ability to fly or the power to be invisible. Those’d be fun. A goal for this year: I am done with goals. Life is very good now. Anything else you want people to know about you: Never take anything I say very seriously. Victims wanted: To be featured in “Personality profile,” pick up a form at the Town Crier office or e-mail a request to itc@towncrier. CRAIG COOPERSMITH, E.A. JANICE COOPERSMITH (951) 659-5045 FAX (951) 659-6004 Since 1988 IDYLLWILD’S DOOR-TO-DOOR BOOKKEEPING SERVICE PAYROLL • CONSULTING • TAX PREPARATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Let My Knowledge of Being a Local Since 1971 Work For You!! A Mortgage Advisor For Over 23 Years Let Me Find The BEST HOME Loan For You CALL Mountain West Financial BRENDA SHINKLE OR TINA LANTHIER (800) 800-5378 EXT. 232 WWW.MWFINC.COM
Page 1 and 2: News bites Passing crash Four vehic
Page 3 and 4: Outside Idyllwild Backpacker’s ch
Page 5 and 6: Mountain folk D a n i e l F i d d l
Page 7 and 8: Town talk By Michael Erlich, Staff
Page 9 and 10: Review Continued from page 1 said J
Page 11: Idyllwild Town Crier, January 12, 2
Page 15 and 16: Idyllwild Town Crier, January 12, 2
Page 17 and 18: Editor’s note: “Tax tips” app
Page 23 and 24: Fireplace safety tips The Chimney S
Page 27 and 28: Bee Continued from page 19 Since th
Page 33 and 34: Electrical Contractors Resident Sin
Page 35 and 36: Creature corner By Jane Stonehill T

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