The County Dept. of Planning & Land Use Oct. 22 will hold a special session with VC planners and the public to discuss alternatives for the Country Town.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at VC Community Hall and will be held in conjunction with a meeting of the land use subcommittee of the GP2020 committee.
According to Todd Ruth, chairman of the subcommittee, this meeting will be a “mini-charette.”
Alternatives to be discussed will include the proposal by the southern node property owner and possibilities provided by the County’s Dept. of Planning & Land Use.
A “charette” is a planning term borrowed from the architectural profession in which people at a meeting break into small groups that all work on the same issue. They sit around in a workshop atmosphere with everyone throwing in ideas and concepts, and, the organizers hope, all supporting the results afterwards. If there are deep disagreements in the overall group, each faction is represented into a small group that then comes back with a proposal for the entire group.
The term is borrowed from the French “charette” which means “little cart” and is used to describe the final intense work effort expended by art and architectural students to meet a project deadline. At the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris during the 19th century, proctors circulated with carts to collect final drawings while the students frantically put finishing touches on their work.
By JOE NAIMAN
After more than 15 years and almost as many versions, VC’s Hal Jensen’s Rosemary’s Mountain quarry Oct. 9 received unanimous endorsement from the Board of Supervisors, who approved the reissuance of a Major Use Permit for his project.
Following a hearing in which proponents and opponents argued the benefits and detriments of the proposed mining and processing facility and which included VC’s Ruth Harber being forcibly removed from the chambers after exceeding her allotted time to speak, the supervisors voted 5-0 to certify that the addendum to the Environmental Impact Report had been completed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the December 1999 California Court of Appeal decision, to certify that the EIR and other documentation had been reviewed by the board and considered during the supervisors’ decision, to adopt the findings concerning mitigation of significant effects, to certify that the EIR and addendum reflected the independent judgment of the County of San Diego, to adopt the explanation of decision not to prepare a subsequent EIR, to grant the major use permit, and to adopt the reclamation plan.
This sends the case back to the court for certification. If the court certifies the adequacy of the EIR, opponents of the project have the right to appeal.
“I hope with the approval we see this thing in short order coming to fruition,” said Board chairman Ron Roberts.
The proposed quarry is about 1 1/4 miles east of I-15 on the north side of Hwy 76. The site is 96.4 acres, although mining and processing will occur on 36 acres. An estimated 22 tons of rock will be mined over about 20 years.
The project will also realign and widen Hwy 76 between I-15 and the site.
The site will be reclaimed using rock sculpting, planting through the application of soil and a hydroseed mix, rock staining, and installation of a wire mesh for protection against rockfall. It also proposes that the lower portion of the site will eventually be used as a water reservoir.
Jensen originally applied for the project in 1987. Ten years later the Board of Supervisors certified the EIR and approved the MUP and reclamation plan.
The citizens’ group Riverwatch challenged the the EIR in court.
The San Diego Superior Court determined that the EIR was deficient, but in December 1999 the appeals court overturned that ruling and found only one deficiency in the EIR.
The appeals court held that the county did not take into account all of the related air quality emissions. It specified that the county must take into account all project-related emissions.
Jensen commented: “We want to do this right. I live in the community. This project has been designed with great concern for both the environment and the community.”
Jensen said he wanted a project that would be a model not just for other aggregate sites in the county but for the nation. “I think we’ve achieved that in our design.”
In 1980 there were 40 aggregate sites in the county. In 1997 there were 27, and now there are less than 20.
The import cost of aggregate from Riverside County now exceeds 30 cents per mile per ton, which increases the cost of construction or roadwork. Additional cost to roads occurs due to the hauling over longer distances.
Jensen also noted the increased cost for new homes and other uses of aggregate due to the lack of local supply.
San Diego County uses six tons of aggregate per person per year. In the early 1990s the state identified the county as the state’s biggest problem in terms of aggregate supply.
“We've done everything we can to make this happen,” Jensen said. “If we were allowed to operate this quarry, we would do it with great concern both for the environment and for the community that we live in.”
