October 8, 2020

LO C A L

N EWS

October 8-14, 2020

YO U

C A N

U S E

CoastLines: SC’s Historic Claim to Fame: A Speed Trap? PAGE 31 VOLUME 15, ISSUE 41

sanclementetimes.com

With vote-by-mail ballots mailed out this week, voters can now cast their ballots for this year’s elections between now and Nov. 3. Graphic: Jasmine Smith

Reinhold Family Files Wrongful Death Claim EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

City Not Moving Forward with One-Way Del Mar Concept EYE ON SC/PAGE 3

Students Return to Campus EYE ON SC/PAGE 4

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 2

sanclementetimes.com

SC EYE ON SC San Clemente

LOCAL NEWS & IN-DEPTH REPORTING

What’s Up With...

Five things San Clemente should know this week City Not Moving Forward with One-Way Del Mar Concept THE LATEST: A proposal to temporarily reconfigure Avenida Del Mar into a one-way street will not move forward, as city staff found the concept wouldn’t recapture parking in the downtown corridor, nor would it help to maintain the open-air dining services currently allowed on the street.

The city council on Tuesday, Oct. 6, decided not to pursue the plan that would have temporarily converted the 100 and 200 blocks of Del Mar into a one-way road with traffic flowing east toward the Pier Bowl.

Had the council voted to approve the reconfiguration, it would have necessitated deciding between one of two scenarios: leaving the diagonal-striped parking spaces as is, requiring motorists to back into spaces on the left side of the street, or repainting the spots so drivers could park head-on in either direction.

The cost to remove the double-yellow centerline along Del Mar but not repaint the left-side parking lines would have been about $56,000. The plan to modify the diagonal spaces was estimated to cost about $71,000, according to the city. Both estimates, the city added, included initial installation and eventual removal to convert the street back to a two-way thoroughfare.

Acknowledging that the “temporary conversion may not be practical,” the city in its report to the council stated that the realignment didn’t meet the council’s goals of maintaining on-street dining and recovering additional parking.

According to the city, the concept would have created a drive aisle of 20 feet, leaving 16 feet on both sides of the street for parking and an additional 4 feet of new usable street space. However, the city found that the additional 4 feet “would not meet the needs of most restaurants—especially those with constructed platforms.”

“Additionally, an unbroken stretch of narrower dining adjacent to the curb would create challenges for visitors to exit their cars and cross through dining areas to get to the sidewalk,” the city report stated.

This past August, when the council voted to expand its assistance program to support local businesses during the pandemic, Councilmember Chris Hamm suggested the oneway concept be brought back to the council for consideration. Hamm on Tuesday said he San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

proposed the plan to see whether it would further complement the assistance program.

“I brought this issue up a couple of times, I think, over the past six months in terms of making the downtown (area) more accessible, more business-friendly during this COVID emergency that we have going on right now,” Hamm explained.

But based on the city’s findings that a reconfiguration of the street, while only temporary, wouldn’t accomplish the intended goals, Hamm and the rest of the council agreed not to support it.

WHAT’S NEXT: Instead, Hamm said he would like the city to turn its focus toward another business assistance proposal that had been put on the backburner this summer amid a spike in coronavirus cases: a once-a-week closure of Del Mar to create a downtown promenade.

“So, while the one-way doesn’t achieve that goal or help us in other areas, I think there’s an opportunity for us to take a look at another option, which would be the Sunday afternoon promenade,” Hamm said. “Instead of, or in lieu of doing the one-way, I think we should have another look at that one.”

The San Clemente Downtown Business Association and the city have been working the past few months to bring the Sunday street closure on Del Mar to fruition. DBA Board Chairman Chris Aitken wrote in a column for San Clemente Times late last month that the concept is in the final stages of planning and could be implemented later this month.—Shawn Raymundo

well as the two unnamed officers involved.

“My heart is broken,” Latoya Reinhold, Kurt’s wife and mother to his two children, said during a press conference on Tuesday, Oct. 6, in Santa Ana. “Now, all we can do as a family is be there for each other, stay strong, and hope and pray for justice.”

Reinhold, who reportedly suffered from mental illness and had been intermittently homeless for the past few years, is believed by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to have reached for one of the officer’s firearms during the Sept. 23 scuffle on El Camino Real.

Attorneys representing Latoya argued, however, that the two deputies had escalated the situation when they stopped Reinhold on that early afternoon outside Hotel Miramar, calling their use of deadly force “excessive and unreasonable.”

“Upon initial contact with Mr. Reinhold, one of the deputies had his departmentissued Taser in his hand,” according to the government claim filed Tuesday. “The deputies proceeded to ‘close space’ on Mr. Reinhold and make physical contact with him, including tackling him to the ground.

Reinhold Family Files Wrongful Death Claim Against County, Deputies THE LATEST: The family of Kurt Reinhold, a 42-year-old Black homeless man who was shot and killed by a homeless outreach deputy during an altercation outside a San Clemente hotel last month, has filed a wrongful death claim against the county, as

Latoya Reinhold on Tuesday, Oct. 6, talks about the life of her late husband, Kurt Reinhold, who was shot and killed by a homeless outreach deputy during an altercation outside a San Clemente hotel on Sept. 23.

Photo: Shawn Raymundo

San Clemente

TOTAL CASES

COVID-19 UPDATES as of 10/6/20

cases

deaths

TOTAL

544

6

LAST 30 DAYS

93

2

LAST 30 DAYS

est. population • 65,405 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for daily local & county statistics. Source: Orange County Health Care Agency

Page 3

All of this was completely unnecessary given that Mr. Reinhold was unarmed and did not pose a threat to the deputies.”

Outside the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana on Tuesday, Latoya and Reinhold’s extended family, including his mother Judy Reinhold-Tucker, accompanied attorneys John Taylor and Neil Gehlawat for the press conference announcing the government claim.

The attorneys explained that the claim is the first step before they can file a lawsuit.

The family and friends “are here to seek accounting and accountability from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for the outrageous failure in their handling of (the) homeless population—their outrageous interaction in dealing with someone who’s got a mental illness,” Taylor said.

“The families seek justice, they seek transparency, they seek accountability.”

An investigation into the matter is currently being conducted by the Orange County District Attorney’s office. OCSD has said it also is conducting its own internal investigation.

In a prepared statement from OCSD, Sheriff Don Barnes touched on the DA’s investigation and stated, “We should not tolerate attempts to inflame and drive a narrative that does not fully capture the context of this singular incident,” adding that judgment should be reserved until the investigation is completed.

“What led to the initial contact with the deputies is part of the ongoing investigation. During the physical altercation, Mr. Reinhold grabbed one of the deputy’s guns,” Barnes said in the statement. “This information is shared as a factual circumstance of the encounter between the deputies and Mr. Reinhold, and not to excuse or assign blame to either party.”

Following last month’s incident, Barnes pointed to surveillance footage as evidence that Reinhold had attempted to grab the deputy’s firearm. In a still of the surveillance footage that OCSD released, authorities identified Reinhold reaching for a gun.

Taylor and Gehlawat on Tuesday said Reinhold’s contact with the weapon was purely incidental and not intentional.

“What we think is happening, if you watch the video, is Mr. Reinhold is in a chokehold by one of the deputies and his head is lodged in the deputy’s stomach, and he’s got him in a chokehold and he’s flailing his arms, and his left arm incidentally ends up at one point touching the area where the deputy’s firearm is,” Gehlawat said.

“But by no means do we believe that he was actually trying to reach for it,” he continued, adding that they also don’t “think it was actually physically possible for him to retrieve the gun from the position he was in.”

Barnes, in the department’s prepared statement, extended OCSD’s condolences to Reinhold’s family and added that “every time law enforcement contact escalates to (Cont. on page 4) sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC (Cont. from page 3) the use of deadly force, it is tragic for the family, the deputies and the community.”

“The Orange County Sheriff’s Department takes seriously our responsibility to provide professional and transparent law enforcement services to our community,” Barnes said. “As your sheriff, I commit to being forthright and transparent as this investigation continues.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: An extended version of this story can be found at sanclementetimes.com.

—SR

Special Election Candidates Outline Plans to Work with Chamber THE LATEST: Taking part in an election forum that the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce hosted on Oct. 1, candidates running for the two-year seat on the city council spoke about their approach to working with the local business community if elected to office this November.

Last week’s virtual Q&A—the first of two—primarily featured five of the eight candidates running in the Special Election.

Tyler Boden, Jim Dahl, Steven Knoblock, Donna Vidrine and Zhen Wu participated in the entire forum, while Laron Rush entered about halfway through the event.

Candidates George Gregory and Jerry Quinlan were absent from the Chamber’s Special Election forum. The Chamber will host its second Q&A with the General Election candidates on Thursday, Oct. 8, over Zoom.

Explaining why they would be the “best candidate for business in San Clemente,” some of the candidates including Boden and Knoblock last Thursday touted their experience in either running or managing a company.

Boden, who runs an energy consulting firm in San Clemente, said that as a business owner who lives in the downtown corridor, he’s seen the challenges that many businesses have faced.

“I’m somebody who recognizes the value of a pro-business mindset in our society and community, and I’d like to promote that as a councilmember as much as I can,” he said.

Knoblock touched on his background in business management, noting that he’s taught such courses for the University of Redlands and has run his own rental business and law office.

He also claimed that while working for “the largest retailer in San Clemente”—referring to his time as in-house counsel for the Outlets at San Clemente—he’s witnessed “firsthand the hostile attitude our city council has displayed toward businesses.”

Wu, who has sat on the city’s planning commission for the past five years, touched on his background reviewing ordinances and local businesses’ projects.

Wu said his first priority is to “hire a city manager who excels at economic development.” He also said he would work with San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Palisades Elementary School students and staff on campus are following safety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: Collin Breaux

the Chamber and the San Clemente Downtown Business Association to discuss ways of attracting and developing businesses.

“For example, to reconfigure or enhance our Del Mar, our integration of Del Mar and Pier Bowl, and establish the historic district in North Beach.”

Vidrine, a business owner and a nursing consultant of more than 40 years, said she’s the best candidate for local businesses, because she wants to help local shops and restaurants “reopen and thrive” during the pandemic by being “informed” and leading the city “on sustained recovery, balancing risks (and) listening to the science.”

“I want to help local business adapt to a new way of working; think of new ways of doing business,” she said. “Help business maximize their potential, encourage spending to support local business, streamline and be more efficient and business-friendly with permitting and planning processes while spur economic growth and increase competitiveness.”

Dahl, a former city councilmember, echoed Vidrine’s comments on the permitting process, stating that he would support streamlining the city’s permitting and planning efforts to get local businesses running. He added that he would adopt business-friendly ordinances.

“City council should support and has supported the Chamber of Commerce and business community over the years with different programs and policies,” he said. “I would hope that the city council would return to its ability to provide financial help to the Chamber and to businesses to advertise their businesses and the community.”

The Chamber’s recording of the nearly two-hour forum can be found at First Amendment Voice’s Youtube channel, where you can view all the candidates’ full responses to several more questions.

The second forum featuring the General Election candidates is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. Registration is required at scchamber.com. Once registered, attendees will receive a Zoom registration link prior to the event. Questions can be emailed to info@scchamber.com.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The full story can be found at sanclementetimes.com.—SR

Trump Rally Held in San Clemente THE LATEST: Several hundred people gathered in San Clemente’s Pier Bowl district on Saturday, Oct. 3, for a march and rally to support the reelection of President Donald Trump, who had been hospitalized the day before after contracting the coronavirus.

Donning MAGA hats and waving Trump 2020 flags, the sea of about 700800 Trump supporters—by law enforcement estimates—heard from some local politicians, including San Clemente City Council hopeful Steven Knoblock, CUSD Board candidate Lisa Davis and Laguna Niguel Mayor Laurie Davies, candidate for the 73rd Assembly District.

The long-planned, pro-Trump rally, organized by Alan Hostetter, a staunch opponent to state- and county-lockdown orders during the pandemic, took place shortly after the president and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for COVID-19.

Within 24 hours of announcing he had tested positive for the virus, Trump was flown to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment as he began experiencing symptoms. On Monday, the President left the hospital, returning to the White House.

During Saturday’s rally, Hostetter referred to the crowd, or “army” as Trump’s “ground troops” in a perceived war and that they would “land a devastating blow” at the ballot box this November.

“Our army, led by our fearless leader, President Trump, will win this war,” Hostetter said. “Make no mistake about it, we are at war. And this war we will win—of that, there is no doubt. There is no choice, no alternative whatsoever other than complete and total victory in this war.”—SR

Students Return to Campus with Masks, Social Distancing THE LATEST: For the first time since March, Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) students are back on campuses

Page 4

for in-person learning.

Elementary students began returning to campus last week, as part of a phased resumption of in-person instruction. Middle school returns started on Tuesday, Oct. 6, and high school is slated to start on Oct. 13.

Palisades Elementary School students wore masks and practiced social distancing in their classrooms on Friday, Oct. 2. Principal Lisa Baggio said students know where to sit and stand in line based on marked spots, and the movement of students from class to class has been excellent.

“We have a really good plan in place,” Baggio said. “We have one-way hallways.

The teachers know the routine between sessions.”

Kindergarten teacher Kim Van Dixhorn said she was emotionally moved to see students face-to-face again after “six long months” of physical separation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s what’s good for these kids, and it feels so good to be back in the classroom with them and see them leave and say, ‘I can’t wait to come back tomorrow,’ ” Dixhorn said. “Parents have sent really nice messages about how happy the kids are.

We’ve transitioned beautifully.”

Dixhorn said she can give direct instruction and meet individual needs quicker through in-person instruction than she can online.

CUSD students began the 2020-21 school year on Aug. 18 with virtual learning, which they had utilized since March after the CUSD Board of Trustees voted to close campuses as the coronavirus spread.

Students and teachers have variously said they are ready to safely return to in-person instruction, though health concerns have been raised by other teachers and parents.

Under a flexible reopening plan trustees approved in July, students still have the option of online learning if they so choose.

Teachers who commented during recent Board of Trustees meetings said having to teach both in-person and online classes is a strain on them.

