The Curmudgeon's View

YOU MAY SEE SMOKE

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:57:00 +0000

Valley Center, Pauma and Palomar Mountain residents MAY see smoke this week from a controlled burn that will be conducted this week at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.

Personnel from the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, in cooperation with CAL FIRE will be conducting a controlled burn on Middle Peak, north of Cuyamaca Peak, on Wednesday Nov. 18. The purpose of this burn is to clear vegetation from 70 acres to make ready for planting of tree seedlings early next year. This area, once cleared, will have over 20,000 trees planted as part of the ongoing reforestation effort in the Park. Removal of this vegetation will not only make the job of planting easier, but allow the seedlings a much better chance of survival by reducing competition for sunlight and scarce water.

Park officials remind the public that the smoke and flames from this burn will be visible from many areas of the county due to the location high up on Middle Peak. The burn will commence about 9:00 A.M. and operation should conclude by 4:00 P.M. that day with patrol operations continuing for several days. The public should also be aware that due to the many dead trees within the burn area smoke may continue to be visible for several days after the burn is completed. Removal of these dead trees will also assist in the reforestation efforts and help to make the Park safer for visitors.

SENATE CANDIDATE TO VISIT

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:59:00 +0000

Valley Center resident (and Republican party central committee member) Keith Simpson will be hosting state senate candidate Jeff Stone at his home Tuesday (tomorrow) at 6 p.m. If you'd like to attend, call Simpson at home at 760-751-0126, or on his cell at
760-415-8115 or email him at keithsimpson@earthlink.net.

The Simpson home is a very beautiful, gracious residence with a great view of Pauma Valley, and Keith and his wife, Sue, are super hosts, so this event is not to be missed!

No Delay on Trash Collection

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:36:00 +0000

EDCO tells us that waste and recycling collection will not be delayed for the Veteran’s Day holiday on Wednesday. So, although you won't get mail that day, it being a postal holiday, you will get your trash collected!

GUINNESS WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:36:00 +0000

Tomorrow night (Oct. 31) Professional Utility Vehicle (UTV) racer Junior Quisquis of Valley Center will attempt to break the current Guinness World Record for Longest UTV jump. The current record stands at 41.5 feet. A Guinness World Record representative will be on-site to record the stunning feat. Quisquis will attempt to jump an astonishing 60 feet, approximately 18.5 feet beyond the current record.

Quisquis is a member of the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians and member of the Hellbound Natives.

The attempt will be made Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 8 p.m. at"

WHERE: Amago Sports Park
La Jolla Reservation
22004 Highway 76
Pauma Valley CA 92061

Quisquis a long-time UTV racer has had a long-time dream of becoming a key industry rider. The event will not only provide a fun and exciting Halloween event for the local community, but will also break strides in the local UTV community if the jump is successfully completed.

FIRE BOARD MEETING

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:52:00 +0000

PUBLIC MEETING OF THE
VALLEY CENTER FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT (VCFPD)
Thursday – October 15, 2009 – 6:00 p.m.

VCMWD BOARD ROOM
29300 Valley Center Road, Valley Center, CA 92082

Next Resolution #: 2009-06 Next Ordinance #: 38

Agenda

1. CALL PUBLIC MEETING TO ORDER

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Any member of the Public may speak on any matter that is not on the Agenda.
However, under State law, no decisions or actions can be taken and any such
matters will be referred to the next meeting.

4. RESERVE FIREFIGHTERS BADGE PINNING CEREMONY

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: For Regular Meeting on September 17, 2009 and for
Special Meeting on October 10, 2009.

6. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
a. VCSA ALS Report (Mercy Medical)

b. Chief’s Monthly Activities Report

c. Fire Marshal’s Report

d. District Administrator’s Report

7. OLD BUSINESS
• Approve goals for the District for FY 2010.

8. NEW BUSINESS
• Proposal to adopt Resolution 2009-06 regarding authorization to submit the 2010-11 Community Development Block Grant and the designation of related authorized official in the form and content as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto.

