May 24, 2006 - Top Stories
"I'm happy to be here today. I'm happy to be anywhere today!" joked Supervisor Bill Horn Thursday morning as he MC'd the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 2 of the VC Road work that will impact our lives until December of 2008. Horn was referring to the car accident several days previously in which he was slightly injured, but came close to losing his life - something which did happen to a passenger in the car that his car collided with.
It was a poignant moment in what was otherwise a pretty routine event, another of the milestones along the way for the widening of Valley Center Road. Typically such events consist of County officials patting themselves on the back and acknowledging the efforts of people and monetary contributions who are connected in some way with the project. This one was no different.
Horn, who is Board of Supervisors chairman this year, noted that the second phase of the project will improve nearly four miles of road, from the end of Phase 1, south of Ridge Ranch Road, all the way to Cole Grade Road.
Although the total project won't be finished until the end of 2008, sections in the business area will be completed earlier:
- Woods Valley Road to Old Road will be finished in the Fall of 2007.
- The Cole Grade Business area will be finished in the Spring of 2007.The newly widened road will have four lanes, with a striped or raised landscaped median, bike lanes and pathways, including some enhanced pathways with lodge pole fencing.
He explained that the County is working with San Diego Gas & Electric Co., AT&T and MediaCom to underground the overhead utility lines along the four miles. This will cost those companies a total of $3.5 million. He also recognized the VC Municipal Water District, which will be replacing 40-year old water mains that run along the roadwork. The district was represented by engineer Wally Grabbe. This will cost VCMWD $4.2 million. He also acknowledge Archer Western Contractors, contracted to build this section of the road for $34.1 million. They have already begun work.
Two others besides Horn spoke, including Joe Navarro, CEO/president of the San Pasqual Casino Development Group, and Larry Glavinic, vice chairman of the VC Planning Group. The Rincon tribe has provided over $2 million of the cost of the road. San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians, which is providing $6 million for the project, was to have sent its Chairman Allen Lawson, but he wasn't able to make it.
Horn acknowledged that without the contributions of the tribes that the road probably wouldn't have the funding to be completed this soon. "Soon," of course, is a relative term, as Glavinic pointed out. When he first moved to Valley Center, 20 years ago, he was told that a high school, road widening and a senior center, were all in the pipeline to be completed "soon."
"Two out of three isn't bad. We're still waiting for the senior center. It's an election year, maybe we ought to talk to supervisor Horn about that!" Glavinic joked.
The grand marshal for Saturday's parade, longtime resident and motocross champion, Brett Helms, was announced this week, just in time to say 'ready, set, go!' for VC's biggest party of the year, Western Days.
This community-wide event is whooping and hollerin' our way, with four days of fun planned for the Memorial Day weekend (if you count Monday, when the carnival will still be going on).
For a complete schedule of events, be sure to look in your mailbox for Celebrate Memorial Weekend in Valley Center.
The event actually kicked off on Sunday with the Vaqueros’ Old Timers Show that happened in Aerie Park. You’ll also sniff gunpowder in the air in the days leading to the event as the VC Posse starts having shoot-outs around town the week leading up to the 3-day event Memorial Weekend which falls on May 26, 27 & 28.
Helms, 40, told The Roadrunn er, “Valley Center is my favorite place I've ever been and being asked to be the Grand Marshal is a complete honor. It's exciting and humbling.” Helms is known for his international riding, especially in Mexico. He is currently leading first place, with an 18 point spread for the Baja 500, one of the largest races in the world. After a 15 year hiatus, to raise a family, he recently placed 8th in the March San Felipe 250 pro class, with co-rider of record and “Wheelie King of Escondido,” Jimmy Ralins. He has been a test track racer in Carlsbad for 15 years. Additionally, Helms has been a past Grand Prix winner in Mexico, several times over. In the later 1980s he established himself as a celebrity in the motocross industry, and has been building momentum since.
You can read more about him elsewhere in the paper.
Friday
Opening Day at VC Community Center begins Friday at 5 p.m. with the Honorary Mayor’s Race Showdown. Food and commercial vendor booths will open at that time. The mechanical bull ride is set to go. Gates will open to the beer garden and live music & dancing set the evening in full swing.
