November 15, 2006 - Top Stories
The deadline to sign up and pay $2,500 per EDU capacity reservation payments to be part of the Southern Node sewer expansion is this Friday, Nov. 17 at 4 p.m.
So far, only 13 commitments have been received. Valley Center Municipal Water District staff estimates that 150 are needed for a viable project.
Some people who live or own property in the South Node are unsure how many EDUs (equivalent dwelling units) they might need.
“We encourage people to contact us to determine as best we can how many EDUs they might need,” said Gary Arant, general manager of the water district.
However, there are some basic rules of thumb that apply.
For a wastewater treatment facility, an “EDU,” or “Equivalent Dwelling Unit” is the measure of capacity needed to effectively treat waste, and is used to size the plants.
An EDU is the amount of capacity needed to treat the waste from the typical single family residential unit on an average daily basis.
While there are several parameters which can be used, treatment capacity needed for a typical single family home is based upon 250 gallons of waste flow over a 24 hour period.
The number of EDUs assigned to commercial development is based upon a specific analysis of the proposed development and biological intensity and the amount of waste flow anticipated to be generated.
For commercial, professional and industrial buildings, the normal requirement is 1.2 EDU for the first unit and 0.7 EDU for each additional unit.
For a self-service laundromat, the requirement would be 1.0 EDU/unit for each washer.
For a restaurant, a minimum of three EDUs are assigned, however, that number goes up, based upon the number of seats in the restaurant.
The square footage of an office building or general commercial building would be used to determine the number of EDUs.
Property owners in the South Village Water Reclamation Project study area with questions about the number of EDUs needed for their specific properties are encouraged to contact the Valley Center Municipal Water District and ask for information about the “South Village Project.”
The District’s Engineering staff will answer the questions by phone, or set up an appointment to review specific uses and properties.
The Nov. 17 deadline is critical to assess the level of interest and feasibility of the South Village Water Reclamation Expansion Project (its official name).
The number of people who have so far expressed an interest in the sewer is somewhat underwhelming.
The cost of participation, estimated at $40,000 per EDU (equivalent dwelling unit) and the uncertainty about General Plan 2020 are seen as factors.
To reserve a space interested people will be required to pay $2,500/EDU (equivalent dwelling units).
Staff will report back to the water board later this year. A sewer assessment district will be proposed based on how many say they want to join, and how many EDUs they want to buy.
On Dec. 18, after they tally the number of confirmed participants, the staff will report to the board on the project’s feasibility.
This project consists of the expansion of the plant, the collection system, wet weather storage and reclamation system.
The $2,500/EDU from interested landowners will pay to finalize the project’s master plan, prepare an environmental analysis and waste discharge report and form an assessment district.
Doug Dechairo and Gary Broomell were the big winners in last Tuesday’s Valley Center elections.
Broomell kept his third division seat on the Valley Center Municipal Water District board by a margin of more than two to one. Dr. Dechairo edged out longtime board member Barbara Rohrer to win himself a place on the VC-Pauma Unified School District board.
The election was also a big endorsement of Lori Johnson, the trustee from Pauma Valley, who got 25% of the total school board vote.
A big local electoral loser was Tom Bumgardner, who lost his seat on the Deer Springs Fire District board, swept away by a tide of no-growth sentiment against the proposed Stonegate development.
Election results as of Tuesday, Nov. 14: (there are still 60,000 provisional and absentee ballots remaining to count in S.D. county).
VC-Pauma School Board:
LORI A. JOHNSON, 3,834, 25.03%; HENRY P. VAN WYK, 3,354, 21.90%; DOUGLAS DECHAIRO, 3,298, 21.53%; BARBARA P. ROHRER, 2,501, 16.33%, JOHNNY C. SOWERS, 2,330, 15.21%. The top three vote getters win seats.
VC Municipal Water District Board:
GARY ALAN BROOMELL, 1,169, 68.64%; AL SHERR, 534, 31.36%.
Deer Springs Fire Protection District Board:
PETER ORNER, 2,420, 26.90%; BRUCE TEBBS, 2,303, 25.60%; FRANK S. DONNELLY, 1,908; 21.21%; ROBERT A. WINJE, 1,542, 17.14%; TOM BUMGARDNER, 823, 9.15%.
Sarah Clayton, assistant superintendent of the VC-Pauma Unified School District, announced her retirement Thursday night after 28 years at the district.
Her retirement was announced at the end of Thursday night’s school board meeting. Her retirement is effective in December.
Dr. Clayton told the audience, “For 28 years I have had the opportunity to work in one of the finest public school systems in this country and in the noblest profession there is. This District has given me a rich and full professional life.