• Proposal to adopt Resolution 2009-07 continuing the Fire Mitigation Fee
Program in the form and content as set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto.

MORE ON THE MOON SHOT AND PALOMAR'S PLACE IN IT

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:00:00 +0000

The sixty-year old 200-inch Hale Telescope on Palomar Mountain was one of many telescopes across the globe and in space that were called into action to watch the impact of NASA’s LCROSS mission. LCROSS, short for Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, was intentionally crashed into a dark crater near the south pole of the Moon. It is believed that craters such as this one, which never receive sunlight, might harbor large quantities of water ice. It was hoped that the impact would dredge up dust, rock and vaporized ice into a giant plume of material that would be visible hear on Earth with telescopes as small as 12-inches in aperture. Astronomers could then analyze the ejected material in attempt to confirm or deny the possibility of water ice being located there. Unfortunately no impact plume was visible from any telescope that observed the impact.

The best observations of this event were clearly made with the Hale Telescope on Palomar. The old 200-inch was using an instrument that removes any blurring affects caused by turbulence in our atmosphere, giving it a resolving power greater than that of the Hubble Space Telescope. Tension and excitement in the data room at Palomar grew as the clock ticked to the impact at 4:31 a.m. on Friday, October 9. It was standing room only as the scientists were joined by interested members of the observatory staff and a film crew from the BBC, which traveled halfway around the globe just to witness the event from Palomar.

The telescope and its observing system performed flawlessly, yet as the impact time came and then passed there was no obvious sign of the impact. A live video feed from the control room at NASA’s Ames confirmed that the impact had occurred as scheduled. Other observatories soon began to confirm that nothing was seen.

First images from the probe and the observatories monitoring the event were shown off at NASA’s 7:00 a.m. press briefing. Although the impact was not observed, it was obvious at that time that Palomar’s images were the sharpest from any telescope that observed the event.

The photos show: Astronomers at Palomar Observatory review the images and data collected as NASA's LCROSS mission crashed into the Moon near the lunar south pole and a film crew from the BBC interviews lead scientist Antonin Bouchez (sitting facing camera) shortly after LCROSS crashed into the Moon.

ANOTHER PRIZE WINNER

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:12:00 +0000

Gary Pay, president of the Valley Center Lions Club, says he has got the president's prize beat. "Months ago someone from our club grabbed the morning bell as a gag, and as a result I've been awarded the 'No Bell' prize."

MOON SHOT MONITORED FROM PALOMAR

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:43:00 +0000

NASA'S LCROSS moonshot to determine if there might be water on the Moon was monitored closely from a number of locations, but Palomar Observatory on Palomar Mountain probably delivered the highest resolution images of this event.

According to Scott Kardel, public information officer for the observatory, "No water detected yet, but that might come from elsewhere. No plume was seen from Palomar or elsewhere." Kardel spent a sleepless night on Thursday as the event unfolded.

Palomar likely delivered the highest resolution images of this event from any telescope on the planet. The BBC news came to the observatory to cover the event.

The lunar shot was aimed at the lunar crater. Cabeus crater was the target of the NASA LCROSS mission because it was thought to contain a substantial amount of ice. It was hoped by the LCROSS mission team that the impact would send an ejecta plume above the lunar surface, which could be observed from ground-based telescopes, but no plume was observed.

Pictures and some more info are up at:

http://www.astro.caltech.edu/palomar/lcross.html

BILBRAY TO HOLD A HEALTH "TOWN HALL" FOR SENIORS

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:31:00 +0000

Congressman Bilbray Town Hall on ‘Health Care for Seniors’ at La Costa Glen Retirement Community

Congressman Brian Bilbray, CA-50, who represents part of Valley Center, will hold a Town Hall Meeting with residents of La Costa Glen Retirement Community, 1950 Silverleaf Circle, this Monday, Sept. 28, starting promptly at 4:30 p.m.

