Board’s Agenda Features a Fontana-Bred Rocker

On a video screen that usually broadcasts budget breakdowns for San Bernardino County supervisors, big-haired rocker Sammy Hagar blasted notes from his guitar.

The video ended with an explosion, not a funding request, and county bureaucrats waved their camera phones to capture Van Halen’s former frontman entering the county chamber.

In a room that has seen its share of wackiness, including gadflies being ushered out in handcuffs, it was an odd scene: county supervisors feting a hair-metal hell-raiser.

The supervisors declared Tuesday was Sammy Hagar Day, which drew slightly more attention than the board adopting June 6 as National Hunger Awareness Day.

Sammy Hagar is from Fontana, where as a boy the rocker would scarf down cheap burritos at Supervisor Josie Gonzales’ family restaurant, Mexico Lindo.

When Hagar kicks off his latest tour June 3 at the Hyundai Pavilion in Glen Helen Regional Park, he’ll help raise money for the burn unit at the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.

The county is selling concert tickets on its website, www.sbcounty.gov, hoping to raise $70,000 for the hospital.

Hagar’s publicity team had suggested a promotional poster that showed a partially clothed woman standing behind two strategically placed margarita glasses, but it didn’t pass county muster.

Still, supervisors gladly bestowed the honor on Hagar.

After quoting raucous lyrics from a song and getting a laugh, Hagar beamed at board members with stubbled chin and hands tucked in his back pockets.

He did not adhere to the typical three-minute limit for speakers. “New York City? Forget it. I’d much rather be honored in Fontana, San Bernardino,” he said.

“It’s the whole county, not just Fontana,” Supervisor Gary Ovitt reminded the rocker during grip-and-grin photos.

Sammy Hagar hugged his mother, Gladys, in the audience. With a wave, he slipped out a back door.

Board members turned to highway repairs and tax revenue, nary a guitar riff to be heard.

The room cleared.