January 31, 2007 - Top Stories
The VC Municipal Water District board Monday afternoon heard growers’ woes as it prepared to raise ag water rates by nearly 13% and residential rates by nearly 10%.
All four directors present (Merle Aleshire was absent) are farmers. They listened glumly to the complaints, and said they empathized because they too are getting hammered. But they passed the increase.
“Eventually you’re going to drive us to sell to builders,” complained one grower from Keys Creek Road. He was one of about ten growers at Monday’s meeting.
“At this increase I’m going to have to do without something, probably the avocados,” commented another grower whose crop includes flowers, avocados and ora blancas (a white grapefruit-pommelo hybrid).
Melanie Goldman, who owns 20 acres of avocados, urged the district to absorb the increase in water costs that it has been given by the Metropolitan Water District and the San Diego County Water Authority.
“I believe we are doing a service for the American people in producing a nutritious commodity,” she said.
She added that avo growers can’t pass the increase onto consumers because that price is determined by the global market.
“I think this is a public utility and it should better serve the agricultural community and therefore not impose an increase on ag users,” she said.
Another grower asked why there was a higher percentage increase for ag growers compared to residential growers.
The increase to ag customers is a higher percentage because the dollar amount is applied to a lower base amount due to discounts from Metropolitan Water District and the San Diego County Water Authority.
Generally, the district received a tiny protest in reaction to the 39,113 notices that it sent out over the past two months to property owners. It received three written protests back.
In adopting the increased rates, the district is reacting to increases from the Metropolitan Water District, which is upping the cost per acre foot from $500.72 to $563.63 and the ag rate from $371.66 per AF to $434.32.
It is also getting increases from the San Diego County Water Authority, which first buys water from the Met and then sells it to VCMWD. That price is going from $165.27 per AF for domestic customers to $167.37 and is staying flat for ag customers.
The water district itself is responsible for 12% of the total water bill.
Although growers will be hit hard by the increase, an average residential customer might see his bill go up by $4 a month.
Director Bob Polito, who grows exotic fruit, told the audience: “This board really understands your plight because we are in the same thing. I raise sixty acres of citrus. . . . I see my profitability going down and down every year. I wonder what I’ll do this year with water increases.”
Director Chuck Stone, who raises 15 acres of flowers, added, “We’re put in the position of figuring out a way to not pass on the legitimate costs that the district incurs to operate. While it is painful and it is difficult, I have to ask myself am I doing my ratepayers a service by not passing on the costs and not provide for adequate maintenance and the costs to run the district?”
Gen. Mgr. Gary Arant said that the great majority of money it collects goes to the Met, SDCWA and SDG&E.
“If we absorb this increase, that would represent two thirds of what we collect for our local costs, which includes labor, maintenance and capital improvements,” he said.
“The big driver for these rate increases is the Met’s $45 billion capital improvement program.” It is expanding the water system to meet increased needs and replacing old worn out parts of the system. “A large part of their increase is tied to upgrading the treatment processes,” he said.
He added that the revenue VCMWD collects is put back into the system. It will spend $65 million in capital improvements over the next ten years.
The board also voted to increase sewer costs by $2/month per EDU. This will raise an extra $55,000 annually. That will cover increased operational expenses on the wastewater treatment plant.
This increase doesn’t include the Woods Valley Ranch wastewater treatment plant, it also doesn’t include Skyline, which is now managing its own wastewater treatment plant.
Soon graduating seniors at VC High School will have to show that they are ready for the adult world by presenting themselves to a panel of business and educational leaders and by preparing a resumé and portfolio of their skills and accomplishments.
Under the pilot program adopted Jan. 18 by the VC-P school board, all graduating seniors will be required to take a class called English 12B. This will be the first time all seniors have been required to complete both semesters of English 12.
That course will include something that a select few students have done in the past as part of the Senior Portfolio class that was pioneered by high school teacher Bart Schwarz.
Now all seniors will be required to take the class.
Among items that the students will need to include in their portfolio will be: resumé/list of references, list of courses taken, adult career questionnaire, career path research, reflection of post-secondary goals, letters of recommendation, job/college application, scholarships, accolades (such as awards, certificates, thank you letters).
If the pilot program is successful, teachers will revise the current English 12 curriculum and bring a revised document to the board next fall.
Medical Biology
Medical biology will soon be integrated into the district’s science curriculum as part of a $6,000 grant that the district received from the County’s Regional Allied Health and Sciences Initiative.
Assistant Supt. Ken Clark gave a report on how the grant will be used to develop a medical biology course. This is a first step toward development of a Health Career Pathway, one of several career pathways that the district is studying.
Joel Vexler will teach the course. He is rewriting his biology curriculum to include medical biology terms.
I think it is a big step for us in terms of career pathways,” commented Clark.
Trustee Doug Dechairo, who is a local pediatrician, said he would be happy to help Vexler with medical terminology.
The board also approved a calendar for next year that includes taking the entire week of Thanksgiving off. The time will be made up by starting the school year earlier and ending it a little later.