Several local people spoke at the hearing.
Riverwatch’s vice president, Pauma Valley’s John Ljubenkov, said, “This quarry was a bad idea when it was first conceived, and it remains a bad idea today. Its only positive impact is a pile of money for the proponents.
“The County has done a less than adequate job in reviewing and analyzing the effects of the residents in this area.”
Joe Chisholm, chairman of the Pala-Pauma Sponsor Group, noted the impact the trucks would have on Hwy 76. “The problem with this project is the road,” he said. Approval would be contrary to ensuring that the rural area is protected, he said.
Before Mrs. Harber was removed, she mentioned the limited notice she received of the hearing, the fact that the most recent EIR does not include information on cultural resources, two recent DPLU studies regarding the impacts of reservation casinos, and the fact that the cancer studies don’t mention health effects from silica produced by concrete.
Pauma Valley’s Patsy Fritz urged the supervisors not to certify the EIR without an in-depth report on the silica effects.
“Somebody should have asked Hal: ‘What’s in those rocks you’re going to mine?’,” she remarked. “Silica kills slowly by strangling the lungs, and fresh-milled rock is the most severe.”
Jon Vick of Valley Center said, “This project will have significant negative environmental impacts specifically and importantly on the residents of the area. I think these people are more important than creating 50 jobs.”
Supervisor Bill Horn said “It appears that the requirements by the court have been addressed and satisfied. North County has experienced tremendous growth but has lacked adequate aggregate for years. After 15 years of discussion on this project, I think it’s time for us to move.”
Riverwatch has promised an appeal should the appeals court accept the EIR.
By JUNE BERNESSER
Saturday’s fourth annual Oktoberfest attracted about 1000 adults, teens and youngsters according to Dos Valles Garden Club Pres. Roger Ramey.
At times, all the tables were filled, while others sat on the surrounding lawns, rocks and even stairs.
“They seemed completely engrossed in listening to the delightful music emanating from the combined efforts of the Confirmed [that’s the name of the group] band’s four talented musicians,” said Ramey.
With no previous knowledge of oom-pah-pah music when they signed up to play, the band went out, found some polka and oom-pah music, learned it, and played it like they had done it for years.
Youngsters gravitated onto the dance floor where they flapped their arms to do the Chicken Dance.
Beside music, people formed long lines for food and wine and beer, lured by the come-hither aroma of sizzling onions and bratwurst. About 700 bratwurst and hundreds of hot dogs were consumed.
The bake sale sold out. The plant sale was a hit, and crafts did well also. All of these items were baked, handcrafted and/or grown by club members. Thirty drawing items, including the money hat and expensive leather chaps, were distributed.
The classic vehicle show attracted many enthusiasts looking inside, outside, topside and underneath more than 35 vintage vehicles.
While several of the smaller children made Dino the dinosaur moon bounce do a continuous rock and roll, older youngsters were enthralled with the contests (all free), begging to do them again and again, according to Shirley Skinner, Barbara Watzke and Kitty Purvis, who managed the Kidz Game Zone.
Some of the most popular contests were hopping up and down in a gunny sack to the finish line, bobbing for licorice, spitting watermelon seeds, blowing giant bubbles of bubble gum, and struggling to get under the limbo pole.
A big attraction was the pie-eating contest. A crowd watched the contestants, between ages 5 -11, gobble up oozing cherry pies.
The llamas were particularly funny. They warily eyed the children, who had to be 70 pounds or less. One little girl sitting on a llama was encouraged to smile into the camera for a photo op. Instead, a toothy grin was offered by the llama.
Three volunteers did face painting. Velma West and Phyllis Raynes, two local professional artists, painted designs for six hours.
The event was conducted by Dos Valles Garden Club under the direction of Roger Ramey and George Speer, Jr. Dos Valles has more than 150 members.
“Club members alone could not make the event the success it was. Many businesses and individuals in the community donated funds, prizes, supplies, lent materials for the event, and/or supported the event by attending,” said Ramey.