Congressman Bilbray will discuss the status of health care reform, especially as it affects seniors and those on Medicare/Medicaid or Medicare Advantage.

IF YOU NEED TO EVACUATE YOUR HORSES . . .

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:21:00 +0000

Because San Diego County is currently under a high alert for fire danger, the Del Mar Fairgrounds has placed evacuation instructions and the intake form for large animals on its Web site. Should an emergency occur, horse owners and trainers can quickly check the Web site for instructions and the form. The Fairgrounds recommends that during times of high fire danger, horse owners download the form (one for each horse) and have them ready.

The Del Mar Fairgrounds was the main evacuation center for large animals during the 2007 wildfires, safely sheltering more than 2,200 horses and other animals.

The 22nd District Agricultural Association is a State of California agency that owns and operates the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Surfside Race Place, Horsepark Equestrian Center and the Del Mar Golf Center. The 22nd DAA produces five events each year: The San Diego County Fair, the Del Mar National Horse Show, Professional Bull Riding (PBR), The Scream Zone and Holiday of Lights. The Fairgrounds hosts more than 350 events annually, the largest of which is the live horse racing meet each summer, which is operated by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club for the 22nd DAA and the State of California. For more information, visit www.sdfair.com

WRITING WORKSHOPS

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 04:10:00 +0000

The Write Stuff, an ongoing series of workshops for writers, sponsored by the Friends of the Valley Center Library, will offer its fourth session on Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m.–noon. Published author and attorney HelenKay Dimon will be discussing “The Business of Writing: Behind every book there is a plan” with a limited number of participants. Visit the library for a flyer, register at the library book store, or for more information, e-mail writer.workshop@yahoo.com
No on-site registration will be taken the day of the event. There is a $10 fee and refreshments will be provided. VC Library is located at 29200 Cole Grade.

A Man Who Likes His Work!

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:17:00 +0000

On the first day of school Valley Center High School Principal Ron McCowan dressed up kind of like Tarzan and swung out onto the gym floor to wild applause from the students. The athletic McCowan, who frequently pumps iron with the athletic students in the weight room in the early morning, obviously enjoys his work and enjoys getting the students pumped up for the new year. Thanks to yearbook adviser Robert Conrad for the photos!

Apple Pie Pizza!

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:30:00 +0000

Frank McCarron, chef at Portino's was heading to Bates Nut Farm this morning to get caramel sauce for the new Apple Pie Pizzas that he is introducing on the menu at lunch today.They will, of course, be built on top of crusts made with the pizza beer, which he uses for all of his pizzas now. Perfect dessert nosh with autumn just around the corner!

YOU MAY SEE SMOKE

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 19:13:00 +0000

Residents of Palomar Mountain and some parts of Pauma Valley have been puzzling over smoke that they are seeing and smelling. Obviously this time of year they worry about fires. However, apparently what they are seeing is smoke from further north in the state.

According to Palomar Mountain Volunteer Fire Dept. Chief George Lucia, "Palomar mountain volunteer fire department has responded to numerous call reporting smoke in many areas of the mountain this morning. Each concerned resident was contacted and updated to the "drift smoke" from fires upstate."

He encourages residents to report smoke anytime they see it.

Richard Chase Exhibit at Library in September

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 01:43:00 +0000

On Saturday September 5th County residents, especially in Valley Center, will have the opportunity to see the art work of prolithic artist Richard Gabriel Chase at the local library. Richard Chase painted for over seventy years, mostly in San Diego County. As one might expect his style was diverse and subjects unlimited. His early precise historical painting ability actually launched Mr. Chase into commercial and organizational fame for his skill. Through this art California’s history was brought to life on books and publications such as San Diego Historical Society’s Journals in the 1970’s.

Places and people, nature or battlefields, flowers or animals; no subject was without Mr. Chase’s interest and efforts. His portraiture work ranged from children to prominent citizens; from migrant workers to the famous American aviators, a collection which hangs today in San Diego’s Air and Space Museum.

