Senator pulls bill

Community nonprofit organizations like Elks and American Legion posts who have been presenting bingo for eons to support their charitable programs were hopeful they could enter the 21st century by converting to electronic bingo.

This modern version lumps all bingo played at community organizations resulting in a bigger pot and greater returns to winning players.

A bill carried by incoming Senate leader Darrel Steinberg was withdrawn before its first committee hearing. Why? Becuz of too much heat from the powerful gambling casinos who invest thousands of campaign dollars in Sacramento electeds. They contend it would encroach on their agreement with the state. Are the folks who amble over to their local charity to play a coppla bingo games and maybe win a buck or two likely to be casino patrons? Not likely.

SANDAG board OKs Powerlink

SANDAG’s board of directors during its April 11 meeting voted 17-3 in favor of a controversial 150-mile overhead transmission line SDG&E wants to build over hill and dale from Imperial Valley to North County. Board members were quick to point out the vote was not an endorsement. Does it sound like the mumbo jumbo that comes out of Washington?

Santa’s Village in flowers

A Santa’s Village that was seen by thousands of kids of all ages when it was located in San Bernardino County is now

nestled among the C’bad Flower Fields. If you wanna be enthralled by it, you gotta hurry, becuz it will be put away when the flowers are no longer in bloom. It would make a spectacular winter attraction at Quail Gardens or some local place. Maybe with a coppla live reindeer?

Shores school site

receives reprieve

It’s now more likely than ever the Ninth Street Shores school site in the Surfside City will become a community park in perpetuity. A May 15 purchase deadline has been imposed by the Del Mar Union School District on the Shores campaign committee headed by Laura DeMarco, Joe Sullivan and Mike Peterson. It was still a mite short of the goal, but thanks to the city electeds, they voted to secure a $3.5 million loan needed to meet the deadline. Even though it will become city-owned, the fund campaigners are still on the hook for the total $8.5 million so their effort continues. Got cash, an endowment, or a credit card with a hefty line of credit? The committee would sure like to hear from you. Visit www.delmarparks.com or dial Sullivan at (858) 354-4311. Tell em “Eye On The Coast” suggested you give em a buzz.

Desal plant advances

The proposed desalination plant by Poseidon Resources to be located at Encina in South C’bad moved a step closer to construction when it received a conditional OK from San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board last month. Last fall, the Cal Coastal Commish also approved it conditionally. It faces a lawsuit from Surfrider Foundation and Conservation League that claims it would have adverse impact on marine life.

Transit cutbacks

North County Transit District board is warning that drastic cutbacks in routes and increase in fares is eminent because less gedes will be coming from Sacto. No mention of trimming high-echelon staff. Maybe some thought should be given to turning the operation over to the County Board of Supes, one of the few agencies that seems to know how to handle taxpayers’ dough.

He voted for it before he voted against it

Harbor City Councilman Scott Peters was an enthusiastic booster for raising the council’s pay by 24 percent and was among the first to vote for it. Then he went out into the boonies where folks work for average pay and he got an earful of what they thought. He made a quick retreat and voted against the increase. Apparently he realized that since he was running for city attorney it wouldn’t look so hot on his resume.

Kudos to Michael

C’bad High School sophomore Michael Caraglio, who has been campaigning for a smoke-free ordinance the past three years, is not giving up. City electeds say that C’bad beaches are under state jurisdiction. OK, sez Michael, how about an ordinance restricting smoking in areas like parks where the city does have control? Hey this lad should be on the ballot when he is old enough.

One liners

Termed out State Assembly speaker Fabian Nunez, who has flip-flopped on the issue of legislative redistricting and was last against it, now sez he favors redistricting. So the question is, would you buy a used jalopy from him if he becomes a used car salesman? ... Those neat Arts Alive banners hanging on light standards will be auctioned on May 20 at Cardiff Town Center ... Folks will soon be pointing their finger at you if you still carry your stuff home in a plastic bag ... Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is offering $7.35 million in 31 stakes during its summer meet July 16 through Sept. 3; the most lucrative being the million-dollar Pacific Classic to be decided Aug. 24 ... Kids ditching school in O’side are subject to a $250 dollar fine and/or community service ... Tobacco sales to minors in Vista are reported to have dropped significantly due to a Tobacco Retailers License Program ... Senior folks are invited to attend an Information Fair from 9 a.m. to noon May 8 at Encinitas Community & Senior Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive for answers to all the questions they may have but didn’t know who to ask ... Fortune Small Business Magazine has listed C’bad 32nd on its list of the 100 best cities to reside ... You can drop off not-working electronic items from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3 at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, 120 Stevens Ave. and on the same day you are welcome to attend an Emergency Preparedness Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 12701 Torrey Bluff Drive.