The coast news 2013 08 23

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THE COAST NEWS

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MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

VOL. 27, NO. 23

AUG. 23, 2013

City discusses options for Pacific View site By Jared Whitlock

MESSAGE RECEIVED At a “Freedom From Filner” rally last weekend, Rancho Santa Fe resident John Cox spoke about his efforts to reform California politics, starting with the recall of embattled San Diego Mayor Bob Filner. The mayor, accused of sexual harassment by several women, was, as of Thursday, expected to resign from office as part of a settlement agreement. Photo by Daniel Knighton

Escondido Police Chief selected following personnel turmoil By Rachel Stine

ESCONDIDO — The city of Escondido selected a new police chief after about a year of turmoil within the police department involving an undisclosed personnel investigation, the mysterious early retirement of the former police chief, and police misconduct allegations. City Manager Clay Phillips selected Capt. Craig Carter on Aug. 16 after the Police Department had been without a chief for almost a

year. Carter has worked for the Escondido Police Department for more than 20 years and was recently promoted from lieutenant to captain in March of this year. Carter said he was excited by the opportunity to lead the city’s police department, where he has spent his entire career. “This is a fantastic department. It is a great group of men and women,” he said. Carter was chosen after a

Airline stalled

Two Sections, 52 pages

North County’s first airline is struggling to receive FAA certification to start flying operations. A8 Plastic made perfect An Encinitas school is using plastic bottles to construct a greenhouse to produce locally grown vegetables. A15

Craig Carter has been selected as the new Escondido Police Chief after the department spent nearly a full year without an acting chief. Photo courtesy of the Escondido Police Department

Arts & Entertainment . B12 Food & Wine . . . . . . . . A16 Legals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A22

Getting a newfound sense of confidence, Drew Durfey is adjusting to a life of independence. B1

Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A10

month-long internal selection process led by Phillips, who also considered Captains Robert Benton and Michael Loarie. Carter is replacing former police chief Jim Maher, who served six years as chief during his 32-year career in the Escondido Police Department. Maher retired on Dec. 31, 2012 after being placed on paid administrative leave on TURN TO NEW CHIEF ON A27

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

ENCINITAS — Councilmembers invited residents to come up with business plans for a community arts center at Wednesday night’s meeting. But the proposals won’t necessarily be tailored specifically to the Pacific View property. Roughly 20 residents at the meeting urged the city to buy the property from the Encinitas Union School District. They argued, as many in the community have for years, that it’s the ideal spot for an arts center. Deputy Mayor Lisa Shaffer said the city is currently negotiating over the purchase price with the dis-

trict. In the meantime, she encouraged residents to look at ways to fund an arts center — even if it’s not at Pacific View. “(Proposals) could inform plans for Pacific View if we’re successful at the real estate negotiations,” Shaffer said. “Or it could lead to action in some other location if Pacific View doesn’t happen,” she added. “But I don’t see any reason to wait to have that discussion, we have a lot of interest.” With a unanimous vote, councilmembers directed the Cultural Tourism Marketing Committee to TURN TO PACIFIC VIEW ON A24

City manager resigns By Promise Yee

OCEANSIDE — City Manager Peter Weiss announced his resignation during the City Council meeting on Aug. 21. He stated that his resignation would be effective Dec. 27, “in consideration of what’s best for the Council and community.” The December date gives the present City Council time to go through the process to search and appoint a new city manager before the next City Council elections. City Council members said the news of Weiss’ resignation came as a shock. Weiss has worked for the city for 27 years, first as a city engineer,then director of public works and seven years as city manager. Both Mayor Jim Wood

and Councilwoman Esther Sanchez gave Weiss kudos for working with a City Council that has consistently had a contentious two-three vote split on issues through election cycles. City manager Weiss had been tasked with finding a middle ground for council members by suggesting word changes or modifications to public hearing items that satisfied all council members. “He survived seven years of us,” Sanchez said. Wood, who is beginning his campaign for district five County Supervisor in September, said prior to Weiss’ announcement that the conflicts between council members might have pushed Weiss to resign. TURN TO CITY MANAGER ON A26


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