According to club treasurer, Cal Townsend, profits are expected to be close to $5000, which will support the club’s programs for the community, including scholarships, Dos Valles Niños, Boys’ Ranch, Penny Pines Reforestation, Friends of the VC Library, VC Community Services District, and VC Middle and High School Agriculture.
Dos Valles meets September through June on the second Tuesday of the month, 12:30 p.m., at the Community Hall.
Other club activities include plant propagation, floral design workshops and forums, garden tours, community projects, and an annual flower show. It also sponsors Dos Valles Niños, a garden club for children in grades K-8.
Questions? Call 751-1906.
Friends, colleagues pay tribute to Jeff Mulford
Sunday the school community and people of Valley Center presented a giant valentine and farewell to the man who has guided the schools for 11 years.
The tribute to Jeff Mulford was held at the VC Community Center. The goodbye, packed with affection and respect, was also a fund-raiser for the VC High School theater fund. And although Dr. Mulford, on principle, didn’t want to know how much the event raised in his honor, his successor, Karen Jobe, blindfolded and gave him earplugs and told the rest of the audience, and we are telling you: $12,500. Sorry, Jeff!
A light lunch was sponsored by the Staples Foundation, and catered by Valley Center’s restaurants.
About 350 members of the community, current and former employees of the school, watched and laughed as Mulford was gently roasted and occasionally toasted by the speakers.
Mulford’s old elementary school principal, Bob Guthrie, who eventually provided him with his first job in education, told about how the first task he gave the young Jeff was to change the combinations on 750 lockers.
He expected the job to take all summer, but Mulford returned with the job done in a couple of weeks. This gave Guthrie his first intimation that Mulford might be a more-than-average problem solver.
Mulford’s old boss, former VC Supt. Harry Weinberg, joked that when he called Guthrie to do a background check before he hired Mulford to be an assistant principal, that Guthrie assured him that his soon-to-be employee was an excellent golfer. “What’s more, as long as your superintendent, you’ll win eighty percent of the time when you play him!”
Retired Primary School Principal Paul Lahr gave humorous advice to the super’s wife, Ann, on how to transition her husband into retirement.
Former VC principal Gary Wilson gave musical accompaniment while Dee Dee Ortega, Joan Wilson, Pat Tousley and Gloria Christian displayed J-E-F-F while explained what each letter stood for.
Other speakers included Roadrunner editor David Ross, grounds and maintenance director Gary Pay, classified employees president Ron Tobias and teachers association Pres. Bill Kelly, who may have had the best joke of the day at Mulford’s expense.
Telling how he always prided himself on the fact that Mulford would share important secrets with him as the representative of the district’s teachers.
Last February, said Kelly, Mulford told him that there were going to be major administrative changes made at the district.
Satisfied that he was in the loop, and in possession of exclusive information, Kelly said he went on vacation in Mexico.
While he was getting his shoes shined south of the border, he was asked where he lived and worked. He said he was a teacher in Valley Center.
“Ah!” said the shoe shiner. “I hear that Lucy is going to be the new high school principal!”
Supervisor Bill Horn, a longtime friend of Mulford’s presented him with a proclamation declaring Sunday as “Jeff Mulford Day” in San Diego County.
Dr. Rudy Castruita, County Superintendent of Schools, also presented Mulford with a plaque and lauded him as one of the most influential educators in the county, if not the state.
Also lauding Dr. Mulford was School Board Pres. Pat Simpson.
His voice choking with emotion, Dr. Mulford thanked those assembled and praised the community of Valley Center, especially the school board, and the employees of the school district for providing him with 23 wonderful years.
Dr. Mulford actually won’t retire for another month, but his wish is to make his last days at work as much like regular workdays as possible, up until the final day.
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
Copyright © 2002, Palomar Community Newspapers, dba Valley Roadrunner. All rights reserved. This content may not be archived, retransmitted, saved in a database, or used for any commercial purpose without the express written permission of the Valley Roadrunner.