By DAVID ROSS
Rays of sunlight make it possible for fruit to grow. X-rays and gamma rays now make it possible for a VC family to ship their fruit.
“We decided that we were not going to be victims and we were going to survive,” recalls Rose Polito, whose family business was threatened with destruction by the Mexican fruit fly quarantine imposed in December.
A method of treating fruit for pests by irradiation approved by the FDA last fall made it possible for Polito Family Farms to be the first farmers in the VC quarantine area to meet state and federal protocols for shipping their fruit.
The Politos are a special case. In the farming business for 23 years, the family grows specialty citrus, such as blood oranges, seedless mandarin oranges as well as valencias on 70 acres just off Betsworth and 20 acres in Pauma Valley.
They are not in the core area, the high risk area of the Mexican fruit fly quarantine. They are on the edge of the quarantine. There has never been any sign of infestation in their groves
Unlike most growers, they make their money from farmers markets and selling to high-end restaurants. They started small, when Mrs. Polito would load the van with fruit and take it to the farmer’s markets.
Over the years they have been blessed by a good deal of positive word of mouth and publicity, and have expanded to several markets in three counties.
They grow, pick and pack everything themselves. They are, in effect, their own packing house.
These specialty crops come in the winter and are very highly prized for that.
Their 20 acres in Pauma, which is outside of the quarantine, kept the Politos going when the quarantine first slammed shut on them.
“At the outset, when we couldn’t move fruit, this one sustained us,” says Mrs. Polito.
When the quarantine occurred they were out of business except for the small Pauma operation.
The problem was that they couldn’t pack in VC.
They looked at many options. First they tried to work out something in cold treatment, in which fruit is kept at 33 degrees for 18 days to kill potential larvae. But it was too expensive
Another alternative was fumigation by methyl bromide.
“All of the options were too expensive, or not available, except for juicing. So we started to do that and sell the juice,” says Mrs. Polito.
Eventually they started to run out of product to sell, “and we really needed to sell our beautiful stuff at Betsworth.”
Then a man came along from a company called Surebeam Corp. and offered the Polito family a new option: irradiation.
Irradiation is a remarkably simple and easy process that takes an hour at the special plant in Vernon. The fruit is bathed in gamma rays or by X-rays, which kills anything living in it, but doesn’t make the fruit radioactive.
Bob Polito, the son of Dr. Robert Polito and Rose Polito, manages the family farms. He took some of their fruit to the Surebeam plant in Vernon, which is near Los Angeles, and ran it through the process.
But, despite the fact that the FDA had approved of this method of killing germs, the California Dept. of Food & Agriculture and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture weren’t ready to approve it for treating fruit in this instance. No protocol had yet been worked out for its use.
Mrs. Polito decided to camp out at the quarantine project trailers off Valley Center & Cole Grade Roads.
She took photos of the process to the men in charge and asked, “Why can’t we do something with this beautiful fruit that we have?”
When John Blasius, the man in charge of the CDFA mission here, and Mike Hennisey, his opposite number with the USDA, saw that the Politos were really serious, they started to work with them to make the procedure work.
According to Mrs. Polito, “They brought one of the bigwigs down from Sacramento. They really went out of their way, including getting approval from Washington and then Sacramento. They had to write a protocol from scratch. They wrote and rewrote it and it was finally approved.”
To meet the newly minted protocols the Politos had to “fly proof” their barn by putting special netting over it and over the tightly fitting doors.
Another requirement was to put the fruit in special boxes that were only available from Hawaii. The boxes aren’t special in any way except that they don’t have air holes. They are plain cardboard boxes, but they are the only boxes approved by the USDA.
Then the Politos had to make arrangements for CDFA inspectors to come in and sample about 1% of the fruit as it was being shipped.
Inspectors take the fruit, cut it open, and check for infestation.
Out of every box of mandarins they examine four or five fruit. Out of every box of grapefruit, they will take one.
Once this process is completed the fruit is loaded into a “fly proof truck,” which is sealed.
