Ready or not, the Miss Valley Center 2002 Pageant is here. The Pageant, sponsored by the Valley Center Women’s Club and the Chamber of Commerce, will be held Saturday, March 2, 2002. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The pageant will commence at 7 p.m. sharp at the Valley Center Middle School Multi-Purpose Room.
If you have not purchased a ticket yet, come early. Parking will be available in the upper and lower parking areas.
The theme is “Aloha Valley Center.” The community will be saying “hello” to our new Queen and farewell to current Miss Valley Center Amber Bauer.
The ten young beauties, each with unique views and aspirations, have been preparing for the pageant with dedication twice a week since the middle of January.
Director Karen Greene commented, “This is a wonderful bunch of young women. I have had many compliments on our young ladies.”
Shawna Lane is 17 years old, 5’5”, has light brown hair and hazel eyes. She is the daughter of Bud and Vicki Lane and has lived in VC for 12 years. She is a senior, doing independent study from VC High School, where she was caption of JV Cheer Squad and was chosen as a Spotlight Player. She was also Homecoming Princess in 2000. Her ambitions include attending cosmetology school with hopes of opening her own salon. She feels this will allow her to devote more time to her family because in ten years she sees herself as a successful small business owner, married and raising a family.
Shawna likes to help others and has caroled at the hospital, fed the homeless at Interfaith, and witnessed in Mexico.
Her volunteering experience has brought about an interest to begin some sort of outreach program for the less fortunate in VC.
She has a passion for animals, saying she would collect one of every kind of neglected animal to provide a fun and loving home.
Shalom McCullough is 18 years old, 5’2”, has light brown hair and blue green eyes. She is the daughter of Robert & Marty McCullough and has lived in VC for 3 1/2 years.
She maintains a 4.08 GPA at VCHS, taking both honors and college prep classes while serving as ASB Commissioner of Publicity. Shalom participated in the Varsity Cheer Squad as a sophomore and junior. She also was an All-Star for the Universal Cheer Assn. She plans to attend San Diego State University where she may major in psychology or communications.
Shalom loves to experience new things, especially art and music. She hopes to learn to play the piano. Her philosophy in life is, “If you have faith and a good attitude, everything will eventually work out according to plan, and to always remember that success lies in the eye of the beholder.
Shalom is active in her church where she helps serve at the care or stack chairs. Last summer she participated in an inner city Los Angeles outreach mission.
Every Thursday she gets wild and crazy with junior high students through Wildlife, a national youth outreach organization.
In ten years she sees herself getting established in her career, which may include psychology, journalism or communications, possible engage to Mr. Right and actively dancing in her spare time.
Veronica Gutierrez is 18 years old, 5’1” tall, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. She is the daughter of Paulino & Maria and has lived in VC for 14 years. She is a senior at VCHS where she plays softball and is on the cheerleading squad. She has received the coaches’ award, most inspirational player and MVP Award four consecutive times for Varsity softball. She also was an All Star for the Universal Cheer Assn.
She is the President of MECHA, a group devoted to promoting higher education for Chicanos. She takes college prep courses in Spanish and helps tutor English language development studies. The responsibility of being editor-in-chief of the VCHS Yearbook brings her much pride and gives her the opportunity to work closely with her peers.
She plans to attend Palomar College to get started with general education classes. Her ultimate goal is to earn a degree in criminology. In ten years she sees herself established in a career in law enforcement. Before getting married and starting a family she feels it is important to be financially stable.
Her philosophy is to, “live without regrets and to not hold grudges, because life is too short to go on living mad at your family or friend.”
She likes to spice up her life by visiting her friends and family in Mexico and Guadalajara. Traveling throughout Mexico gives her pride in her family’s origin.
Heather Lyons is 19, 5’8” tall, has blond hair and blue eyes. She has lived in Valley Center for eight years with her Uncle Mike and Aunt Linda.
She is a graduate of VCHS and is attending Palomar College with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian.
In ten years she sees herself settled in her career and maybe starting a family. Heather actively rides and shows Arabian horses on the national level. Her love for animals inspired her to join FFA, where she was the president for three years. She also participated in judging teams for horses and horticulture. She also actively raised and showed livestock at the Del Mar Fair, as well as being 4-H junior leader.
In high school she was named one of the top five Native American students, was Rotary Student of the month and was the Commissioner of Clubs for ASB. Her philosophy is, “that with hard work and dedication there are no barriers that one cannot overcome.”