Supt. Lou Obermeyer told the board that she hopes to bring a proposal to the February board meeting for using solar power to provide some of the energy for the high.
Last month the board heard a proposal from U.S. Energy, for such a program. Now staff is reviewing some of their companies and looking at solar power operations at other schools.
The Pauma Band of Mission Indians will be preparing a Tribal Environmental Impact Report on its proposed casino expansion.
The tribe is soliciting comments and suggestions from the public regarding how the TEIR will be prepared, including environmental issues that should be addressed.
Deadline is Feb. 16.
The TEIR will examine off-reservation impacts of the project, which includes the following:
• new 171,000 square foot casino with about 90,600 square feet of gaming space and up to 2,500 slot machines.
• a hotel with about 400 rooms.
• 1,500-seat events center
• conference/meeting facility
• resort spa, two-acre pools and pool bar
• administrative and facilities center
• 2,500 seat outdoor amphitheater
• 2,000 space parking garage and 2,500 space surface parking lot
• new or upgraded wastewater treatment system
• potential improvements to Pauma Reservation Road and to the intersection of Pauma Reservation Road and Hwy 76.
Send written comments to:
Michael Baksh
Tierra Environmental Services
9915 Businesspark Ave., Ste. C
San Diego, CA 92131
The Music Boosters’ main fund-raiser of the year is coming up Wednesday, Feb. 7, 6 p.m. with the 10th Annual Jazz Benefit Concert: Hot Love/Cool Jazz at the Maxine Theater.
The show will benefit the Valley Center / Pauma Music Boosters.
Experience the “cool” sounds of the San Diego All Stars Big Band, featuring 18 top musicians from around Southern California, which includes local music teachers, Jeff & Laralee Beck and Christopher Holliday.
The Valley Center Middle School Thunderhawks Jazz Band and choir will also perform, immediately followed by the high school jazz band and choir.
Tickets are now on sale. The Maxine Theater, located on the high school campus, features special reserved seating for $15 each. Special Box Office ticket sales hours will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, one week prior to the show, 5–7 p.m.
Ticket sales will also be held one hour before the show at the door. For more information, to purchase tickets on line or obtain directions to The Maxine, 31322 Cole Grade Road Valley Center, visit maxine.vcpusd.net or call 749-7390. You can also buy them at Country Junction Deli.
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Many residents have noticed the fact that our valley “ . . . comes alive with the sound of music.” This can partially be attributed to the Valley Center / Pauma Music Boosters. The group was founded a little over ten years ago, and is comprised of parents and teachers dedicated to providing music education in our schools.
Originally formed to promote music education in our local area schools, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) status was applied for and secured.
The Boosters is an organization that supports all kids in the band / strings programs and the high school/middle school choirs.
Ten years later its mission is the same. The Boosters continue to recruit parents, community leaders, educators and philanthropists willing to support all children and all the music programs.
Previous years’ Jazz Benefit Concerts have accounted for 19% of the group’s programs. More than 42% of the Booster's annual budget, about $8,000, comes from the pizza and cookie dough sale held twice a year. Another 28% comes from donations from individuals, businesses and other community service organizations.
All funds raised go toward buying instruments, music and music equipment, repairing instruments or providing instructional support.
Students, with a demonstrable economic need can participate in music through a secret scholarship program.
There is a record number of elementary students getting involved in the music programs, including the launch of the Guitar Club.
“Area parents have tremendous visions of evolution meeting the best possible teaching scenario for the student in music education,” said Marsi Carr, a local music teacher.
“There are proven studies that conclude that music improves mathematics, rational/logical thinking and ability to problem solve. Tones are based on vibration per second. During rhythm, students are really counting. The combination of music and improved education really truly go hand in hand,” said the music enthusiast and school parent music program volunteer.
To join the Valley Center/Pauma Music Boosters or donate, attend the group's board meeting, which is held the first Monday of each month at VC Upper Elementary School at 4 p.m. Or contact the current president, Sandy Smith at sandy_smith@casb.uscourts.gov.
With local farmers facing millions of dollars of losses from the killing freeze earlier this month, the water district is studying how it might have to cut back.
Water district revenues are very dependent on how much water it sells each month.
Valley Center Municipal Water District Gen. Mgr. Gary Arant Monday told directors that staff is studying how it might have to react if the icy blow to farmers translates to lower revenues for the district.
The district is looking at forgoing some capital improvement projects, not filling positions that will be lost due to retirements, and postponing some programs that are already budgeted.
Some programs can’t be postponed. “Our biggest capital improvement project is the Valley Center road widening project,” observed Arant. The district is replacing about three miles of aging water main in conjunction with the widening.
The district will also continue forward with its automatic meter reading program, which, once implemented, will save money.
Every time a disaster hits the agricultural community, there is always talk that farmers will be driven out of business. So far, however, 80% of the district’s sales continues to be to growers.
“Of course, farmers have surprised us before when their imminent demise was predicted,” said Arant.
“That’s because we’re not too bright!” quipped water board Pres. Gary Broomell, who is himself a farmer, and possibly among those who lost 100% of his crop.
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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