www.SDNEWS.com Volume 15, Number 11
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009
San Diego Community Newspaper Group
TOWERS ON TRACK But will lifeguard staff be cut in face of city budget crisis? BY ADRIANE TILLMAN | VILLAGE NEWS
The city is poised to make $34 million in cuts to lifeguard and fire services to help bridge the city’s anticipated $179 million shortfall in the 2011 general fund. “Since all departments have experienced budget reductions over the past two years, cuts that had minimal impact on core services have already been taken,” wrote Fire Chief Javier Mainar in a Nov. 3 letter to the Fire and Rescue Department. “Consequently, recommendations for cuts to core services, where a majority of our expenses occur, were inevitable this go round, given the size of our target.”
Fire and lifeguard stations may be forced to close during this round of budget cuts, according to Mainar. “While I cannot yet share with you the specific cuts submitted, I can tell you they include both non-personnel expenses (supplies, services, outlay) and personnel expenses (overtime and staffing) throughout the department,” Mainar wrote. The city expects to finalize its budget cuts by Nov. 24 and implement the budget reductions by Jan. 1, 2010. The city will hold its first public hearing concerning the budget cuts on Dec. 7 and a second public hearing on Dec. 14, SEE STAFF, Page 5
Shores station ready to go Plans to revamp the La Jolla Shores Lifeguard Station are ready to go, and so the Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhood Services has recommended re-appropriating funds to the lifeguard station. The committee has recommended to City Council that the city spend the remainder of its 2002 Fire and Life Safety bonds ($687,851) and the unused funds from the completed Pacific Beach Lifeguard Tower and Grand Avenue restrooms ($75,290) on the La Jolla Shores
Lifeguard Station. Construction on the station is expected to begin as early as January 2010. “The design plans for the La Jolla Shores Lifeguard Station are 100 percent complete, and, since it will be the first project to reach the construction stage, the likelihood of expending the uncommitted funds in an expedient way will be the greatest,” stated Report 09-135, which the committee has submitted to City Council for approval. Therefore, the committee SEE STATION, Page 5
THE DREAMY SPELL OF MORPHEUS Blue morpho butterfly wings from a Brazilian butterfly preserve form attractive, framed art at the Nov. 7 Curie Elementary Craft Faire. The event, which raises money for the school’s music, science and physical education departVILLAGE NEWS | DON BALCH ments, also included a silent auction, entertainment and food.
LJCD sacks Pacific League championship BY DAVE THOMAS | VILLAGE NEWS
Needing a win at home in their season finale to secure the Pacific League football title, the La Jolla Country Day (LJCD) School Torreys did that and then some last Friday night. LJCD (9-1, 7-0) rolled to a 28-0 victory over Army and Navy to dethrone the former champs,
with senior Montell Allen a force on both sides of the ball. Allen carried the ball 14 times for 172 yards, including a 40yard third quarter TD run. On defense, Allen made 10 tackles at linebacker. Fellow inside linebacker Mical Bailey did more than his part to make it a long night for the Warriors, compiling a season-high 17 tackles.
QB Ruben Pena was 5-of-12 passing for 52 yards, while gaining 45 yards on the ground, including a 15-yard TD run. RB Frankie Brown made the most of two carries, gaining 94 yards, including a 7-yard TD scamper. On defense, Indie Lavarias and Blake Mohseni led the way with SEE LJCD, Page 5
Boy’s concern sparks Hunger at Home Charity BY ADRIANE TILLMAN | VILLAGE NEWS
Ten-year-old Cassidy Sterner was volunteering at the Food Bank with his father when he was stunned to hear of 181,000 poor children who are hungry in San Diego County. Cassidy looked at his father and said, “Dad, how can that be? What Cassidy Sterner and his dad Ewell, director of food and beverage at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, enjoy a fishing trip.
Surf Report SATURDAY
Hi: 1:02 a.m. 10:40 a.m. Low: 4:19 a.m. 8:36 p.m. Size: 2-6 ft. Wind: 10-12 nkots
SUNDAY
Hi: 2:16 a.m. 11:27 a.m. Low: 5:22 a.m. 7:30 p.m. Size: 6-8 ft. Wind: 0-10 knots
Seal reprieve
Dana gets it done
Judge rules that City Council will have to solve the Children’s Pool seals controversy. 3
Meet wheelchair tennis champ and top student Dana Mathewson, a graduate of Bishop’s. 15
can we do to help?” Cassidy’s father, Ewell Sterner, is director of food and beverage at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, and he shared his concerns at the following directors’ meeting. Hunger at Home Charity was thus birthed with the mission to address health, nutrition and hunger. At its inaugural gala, the charity raised $140,000 for two different charities. This year, the Hunger at Home Charity Gala on Nov. 21 expects to bring in $500,000 for six organizations that help the needy:
The Monarch School, Feeding America San Diego, 211, Embrace, Network for a Healthy California and the San Diego Rescue Mission. “What we are most proud of is that we are a group of people helping people,” Sterner said. “I’m a single dad with four kids. I don’t know anyone who is safe [from poverty] or who’s not just two paychecks away from those in need.” The Hunger at Home Charity Gala takes place Saturday, Nov. 21 SEE HUNGER, Page 4
Witchy woman Leon Natker takes to the skies as the witch with a gingerbread house in Lyric Opera’s “Hansel and Gretel.” 9