The crowd will dance to Moon Dance, which performs R&B, blues & classic rock well into the night.
The new Honorary Mayor (either Left Eddie or LaVonne Johnson) will be announced at 9 p.m.
The carnival will have rides for all ages. It will be open at noon adjacent to VC Community Center for the early birds.Saturday
Saturday morning begins bright and early with the Rotary Club Pancake breakfast held in the Towne Center parking lot (corner of Valley Center & Cole Grade Roads).
After breakfast everyone stakes out a spot along Valley Center Road to await the start of the parade.The Parade
The parade runs from about 10 a.m. - noon., with Brett Helms in the position of honor.
Note: For the most up-to-date lineup of the parade, see the ad on page A4.
Besides the grand marshal, Western Days Parade Guests of Honor include, Alan Goldie, Ralph Finisterre, Tony Kopec and Dawn Bradley. They are part of “No Quarters Given Bucanneers.” Each is directly from a major studio production, Treasure Island filmed at both Pikake Gardens and Oakvale Bar and Grill, locations here in Valley Center.You can read more about them elsewhere in the paper.The staging areas this year will be as follows:
Gate 1. Green/All equestrian — Located at Martin Gang Ranch on Cole Grade Road, north from the elementary school parking lot. All your signs will be green.
Gate 2. Purple/Autos — Classes V1 through V3. The first driveway on the right side of Cole Grade Road going north from Valley Center Road. All your signs will be purple.
Gate 3. Yellow/All other non-equestrian — Classes A through L. Enter at School Drive Way (stoplight) off Cole Grade Road. All your signs will be yellow.
Gate 4. White/Shriner parade units — Al Bahr Shrine. Line up in proper order on the right hand side of Cole Grade Road. The Al Bahr transport vehicles should be parked behind Fat Ivor’s and driven to the staging area, at Valley Center and S. Cole Grade Roads. All your signs should be white.Suggested detours:
Northbound – Woods Valley east (right) from Valley Center Road to Lake Wohlford. Then north (left) on Lake Wohlford to Valley Center Road. West (left) on Valley Center Road to Mac Tan. Mac Tan north (right) to Fruitvale. Fruitvale west (left) to Cole Grade, north (right) on Cole Grade which will connect with Highway 76 in Pauma Valley.
Southbound – Cole Grade to Fruitvale, east (left) on Fruitvale to Mac Tan. Mac Tan south (right) to Valley Center Road. Valley Center Road east (left) to Lake Wohlford. Lake Wohlford south (right) to Woods Valley. Woods Valley right (right) to Valley Center Road or continue down Lake Wohlford past the Lake to the intersection of Valley Center Road at the bottom of the grade.Vendors, exhibits, demos
At the conclusion of the parade, the festivities will shift to VC Community Center where there will be vendors, food booths, exhibits, demonstrations, a mechanical bull ride, a carnival with rides for all ages and live music/dancing.
While you’re there you may be tempted by the savory odors of the Homesteaders 4-H Barbecue.The dinner will be held Saturday from noon-5 p.m. This sit down dinner includes slow cooked pit barbecue beef and pork served with beans & fixin’s prepared and cooked by 4-H members and parents. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children. They are available from Homesteader 4-H Club members and will be sold at the door. Proceeds go to help support 4-H projects and events.
Remember, entry into the Community Center on Saturday is $3 for ages 11 & up or FREE if you are wearing a 2006 Western Days T-shirt.
Parking will be across from the Community Center.
A parade Ribbon & Trophy Ceremony will be at 1:30 p.m. and a Marshal’s Posse showdown will be at 2:30 p.m.
The Beer Garden, of course, will be open and ready.
Live music on Saturday will feature a variety from country to classic rock to R&B and blues.
The Runnin’ Kind Band will perform during the day and The Joe Vegas Band will perform Saturday night.Sunday
Sunday’s events opens with the Lion’s Club Pancake breakfast. The carnival, food and vendor booths will continue. This year the mechanical bull will still be there for those who didn’t get enough on Friday or Saturday.
