PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
.com
MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
VOL. 25, NO. 38
SEPT. 30, 2011
Council quarrels over newly vacant seat
THISWEEK FIGHT THE POWER Carlsbad alters its power plant standards, raising more barriers for future coastal A3 power plants.
By Wehtahnah Tucker
NO CAN DO
The city of San Diego tells Del Mar it will not help fund a study to get a direct ramp from the I-5 to the high traffic area of the Del Mar A3 Fairgrounds.
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ON THE DOGWALK? Carlsbad residents Fiona and Katherine Burns walk the “Green Carpet” during the sixth annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon, which helps to raise funds for the Helen Woodward Animal Center. Photos by Daniel Knighton
Surf was up and tails were wagging By Lillian Cox
DEL MAR — Dog Beach lived up to its name on Sept. 25 when thousands of canine athletes, spectator dogs, owners, celebrities and the media from around the world converged on the sand for the sixth annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon presented by Eukanuba. This was the largest surf dog competition in the nation. More than $100,000 was raised for homeless pets and programs of the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe. “I had no idea when we came up with this idea six years ago that it would grow to this size,” said Mike Arms, president, Helen Woodward. “Where else can you have this but in Southern California?” Arms explained that while the event draws visitors from around the world, his dream is that international guests will also begin to travel with their dogs to San Diego for the competition. “But we think American dogs are the best surfers in the world,” he said. “It’s all
about people and their pets.” The day began with a tribute to service dogs, featuring police and surf and rescue dogs, followed by surfing heats in four weight classes. The competition was judged by world champion tandem surfer Guy Takayama, Alex
Gray from Volcom, Mike Emerson and Pat McGriff from the Swami’s Surfing Association and pro surfers Sunshine Makrow and Kristy Murphy. Surfers raised money by first deciding whether they wanted to surf with their
pooch in the surf dog heat, or in a team for Doo the Dah, a dog-human surfing costume contest. Then they pledged to catch a set number of waves, in a 15-minute period, and solicit friends and neighbors TURN TO SURF ON A14
RUH-OH Moo, owned by San Diego resident Doug D’Pete, bails out as her board gets sideways.
ENCINITAS — The four remaining members of the City Council met Sept. 26 during a special session to discuss the process of filling the seat left vacant by the death of Maggie Houlihan, who succumbed to cancer on Sept. 16. In the city’s 25 year history, the issue has never been addressed. However, state law requires the vacancy to be filled either by appointment or a special election within 60 days of the time the council is notified. The chamber was packed with Houlihan’s constituents, most of whom See more At the special City called for an Council meeting, appointment Maggie Houlihan of a either posthumously Tony Kranz, endorsed Lisa who placed Shaffer to fill her third in the seat. See the video last election, at or Lisa thecoastnews.com. Shaffer. In a surprising and emotional video (see sidebar) shown during the meeting, Houlihan endorsed Shaffer for council in 2012. Houlihan’s remarks were made close to the end of her life. Many in the crowd were moved to tears as Houlihan’s voice was heard one last time in the council chamber she served in for 11 years. Several speakers addressed the council urging that the criteria for a replacement be someone who would represent the entire city. Lisa Leslie, a local resident said that the person’s “values should closely resemble those of Maggie. You have an ethical duty to honor her wishes.” Dadla Ponzil told the council that since no clear and “fair” process existed for replacing Houlihan, “picking the subcommittee is of utmost importance.” “Frankly, I’m insulted that you thought it wasn’t important enough to televise,” he TURN TO SEAT ON A17