Music on a summer evening B-1
Helpful tips on landscape design C-1
Bonsall High begins CIF competition D-1
Village News Fallbrook & Bonsall
a l s o se rv i n g t h e c o m m u n i t i e s o f
September 24, 2015
Judge denies FUESD attorney’s fees Debbie Ramsey Managing Editor
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Volume 19, Issue 39
New Honorary Mayor announced at State of the Chamber dinner Debbie Ramsey Managing Editor
Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Stern issued a decision on Sept. 11 to deny Fallbrook Union Elementary School District (FUESD) the right to recover attorney’s fees regarding certain causes of action brought about by plaintiff Elaine Allyn’s in what is now a three-year-old wrongful termination case. A jury awarded Allyn $1,046,000 in lost income and $148,000 in general damages on Feb. 26 in the case. In her decision regarding the other causes of action, Judge Stern stated, “Attorney’s fees may be awarded under this statute only if the plaintiff’s case is ‘frivolous, unreasonable, or groundless.’” Stern stated that FUESD did not prove that was the case. “Ms. Allyn clearly prevailed at trial in her retaliation claims,” said Michael Curran, of Curran & Curran Law, Allyn’s legal counsel. “Following that clear verdict and message to [FUESD], district administrators and their counsel nonsensically purported to also claim victory asserting they ‘prevailed on Ms. Allyn’s dismissed/lesser included claims;’ they also boasted they would ‘seek their attorneys fees.’ The court’s
At the annual Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce State of the Chamber dinner held Sept. 16 at Zion Lutheran Church, it was announced that Sandy Hull had raised the most funds in the contest to carry the title of Fallbrook Honorary Mayor for the upcoming year. “Sandy’s slogan was ‘Small Town Girl, Big Town Heart,’” explained Lila MacDonald, chief executive officer of the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce. “Like me, she grew up here and has a passion for her community. She raised her family here and owns a business in town.”
“I am happy to be an advocate for our town and its people. I think it’s a magical place to live.” Sandy Hull
see JUDGE, page A-9
Healthcare district searches for new administrator Debbie Ramsey Managing Editor
Fallbrook Healthcare District (FHD) has begun the search for a new executive director, since Vi Dupre, who has held the position for almost 11 years, has announced she will retire on Jan. 4, 2016 after spending 48 years in health-related fields. “Vi’s shoes are going to be hard to fill,” said Gordon Tinker, a board member of 10 years. “The closure of the hospital this year was a big strain, but she held the board together. I don’t know how you replace someone who has been willing to work 60 to 80 hours a week; you don’t expect someone to put that kind of time in.” Dupre has been the public face of the district and worked to collaborate with other community organizations to enrich, expand, and extend health-focused programs. Her business and financial acumen and experience in managed care has been a strength for the district, but things haven’t been easy, especially in recent years.
Shane Gibson photos Sandy Hull, upon learning she has earned the title of 2015-16 Fallbrook Honorary Mayor, reacts with pleasure at the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Chamber dinner on Sept. 16 at Zion Lutheran Church.
“I really can’t believe we won,” Hull said, referring to her partnership with the Senior Citizen’s Service Club and its homebound meals program, that also benefited from her fundraising efforts. “Phyllis Sweeney asked me if I would run; that’s how it got started. She seemed to have confidence in me, so I felt like I wanted to give it my all.” “[Sandy] feels that every senior should be fed, whether they can afford it or not,” said MacDonald. “The homebound meals program received 20 percent of the funds Sandy raised and they were thrilled!” The tipping point in Hull’s campaign came when fellow resident and acclaimed music artist Rita Coolidge agreed to sing in support of her effort.
see MAYOR, page B-6
Planning Comm. approves Community Baptist Church wireless facility Joe Naiman Village News Correspondent
see SEARCH, page A-9
thisweek
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Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce treasurer, Ken Finster gives a financial update on the organization for attendees of the State of the Chamber dinner on Sept. 16.
T h e c o u n t y ’s P l a n n i n g Commission approved a new structure at Community Baptist Church of Fallbrook which will house a wireless communication facility and associated equipment. On September 18 the Planning Commission voted 5-0 to grant the Major Use Permit which will allow Verizon to construct a 35-foot tower on the church grounds which will house 12 panel antennas, a four-foot microwave antenna, and related equipment. Michael Beck was not at the September 18 meeting and Doug Barnhart recused himself since his family owns Verizon stock. The Major Use Permit also allows for a structure which will look like a storage shed and house an emergency generator. “I don’t see that there’s any aesthetic negative impact,” said Planning Commissioner David Pallinger. The 289 square foot tower will be between two existing detached church structures. Although the tower will be detached from the actual church in the 700 block of South Stage Coach Lane, it would appear to be an extension of the church. The 30 kilowatt emergency generator will be inside
a concrete masonry enclosure with a chain-link roof approximately 93 feet from the property line. The application also calls for 220 feet of trenching for an electrical connection between the generator enclosure and the tower and an additional 160 feet of trenching for electrical and telephone service from the tower to an existing power pole at the northern boundary of the property.
“The proposed tower is inappropriate for the area and unnecessary” Louise Greeley “Aesthetically it’s very much better than a faux pine and consistent with other church structures in the area,” said Planning Commissioner Peder Norby. SonRise Christian Fellowship, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are within two
see CHURCH, page A-8