March 2, 2005 - Top Stories
It is very nearly the wettest year since they have been keeping records in San Diego County or in Valley Center.
If it rains much more before summer it WILL BE the rainiest season in history.
Locally, you’ll get different measurements of how much wet stuff has fallen depending on what microclimate you inhabit.
We decided to ask the folks at the VC Municipal Water District how much rain has fallen in VC this year.
After all, they keep very close track of the rain since every drop that falls is a little bit of money that they don’t collect.
On the other hand, if it’s TOO DRY, then they don’t have enough water to sell.
So, like the little bear of the story, the water district wants some rain that is “just right.”
Since April 1, 2004, the start of the water year, we have had 29.29 inches of rain. Since July 1, 2004, we have recorded 28.87 inches of rain.
In the last three complete months(November, December, January) we have had 14.42 inches of rain.
To date for February, 2005, we have had 6.33 inches, and that looks like where we will wind up for February.
The water district staff calls the wastewater treatment plant that is going up on the Woods Valley Ranch development “Big Blue.”
Some of the neighbors may think of it as “Big Pheu!” But they may not know that the plant, which even VC Municipal Water District Gen. Mgr. Gary Arant agrees is not a thing of beauty, is only a temporary facility. It won’t be an eyesore forever.
“Big Blue” is the 50,000 gallons per day interim wastewater treatment plant for the Woods Valley Ranch Development.
The water district is in the process of bringing it on line, and should have it fully operational by the end of March, Arant told The Roadrunner this week.
Currently, the effluent is being run through the plant, treated and then trucked to another treatment plant for final treatment.
When the interim plant is fully on line, the tertiary treated effluent will be used to irrigate the Woods Valley Ranch Golf Course.
This spring, construction will start on the 70,000 gpd permanent plant. The design of the permanent plant has been through the local planning group and the County Dept. of Planning & Land Use.
The permanent plant will have architectural treatments on the structures and masonry walls and landscaping to screen much of it from view.
“We are also studying the possibility of expanding that plant up to 150,000 gpd, or beyond to serve surrounding developments and properties,” said Arant.
Once the permanent plant is completed and fully on line, “Big Blue” will be trucked off to serve another development on an interim basis.
The plant will serve the Woods Valley development, a gated community of 270 country residences on 430 acres that includes an 18-hole championship golf course that has not yet opened permanently.
By DAVID ROSS
In the past few years it has taken several minutes longer, on the average, for VC fire units to respond to emergencies in the center part of town.
In 2001 the average response time was 6.5 minutes. In 2002 the average time was 8.3 minutes. In 2003 the average was 9.5 minutes and in 2004 the average was 11.4 minutes.
In 2004 a total of 1091 incidents occurred. Of them, 52% were within the area where the district’s goal is to be able to respond within ten minutes. Forty percent were in the 10-15 minute response time zone with 8% over 15 minutes.
Some areas of town within the 84 sq. mile district take over 30 minutes.
There are three fire stations within VC, including one on Cole Grade next to the school complex, one at the corner of Lilac & Valley Center Roads, and one at the corner of N. Lake Wohlford & Valley Center Roads.
Many reasons exist for the increased response times, Chief Kevin O’Leary told the fire board Thursday.
Factors that may effect response times include:
• Increased vehicle traffic.
• Additional signals.
• Road construction.
• Older traffic signals without opti-cons scanner systems.
• Gates on private roads.
• Dirt roads impacted by recent rains.
• New developments outside of the five minute response zone (which is in the center of town).
• Additional schools.
• Personnel changes.
• Inadequate map books.
• Missing road signs and addresses.
• Field units outside of their first due response areas.
• Multiple incidents.
Of these factors, the chief said he believe that increased traffic caused by visitors to local casinos to be the greatest.
Second in impact was more schools that have been built in recent years. “Whenever you put in a school you are going to see increased traffic,” said O’Leary. “Anyone who travels on Cole Grade or Valley Center Road during peak travel times and school start/stop times can see the impact the traffic has had on our responses. Units responding in these areas for the safety of all concerns must reduce speed limits.”
The problem with unpaved road should decrease in the future since the fire board has adopted a code that does not allow unpaved roads for future developments.
The problem with personnel has developed because most reserve firefighters do not live in the community and spend a minimum of three days here a month.
“Basic training is provided by experience and familiarity with the community cannot be replaced with such limited exposure to our roadways,” O’Leary noted.
A study showed that it takes an average of 56 seconds for paid fire personnel to look up addresses. The average time for a reserve firefighter to look up an address is 110 seconds. CDF seasonal firefighters take 65 seconds.
According to the chief, the district could see the following if no changes are made to current staffing and procedures:
• Increased death rates to citizens with critical illnesses and injuries.
• Increased citizen costs and hospital stays for citizens with critical illnesses and injuries.
• Increased criticism of the fire district by the community.
• Increased fire losses.
• Possible increase in the death rate of citizens involved in fire emergencies.
Solutions
Chief O’Leary offered the following solutions to deal with the problem:
• Increase full time staffing on each engine company in the very near future.
Experienced personnel could locate addresses faster and provide for increased safety during responses, said the chief.
• Add an additional fire apparatus engineer since the reserve program is having major difficulty covering required shifts.
• Eventually add a district fire chief “to provide the board detailed reports on issues and trends prior to negative results to customers. Until then have the current chief work with the new district administrator and fire marshal by centralizing administrative staff in one location. Bring back to the board new directives to stem the tide of increase response times.
• Open and staff a fire station on Cole Grade Road by 2006. This will make up for the fact that the CDF station will be moving to Vesper Road, which will increase the response times on the Cole Grade area.
The Valley Center Parks & Recreation District in conjunction with the Valley Center Arts Assn. has announced the eighth Annual Art & Music Festival to be held at VC Community Center on Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Planning meetings are being held on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at VC Community Hall. Volunteers are still needed to plan this event.
“Last year’s event was such a huge success, we have established a tradition,” said Joyce Johnson, general manager. “Although our budget at this date is smaller than last year, we wanted to make sure we continued the event again this year. Our theme for this year’s festival is ‘Through the Years’ with music from the 20’s, 30’s,…all the way through the 60’s and 70’s. Melissa Hague Entertainment, who arranged the musical groups last year, is working with us once again to present an outstanding lineup of entertainers. We are still selecting musical talent for performances and workshops.”
The Art Association will send packets to area schools for the Youth Art Show. This is a judged event with ribbon prizes awarded for a variety of categories.
This year’s festival will also include an art show in the hall and the very popular display, exhibits and artwork for sale by the Artists on the Grass.
Over 30 local and regional artists participated in last year’s event.
A wide variety of food vendors are also being solicited for the enjoyment of all our visitors. Last year, over 1,800 visitors attended this event.
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are still available. For additional information, or to receive an informational packet about our event, call the Parks & Rec at 749-8852 during business hours.
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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