It can do it
Now that Sacto electeds have made a complete financial mess of the budget it’s time to send in the pros. That would be the C’bad team that balances its budget on time without smoke and mirrors and duz not lean on the taxpayers to approve phony propositions. It maintains a rainy day stash of a significant amount. First priority of the team should be to furlough state electeds in perpetuity without a per diem and other perks. The cash saved would substantially pay down the deficit and taxpayers would be off the hook.
Everyone is involved
There’s a constant stream of information from various agencies on the eminent water shortage and all kinds of ideas on how to cope with it. Best suggestion is to check with your local administration since each community likely will have its own rules and regs on water conservation. Bottom line is there will be rationing of sorts come July and it’s best to accept and plan for it now.
Double boo boo
If incoming UCSD freshpersons are confused they can’t be faulted. Last month 47,000 applicants were notified they had been accepted. But before they were able to celebrate, a second memo indicated the number was erroneous and it should have been only 18,000. But wait. Later, 607 of them were advised that was an error. It wuzzn’t and they were accepted. Question now is will there be another boo boo before classes start?
Data agency in hot water again
In 2005, San Diego Data Processing Corp., an agency of the Harbor City, came under fire when it was disclosed that taxpayers’ dollars were being spent on booze, pricey meals, junkets and conflicts of interest. The result was the CEO and a top honcho departed. Better management was promised by the board of directors. Now, according to published reports, the agency is back in the hot seat. It allegedly has been doing a lotta stuff without council approval. One of the issues is that a substantial amount of cash has been spent on raises and bonuses. The agency appears to have little regard for taxpayers who pony up 90 percent of its revenue. Council elected Donna Frye has recommended the agency be made a part of the city’s redevelopment department. Maybe it’s time for it to be made history.
Spring fling
The Helen Woodward Animal Center has scheduled its annual benefit June 6 at Fairbanks Village Plaza. Its theme is The Secret Garden of Sangri-Paw and it’s anyone’s guess how it will be created. It’s described as a stylish utopia for all creatures. Featured will be silent and live auctions, adult beverages and delicacies from the kitchens of the foremost chefs in the area. More info is available by calling (858) 756-4117, ext. 350.
Appointed supe
Timothy Baird is leaving Ojai Unified School District where he has been superintendent since 2003 to assume a similar post at Encinitas Union School District. Baird will succeed Lean King who has retired. According to published reports there were 26 applicants for the job that pays $205,000 annually.
Flower Hill arts show
Hours of planning and executing Flower Hill Arts in Bloom last Sunday paid off in raves from folks in attendance. It was sponsored by Solana Beach Art Assn. in cooperation with Flower Hill. Assn. Prez Diane Welch sez 40 happy artisans took part.
Development proposed
A housing project between Fallbrook and Escondido, identified as Merriam Mountains, envisions upwards of 2,700 homes and a 10-acre shopping center. With the current water shortage it’s expected to be rather controversial.
Memorial Day observance
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 543l and the city of Solbeach will observe Memorial Day at La Colonia Community Park in Eden Gardens at 11 ayem May 25. Participating will be the Young Marine Color Guard and Santa Fe Christian School band. Assemblyman Martin Garrick will be the keynote speaker.
No dough shortage
Spring music fests apparently aren’t feeling the affects of the recession. The 10th annual Coachella Valley Music & Art Fest held last month on the polo grounds adjacent to Indio drew a reported 160,000 visitors for the two-day event. The following week Stagecoach Country Fest pulled in 100,000 foot stompers. There were no cheap seats for either event. The New Orleans Jazz & Harvest Fest. attracted 400,000 fans during a two weekend run. Only problem reported in Coachella was traffic. There wuzzn’t enough road for all of the cars.
Higher fees
City of Vista has raised its park & rec. fees effective July 1. Affected are recreational rentals, sports fields and classes. Nonresidents pay higher fees.
One-liners
O’side mobile home park owners who have paid an annual fee of 54 bux since 1991 will see a 14.5 percent hike over the next three years … City of San Marcos and North County Transit District are in disagreement over who is responsible for maintaining the landscaping on the city’s regional bike trail … C’bad has stopped charging developer fees for street and road improvements … Sue Palmer, a boogie woogie pianist, and vocalist Deejha Marie will perform June 3 at the Friends of the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Library First Wednesday program in the community room starting at 6:30 p.m. … County Assessor/Clerk David Butler sez some homeowners in the county are being charged a fee by private companies to process applications for lowering their property taxes and points out this service is provided free by his staff … State Dept. of Finances has announced population of the Golden State now exceeds 38 mil. … Latest crime stats show the Surfside City and Solbeach have experienced a 25-year low in crime … After several years of negotiations S.D. Malkin Co. and the city of O’side have signed an agreement to develop a resort complex facing the pier with the city pitching in $27 mil. as its share of the project … SANDAG’S effort to shift TransNet funds to public transportation failed to gain traction.
Hasta la vista