Richard Chase excelled in another profound area of painting - the mural. This exacting strenuous pursuit is not seen among many artists, yet Mr. Chase adorned the walls and ceilings of the region with his work in restaurants, hotels, offices and even branch buildings of banking chains. One example from the mural series was that which portrayed the battle of San Pasqual, displayed in the Escondido branch in California, now viewable at the main library of Escondido on Kalmia Street. This mural dramatically illustrated the second phase of the battle, which took place the morning of December 6, 1846 just east of the I-15 crossover of Lake Hodges. The Mexican War of 1846 had many battles but this rainy morning was among the bloodiest. Another mural depicts Rancho San Dieguito with Mexican rancheros and Indian workers during the 1830’s, as they irrigated and harvested beans, corn, peppers and other field crops on bottomland along the San Dieguito River. This area is just south of present day Rancho Santa Fe. Today the mural can actually be seen at The San Dieguito Heritage Museum on Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas, California. Mr. Chase also decorated many hospitals and churches as well as the James S. Copley Library in La Jolla, California. Copley was a major patron and contractor of Mr. Chase’s work in the sixties and the seventies. The publishing magnate had him illustrating many books on California history. Mr. Chase rendered a painting of the first San Diego Union Tribune office building, a modest structure indeed for Mr. Copley’s soon to be huge publishing enterprise.

History and nature were typically depicted however people and celebrities were portrayed in magnificent detail and grand scope. The most notable project can still be seen in the lobby and interiors of San Diego’s Grand Hyatt Hotel .Contracted work for the Hyatt’s 1992 opening was grand indeed especially for an artist in his early 70’s. The Hyatt paid Mr. Chase almost a half a million dollars, eighty five cents a square inch for paintings in the Harbor Tower. In August 2003 the San Diego Grand Hyatt unveiled its massive expansion at that location in San Diego Harbor. The 33 story Seaport Tower and 1625 rooms greet guests with Chase’s huge magnificent paintings in the lobby. Mr. Chase was now working again- but in his 80’s.

Mr. Chase did a rare exhibition of his paintings in 1985 at the United States International University, now Alliant University in Scripps Ranch, San Diego. In 1971 James S. Copely, who had bought the resort La Casa del Zorro in 1960 in Borrego Springs, California called on Richard for his refurbishment project. Originally an adobe house in 1937, it was turned into a resort. First known as the Desert Lodge it became a desert retreat for many of California’s and Europe’s prominent businessmen and entrepreneurial class. The area had been visited some centuries earlier by the Spanish missionaries. Guests who enjoyed the art of Marjorie Reed and the native American murals of John Duarte could also see and chuckle at the comic new paintings in the bar created by Mr. Chase; another delightful “genre” of his art. Today it is the Borrego Ranch Resort and Spa and one can still enjoy the original paintings.

This 20th century painter appears to have first gained his public notoriety depicting 19th century California scenes, which included the “Rancho” culture and geography of the 1830’s. His explorer and adventurer depictions and views of buildings and people gives
us our clear visualizations of history.

Born February 11, 1919 in Massachusetts, Richard “Chasey” Chase graduated from the Worcester High School of Commerce in 1937. He went on to study at the Massachusetts School of Art in Boston (now known as the Massachusetts College of Art). Richard’s “thesis mural” was prominently displayed at the Department of Education Building at the old location on Marlboro Street, Boston.
Upon graduation in 1941 Richard Gabriel Chase, as did most of those young budding American artists of “the greatest generation”, joined the United States Army. Many would never live to paint.
An earliest 1937 painting by Mr. Chase, typifies a younger man’s whims. A rendering of an auto salvage yard with superb accuracy gives us an early glimpse of American culture and perhaps a preview of the style of the abstract-expressionist movement of 1938 to 1942 in American art popularized by Clyfford Still, a contemporary. Mr. Chase is as much at home in the world of the impressionist and abstract painter as he is in that of the Renaissance masters.

