By DAVID ROSS
The VC fire department’s reserve program is “in trouble,” according to Chief Kevin O’Leary, speaking to the board at Thursday night’s meeting.
The program is down to 17 reservists this year, and two paid call (i.e. volunteers) firefighters.
The district often needs to pay time and a half and overtime because of low staffing problems.
“This is something we wanted to avoid doing. We now need to make some decisions on the reserve firefighters,” said O’Leary. “We try to staff at six per station, and will try to continue to do that without paying time and a half.”
Reserve programs are struggling all over, he said.
Main reason is that there’s plenty of demand for firefighters in these post- 9/11 days, which makes the district’s program less attractive to those interested in a firefighting career.
Valley Center’s program once was very attractive because it offered recruits free training in return for a time commitment. It also used to be able to tap seasonal firefighters returning from working for California Dept. of Forestry during fire season. No more.
Board Pres. Mel Schuler said the reserves have constant turnover and that most join to get an apprenticeship, not a career here. “At the same time clearly we are after the additional manpower and the help,” he said.
“That’s the purpose. We need the manpower, and when you can’t afford it you give the training—Lots of people have gotten into the fire industry because of it. We are constrained by finances and we are just working for the betterment of the district.”
But now city fire departments are hiring recruits with less training and then training them. This may force VCFPD to lower its standards, or have fewer applicants.
“We set the bar pretty high for a reserve program,” said Director Michael Pacheco, himself a fire captain in San Diego City. VC demands that recruits be almost professional in their training. “Anybody who is that qualified is getting hired by city departments,” he said. “We’re going to have to bring people in without training and provide the training,” he said.
But that’s risky, said O’Leary. “I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’d like to increase our fulltime staffing. I think everyone knows that we are in trouble.”
Charlie Knust, one of two remaining paid call firefighters in VC, told the board Thursday that the Firefighters’ Assn. sees revitalizing the paid call system as one solution to VC’s problem.
“Paid call firefighters are very cost-effective because they’re volunteers,” he said.
The association wants the district to schedule another “fire academy” to provide additional training for recruits.
Fire board Pres. Mel Schuler said the district had “dumped” the paid call system because, “[it] was not a dependable program for us. The purpose of the reserve program was the fact that we were having so much difficulty in guys not standing their shifts that it created a major problem.”
This problem is one of the issues that will be discussed at a finance workshop, which will be held at a date yet to be determined.
“Maybe you’ll need to have the directors drive fire trucks,” quipped Johnson.
“I’ve got a fire hat for you!” said O’Leary.
Chief’s Report
O’Leary reported that the department answered 93 incidents in February, a higher number of incidents than two years ago.
Fire conditions were extreme in February, which led to the Fallbrook fire. Many homes were destroyed even those with recommended brush clearances, said the chief.
“With that kind of wind and low humidity, sometimes it’s not enough,” he said.
The fire moved so rapidly that fires were starting a mile away from the front. At some points it was moving 50 miles per hour.
“In this kind of weather we could have this kind of fire again,” he said. “It was an extreme circumstance but we certainly have the Santa Ana winds like that. When it’s that dry it’s going to burn with a ferocity that is hard to fight. It’s going to be a rough year,” he concluded.
Three California Dept. of Forestry fire engines from the VC area took part in the Fallbrook fire. Thirty engines came from North County.
Assn. Withdraws Request
The VC Firefighters Assn. have withdrawn their request to form a union. It formally voted to withdraw its request last week.
Charlie Knust, representing the association, informed the board of the development.
Previously Director Pat Garcia, Pat Taylor, president of the association and Capt. Jim Hollingsworth (representing the chief) met to iron out some problems that had led the association to contemplate forming a union.
“The association membership didn’t think it was constructive to go forward with the union at this time,” said Knust. “We felt it would impair communication rather than facilitate communication. We didn’t want to create hard feelings or difficulty communicating, and we thought that was where it was going.”
The association wants to improve communication and have more access to the chief.
It also feels that ten more reservists need to be added to the program to “lighten the load.”
Members feel that the reserve program “can be effective,” said Knust. Problems, he said, derive “from lack of communication and cooperation.”
“The people who were there all wanted to make the reserve program work,” said Garcia.
Two directors, Thornton and Schuler, felt that the association left the issue hanging by appending, “at this time,” to their statement withdrawing the request.
