Small water users say it’s only fair

Average-home folks are saying they’ll start limiting their water use when electeds quit issuing building permits for large housing developments. Some of these include acres of greenery and pools that require enough water to accommodate average families for months. Meanwhile, the Governator is running up and down the state threatening water rationing, but not telling about a $11.7 billion water bond measure to appear on the November ballot.

Shopping carts

O’side electeds have wisely decided to take more time to study the issue of shopping carts that are strewn all over the landscape. An idea that was being considered was to lay a fine on the cart owners. Stores of course would rather carts remain on their premises considering the cost for each one. A fine would only increase the cost of doing bizness, which ultimately the consumer would pay. And of course lawmakers likely would have to launch a new level of enforcement — the Vagrant Cart Patrol paid for by your tax bux.

Roundabouts vs. calmers?

There was no mention of roundabouts when the Flower Capital electeds considered a report on Cardiff traffic calmers recently. They voted to invest 80 grand on a design for them. Objections were voiced, however, it was noted that the study that had been ongoing for two years included residents’ participation. It was time to move forward. So true. And what ever happened to the Cardiff Specific Plan that is going on seven years since it was launched?

Double media loss

Two professional newsmen passed away recently. Lionel Van Deerlin died May 17. He grew up in O’side, and at one time was city editor of the San Diego Daily Journal, a veteran congressman and lastly a columnist for the UT. Surfside City resident Al JaCoby, a highly esteemed journalist for the San Diego Union until his retirement in 1992, passed away June 2. Both men were icons in the news reporting profession.

Lottsa applicants

A varied field of applicants was reported for the interim president’s slot at MiraCosta College. The interim prexy is expected to serve from July to January when the vacancy likely will be filled. Not among the applicants was Bill Berrier, former San Dieguito High School District superintendent who retired in 2001 after working at San Dieguito for almost four decades — the last dozen as district head. Although he recently sat on a MiraCosta screening committee, Berrier sez he positively is in retirement but admits to being busier than ever doing volunteer work.

Legal ad note

Ken Harrison, who owns Cal Comedy Traffic School, likes to scan those legal notices in newspapers and earlier this month came across an interesting one. It was posted by the Flower Capital City Hall that listed checks it had been holding for three years and had been unable to process. One was for Anderson Stationers that has been in bizness since before incorporation and the other was for City Treasurer. Harrison also notes that legislation moving forward through state channels will increase the tuition for attending traffic school from 24 to 49 bux.

Body scanners

USA Today reports that body scanners are being used at nearly a dozen airports in the country. Pretty soon they will be installed at Lindberg Field. You won’t have to peel off your shoes but you will walk into an enclosure that looks like an antique fone booth with alotta scientific equipment. It will peek underneath your clothes to detect illegal stuff. So far no noise from the ACLU has been heard.

Expected

Almost as soon as Karen Bass assumed her position as state House speaker, one of the first items on her agenda was to propose raising $6.9 bil. in taxes to help balance the budget that is out-of-whack by an obscene amount.

Heavy ridership

Regular riders on the Coaster are reporting standing room only on some schedules and in some instances riders are jumping on board sans tickets becuz of long lines at the enclosures where tickets are dispensed.

A decade and a half at

the helm

Directors of the 22nd District Ag. Assn. heaped tons of accolades on CEO Tim Fennell during their recent meeting just prior to the opening of the fair, now running through July 6. It is Fennell’s 15th fair and Veep Barry Nussbaum recalled that when he came on board, the district was having difficulty meeting the employee payroll. A number of major improvements have been made and the district’s bank account duzzn’t look too bad. According to media mites, Fennell always responds to their calls and is forthright with his answers. Not unusual for him to personally answer the fone.

For real?

Recent tomato warning about possible salmonella brings to mind other similar situations. Several years ago the Rotary club in La Verne had a truck load of watermelons on hand and planned to give away ice cold slices to folks who were attending the traditional Fourth of July street parade. Word came down from some higher ups that watermelons were possibly contaminated and had to be dumped. Heavy penalty if they weren’t. And who will forget the cranberry ban years ago just before Thanksgiving?

One liners

Del Mar Chamber will celebrate becoming the San Diego Coastal Chamber of Commerce with a networking sundowner at Ruth’s Chris Steak House starting at 5:30 p.m. July 10 ... Big push in progress to make you feel like a wimp if you continue to carry your groceries home in plastic bags ... Flower Capital electeds are considering adding a community theater at Town Center ... Cruising the Hawaiian Islands is a billionaire’s modest boat, which is owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and cost $200 million to manufacture, which is operated by a crew of 60 and is equipped with two heliports, a submarine, swimming pool, complete gym including a basketball court, spa, bar, theater and seven boats ... Ten folks were reported slain in TJ over a three-day period raising the total number of murders to 170 so far this year ... Solbeach has launched a Thursday evening concert series at Fletcher Cove Park through Aug. 25.

Hasta la Vista