In-person classroom sizes will be limited, and students’ temperatures will be taken by a teacher or staff member prior to a first session, first class or when boarding the bus.

A student discipline plan is in place for not wearing facial coverings.

Students at the elementary school level will receive three warnings and then be reassigned to 100% online learning after the fourth violation. Students at the secondary level will receive two warnings and then be reassigned to 100% online learning after the third violation.

Crossing guards have also returned to campuses.

The reopening plans are in accordance with the state’s new color-coded, fourtiered coronavirus monitoring system. Orange County remained in the red tier—the second-highest, risk-level tier that permits some reopenings and operations—as of press time this week.—Collin Breaux sanclementetimes.com

EYE ON SC

Construction crews last month work to remove some landslide debris from the bluff along the coastal stretch of El Camino Real. Photo: Fred Swegles

NEWS BITES Community COMPILED BY SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Landslide Removal, Road Repairs on Camino Real Underway Construction to repair a bluff, sidewalk and city roadway damaged by a landslide along the coastal stretch of El Camino Real this past winter is now underway and expected to be completed next month, according to the head of public works.

The work will entail the removal of debris at the bottom of the bluff in order to repair the roadway and sidewalk that the landslide had damaged in February, when San Clemente was hit with heavy rains, Tom Bonigut, the city’s public works director, explained.

“Part of that bluff came down, and it’s taken awhile to get through the coastal permitting process, and we are now underway on the repairs,” Bonigut said of the wait time between the landslide and the construction project, which is estimated to cost about $508,000.

Bonigut said the money to pay for the project is coming out of a special budget funded through the Sea Summit development that provided the money to the city years ago, specifically to deal with any bluff failures.

“We’re using some of that to deal with (the project), but we’ll also get some money back from the state for disaster repair,” Bonigut said, speaking about an emergency declaration that has been in effect for Orange County and other areas, qualifying them for state reimbursements.

“We expect to get all or at least most of (the $508,000) from the disaster relief funding,” he said.

The site of the construction, just north of North Beach, is all open space and a natural part of the reserve. Bonigut said it’s the last piece of bluff that is natural.

He further noted that the bluff will stay natural and that the city will install some stabilization features, including a concrete buttress wall and draining system, intended to help the slope of the bluff drain better.

“And then repair the sidewalk, curb, bike lane and pavement in that area, and then when we’re done, we’ll revegetate it with habitat mix … to let (the plant life) naturally grow back,” Bonigut said.

The city is expecting the project to wrap up

by November, or at least be substantially comSan Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Meetings SATURDAY, OCT. 10

CITIZENS CLIMATE EDUCATION 10:45 a.m.-noon. This nonpartisan climate action group holds meetings on the second Saturday of every month through Zoom video conferences. Email larrykramerccl@ gmail.com to receive a link to join.

TUESDAY, OCT. 13

HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 3:30-5 p.m. The city’s Human Affairs Committee will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting via teleconference and can be streamed through the city’s YouTube channel. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

BEACHES, PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 6-8 p.m. The city’s Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting via teleconference and can be streamed through the city’s YouTube channel.

949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14

DESIGN REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE 4-5:30 p.m. The San Clemente Design Review Subcommittee will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting via teleconference and can be streamed through the city’s YouTube channel.

949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

pleted by the middle of the month, according to Bonigut, who said the plan is to get everything done before the rainy season arrives.

The project could prompt some occasional lane closures, but those would be limited to night time work, Bonigut said.

Have something interesting to submit to our News Bites section?

Submissions are due by 10 a.m. the Monday of the week you’d like published. Email sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com.

Page 5

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 6

sanclementetimes.com

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 sanclementetimes.com

HOW TO REACH US C I T Y E D I TO R Shawn Raymundo • 949.388.7700, x108 sraymundo@picketfencemedia.com

SPORTS Zach Cavanagh • 949.388.7700, x110 zcavanagh@picketfencemedia.com

ADVERTISING PRINT & ONLINE

Lauralyn Loynes • 949.388.7700, x102 lloynes@picketfencemedia.com

DISTRIBUTION RACKS, DRIVEWAYS, SUBSCRIPTIONS

Inna Cazares • 949.388.7700, x111 icazares@picketfencemedia.com

GENERAL MANAGER Alyssa Garrett • 949.388.7700, x100 agarrett@picketfencemedia.com

PICKET FENCE MEDIA PUBLISHER Norb Garrett

Advertising Sales (SJC) Debra Wells

EDITORIAL

ART + DESIGN

City Editor, SC Times Shawn Raymundo

Art Director Jasmine Smith

Senior City Editor, DP Times Lillian Boyd

Graphic Designer Chelsie Rex

City Editor, Capo Dispatch Collin Breaux

General Manager Alyssa Garrett

O P E R AT I O N S

Sports Editor Zach Cavanagh

Group Operations & Production Coordinator Inna Cazares

Columnist Fred Swegles

FINANCE

Special Projects Editor Andrea PapagianisCamacho Copy Editor Randy Youngman ADVERTISING Associate Publisher Lauralyn Loynes

Finance Director Mike Reed Accounting & Finance Manager Tricia Zines CONTRIBUTORS Megan Bianco Jake Howard Tim Trent

San Clemente Times, Vol. 15, Issue 41. The SC Times (sanclementetimes.com ) is published weekly by Picket Fence Media, publishers of the Dana Point Times (danapointtimes. com) and The Capistrano Dispatch (thecapistranodispatch. com). Copyright: No articles, illustrations, photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art, photos or negatives. Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

FOLLOW THE SC TIMES

FACEBOOK.COM/SANCLEMENTETIMES • INSTAGRAM @S_C_TIMES TWITTER.COM/SCTIMESNEWS • LINKEDIN PICKET FENCE MEDIA

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

SC SOAPBOX San Clemente

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

GUEST OPINION: Health and Nutrition 101 by Gina Cousineau

with self-respect and improve your health by altering these four areas in your life:

A Fresh Start This Fall

FOOD // NUTRITION

E

very time I’m in a situation where people find out I’m a nutritionist, they want to ask me very specific questions about differing diet approaches.

Last week was no different.

As I was preparing for elbow surgery, from overuse, the pre-op nurse asked me about a diet regimen a doctor was using.

He is an ultra-athlete and does something called “intermittent fasting” paired with “fat adaptation.” He tells her how great he feels, making her then wonder if she should be doing the same thing.

When the anesthesiologist arrived, he immediately asked me about my thoughts regarding low-carbohydrate diets, though he assured me he was a moderation type of guy.

My responses start with my own questions.

What is your goal? How HEALTH AND is your current diet NUTRITION 101

By Gina plan working for you?

Cousineau And regardless of the question(s) posed, my answer will be based on science, evidence and experiences with hundreds of clients over the years.

So, let me share once again my perspective on diet and lifestyle strategies. And since autumn is upon us, perhaps now is the time that you make the move to treat your body

Letters to The Editor ‘HI-YO, SILVER! AWAY!’ MICHAEL CRAIG SMITH, San Clemente

Thanks, “Lone Ranger,” for pointing us to the “Masks and face coverings” section of the state’s coronavirus response webpage. Hmmm . . . let’s see. The website states: “Coronavirus spreads when an infected person speaks, sneezes, or coughs within 6 feet of others. You may have the virus and spread it even if you feel well.

“To prevent infection, you must cover your nose and mouth when outside your home. So wearing a mask is now required statewide. Wearing a mask or cloth face covering can slow the spread of COVID-19 by limiting the release of virus into the air.”

While there are individual foods that are incredibly nutrient-dense, there is no one particular superfood that will save you on its own.

It is best to incorporate a large variety of wholesome foods daily, including wholegrains and legumes; lean proteins (both animal and plant); fruits and vegetables; low-fat and non-fat dairy (including non-dairy sources); healthy fats (including nuts and seeds); and dried/fresh herbs and spices.

My recommendations regarding “foods to avoid” completely or severely limit: 1. Soda and other sweetened drinks (including diet versions) 2. All non-nutritive sweeteners (including saccharin, NutraSweet, Splenda, Stevia, etc.)

3. Highly processed foods that can live on a shelf for years on end.

FITNESS // EXERCISE

No one is asking you to join a gym or run a marathon, but we are simply asking that you move your body most days of the week for about 30 minutes. For most individuals, this can happen by simply walking out of your front door.

This advice comes from every major health organization around the world, and can be a game-changer in terms of improving your health and aiding in weight loss.

SLEEP // RELAXATION

The consensus on how much sleep is acceptable ranges somewhere between six to eight hours a night. If you continue to find yourself lacking in sleep, it would

It also shows you care about the health of others.

“Don’t wear your mask under your nose or just under your chin. A mask is only effective if it covers both ways you breathe,” according to the website.

It goes on to define “Public” and list options for wearing a face mask like a shield for those who may have trouble, FYI. By the way, Webster defines “Lone Ranger” as one who acts alone and without consultation or the approval of others, broadly: loner.

Other descriptions include: bohemian, counter culturist, deviant, enfant terrible, iconoclast, and nonconformist. Oh, my, and let’s not forget that The Lone Ranger is a fictional character, as in not real.

But, I hope that doesn’t mean that you are one of the, as you say, unintended consequences who think (it is) emboldening rioters and looters because they have to wear masks. I hope not.

However, I do hope that you carry a

Page 7

behoove you to see a medical professional to discuss options to improve sleep, which can add years to your life.

It is also imperative that you find time for rest and relaxation throughout the course of your day and week. Whether it’s reading a few pages in your favorite book, watching a show, or chatting with a friend, all promote rest and relaxation in your life.

JOY // HAPPINESS

Many people lack joy and happiness due to their extremely busy schedules. Finding pleasure could be as simple as eating a lovely meal at the kitchen table with your family.

While this requires some planning, there is no reason, as a family, not to set your week up for success by penciling in these activities.

Starting with a weekly meal plan, setting bedtimes, taking advantage of exercise that can happen in your community, and participating in these activities with friends and family, will help improve both your health and that of your family.

Gina Cousineau sees clients virtually and in person out of her San Clemente office.

Her extensive education with a BS in dietetics and MS in integrative and functional nutrition, chef training, and 30-plus years as a fitness professional, allow her to help clients lose weight and improve their health.

You can reach her at mamag@mamagslifestyle.com, 949.842.9975, and on Instagram and Facebook @mamagslifestyle. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com. The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

special silver bullet that will vaccinate all us regular folk. Now that would truly be kind.

Let’s get real here. People are dying from this virus every day. We are in a pandemic.

This is no time for spreading the virus and misinformation that only prolongs our dangerously high statistics and misery.

So, Mr. Lone Ranger, are you really part of the solution? Or do you hide behind your mask?

EDITOR’S NOTE: This letter was submitted in early September in response to a previous letter writer.

FISCAL AUDITS BOB BARNETT, San Clemente

I read with great interest that the city is initiating an audit of its legal services.

Costs can really add up ($8.4 million) quickly (in 5 years) when billing hours are in the hundreds of dollars per.

(Cont. on page 8) sanclementetimes.com

SOAPBOX (Cont. from page 7) Eight million dollars is a lot of money, but it’s a little less than half of what the city pays for six months of law-enforcement services.

Perhaps the audit can also look at the cost-effectiveness of the city’s ever-increasing cost of outsourcing of law-enforcement services.

We know how much the sheriff’s department charges the city for services ($18 million) every year, but how much does “crime” cost the city and its residents?

This would include any city services that may also get involved in repair or mitigation efforts of a crime.

I remember when the city had its own police department, and there seemed to be a different community feel when interacting with local/resident city employees, rather than the current ever-changing rotation of deputies and chiefs.

I also seem to remember a sheriff’s presentation for “resource-increase” (additional deputy) that stated that every deputy is required to “generate” $60K of revenue annually.

Supposedly, the deputy is “free” to the city, and the service contract just pays for their benefits. That seems like a “conflict-ofinterest/motivation” for deputies to write citations, which of course disproportionately affects (exposure) the city’s own residents.

And if these deputies are stationed, they have no real tie/relationship with the community and will just “act accordingly” to succeed at work.

Recently, it seemed that the sheriff’s department had the autonomy to “enforce or not,” certain laws, local ordinances, that they may have been confused or conflicted by.

It would seem that a locally seasoned/ experienced law-enforcement department could/would intuitively work with the city proactively to “police” its community.

Residents would also come to recognize and trust the city officers and get more involved and communicate more readily within their individual neighborhoods.

The old saying that the “Police will react in minutes when seconds count” has never been more true and relevant.

KURT REINHOLD KILLING MATT EGAN, San Clemente

With the killing of Kurt Reinhold, the OC Sheriff’s Department has brought the BLM movement to San Clemente. The city of San Clemente needs to reassess the viability of retaining the Orange County Sheriff’s for our police protection.

This senseless, sad killing will cost the city millions. When two professionally trained officers cannot subdue and arrest a smaller, unarmed man, then they are either poorly trained or the job requirements and training need to be changed.

Because the result of the existing system is about to get very expensive. Those millions are not in the budget, and the future pension liabilities alone are budget-busting.

San Clemente should approach Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano to create a tri-city poSan Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

lice force (to share administrative expenses), with the training and pension parameters that meet our needs and our budget.

GOODBYE, TOMMY’S LARRY CULBERTSON, San Clemente

San Clemente is the Spanish Village by the Sea, and I hope it will always remain so.

That was Ole Hanson’s vision back in 1925, and despite a lapse in the concept in the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s, the city has strongly encouraged, and now even requires, Spanish Colonial Revival (SCR) architecture for new construction in parts of the town.

Historic preservation professionals tell us that some, not all, of those non-SCR buildings are worthy of being placed on the city’s official list of historic resources.

We have Art-Deco, Mid-Century Modern, Googie, and others.

Think of Pedro’s Tacos, Icons of Surf, and Bonded Cleaners on North El Camino Real, Plaza Del Mar and Sam’s Shoes on Avenida Del Mar, Denny’s on Avenida Pico, as a few possible examples.

There are also residential buildings that might be considered if they are outstanding examples of particular architectural styles. We need an expert to inventory and assess the significance of these potential candidates for listing.