Jessica Grosvenor is 18, 5’5” tall, has brown hair and green eyes. She is the daughter of John & Cyndi Grosvenor and has lived in VC 1 1/2 years. She is a senior at VCHS where she is a member of MECHA and supports equal rights for minorities and gives her time to tutor her peers. As softball team catcher she earned the coaches’ award. She is also the assistant coach for a 14 and under girls’ softball team here in VC.
Her ambition is to go to college for a biology degree. Her ultimate goal is to be a cardiologist. She knows this will be a great challenge, time consuming and costly. To help with the cost of schooling, she will go to cosmetology school to put her creative talents and sense of style to work.
In ten years she sees herself running a successful practice and raising a family. In her spare time she hangs out with friends, bowls or plays pool. She also enjoys going to the movies.
Jessica’s philosophy is, “to live life to the fullest because you never know when your time will be up.”
Tiffany Quackenbush is 18, 5’2”, has brown hair and brown eyes. She is the daughter of George & Barbara Quackenbush and has lived in VC for seven years. She is a senior at VCHS, where she is a commercial advertising editor for the yearbook. She is two-time recipient of the Who’s Who Among High School Students.
Her ambition is to attend Cal Poly Pomona to get a doctorate of veterinary medicine and to open her own equine veterinary practice. She has been showing Cher Ala Din, her 12 year old Arabian mare, for three years in gymkhana, hunter pleasure and hunt seat equitation. She has received numerous high point awards for showing horses.
In ten years she sees herself as a veterinarian and hopes to live in California where she was born and raised.
Her philosophy is “Don’t do what others tell you you should do. Only do what is right in your heart. Otherwise, you will get nowhere in life.”
Stephanie Ann Rizzo is 17, 5’2” tall, has brown hair and brown eyes. She is the daughter of Donald & Tiffany Rizzo and moved to VC from Lemon Grove four years ago with her mother. She is the oldest of three siblings. She says at this point she can’t imagine living anywhere else. She is a senior at VCHS. She is on the Varsity swim team and Varsity Cheer, making the Universal Cheer Assn. All Star team two years. She has worked with the high school yearbook for three years and is advertising editor.
Her ambition includes attending Palomar College for general ed. and transferring to the University of Louisville in Kentucky. She hopes to pursue a career helping people heal their pain and helping them feel their best as a pharmacist.
In ten years she sees herself working in a community pharmacy. She feels this will give her the opportunity to interact with others and change their lives for the better with new medicines.
Her philosophy is, “to live each day to the fullest because you never know when it can be changed or taken from you.” “Oh, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God. And if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest gift of all the gifts of God.”
She is actively involved with her church youth group. She volunteers with Charity Bound at Children’s Hospital and enjoys hosting dances and visiting with residents of Mountain Shadows, a community for those with special needs.
Cynthia Pinal is 17, 5’6”, has brown hair and brown eyes. She is the daughter of Damian & Olga Pinal and has lived in VC for nine years. She is a senior at VCHS where she has been part of several fund-raising activities for her Life Skills Class to provide for needy families.
She wants to attend Palomar College of Cosmetology and has plans to own her own beauty salon. She is interested in all areas of self-improvement. Having grown up with a learning disability, she hopes to be able to share her experiences with others. She continues to set goals for herself and is confident of having a successful and fulfilling life.
In ten years she sees herself as an independent businesswoman embarking on a flourishing and profitable venture.
Her philosophy is, “that life is shorter than we realize and each moment is to be learned from and cherished.”
In her spare time she enjoys walking, working out and, from growing up in the food industry, she especially enjoys baking cakes and desserts for special occasions.
Lindsey Cannon is 5’8” tall, has brown hair and brown eyes. She is the daughter of David & Carol Cannon and has lived in VC her whole life. She is a senior at VCHS where she takes honors and AP classes and belongs to several clubs. She also plays tennis and competes in track and field and works at the local pizza restaurant, Pepperoni’s.
She plans to attend the University of California San Deigo and major in medicine. She hopes to pursue a career in the medical field and live a happy and healthy life.
In ten years she sees herself as a pediatrician, serving as a hero to her patients and their parents. She plans to work hard to achieve her goals and feels she will be a good role model for others. In the long run she hopes to live on a hillside in Valley Center, with two dogs and a cat, where she can watch the sun rise over the mountains and set over the Pacific Ocean.
Lindsey spends here spare time volunteering in the ICU and Oncology units at Palomar Medical Center, surfing, traveling, snowboarding, wakeboarding, painting and her all time favorite, shopping. She has earned awards for her work in photography and literature.