Mr. Chase relocated to California after WWII. His San Diego start was as an advertising artist, art director and manager. Rising in his career at the Walker Scott department store chain in San Diego, it is told that the intuitive George Scott “let him go” in 1955 with a years salary to enable him to pursue his great destiny in art. Scott had to replace Richard with three men.
His reputation grew steadily and he became highly demanded by the rich and famous for portraiture. A notable list of portrait commissions included: Ruben H. Fleet, Igor Sikorsky and General Billy Mitchell. He painted for organizations, businesses and families. In 1963 John Alessio’s Hotel Del Coronado sent Mr. Chase to the Louvre in Paris, to paint a copy of the Mona Lisa for display at the notable Mr. A’s restaurant, downtown San Diego .The project was featured in San Diego Magazine’s Mona and Me. .Mr. Chase’s fame grew. He was also now working as a staff artist for Walter Broderick and Associates Interiors in La Mesa, California; all the while getting more and more calls for murals and portraits. This contract work, however, kept much of his art from public view. His murals would appear in the beautiful homes section again in San Diego’s June 1979 issue illuminating his popularity through the 70s.

Richard married Sara Martin, an interior decorator in the early 50’s. They lived and worked well together, offering fine art, decorating and mural work from their business in La Mesa, California and also at Walter Broderick Interiors. They were married over 22 years, until Sara’s untimely death from leukemia, in 1973
Richard Gabriel Chase was indeed a deeply spiritual man and a diligent student of the Bible and Christianity. He read volumes of scriptures and spiritual writings from many sources particularly turn of the century leaders of Christianity.

Richard Gabriel Chase later married Ruth C. Wootton of Escondido on August 2, 1975 at the Point Loma Presbyterian Church. They lived and worked in Hidden Meadows for thirty years. Many of his paintings depicted his views east to Valley Center from his home.
Ruth helped to restore his well being and breathed new life into his career. Richard’ health began failing in the new millennium. By 2006 he suffered from cervical compression and was experiencing pain and also losing sensation in his hands and legs. His balance was poor and he was falling often. A surgery proved unsuccessful. But Richard still had a client, and a new friend. He painted his last oil painting in 2006 for “Dr. Jim’’ at the age of 87. Only family could keep him from starting another project.
Richard Gabriel Chase died December 11, 2007 at the age of 88. Ruth died one month later.
On September 5 the art of Richard Gabriel Chase will be exhibited at The Valley Center Library on Cole Grade Road, with a reception at noon... Hundreds of sketches, drawings, work boards and paintings will be available. The exhibition is only the second since 1985. The paintings which are from the Chase estate will remain on display through September.
Additional information is available through the Valley Center Library or contact Michael Richman at magicmike49@dslextreme.com or 760-749-2325.

SHOOTING STARS TONIGHT

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:26:00 +0000

Tonight is the climax of the annual Perseid Meteor Shower, and some of the best places to watch it are just a few minutes away.

One Pauma Valley resident, Terry Abeyta, will be holding a potluck at her home and then caravan with some friends halfway up the Nate Harrison Grade. They plan to pull out the lawn chairs, set them up on the side of Palomar Mountain, and watch the show.

You don't have to drive that far. Just find a place relatively out of the way of streetlights or neighbors' lights and enjoy.

START SMART TRAINING FOR YOUNG DRIVERS

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:40:00 +0000

DID YOU KNOW?

• Teen drivers are found at fault in 66% of ALL FATAL collisions that they are involved in, although they only represent 4% of the state's licensed drivers.
• The leading cause of DEATH for Americans 15 - 20 years old is motor vehicle collisions.

• 65 % of teen passenger deaths occur when another teenager is driving.

WHAT IS THE START SMART PROGRAM?
The California Highway Patrol's Start Smart program is a free driver safety education class which targets new and future licensed teenage drivers between the age of 15 - 19 and their parents/guardians.
CHP officers will discuss traffic collision avoidance techniques, collision causing factors, driver/parent responsibilities, and seatbelt usage. Additionally, testimonies will be provided by officers who have investigated fatal collisions involving teens.