“It’s been my understanding that we had a line of communication in our flow chart,” said Thornton. “We have always asked the association representative during reports and it has always been ‘Nothing to report.’”
Items should be brought up during board reports, “rather than people being pent up to where they think there is no communication,” he said.
“There has been a lack of understanding of who can to talk to who about what and with whom,” said Knust.
Schuler said, “What I’m hearing is that ‘at this time’ you’re withdrawing your request. . . What that says to me is ‘So far we don’t want to do it , but in five months we might.’ ”
He also questioned the association’s goals of clearing up problems with “operational control.”
“Operational control rests with the chief, not by vote and not by opinion,” said Schuler.
“We made it very clear that we understand who has operational control,” said Knust. “It was a matter of items that we want to be sure are clarified.”
Knust added, “We don’t have plans to turn around and backlash. I think this group sees that in this climate, with this board, with this chief, that this is not the right time. It’s not to say that people won’t do it five or ten years down the line or even in a year. But we and the leadership have no intention to do that at this time.”
O’Leary commented, “I have not sat down with the association to find out what was wrong with the chain of command. Anything that is rewritten would have to be brought back to the board. What I’d like to see is that before a problem is brought to the board that it be brought to a lower level. Apparently they felt that they didn’t have an avenue to the board.”
“Part of it stems from interpretation of policy,” said Knust.
“We’re a small district and everyone needs to work together. We don’t have large distances between us,” said Thornton.
New Position
The board voted to add a new entry level secretary clerk to the staff.
The position will be advertised and applications will be accepted until April 28.
“That’s a milestone guys,” said Director Dan Thornton, who prepares the district’s financial reports. “We’ve been talking about this for a couple of years.”
Longtime G&L Farm Supply owners Gene and Marjorie Lovelady are saying goodbye to the business. Saying hello are new owners Eric & Kim Laventure and Larry & Jerry Boyer.
That’s not the only change in the works. The store itself, well known for its huge sign that reads “Got Feed?” will now be called Bear Valley Farm Supply Inc.
It will continue to carry livestock feed, dog and cat food, plumbing supplies, PVC and fertilizer.
Larry Boyer will be familiar to many as a former radio and TV newsman. Kim Laventure has been managing the store for three years now and she will continue in that job. Before that she worked for Dr. Roy Johnson.
But before even that she worked in G&L while she was in college. So she has spent a total of eight years at G&L.
She met husband, Eric, at G&L. Eric, who works at VC water district, came in to buy food for the district’s guard dog.
Mrs. Laventure says, “I love what I do. I love working with people and animals. So this is the perfect job for me. It’s been kind of like having another baby!”
No major changes are anticipated. “We’ll still focus on good customer service and feed and hardware,” says Mrs. Laventure.
Although VC is slowly transitioning from an ag to a residential community, sales at G&L continue to be good.
“As long as we keep our two acre minimum we’ll have animals in Valley Center, and animals need feed. That’s the reason people moved out to Valley Center. I see the business continuing to grow,” says the manager.
The business will continue to be a big booster for local ag students, as it was when it was originally started by the late Don Bartlett, many years ago.
“I want to continue to do a lot to help the different clubs in the community: 4-H and school ag program,” said Mrs. Laventure. “We’re continuing the legacy Mr. Bartlett started and Gene expanded upon.”
Gene Lovelady worked for Bartlett Agricultural Supply for a dozen years and then, when Bartlett decided to sell, bought it.
“It’s been a family business. Both my kids worked here. My only regret is that my grandkids haven’t worked here. Even my son-in-law worked here,” said Lovelady.
Time was right for a change. “My wife and I talked it over and decided it was time to move on to something different,” he said.
“It’s been great for our family. I’ve gotten lots of great employees from kids coming out of school, and lots of good customers. Where would we be without good customers?”
He added, “I don’t think I would have done anything different over the years. ”
Don’t know what Western Days is? It’s the biggest fund-raiser for the Chamber of Commerce, and the largest community event of the year.
It runs Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-26, but activities begin in March when all the non-profit organizations in VC running candidates for Honorary Mayor begin fund-raising.
Also in March the design for the official Western Days t-shirt is chosen (this year the high school art department was asked to submit entries from the students for the competition. They were judged by the Western Days Committee). Entries will be on display at California Bank & Trust. This year’s theme is “Freedom Trails.” T-shirts will go on sale in April.
