The Coast News, February 21, 2020

Page 1

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

THE COAST NEWS

.com SERVING NORTH COUNTY SINCE 1987

VOL. 34, N0. 8

FEB. 21, 2020

SAN CSUSM dean MARCOS dismissed for -NEWS misuse of funds

Measures A and B stir controversy

.com

By Kirk Mattu

By Steve Puterski

CARLSBAD — Two controversial ballot questions will be decided by voters on March 3 regarding the county’s General Plan and development within San Diego County. Measure A and Measure B have pitted environmentalists against both political party establishments, along with trade unions and chambers of commerce. In Carlsbad, the chamber recently endorsed a no vote on Measure A, which would amend the General Plan requiring voter approval to increase density in semi-rural and rural areas. A yes vote would keep the plan as is, while a no vote would approve the amendment. As for Measure B, it’s a referendum on the Newland Sierra project, a 2,135-unit development north of San Marcos and west of Hidden Meadows and Escondido. The Board of Supervisors approved the project, 4-0, in 2018. But now, Democrats and Republicans and their allies are lining up to reverse course, which was riled environmental groups. As for the Carlsbad chamber, Executive Director Bret Schanzenbach said Measure A is critical to the region’s ability to reach its housing goals and will protect open space. Measure B, meanwhile, is a common-sense development, with him noting the housing supply is extremely low. “Bottom line, too many of our workers are coming down from Temecula, Murrieta and beyond,” Schanzenbach said. “Not having enough supply is what results in these steep costs and makes it more challenging for the average working person to afford something in North County.” He said it is unfortuTURN TO CONTROVERSY ON A6

SAN MARCOS — On the eve of California State University, San Marcos’ audit on execuTHE tive officials misapproVISTA priating university funds, the university severed NEWS ties with two officials in spotlight of review. CSUSM and the California State University Chancellor’s Office each released their own independent internal reviews on Feb. 13 of business spending of Michael Schroder, the former dean of extended learning RANCHO and associate vice president for internationSFNEWS al programs. According to an investigation last year by The San Diego Union Tribune, Schroder exceeded university spending caps when staying at Ritz-Carlton hotels, upgraded airfare to business or first class, and bought $50 steak dinners at Vigilucci’s Seafood Steakhouse in Carlsbad. “We substantiated all of the allegations,” the chancellor’s 28-page independent report stated. “We also found that the dean sought and received reimbursement for expenses that were personal in nature under the guise of university business.” The university announced that Michael Schroder and his wife Beth Schroder, the senior director of philanthropy, were no longer employed as of Feb. 12. CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt stated on the release of the university’s independent report that, “the independent investigation by the Chancellor’s Office revealed that a member of our community took advantage of their position and influence to fraudulently use university resources to their personal benefit. “Upon reading the report, I was in disbelief that someone would violate the sacred trust placed upon leaders of this university to such a

.com

.com

MEMBERS of Oceanside City Council, Water Utilities staff and U.S. Rep. Mike Levin place a giant Google Maps “location pin” into the ground at the site of the city’s Pure Water Oceanside recycled water purification project. The city broke ground on Feb. 19 for the project to be housed at the San Luis Rey Water Reclamation Facility. Photos by Samantha Nelson

O’side water project breaks ground County’s advanced purification program led by the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. Orange County is the closest place to San Diego that has its own recycled water purification facility. According to Sandy Kerl, general manager of the San Diego Water Authority, San Diego County is now able to have its own potable recycled water facilities because regulations are now in place and the economics make sense. “When you’re talking about a public water supply you have to make sure that it’s absolutely safe for the public,” Kerl told The Coast News. “Because water is a scarce commodity … this is a way to have new water come into the system to reuse it.” Kerl also spoke at the groundbreaking event, where she stressed how important water is for the region. “It’s easy for us to take for granted this water situation,” Kerl said. “It is im-

By Samantha Nelson

OCEANSIDE — The city broke ground on Feb. 19 for a new project that will purify recycled water for the public to drink. Located at the San Luis Rey Water Reclamation Facility, Pure Water Oceanside is a project that will use advanced technology to essentially copy and speed up nature’s water cycle. The project will provide 3 to 5 million gallons of drinking water per day, which is more than 32% of the city’s water supply. It is scheduled for completion before the end of 2021. According to Water Utilities Director Cari Dale, who spoke at the event celebrating the project’s groundbreaking on Feb. 19, Pure Water Oceanside will reduce the city’s dependency on imported water by 30%. “We rely on imported water, but this source requires an enormous amount of energy to transport and is vulnerable to natural disasters,” Dale said. “Pure Water Oceanside will address these challenges, diversi-

OCEANSIDE Water Utilities Director Cari Dale spoke during the Pure Water Oceanside groundbreaking ceremony at the San Luis Rey Water Reclamation Facility on Feb. 19.

fying our city’s water supply, safeguarding against drought and providing an environmentally friendly alternative.” The project will also recharge the Mission Basin Aquifer, improve water quality and prevent saltwater intrusion, Dale said. The project costs $67 million. According to Dale, the Metropolitan Water

District and the San Diego County Water Authority together are allocating approximately $25 million over the next 15 years. Pure Water Oceanside will be the first operating advanced water purification facility in San Diego County. Two other projects are in the works, including the city of San Diego’s Pure Water project and East

Assemblymember TASHA

TURN TO WATER ON A10

TURN TO CSUSM ON A14

BOERNER HORVATH

is getting things done for San Diego County’s veterans. Paid for by Tasha Boerner Horvath for Assembly 2020 • #1414240 TBH20_CoastNewsAds_10.25x2_r2.indd 5

Learn more @ Tasha4Assembly.com

1/6/20 11:08 AM


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.