WHO: Students and Parents

WHAT: Start Smart Class

WHEN: Thursday August 6th 2009
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: California Highway Patrol
1888 Oceanside Blvd
Oceanside, CA 92054

For More Information
Contact
Officer Eric Newbury @ (760) 757-0824

FIRE ON VC GRADE

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 17:42:00 +0000

At 10:41 a.m. on Sunday Firefighters are responding to a fire of about an acre on the Valley Center grade, about a mile down the grade. Authorities will be shutting down the grade.

AIRPLANE GOES UP IN MUSUEUM

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:23:00 +0000

The one half scale replica of Donald Gordon's airplane, the first motorized flight west of the Mississippi, was put on display this week at the Valley Center History Museum. The plane was a joint project, designed by Joe Proctor and executed by Ira Goode. The photos were taken by Goode.

AIRPLANE DOWN ON SATURDAY AT GUEJITO RANCH

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 00:18:00 +0000

At 11:18 a.m. Saturday CAL FIRE-Valley Center Fire Department responded to an airplane crash Guejito Road (on the Guijito Ranch) in Valley Center. Copter 10 (Sheriff/CAL FIRE Helicopter) was in the area when the incident occurred as was able to quickly arrive on scene and begin treatment on the pilot. According to the pilot his engine went, he then attempted to land when the plane flipped over and landed upside down. The pilot had moderate injuries, and was transported to Scripps La Jolla by Copter 10 with a Paramedic on board. Nick Schuler of Cal Fire took the photos.

SILLY ACCUSATION

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:34:00 +0000

As I said earlier this week, I'm no supporter of term limits, however term limits might help us rid our county of the stupidity that is Dianne Jacob (She Who Must Be Obeyed), another of our supervisors-for-life. I'm also not a supporter of San Diego Gas & Electric's power shut-off proposal.

But Jacob's accusation that SDG&E "stacked" the hearings with supporters of the plan is just plan silly. I attended the hearing that was held at Harrah's Rincon Casino a couple of months ago, attended by a couple of hundred people, and almost no one who spoke was in favor of the plan. Well, there were a couple of safety organizations that spoke in favor, but 90% of the people who spoke, and almost all of the audience, was against SDG&E's plan.

How this could be called "stacking" is beyond me, but it's typical of the kind of ridiculous things that Jacob says. I recall during the wildfires of 2003 that she accused then Governor Gray Davis of delaying fire-fighting resources to San Diego because, she alleged, he was punishing the county for being the birthplace of the recall movement against him!

This is as dumb as some of the things that Nancy Pelosi says about the CIA. But, because no one ever challenges Jacob in her secure district (unlike Bill Horn, who, although he too says ridiculous things frequently, does at least get viable challengers) she can get away with conspiracy theory type pronouncements that would get other politicians pilloried by the public and the media.

REPORT FROM EDCO MEETING

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:10:00 +0000

About 80 people attended Wednesday night's informal meeting about the proposed EDCO green waste facility on Betsworth.

These are Valley Center Planning Group Chairman, Oliver Smith's thoughts on the meeting:

"Tonight's EDCO meeting was interesting. I let EDCO's President and CEO
Steve South know at the beginning that it was not a formal planning
group function but rather an informal opportunity for him and the
neighbors to talk. About 80 people showed up for about 2 hours. Steve
worked his way through a presentation, but it was peppered with
questions shouted out by the audience. For the most part it was civil,
but a couple of comments pushed the civility edge," said Smith.