Things kick into high gear the weekend before Western Days with the VC Vaqueros’ traditional “Old Timers” Show at Aerie Park.
Festivities heat up Friday evening (the 24th) with live entertainment and the Honorary Mayor’s Race Showdown at VC Community Center.
Saturday morning starts bright and early with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Rotary Club, followed by the parade along VC Road at 10 a.m. which is traditionally the high point of the day.
Activities move to the VC Community Center which will have live entertainment, vendors, food booths, exhibits, a kiddie carnival, Homesteaders 4-H Club Barbecue and a beer garden.
All live entertainment is sponsored by Valley View Casino. There’s no extra charge for Saturday Night’s Dance. Entertainment runs all day right into the main event Saturday night. The beer garden will be open all day (the beer chosen this year is Budweiser).
An added attraction this year is a Bulls & Barrels Rodeo, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and Rincon Casino. It will be held on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.
Sunday begins with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Lions Club, followed by “Family Day” at VC Community Center. The beer garden won’t be open. This day bring the kids and join in the family fun.
To help out one of the committees for Western Days, call the following: Chairman, Tom Bumgardner (749-3611); Co-Chairman, Dene Hatch (749-6042); Volunteer Coordinator, Sherry Bennett (751-0296); Parade Coordinator, Fran DeWilde (749-1339); Porta/Potties/Security, Ann Godwin (749-1163); Publicity Coordinator, Kymberli Peters (749-7518), Entertainment Coordinator, Emmy Rust (751-4213); Booth Coordinator, Justin Salter (vcwesterndays.org).
Information and applications for booths, and info on all events for Western Days, are available on website: vcwesterndays.org. The next Western Days meeting is April 2 at 7 p.m. at VC Community Hall. Volunteers are always needed and welcome.
By DAVID ROSS
Four candidates to fill the position vacated when Cal Townsend was ousted two months ago, including Townsend, who is trying to get the seat back, told of their goals and thoughts about growth at the March 11 meeting of the VC Planning Group.
The seat will be filled by the planning group next month.
First to speak was Kristine Preston, a ten year resident.
Preston has a doctorate in biology and has worked for an environmental consulting firm for six years, where she learned about CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) and federal environmental laws.
For her, VC’s biggest issue is “accommodating growth in such a way that we don’t compromise our quality of life.
“Everyone had similar reasons for moving to Valley Center, and number one is that it’s a beautiful place to live. . .As we accommodate growth up to 45,000 growth target many of these quality of life issues will be compromised.”
She concluded, “There’s ways to plan around things like oak trees, to plan for roads that don’t obliterate things and create freeways. I envision a VC where people feel comfortable meeting with neighbors and going to small local businesses.”
Oliver Smith has lived in VC one year, and in North County 19 years.
The thing he likes about VC, he says, “is that I’m not told what I can do on my property. The biggest issue I had in Rancho Bernardo was that I couldn’t paint my house the way I wanted to. I couldn’t have a spot on my driveway. Now I have two acres and I’m learning to be a farmer”
For Smith, the biggest issue the planning group faces is “recognizing that growth is inevitable and planning is essential. On those same lines, master plan communities are not. We can’t stay in the early 20th Century. We have to move forward, and one of the elements for this is roads.”
Roads can’t be kept the way they are today, he said. “Thinking that will keep traffic out will just create carnage. Let’s recognize reality and maintain as much of a rural environment as you can. Growth and progress are inevitable, the purpose of this board is to minimize that impact on those who live here.”
Oliver sees the biggest weakness of the VC Community Plan as “not realizing that we can’t just say that we don’t like a road, or a cell tower or a sign. There is a world outside and we are part of it. With cell phones when you’re in accident someone can call for help and get help. Public safety overrides in my mind the objections to a cell tower. Yes we can make the towers more appealing aesthetically, but bottom line they need to be here and we all benefit from them.”
Cal Townsend, who was removed from the planning group for missing five meetings, noted that when he was elected to the board, “I was elected with votes second only to Jim Yerdon. Subsequently I served on this board and I thought I was able to give the board and community all of the time it needed.
“Make no mistake, this area is getting bigger, and this board is going to have big decisions to make. I envision this board will have to set up a rotating subcommittee to attend Board of Supervisor meetings and have them recognize us instead of ignoring us.”