Being placed on the city’s list requires the consent of the property owner and approval from city council. With listing comes the potential for considerable property-tax reduction.

One building that might have made the cut will soon be out of the running. Tommy’s Restaurant at 1409 S. El Camino Real has closed and will be demolished to make way for another two-story office building.

The building was constructed in 1963. It was “Bob’s Coffee Shop” until 1980, when it became “Tiny Naylor’s Restaurant/Bakery.

In 1982, it became “Ginger’s Family Dining” for just one year, then “Buffy’s Family Dining” in 1983. Sometime before 1988, it became “Tommy’s Family Restaurant.”

Through all these name changes and ownership, it retained its distinctive MidCentury coffee shop look. Stone walls with lots of big plate glass windows. The most noticeable detail is that “sawtooth” or “folded plate” roof made famous by Donald Wexler and other Modern architects.

Big money for big projects is coming into San Clemente. It is important that we maintain a balance between replacing the old and retaining some vestiges of our past.

Please help the San Clemente Historical Society convince the city it is time to protect important Mid-Century historic resources.

YOUR CITY COUNCIL VOTE RON GREEK, San Clemente

We are blessed in San Clemente with many candidates to choose from for our two elections. One vote will be for a two-year term and two votes for four-year terms.

What we need is mature, experienced

leadership and a council that can work in unison to solve our most important issues, get our hospital open, keep the toll road out of San Clemente, and attract a topgrade city manager.

The latter is critical to run the day-to-day business of our city and work closely with the council to ensure we stay with our core small town values. The best way to achieve this is to elect experienced leadership.

Those candidates who have served on our city’s various commissions and the council have paid their dues. They know how the city works, and they don’t need a learning curve to get things done.

We need two years of stable, proven leadership, and currently operating without a city manager to achieving our community goals experiences becomes critical.

SAN CLEMENTE CITY COUNCIL DOESN’T NEED MORE DIVISION AND DYSFUNCTION MATT QUAN, San Clemente

San Clemente must reject Jackson Hinkle and Chris Duncan, for opportunistically sowing discord for political gain upon the death of Mr. Kurt Reinhold.

Their exploitation is what we’ve come to expect, inflaming conflict and inviting outside extremists to potentially destroy this community. They are non-starters and would only result in more acrimony on an already dysfunctional city council.

Regardless of the circumstances, it is a tragedy that Mr. Reinhold, a homeless man who, during an altercation, reportedly grabbed an Orange County Sheriff Department officer’s weapon, was killed.

The Orange County District Attorney is conducting an independent investigation, and San Clemente should accordingly hold OCSD accountable.

However, OCSD’s service has been exemplary despite these tumultuous times, managing no less than five demonstrations across the political spectrum, including support of BLM and against the coronavirus shutdown, largely without incident and better than anywhere else in Orange County.

In contrast, OCSD has put San Clemente on notice twice. First, in an impossible situation when council couldn’t agree upon a policy on a parking lot and beach closures, and second, when council almost failed to approve the city’s contract with OCSD, risking the safety of San Clemente.

San Clemente needs unity and leadership; instead, it is failing. The council is on its third and currently vacant mayor in little over a year, and could not even agree on the honorific of Acting Mayor.

It is on its third and currently interim city manager, after the first resigned, then by inaction by failure to renew the interim position, leading to the assistant city manager to assume it by default. Council again was almost deadlocked on the budget, and the latest argument is who has the authority to declare a possible curfew for

Page 8

the protests Hinkle brought upon the community in the first place.

None of this addresses the actual existential problems facing San Clemente, from an aging and declining population, homelessness, rehab centers, short-term rentals, hospitals, coastal erosion, and a damaged economy. San Clemente is not prepared for the coming decade, and this community must demand more from itself and its supposed leaders.

REMOVE THE INVOLVED DEPUTIES FROM OUR STREETS IMMEDIATELY SUSAN BREWER, San Clemente

Kurt Andras Reinhold was shot and killed by OCSD deputies outside the Hotel Miramar in San Clemente on Sept. 23.

This is a tragic loss of life. Mr. Reinhold was someone’s son and a precious child of our creator.

Deepest caring and sympathy to all his loved ones. We are a town with character and caring for everyone. That is the only way to keep a city safe for all.

Whatever your politics, shots were fired on our street. That places all citizens in danger. I have great concern for anyone in that area at the time.

How will we all be treated when committing a minor offense? I have initially read that Mr. Reinhold was stopped for jaywalking. This same source claimed that the deputies were trained how to handle these situations.

We need deputies capable of de-escalating situations for everyone’s safety. Until the investigation is completed, these deputies need to be off our streets. They are not keeping us safe by being involved in fatal shootings regarding minor offenses.

City council, it is your responsibility to keep our city safe; remove these deputies immediately and insure that any law enforcement on our streets are capable of safely handling offenses.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

Have something you’d like to say? Email your letter to letters@sanclementetimes.com no later than 8 a.m. on Monday. San Clemente Times reserves the right to edit readersubmitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or information written by the writers. Limit your letters to 350 or fewer words. Please send with your valid email, phone number and address for verification by staff. Your address and phone number will not be published. The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory. In the interest of fairness, SC Times will not publish letters submitted by candidates running for elected offices between the time they file for candidacy and the date of the election.

Join SC Times for a virtual Beachside Chat on Friday, Oct. 9, at 8 a.m. The chat is hosted by SC Times Editor Shawn Raymundo every Friday. sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times October 8-15, 2020

Page 9

sanclementetimes.com

SC GETTING OUT San Clemente

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

At the Movies: ‘Misbehaviour’ & ‘The Glorias’

EDITOR’S PICK

What’s going on in and around town this week COMPILED BY STAFF

HAVE AN EVENT? Submit it to San Clemente Times by going to sanclementetimes.com, and clicking “Submit an Event” under the “Getting Out” tab.

Thursday | 08 STARLITE MOVIES DRIVE-IN: ‘BEETLEJUICE’ 6-10:30 p.m. The ultimate drive-in movie experience comes to the Outlets at San Clemente. Experience the nostalgia of a drivein movie, featuring current, classic and quintessential favorites. Rediscover (or discover) films from the ’80s, ’90s and today.

It’s the perfect evening for couples, families and friends. Thursday night’s feature film will be Beetlejuice. Outlets at San Clemente.

101 West. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. starlitemovienight.com.

VIRTUAL CANDIDATE FORUM: GENERAL ELECTION 6-8 p.m. The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce’s Business for a Better San Clemente Political Action Committee, and local nonprofit organization First Amendment Voice, continue their virtual candidate forum, which is free and open to the public via the Zoom platform. The forum will feature candidates running in the General Election race for city council.

During the forums, candidates will be asked questions from both the hosting organizations and from the public, live.

Registration is required at scchamber.com.

Once registered, attendees will receive a Zoom registration link prior to the event.

For questions, please email info@scchamber.com.

Friday | 09 DRIVE-IN MOVIE ON THE MEADOWS 7:10-9 p.m. The city is bringing Maleficent: Mistress of Evil to the meadows at Vista Hermosa Sports Park for a drive-in movie night. Admission is $15 per vehicle. Each parking spot will be marked in advance and have 6 feet of distance on both sides.

Pre-registration for vehicles is required through the city’s website. Parking will open 90 minutes before the show, and all vehicles must be in place 15 minutes before showtime. Parking is first-come, first-served. Vista Hermosa Sports Park, 987 Avenida Vista Hermosa, San ClemSan Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

The Glorias. Photo: Courtesy of LD Entertainment/Roadside Attractions

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Photo: Łukasz NieÐcioruk on Unsplash

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8: VIRTUAL SC SPOOKY RUN: INDIVIDUAL 10K, FAMILY 5K All day. The city of San Clemente invites the community to get outside and get a workout in for this monthlong SC Spooky Virtual Run. Grab some tennis shoes and a family member and head outside to complete the family 5K or individual 10K. When participants are done, they can send the city a picture of their time to be entered into the contest for a place in the run. And to make it more interesting, because this is hosted by the city’s Recreation Division, which loves to have fun, participants should run/walk with a costume for an extra chance to enter the contest. Prizes for the 10K will be awarded to best time and best costume. Similarly, prizes for the family run 5K will be awarded for best time and best themed costume. More of the “spooktacular” details can be found on the city’s website at san-clemente.org. On your marks! Get set! Boo!

ente. 949.361.8200. san-clemente.org.

Saturday | 10 SOUTH OC CARS AND COFFEE 9-11 a.m. South OC Cars and Coffee, dubbed the world’s biggest weekly car meet, attracts a mix of 500-1,000 hypercars, supercars, exotics, vintage, classic, muscle and sports cars, hot rods, rat rods, pickups, 4x4s and motorcycles.

Those attending are encouraged to practice responsible social distancing.

Face masks are not mandatory but are recommended. No cars in before 8:30 a.m. Cars should enter and leave slowly and quietly—no revving, speeding or burnouts. The Outlets at San Clemente, 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. southoccarsandcoffee.com.

LOVE GROWS OPEN FARM 3-6 p.m. Spend an afternoon on the San Clemente Urban Farm in support of its mission to provide healthy food for the community and those in need. Visitors will get to enjoy drinks (cocktails, beer and wine) and tastes (vegan bites and a farm salad tasting), as well as learn about the farm through tours and introductions

to food banks. There will also be music, raffles and a Native American blessing. SC Urban Farms at Bella Collina San Clemente, 200 Avenida La Pa, San Clemente.

949.498.7270. sanclementeurbanfarms.com.

Sunday | 11 FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Shop for a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and artisanal goods from organic growers at the Community Center/San Clemente Public Library parking lot. 100 North Calle Seville. 949 361 8200. san-clemente.org.

Wednesday | 14 BACKYARD OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KNUCKLEHEADS 8-10 p.m. Knuckleheads’ backyard has reopened for food, drinks and live music.

Performers of all skill levels are welcome. If you are a musician, do stand-up comedy or the spoken word, this is the place to be on Wednesday nights. So, come down, grab a drink and go for it. Knuckleheads Sports Bar, 1717 North El Camino Real, San Clemente.

949.492.2410. knuckleheadsmusic.com.

Page 10

I

n the midst of the hectic craziness of 2020 with the election, the pandemic, and the protests, we appear to be having a wave of feminist/girl power/women’s lib-themed biopics this year, as well.

Five months ago, the FX mini-series Mrs. America aired to critical acclaim, followed

by Phillipa Lowthorpe’s decent Misbehaviour in September and now Julie Taymor’s The Glorias to start October.

Lowthorpe’s new ensemble biopic, Misbehaviour, tries to mesh both the fun of girl power with the seriousness of feminism, to mixed results. The comedydrama follows the events leading up to the 1970 Miss World beauty pageant in London, where the Women’s Liberation supporters secretly show to make their own demonstration. Though the reception for the movie has been mostly decent, one reservation is that the story is too serious and important for the lighter tone. For the most part, I personally was fine with the mood, though I can see why some viewers would want a more straightforward piece.

The third release is a feature film, The Glorias, which chronicles the life and career of feminist icon and journalism legend Gloria Steinem. Taymor’s epic biography follows four different actresses—Julianne Moore, Alicia Vikander, Lulu Wilson and Ryan Kiera Armstrong—portraying Steinem at various stages of her life.

Interestingly, I think all three feminist history pieces this year came out in order of quality. The Glorias starts out as a surprisingly traditionally structured biopic, but then saves all the artsy “Taymor-isms” for when Moore takes over the film, making the tone and atmosphere feel disjointed and inconsistent.

All in all, I would say Misbehaviour probably could have said a little more about intersectionality in feminism, but it’s an enjoyable 105 minutes on screen, while The Glorias had a lot of potential between the intriguing subject matter, talented cast and impressive production values, yet misses the mark stylistically. SC sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 11

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 12

sanclementetimes.com

— 2020 —

Presidential Primer

BY ZACH CAVANAGH The 2020 Presidential Election has been labeled one of the most important in American history, and it has also certainly proved to be one of the more contentious races in recent memory. To help sort through the noise, we’ve outlined the views of Republican nominee and incumbent President Donald Trump and his challenger, Democratic nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden, on two of the major issues in this cycle amid the ongoing pandemic. Libertarian candidate Jo Jorgensen and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins will also be listed on the ballot.

C O R O N AV I R U S TRUMP:

ELECTION DAY VOTER GUIDE

T

he Presidential General Election is now less than four weeks away. While the whirlwind of the political news cycle can be simultaneously enticing and draining, it’s equally important that voters match their energy and attention for the presidential bid toward local races.

San Clemente’s race for city council features a crowded field of candidates who are vying for three seats on the dais—two four-year terms and one two-year term. In the General Election, incumbent Councilmember Gene James is looking to keep his seat, which he won in last year’s Special Election, as he faces nine others. The third council seat opened after former Mayor Dan Bane’s departure from local office this past April, prompting the Special Election, the second in as many years.

The 73rd Assembly seat will be filled by a newcomer after Assemblymember Bill Brough’s upset in the March primary. Voters will determine whether the seat will remain Republican with Laurie Davies, as it has been historically, or whether Scott Rhinehart will pave the way for Democrats.

In the 49th Congressional race, incumbent Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) will defend his seat against Republican challenger Brian Maryott, a sitting councilmember for San Juan Capistrano.

Voters will also be choosing our leaders to represent us on the boards for South Coast Water District, the Municipal Water District of Orange County, and Capistrano Unified School District. These legislative bodies have impacts on our environment, determine where and how we get our water, how much we pay our teachers and what kind of teaching experience our students will benefit from in the classroom.

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 19. Just like in this year’s Primary Election, voters will have three options when it comes to casting their votes. Voters have the choice of returning their ballot to the Orange County Registrar of

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Voters’ office via mail, taking it to a metal drop box or delivering it to a vote center.

The more than 100 drop boxes around the county opened on Oct. 5 and will close at 8 p.m. the day of the election on Nov. 3. According to the Registrar’s office, voters will be able track their vote through ocvote.com/track.