His notes are below:

- Property purchased in April, 2008. Although there are no permits that
have been formally requested, it appears that they have a letter from
the Water District saying they will be served.
- The compost grinder will be electric inside a building to reduce
noise.
- Plan is for 18 wheelers to come from transfer stations around the
county, 20 trips in and 20 trips out per day plus 2 local trash trucks
with green waste per day plus transports by local community members.
- All incoming green waste will be questioned as to source and only non
quarantine material can be composted. After composting the heat during
the process sterilized the material.
- EDCO will be selling the final compost on site and shipping it out.
- There will be 8-10 people on site, hours planned are 7AM-5PM Monday
through Saturday. They claim they need to conform to this and will n\be
monitored to not go outside the times.
- Composting will be done by aerated covered static piles - after
chopping up the mulch, the pile is covered, air is injected, and the O2
and heat are monitored - it takes about 45 days to process.
- They have no equivalent facilities anywhere else in San Diego County.
- They will be inspected one a month by Dept of Environmental Health.
- There is an old Adobe house on the property that was offered to be
cleaned up and available for FFA an other local groups.
- When asked how the project would benefit the neighbors, the response
was that they felt it would preserve the rural nature of the area and
use of the Adobe house.

TERM LIMITS FOR SUPERVISORS?

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:14:00 +0000

I see that the San Diego County Employees union is going to start gathering signatures to put an initiative on the ballot that would limit the Board of Supervisors, who I lovingly refer to as our "Supervisors for Life," to two terms.

I'm against it, of course. I realize that this is the Holy Grail of the populist wing of the conservative movement, who somehow think that limiting office holders to two-terms (I've even heard a single term, with no possibility of reelection) will make the Republic work better. I don't buy it. We've had term limits in California for a couple of decades and the state's government has only gotten even worse than it was before. Corruption and stupidity will always find a way around artificial limits. Bad people can do bad things with a single term. And if they know they are limited to one term they will just do those bad things faster.

If the people are going to change their government, THEY need to do it, not rely on some artificial means. The people should be able to reelect able officials as many times as they want. I'm even against the president being limited to two terms.

That said, I do think it's time for the people of San Diego County to start holding their supervisors for life accountable. It's disgraceful that we haven't seen any new people on the board for ten years.

I'm suspicious that this two-terms law is being pushed by a public employees union. If they want to get rid of some of the supervisors, then probably the supervisors are doing some good things. Generally speaking, anything that is good for a public employees union is probably bad for the taxpayers at large.

I'll be watching this one closely. It probably won't get any further than the similar petition drive pushed a few years ago by the pot smokers, but we'll see.

LAWSUIT COULD RESUME AGAINST SDG&E

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:01:00 +0000

It's probably safe to say that the general managers of the backcountry water districts and the executives of San Diego Gas & Electric probably don't get together to play golf on their off hours.

Several local water districts, especially Valley Center Municipal Water District, have bitterly fought SDG&E's proposal to turn off the power during red flag days of high winds and low humidity, combined with other factors.

This week, with SDGE&E stating that it's not going to wait for the Public Utilities Commission's ruling on its proposal before putting it into effect on Sept. 1, I asked VCMWD's Gen. Mgr. Gary Arant if that means the water districts are going to revive their lawsuit to keep this from happening.

He told me:

"They say they have the authority to shut off power now, with or without the PUC ruling. It is true, they have the ability to do that, however, what they need from the PUC is a rule modification which gives them tort immunity from doing so. If they had that now had that immunity, why would they have gone to the PUC in the first place.

"They are evidently hell-bent to do this. With their approach and attitude, it is clear that the Emergency Power Shut Off is more about the SDG&E bottom-line and less about community safety.

"The water districts and others participated in the PUC process in good faith as we did in the negotiation process. It seems that SDG&E has as much respect for the PUC as they do for negotiating in good faith.

If they proceed with the shut off plan, then we will exercise any and all other avenues available to protect the communities and people we serve. We are examining our options now, including going back to court right now."

PICTURES OF PALA FIRE

noreply@blogger.com (David Ross) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:17:00 +0000

Nick Schuler, the PIO (public information officer) for Cal Fire, just sent over some pictures of firefighters getting the Pala Fire at Pankey Road & Hwy 76 under control. The blaze took off about 1 p.m. and burned about five acres before they stopped its progress. The cause of the Pankey Fire is equipment use – mowing. The operator is cooperating with investigators.