Volume XV, Issue 12
www.solanabeachsun.com
March 17, 2011 Published Weekly
Retaining wall to commemorate neighbors ■ Earl Warren teen raises money to build house for family in need. Page 4.
■ CCA student wins singing contest. Page 11.
■ Cardiologist helps residents lead heart-healthy lives. See page B10.
■ Art contest to benefit homeless youths. Page B1.
BY MARLENA CHAVIRA-MEDFORD Staff Writer Solana Beach City Council voted March 10 to replace a retaining wall in the northeast corner of Fletcher Cove Park, which will feature tiles bearing the names of some Solana Beach residents who make donations toward the project.
Questions arise on validity of survey BY JOE TASH Contributor Critics are questioning the validity of a survey conducted by 74th District Assemblyman Martin Garrick, which found that 71 percent of respondents were against the proposed sale of the state-owned Del Mar fairgrounds to the city of Del Mar. Garrick, R-Solana Beach, reported the results of the survey on his website, and the report was also included as an informational item on last week’s agenda of the Del Mar fair board, whose members oppose the sale. According to Garrick, his office received 4,497 responses to the survey, with 71 percent opposing the sale, 81 percent saying they should be allowed to weigh in on the sale, and a majority in favor of the state continuing to operate the fairgrounds through the 22nd District Agricultural Association and its appointed board. SEE SURVEY, PAGE 5
Anyone who donates $700 can have their name placed on one of the 3 x 10 inch tiles that will be part of the 40-foot long concrete retaining wall. Based on the size of the wall, there will be room for 40 to 50 tiles. The money from the sale of these tiles will help pay for the $21,100
project. The price of the project includes: removing the existing wall at a cost of $1,400; constructing the new wall at a cost of $4,900; and a contract with artist Betsy Schulz for the creation and installation of the tiles for a cost of $14,800. Schulz is the same artist who did decorative work on the Fletcher Cove Park re-
Irish steps
The Friends of the Solana Beach Library held an evening of Irish dancing in honor of St. Patrick’s Day on March 8. Dance troups from the Rose-Ritchie Academy performed dances done in soft and hard shoes. See page B8 for more. Photo/Jon Clark
strooms, and on the entry arches at the south end of the Coastal Rail Trail. The council also approved $2,200 for some of the donor tiles to be placed on the west end of the Fletcher Cove Park boardwalk. SEE WALL, PAGE 6
Issues surface at fairgrounds workshop BY JOE TASH Contributor Attendees at a city council workshop Wednesday, March 9, had plenty of questions and suggestions about Del Mar’s proposed $120 million purchase of the state-owned Del Mar Fairgrounds. The questions included whether gun shows could be prohibited from the fairgrounds if the sale goes through, and why Del Mar would have only one representative on the nine-member board that would oversee fairground operations. The meeting in council chambers was held in an informal style, with members of the public sitting around
a series of six circular tables along with council members, city staff, union representatives and officials with outside agencies. In all, about 50 people attended the session. The meeting began with updates from Del Mar Mayor Don Mosier and other officials on the status of the proposed deal. Attendees then spent about an hour holding discussions in smaller groups, before the results of those discussions were shared with the entire room. “Since we’re putting up all the money and effort, why do we only get one SEE ISSUES, PAGE 6
Commission announces early support of transit bill BY MARLENA CHAVIRAMEDFORD Staff Writer The California Coastal Commission recently announced its initial support of a bill that would require
transportation dollars be spent on improving transit along the coast before any freeways can be expanded there. Last month, Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Di-
ego) introduced the legislation, SB 468, which would also require the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to pay for improvements to local streets that absorb more
traffic due to expanded freeways. If the bill passes, it could be a big game-changer for Caltrans’ proposed SEE BILL, PAGE 5