Volume XV, Issue 33
www.solanabeachsun.com
Aug. 11, 2011 Published Weekly
New chamber president means business
■ Pediatrician wants new definition of ‘success’ for kids in sports. Page 4
■ See our Special Racing Section on Pages 10-11
BY CLAIRE HARLIN Staff WRITER Local business owner Carolyn D. Cohen was appointed to be president of the Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors on Aug. 2, following the recent resignation of David Carroll. Jason Smith was elected as vice president of the
board. “I was saddened to learn of David Carroll’s resignaCarolyn Cohen tion after more than five years as the chamber president, but I am excit-
ed about the new possibilities for the Solana Beach Chamber with Carolyn Cohen at the helm,” said chamber member, Solana Beach City Councilman and former mayor David Roberts. Cohen, a nine-year resident of Solana Beach, owns several businesses in the community, including Here
Selis, Ruffians perform in SB
Sandy Pomraning, Linda Little and Gayle Pomraining came out to Calvary Lutheran Church on Aug. 6 to watch Eve Selis and Her Band of Ruffians perform. See page B13 for more. PHOTO: JON CLARK
Ramp to fairgrounds on radar
■ Chargers’ head coach Norv Turner employs lifetime of experience. Page B1
BY CLAIRE HARLIN Staff Writer With the first phases of the proposed I-5 widening projecting beginning as early as 2013, it’s an opportune time to look into the possibility of constructing a direct-access ramp from the interstate into the fairgrounds, said Del Mar City Councilmember Mark E. Filanc on Aug. 8. Filanc’s suggestion comes after a recent meeting with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). “Studies at Caltrans indicate that would be the best thing to relieve traffic there,” he said, urging the council to consider seeking funding for an environmental analysis of such a project as soon as possible. “Let’s be honest,” said commu-
JOHN R. LEFFERDINK
619-813-8222
nity member Bill Michaelsky. “Aesthetically, that’s not going to be the most attractive solution. I think we need more information.” Filanc suggested the ramp could feed directly into the Del Mar Fairgrounds parking area. Council members compared such a project to other large amusement facilities, like Disneyland, that are accessible by direct-access highway ramps. Filanc said the next step in getting a direct-access ramp project considered by Caltrans would be to undergo an environmental analysis. “If it passes through the window and Caltrans is putting this in the hopper for design, we might miss the opportunity,” Filanc said.
We Grow, Inc., a real estate management company that develops and leases out private schools. Jason Smith She is working on a joint venture with Air Stream Innovations, a
progressive organic farming operation, and her most well-known local business is real estate brokerage Realty Executives, Pacific Gold. Cohen brings a wealth of goals and ideas to the table, above all being her drive to increase chamber membership through use of an
SEE CHAMBER, PAGE 18
A conversation with water district’s general manager member elected board of directors. The Santa Fe Irrigation District Like its fellow water agencies in lifted mandatory water use restricSan Diego County, Santa tions for its customers in Fe has raised rates more May after Gov. Jerry Brown Q&A than 60 percent over the declared an end to Califorpast three to four years, nia’s drought, but major and customers appear to challenges remain, mostly be in for additional rate relating to money. increases over the next The district, which few years. provides water to some In response, the dis20,000 residents of Rancho trict has faced increased Santa Fe, Solana Beach and scrutiny from some memFairbanks Ranch, is trying bers of the public who to cope with rising water want Santa Fe to do more costs while keeping rates to cut operating expenses, under control and mainincluding employee pentaining its aging network of Michael Bardin sions. pipelines. We sat down with Santa Fe The public agency’s territory general manager Michael Bardin to covers 16 square miles, and its annual budget is just under $21 milSEE WATER, PAGE 6 lion. The district is run by a five-
Board looks into alleged elephant abuse BY CLAIRE HARLIN Staff Writer As Del Mar Fairgrounds officials conduct an investigation into the alleged abuse by elephant ride company Have Trunk Will Travel, several members of the public came before the 22nd District Agricultural Association (22nd DAA) board on Aug. 9 to voice their concern. A Have Trunk Will Travel report was listed as a possible action item on the 22nd DAA agenda for Aug. 9, but it was postponed because offi-
cials are “collecting additional data,” according to the agenda. Allegations arose earlier this summer, when an undercover video was released by Animal Defenders International (ADI) purportedly showing a trainer striking a baby elephant with a sharp-ended heavy stick known as a billhook. Animal rights groups also claim the company uses high-voltage electrical prods to make the animals submissive.
SEE ELEPHANT, PAGE 7
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