Karaoke will be hosted by Pete Pattynama of Star Performance. There will also be a karaoke contest, but with a twist. It doesn’t matter how well you sing, it matters how often you sing. Every time you get on stage you will receive a ticket that will go into a drum and at the end of the day 11 winners will be drawn.
You could win $25–$200, or a one-night stay at Pala Casino & Resort with dinner for two at Mama’s Cucina Italiana. The more you sing, the greater your chances of winning.
For those who need a little help getting on stage, the beer garden will be open.Monday
The carnival will also be open on Monday for those who can’t get enough!
Memorial Weekend brings the Valley Center Stampede Rodeo, sure to bring food and fun for everyone. The rodeo begins Friday night. Sponsored by Valley View Casino, Countrywide Home Loans, Aggregate Supply, KSON-FM 97.3 and 92.1, Hawthorne Machinery, Peltzer Plumbing, Jack Powell Chrysler and Dodge, and several others, the VC Optimists and VC Rodeo Committee are presenting this year’s Stampede Rodeo.
Opening things up will be the flag ceremony performed by newly crowned 2006 Rodeo Queen Miss Kohlby Rockenmacher and her court as well as announcer Doc Boene, and rodeo clown Mike Hayhurst.
The gates open on Friday at 5 p.m. with the rodeo at 7 p.m. Grab a seat and watch locals from around the county compete in Mutton Bustin’, Calf Roping, Women’s Breakaway, Chute Dogging, Team Roping, Broncs, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding.
Directly following the rodeo is a country-dance with Hillbilly Noise providing the music. Stick around once the arena events are over and cut a rug with your sweetheart.
Saturday gates open at 2 p.m. with the VIP dinner following at 3 p.m. (tickets are $25). The rodeo will begin at 4 p.m. with the same events in their second round.
The dance will begin around 7 p.m. featuring the Working Cowboy Band with a $5 cover charge.
Jag’s Grill & Spirits will cater the Saturday-only VIP section. (Buy your tickets early—this section may sell out.) Jag’s Grill & Spirits, Kettle Korn, California Quivers, Wrangler Pit Barbecue will also serve their fare to the rodeo patrons. Budweiser and Coca Cola products will be available as well. The VC Optimists are running the beer garden this year.
Volunteers are always needed and appreciated. If you can volunteer this year, call Joyce Holmes as soon as possible.
The Rodeo Committee will present a scholarship to two high school seniors who will be volunteering at the rodeo.
Tickets are available in advance for $10 at Boot Barn (Oceanside, Temecula and Kearny Mesa), at Elston Hay and Grain in Ramona and Poway at Hawthorne Country Store and Cowgirlz in Escondido and in Valley Center at Krueger Realty and Terry’s Hay and Grain or at the gate for $12.
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The Valley Center Stampede Rodeo is an event sponsored by the VC Rodeo Committee and VC Optimist Club. It is held at Bates Nut Farm during Memorial Day Weekend and is unconnected with VC Western Days.
Questions? Call 760-244-4646.
Dan Branstine says he’s got the education and experience to effectively represent the 66th Assembly District in Sacramento.
Branstine, a candidate for the Republican nomination, is a resident of Murrieta. An attorney for 16 years, he specializes in business and real estate. He’s also a horse owner and loves equestrian activities. He and his wife, Lisa, have a daughter.
Branstine has a solid list of civic affiliations. He’s a member of the Temecula Chamber of Commerce, of the National Republican Lawyers Assn. and is a former program chairman for the Temecula Rotary Club. He is also a member of the Riverside Republican Lincoln Club, a group of Republican businessmen.
“I have the local government experience that my opponents lack: I’ve been mayor of Lakewood, California, assistant city attorney of Palm Springs. One of my opponents Kevin Jeffries, only has minor board experience. Another, Steve Adams, is a city council member. But he just got elected two years ago and I think he should fill out that term before he runs for something else,” says Branstine.
The Roadrunner asked Branstine the question it asks all aspiring politicians: Why are you running?
“I think I have the education and qualifications to make a difference. I think we have assemblymen and state senators up there in Sacramento who lack both,” he said.
