www.SDNEWS.com Volume 24, Number 22
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2009
San Diego Community Newspaper Group
Airport mulling high-speed rail, network links BY SEBASTIAN RUIZ | THE BEACON
An illuminating moment The setting sun and contrasted sky silhouettes the lifeguard station in Ocean Beach last week. Forecasters are calling for continued morning clouds, giving way to sunshine through Saturday with highs in the mid- to upper 60s. A COURTESY PHOTO BY JIM GRANT chance of partly cloudy skies exists for Sunday with a slight chance of drizzle.
County fair set to turn up the heat on fun BY ANTHONY GENTILE | THE BEACON
If temperatures around San Diego start to rise over the next couple of weeks, don’t be alarmed – it is probably just the deep-fryers at the 2009 San Diego County Fair. This year’s edition, themed “Music Mania,” will be held at the Del Mar Fair-
grounds June 12 to July 5. “There’s all kinds of new stuff,” said fair information officer Linda Zweig. “It’s all good.” The Music Mania exhibit will showcase the music industry with an interactive exhibit where fairgoers can learn how to build guitars, play instruments and even learn about music history.
“Music covers everybody and everything,” Zweig said. Food lovers will not be disappointed by the new eats at this year’s fair. Snacks new among the 109 food vendors include grilled asparagus, fried cheese curds and s’mores, chocolateSEE FAIR, Page 5
San Diego County Regional Airport Authority and local government representatives unveiled transportation designs that connect California’s major cities, regional airports and mass transit hubs via high-speed rail and organized flight as the vision San Diego planners have for the future of the San Diego International Airport at Lindbergh Field. One proposed concept shared during a community forum June 3 included connecting the San Francisco Bay area to the San Diego region via a high-speed rail that would travel beneath downtown San Diego through Lindbergh Field to Gen. A.L. Rodriquez International Airport in Tijuana, Mexico. California High Speed Rail Authority representative Mike Zdon said connecting the cities and airports could become a reality as municipalities and the federal government work hand in hand with private companies. A $40 billion project like that could be done in less than a decade, said Zdon. “There’s a good chance that California could lead the way with highspeed rail,” Zdon said. During the community forum, airport leaders also updated the community on ongoing plans for about
$600 million worth of improvements to Lindbergh Field, including 10 additional gates at Terminal 2 and a dual-level, curbside passenger way. Officials expect to break ground on those projects July 8. A panel of government leaders and spokespersons presented the concepts during the forum hosted by the Peninsula Community Planning Board at the Corky McMillin Cos. Event Center at Liberty Station. District 2 City Council representative Kevin Faulconer made a brief appearance to address the small crowd but left early for another engagement. Representatives from the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, San Diego Association of Governments, the city of San Diego, the California High Speed Rail Authority and Point Loma People for Progress were among the presenters answering questions from the audience. Audience questions over a second runway, a second airport and longterm improvements peppered the discussion. “This is the only airport we have, so let’s make it the best it can be, because it’s going to be there for a very long time,” said Keith SEE AIRPORT, Page 9
Mission Bay oversight changes OK’d by council BY SEBASTIAN RUIZ | THE BEACON
City Council voted on June 9 to term out the current Mission Bay Park Committee by July 1 and replace the board with members that have expertise in city finance and management. It is unclear who the new members will be – and if any of the current board members will return to their seats. The mayor’s office sent an ordinance to City Council to overturn the 15-member board and replace it with an 11-member board with qualifications in city finance, planning, auditing, resource management and protection, wildlife pro-
tection, construction management and recreation management. According to the ordinance, the mayor will appoint three members nominated by District 2 City Councilmember Kevin Faulconer and three members nominated by District 6 City Councilmember Donna Frye, whose districts cover Mission Bay. Three “at-large” members, one hotel lessee representative and one lessee not related to hotels will round out the board of mayoral appointments. Committee members will still volunteer their time and have two-year, staggered terms.
In previous years, the mayor appointed the committee members but did not specify required qualifications. “We made those changes today … trying to strike a balance and also trying to ensure we have expertise on the board because there’s going to be a lot of important projects and money associated with the park,” Faulconer said. City Council also charged the Park and Recreation Board with overseeing regional park improvement funds of at least $2.5 million a year from Mission Bay lease rev- A change in the structure of the Mission Bay Park Committee approved by the SEE MISSION BAY, Page 9
My Clients Success is My Success
City Council on Tuesday could leave current board members without a say in how future Mission Bay funds will be spent.
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Chip Messenger
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