PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
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MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
VOL. 27, NO. 26
GARDEN EXPLORER Surrounded by the scents of blooming flora and delectable cuisine being cooked over an open grill at the San Diego Botanic Garden, the 14th annual Gala in the Garden was a feast for the senses. The theme this year was, “A Stroll Around the Garden.” The event is one of the garden’s most successful fundraisers. Above: Carlsbad resident Dylan Rool, 3, plays in the water near one of the lily ponds. More photos on page A21. Photo by Daniel Knighton
Surfliner poised to stop at more stations
SEPT. 13, 2013
“How did this get so far and missed?” Trustee Lisa Rodman, right, asked staff members, addressing the fact that safety and accessibility issues with the Cultural Arts Center were not addressed during the facility’s most recent upgrade. Photo by Rachel Stine
CUSD cancels contract with law firm By Rachel Stine
By Jared Whitlock
COAST CITIES — Those in North County who wish to hop on the Pacific Surfliner no longer have to make the trek to Solana Beach or Oceanside. Six of Amtrak’s Surfliner trains will stop daily at all of the eight county Coaster stations beginning Oct. 7. North County Transit District (NCTD), which runs the Coaster stations, recently announced a deal with Amtrak and Caltrans to expand the Surfliner service. “We’re plugging in a need for more local trains,” said Frances Schnall, marketing repre- A Coaster train pulls away from the Encinitas Coaster Station. Beginning Oct. 7, Amtrak’s TURN TO SURFLINER ON A18
Two Sections, 48 pages Arts & Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . A10
Surfliner trains, which currently speed by the station, will stop in Encinitas and at more North County stations. Photo by Jared Whitlock
Beer & berry fields forever Carlsbad is embarking on a new agricultural center near the Flower Fields where produce, hops and more will be grown for local use. A3
Food & Wine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B12 Legals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A19 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B10
A mysterious feast The second annual Diner en Blanc is slated for later this month.The flash mob-style dinner where the location is unknown is gaining traction here. B13
CARLSBAD — The Carlsbad Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Trustees voted to cancel its contract with the law firm that hired a former trustee and prioritized Prop P infrastructure projects at its Sept. 11 meeting. The Board was presented with the opportunity to continue, scale back, or cancel its $100,000 annual contract with the law firm Fagen, Friedman, and Fulfrost LLP after the firm hired former trustee Kelli Moors. Fearing conflict of interest accusations, the Board had decided to re-vote on the firm’s contract after realizing that Moors had voted to support the contract 12 days before announcing
her resignation to accept her position with the firm. The Board had contacted with the law firm to handle special education and personnel matters since 2006. The four current trustees voted unanimously to cancel the contract without discussion at the meeting. Board President Elisa Williamson had previously expressed that she intended to recommend that the Board reduce the scale of the firm’s contract with the district to only current cases that would be too costly to transfer to other firms. After the meeting she explained that she had changed her mind to recommend canceling the contract TURN TO CONTRACT ON A18
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