While the act of voting is a keystone of civic duty, we ask that constituents go beyond just voting.

Vote based on thorough research.

Vote upon knowing the facts from trusted sources. Vote upon being informed and educated on the issues.

Thank you for trusting San Clemente Times as your source for local news you can use.

The Trump campaign has praised the actions that the current administration has taken over the course of the pandemic. In a document released by the White House on Aug. 10, the administration listed these as the key takeaways from Trump’s response to the pandemic: “Took early action to cut off travel from China; Built the world’s leading testing system from nothing; Enacted mitigation measures to slow the spread; mobilized public and private sectors to secure needed supplies; Took action to protect vulnerable Americans; Launched effort to deliver a vaccine and therapeutics in record time; Provided support to workers and businesses; Paved way for reopening to get America working again; Surged resources to hotspots as they arose; Confronted China as origin of the virus while Democrats and media cowered.” Trump announced on Oct. 1 that he, along with First Lady Melania Trump, had tested positive for COVID-19.

BIDEN:

The Biden campaign focused on what its response to the pandemic would be should he take office. The campaign said Biden would listen to science, ensure public health decisions are informed by public health professionals and restore trust, transparency, common purpose and accountability to the government. The campaign website also outlined a seven-point plan for public health and economic recovery, points that include giving all Americans access to regular, reliable and free testing; fixing personal protective equipment problems; providing resources for schools, small businesses and families; effective and equitable distribution of treatments and vaccines; “rebuild and expand the defenses that Trump has dismantled to predict, prevent and mitigate pandemic threats”; and implement local mask mandates nationwide.

H E A LT H C A R E TRUMP:

The Republican campaign states that Trump has fought to increase access to affordable health care. The campaign website says, “As part of the landmark Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, President Trump repealed the individual mandate, which forced people to buy expensive insurance and taxed those who couldn’t afford it.” Trump also signed a six-year extension to Children’s Health Insurance Program to fund health care for nine million, the campaign says. With a hearing on Nov. 10, the Trump Administration, along with 18 Republican state attorneys general, are also asking the Supreme Court to deem the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional.

BIDEN:

The Democratic campaign has proposed building on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as “Obamacare.” Biden’s campaign website argues that the ACA has assuaged more than 100 million people who “no longer have to worry that an insurance company will deny coverage or charge higher premiums just because they have a pre-existing condition.” Biden’s campaign said that instead of tearing down the existing ACA or not allowing private insurance, the Democratic nominee would expand the ACA by providing more choices, reducing health care costs and making the health care system less complex.

D E B AT E S C H E D U L E These issues, the candidates’ records and much more were scheduled to be contended over the course of late September and October in three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate.

Incumbent Vice President Mike Pence, Trump’s Republican running mate, was set to square off with California Senator Kamala Harris, Biden’s Democratic running mate, in the vice presidential debate on Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Salt Lake City.

Page 13

Following a contentious first debate on Sept. 29, Trump and Biden were scheduled to return to the debate stage in a town hall format on Oct. 15 in Miami. However, Trump’s positive coronavirus test and subsequent quarantine have put the status of this debate in question.

The two presidential candidates were also scheduled to debate a third and final time on Oct. 22 in Nashville. sanclementetimes.com

Hear from the City Council Candidates Leading up to the San Clemente City Council General Election on Nov. 3, the San Clemente Times has published a series of questions that we’ve asked each candidate who is running for the two four-year seats and the one two-year seat. Because there’s a General Election and a Special Election this year, with a total of 18 candidates, we’ve rotated their responses to the first two questions. In this Election Guide, we present all 18 responses to the third and final question. The list of candidates is published according to the random alphabet the California Secretary of State recently drew.

QUESTION 3

| What do you believe police services in San Clemente should look like?

GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATES *Incumbent

BILL HART

CHARLIE SMITH

CHRIS DUNCAN

The OC Sheriff’s Department provides more resources and better presence at lower cost than a local police department.

However, we need to improve a few things. My action plan: 1. Continue to add more deputies; 2. Have Code Enforcement and Park Rangers enforce minor ordinance violations; 3. Perform deputy workload assessments regularly; 4. Fix the “us vs. them” mentality at city hall. Our police chief needs to be treated as a member of the city team; 5. Bring back the OCSD Citizens Academy to educate the public on OCSD; 6. Encourage citizens to organize a local foundation to support our Police Services.

As a former U.S. Army Ranger, protection of country and community is ingrained in me.

While peaceful assembly and protest is well-founded under our Constitution, lawlessness has no place and must be dealt with swiftly and comprehensively—there is no rationalization that supports rioting.

Considering this point, I believe OCSD has done a tremendous job in protecting our city.

There are areas where we can further enhance our protective services. We need to pass smart ordinances to increase their capacity. Further, adding more deputies makes sense, especially deputies specially trained to work with our transient population.

The tragic death of Kurt Reinhold, a Black, homeless resident and father of two, serves as a wakeup call for our city. As a former prosecutor, I have tremendous respect for law enforcement officers and the sacrifices they make every day, and that is why I want to see the Orange County Sheriff’s Department take meaningful steps to prevent occurrences like these in the future. My plan, which I have discussed with Sheriff Barnes, involves augmenting the Psychiatric Emergency and Response Team (PERT) so mental health clinicians primarily engage with homeless individuals, allowing deputies to focus on criminal activity.

Public safety is a priority. We have struggled with securing more funding for OCSD and need to audit legal-related spending to free up more. I would also review the option to implement a police substation at North Beach, given the history of homeless issues. I am told we have provided e-bikes to officers to patrol areas like North Beach, the Pier Bowl, Del Mar and El Camino Real. However, we need to extend the e-bike patrol annually and not just during the summer. We must support our police with a secured minimum manning budget to always ensure the safety of residents.

Our citizens and law enforcement officers are facing formidable challenges in these unprecedented times. As your councilmember, I have been, and will continue to be, committed to law and order. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department, with their professional law enforcement officers and experienced leadership, are dedicated to serve everyone within our town. OCSD possesses vast resources that provide the absolute best options in keeping our neighborhoods, our families, and our businesses safe and secure. I will continue to have the backs of the great deputies who protect and serve this wonderful city. Your safety and security are my paramount concern.

JEFF PROVANCE JR.

PATRICK MINNEHAN

JOSEPH KENNEY

JEFF WELLMAN

THOR JOHNSON

First, I would like to say thank you to OCSD. You ladies and gentlemen work hard to keep San Clemente safe, and I appreciate everything OCSD does for SC. OCSD provides us with invaluable resources, as seen last month with the protest. I would like to see us strengthen our bond with the sheriff’s department and Sheriff Don Barnes. Work together for a safer community for all of us to live in. I would like to see officers who are assigned to SC engage with our citizens, our community. We need to work together as one town, one team, one heartbeat.

Our relationship with OCSD is fairly robust as it stands today.

Fifty-three deputies assigned to San Clemente with varying specialties to protect and serve our community. As additional deputies are needed, OCSD has the resources to pivot and flex accordingly. City leadership must listen to our citizens and to our contracted agencies.

Where gaps are identified or enhancements are necessary, solutions need to be developed, presented, discussed, agreed to and acted upon. City leadership must hold all accountable and communicate actions taken effectively and compassionately.

Law and order is paramount for any society to function properly. Every citizen deserves equal justice under the law.

To achieve this, contrary to the popular media narrative to defund the police, we should, in fact, increase funding to police services. Increased funding can go towards better de-escalation training, and higher pay would make the job more desirable and competitive, leading to higher quality candidates. It would also be helpful to fund more events where the community can interact with local police and allow them to get to know the city’s citizens better, thereby reducing fear and stress all around.

San Clemente is currently contracted with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for police services. OCSD provides patrol services that include over 40 department personnel dedicated to San Clemente’s care and safety. OCSD has provided first-class service to the citizens of San Clemente. I believe the city of San Clemente is well served by the current contract and should remain with OCSD for the near future. I want to publicly thank the deputies and support staff from OCSD that serve San Clemente daily and put their lives on the line to keep our community and families safe. I am pro law enforcement!

I’m disappointed in the death of Mr. Reinhold. My vision for our police department is to reflect the culture, desires and goals of our community. Addressing property theft and homelessness encroachment are some of our community’s most urgent needs. As your councilman, I will strengthen our Neighborhood Watch, Citizen’s Patrol, R.S.V.P. and Ride-Along programs, and implement proactive programs to prevent crime, including Citizen’s Police Academy and Neighborhood Policing, to identify repeat offenders. For quality-of-life issues, I will hire a mental health clinician, an expert, to assist deputies, and help identify an individual’s type of mental health issue and needs.

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 14

AARON WASHINGTON

GENE JAMES*

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 15

sanclementetimes.com

City Council Candidates (Continued) QUESTION 3

| What do you believe police services in San Clemente should look like?

SPECIAL ELECTION CANDIDATES

TYLER BODEN

GEORGE T. GREGORY

JIM DAHL

JERRY QUINLAN

The city of San Clemente has been served by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department since the mid-1990s, which I believe was a fiscally responsible transition. While there are benefits to having a local police department, I think we are well-served by OCSD, and should continue the county contract with at least as many deputies as we are staffed with today. I believe the city’s focus should be on supporting our sheriff’s deputies with more coordination between code compliance, park rangers, our local Neighborhood Watch groups, the RSVP program, and mental health and homeless outreach services. We should also organize ourselves more closely with San Juan and Dana Point to address issues that face our entire region. Public safety is a primary responsibility of our city government, and we should support our police services wherever possible.

I’d like to see a redevelopment or new police force. Not like the OCSD; their training in the jails have made them mean and harsh. They’ve lost their way.

Imminent danger was not evident when the Marine was killed in the school yard or the hobo on the street. Please step back, wait for backup, control your weapon, let things calm down. Please stop being lawyers and councils— hence, men—by enforcing laws selectively or justifying abuse by someone a deputy perceives to have abusive rights like strong-arm extortion by tenants, drug rehab houses or council’s antiworkman laws just because workmen use a pickup truck. A local department that we may recognize each other and have some local knowledge of each other. Lastly, service officers, be safe and thank you. George Gregory two-year.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has done an exceptional job serving the city of San Clemente over the years. As the city has grown, we have not kept up with our deputy-to-citizen ratio. Comparing San Clemente with other cities in South Orange County, the deputy-to-citizen ratio is much higher.

The new council majority should review our situation and find more funds to enhance our standards of service to our citizens.

As a graduate of the San Clemente Citizens Police Academy in 2014, and Vietnam combat veteran, I suggest fostering better professionally trained social outreach squads to deal with the social misfits that have, unfortunately, always been here in my 37 years of owning property and businesses in San Clemente. Then, we can let the sheriff focus on crime. As a city, we could also begin modifying and renegotiating our OC Sheriff’s contract, renewing in 2021.

And, as for rioters, we could more stringently deny the violent prone access to our neighborhoods, than was allowed in the recent past. We citizens are ultimately responsible for our protection, through our agreed-upon professional law enforcement, and our elected city councilmembers. “We the people” of San Clemente would be smart to secure “peace through strength” before “rocks through our windows.”

DONNA VIDRINE

STEVEN KNOBLOCK

ZHEN WU

LARON RUSH

Now is definitely not the time to change police services. We are a safe community with the current police staffing. We will have budget limitations until after the epidemic eases, so I would favor retaining the current level of policing.

We’ll need leadership from Sheriff Barnes and OCSD, as well as our city council. OCSD is clearly reforming itself, buying body cameras, building a facility for inmates with mental health issues, and staffing up on mental health specialists. We need to do our part, seek opportunities for the police to engage, be a presence, to build relationships, trust, and connections. I recommend monthly meetings rotating among neighborhoods. And, we need to deal with our homeless professionally, so that our police can, finally, bring them where they need to go. Serve and protect!

Equal justice!

Police should be prompt, polite and efficient—and they are. Video of the recent shooting shows our police officers approaching the man in a respectful, patient and professional manner. The deputy’s request to move off the street was met with refusals to comply, yelling and aggressive shoving of the deputies.

This ultimately resulted in a scuffle leading to the man’s death after he grabbed the deputy’s weapon. As one who has had to assist a CHP officer wrestling on the ground to gain control of a fighting suspect, I can tell you the split-second decisions they make daily are very difficult. Our police should be honored and appreciated for their brave service.

Police staffing levels should require a minimum number of deputies to cover for those on vacation or sick leave.

Police services in San Clemente should look like an integral part of our community. Safety is fundamental in the hierarchy of human needs; therefore, police services is basic and essential.

I consider our first responders the community’s guardians and protectors.

I’m saddened by Mr. Reinhold’s death.

As your councilmember, I will work to improve the collaboration among OCSD, code enforcement, and social services by formulating a protocol of engagement with homeless people and designating a lead agency. This will allow OCSD to redirect some resources to attend to other public safety issues.

Meanwhile, we should refrain from making judgments before the investigation is concluded. In this difficult year of 2020, our community needs solidarity more than ever.

I believe that San Clemente should have their own police department, because people in San Clemente will get to know the police officers that are working for them. I would say that if San Clemente had the police department in place, things would have turned out a lot different, the residents would not have witnessed what they saw played out at all. If the police department is in place, maybe the officers would have been familiar with the homeless man and they would have known that he had mental issues that he was dealing with. It’s time to stop making excuses and figure a plan out together, because teamwork is important.

So let’s ride this wave together.

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 16

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 17

sanclementetimes.com

73rd District Will See a Newcomer to State Assembly

BY LILLIAN BOYD

For the first time in three terms, the 73rd District Assembly seat will be filled by one of two newcomers to the State Legislature. Scott Rhinehart, a Democrat, and Laurie Davies, a Republican, will face off on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Scott Rhinehart

Democrat It was the year 1978 when Scott Rhinehart was crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and heard the car radio report that Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the history of California, had been assassinated.

That evening, Rhinehart attended a candlelight vigil that attracted thousands at city hall. Rhinehart says the tragedy played a pivotal role in the launch of his activism, which was emboldened by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. But the foundation of Rhinehart’s politics arguably was formed throughout his childhood, with his father’s involvement in labor organizing.

