The Curmudgeon's View

SMART GROWTH VS. STUPID GROWTH?

2009-07-05T13:50:00.000-07:00

The North County Inland Regional Leadership group, which used to be called the "tribal forum" is collection of people (Larry Glavinic and Terry Van Koughnett are a couple of them) who like to think about ideas, as opposed to thinking about people and personalities. Whether their ideas will ever come to anything is for you (the collective you, not necessarily you the person reading this post right now) to decide.
They meet quarterly. They are holding their next meeting on July 16.

Read about it below:

How to Avoid Stupid Growth

The Intelligent Approach to Sustainable Development

Sustainability of commercial and residential development projects is the key to long-term economic success for communities. Too many projects are designed for a quick return on investment without considering the future health of the local communities. In challenging economic times, and with an aging population and multi-generational transfer of wealth, long-term sustainability is a critical consideration in designing and evaluating every development project.

But what are the barriers to sustainability? Are the regulatory bodies adversaries or partners? Sustainability brings continued tax revenue while promoting continued growth and economic health, so cooperation will benefit everyone. So, how can we create a win-win situation? How can infrastructure be developed to promote mobility and stability? How can we cooperate with government to enhance our future?

The North County Inland Regional Leadership is hosting a forum to address these important issues. On July 16th a panel of business leaders will discuss the issues, opportunities, challenges, and barriers to sustainable growth. Join us for this important event.

San Pasqual Tribal Community Hall
Thursday, July 16th, 6pm to 8pm
27518 S San Pasqual Rd
Valley Center, CA 92082

FUN THING TO DO THIS WEEKEND

2009-07-03T22:14:00.000-07:00

The hatch of the historic USS Dolphin will be opened by the Maritime Museum of San Diego this weekend for visitors to take a glimpse below the surface and into the past of this fascinating submarine.

Since her launch in 1968, the USS Dolphin has been awarded many firsts in history, including setting the record for deepest submarine dive—still held today—and the first email sent underwater. The opening of the USS Dolphin marks the seventh large, docked vessel to make its permanent home among the Maritime Museum of San Diego’s collection of historic ships and living history.

Last July 4th weekend I had a lot of fun visiting the Midway, the retired aircraft carrier. Although a bit pricey, you get a lot of value for the money if you take advantage of all of the things that you can see. I'm sure the same will be true of the Dolphin. We have a staff member there this weekend who will probably do a write up about her experience soon. Look for it!

YOU MAY SEE SMOKE

2009-07-02T19:26:00.000-07:00

The fire in Riverside County off Rancho California Road, West of. I-15 is sending smoke into the Palomar mountain areas.

The smoke is very visible and can be expected to linger through the night, according to Palomar Mountain Volunteer Fire Chief George Lucia.

However, there is no fire danger in our area at this time.

INCREASED FIRE STAFFING

2009-07-02T13:59:00.000-07:00

According to Cal Fire spokesman Nick Schuler the state fire agency will increase staffing in Southern California starting tomorrow at 8 a.m. for the July 4th weekend. Below are the increases for San Diego

§         Additional Chief Officer, 1 PIO, additional staff for the Monte Vista Emergency Command Center.
§         Hand crews in Strike Team formation: This means 8 (16 person inmate hand crews).
§         All prevention/law enforcement staff on duty

This is in addition to Cal Fire's normal staffing of 26 engines, two air tankers, one air attack, two helicopters, two dozers, chief officers etc.

TOPPING OFF CEREMONY

2009-07-02T12:58:00.000-07:00

The steel project for Palomar Pomerado Health’s "hospital of the future" will be finished in a special topping off ceremony next Friday on July 10.

A million pounds of rebar and more than 12,000 tons of steel have been used to build Palomar Medical Center West - the largest hospital project in California.

The image shows what the hospital will look like when it's finished.

MOTORCYCLE DOWN

2009-07-02T11:43:00.001-07:00

At 11:42 on Thursday local emergency crews were responding to a report of a motorcyclist down on South Grade at Mile Marker 44 on Palomar Mountain.

