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THE RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS
.com VOL. 10, NO. 2
THE RANCH’S BEST SOURCE FOR LOCAL NEWS
JAN. 24, 2014
A matter of ‘trying to keep people safe’ CHP is increasing watch over motorist, cyclist infractions By Tony Cagala
RANCHO SANTA FE — Not until this September does the newly signed into law Three Feet For Safety Act, which is aimed at helping motorists and bicyclists to better coexist on the roadways, take effect. But even then, around the narrow roads of Rancho Santa Fe, a motorist trying to pass a cyclist, entering into the opposite lane to do so might not be a reasonable option, said CHP Officer Jim Bettencourt. On any given weekend, cyclists that are drawn to the diverse terrain, line the shaded and winding road ways that dissect Rancho Santa Fe. Oftentimes, Rancho Santa Fe plays just a portion of a cyclist’s ride that can extend some 100 miles before heading out to the coastal communities of Del Mar, Solana Beach and Encinitas or further inland towards Del Dios and Escondido. But Matt Wellhouser, chief of the Rancho Santa Fe Patrol, has said that cycling in the area has become a growing concern over the last few years for residents.
Cal Fire firefighters battle a fire in Valley Center in November 2013. Photo by Anthony Carrasco, courtesy of Cal Fire
Bicyclists pedal down Paseo Delicias in Rancho Santa Fe where a portion of the street has no bike lane. The cyclists have caught residents’ attentions, and the Rancho Santa Fe Association has asked that California Highway Patrol enforce bicycle laws more. Photo by Tony Cagala
“The complaints we have received are regarding large groups of bicycle riders riding more than single file, two, three, four abreast or more. And then not stopping for stop signs,” Wellhouser said. “One of the problems,” he said, “is the road width out here changes depending on the street. Streets like Paseo Delicias have a wider roadway and also a bike lane,
whereas streets like Las Colinas or Lago Lindo have narrower lane width and no bike lane.” The bike lanes here are deteriorated, said “Cowboy” Steve Morris, a cyclist and Encinitas-based real estate agent. “They go from six-inches to a foot, down to nothing — down to the width of the paint, with potholes and cracks and seams,” he said.
“They’re not in good shape. You take some risks to be here.” On a recent Sunday, he and a group of three other cyclists took a break from their ride, stopping for coffee and conversation at Café Positano in the heart of Rancho Santa Fe along Paseo Delicias. TURN TO CYCLISTS ON A14
2 honored for combined service of 45 years By Bianca Kaplanek
DEL MAR — Two Del Mar Fairgrounds employees were recognized at the Jan. 14 meeting for their combined service of nearly half a century. Becky Bartling, who currently serves as deputy secretary-manager, was hired Jan. 1, 1994, as the first full-time box office manager. Her initial task was automating the 22nd District Agricultural Association’s antiquated ticket system. “At that time we just had hard tickets,” fairgrounds General Manager Tim Fennell said. A few years later the 22nd DAA, which oversees the fairgrounds, created a haunted house now know as The Scream Zone. Fennell said Bartling was instrumen-
SWAMI’S SURF SCIENTIST Terry Hendricks was a legendary surfer, who played a unique and important role in the development of “surf craft.” B1
tal in helping to get the event off the ground 16 years ago, which may be why she is nicknamed “The Queen of Scream.” Event coordinator was added to Bartling’s title in 2000. Three years later she was promoted to her current position with responsibilities that include overseeing interim event activities. Four departments and the Del Mar Horse Park equestrian facility report directly to Bartling. She is also responsible for administering the district’s master plan, supervising the senior environmental planner and booking all grandstand acts during the San Diego County Fair. Deputy General Manager Becky Bartling is honored for 20 years of serv“Becky is one of the most ice to the Del Mar Fairgrounds by General Manager Tim Fennell, left, and the 22nd District Agricultural Association board of directors, includ- positive, effervescent people you will ever meet,” Fennell ing President Fred Schenk, right. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek said. “I personally feel very fortunate to have Becky as my COO and business partner. HOW TO “She is everything I’m REACH US not — smart, articulate, vertically challenged and is willing (760) 436-9737 to learn more about sewers, Arts & Entertainment . A10 wastewater runoff and Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . B13 Calendar: reclaimed water than I’ll ever calendar@coastnewsgroup.com Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B12 want to know,” he added. Community News: “Much of the success of the Food & Wine . . . . . . . . . B8 community@coastnewsgroup.com Del Mar Fairgrounds over the Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 last 20 years can be attributed Letters to the Editor:
Two Sections, 32 pages
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A13
letters@coastnewsgroup.com TURN TO HONORED ON A14
Cal Fire bolsters staff to handle fire danger from area drought By Rachel Stine
REGION — The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) is maintaining a greater number of on duty firefighters statewide, including in San Diego County, to handle the unusually high fire danger accompanying the state’s drought conditions this winter. The state has experienced record low rainfall over the past year and weather forecasts reveal continuing dry weather. Last week, Gov. Jerry Brown signed an emergency drought declaration. Recently, San Diego County has sustained Santa Ana winds, prompting red flag warnings, and low humidity rather than burgeoning rainfall. Normally during this time of year, fire risks reduce with the rain. But current weather conditions have extended “fire season” indefinitely as vegetation becomes drier and more susceptible to catching fire. Cal Fire has already responded to 154 wildfires, which burned 598 acres, from Jan. 1 through Jan. 11. On average during this time of year, Cal Fire responds to 26 fires. Last year during this same time, Cal Fire did not respond to any fires. And there is no sign of letting up. “Fire danger is going to remain much higher than normal for this time of year,” said Cal Fire spokesperson Daniel Berlant. “We’re experienc-
ing conditions that we would normally see in August.” Cal Fire normally maintains seasonal firefighters for nine months during each year through the spring, summer and fall when fire incidents are more frequent. Typically, Cal Fire releases its seasonal personnel in Southern California by late December, he explained. Yet the extended fire season has caused Cal Fire to retain its seasonal staff for the foreseeable future. Cal Fire in San Diego County maintains 301 permanent firefighters year round, according to Cal Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler. It is currently retaining its 91 seasonal firefighters beyond their normal nine-month employment to handle the greater fire incidents. San Diego Cal Fire is also utilizing extra shifts from the 253 inmate firefighters serving time in local conservation camps. Brown’s drought declaration has enabled Cal Fire to use state emergency funds to pay for the additional firefighting staff, said Berlant. But those limited resources are in danger of running out before the fiscal year is over. Cal Fire originally had access to $172 million in emergency funds at the start of the fiscal year on July 1, 2013. Those funds have been used since then to support enhanced fire protection and only $20 TURN TO FIRE ON A14