“Today, with the budget over $100 billion and a legislature that passes every statute from those that govern the corner barbershop to larger corporations, it’s important to have individuals that understand the impact of those statutes on businesses.”
California, he says, is daily losing businesses and jobs to states like Utah and Nevada. “Typically, when you ask businesses why they are leaving or shutting down and taking those jobs out of California, the response is usually overregulation, overtaxation and ridiculous lawsuits. One would expect the response to be that labor is cheaper outside the state but that isn’t the driving factor. The state legislature can reduce the burden on businesses in the state in order to keep them here.”
That’s his most important issue, says the candidate. The second most important is illegal immigration.
“This is both a federal and state issue,” he says. “Realistically, the federal government has the authority and jurisdiction to enforce the borders. Its failure to do so has a direct and dramatic effect on California’s budget. Thus it becomes a state issue in that respect.” An estimated $9 billion or about 10% of the state’s $100 billion is going to “educate, provide health care and prisons for illegal immigrants. This is a problem that must be stopped,” he says. It consumes resources that could go to improve the state’s infrastructure, schools, community colleges and universities, he says.
He would deal with this in two ways: 1) “Curtail state provided benefits to illegals to the extent that you can legally do so. 2) Be another voice among the elected officials to secure our borders.”
“We can’t afford open borders from a national security standpoint or from a fiscal responsibility standpoint,” he says.
Asked about the $36 billion bond that the governor has proposed, he says, “I oppose most public bonds because I think they are a form of double taxation. With an existing $100 billion budget we should be able to pay for essential services in this state. What happens is that because we spend all of the money on things other than high priority items we get bond measures to support things that we would really like to see built.”
He points to Prop. 81, a bond to raise $600 million for libraries. “I’m a huge proponent of public libraries. This $600 million bond is on the ballot because libraries are popular. It may pass and yet its true cost is not only the $600 million which is general fund money. Taxpayers will also spend $570 million in interest. For that reason I call it double taxation.
“If you look at the governor’s $37.3 billion bond, which is identified for things we need such as roads, what the taxpayers don’t need is to spend a like amount on interest. Inevitably the state will be forced to raise taxes to pay the bonds.”
Closer to home, “One key thing is to keep a balanced quality of life. In North San Diego County that’s a continuing concern.
“As an assemblyman I would oppose state mandates that require cities or towns to build low income apartments,” he says.
He would like to stop “the liberal social engineering that some legislators would like to do to our public schools.” He points to a bill in the assembly that would require that homosexuality and transsexual history be taught in elementary and high schools.
If Branstine is elected, you can expect to see a lot of him. “You will see me in the district, including Valley Center, on a monthly basis. I want to be accessible. I want to have a continuing dialogue with the residents where I come down and sit and have coffee. I’d be seen very frequently in the district. I would not be a phantom.”
Branstine emphasizes fiscal responsibility and favors government that provides core services such as police, fire and education. “When state government tries to go beyond that it goes beyond its capabilities.
“In Valley Center, where you are susceptible to fire, it is important to continue funding firefighters and to write state laws so that if homeowners want to clear brush around their house they can do so as a protection measure without running afoul of environmental laws.”
Another concern is a proposed open pit gravel mine near the San Diego & Riverside county line. Outgoing incumbent, Ray Haynes, has endorsed this project, called Liberty Quarry. So have Branstine’s Republican opponents, he says. He has concerns because it is next to an ecological preserve run by San Diego State University and because of traffic and air quality issues.
Asked why fellow Republicans should prefer him, Branstine replies: “The key thing is education and experience. I don’t think you have to have a college degree to be a state assemblyman, but given the nature and complexity of California and its economy today, I think it helps.
“I’m a conservative Republican, however, I do not see it as my job to go there and get on an ideological soapbox. I prefer to get a freeway offramp widened that is currently dangerous, I prefer to get math and science instruction in high schools up to speed so students can prosper in the high tech society we are in.”
He would deal with the reality that Republicans are in the minority in the legislature. “I think you need to work civilly and professionally with everybody to try to get things done for this district,” he says.