“I was born into a working-class family in a small, coal-mining town in eastern Utah,” Rhinehart said. “My uncle was killed in a mine, and that led my dad toward labor organizing. I was raised in a union home, and my dad was involved with one of the first unions of this nation. I learned about the power in organizing and the importance of giving those who don’t have a voice, a voice.”

Now, Rhinehart is vying for the 73rd California Assembly seat as a Democrat, just as he did unsuccessfully in the 2018 race. Then, he faced incumbent Assemblymember Bill Brough, who secured the seat for a third term and beat Rhinehart by nearly eight percentage points.

However, in 2019, Brough faced a series of sexual misconduct allegations brought against him and was subsequently unseated for a fourth term during the March Primary San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Election. Laguna Niguel Mayor Laurie Davies, a Republican, took the majority of the votes with 27.3%, followed by Rhinehart, who took in 23.8%--qualifying them for the general election. There were five candidates total (three Democrats and two Republicans).

Rhinehart’s platform calls for a singlepayer Medicare system in the state and the prioritizing of funding for education.

“We are the fifth-largest economy in the world, and yet we are the 41st state in per-pupil-spending,” Rhinehart said. “In the Assembly, I will prioritize educational funding from Pre-K to our community and state colleges and universities. We must ensure our teachers are always supported, and our students have the resources and opportunities to thrive.”

Since the state shutdown in response to COVID-19, Rhinehart says that his campaigning efforts have had to adapt but that the pandemic has reinforced his beliefs.

“Grandmas and grandpas shouldn’t have to die. The number of deaths we’ve seen and the inadequate response . . . we need to learn from this pandemic and be prepared,” Rhinehart said. “We can take these lessons and apply it to climate change. We need to be prepared.”

If previous elections are any indication of this year’s voter results, Rhinehart faces an uphill battle at the polls. In the 73rd District, there are 121,963 registered Republican voters, compared to the 86,027 voters registered as Democrats.

Davies also is leading Rhinehart in fundraising dollars, having raised $257,353.63 in 230 contributions. Rhinehart has so far raised $197,428.74 in 319 contributions.

Rhinehart counters that a Democrat in the 73rd district seat would better serve constituents, considering the state’s supermajority.

“We live in a state that is Democratic; our Senate and Assembly are Democrat.

Who will be more likely to bring in new jobs, more sources of funding since we are a donor state, who is going to be successful in leveraging that money back to us?

It’s time for all people in the 73rd to be represented in Sacramento, not just for special interests to be represented.”

Laurie Davies

Republican Laurie Davies says she can thank her parents for instilling within her the value of hard work—the work ethic that pushed her to attend college full-time while waitressing nights and weekends, start her own business and embark on a career in politics.

After graduating, she relocated to Orange County, where she worked as the general manager for two restaurants and went on to handle the events at the private Monarch Bay Beach Club in Dana Point.

In 2000, Davies started her own event planning business, Five Star Wedding & Events, which she still operates today.

Being a small business owner, Davies said she knows firsthand the toll that COVID-19 has had on the economy.

“As a small business owner, my business has taken a halt . . . as an event planner, you plan in advance. Basically everything is canceled. But it’s looking positive; it’s going to be a very busy year next year.”

As Mayor of Laguna Niguel, Davies says she constantly gets calls from people who are worried about how the pandemic is shaping their lives.

“As mayor, it’s devastating when people are calling me about how COVID is impacting them and they don’t know what to do. To hear the pain in their voices, that’s the hardest part,” Davies said.

Davies says she’s had to think outside the box when it comes to campaigning and fundraising.

“You have to be willing to try something new,” Davies said. “We took advantage of Zoom to build those relationships, and it’s worked.”

With both houses in the legislature having a Democrat supermajority, San Clemente Times asked Davies how she anticipated working across the aisle to best represent the interests of the 73rd District.

“I’ve always been someone who likes to build relationships, building trust, listening,” Davies said. “I’m one that likes to solve problems. We’ve got a lot in common.”

During her time in office, Davies has served as a director on the Transportation

Page 18

Corridor Agencies, chaired the League of Cities Committee on Transportation, Communication and Public Works, and was elected to the Orange County Transportation Authority.

Some San Clemente voters are weary of associations with the TCA, after a long history of contention the city has had with the agency over a proposed toll road being built through the area.

In March, TCA officials confirmed that out of all of the proposals for South County traffic relief, an arterial, un-tolled road—also known as the Los Patrones extension—would be the sole alternative that staff would pursue. The action formally removed the possibility of extending the 241 Toll Road through San Clemente.

TCA is now collaborating with Caltrans and OCTA to advance plans of having the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane on the I-5 extend from Avenida Pico to the San Diego County line, as well as complete the project to widen Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano.

“OCTA and TCA came together and listened to the people. Listen, no matter where you are, mobility is important.

In the case of a disaster, to me that was always my first priority,” Davies said. “I would not put a toll road through a city; I think we’re going to see these three measures have some good results. It comes down to listening to residents, developers and stakeholders.”

Davies says her top priorities, if elected, are to help small businesses and to repeal early release for felons.

“Small businesses make up our community. I will work toward creating business-friendly laws and work toward repealing Assembly Bill (AB) 5,” Davies said. “Safety is a priority. When there is early release for repeat offenders, we are putting residents at risk and having impact on homelessness.”

While speaking with voters, Davies emphasizes the importance of learning about propositions on the ballot, in addition to the candidates.

“COVID has made all of us have to stop; we’re paying attention more,” Davies said. “But I really believe the blindfolds have been taken off. I’m seeing what my kids are being taught, I’m seeing what the governor is doing and how businesses are closing. People are waking up, and no matter how they’re going to vote, they’re going to be a lot more informed. We’ll just have to wait and see the results after Nov. 3.”

The 73rd Assembly District stretches from the coast to the Santa Ana Mountains, and includes cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 19

sanclementetimes.com

49TH CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES DISCUSS

Pandemic Business Relief, San Onofre Waste Removal Brian Maryott (Republican)

D

Rep. Mike Levin (Democrat)

By Collin Breaux emocratic incumbent Mike Levin and Republican challenger Brian Maryott are facing off in the race for the 49th Congressional District, which covers portions of Orange and San Diego counties.

Levin and Maryott faced off earlier this year in the primary election, where Levin won overall with 56.6% of votes, compared to Maryott’s 43.4%.

Maryott—currently a San Juan Capistrano City Councilmember—fared better in Orange County, where he picked up 53.51% of votes, compared to Levin’s 46.49%.

The two candidates addressed a slew of issues heading into the general election, including challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental concerns and protests against police brutality.

Levin said he has fought for working families and local small businesses during the health crisis, and his office assisted local small business owners and workers who needed help with federal programs.

“Working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, we’ve provided enhanced unemployment insurance, nutrition assistance, rental support and eviction moratoriums, and direct stimulus payments for those most in need,” Levin said. “I fought to improve the Paycheck Protection Program so that more mom-and-pop businesses here in our district received assistance and kept employees on their payrolls.”

Maryott said state government has stood in the way of small and medium-sized business owners, while major corporations were allowed to remain open, and that employers of all sizes are going to require short-term payroll tax relief and protection from COVIDrelated liability.

“In Congress, I will fight to further drop tax brackets for our low- and moderate-income earners, and make the doubling of the child tax credit and standard deduction permanent for our families,” Maryott said. “I will lead an effort to supercharge opportunity zones to attract investment in the district, and I will work collaboratively with either a Trump or Biden administration to leverage federal dollars in our communities.”

Levin said pressing issues he tackled over the past two years included radioactive waste at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, raw sewage from the Tijuana River Valley and erosion of coastal bluffs. He introduced legislation that would expedite the removal of nuclear waste from decommissioned plants in areas with high population density and a seismic hazard, such as from San Onofre.

“We’re also seeing coastal bluffs erode and collapse throughout our district, threatening lives and property,” Levin said. “That’s why I was proud to successfully secure $505,000 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stabilize the bluffs in San Clemente, and another $400,000 in federal funding for the Planning, Engineering & Design (PED) phase of the Encinitas-Solana Beach Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Project.”

Maryott said he will join other California Representatives as part of legislation to restart the development of the Yucca Mountain Repository. Maryott said he additionally supports commercial providers developing interim storage solutions, since potential profit “may be the exact motivation” the area needs to get San Onofre waste off the beach.

“Importantly, I will also work to oppose efforts to try and overhaul our energy system by government control and government mandate,” Maryott said. “This means opposing the Green New Deal, which if enacted, would quite simply destroy our way of life. Mike San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Levin is a co-sponsor of this naïve manifesto, joining with AOC and other members of his Progressive Caucus. It is extreme and dangerous, and putting it forward as a serious proposal is unhelpful to the dialogue.”

The candidates also gave their perspectives on the national racial reckoning that arose after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Levin supports law enforcement and criminal justice system legislation that prohibits racial, religious, and discriminatory profiling; bans chokeholds and no-knock warrants at the federal level; limits the transfer of unnecessary militarygrade equipment to local police; expands the use of dashboard cameras and body cameras; and establishes a National Police Misconduct Registry.

Levin said the majority of police officers are honorable people, and he does not support defunding the police.

“However, I do support more funding for community policing programs to improve relations between law enforcement and communities of color, as well as funding to diversify police departments,” Levin said.

“I also will continue to advocate for greater investments in our social services and programs to lift up underserved communities.”

At the federal level, Maryott said he supports proper resources that allow communities to do the best and most thorough job possible of vetting new hires, training, and holding police officers accountable for their conduct on a daily basis. Maryott does not support defunding or reimagining policing.

“I will not abandon our officers and any hope for safe communities here in our district,” Maryott said. “I will not vote to end qualified immunity. I enjoy this protection, as does Rep. Levin. We need to retain our best police officers, not strip them and their families of the needed peace of mind

Page 20

that helps them cope with a very stressful and demanding job.”

Levin and Maryott also addressed health care and other topics. On health care, Levin said everyone in the district should have access to affordable, quality health care, and nobody should have to choose to pay for rent or groceries, instead of seeing a doctor or paying for a prescription.

“I’ll continue to work to strengthen the Affordable Care Act and maintain protections for preexisting conditions that some are fighting to eliminate,” Levin said.

Maryott said he will diligently oppose attempts to have the government running health care.

“Through a robust private health care and health care insurance industry, we can provide choices and peace of mind to everyone in our communities, and never lose sight of the physically/financially vulnerable or anyone with preexisting conditions,” Maryott said. “We are a wealthy and dynamic enough country to have it all.

We are not Great Britain—and we should never, ever socialize our health care system. It’s a life-and-death issue.”

As for military and veteran issues, Levin said he introduced the Homeless Veteran Coronavirus Response Act to expand and strengthen Department of Veterans Affairs services for homeless veterans after the pandemic began, and he is concerned about reports that veterans are seeing delays in prescription deliveries as part of recent publicized troubles with the Postal Service.

Maryott said he supports strong and predictable military spending, and will “strenuously debate” the Progressive Caucus on their “naïve ideas” about the world we live in and the “enormity of what we are asking from our servicemen and servicewomen around the world.” sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 21

sanclementetimes.com

Five Candidates Running for Three Seats on South Coast Water District Board

By Lillian Boyd, San Clemente Times This year could be the last at-large election for South Coast Water District (SCWD).

The SCWD will hold its election for three available seats on Tuesday, Nov. 3— without any implementation of districts.

On Jan. 14, SCWD received a letter from the Law Offices of Phillip B. Greer, expressing concern that voting for SCWD’s at-large system appears to be racially polarized. The letter argues that this results in minority vote dilution and is a violation of the California Voting Rights Act of 2001.

“The Voting Rights Act disfavors the use of ‘at-large’ voting since this method allows voters in an entire jurisdiction to elect candidates to all open seats,” the letter states. “I refer you to Sanchez v Modesto (2006).”

The letter asserts that at-large elections “dilute and impair minority voters and their ability to elect candidates more representative of their neighborhoods.”

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Latinos make up nearly 18% of the Dana Point population, nearly 37% of the San Juan Capistrano population and nearly 17% of the San Clemente population. According to Greer, not a single Latino has been elected to the Board of Directors in the past 20 years.

On Feb. 27, the board of directors instructed legal counsel to meet with Greer in attempt to negotiate a settlement.

A resolution stemming from the meeting was brought back to the board, and on April 23, the board approved the settlement. The settlement documents require two processes. One relates to the CVRA process leading to By-Division Elections; the other relates to evaluating whether a feasible pathway exists to overcome the asserted “disenfranchisement” of certain District customers who are ineligible to vote in District elections.

The CVRA requires a total of five public hearings. During the final public hearing, the board will decide whether to change to

The proposed Doheny Ocean Desalination Project in Dana Point has been a major project and priority for South Coast Water District. SCWD has overseen a smaller-scale desalination facility in Dana Point since 2008.

Photo: Adam Gilles

by-division elections and the boundaries of any such divisions.

In accordance with the resolution, the board of directors conducted the first of five public hearings on June 11. When the results of the 2020 United States Census are released, the four additional CVRA hearings are to be conducted in 2021, with the final hearing on or before Oct. 31, 2021, when an ordinance establishing the director election division boundaries is expected to be adopted. Under the settlement, deadlines will be flexible to allow for unknown limitations on public hearings due to COVID-19.

As for the 2020 election, voters in the district’s service area, which includes the communities of Dana Point, South Laguna Beach, and areas of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, will select three directors from five qualified candidates.

Incumbent Director Rick Erkeneff, a Dana Point resident and vice chairman of the South Orange County Chapter of Surfrider Foundation, is running for reelection.

“As SCWD Vice President, I have worked with our directors and staff to prioritize repair and maintenance of aging infrastructure through cost-effective solutions,” Erkeneff said in his statement. “I support the continued study of the viability of environmentally sensitive, responsible ocean desalination. My leadership has been evident through my voting record, and I will continue the path forward, helping our community navigate future drought and shrinking water supply issues.”

Incumbent Director Douglas Erdman, a civil engineer, is also seeking reelection.