Then the truck is driven to Surebeam’s Vernon operation and met by USDA inspectors.
At the Surebeam operation the truck pulls onto a dock and is enveloped by pneumatic doors.
Six hours after leaving Valley Center the Polito family truck arrives back to their facility outside of the quarantine. From there they are transported to to several farmer’s markets in Los Angeles, Coronado, Pacific Beach and Corona del Mar.
Despite all this bureaucratic folderol, the Politos have managed to stay in business and to even make a profit on their irradiated fruit.
Whether other farmers will be able to do what the Politos have done is unknown. Currently the only boxes approved for the process are in Hawaii.
Also, many experts say that irradiation does not work well on avocados, which is one of the main crops in the quarantine area.
The triumph of the Politos was a combination of not giving up, refusing to be a victim, and recognizing an opportunity when it presented itself.
As Mrs. Polito says, “When you’re drowning and floundering and someone throws you a line, you grab it. You don’t ask where is the line from, what it is made of or will it work. You grab it.”
Meantime, other farms struggle to live with the quarantine, which is unlikely to be lifted before this fall.
Committee releases Western Days schedule
The schedule for the Western Days Stampede has been released by the Western Days Committee.
The schedule is as follows:
Thursday, May 22
5 p.m. TBD (to be determined) VC Outlaws robberies and shootouts (throughout VC).
Friday, May 23
5 p.m. TBD VC Outlaws robberies and shootouts (throughout VC).
5 p.m. Western Days Festival - VC Community Center opens.
5-9 p.m. - Honorary Mayor’s Race Showdown (VC Community Center).
5-8 p.m. Rodeo Family Fun Night (VC Rodeo Grounds).
7 p.m.—midnight. Live Entertainment & Dancing (VC Community Center) - The Shake Band.
Saturday, May 24
7-10 a.m.Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast (VC Old Town Center).
9:30 a.m.—noon. VC Road Closures.
10 am. - noon Parade (VC Road).
10 a.m. – 5 p.m Western Days Festival - VC Community Center (Children’s Booths, Exhibits, Rides, Vendors, Food).
11:30 a.m.—10 p.m. Home-steaders 4-H Club, barbecue, (VC Community Center).
1:30-2:30 p.m. Ribbon & Trophy Ceremony for Parade (VC Community Center).
2 p.m.VC Rodeo Grounds Open (Vendors, Food Booths, Exhibits).
2:30-6:45 p.m. Live Entertainment & Dancing (VC Community Center) - TBD.
4 p.m. Rodeo Opening Ceremonies (VC Rodeo Grounds).
4:15- 6:45 p.m. Rodeo (VC Rodeo Grounds).
7 p.m.-1 a.m. Live Entertainment and Dancing (VC Community Center) - Working Cowboy Band.
Sunday, May 25
8-11 a.m. Lions Club Pancake Breakfast (VC Community Center).
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Western Days Festival-VC Community Center (Children’s Rides, Vendors, Food Booths, and Exhibits).
Noon-6 p.m. Live Bluegrass Entertainment (VC Community Center).
Noon p.m. VC Rodeo Grounds Open (Vendors, Food Booths, Exhibits).
2 p.m. Rodeo Opening Ceremonies (VC Rodeo Grounds)
2:15-4:45 p.m. - Rodeo (VC Rodeo Grounds)
7 p.m. – midnight.. Live Entertainment and Dancing (VC Community Center) - Ranch Rockers
TICKET INFORMATION:
Festival Admission (VC Community Center): Friday or Sunday - Free; Saturday - $3 for adults (Free if wearing 2003 Western Days T-Shirt), Free for ages 10/under.
VC Rodeo Grounds Admission: Saturday or Sunday - $8 pre-sale, $10 at gate for adults, Free for ages 5/under. Saturday VIP - $25.
Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast: $6.50 for adults, $5 for ages 3-12, Free for ages 2/under.
Homesteaders 4-H Club barbecue: $7.50 for adults, $6 for ages 12/under.
Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast: $5 for adults, $3 for ages 10/under (all you can eat).
2003 Western Days T-Shirt: $10.
Valley View Casino has donated $10,000 to the Valley Center Western Days set for the Memorial Day Weekend.
Valley View Casino is owned and operated by the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians.
“We are so excited that Valley View Casino is helping us again this year with a significant contribution. It truly is a pleasure to see that a major business in Valley Center realizes how important it is to give back to the community", said VC Honorary Mayor Tom Bumgardner. “Valley View Casino has always stepped up to the plate whenever we have needed help, and for that we truly thank them.”
San Pasqual Chairman Allen Lawson commented, “It has long been our goal to become deeply involved in the fabric of the community. We live and work here too, and the success of Valley Center is critical to the success of our enterprise.”
The $10,000 donation will provide the funds for stages, lighting, entertainment and much more during Western Days. They are also providing volunteers and transportation from the casino and other parking areas.
Nicky Lovejoy, President of Valley Center Chamber of Commerce said, “It is a pleasure to work with the Valley View Casino team and the San Pasqual Tribe. They have always jumped in to help. They have volunteered their time and money to a very worthwhile cause.”
By DAVID ROSS
The VC Planning Group April 8 will look at possible modifications of the GP2020 map as it has been presented by the County Dept. of Planning & Land Use.
The meeting will be April 9, 7 p.m. at the VC middle school.
At the March meeting of the VC planning group, Chairman Larry Glavinic urged that the group try to change things about the map that the majority doesn’t like.
“This board has been taking a defensive position. Other communities have taken a more proactive approach.. I think we should take a more proactive approach and tell them what we think is best. Not just ho hum and say this is good and final the way it is,” he said.
Planner Rich Rudolf said he wanted to wait to take a position on the map until the County deals with the issue of the Country Town, which, he said, “leaves a big hole.”
Planner Ron Adair said, “The County is following the concept of ‘smart growth,’ which doesn’t really fit in Valley Center because we don’t have the infrastructure.” Planning high density in the County Town is “fruitless because it’s not developable,” he said.
Design Review
The group unanimously approved the nomination of Lael Montgomery to represent the group on the VC Design Review Board. The Chamber of Commerce has submitted Leon Schwartz’s name as its nomination.
If both names are approved by the Board of Supervisors the board will be back up to its full strength of five members.
Land Use Items
The group approved the following:
• A second dwelling unit (mobile home) on 5.36 acres on Cool Valley Road.
• A minor subdivision on Alps Way of 12.66 acres, owned by Bruce Tebbs, into three lots with the elimination of off-site road improvements.
• A subdivision of 8.14 acres on Betsworth owned by Jim Johnson into three lots.
Beck Development
The group spent quite awhile discussing the proposed Beck development specific plan of 274 acres into 51 lots. The property is between Pauma View Drive and Pauma Heights Road and while it is within the VC planning group, it can be seen by residents of the Pauma Valley Country Club.
Carol Prime, chairman of the subcommittee discussed some of the development’s features, including the fact that 76% of the land will remain in cultivated groves and that the lots will range from 2-20 acres.
Major concerns are traffic and safety, visual impact, agricultural impact and hydrology.
She noted that 123 people (mostly members of the country club) signed a petition that echoed these same concerns. Most of them are worried about seeing a development above them. She urged that this petition be forwarded to the County as part of the planning group’s initial reaction to the plan.
The developer, Harlan Beck, has agreed to address most of the concerns, she said.
Many of the reports on the project are not finished, and the county Dept. of Planning & Land Use felt it would be premature for the group to take a position on the project. But it did want the concerns stated.
Members of the Country Club have had ten meetings with Beck.
Planner Robert Hancock commented that a lot of the people who signed the petition couldn’t even see the development.
“The country club is dictating to the VC planning group what a project in our territory is going to look like. . . . It just seems like this goes a long way toward catering to the residents of the country club when in my mind they have a limited voice in opposing this project since they are not in our boundaries and we don’t pass judgment on their projects.”
