Meeting Tuesday on impending Barstow court closure

BARSTOW • A special meeting will address the economic impact that the looming May closure of the Barstow courthouse could have on the city.

Tuesday’s meeting is expected to draw officials from city, county and state levels, as well as representatives from State Sen. Jean Fuller’s camp.

The meeting, hosted by the Barstow Chamber of Commerce, will focus on the immediate and long-term effects to local-area business and services, Carol Randall, economic development chairwoman and vice president of the Barstow Chamber of Commerce, said.

“Officials will explain what’s going on, what the plans are and what we can look forward to in the future,” she said.

In December, it was announced that the Barstow courthouse would close in May as part of the county court’s second phase of cost reduction measures, amid projections of a deficit this year that could exceed $13 million.

San Bernardino County Presiding Judge Marsha G. Slough called the announced closure — which also includes the courthouses in Needles and Big Bear — “a very dark day for our courts,” but maintained that the court took “a very reasonable response to the financial situation we find ourselves in.”

The meeting will be held at the Harvey House at 651 First Street from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. It is open to the public, and seating is limited.