SALUTING VETERANS ON THE FOURTH

2009-07-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

The Pauma Band of Mission Indians will salute veterans at a 4th of July
celebration in Escondido.

Pauma Tribal Chairman and veteran Chris C. Devers, Sr. will
participate in a flag raising and patriotic tribute along with American
Legion Post 149 and Escondido Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler at Grape Day Park, 321 N. Broadway, Escondido.

The salute will happen at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Park festivities begin at 4 p.m.
Fireworks at 9 p.m.

CASINO RANKINGS—Valley View does excellently

2009-07-02T09:26:00.001-07:00

Valley Center's Valley View Casino just scored one of the highest rankings in the Southern California according to a study conducted by J.D. Powers & Associates.

It came in second with a score of 764. The casino performed particularly well in beverage service. And, of course it is well known locally that Valley View has unbeatable dining (I love the buffet, but the Black N Blue restaurant is to die for!).

The study was the 2009 Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study and it measured satisfaction levels of customers visiting casinos in Northern California, Southern California and Arizona. Casinos included in the study had to have a minimum of 1,000 slot machines. It was based on responses from 2,000 customers.

According to the study the only casino in Southern California that scored higher than Valley View was Barona, with a score of 787.

SPECIAL FIRE BOARD MEETING

2009-07-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

The Valley Center Fire Protection District board will have a special board meeting on Monday, July 6 at 5:30 p.m. at VCFPD Station 72 (on Lilac Road) where the news fire station will be discussed.

The agenda item related to is below:

3. NEW BUSINESS
• To determine the amount of mitigation fees, if any, that the District will commit towards construction of the new fire station for purposes of the A.R.R.A. Fire Station Construction Grant Application.

The public is, of course, invited.

4-YEAR-OLD GIRL SUBJECT OF NATIONAL SEARCH, FOUND IN VC

2009-06-24T17:46:00.001-07:00

4-YEAR-OLD OHIO GIRL SOUGHT NATIONALLY FOUND AT LOCAL FARM:
MORNING STAR RANCH FOLKS ARE “HEROES” SAYS SHERIFF’S SGT BISHOP
EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT
After her picture was broadcast nationally across America’s airwaves and police were stumped as to where a 4-year old little girl, her mother, and her mother’s sex offender boyfriend—both federal fugitives—were hiding—she turned up in Valley Center late on Tuesday.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Bob Bishop Wednesday was calling the residents of Morning Star Ranch “heroes” in the case, for alerting the authorities that the little girl was staying there—and for helping the authorities to bag the fugitives.
Four-year-old Haylee Dona-than was found on Valley Center’s Morning Star Ranch Tuesday evening, where her mother, Candace Watson, 24 and boyfriend, Robbie Potter, 27 were arrested.
Potter was being sought by the The U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, which had offered a $10,000 reward for him. He recently escaped from a halfway house on the same day that the mother and her child disappeared from Mansfield, Ohio.
They had been sought in a much publicized manhunt that had included TV shows such as Nancy Grace’s cable show. It is likely that someone at Morning Star Ranch alerted the authorities.
According to Sgt. Bishop, “Some people who had been living at Morning Star Ranch were in the process of moving back east. As they passed through Las Vegas yesterday, they saw a billboard with the photos of Robbie Potter, 27 and Haylee Donathan, 4.”
The billboard said that Potter was wanted by the U.S. Marshal's Office in Ohio. He had fled from a half-way house he was in after being paroled for a bank robbery charge. Potter had a prior conviction for sexually attacking minors.
The people who recognized the man on the billboard, called back to the ranch and got a hold of the owner as he recognized the billboard photos as people who came the ranch about a week ago and were now living there.
According to Bishop, the owner of the ranch had one of his people call 911 and he came out to the end of Key's Creek and met with deputies.
“We showed him the photos from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Website.
Wade Skinner, farm manager, was the man who met with Sgt. Bishop of the VC Sheriff’s Substation, Sgt. Hank Ramelli, his two deputies DeLocht and Wilson, and Bishop’s three detectives, Anderson, DiBene and Blackmon, as well as CHP Officer Lowery.
Wade drew a lay out for the ranch house and grounds for the police
With the Sheriff’s ASTREA helicopter nearby, Wade kept in touch via cell phone with the people still at the ranch.
“They kept and eye on Potter, so we knew right where he was. When Potter entered his room with Haylee, we moved in. The patrol guys went to the front of the house, the detectives and I covered the back of the house. We were able to get right up on Potter,” said Bishop.
Potter offered no resistance.
Haylee’s mother, Candace Watson was in the room with Haylee. She was also taken into custody.
Reportedly Watson met Potter through her brother and helped Potter escape from the half-way house. Also she paid the bills for their trip across country. After picking Potter up from the half-way house, they went by Watson's mother’s house and grabbed Haylee. Watson's mother is the legal guardian of Haylee.
Crestline Police Department (Ohio) and U.S. Marshals for northern Ohio tracked the trip to about Denver before they lost them.
According to Bishop, “They are screamingly happy with Valley Center sheriff's as they had put in hundreds of man hours into this chase. We got U.S. Marshal's San Diego involved. Deputy Paul Beal took the lead and obtained confessions from both adults.”
Potter was booked into federal custody on a federal fugitive warrant (No bail). Watson was booked into Vista Detention Facility on an Ohio state warrant (her bail was set at $500,000).
“Haylee was unharmed, cute as a bug and happy. We took her to Poliniski Children's Center after feeding her pizza and giving her a Teddy Bear.
“U.S. Marshal's are taking it from here. The heroes in this are the folks out at the ranch. They could not have been more helpful to us,” said Bishop.