According to his statement, he aims to maintain SCWD’s infrastructure and deliver quality water and sewer services while being mindful of the customer’s pocketbook.

“SCWD has several ongoing projects that would require a significant investment and directly impact the amount you pay for water and sewer services,” Erdman said.

“Some of these projects may have alternatives that could accomplish the same goals more efficiently with reduced costs.”

SCWD is currently pursuing the proposed Doheny Desalination Project in Dana Point. The project would cost $120 million, and the agency is currently strug-

Page 22

gling to garner partnerships to absorb the costs. If implemented, the Doheny Ocean Desalination Project would provide locally controlled water supply. Currently, SCWD imports 85-100% of its drinking water, causing vulnerability during droughts, supply shortages and potentially during natural disasters.

A third incumbent director, Wayne Rayfield, will also appear on the ballot.

Rayfield is a retired engineer who is seeking to “build upon the work” that has been done and to continue fostering cost-saving partnerships with other agencies.

“As we face the financial issues that the pandemic has created for many of us, I pledge to you that I will be extra diligent as we seek increased efficiencies and continue to ensure that every expense is necessary and cost-effective,” Rayfield said. “We must also continue our efforts to protect our environment and expand the use of recycled water wherever possible.”

Scott Goldman, an environmental engineer, echoes the importance of partnering with neighboring agencies.

“My goals as a SCWD Director will be to assist the District, maintain existing infrastructure and to further ‘drought-proof’ supplies where it makes economic sense,” Goldman said in his campaign statement.

“My established relationships with management and directors of surrounding agencies, and thorough understanding of the issues, will benefit the District and its rate payers.”

Markus Lenger, the fifth candidate to appear on the ballot, is a nine-year resident of Capistrano Beach and 29-year resident of South Orange County. He is the founder of CleanBlu, a company focused on water reuse solutions.

“I am disturbed by the relentless pursuit of a single ‘solution’—a prohibitively expensive, power-guzzling desalination plant dependent on untried technology,” Lenger said. “The key to robust solutions is thoughtful consideration, independent analysis and an unbiased peer review of all practical, right-sized alternatives.”

A sixth candidate, Deborah Johnson, indicated her intent to run, but according to Orange County Registrar’s filing log, she did not qualify to appear on the ballot.

Voters will determine who will fill the at-large seats on November 3. sanclementetimes.com

South Orange County Community College District Governing Board Races

C

onstituents in San Clemente will also vote on three Board of Trustees seats for the South Orange County Community College District, which comprises a total of seven members who are elected at-large to four-year terms.

The district, representing more than 900,000 residents in 26 communities, oversees Saddleback College, Irvine Valley College and the Advanced Technology & Education Park.

This November, the seats for Areas 1, 6 and 7 are up for election. The city of Irvine is represented in both Areas 1 and 6, which also includes Lake Forest.

Area 7 represents both Mission

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita.

Four candidates—Helen Lock, a retired administrative manager; Carolyn Inmon, a retired teacher; Aarti Kaushal, a teacher and city commissioner; and Matt Waid, a student conduct investigator—are vying for the Area 1 seat.

In the Area 6 race, there are two candidates—Ryan Dack, an educator, who is challenging the incumbent, James R. Wright, for the seat.

And in Area 7, three candidates, including one incumbent, are running for the seat. Mo Entezampour, a college professor, and Sean Gawne, a retired training manager, are looking to unseat incumbent Timothy Jemal, who currently serves as the board’s vice president.

City Treasurer and Clerk Races This year’s elections also include races for San Clemente City Clerk and City Treasurer. Both incumbents, City Clerk Joanne Baade and City Treasurer Mark Taylor, are running unopposed. Baade, who was first elected in 2008, is running for her fourth consecutive term. Taylor is looking to be reelected after first taking office in 2016.

Page 23

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 24

sanclementetimes.com

Virtual Learning and Fixing Infrastructure

T

By Collin Breaux he candidates running in this year’s Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Trustees elections will have plenty of issues to attend to when they get in office—handling education and student safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, what to do about aging school buildings and more.

Incumbent and Board President Jim Reardon and challenger Pamela Braunstein are running in Area 2, which includes portions of San Juan Capistrano. Sue Hill, Adrienne Silva and Lisa Davis are running in Area 3, which covers San Clemente.Incumbent Krista Castellanos and challengers Jasmine Funes and Paul Hebbardare running in Area 5, which covers a portion of Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel.

Current Area 3 Trustee Patricia Holloway is not running for reelection.

The quality of virtual learning has been on many parents’ minds during the health crisis. Braunstein said the district’s premature rollout of the virtual learning management system “Canvas” without proper training or technological support was a mistake.

“Superintendent Kirsten Vital and President Reardon (my opponent) need to be held accountable for these missteps,” Braunstein said. “Under their leadership, CUSD has become a district of reaction instead of thoughtful and well-researched proactive educational plans and policies.”

Reopening campuses for in-person student instruction, which recently began, is another major topic. Reardon said he is eager to see schools reopen in the “conventional sense,” and the matter is especially important at the elementary level, where schools serve a wide variety of community needs.

“At the same time, I’m advocating for a gentle reopening that is timed to keep the community safe,” Reardon said. “Schools are intrinsically large ‘gatherings’ of people, and without effective protective measures, reopening could lead to trouble, not just for students and teachers, but for the community as a whole.”

Candidates also addressed school renovations. Regional bond measures for facility improvements were voted down earlier this year.

“We need to address the trust issue between the district and communities they San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

A LOOK AT THE CUSD BOARD ELECTIONS

serve,” Hill said. “Past attempts by the district to rebuild trust with the city have focused largely on the city mayors. All city leadership and the community at large must be engaged in this process.”

Hill said earlier proposals for joint use partnership opportunities for some of the larger infrastructure projects should be revisited, and funding should be demanded from state legislators.

Funding is an issue the district faces, particularly as the pandemic causes economic challenges. Silva said CUSD officials should evaluate where money is going, and used the analogy of a household tightening the belt on its budget to explain her perspective. Silva also said the district can look at revenue streams and ways to help underperforming schools.

“What can be done to get them into the median range?” Silva said.

Davis said the district needs to ensure that students are supported and receive

meals in the school lunch program, and schools need to be open for in-person instruction to allow parents the ability to work their jobs.

“Some students lack support at home, some lack support from friends, and some lack school support,” Davis said. “We need to address the needs of afterschool care and provide options. We can implement policies that pave a way for school support to help safeguard a student if they lack support from other areas.”

Student-led, anti-racism protests calling for diversity in curriculum and accountability of racism have occurred within the district, which candidates also reflected on. Castellanos created a resolution passed by the board that denounced racism, intolerance and discrimination.

“Our school sites need to be places of inclusion, where all students are safe and appreciated!” Castellanos said. “Our students are asking the district to take action

Page 25

and denounce racism. It is important to listen and involve them in this process.”

Funes, a Black woman, is running because of the protests. Funes said it is her responsibility as a qualified candidate to be a representation for minority voices since that is isn’t currently seen.

“My priority in education is ensuring that we are considering the well-being of the whole child,” Funes said. “This means actively taking care of their physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and mental health. In order to do this, teachers must be supported, as well as engaging and connecting with parents and building strong relationships with and between those in the community.”

Hebbard said racism should be stamped out, but he does have some “genuine concerns about certain groups” wanting to modify the curriculum that may seem hostile to a specific nationality or race.

Hebbard does advocate for expanded cultural studies courses on an elective basis and would revisit the issue if UC and CSU admissions require mandatory classes in this topic.

“First of all, our school year is only 37 weeks, and in order to delve deeply into the coursework that is required for college-bound students, we can ill afford to make wholesale changes in the curriculum,” Hebbard said. “Right now, CUSD meets and exceeds state standards, and (California) standards are among the most rigorous in the nation. There is scant little more that needs to be added to the mix.”

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 26

sanclementetimes.com

Statewide Ballot Measures

Proposition 14: Authorizes Bonds Continuing Stem Cell Research This initiative, if passed, would authorize $5.5 billion in state bonds to primarily fund additional grants supporting stem cell research and development of treatments, construction for research facilities and administrative costs. Of those funds, $1.5 billion would be dedicated toward research on brain-related and central nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Proposition 15: Increases Funding Sources for Public Schools, Community Colleges and Local Government Services by Changing Tax Assessment of Commercial and Industrial Property If passed, commercial and industrial properties would be taxed based on current market value rather than purchase price.

The change would be put in place by 2022, or 2025 for properties that meet certain rules or have 50 or fewer employees. The increase in property taxes on commercial properties worth more than $3 million is expected to provide $6.5 billion to $11.5 billion in new funding for local governments and schools.

Proposition 16: Allows Diversity as a Factor in Public Employment, Education and Contracting Decisions This measure aims to repeal Proposition 209, eliminating a ban on state and local entities from considering race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in public education, public employees and public contracting. If passed, state and local entities would be allowed to establish a range of policies and programs that remain consistent with federal and state laws on equal protection.

Proposition 17: Restores Right to Vote After Completion of Prison Term Formerly incarcerated people who were disqualified from voting during their prison sentence would have their voting rights restored upon completion of their prison term, should this measure pass.

By allowing such individuals to register to vote, they could also be eligible to run for elective office, as long as they meet existing qualifications such as not having been convicted of perjury or bribery.

(Cont. on page 28) San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 27

sanclementetimes.com

(Cont. from page 27)

Proposition 18: Amends California Constitution to Permit 17-Year-Olds to Vote in Primary and Special Elections if They Will Turn 18 by the Next General Election and to Be Otherwise Eligible to Vote Seventeen-year-olds who will be 18 years old by the November date of a General Election would be allowed to vote in any Special or Primary Election occurring before the General Election if the measure passes. Because registered voters are allowed to run for elective office, passage of this measure would give such qualifying 17-year-olds the opportunity to do so as well.

Proposition 19: Changes Certain Property Tax Rules Starting on April 1, 2021, homeowners who are 55 and older, disabled, or a victim of a wildfire or disaster would be able to transfer their primary residence’s property tax base value to a replacement residence of any value. The initiative would change taxation of family-property transfers and establish a fire protection services fund.

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Proposition 20: Restricts Parole for Certain Offenses Currently Considered to Be Non-Violent; Authorizes Felony Sentences for Certain Offenses Currently Treated Only as Misdemeanors If passed, various changes would be made to the Proposition 57 release consideration process, such as excluding some inmates—those convicted of some types of assault and domestic violence—from the process, requiring inmates denied releases to wait two years before being reconsidered, and requiring the Board of Parole Hearings to consider additional factors such as the inmates’ attitudes about their crimes when deciding on their release.

Proposition 21: Expands Local Governments’ Authority to Enact Rent Control on Residential Property This measure looks to allow cities and counties to apply rent control measures to most housing that is older than 15 years, but does not include single-family homes owned by people with two or fewer properties. The local governments could also limit how much a landlord can increase rents when there is a new renter.

Proposition 22: Exempts App-Based Transportation and Delivery Companies from Providing Employee Benefits to Certain Drivers Rideshare and delivery drivers would be independent contractors, while the new state law that limits the ability of companies to hire such workers would not apply to the drivers, if this measure passes. The measure would also give drivers certain benefits, such as an earnings minimum of 120% of the local minimum wage for each hour spent driving, a health insurance stipend, and pay for costs when a driver gets hurt on the job.

Proposition 23: Establishes State Requirements for Kidney Dialysis Clinics; Requires On-Site Medical Professional If passed, the measure would include several provisions affecting chronic dialysis clinics (CDC), such as requiring each CDC to have a doctor on-site, report infectionrelated information to the state’s health department, charge penalties for failure to report infection-related info and prohibit a CDC from refusing care to a patient based on who is paying for a patient’s treatment.

Page 28

Proposition 24: Amends Consumer Privacy Laws This measure would provide new consumer privacy rights, amend existing penalties and limit the use of penalty revenue, as well as create a new state agency with oversight and enforcement of consumer data privacy laws. Most of the provisions would go into effect in January 2023.

Proposition 25: Referendum on Law that Replaced Money Bail with System Based on Public Safety and Flight Risk The measure, if passed, would determine whether Senate Bill 10 goes into effect.

Approval of SB 10 would eliminate release on bail, create a new process for release before arraignment, and change the existing process for release at arraignment.

Measure BB: City Council Term Limits for City of San Clemente If passed, elected city councilmembers would be limited to serving two consecutive four-year terms, with the ability to again serve on the council after remaining out of local office for no fewer than two years. sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 29

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 30

sanclementetimes.com

SC SC LIVING San Clemente

PROFILES OF OUR COMMUNITY

CoastLines by Fred Swegles

San Clemente’s Historic Claim to Fame as a Highway Speed Trap

U

nless you’re an old-timer, you likely have no idea what San Clemente was famous for long before President Richard Nixon moved into town in 1969, putting us on the international map.

The sleepy beach town, halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, was known nationwide as a speed trap, notorious for the town’s traffic cop pulling over motorists along old Highway 101 before there was a freeway.

In a 1970 article describing pre-Nixon San Clemente, Time magazine said, “Its most well-known citizen was Patrolman Bruce Crego, a red-haired giant known as ‘the Red Rider’ for his prodigious feats with the summons pad. Until his retirement three years ago, Patrolman Crego handed out more than 5,000 speeding tickets a year to motorists passing through town …”

EGALITARIAN COP

Crego was known for “giving tickets to anyone regardless of status,” according to a post at legendarysurfers.com. “His favorite time was Del Mar Racing season, when he took great joy in nailing speeding stars.”

One of America’s biggest stars was Bob Hope, a singer/dancer/comedian/ actor in movies, TV and radio.

“It was Bob Hope who created the legend,” recounted Jennifer Garey’s book Images of America—San Clemente. “After he received his speeding ticket, he joked on his radio show, ‘The only way to make it past San Clemente without a traffic ticket was to swim or fly past.’ ” Crego’s nickname Red Ryder, Garey proclaimed, reflected a redheaded comic strip hero that inspired local kids to so name Crego, after seeing the cop “pull off whole groups of cars and make them wait for their ticket.”