Growth is inevitable, said Townsend. “People love it here for some reason. My vision is to intelligently address the growth issues we have before us.”
He added, “As we get to the ultimate buildout of Valley Center we need infrastructure. We also need more north and south roads And more of a commercial presence, perhaps even a Valley Center shopping area. We need to be able to manage that growth. We have to preserve the rural fabric and culture of VC instead of just saying no.”
Sandra Rockefeller-Farmer told the group that she wants to “bring some good common sense to the process. It’s necessary that we do all we can to make this our community.
The biggest issue, she said, is General Plan 2020.
“We can sit back and let them make decisions for us, or say ‘This is our town, we live here. That plan wasn’t done overnight and thanks to this board they are looking at that plan to make it better.
“I’d like to see Valley Center maintain its rural character. When I started working out here 18 years ago it was a lot more rural. Agriculture has declined because of economics, not because someone wanted to sell their land and put up a house there. Those farmers are not going to be out there farming if they are not making money.”
She concluded, “Things can’t be just because you want this or I want that. It can’t be just me. It has to be us.”
VC’s greatest weakness, she said, “is the fact that we don’t have a provision for low income housing. We are going to have to do something to house lower income and our children.”
One of Valley Center’s main commercial center’s has a brand new look, and you’re invited to check it out!
The Courtyard, previously known as Mountain Valley Center, will have a grand opening March 28 to introduce the new look and some of the new tenants.
Lora Lee, the owner, bought the courtyard two years ago.
“I thought it had lot more potential and I have a good time renovating. I’d rather do that than sit at my desk,” Mrs. Lee told The Roadrunner.
Mrs. Lee has lived in VC for ten years. She also grows ornamental flowers and is an owner of Election Data Corp., which manufactures the ballots used in local elections.
The renovation included totally redoing the electrical wiring. Each suite was given its own meter so each tenant could pay their own utilities.
The name ‘Courtyard’ fits the center’s new face because the suites are actually built around a small courtyard.
“I wanted an Old World courtyard feel that would still blend with the Western style of the building,” said Mrs. Lee.
“I wanted something more like a quaint meeting place in the courtyard with a little more flair and color. I’ve had a lot of people who were so surprised that they hadn’t seen the building before because it lacked color.”
Now the vibrant colors include tans, browns and terra cotta.
Tenants include:
* Gina’s new hair salon with twice as much square footage.
* Jack Pence Builders.
* A brand new addition, Jana Limon, Valley Center Professional Massage Therapy.
* Another new tenant: Tan de Soleil, owned by Gina and Debi Puentes.
* Jones and Jones Attorneys.
* Valley Center Pediatrics, (Dr. Kraychee).
* A new jewelry shop, Big Time Jewelry.
*Al Stehly Grove Management.
The renovation has taken about a year, but Mrs. Lee says it was “lots of fun. The rental income has gone right back into the property.”
Part of the fun was painting her own roof tiles, which took two nights at her ranch. Her driveway still has spots of teal on it.
She did the painting herself because she couldn’t buy any tiles with the colors she wanted, teal and brown. Getting the reds, she says, was easy.
“I think Valley Center has changed over the last couple of years, tremendously and I really thought that a brand new look was called for. Hopefully that sort of thing will catch on,” she said.
Another thing she wishes would catch on for every commercial owner to fly the American Flag. The Courtyard has a flagpole and the flag is lit every night.
* * *
At the March 28 grand opening, you’ll get a chance to meet the new tenants, enjoy some food prepared by Gina Rizzotto and listen to some music. The festivities start at 5 p.m.
By DAVID ROSS
Ronald Reagan used to say “Trust but verify,” and VC Municipal Water District wants to verify that sewer bills for Woods Valley Ranch are paid, even if the worst happens and Newland Communities Inc. or one of its successor builders is unable to finish developing the property.
The water district will operate Woods Valley Ranch’s sewer and sewage treatment plant once it’s built. Monday the water board passed a mechanism designed to ensure that VC ratepayers aren’t stuck with the bill if Newland doesn’t carry out its plans.
Even if the houses remain unfinished, VCMWD will have a way to collect sewer bills via property taxes from undeveloped land, even if Newland is no longer in the picture.
Speaking to the board was Don Buntz, engineer for the project, and Jim Delhamer, vice president of Newland’s California division.