OH THOSE CARS!

2009-06-22T13:31:00.000-07:00

About 80 Pace Arrows, a classic car from the 1930s, will visit Palomar Mountain Tuesday, (tomorrow) as part of a National Car Club Tour. For more information visit www.pierce-arrow.org/ There will be nearly 200 people in the group. So many that they will take the Observatory tour in two shifts. The ladies will be attired in vintage clothing. The group will visit the Round House Ranch around noon for lunch.

LIGHTNING STRIKES/FIRE FEARS

2009-06-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

Lightning strikes are occurring throughout North County, with hail falling in Valley Center.

While many fires have been reported, no fires have been located. Cal Fire's Air Tactics Plane is doing a lightning recon in the northern part of the county.

HELLHOLE FRIENDS WANT YOU TO JOIN THE PARADE

2009-05-20T19:35:00.001-07:00

The Friends of Hellhole Canyon are inviting you to join them aboard their western horse-drawn carriage for Valley Center's annual Western Days parade this coming Saturday, May 23.

Or, if you are a rider you are invited to bring your horse and march in their horse riding contingent.

Call 751-1443 for directions or more info.

Collecting Food

2009-05-18T19:18:00.001-07:00

Scout Troop 4220 will be collecting canned food items for the local food pantry Thursday, May 21 at the VC Farmers Market, 3:30–5:30 p.m. Items will be donated to St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Contact Annie Brown at 742-2006 or 522-3046.

GET READY FOR BARBECUE!

2009-05-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

As Western Days approaches (May 22-24) I want to remind you about one of the best good eating deals you will find on that Saturday, the Homesteaders 4-H barbecue, which is held in VC Community Hall.

Fat Ivor's is making the beans for the 4-H'rs this year, and we know how good their beans are! You will see their meat smoker right at the top of the hill by the Community Center.

As usual the barbecue will begin immediately after the parade and will end at 6 p.m. or when they run out. This is a very good, sit-down barbecue meal indoors. It feels great in the cool downstairs dining area especially after being at the parade or out around the carnival.

The Homesteaders will be your servers and the meal includes beef or pork, beans, potato salad or coleslaw, a roll and a drink. The ticket prices for the entire meal are $9 for adults and $6 for children 11 and under. I've had this barbecue and can attest to how good it is.

NO "SWINE FLU" AT HIGH SCHOOL

2009-05-11T21:08:00.000-07:00

I contacted school Supt. Lou Obermeyer to follow up on an anonymous report I had gotten today about there being two "Swine" flu cases at Valley Center High School.