He adds, “I’m not doing this as a hobby. I’m not doing this to supplement my retirement. I’m doing this to make a difference for the people that live here.”
To learn more about Branstine’s campaign call 951-526-4615 or visit his Web site at dan2006.com.
By Patsy Fritz
Supervisor Bill Horn removed self-admitted substandard farmworker housing on his ranch prior to the Monday arrival of the county codes inspection team. He thus escaped citations for his lack of building permits and other alleged infractions of public health and sanitation.
The VC resident, who is in a close race for reelection in two weeks, was alerted to the impending inspection after an investigative team from KFMB Channel 8 had attempted to locate Horn's required permits last Thursday and discussed the issue with Pam Elias, Chief, Land Use Code Enforcement, County Department of Planning & Land Use.
On Friday activist Ian Trowbridge, an immunologist and molecular cell biologist and retired Director of the Cancer Biology Laboratory at the Salk Institute, filed formal complaints with the county citing public health concerns.
Dr. Trowbridge previously brought to light the supervisor's joint purchase of a house with his chief of staff, Joan Wonsley.
On arrival Monday morning at Horn's 35-acre West Lilac Ranch, Building Codes Inspector Doug Molby and Supervising Environmental Health Specialist Tom Lambert conducted an hour's visual inspection of land in the immediate vicinity of the demolished farmworker housing. As confirmed by Mark McPherson, Chief, Land and Water Quality Division, County Dept. of Environmental Health, they were unable to inspect the trailer Horn's two long-time employees had lived in for the past five years. Horn had removed it, his workers, and other vestiges of the encampment.
McPherson stated that neither Molby nor Lambert would be permitted to speak with the press. He reported they found no visible evidence of human sewage on the ground at that time. No action is taken by County officials when substandard housing is removed or alleged sanitation violations cease. Horn has admitted the trailer had no toilet or shower and no septic system.
The workers utilized extension cords for electricity, had an outdoor wooden enclosure for a shower and an outside washing machine discharging gray water onto Horn's hillside avocado grove. As was shown in the KFMB Channel 8 newscast Monday, lacking a toilet, the employees urinated and defecated under nearby trees close to the Horn's private residence on the ranch.
During his three terms as County Supervisor, Horn has been an enthusiastic supporter of the county's Farmworker Housing Fee Waiver Program which removes the high processing cost for the County's permits and also waives the Parks & Recreation fees normally required by the state's Quimby Act.
But farmworker housing utilizing trailers requires a structurally sound unit with self-contained facilities including shower and toilet. A septic system must be installed to handle all water use. Chemical toilets are not permitted.
Employers using the fee waiver program must also supply payroll data and tax records to establish the legitimacy of the occupants as farm workers. Horn has stated he "just didn't get around to" providing his workers with housing that would meet county standards, nor did he apply for the necessary permits. He says his two employees have green cards and are legal to work in the U.S.
Apparently anticipating extensive Channel 8 coverage of his worker housing, Horn made a preemptive strike last Friday by granting a lengthy interview to the North County Times. He later discussed this with the San Diego Union-Tribune, stating his interview was to “spite” KFMB.
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Background: on May 5 Horn held a press conference on the steps of the County Administration Building in San Diego where he announced his opposition to illegal immigrants, citing, among other reasons, their drain on the County health system.He said he would request his fellow Supervisors’ support to have the County's Chief Administrative Officer, Walt Ekard, return to the Board with a feasibility study on what it would cost to study the financial impact of illegal immigrants on the County, and if the study could be done. While this motion was supported by the board the following week, a high-level source at the board who asked not to be identified today referred to the proposed study as “impossible.”
March 24, 2004, Supervisor Greg Cox, District One (South Bay) and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis brought a proposal to the Board of Supervisors, titled “Strengthening Code Enforce-ment Compliance in the County of San Diego.” After extensive wrangling during the discussion period, notably by Supervisor Horn, the board requested that the CAO return in 180 days with an amended proposal.
Completed by September 22, 2004, the report was never docketed (placed on the agenda) due to the evident lack of consensus by board members on this issue. Thus an impasse continues at the Board of Supervisors on reform of county codes enforcement.
The Valley Roadrunner
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