Delhamer explained his company’s role in the development of Woods Valley Ranch. “Our company buys tracts of land, and we go out and create the community. We do the grading and then sell our lots to builders. We are not home builders.”
Newland closed escrow in January and is in the ninth week of site work.
“As you can see we’ve done a great deal of work. I expect we will be done grading by July,” said Delhamer.
The project includes 270 lots, varying from 6000 square feet to 20,000 sq. ft, with 70 half acre lots. Lots will be sold to individual builders.
Houses will be in the low $200,000 to the high $400,000 price range, said Delhamer.
“I believe this will provide to the residents who have more land than they want, a lot of housing opportunities,” he said.
Newland is paying to widen Woods Valley Road along its project and to install a stop light at what Delhamer characterized as “one of the most dangerous intersections in the County.”
Newland will also create a channel to Moosa Creek for the 100 year flood event.
It is also replanting oak and willows, “so that someday others will be able to enjoy what will look like a continuous forest,” said Delhamer.
With what might be described as extreme understatement, Delhamer said, “I know there’s interest in the golf course. We are in contract with a developer who is out there building now.”
That company, Peerless Golf, will develop and operate an 18 hole championship golf course on 160 acres.
“They are building a very nice golf course out here, one that Valley Center will be very proud of,” said Delhamer.
The Roadrunner has attempted to reach Peerless Golf without success to get a comment on its plans.
The developer will be able to make the course semi-private and sell memberships if it so chooses.
Grading should be wrapped up by July. Before then utilities will be installed .
“We will probably start delivering lots to builders in September. Model homes could start going up by the end of the year,” said Delhamer.
Buntz reported that the sewage plant will be tied to the construction of the model homes. Initial flows are expected to be about 5000 gallons per day.
Effluent will be hauled to the Moosa sewage treatment plant at Circle R.
This will, said Buntz, give the developer more time to build the 70,000 gpd capacity plant. Besides, a plant is harder to operate with minimum flows.
By January of 2004 the permanent sewer plant will be completed. This may be accelerated if home sales are faster than anticipated.
Beginning in 2005 permanent sewer facilities will be on line and people will move into the homes, with build-out by 2010.
The golf course will open by 2003, said Delhamer.
Water District Gen. Mgr. Gary Arant told directors, “We’ve gone over this schedule and we think this is a very reasonable approach. Our approach will be to monitor their sales and make sure the work is done soon enough on the interim facility and the permanent facility.”
In addition, all of the facilities will be fully bonded, said Arant.
Arant explained why the district is being so cautious.
“One issue we have had all along, is the notion that once a plant is operating and people are connected, VCMWD has entered into a long-term arrangement to treat that water,” he said.
“Our concern is what happens when you have a plant where half of the homes are built and suddenly the development stops. How do you continue to operate that plant? We don’t want to see the district in a situation of raising exorbitant fees, or subsidize it out of district funds.
“We have a proposal that we think does that and provides that kind of security from the day we take the keys.”
The board approved the creation of a “sewer standby fee” for developed and undeveloped property.
The district will be able to create a sewer assessment area encompassing the units and clubhouse and impose a standby charge on undeveloped land, collecting it on the tax rolls.
Finance Director Jere Jarrell said staff hopes to set up the assessment district by August. This would enable the district to start collecting money next year.
Money would be collected from Newland until it transfers ownership to whomever.
“It’s an automatic transfer” with whoever is the owner. “That’s what makes it so attractive,” said Jarrell.
Arant commented, “We appreciate the intentions of the developer that they would be there to pay their fees, but if the land is transferred to a developer who is unable to pay its fees we will be paid.”
Such precautions aside, Newland seems to be a solid corporation.
The 30 year old company is a master-planned community developer and advisor to pension funds on the acquisition and development of residential communities.
In 1999 a share of Newland was bought by Hunt Realty Corp., which enabled Newland in 2000 to acquire Genstar Land Company, and its 27 land development projects in seven states.
Newland, headquartered in La Jolla, has developed 40 communities in nine states. It is currently developing and managing 45 residential projects in California, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas and Washington.
Jim Delhamer, vice president of Newland’s California division, can be reached at 858-674-1300.
Corporate headquarters address is:
Newland Communities
9404 Genesee Ave.
Suite 230
La Jolla, CA 92037
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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