May 30, 2007 - Top Stories
Thousands lined the streets for the 2007 Western Days Parade, although attendance may have been down a bit from previous years due to the road work.
But there were certainly several thousand spectators.
Some estimates were that attendance was up at the fairgrounds itself, where there was some new attractions, such as the Western town where the Valley Center Posse put on several brawls and gunfights, and the SIC riders motorcycle stunt group.
Friday night’s Honorary Mayor’s race produced Dr. Doug Dechairo as the new mayor. Dr. Dechairo was the candidate for the Kiwanis Club.
According to Chamber Pres. John Yeager: “The change in the rules worked perfectly! The organization that raised the most money did not win. I was happy that we actually had four candidates and a real ‘fake’ race.”
The change in the rules, which introduced an element of chance into the proceedings, made it possible for smaller groups, such as the Kiwanis, to compete for the honor.
The parade had over 90 entries. For the first time ever there were four marching bands.
Trophy winners are below. The information is provided by the parade committee.
FLOATS
President’s Float—Ridgeview Pre-School
Sweepstakes—Pauma Valley Community Church.
1st Place - Cub Scout Pack 619
2nd Place - Dos Valles Garden Club
High School Marching Bands
1st place - Orange Glenn Patriot Marching High School Band (wearing Western Days T-shirts, jeans and banadanas - the only band to play the entire route of the parade).
2nd place - Oceanside
3rd place - Valley Center
Jazz
Valley Center Thunderhawk Middle School Jazz Band directed by the energetic and dancing Jeff Beck.
New Category: Country / Western
The Valley Center Middle School Fiddlers directed by the entertaining Rita Steele.
Equestrian
The President’s Trophy went to the Charros: Adamari Santoyo, Cristian Santoyo and Carlos Santoyo.
1st Place - Alden Townsend
2nd Place - Rancho Del Martians Youth Group and Tina Armstrong.
There was a small ruckus after the trophies were awarded when one contestant and family protested one of the awards. They claimed that the trophy awarded was not the correct trophy. They were escorted off the fairgrounds by security.
Thursday Valley Center High School unveiled its heroes’ wall in the administration office.
The wall has a dozen VCHS graduates who are serving in the military, most of them, interestingly enough, are Marines.
Two additional photos honor VCHS grads who are soon to graduate from military academies.
Principal Ron McCowan acknowledged several people in the audience:
Marc Vivona, currently in the Marines, attended in uniform.
Ray Crosslin— a current student who will be entering the Coast Guard after graduation.
Eric Beckdol—a current student entering the Marines after graduation.
Andrew Jauregui—a current student entering the Marines after graduation.
Curtis Johnson—a current student entering the Marines after graduation.
McCowan also mentioned two former VC graduates who are attending military academies: Tony Illeg—Air Force and James Mahan—Navy.
McCowan invited retired Air Force Major Gen. Gene Hudson to say a few words.
Gen. Hudson gave the following remarks: “The display of military photos in the main entrance of the administrative building of VCHS honoring those graduates who have joined the military, has a three fold meaning:
“First, to the individuals it honors for their patriotism in joining the military, and for their sense of pride in knowing that they are being honored for making the decision to protect their country and the freedoms we stand for.
“Second, to their parents for the pride they have in knowing their sons and daughters have been so honored.
“Third, to the other students by setting an example to them, so that they will know that VCHS pays great tribute those students who have entered the military service to protect our freedom.
“Joining the military service after graduating from high school is not only a patriotic act in helping to protect our country from terrorism, but also provides the individual with a great opportunity to select schooling/training for future careers both in and out of the service.
“In closing I wish to commend Mr. Ron McCowan, Principal of VCHS, for the outstanding work he is doing in guiding the student body and faculty in their studies, and for the deep sense of patriotism he is passing on to his students.”
The retired general looked fit and trim in a uniform that he has only worn twice since he left the Air Force in the 1970s.
VCHS secretary Kathy Eckert, who wiped away a few tears while she listened to his talk, had arranged for a cake for guests to nibble on after the talk.
For the past five years the VC-P school district has been in declining enrollment.
During that time the district has lost 168 students, which represents a 3.5% drop.
The Valley Center-Pauma district is not alone in this problem. Twenty-five of 42 districts in San Diego county have declined since 2003.
Declining enrollment creates budgetary problems for districts that experience it.
“When you have a decrease in enrollment that directly impacts the budget,” says Supt. Lou Obermeyer.
“Because the district is funded per each student enrolled in the district and that then is based on the number of days each student attends school.”
While there are fewer students to educate, the number of personnel remains the same and it costs the same to maintain school facilities.
As Dr. Obermeyer puts it, “It’s a problem because even though we have fewer students, our operating costs have not decreased. We have utilities, transportation and the usual operating expenses.”
Enrollment has declined a total of 168 over five years, which represents a 3.5% decline.
“Even those districts that aren’t experiencing declining enrollment ARE experiencing an abrupt slow down,” said Dr. Obermeyer.
Some critics say that if enrollment was declining that the district shouldn’t have built Lilac Elementary.
“We were on a growing trend when they built the school, even when it was completed,” answers the superintendent.
If that school had not been build the district would have had to add additional portables to house those students as well as having additional transportation costs.
Another question frequently asked is why doesn’t the district cut personnel?
“The answer is that students don’t leave in packages of twenty first graders or twenty third graders so that you can eliminate or not hire position. They leave at different grade levels, so we look very closely to make decisions about where to place the staff to fill the needs.”
The district anticipates declining enrollment for the next six years.
“We take that into account as we build our budget and as we staff our schools.”
Currently the administration is hopeful that any cuts that need to be made in future can occur through attrition, i.e. not replacing people who retire.
“We are not looking to eliminate or reduce any programs,” she said, adding, “We also know our community has been fabulous in its support through the TPC (Teacher Parent Club), fund-raising, booster clubs and the high school foundation to support our schools’ needs.”
No one was hurt Wednesday, May 23 when a small private plane crash-landed on Blackington Air Field.
On Wednesday, at 6:02 a.m. the Valley Center Fire Protection District was dispatched to a reported plane crash at the Blackington Air Field located at Old Castle Road and Coulter Creek Road in Valley Center.
Upon arrival, Valley Center Fire Units found a small single engine aircraft that had been landing at the field and a possible landing gear problem caused a hard landing.
No passenger was hurt and there was no fire or hazard.
The Valley Center Fire Units stood by until the disabled aircraft could be removed from the runway area.
A witness who saw the plane land told The Roadrunner that it looked as though the pilot had not lowered the landing gear on the plane before it came down.a
The Valley Roadrunner
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