Bonsall schools receive ukuleles B-4
Ag Boosters car show shines C-1
Oats make a healthy treat D-5
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October 12, 2017
FPUD issues Request for Proposal for its Santa Margarita River property
D e L u z , R a i n b ow, C a m p P e ndl e t o n , Pa l a ,
Volume 21, Issue 40
Fallbrook Chamber partners with Live Well San Diego
Joe Naiman Village News Correspondent
The Fallbrook Public Utility District has issued a Request for Proposal for interested parties to acquire FPUD’s Santa Margarita River property. A 4-1 FPUD board vote Sept. 25, with Milt Davies opposed, approved the issuance of an RFP for a transaction agreement which would include preservation of access to the trails on the land. “That was to issue a request for proposals to see what options are out there to preserve the property,” said FPUD acting general manager Jack Bebee. In the late 1940s the FPUD board decided to pursue building a dam on the Santa Margarita River, and the district purchased the 1,384acre property with plans to use the land for the dam. Issues involving Camp Pendleton water rights needed to be resolved at higher government levels, and by the time that occurred environmental and funding issues prevented the dam from being built. The plans for the dam have been replaced with the Santa Margarita River Conjunctive Use Project
see FPUD, page A-12
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Shane Gibson photo From left, Carey Riccitelli of Live Well San Diego and District 5 Supervisor Bill Horn present a San Diego County proclamation certificate honoring the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce to chamber CEO Lila MacDonald, Sept. 20. Lucette Moramarco Staff Writer The Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce has officially partnered with the County of San Diego’s Live Well San Diego initiative, making a commitment to help area residents to build better health, live safely and thrive with a better quality of life. The chamber joined the San Diego Padres as the newest two of 317 partners in the program. That commitment was recognized by Supervisor Bill Horn at the State of the Chamber dinner Sept. 20. Chamber CEO Lila MacDonald recently explained that the chamber’s commitment can take many forms, including advocacy for affordable housing, working with the Fallbrook Regional Health
District on creating safe routes to the schools, and promoting parent education through the schools. MacDonald said that she has been looking to partner with Live Well San Diego since she started working at the chamber four years ago. The chamber has already been building connections with local nonprofits and businesses to figure out what services are needed for the elderly in this community, she said. MacDonald sees the chamber as a resource, “bringing people together, building better health and safety”, and pointing them in the right direction when they need help. According to MacDonald, Fallbrook has over 500 businesses that she would like to see participate in the Living Well vision. The chamber is also partnering with
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nonprofits like the Fallbrook Land Conservancy for some of its events. Another example of collaboration is the chamber including the health district in its upcoming Harvest Faire, Sunday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., where flu shots will be given free to whoever needs one. The event happens on Main Avenue downtown. MacDonald is also planning on having the chamber “work with partners outside of our area in North County”. Supervisor Horn thanked MacDonald for her leadership in his speech at the chamber dinner. He also said, “The chamber has helped shape the community,” as he proclaimed it Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce Live Well San Diego Day.
FUESD pays Allyn judgment in full Lucette Moramarco Staff Writer
The Fallbrook Union Elementary School District, on Oct. 6, paid former employee Elaine Allyn the amount a jury awarded her in February 2015, a little shy of $1.2 million plus interest and costs. The payment in full was made after the California Supreme Court denied the school district’s petition for review of the decision in its case against Allyn, its former director of information technology and employee of 18 years, on Sept. 20. Allyn sued the district for wrongful termination and retaliation after being fired in May of 2012 when she refused to delete email archives in an effort by her supervisors (superintendent Candace Singh and associate superintendent, business services Ray Proctor) to cover up a violation of public policy by misusing public funds. Allyn’s attorney Michael Curran said the California Supreme Court’s decision marks the end of the legal road with a complete, resounding and final victory after a five year legal saga. “Justice, at long last, has been served,” Curran added. According to Susan Curran, (the other half of Curran & Curran Law), the Fallbrook school district had the opportunity to settle the matter before trial for less than a million dollars. Besides the payment to Allyn, the case cost FUESD close to a million dollars in legal fees. [In April 2015, the Village News reported that the school district’s legal costs at that point amounted to $630,592.] The school district’s lawyer did not respond to the Village News’ request for comment.
Ahrend, Serrano, Vizzuett and Weber honored as Students of the Month
Cheyenne Cokeley Writer Intern
Each month during the school year, the Fallbrook Student of the Month organization recognizes four excellent students from the Fallbrook Union High School District. Kaylee Ahrend of Oasis High and Paula Serrano, Jennifer Vizzuett and Natalie Weber of Fallbrook High were honored as the Students of the Month for October at a celebratory breakfast Oct. 5 at the Fallbrook Community Center. The program began with the Pledge of Allegiance being led by four Marines, and after an opening prayer, Fallbrook High School principal Larry Boone took the stage. Boone delivered a dignified speech about the four girls nominated and related that the first Thursday of each month (the day the Student of the Month breakfast is held) is his favorite time of the month. “Even though you’ve learned a lot – you can learn more from adversity,” said Boone. “We’re in good hands because you’re our future.” The first student recognized was Serrano, who was nominated by teacher John Kroeger. Tears were shed and smiles spread across the room as Kroeger delivered a heartfelt speech that, in part, described Serrano as “a sweetheart who offers to help others, students and adults alike, whenever she sees a need.” Kroeger also brought to light Serrano’s dual enrollment, which meant being at school by 6:45 a.m. and waiting for the bus until 4:30 p.m.
The Students of the Month for October are, left to right, Jennifer Vizzuett, Paula Serrano, Natalie Weber, and Kaylee Ahrend. Serrano said that when she learned she had won the award, she went to “Mr. Kroeger” and quietly thanked him, telling him, “Things like this don’t happen to people like me.” She closed her tear-filled speech with “All of us have worked hard to get where we are,” before embracing her mother. The next student to be saluted was Vizzuett. Nominated by teacher Alana Milton, Vizzuett was recognized for her diverse schedule of classes that includes a robotics class. Milton said Vizzuett was involved in everything that she could be, including church
and service for her classmates and teachers. Milton also informed the community that Vizzuett was a good listener, friendly and dedicated to helping others. “She impresses everyone she speaks to,” said Milton of Vizzuett, who on the first day of school helped write encouraging welcome back messages in chalk around school to ease first-day school anxieties. In accepting her Student of the Month honors, Vizzuett stated, “Without my parents, I really don’t know where I’d be.” Vizzuett plans on attending a four year school and
Darcy Kuran photo
said she is thinking about majoring in international relations. Weber went onto the stage with her family and Connie Fellios, the teacher who nominated her. Speaking of Weber’s diligence, including being actively involved i n t h e c o m m u n i t y, F e l l i o s explained that Weber “couldn’t do it without the community of Fallbrook.” Fellios said Weber is a very successful student athlete with a 4.8 GPA who has confidence and
see STUDENTS, page A-12