Forecast by The Coast News
A formal announcement made earlier this month by Sheriff Bill Kolender that he would step down July 2 and endorse Undersheriff Bill Gore for the job was old news for loyal The Coast News readers.
Before Kolender was re-elected to his fourth term, “Eye on the Coast” opined he would quit mid-term to give Gore, the undersheriff, a running start as an incumbent in 2010. Kolender denied it.
The Board of Supervisors has to OK Gore and that is likely. Supes Greg Cox, Bill Horn and Pam Slater-Price have already indicated they are in Gore’s corner. So it will be the same ole, same ole since Gore has been running the operation while the sheriff has been attending civic and social stuff. David Bejarano, former Harbor City chief of police, had previously announced he planned to run and is seen as a formidable candidate. Others include former sheriff’s Lt. Jim Duffy whose pop was the sheriff several decades ago and remembered for having all the patrol cars painted green. Also, former State Assemblyman Jay Le Seur, and Sheriff’s Sgt. Bill Ruff, who has run against Kolender previously.
Unique beautification program
Surfside City Mayor Crystal Crawford has come up with an “Adopt-a-Spot” beautification program to keep greenery in the scenery with the till on the shorts. It involves residents and businesses volunteering to maintain civic areas like trails, bus stops and other rights-of-way looking spiffy. Program will be administered by Public Works Department and it will approve sites for adoption. Del Mar Garden Club has been caring for the greenery in front of the post office for several years and duz a bang-up job. Maybe the program can be expanded to include competition among all the adopted areas with recognition given to the best ones at some special event.
Small biz forum
“Untangling the Mortgage Mess” is the theme of a small business forum to be chaired by Supe Pam Slater-Price on April 23 at AMS Healthcare, 12400 High Bluff Drive starting at 11:30 a.m. A distinguished panel will be moderated by Appaswamy Pajanor of the Housing Opportunities Collaborative. Learn more by dialing (619) 531-5533.
Smart meters
San Diego Gas & Electric is in the process of replacing 1.4 million electric meters with digital devices that collect and communicate energy use data throughout the day. Called Smart Meters, they conform with the California Energy Action Plan. More than 7,200 large businesses are already equipped with these new digital devices.
Arbor day project
Volunteers are being recruited for an Arbor Day “Beautify the Grove” project April 25 in C’bad starting at 8:30 a.m. The Grove is located on Monroe Street opposite Westfield Camino Real Plaza where parking will be available. Staging and planting areas will be at Hosp Grove Rotary Picnic Area and Trailhead. C’bad is recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Additional skinny is available by dialing (760) 434-2929.
442
When area code 442 goes into effect May 2, folks with area code 760 will have to include it when calling out. Only new subscribers will be assigned the 442 area code. Initially it was to replace the 760 area code until Scott Chatfield from Leucadia created such a ruckus that it awakened the legislators in Sacramento who sprang into action and the phone company backed off. It proved that an average citizen can sometimes be heard and be successful.
Postage rates
Effective May 11, postage on first ounce letters will cost 44 cents — up 2 cents from the current rate. Additional ounces will remain 17 cents. Ditto for priority and express mail fees. The latter were quietly hiked the first of the year. Special rate stamps purchased now for 42 cents each can be used in the future regardless of the going rate at that time.
Benefit for ASPCA
Giant Crayon Games has created a new iPhone game titled “Shivering Kittens” and for everyone it peddles this month the inventor will contribute a buck to American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Info on the program is available by calling (858) 775-6116.
Nix on pistachios
Seems that every year about this time the Food & Drug Administration announces a new salmonella threat. This year it’s pistachio nuts. Last year it was tomatoes and maybe peppers. In previous years it has been cranberries, peanuts and watermelons. This, of course, is financially devastating to the growers and others involved down the line. Is there a pistachio threat? This should be made clear sooner than later.
Wavepark season pass
Vista Parks and Community Services Department has season passes for its Wavepark. Wave season passes are also good all summer for admission to Legoland and Wild Rivers. Additional info is available by dialing (760) 639-6161.
One-liners
U.S. Census Bureau that will determine the number of warm bodies in North County, legal and otherwise, in 2010 has opened its operations center in Escondido … Folks are being cautioned that if called on the phone and urged to respond quickly to a number with an 809 area code it can be a costly scam … When the Harbor City removed supes at its skate parks to save dough it opened the door for participants without helmets and taggers … Former State Senate president Don Peralta who was termed out and is being investigated for alleged corruption sez he wants to be mayor of Oakland … A banner crowd of folks turned out recently at R. Roger Rowe School in Rancho Santa Fe to celebrate Roger’s 80th birthday … According to Green Tips issued by city of Solbeach, one recycled aluminum can will provide enough energy to operate a TV for three hours … Memorial services were held April 3 for Chuck Ayars, a tireless volunteer in a Del Mar Rotary Club program to eradicate polio in Africa and India … Alex Kapitansky, known as O’side’s Flag Man, was honored recently by folks who packed the public library community center to herald his decades of displaying flags (at his own expense) at community events throughout the area.
Hasta la Vista