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VOL. 56, ISSUE 50
16776 Bernardo Center Dr., Ste. 203, San Diego, CA 92128
Mayor comes to RB, says city on right path
RB/4S DIGEST Relay rally Rancho Bernardo Relay for Life will hold a relay rally from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 19 at The Remington Club, 16916 Hierba Drive in RB. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served. The June 23-24 24-hour walking relay will be in RB Community Park. Walkers and volunteers needed. Go to www.relayforlife.org/ ranchobernardoca or send email to relay.mike@cox.net.
Planning board
or Current Resident
Presorted Standard US Postage PAID San Diego CA Permit No. 2551
Rancho Bernardo Planning Board will meet at 7 tonight (Thursday) in Oaks North Community Center, 12578 Oaks North Drive. Residents in Districts A, D and F can present themselves for appointment to the board. For agenda and district boundaries, go to www. RBPlanningBoard.com.
13475 Danielson St. #110 Poway, CA 92064
50 cents
BY ELIZABETH MARIE HIMCHAK
Mayor Jerry Sanders with COGG President Lynn Ann Reagan-Jameson on Tuesday. Photo by Elizabeth Marie Himchak
Mayor Jerr y Sanders provided a positive assessment of where the city is headed when he gave what is likely to be one of his last speeches in Rancho Bernardo on Tuesday. “I have 201 days left in office,” Sanders said. “I’m very excited to be moving on to a new phase in my life. But (being your mayor) has been a tremendous honor.” He praised Rancho Bernardo residents — many of whom were among the 90 at the Conservative Order for Good Government’s luncheon — for
their efforts in helping him turn the city around. “Rancho Bernardo has given the strongest support of any community in San Diego,” Sanders said. “Everything I’ve done has been a result of everyone working together.” He later added Rancho Bernardo’s high voter turnout combined with residents giving city officials ideas and putting pressure on City Hall were factors in forcing the City Council to make hard choices that took the city from a bleak financial future to one that will be ahead of most other cities.
Sanders said the city operated with a structural deficit for more than three decades. Though it had a balanced budget, that was accomplished by not making full payments on its obligations including employee pension plans, retiree health care and infrastructure maintenance. This year, for the first time, he said the city is paying into every fund to the fullest extent. “We’ve also built on our reserves,” Sanders said, explaining it was at 2 percent when he took office in late 2005, Wall Street wanted the city’s See MAYOR, Page 15
REC CENTER, LIBRARY STAYING OPEN LONGER BY ELIZABETH MARIE HIMCHAK Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center users now have five additional hours per week to be inside the facility. Starting June 4, Rancho Bernardo Library patrons will also gain five additional hours a week when the branch library is once again open on Monday afternoons. The extra hours are due to a $16.5 million surplus this year and a projected $119 million surplus over the next five years, according to Mayor Jerry Sanders. “This year’s $16.5 million budget surplus was a result of my economic reforms, as well as better than expected revenues,” Sanders wrote in an email to constituents on Friday. “Managed competition, the streamlining of nearly every city department, IT outsourcing and other reforms have collectively produced millions of dollars in budget savings.” Recreation center hours citywide were cut several years ago to 40 hours per week. Now, the 56 centers will each be open 45 See HOURS, Page 15
ARTS, CRAFTS AND MOMS — Several thousand went to Bernardo Winery’s 35th annual arts and crafts fair on Saturday and Sunday. Each year the event is held on Mother’s Day weekend. Checking out handmade candles and other items on Sunday were, from left, Shelly Kitchens, Lauren Kane, Lisa Kane-Charles, Haley Kane, Suzanne Mallory and Tracey Mallory. Photo by Beverley Brooks
CELEBRATING EL BIZCOCHO After decades of exceptional dining, El Bizcocho is celebrating its history all summer long by bringing back legendary wine dinners and special guests, favorite menus and past chefs. The celebration kicks off June 7th with a special dinner with Gavin Kaysen. RANCHOBERNARDOINN.COM/EPILOGUE 858 | 675 | 8550