The VC Planning Group at its May meeting voted to endorse keeping a road open between Valley Center and Hidden Meadows.
Although the group shied away from calling for the County taking over the controversial Cougar Pass, it voted 9-5 to support keeping open some sort of road between the two communities.
Brandon Cesmat, a Meadows resident who is the spokesman for the Open Cougar Pass Coalition, told planners that the two communities have used Cougar Pass for over a century.
Cougar Pass became an issue for most residents in March when the owner of land over which a VC Municipal Water District has an easement, John Braman, decided to post gates over the dirt road that had been used for decades.
He was sued by the Open Cougar Pass Coalition, which also sued the VC water district and the San Diego County Water Authority. The group was unable to get a judge to grant a temporary restraining order to reopen the gates. It still has the option to continue with its lawsuit.
In the meantime, County Supervisor Bill Horn has come forward with a possible solution to problem: Using an obscure 1866 federal law that might allow the County to take the easement for a public right of way.
Cesmat asked the planners to urge the County to go forward with this process.
Cesmat told the planners that the closed gate is a safety issue if someone on either side of the gate has to seek medical attention. He said that it would also increase the traffic through the traffic calmed area of Old Castle Road.
Planning Chairman Larry Glavinic said he has spoken to the chairman of the Meadows Sponsor Group, Thomas Francl and was told that they have not yet taken a position on the road closure.
He noted that the VC planning group has long called for some road to connect the two communities. “Cougar Pass is not what we would like to be the ultimate road,” he said.
Planner Craig Adams commented, “Most of us have become more aware of this because there are kids who once had a twenty minute drive and now have to drive forty minutes. The main reason it’s used is by parents taking kids to and from school.”
Planner Jim Yerdon added, “There were two roads there for many years and now they are both closed. We’d like to see the county or the federal government solve this problem for everyone."
Planner Rich Rudolf argued against the group interjecting itself into the issue while a court case was still active.
He pointed out that the planning group had previously asked the Board of Supervisors to bring a road connecting the two communities through on Mirar De Valle. “There’s a lot that we don’t know and we don’t need to get into this.”
Glavinic added, “We’re looking at some real circulation issues in our communities and politicians want to know what people want. At least they will know that this community is interested. If we say nothing we get nothing.”
Planner Mel Schuler commented, “I’d be the last person to say it’s a safe road. It’s a horrible road, frankly and I wouldn’t advise anyone to use it, but if Caltrans can fix it up, we should urge them to do it.”
Planner Robert Hancock moved to approve a resolution supporting reopening the pass.
“I think it’s in the best interests of both communities to keep the road open. Right now we need something and that road has been used for one hundred years.”
A modified resolution called for the reopening of the pass, but only as an interim solution.
“How can we not support this?” said Yerdon. “We’ve been saying we support this for years.
Each spring for 20 years the Dos Valles Garden Club has made Civic Beautification Awards to the two finalists who have shown outstanding new landscaping or who have carefully maintained existing frontage.
These awards go to businesses or offices on the major roads, such as Valley Center Road, Lilac and Cole Grade.
These plantings help make Valley Center the pleasant environment we all appreciate.
Last year the Valley Center Courtyard and the Sheriff’s Station on North Lake Wohlford were the winners. The photos above show the creativity and care that went into these visual treats. The winners receive a wall certificate and an outdoor sign as well as a thank you at the Garden Club Annual Picnic in Adams Park; this year scheduled for June 10 at 12:30 p.m.
The Awards Committee has selected eight finalists for 2003 from which the two winners will be selected: VC Community Center, Valley Center Nursery, Old Town Center, Valley Center Library, St. Stephen’s Church, Roadrunner, Wohlford Sheriff’s Station, and Valley Center Insurance.
Faced with declining grant revenue and a projected deficit of $250,000 for fiscal year 2003, Bell Gardens Farm is making major cuts in its operations.
Last week staff members were notified of a 20% reduction in pay and working hours across the board effective June 1.
Additional changes, including hours of operation, amount of acreage farmed, and number of school groups accommodated, will be determined at a later date and made effective July 1.
Bell Gardens Farm’s transition to a public nonprofit organization occurred at a time when stock market declines and a general economic recession have cut deeply into foundation endowments and corporate profits, inhibiting the ability of foundations to support new organizations.
In addition, the farm’s two in-house sources of revenue - the roadside market and educational programs - have been affected by the Mexican Fruit Fly infestation and impending school budget cuts.
Finally, zoning restrictions hamper farm operations by limiting the kinds of activities that can take place on the property and the kinds of products sold in the market. The farm is also unable to charge an admission or entrance fee.
According to Barbara Karle, Executive Director of the farm, “Everything is on the table including the train. Although this year will be tough, next year will be much worse when the farm will shrink fifty percent in order to stay within its current budget.
“We will need to rely much more on volunteers than we currently do to help with everything from pulling weeds to educating kids.”
The 115-acre Bell Gardens Farm is a not–for-profit charitable organization. It is the mission of Bell Gardens Farm to promote a sustainable future through responsible farming, agriculture and resource preservation.
By teaching how and why crops are cultivated and harvested, and the ways in which these practices impact our shared quality of life, Bell Gardens Farm encourages healthy diet, environmental awareness, and educational experiences. For more information on the mission and operation of Bell Gardens Farm, log onto
http://www.bellgardensfarm.com or call (760) 749-6297
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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