The Coast News, June 7, 2013

Page 1

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94

THE COAST NEWS

.com

MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

VOL. 27, NO. 12

JUNE 7, 2013

Contributions rolling in for Prop A Carlsbad sees balanced By Jared Whitlock

ENCINITAS — The past two months have seen no shortage of mailers and “robocalls” to sway voters for or against Proposition A, the land-use initiative headed for a June 18 special election. Yet the campaign materials don’t readily list the individuals running the groups or who is funding them. Additionally, residents and city officials have said some of the mailers used quotes or logos from city officials without permission. Three organizations, two against Prop A and one for, have been active leading up to the election. The first group vying for “no” votes: Encinitas Residents, Businesses and Taxpayers Opposing Proposition A. The organization has brought in $18,300 as of June 5, according to campaign contribution reports filed with the city. Christie Guerin, former mayor of Encinitas and principal officer of the group, said the organization has placed calls and sent out mailers to let voters know about “the drawbacks of Prop A.” “We think it’s important voters are educated,” Guerin said. Namely, the group has sought to highlight a report from Campaign signs urging “yes” and “no” votes on Proposition A hang on the Orange County-based law firm Rutan and Tucker that was Manchester Avenue in Encinitas. Campaign reports show who is funding TURN TO CONTRIBUTIONS ON A24

the various Prop A camps, information that’s not readily apparent on the mailers being sent out. Photo by Jared Whitlock

Officials fighting back against mosquito problem By Jared Whitlock

CARMEL VALLEY — From the cockpit of a Bull 206 helicopter hovering above the Penasquitos Lagoon, veins of blue water contrasted with the green wetland below. There wasn’t much green in sight a month ago. Most of the wetland was completely submerged in standing water, leaving the area prime for mosquito breeding. It even prompted concerns over the spread of West Nile Virus. “There’s less water now and that’s good news,” said helicopter pilot Jason Colquhoun over the roar of the engine. “The view from up here says a lot.” Colquhoun, who works with the San Diego County Vector Control Program, dropped organic larvicide while cruising over the area. Normally, he treats 20 acres every 28 days in the spring and summer months. But given the proliferation of mosquitoes over the past two months, 70 acres of the lagoon received An aerial view of the Penasquitos Lagoon shows arteries of standing water near Torrey Pines larvicide spraying. Amid residents’ concerns, the State Beach. Due to the freshwater, the area has seen a jump in mosquitoes in the past two TURN TO MOSQUITOES ON A24

PEDALING THROUGH LIFE Del Mar bicyclist Pierre Godefroy’s passion for the sport and his community service around the county has earned him accolades and even his own day. B1

months. To address the issue, officials will finish dredging the opening of the lagoon in a week and they’ve stepped up larvicide applications. Photo by Jared Whitlock

Two Sections, 52 pages Arts & Entertainment . A21 Food & Wine . . . . . . . . B11 Legals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A25 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A18

HOW TO REACH US (760) 436-9737 Calendar: calendar@coastnewsgroup.com Community News: community@coastnewsgroup.com Letters to the Editor: letters@coastnewsgroup.com

budget for FY 2013-14 Staff says city has been fortunate to see revenues increase By Rachel Stine

CARLSBAD — With an improving economy and rising revenues, Carlsbad city staff was able to propose a balanced operating budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year to City Council at its May 28 meeting. The budget incorporated investments in two new ambulances for the Fire Department, the city’s traffic signal program, and an updated city website. “Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it sure buys quality of life for cities,” said Councilmember Keith Blackburn after hearing staff’s presentation. City Administrative Services Director Chuck McBride stated during his

presentation that the economic climate in Carlsbad has improved along with the national economy, allowing for increased revenue sources that are close to pre-recession levels. “We’ve been fortunate to see our revenue sources increase in the coming fiscal year,” he said. This coming year’s total proposed citywide budget adds up to $255 million, most of which is made up of the city’s operating budget and the remainder by the capital improvement program. The proposed operating budget covers city services and adds up to about $211.2 million. The $43.8 million proposed capital improvement program funds major construction projects within Carlsbad. The city’s general fund, which finances most TURN TO BUDGET ON A24

Markings like these currently used in Encinitas will soon be added to Coast Highway 101 in Solana Beach to alert motorists that bicyclists may also use the travel lane. The 4-foot painted icons are called sharrows. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek

Sharrows to make their mark in S.B By Bianca Kaplanek

SOLANA BEACH — Motorists traveling south along Coast Highway 101 in Solana Beach may soon notice — if they haven’t already — new markings that look like a bike with a roof over it. They’re called sharrows and they indicate lanes may be used simultaneously by motorists and bicyclists.

The markings — a bike with two arrows, or chevrons, above it — are painted on roadways where a vehicle lane is too narrow for a dedicated bike lane. They are currently in use in several San Diego communities, including Encinitas, Oceanside and Point Loma. Sharrows alert drivers TURN TO SHARROWS ON A24


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
The Coast News, June 7, 2013 by Coast News Group - Issuu