“I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with very dedicated and professional staff and that means all staff in all departments throughout this District.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the Board for all your support and assistance over the years. It has truly been an honor to work for you, this District and this community. I am excited about starting a new life.”
Dr. Clayton has served as assistant superintendent from July of 1991. She was principal of the Valley Center Elementary School from 1989-91. She was director of categorical programs from 1985-89. She was AB 65 coordinator and migrant resource specialist from 1983-85.
Before that she was a fourth grade bilingual teacher, migrant resource specialist, Spanish instructor, instructor of social studies and Spanish and second grade instructor.
She earned her Ph.D. from San Diego State University/Claremont Graduate School in 1993.
Dr. Clayton said she will continue to be active in the VC Rotary Club, of which she is a past president, and on the Valley Center Museum Board.
The most basic human instinct is for a mother to protect her child.
The worse nightmare imaginable for a child is to see his mother attacked and injured.
A mother who was attacked Thursday about 1 p.m. by two boxers while trying to protect her two young boys, was savagely bitten many times, and lost an ear to the attack.
Nancy Matthews, a well-known and beloved local horse veterinarian, was able to keep the dogs from damaging her face by lying face down. However, she suffered over 50 bites to the rest of her body.
This is the most extreme example of a dog attack on a human in many years in Valley Center. County wide an attack of this viciousness is rare; there are usually no more than four or five such incidents in a year.
The attack occurred near Incredible Lane & Sierra Rojo. Dr. Matthews and her husband, Matt, had many times jogged on the road by the enclosure where the dogs were kept, but this time the animals were loose on the street—and they attacked.
The dogs, who have been put down by authorities, attacked her as she was walking with her two small sons, aged 7 and 9.
The dogs went after the youngest boy. The mother went to rescue her little boy and the dogs turned on her.
According to a family member, Mrs. Matthews was in surgery for six hours so that doctors could reattach her ear. She needed blood transfusions on Monday.
Mrs. Matthews continues to be treated at Palomar Medical Center.
The owner of the two boxers is Pedro Torres, who lives on the 1200 block of Sierra Rojo. According to John Carlson, regional director of County Animal Services, there have been two previous bite reports from this residence, possibly from the same dogs, almost exactly two years ago. There had been no complaints since then.
Although a Sheriff’s deputy was called on the incident, it was handed over to Animal Services.
Dr. Matthews was very active in rescuing horses during the Paradise fires three years ago.
According to Carlson, Torres voluntarily handed the dogs over and agreed to have them put down.
“He was not compelled, although we do have the authority to compel,” said Carlson.
“Often an owner will decide to euthanize an animal to try to limit their liability or sometimes the dog has never expressed this kind of behavior before and they don’t trust the animal anymore. I certainly wouldn’t want a dog if it was going to try to tear my neighbor’s face off,” he said.
Torres was cited for two counts of a dog being at large, two counts of violating the public protection from dogs ordinance and one count of violating the potentially dangerous dog ordinance. All are misdemeanors.
“This is a real bad situation,” said Carlson. “It’s actually fairly rare to get something this egregious.
“We get reports of bites all the time. Most bites are minor or relatively minor,” he said.
Carlson said the attacks underscore the need for dog owners to secure their animals.
“Dogs are dogs. They are predators that have been around for the last five million years. If they pack up they act differently than any dog individually, almost like a mob mentality in humans.
“You don’t know what your dog will do in any particular circumstance. You need to socialize the animal, make sure that it is comfortable with people. I personally would not have an overtly aggressive dog. It’s just too dangerous. Unfortunately, some people want to have dogs like that.”
People who are walking near dogs can take steps to cut the odds that they will be attacked, he said.
“Look at where you are walking. I encourage people to carry a walking stick or something substantial. Then you have an opportunity to put that between you and the dog. Don’t use it as a bat, use it like a fireplace poker to keep the dog from getting near you.
“Even a book can be used. It’s easier to replace a book than a finger.”
He adds, “Don’t encroach on the dog’s territory. If a dog approaches you barking, turn, look towards the dog, but don’t stare at it. And then slowly back away. But don’t run. By trying to run away you stimulate the dog’s prey drive. Always try to back away, talk to the dog. Screaming and yelling will exacerbate the situation.”
Carlson noted that in no way was he suggesting that Dr. Matthews’ behavior in dealing with the dogs who attacked her son was incorrect.
You can visit the Department of Animal Services Web site at www.sddac.com.
You can call the department at 746-7307.
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 © 2006, 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.