The answer was "no."

"No, we thought we had one, but the mom took the child to the doctor, did a swab, and it was not the swine flu," Dr. Obermeyer told me.

PALA SEEKS COMMENTS ON MULTI-HAZARD PLAN

2009-05-11T21:07:00.000-07:00

The Pala Band of Mission Indians has updated its Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan to ensure disaster preparedness and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) compliance. The Tribe is now looking for feedback from the Pala Reservation Community on the draft plan before submittal to FEMA.

The updated Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan will be available for public review between May 11th and May 18th. It is located conveniently in three places on the Reservation, at the reception areas of the Pala Administration Building, the Pala Fire House and the Pala Library. There are feedback forms available in these locations as well. The Tribe hopes that many members of the Pala Reservation Community will take the time to review the plan and provide feedback. All feedback will be reviewed by the Pala Emergency Response Committee (PERC) and included in the updated plan.

Public participation is a key element in mitigation planning and one that FEMA requires. The Tribe held a community meeting on March 12, 2009; they introduced the plan updates to the Pala Reservation Community. Additionally, a questionnaire was distributed to all participants at the meeting and to PERC members at their meeting held on the same day.

Questionnaire results indicate that the majority of people who completed the questionnaire have lived on the Reservation for twenty years or more. Their biggest priorities include protecting critical facilities and reducing damage to utilities. The Tribe has begun to bury power lines which will reduce the instances of loss of power due to high winds, wildfires or earthquakes. When asked to identify the greatest hazards to the Reservation, respondents identified, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, house fires and landslides in that order.

The updated Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies nine critical facilities on the Pala Reservation, including the Pala Casino Spa Resort and the new Fire Station. It also examined natural hazards, technological hazards and lifelines. The highest risk hazards include flood, earthquake, landslides and wildfires.

The PERC has identified nineteen mitigation strategies to add to the twenty-four strategies from the original multi-hazard mitigation plan written in 2006. Since 2006, twenty of these strategies have been implemented or are underway.

Top priority strategies for the updated plan include:

1. Develop a Pala Reservation Community Emergency Response Plan. The plan should include an evacuation plan for employees as well as a recall plan for employees.
2. Form a Tribal Emergency Response Team (TERT).
3. Clear brush in outlying areas around the entire Reservation boundary.

The Pala Emergency Response Committee (PERC), which consists of the Tribal Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Pala Fire Chief, Battalion Chief, Security Chief, Assistant Security Chief, Business Manager, Environmental Director, GIS Specialist, Casino Director of Guest Safety and Surveillance, and Casino Director of Risk Management, has worked in conjunction with Jamie Caplan Consulting LLC on this draft plan.

The Pala Band of Mission Indians consists of 1,117 members with 650 living on the reservation along the Palomar Mountain range, located along 5,000 square miles of California’s desert and approximately 30 miles northeast of San Diego on Interstate 15. Pala Casino, a 185,000 square foot, $115 million casino, entertainment and dining complex owned by the Pala Band, opened in April 2001.
###

QUICK WITH A HOE!

2009-05-11T10:27:00.001-07:00

Max Mazzetti, an old-timer of long standing in Valley Center (he was last year’s Western Days parade grand marshal), an 87-year old gentleman who uses a can to help him get around.
But to Susan Sawyer he’s a hero.
Sunday night Sawyer, who lost a beloved dog a couple of weeks ago to a rattler bite, saw another of the slithery reptiles on the front porch at her home on Mazzetti Lane, north of the casino, near the hillside.
It was a 5-foot red diamond, a big one.
She screamed and Mazzetti came over in his stocking feet with a hoe and dispatched the snake before the firefighters arrived.
“I thought I’d better get over there before it gets away,” he told The Roadrunner. “I chopped it up.”
The fire department arrived shortly too.
“They are very good. They showed up real fast,” said Mazzetti.
Mazzetti has been taking care of rattlers for ages and it used to be a summer tradition at The Roadrunner for him to bring one of his latest trophies over to the paper office for a photo.
“Van Quackenbush [the publisher at that time] used to joke and tell me I was bringing over the same snake!”