Her philosophy of life is “No day but today,” which means she tries to live each moment to the fullest, but she says most importantly, never take the people in your life for granted.
Renee Bierle is 23, 5’11”, has brown hair and hazel eyes. She is the daughter of Art & Pat Bierle and has lived in VC her whole life. She attends California State University San Marcos where she studies education as a senior and is on the Dean’s List.
Renee enjoys serving the community as a Valley Center Kiwanian, enriching herself at Toastmasters, serving as a VC Women’s Club member, studying her faith in God at St. Mary’s Bible Study and St. Stephen’s Church. Above all, she enjoys directing the San Diego Arthritis Foundation’s Joint Adventure Camp for children with arthritis. Renee also loves reading, cooking for her family, sewing, mountain bike riding and swing and Latin dancing.
Ten years down the road she see herself teaching school here in VC with her master’s in education. She hopes to be a wife and mother and will continue to be a goal setter, a life-long learner and volunteer.
Renee’s philosophy is “Kuna Matata, which means ‘no worries.’ With God as the center of our life, we must be persons who in the face of adversity embrace life by taking risks, reaching for our goals and appreciating all that we have and are. We must be truth seekers and rule our domain with a loving heart.”
It will be an emotional parting as reigning queen Amber Bauer steps down, but it will be an exciting time when another young woman gets the opportunity to serve as an official ambassador for her community.
Miss VC represents the Valley in the Fairest of the Fair, Miss San Diego County competition May 16-17 at the California Center for the Performing Arts, Escondido. She will also attend many local events, her first being the Just Say No Dinner Dance, the VC Women’s Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Bell Gardens, Western Days, Chamber Sundowner and many other functions throughout the year.
Who will be the lucky winner? Find out Saturday, March 2. Buy tickets from the contestants, the Chamber office or the Pageant Director, Karen Greene at 749-1863 prior to the Pageant for $8 or at the pageant for $10, which includes a program.
All previous Miss Valley Center queens are invited to attend. They are invited to call Karen Greene so she may recognize you on Saturday night.
By DAVID ROSS
(Third in a series of three interviews with candidates for Fifth District Supervisor).
* * *
The Roadrunner interviewed Patsy Fritz last week. This is her second run against incumbent Bill Horn. She has been endorsed by the California Republican League and considers herself politically to be “a centrist.”
“It’s time for a Fifth District Supervisor who looks at this job as public service, not as a stepping-stone to higher office,” Mrs. Fritz told The Roadrunner.
“A month after being sworn in, Bill Horn was banking checks for his nebulous Senate race. As your Supervisor, I’ll be here, working.
“We need land-use decisions and traffic solutions that aren't dependent on whether the supervisor gets his campaign contribution.
Despite Horn’s bragging about the B+ the County earned from Governing Magazine, nobody admits to the negatives reported in that same article: a $200 million backlog in road construction and the need for greater public input.
“Isn't it time we listened to the citizenry? This county faces challenges so great that the Board of Supervisors can’t claim to have the only brain power to meet them. As Supervisor, I will propose that the seven-member Sponsor groups be elected as well as the 15-member Planning Groups. And when there is an opening on those groups I'll appoint whoever they recommend as a replacement.
I want to point to their recommendations as being rooted in the will of the community.
Mrs. Fritz has a solid background in local government. “I’m not running as your ‘country philosopher.’ I’ve served two terms on the Board of Directors of the San Diego County Taxpayers’ Assn., analyzing regional legislation. I served two terms on the Farm Bureau board and on its land use subcommittee.
“I was a County planning commissioner 1999-2000. I have been active on issues with the Board of Supervisors since 1987. Among the civic / county assignments I served as chairman of VC's Economic Revitalization Advisory Committee funded by HUD.
“Currently I’m a member of LEAD San Diego 2002, pursuing solutions to the County’s housing affordability crisis. It's refreshing working with this group, composed mostly of San Diego corporate and government executives. I’m the only North County rural member.”
Following a 17 year career as a United Airlines executive, Mrs. Fritz produced a series of award-winning films on crime prevention and anti-terrorism. Her clients included the FBI, CIA, Scotland Yard, the U.S. State Dept. and the military.
Originally from Canada, Mrs. Fritz moved to VC from La Jolla 20 years ago with her late husband, Peter, returning to their roots, farming. “My heart is in North County. I have a small avocado grove that is profitable. I'm keenly aware of the economic realities that farmers face in San Diego County,” she says.
