The Coast News INLAND EDITION
.com
VISTA, SAN MARCOS, ESCONDIDO
VOL. 7, N0. 13
JUNE 24, 2022
Vista OKs traffic signal, all-way stops
Varso leaves Escondido for Menifee job By Samantha Nelson
ESCONDIDO — Police Chief Ed Varso is leaving Escondido for Menifee. Varso accepted a new position this month as the next police chief for the Riverside County city. His last day with the Escondido Police Department is Tuesday, June 28. He will be sworn in as the new Menifee police chief on June 30 and assume duty on July 5. Varso started his career in 1997 with the Los Angeles Police Department before he was hired as a police officer in Escondido in 2001. He worked for the police depa r t ment for 21 years, more than VARSO two of those as chief after being promoted in January 2020. Varso lived in Escondido until early 2022, according to Teresa Collins, the city’s deputy director of communications. He is now a resident of Menifee. “While I am excited for the opportunity to lead the Menifee Police Department, it is sad to say goodbye to Escondido,” Varso said in a statement provided from by city. In the statement, Varso praised the Escondido Police Department. “Day after day I witness a level of dedication and professionalism from all members of the Escondido Police Department that is second to none,” he said. “EPD is an outstanding police department and I know that it will continue to provide exceptional service for years to come.” Varso was unavailable to speak to The Coast News before his departure. City Manager Sean McGlynn will appoint an internal interim police chief from the department’s command staff. The city plans to conduct a nationwide search for a new chief. “No one has been chosen yet,” Collins told The Coast News via email.
By Jacqueline Covey
FAIR PLAY
A family takes the plunge on the log flume at the San Diego County Fair on Father’s Day at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. For the first time in three years, the fair has a full carnival midway. The last day is Monday, July 4. Photo via Facebook/San Diego County Fair
VISTA — The public spoke and the city heard: New stops signs and a stoplight are coming to Vista. On June 14, the Vista City Council unanimously approved a traffic signal at Bobier Drive and Calle Jules, and all-way stop signs at Warmlands Avenue and Alessandro Trail and Hill Drive and Durian Street — the latter projects stemming from public petition. “This intersection is insane,” said resident Chris Felten about Hill Drive and Durian Street, adding that community markers/signs to slow down have failed. “People like to stop, pick it up and throw it on the sidewalk,” Felten added. “It’s insane through there.” Residents living near Warmlands Avenue and Alessandro Trail and Hill Drive and Durian Street encouraged staff to evaluate traffic in those intersections, complaining of unsafe speeds and other issues. Despite evaluations missing the quantitative requirements, petitions favoring the installation of stop signs prevailed. The all-way stop sign evaluations were on a 20-point grading system with 11 granted to Hill Drive and Warmlands Avenue scoring nine. “I just really want to thank the neighbors for getting together utilizing the petition process,” Councilmember Corinna Contreras said. Residents may submit a petition for a measure to slow the flow of traffic on city streets through the Vista Traffic Calming Program. Signatures in support of traffic-slowing enhancements must make up a majority of the TURN TO VISTA ON 9
San Marcos sees healthy 2022-23 financials amid US uncertainty By Laura Place
SAN MARCOS — San Marcos officials are approaching the city’s 202223 budget with cautious optimism as revenue starts to return to pre-pandemic levels, but the possibility of a nationwide recession looms on the horizon. The San Marcos City Council unanimously ap-
proved the operational budget for the upcoming year at its June 14 meeting, discussing the economic peaks and valleys over the last two years and how far the city has come since. Twelve months ago, the city began the 2021-22 fiscal year facing a nearly $2.7 million budget deficit, with the loss of rental reve-
nue largely contributing to the shortfall. It was patched over at the time using reserve funds, and fully eliminated shortly afterward with the arrival of federal relief funds. Going into this year, the city has a remaining $9.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
funds, infrastructure reserves are bolstered and revenue is projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels. However, city staff noted, the country is also seeing the highest inflation rates in decades and stock prices have been dropping. “We have to be nimble,” said City Manager Jack Griffin. “We’re seeing
a continued rise in inflation, and we’re aware that the Federal Reserve has signaled toward additional interest rate increases potentially next quarter, and we’re uncertain of property and sales tax conditions. Currently, the forecast is positive, but if a recession TURN TO SAN MARCOS ON 7