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

2009-05-06T12:38:00.000-07:00

An annual tradition, the prayer at the flagpole, will be lead by Fifth District Supervisor Bill Horn tomorrow (Thursday, May 7) at the County Administration Center.

See details below:

Supervisor Horn and the Annual National Day of Prayer at the County Flagpole

Who: Fifth District County Supervisor Bill Horn

What: Commemorating the Annual National Day of Prayer at the County Administration Center (CAC) Flagpole

Where: County Administration Center (CAC), 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego (east side of building near fountains)

When: Thursday, May 7, 2009, 12:30 P.M. - 1 P.M.

Why: This year, as in past years, the Board of Supervisors has recognized the National Day of Prayer with a proclamation. In 1952, the United States Congress established an annual day of prayer and in 1988, that law was amended, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May.

Supervisor Horn is inviting people to commemorate the National Day of Prayer at the CAC flagpole. The theme for the 58th annual National Day of Prayer is “Prayer! America’s Hope.” The commemoration is a personal, not a government function and is for those who choose to participate during their own personal time.

HOLIDAY DONATIONS ARE NEEDED

2008-12-21T15:51:00.001-08:00

Our local Paradise Community Sevices is in need of more donations of food
and toys for needy families this Christmas. If any of you would like to
donate, call Mimi at 751-8692/home or 877-6979/cell. The Paradise Comm.
Services office is in the small building behind Shoemaker Realty.

OBSERVATORY CLOSED THIS WEEKEND

2008-12-20T08:23:00.001-08:00

Palomar Observatory will remain closed this weekend and possibly Monday while the staff digs out from this week's heavy snow fall.

According to Scott Kardel, the observatory's public information officer: "The observatory staff is still working to dig out from the recent large snowfall. We have not yet been able to safely clear ice from our public walkways or remove the snow from the public parking lot."

ROAD CLOSURES FROM RAIN

2008-12-17T13:31:00.000-08:00

The San Diego County Dept. of Public Works reports that Cole Grade Road is closed at the dip, which is, of course, where the San Luis Rey River flows over the "Arizona Crossing" near Pauma Elementary School.

On Palomar Mountain eight inches of snow have been recorded today although the road is open. CHP is making their usual requirement that motorists carry chains to get up S6 or S7. Always use extreme caution when driving on mountain roads during heavy rain and snow.

BURN AREAS WATCHED CLOSELY DURING RAINS

2008-12-15T22:38:00.000-08:00

BURN AREAS WATCHED CLOSELY DURING THIS WEEK’S RAIN
Once again emergency responders are closely watching the burned areas from last year’s extensive wildfires—attuned to the possibility that rainfall could trigger devastating mudslides, particularly in parts of Pauma Valley and Palomar Mountain that were denuded of vegetation about a year ago.
On Monday and Tuesday flash flood warnings were issued for the burn areas.
Local residents who want to find out for themselves how these areas are viewed as this week’s expected heavy rainfall hits will find much information at the National Oceanic and Aeronautical Administration (NOAA) Web site.
Click to www.wrh.noaa.gov/sgx/kml/mappedweather.php?wfo=sgx
Then click one of the four boxes. Example: regional temperature and precipitation.
One the right side click Burn Area 2007 and San Diego RTP Precipitation
This will give you an overview of how much rain the burned areas received today.

EARLY MORNING THANKSGIVING FIRE

2008-11-27T20:21:00.000-08:00

Just after midnight on Thanksgiving morning VC Fire Dept. responded to a 911 call for fire in an outbuilding behind Jag’s Grill & Spirits and Casa Reveles in the Harvest Farms shopping center on Lilac Road in Valley Center.

Units arrived to find a well-established structure fire in an outbuilding containing a body shop, towing company and a storage unit.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Sheriff’s bomb arson unit. San Diego Haz Mat was also on scene to contain the run-off from the fire area.

There were no injuries.

test

2008-11-19T07:37:00.001-08:00