PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92025 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
.com MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
VOL. 28, N0. 50
DEC. 12, 2014
Encinitas city .com manager resigns SAN MARCOS -NEWS
By Aaron Burgin
It takes two
Krista Ann and Matt Bellamy tango outdoors in Encinitas. The pair are hosting free tango lessons every Saturday starting at 4 p.m. at Moonlight Beach. They’ve done a similar program in Oceanside and have now brought the passionate dance to town. Visit TangoSkills.com for more info. Photo by Tony Cagala
Del Marians see train platform as unneeded By Bianca Kaplanek
DEL MAR — City officials, in a comment letter to the San Diego Association of Governments, are asking that an environmental assessment for a project to replace the nearly 100-yearold railroad bridge west of the Del Mar Fairgrounds be revised and reissued because it does not adequately mitigate impacts or address the need for a special events train platform. The letter was sent to SANDAG, the region’s primary public planning and transportation agency that is working with the Federal Railway Administration on
In a letter to the San Diego Association of Governments, Del Mar officials are asking that an environmental assessment for a project to replace the nearly 100-year-old railroad bridge west of the Del Mar Fairgrounds be revised and reissued because it does not adequately mitigate impacts or address the need for a special events train platform. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek
the project, in late Novem- ment deadline. But it was discussed ber to meet a Dec. 1 com-
and ratified at the Dec. 1 meeting by four council members, with Al Corti recused because he lives within 500 feet of the project area. In addition to replacing the San Dieguito Railway River Bridge, which was built in 1916, and adding the special events platform, the project will double track a 1.1-mile stretch of the railroad. Plans also include a pedestrian undercrossing on the south end that will result in an 8-foot increase in the bridge height. TURN TO PLATFORM ON A18
ENCINITAS — The city of Encinitas’ top employee has resigned. City Manager Gus Vina, who was hired in July 2011 to replace former City Manager Phil Cotton, informed the City Council on Monday that he would leave his post to take a position in Northern California, so he can be closer to family, he said in a prepared statement. No end date has been set for his employment, according to a city news release. “Encinitas is a wonderful city. My experience here has been very rewarding and I have enjoyed the many things that we have been able to accomplish,” Vina said. “I am extremely excited about my opportunity to work again in Northern California, where I have deep roots in public service.” Vina was seen Tuesday morning meeting with councilwoman-elect Catherine Blakespear. He informed city staff of his departure Tuesday morning in an email. Per his contract, Vina will submit his formal letter of resignation to the mayor this evening, city spokeswoman Marlena Medford said. His informal announcement took place the day before the city was to swear in Kristin Gaspar to the city’s first elected mayor post and Blakespear to the City Council. Vina has not announced the location of his new position, but it is believed to be near the Sac-
THE VISTA NEWS
.com Encinitas City Manager Gus Vina announces he will be resining from his position. Photo courtesy
the city of Encinitas
RANCHO
ramento area. SFNEWS Two sources that spoke on background confirmed Vina’s resignation to the Coast News on Monday night. When asked Tuesday morning about Vina’s performance and resignation, City Councilwoman Lisa Shaffer said he had done a “pretty good job” in the city’s top administrative post. “I think Gus overall has done a pretty good job, this is a really tough job,” Shaffer said. “I know there have been a lot of changes since he arrived, both in staff and on the council, and I think he worked through those changes. “There is a lot going on in the city right now, especially with the housing element update, and I was looking forward to working with Gus on those things. Now I will look forward to working with whoever comes in next,” Shaffer added. The City Council most recently conducted
.com
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