Planner Lael Montgomery, who also signed the petition, commented that most of the people impacted by the project are in Pauma. “This is public input and all we are doing is presenting the input of the community,” she said.
Mrs. Prime added, “I would hate to shut off their voice and raise greater concerns.”
Director Mel Schuler said, “If getting 123 signatures causes the County to create an added cost to the developer, especially when the people aren’t even in our area, I would see a problem in adding credibility to it.” He added, “How many members of our community, as opposed to Pauma Valley, are concerned about this project?”
Mrs. Prime countered that the report was created by the subcommittee and the subcommittee members do live in Valley Center. She said she didn’t think it was all that controversial and that the controversial items had been addressed.
“I think it’s important not to disenfranchise our neighbors,” said Rudolf. “What we are supposed to do is listen to the concerns of the public [no matter where they live].”
Glavinic said he thought it was “nuts” for the group to include comments about hydrology and storm water since there are ordinances in place that address those things.
After considerable discussions the group agreed to a report that includes many of the concerns raised by the neighbors, but leaves out any reference to the petition.
Parliamentarian
The group voted to create the post of parliamentarian and to elect Craig Adams to the post.
“I think we need a parliamentarian, someone who can beat us up and say you’re out of order,” said Glavinic.
Rich Rudolf, Lael Montgomery and Carol Prime were opposed to creating the position.
Nominations
Nominations subcommittee Chairman Eric Laventure reported that nine resumes have been received for two vacancies on the planning group.
The group will vote on them at the April 14 meeting.
Exotic Newcastle Disease has been found on a third Armstrong egg ranch, this one on MacTan.
Nancy Armstrong, owner of the Armstrong egg ranches last week confirmed to The Roadrunner that the seventh farm in San Diego County to test positive for the disease was one belonging to her family.
Other farms in VC where the disease has been found are the Gross Ranch on Cole Grade Road, the Fluegge Egg Ranch on Twain Way and the Ward Egg Ranch on Fruitvale. The disease was first discovered in San Diego County in Ramona last December.
Nearly 20 backyard chicken ranches throughout the county have also been identified.
The Armstrongs have had to destroy chickens on two other farms, one on Cole Grade and another on Lilac.
Mrs. Armstrong talked about the challenges of dealing with the chicken-killing plague.
“We do everything we can do to prevent it. We don’t really know where it’s coming from. Nowadays all chickens are routinely checked. The government has a lot of control over what we do, over how we feed our birds.”
The disease is spread through the mucus or feces of birds that are infected with it.
The government even takes charge once the disease is discovered. Inspectors take over the operation until the birds are “euthanized.”
This third ranch Armstrong ranch to be hit had about 56,000 birds on it, but, according to Mrs. Armstrong, they were hens towards the end of their productive lives.
Although farmers are reimbursed for a fraction of the birds’ value, Mrs. Armstrong says, “You wouldn’t wish it upon your worst enemy. It’s kind of a scary thing because you don’t know where it ends.”
The Armstrongs have a total of six ranches.
So far, nearly 500,000 infected chickens in San Diego County have been killed.
The Humane Society plans to open the first cat park in the county on land across the street from VC Community Hall.
The cat park, totally devoted to felines, will include a sand box the size of an olympic swimming pool, and a ten foot tall scratching center made with a variety of woods.
Cat owners will be able to walk their cats at the end of leashes or let them loose to roll and frolic in the sun.
Humane Society officials are planning to ask for donations of fish so that they can create a koi pool for the cats’ amusement and, eventually a lorakeet/feline encounter aviary.
On Saturdays staffers from the County Dept. of Animal Services will sell cat licenses, which have been required for all cats since the beginning of the year.
Cat licenses, which must be renewed annually, cost $45. Any cat seen on public streets without a cat license will be cited. Three or more citations will result in the cat being confiscated and put to sleep.
April Fool.
The Valley Roadrunner
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