Mrs. Fritz wants to see more small farms. “Where do small farms come from? From bigger farms - as families’ needs change. Currently Ag Preserve land is held under embargo by SOFAR (Save Our Ranchlands and Farms) and the action of the courts.
“The issue in General Plan 2020 is 'What should the minimum parcel size be if such land is subdivided?' I favor a 10-acre minimum 'west of the plantclimate line' and 40-acre minimum 'east of the plantclimate line', primarily for grazing.”
(Currently the county uses the County Water Authority line as a divider - imported water permits smaller farms; groundwater availability would require larger farms.)
“The ‘plantclimate’ line tells you from elevation and temperature where you can, from a practical viewpoint, farm. Keep in mind that Pauma Valley and Palomar Mountain have extensive farming that relies on groundwater. They are outside the County Water Authority but could successfully sustain farming on the smaller parcels."
She wants to give large ranchers flexibility for their families' future. “A move is afoot to press for 160 acre minimum lot sizes. This means if you have a 250 acre farm and two kids to inherit it, the land could not be divided.
“All children on farms work without pay. Ultimately, their compensation is a piece of land all their own, once they’re mature and prove they are committed to farming.
“Additionally farmers may need to sell some land for their own needs or estate purposes [The inheritance tax exemption is phased out in 2010].”
Her compromise to answer all that concern about sprawl in the Back Country is to permit 40-acre lots but permit only minor subdivisions (maximum four lots; five if a house is already on the land), no matter how large the original parcel.
“This way we could get more small farms, have extended families living near each other in their own homes, working the land - but not have the public up in arms about the prospect of 50 mini-ranches in a row. It's not sprawl, it increases farming opportunities and gives farm families some financial flexibility. I’m for that.”
Mrs. Fritz talked about how she thinks communities should plan for growth.
“A strong objective for GP 2020 should be to plan future housing for our children. You hear the phrase ‘community character.’ Well, I think a big part of a community’s character is our kids. Unless it’s a Shaker community, the residents made a decision to bear children, so they should not fight plans to house them and their families in future. Your kids are not export items!”
She adds, “As a Supervisor I expect each community, through its Planning or Sponsor Group, to tell the county what their plans are for the homes they’ll need, and where to put them. But I expect them to make those plans and not just tell me, ‘Our kids will move to South Dakota.’ ”
When she served on the VC Revitalization Advisory Com-mittee, they came up with a mixed-use proposal that gave contiguous property owners the same neighborhood density, while putting into the center of the project townhomes on smaller lots, affordable for young families and seniors. This was mixed with office and commercial use. “There is a tragic dearth of housing for working families, making less than $60,000 annually. Our concept would set these workers on the first rung of home ownership.” Such residents could walk to work, avoiding freeway commutes.
“State law requires the County to plan housing for all income levels. This mixed-use concept could work harmoniously in rural communities like Valley Center. They are the antitheses of 'sprawl.’ ”
She adds, “The question of growth always brings up infrastructure. Will it be a burden to the taxpayer? Remember that extension of water lines, power, sewer [or septic] are all charged fully to the developer and passed on to the homebuyer. The only 'infrastructure' whose costs need to be met regionally are roads. There is a revenue stream for gas taxes to pay for these roads. Construction bonds can be issued based on that revenue stream.”
She has invested in municipal infrastructure financing for the past 20 years, roads, water and sewer plants, airports, hospitals. “We never seem to elect people with this knowledge. Look at the ballpark financing - few had a clue. This is one of the strengths I’ll bring to the Board of Supervisors.
Mrs. Fritz supports a variant on campaign contribution reform. “Campaign contributions should not be solicited nor accepted from developers once their projects are in process at the County. No more trading subdivision votes for checks!” she says.
Mrs. Fritz concluded, “Of all the candidates, including the incumbent, I am best prepared, with a working knowledge of issues that the county is mandated to address. I study the issues and read the enabling legislation. As The Roadrunner frequently writes, I am ‘The ultimate policy wonk.’ Who else in Valley Center would have a subscription to Governing Magazine - and loves every issue?
“As your Supervisor, I am the public's servant. It will be a privilege to serve. And when you come down to the board chambers I will actually listen to you, instead of being on the phone.”
Roadrunner readers can reach Mrs. Fritz at 742-4511 or patsyfritz@aol.com
The Valley Roadrunner
P.O.B. 1529, Valley Center, CA 92082
Tel. 760.749.1112 Fax 760.749.1688
Website: www.valleycenter.com
Email: editor@valleycenter.com
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