The rancho santa fe news, april 17, 2015

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MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

VOL. 11, N0. 8

Santa Fe Irrigation District General Manager Michael Bardin asks members of the Rancho Santa Fe Association to help get the message out to the community to reduce their water consumption by 25 percent. File photo

RSF is asked to reduce water consumption By Christina Macone-Greene

RANCHO SANTA FE — During a recent RSF Association board of directors meeting, the direction took a sobering turn when Michael Bardin, general manager of the Santa Fe Irrigation District, took center stage. He provided the directors and members with a summary on the water and drought conditions in the state; and, how the District was handling the situation and what was being asked of their customers. “The drought is very, very serious. It’s the worst drought in the history of the state of California,” he said.

The Sierra snowpack was at the lowest levels ever recorded and was followed by the second lowest last year. This creates a dire condition in terms of water. “Our local water supplies, which come from Lake Hodges, are exhausted. We’ve used that water up and with no local rain, we don’t have any local water supplies,” he said. “The imported supplies, the ones that come from the Colorado River and the Bay Delta are going to be cut back this year.” He went on to say how he wasn’t aware of what the cutback would be from the Metropolitan Water District, which affects all of

Southern California. Bardin said with the governor’s recent pronouncement, he can see those cuts being up in the 20 to 25 percent range to retailers, such as the District. “And we’re rolling back onto that system because we have no local water,” he said. “We’ve had the hottest and driest conditions we’ve ever experienced in the last couple of years.” Bardin explained that its demands are “drying up” due to irrigating large properties and this is causing the lack of water supply. While the District is taking measures to decrease water usage, they are looking into the devel-

opment of new supplies and actions. As this occurs, Bardin made a plea to the community. “We’re asking everyone to reduce their water consumption by 25 percent. That’s going to be hard,” he said. “It’s time to sacrifice. I know folks are doing a lot, and we’re at a point where those next steps are going to be painful. It’s not irrigating your lawns and it’s changing your landscaping.” Bardin also referred to a direct quote the governor made which indicated that the era of watering one’s lawn is coming to an end. TURN TO WATER ON 18

San Dieguito River Boardwalk compromise reached By Bianca Kaplanek

DEL MAR — Efforts to keep a popular boardwalk that runs along the San Dieguito River have at least partially paid off. The San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority board of directors voted 7-0 on April 8 to accept a compromise negotiated with the California Coastal Commission to remove about 680 feet of the eastern portion of the structure. In exchange, the remaining 520 feet will remain in place and end in a viewing platform. “No one was happy that the much-loved boardwalk will now end with a viewing platform, but the decision was based on preserving public access to the restored wetlands and allowing the more extensive excavation and tidal flow desired by the Coastal Commission and staff,” JPA Chairman and Del Mar City Council-

More than 150 people attended a March 21 Save the Boardwalk rally. Trish Boaz from the San Dieguito River Valley Coastal Conservancy credits their efforts for helping to maintain at least half of the 1,200-foot structure, built in 2007. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek

man Don Mosier said. The 1,200-foot walkway was built in 2007 by volunteers at a cost of about $354,000. The money came

from private donations and ucational and recreational San Dieguito River Valley resource that gives river Coastal Conservancy and park visitors an up-close transportation grants. It is considered an edTURN TO BOARDWALK ON 18

APRIL 17, 2015

Stump’s Village Market in Rancho Santa Fe will be closing its doors at the end of the year. The store has been a staple in the community for more than two decades. Photo by Tony Cagala

Resident speaks out against Stump’s Village Market closure By Christina Macone-Greene

RANCHO SANTA FE — The news that Stump’s Village Market will be closing its doors and leaving Rancho Santa Fe by the end of the year has left many residents disappointed. One such resident is Lindsay Short who has lived in the Ranch since the early 1980s. During a recent Rancho Santa Fe Association Board of Directors meeting, Short addressed the directors, telling the board that she was deeply concerned about the closing of Stump’s Village Market. The 10,000-square foot store has served residents for more than two decades. Short proposed to the Board to consider purchasing the building from the owner of Plaza de Santa Fe, Susan Wooley. During her input, she provided a list of reasons as to why she thought the community should mull it over. “It was built by Roger Wooley in 1974,” she said, adding how it was his intention to make it a permanent grocery store for the community. “Many residents have deliberately bought their residences close to Stump’s so that they could walk to the shop in order to buy their groceries. In some instances, some of these residents are no longer permitted to drive.” Short went on to say that Stump’s also provides a delivery service for its residents. This has provided an additional level of convenience. She told the board that Wooley is “purported to be seeking” another tenant for this space since the remainder of the building’s lease has been purchased.

This thought of potential tenants has Short incredibly concerned. “The chaos that will ensue if she is granted permission to build offices on top will be mind-blowing,” she said. Short voiced her trepidations such as limited parking and traffic congestion. If any construction is needed to accommodate a new tenant(s), Short mentioned the additional chaos of dust, cranes, cement mixers and more. “Imagine what fun it will be for many of us to go to the Post Office,” she said, with a sarcastic tone. According to Short, the nearest grocery store alternative would be Harvest Ranch in Encinitas. She went on to describe their Village store as a blessing, also naming the owners, its manager, Matt Basham, and staff members as excellent. “They have donated and organized the Firefighters Breakfast, Rancho Santa Fe Days, and made many donations to schools,” Short said. From there, she personally named the team members of Stump’s who have diligently served the Ranch over the years. “We need to take this into account and show our loyalty and support,” she said. “In the past, our Association has found the funds to acquire a certain Ranch for many millions based on historical value. Surely, we can find the funds to acquire this very necessary support for our community.” Short ended her comments by saying that she hoped many would agree with her proposal and recommended that the community vote on it.


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