Max Hurlbut, a redhead who grew up in San Clemente from the late 1940s through the ’50s, recalled that Bob Hope made Crego the butt of repeated jokes.

RED RYDER MEMORIES

Hurlbut’s 1947 introduction to San Clemente at age 8 came when Crego pulled over his family’s car as the Hurlbuts were moving into town, population fewer than 2,000 at the time.

They got off with a warning. Their 1946 Kaiser, weighted down with belongings, wasn’t speeding but going too slow, laboring to climb El Camino Real’s hill into downtown.

Max and Red Ryder became friends, bonded by a shared trait—red hair.

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

San Clemente Police Sgt. Bruce Crego, famously known as Red Ryder, is pictured in 1962 in Unit 46-11.

Photo: Courtesy of Max Hurlbut

“To him, I am forever ‘Red,’ ” Hurlbut recalled.

“He is a San Clemente legend,” Hurlbut said. “He did, in fact, single-handedly support the town treasury for a number of austere years.”

Crego’s record, Hurlbut said, was issuing 350 moving violations in a single week.

The kid became a frequent ride-along guest in Red Ryder’s patrol car. Hurlbut then pursued a lifelong career in law enforcement. He was with LAPD when invited, in 1973, to give the eulogy at Crego’s funeral.

SERIOUS STUFF

Crego’s ticketing wasn’t just a money grab but a lifesaver, too, Garey wrote. A 25-mph zone through the heart of San Clemente enabled the patrolman to try to talk sense into fun-seeking speeders en route to or from Del Mar Racetrack, San Diego or Tijuana.

The undivided highway from San Clemente south became known as Slaughter Alley, notorious for head-on collisions, leaving carnage on the pavement in an era before seatbelts and airbags, Hurlbut said.

EARLIER NOTORIETY

Crego wasn’t the first speed cop to make the town famous as a virtual ticket machine.

Decades earlier, Officer Harry Comber targeted a generation of Prohibition-era

speeders that included party-bound celebrities headed to Tijuana’s Agua Caliente Racetrack.

Hired in 1929 as San Clemente’s first motorcycle cop, Comber became the third chief of a tiny SCPD in 1931. El Heraldo de San Clemente noted his “honesty, integrity and efficiency.”

He wasn’t popular with speeders, nor with local businessmen who asserted his “needless highway arrests” were driving away business.

The San Clemente Business Men’s Association, formed in 1933 by 28 cafe and store owners, demanded the city council remove Comber, making San Clemente a town without “speed cops.”

The Santa Ana Register, in an archive viewable at newspaperarchive.com, reported that the business association COASTLINES wanted to “discharge

By Fred Swegles the police force with the exception of a night watchman, allowing state highway patrol officers to handle traffic.”

The association also requested billboards at both entrances to town, welcoming visitors and announcing, “We have no speed cop. Please drive carefully.”

POLITICAL INTRIGUE

Page 31

The association claimed that prolific

Comber traffic tickets, many for driving just slightly over the speed limit and not recklessly, gave San Clemente a black eye. Some ticketed travelers “were regular patrons of cafes,” The Register said, “and announced they were ‘through with a town that would make arrests for profit.’ ” Comber pleaded that he was just following instructions from the city council, which by 1933 was reeling from the Great Depression, cutting services to keep the town running. Critics, including town founder Ole Hanson, alleged city council mismanagement.

Hanson, aligned with the business group, publicly criticized Comber, who filed a $75,000 slander lawsuit against Ole, later dropping it.

The business group, citing further grievances, threatened a recall if the city council refused to fire Comber.

The council suspended Comber but didn’t fire him. Days later, he resigned, to “preserve harmony,” The Register quoted him.

“San Clemente is a beautiful city, but it has, however, acquired a reputation for too much arresting on the highway,” Hanson told The Register. “The Automobile Club and other bodies protested monthly.

Comber, in following the orders of the city council to bring in so much money each month, got in very bad. We determined to clean this situation up.”

NO HARD FEELINGS

Comber continued a robust career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles’ Secret Service office, the attorney general’s office and private investigation.

In the final years of his life, he held no grudges over San Clemente politics—only fond memories. Comber, a jovial personality and a lively storyteller, entertained the San Clemente Historical Society by recounting tales of policing the Spanish Village during an era of Prohibition and bootleggers.

More on that in a future column.

Fred Swegles is a longtime San Clemente resident with five decades of reporting experience in the city. Fred can be reached at fswegles@picketfencemedia.com. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media.

If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com. The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 32

sanclementetimes.com

SC LIVING

The Willie Nelson cover band True Willie rocks the stage during a drive-in, outdoor concert on Sept. 25 at the Great Park in Irvine. Photo: Tom Blake

GUEST OPINION: On Life and Love After 50 by Tom Blake

Finally Meeting Wille Nelson (Sort of)

I

n the 1970s, as the marketing director for the Victoria Station restaurant chain, I worked with Johnny Cash for two years. Through Johnny, I met Carl Perkins, Larry Gatlin, John Denver, Roger Miller and Glen Campbell.

But I never met Willie Nelson, one of Johnny’s best buddies.

I vowed that if I ever met Willie, I would share with him how highly Johnny spoke of him. I’ve tried a few times at Willie’s concerts to meet him but haven’t been successful. Willie’s 87 now, so my chances of meeting him face-to-face are slim to none, especially during the pandemic.

Two months ago, while stand-up paddleboarding with my buddy, Russell Kerr, I explained to him my unachieved goal of meeting Willie Nelson.

Russell said, “I can partially solve your dilemma in September.”

“How?” I asked.

Russell said, “My friend Roger Hegyi has a band called ‘True Willie.’ They are considered the most authentic Willie Nelson tribute band in America. Roger’s role is Willie. He lives in Laguna Niguel.”

Russell added, “True Willie is playing at a unique outdoor concert on Sept. 25 at the Great Park in Irvine.” He explained, “It’s a drive-in-movie type of concert. You sit in your car or in socially distanced lawn chairs next to your car. My wife, Pam, and I are going.

“Why don’t you and Greta come and park next to us? I can introduce you to Roger after the show. He’s not Willie Nelson, but he’s the closest thing to Willie you’ll ever meet.”

Greta and I bought a car ticket in advance; the cost was only $30. We followed the Kerr’s car.

To ensure we could park near the stage, we got to ON LIFE AND the Great Park an hour LOVE AFTER 50 before the show.

By Tom Blake The show was spectacular. The band played three of my Willie Nelson favorites: “Poncho and Lefty,” “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground” and “Seven Spanish Angels.”

After the show, we got to say hello to Roger, but it was getting dark, and lots of people had come to the front of the stage to greet him.

I handed Roger an autographed copy of

Clemente was popular in the 1920s.

Every week, the San Clemente Times will showcase a historical photo from around the city. If you have a photo you would like to submit for consideration, send the photo, your name for credit as well as the date and location of the photo to editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

my book, Prime Rib & Boxcars. Whatever Happened to Victoria Station? The front cover features a picture of Johnny Cash and me together in 1976 in front of the Victoria Station restaurant in Newport Beach.

Russell said, “We’ll get together with Roger next week when we have time to talk.”

Last Wednesday, Sept. 30, Roger, Russell, and I met at the Coffee Importers in Dana Point Harbor.

I asked Roger: “How long have you been a musician, and when and why did you become a Willie Nelson tribute band?”

Roger said, “I’ve been 50 years in the music business. Nine years ago, my family and I were attending a concert at the Greek Theatre. There was a huge photo of Willie on the side of the building promoting an upcoming Willie Nelson concert.

“My daughter looked at me, and then at

Willie, and said, ‘Dad, you are Willie.’ And I now am.”

Roger added, “I don’t do it for the money; I do it to make a difference and share the music of an icon.”

Over a cup of coffee, I was finally able to tell Willie Nelson (well, sort of) how much Johnny Cash thought of him. It took me 45 years to pull that off.

Tom Blake is a retired Dana Point business owner and resident who has authored books on middle-aged dating. See his website at findingloveafter50.com. To comment: tompblake@gmail.com. SC PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to provide our readers with a wide variety of opinions from our community, the SC Times provides Guest Opinion opportunities in which selected columnists’ opinions are shared. The opinions expressed in these columns are entirely those of the columnist alone and do not reflect those of the SC Times or Picket Fence Media. If you would like to respond to this column, please email us at editorial@sanclementetimes.com. The San Clemente Times and Picket Fence Media do not publish content that is defamatory.

BY MYLES MELLOR Last week’s solution:

SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

L

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

FROM THE ARCHIVES Horseback riding on the cliffs in San

Sudoku

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Lianney ianney is a laid-back kitty looking for a new roommate. She is an independent lady who doesn’t mind being on her own during the day, but is also very affectionate and sweet when you visit with her. Lianney is very clean and promises not to hog the remote control. She would make a great roomie for someone seeking an easygoing feline friend.

If you are interested in adopting Lianney, please visit petprojectfoundation.org. Completed forms can be emailed to animalservices@scdpanimalshelter.org, and you will

Contributor: San Clemente Historical Society

Lianney. Photo: Courtesy of San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter

be contacted about making an interaction appointment. SC

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9. Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium Page 33

See the solution in next week’s issue.

sanclementetimes.com

SC San Clemente

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

SC San Clemente

LOC ALS O NLY

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

CUSD Athletics Expands to Phase 2, Larger Groups, Equipment Use

BY ZACH CAVANAGH, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

A

s Orange County incrementally lifts some coronavirus restrictions and slightly expands capacities, the Capistrano Unified School District athletics programs make their slow march toward full participation.

On Sept. 23, CUSD released guidelines for Phase 2 of the district’s return to training for athletics and physical activity, which is highlighted by small increases in group size, addition of equipment, opening of weight rooms and small allowances for indoor activity.

“The Capistrano Unified School District, in conjunction with the State CIF, believes education-based athletics is essential to the physical, mental and social wel-being of students, and it is important for them to return to physical activity and athletic competition,” the district said in its guidelines statement. “However, the timing of such is subject to the Governor’s Office, the California Department of Education and State/Local Public Health Departments; variations may be tied to assessing risk levels of the sports offered.”

After an initial July startup was halted by reinforcements of state guidelines, CUSD was allowed to open Phase 1 of the return to athletics with small and limited conditioning camps on Aug. 18. On Sept.

8, the state moved Orange County down from the most restrictive COVID-19 monitoring tier to the red “substantial” tier—the state’s second-highest, risk-level designation—which paved the way for the eventual physical reopening of school campuses.

Phase 2 workouts at San Clemente High School began last week, as the school and district prepare for the reopening of high school campuses on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

“We believe that education-based athletics is vital to our mission, and we want to provide the best possible experience for those who matter most—our students,” the district statement said. “In doing so, we will continue to develop guidelines consistent with the directives from State/ Local Public Health Departments.”

For Phase 2, health screenings and all other entrance and exit protocols remain intact, but the most noticeable change San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program 665 Camino De Los Mares, Ste. 104, 949.485.4979, bodymindspiritiop.com

ATTORNEY

will be in the size of the groups.

The pods of athletes increase to 15 athletes from Phase 1’s group of nine, with still only one coach assigned to the pod.

The group will still maintain consistent members to reduce exposure and allow for contact tracing should it be needed. In total, there can be only 64 people at one time on a football field, 32 on a baseball or softball field or pool deck.

With the movement to the red tier, indoor gyms and fitness centers were allowed to reopen at 10% capacity, and that guideline extends to school athletics programs. Masks also will be required indoors at all times. A total of 32 people will be allowed in a main gym and only the pod-sized 16 people in smaller facilities, such as a wrestling room or the weight room.

Weight room activities are limited to the 16-person pods, and physical distancing and various sanitizing of equipment will be enforced. Exercises and lifts will need to be done without a spotter, and all equipment is thoroughly wiped down before and after each use.

Various sports are now allowed to start using equipment, particularly each sport’s game ball, but there will still be no sharing of any equipment, which includes passing the ball.

Basketball, lacrosse, volleyball and water polo all emphasize individual ball skill drills, with each player having their own ball, but no passing is allowed among teammates. Soccer also emphasizes individual drills but lacks the note of passing among teammates. Soccer does limit drills to feet only—no heading or use of hands.

Baseball is limited to conditioning and tee work, as players cannot throw the ball around or catch during batting practice.

Football is limited to conditioning and individual drills, as handing off or throwing the ball and contact are still not allowed.

Contact is not allowed in any sport yet, including wrestling and cheerleading.

Tennis allows the hitting of balls with the racket between players, but each player must have their own can of balls to hit.

Cross country, track, swimming, golf and surfing only emphasize physical distancing. SC

Aaron Lloyd Bankruptcy Attorney 949.544.9355, 2377 S. El Camino Real, lloydlegal.com Rosen Law Offices, P.C. 34118 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 5, Dana Point, CA 92629, 949.335.0020, snrosenlaw.com

DENTISTS Benjamin Stevens, D.D.S. 3553 Camino Mira Costa, suite B, 949.493.2391, benstevensdds.com Eric Johnson, D.D.S. 647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, 949.493.9311, drericjohnson.com

ELECTRICAL

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Submit your classified ad at sanclementetimes.com

YOUR BUSINESS HERE! Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100!

Write-up of 50 words with logo. Four weeks in print and online.

Contact Lauralyn at 949.388.7700, ext. 102 Hamilton Le, D.M.D., F.A.C.P. 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), moranperio.com

REALTORS

Arcadia Electric 949.361.1045, arcadiaelectric.com

“Sandy & Rich” RE/MAX Coastal Homes 949.293.3236, sandyandrich.com

Braker Electric 949.291.5812, Lic# 719056 Insured

Scott Kidd, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services 949.498.0487, skidd@bhhscal.com

MUSIC LESSONS Cello and Bass Academy 310.895.6145, celloandbassacademy.com Danman’s Music School 949.496.6556, danmans.com Rock Club Music School 73 Via Pico Plaza, 949.463.1968, beachcitiesrockclub.com

RESTAURANTS Café Calypso 114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

SALONS Salon Bleu 207 S. El Camino Real, 949.366.2060, scsalonbleu.com

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), moranperio.com

A to Z Leak Detection 1001 Calle Recodo, 949.481.7013, atozleakdetection.com

Do you want to reach 42,000 people in the San Clemente area?

Bill Metzger Plumbing 1001 Calle Recodo, 949.492.3558, billmetzerplumbing.com

Then you need to be in the San Clemente Times.

Call us today!

PLUMBING

PROSTHODONTICS

Page 34

CLASSIFIEDS

Contact Lauralyn at 949.388.7700, ext. 102

GARAGE SALES GARAGE SALE - OCT. 9 & 10 Fri, Oct. 9 & Sat, Oct. 10 (9am-1pm). 27002 Azul Dr, Capo Beach. Moving and must sell. Furniture/Appliances only. Email rickrago1@ gmail.com for list/pics/info.

GARAGE SALE OCT. 10TH Moving sale Sat., Oct. 10th 8am - 12pm. 26802 Calle Maria Capistrano Beach CA 92624. Lawn mower, washer & dryer, nightstand, shelves, clothing and a lot more.

GARAGE SALE LISTINGS ARE FREE! Email your listing to info@sanclementetimes.com

HELP WANTED HELP WANTEDWAREHOUSE POSITION I: Must have experience in shipping and receiving.

Fork-lift experience, requires lifting and must have valid Drivers License with a clean driving record. Full-Time, benefits, 401K. Please call 949.492.4399 or email your resume to: dromero@ndaonline.net WAREHOUSE POSITION I: Must have experience in shipping and receiving, requires lifting and must have valid Drivers License with a clean driving record. FullTime, benefits, 401K. Please call 949.492.4399 or email your resume to: dromero@ndaonline.net HELP WANTEDFINANCE SPECIALIST Finance Specialist needed (METYA, INC). Works with businesses and individual customers re: investment and tax planning. Req. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance and/ or Business and 2 years of experience. Send resume to METYA, INC: 616 S El Camino Real, Ste H, San Clemente, CA 92672 (Job Site) or fax: 949-498-2054 or matt@metya.net

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 35

sanclementetimes.com

PUBLIC NOTICES TO ADVERTISE: 949.388.7700, EXT. 111 • LEGALS@PICKETFENCEMEDIA.COM PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA, RELATIVE TO THE FOLLOWING: A resolution of the City Council of the City of San Clemente, California, approving Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 19-334 to allow for the development of a Verizon macro cellular facility at the City-owned property at 380 Avenida Pico.

A Public Hearing to consider an appeal of the Planning Commission’s approval of Conditional Use Permit 19-334, which approved the construction of a new monopalm designed macro cellular tower with accompanying ground mounted equipment in the City owned water treatment facility property at 380 Avenida Pico. The parcel is zoned as Public and is within the Coastal Zone overlay and the West Pico Corridor Specific Plan.

In accordance with the requirements of CEQA, this project has been determined to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under Section 15303 (Class 3: New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures).

Application materials for this project are on-file at the Planning Division, at 910 Calle Negocio, and are available for public inspection and comment by contacting the Planning Division, at 910 Calle Negocio, and are available for public inspection and comment by contacting Project Planner Jonathan Lightfoot at (949) 388-2320 or LightfootJ@san-clemente.org. If you challenge this item in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of San Clemente at, or prior to, the public hearing.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that said public hearing will be held at the meeting of the City Council on October 20, 2020 at 6:00 pm via teleconference. Please note that to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the public may not physically attend the meeting. However, to participate citizens may: 1. Listen to the meeting via live stream from the City’s YouTube channel at www.san-clemente. org/live or live on Cox Communications Local Access Channel 854; and 2. Submit any comments on agenda items to the City Council electronically. Material may be emailed to Campagnolol@san-clemente.org.

Transmittal by 4:00 p.m. on Council meeting days is recommended. If you challenge this project in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised through written public comments delivered to the City of San Clemente.

JOANNE BAADE City Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk of the Council PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT ON OCTOBER 22, 2020 PUBLIC HEARINGS WILL BE HELD BY THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA RELATIVE TO THE FOLLOWING: 243 West Canada – Minor Architectural Permit 20-125 – Johnston Remodel A request to consider the construction of a 549 square-foot second-story living space addition, San Clemente Times October 8–14, 2020

259 square-foot second-story deck, and a 450 square-foot rooftop deck, to a legal nonconforming single-family residence. The site is located in the Residential Medium Zoning District and Coastal Zone Overlay District (RM-CZ), and within the Coastal Exclusion Order Area.

Staff recommends that the project be found categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1: Existing Facilities).

411 Avenida Victoria – Tentative Parcel Map 20-158 – Rider Condominiums A request to consider the conversion of an existing duplex into two separate condominiums with a one hour fire rated party wall separating the two units. Project also proposes to remove existing wall near front of curb.

Staff recommends that the project be found categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1: Existing Facilities).

These applications are on file at the City of San Clemente Community Development Department, 910 Calle Negocio, and are available for public inspection and comment by contacting (949) 361-6183. If you challenge these projects in court you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised in written correspondence delivered to the City of San Clemente at, or prior to, the public hearings.

Notice is further given that said public hearings will be conducted by the City of San Clemente Zoning Administrator and held via teleconference on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. Please note that to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the public may not physically attend the meeting. However, to participate citizens may: 1. Listen to the meeting via live stream from the City’s YouTube channel at www.san-clemente. org/live or live on Cox Communications Local Access Channel 854; and 2. Submit any comments on agenda items to the Zoning Administrator electronically. Material may be emailed to ScottM1@san-clemente. org. Transmittal by 1:00 p.m. on Zoning Administrator meeting days is recommended.

PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20206584064 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: LUNA NATURAL MEDICINE 116 WEST EL PORTAL, SUITE 102 SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672 Full Name of Registrant(s): DAYNA K. KOWATA 1437 WEST 11TH AVENUE ESCONDIDO, CA 92029 This business is conducted by An Individual.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a /s/DAYNA K. KOWATA This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 9/09/2020.

Published in: San Clemente Times October 8, 15, 22, 29, 2020 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20206584158 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SEAWIND FOODS 120 ½ S EL CAMINO REAL, STE 202 SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672 Full Name of Registrant(s): SEAWIND INTERNATIONAL, LLC 120 ½ S EL CAMINO REAL, STE 202 SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672 This business is conducted by CA Limited Liability Company.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 04/09/2014 /s/SEAWIND INTERNATIONAL, LLC /s/ GARRY GREEN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 9/10/2020.

Published in: San Clemente Times September 24, October 1, 8, 15, 2020 PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20206582936 The following person(s) is doing business as: 1. VETERINARY REHABILITATION & ORTHOPEDIC MEDICINE PARTNERS 6332 CAMINO MARINERO SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673-9267 ADDITIONAL FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME(S): 1B. VROMP Full Name of Registrant(s): CARG OPCO, LLC 6332 CAMINO MARINERO SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92673-9267 This business is conducted by DE Limited Liability Company.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the Fictitious Business Name or Names listed above on: 04/01/2020 /s/CARG OPCO, LLC /s/BRIAN BURGESS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER This statement was filed with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder On 8/25/2020 Publish: San Clemente Times September 17, 24, October 1, 8, 2020

Further information may be obtained by contacting the Planning Division at (949)361-6183.

Zoning Administrator PUBLIC NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20206584855 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: 13 STRIPES WINERY 625 VIA GOLONDRINA SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672 Full Name of Registrant(s): WESTERLY WINE COMPANY, LLC 625 VIA GOLONDRINA SAN CLEMENTE, CA 92672 This business is conducted by a CA Limited Liability Company.

The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: n/a /s/WESTERLY WINE COMPANY, LLC /s/MICHAEL SPEAKMAN, MANAGING MEMBER/MANAGER This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on 9/16/2020.

Published in: San Clemente Times October 8, 15, 22, 29, 2020 Page 36

sanclementetimes.com

SC n te S a n C le m e

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 37

sanclementetimes.com

SC SC SURF San Clemente

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Trestles Saved; ‘Surfer’ Magazine Paused Newsom signs law protecting Trestles, while iconic magazine pauses operations

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

W

e’ve got some good news and we’ve got some bad news for you. First, the good news.

On Sept. 25, Gov. Gavin Newsom effectively “saved” Trestles and San Onofre State Beach for the foreseeable future. In signing Assembly Bill 1426, the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) is now prohibited from developing a toll road that would adversely impact San Onofre State Beach. After years of fighting to protect this jewel of the California coast, this is a huge victory for surfers everywhere.

“Signing AB 1426 into law provides the permanent protection for San Onofre State Beach that this critical state park deserves,” Rachel Norton, executive director of the California State Parks Foundation, said in a press release. “In this current pandemic, the importance and need for access to state parks and outdoor recreation has become clear. AB 1426’s passage ensures that the much-needed recreation and coastal access that San Onofre State Beach provides will not be threatened again.”

Since the early 2000s, conservation groups, including the San Onofre Parks

Considered the most high-performance wave in California, Trestles will now be protected from threat of future development thanks to a new law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Photo: Courtesy of Sean Rolland/WSL

Foundation and the Surfrider Foundation, have battled tirelessly to halt a TCA development that would extend the Foothill toll road south to Interstate 5.

While a myriad of plans has been on the table over the years, the ultimate concern was that the toll road extension would have come in through the San Mateo watershed and been detrimental to wildlife, Native American heritage sites, as well as some of surfing’s most prized breaks.

Because money talks in Orange County, as Surfrider found in a study from 2013, having Trestles in our backyard brings in $26 million annually to the local economy, making this more than just a potential environmental nightmare.

And now consider the surf boom that’s being driven by the pandemic. With more time on their hands and less options for entertainment, people are literally flocking to the sea.

“This year in the April-August time period, the number of surfers jumped to 5.6 million, up from 3 million,” reported Tiffany Montgomery of the surf industry

news site Shop-Eat-Surf.com.

The numbers are staggering when you consider that there are now 2.5 million new surfers in the water today versus at the start of 2020. If you’ve been wondering why it feels unusually more crowded lately, it’s because it is.

Unfortunately, last week, we also got some grim news. After 60 years of entertaining and informing surfers, the venerable Surfer magazine will pause all operations due to COVID-19 until a to-be-determined time.

The announcement came on Friday, Oct. 2, when the entire staff was reportedly placed on furlough, essentially putting the publication, website and social channels on pause until a later date.

“The whole staff got let go yesterday, but I feel like we’re ending on a high note with this one,” Todd Prodanovich, editorin-chief of Surfer, wrote on Instagram.

Surfer was founded in Dana Point by John Severson in 1960 and served as the “Bible of the sport” for more than 60 years. Covering the evolution of sport

and culture of wave-riding, it spanned generations and created some of surfing’s biggest icons.

It was also a hive of creativity for the photographers, artists and writers who were lucky enough to enjoy a stint in the office, myself included, as well as Picket Fence Media publisher Norb Garrett, who served as president of Adventure Sports Network and brands including Surfer.

“I was both inspired and slightly awed at being part of the sport’s oldest and best magazine,” remembered surf scribe Matt Warshaw on BeachGrit.com. “I never set foot on the Surfer premises without intending to make the new issue better than the previous one—because it was my byline on the articles and my name at the top of the masthead, yes, but also because it was . . . Surfer, Bible of the Sport, and I still hate that tagline, but if you got the gig, you honored and respected and were shaped by it nonetheless.”

In February 2019, American Media Inc., the owner of the tabloid The National Enquirer, acquired the Adventure Sports Network, the owner of Surfer. At this time, there’s no clear picture of what comes next for all the publications affected by these latest developments, other than there’s going to be a huge void on every surfer’s coffee table.

So, this week we have reason to celebrate and reason to mourn. One of our favorite surf spots has been saved “forever,” while one of our favorite surf mags may be gone “forever.”

Jake Howard is local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente. A former editor at Surfer Magazine, The Surfer’s Journal and ESPN, today he writes for a number of publications, including the San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times, Surfline and the World Surf League. He also works with philanthropic organizations such as the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation. SC

SURF FORECAST Water Temperature: 67-69 Degrees F

GROM OF THE WEEK CURREN D’ANDREA

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

W

e’ve got our youngest-ever Grom of the Week. Dropping into the world on Oct. 2, welcome to the lineup, Curren Gray D’Andrea.

Son of proud parents Frankie and Tristin D’Andrea, the local San Clemente tribe is now one stronger. And we’re pretty sure, like his namesake, he’s going to have the best cutback in the business.

“You came in this world and filled our lives with love we didn’t know existed.

Looking forward to learning, teaching and loving you,” wrote Frankie in his birth announcement.

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Typically, this section of the paper is reserved for groms who can already stand up on their surfboards, but the arrival of Curren has us all kinds of stoked. Frankie and Tristen are part of the heart and soul of our local surf community.

Frankie has been a key collaborator with the Gudauskas boys on their Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation initiatives over the years, and without his tireless work and ever-present stoke, the San Clemente Boardriders Club wouldn’t be what it is today.

Meanwhile, Tristin is an indispensable member of the team at Stance. They’re going to be amazing parents.

No doubt we’ll see Curren at Lowers splitting peaks with young Canyon Gudauskas sooner rather than later. The next

Water Visibility and Conditions: 6-10 ’ Thursday: Small Northwest swell is joined by new Southwest swell for waist to stomach high surf, (2-3’+), showing strongest in the afternoon. Light/variable morning winds, turn to a light+ sea breeze for the afternoon.

Curren D’Andrea. Photo: Courtesy of the D’Andrea Family

Outlook: On Friday more Southwest swell fills in, with waist-shoulder high waves, (3-4’).

Morning winds are light Friday, afternoon flow is light+ onshore. Surf slowly eases over the weekend. By Sunday, waves are waiststomach-chest high, (2-3-4’). Light/variable morning winds, followed by a light+ afternoon sea breeze for the weekend.

generation’s coming, and it’s awesome.

Congrats to the entire D’Andrea ohana. SC

Page 38

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 39

sanclementetimes.com

San Clemente Times October 8-14, 2020

Page 40

sanclementetimes.com