Letters to the editor policies: These are opinion/letters to the editor pages, provided to give readers an opportunity to express their views. The writings that appear on these pages are the authors’ opinions only and have not been verified as fact. Readers may send letters to: editor@sdranchcoastnews.com. Please limit letters to 500 words or less. Letters must be signed using full first name and last and a contact number. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions for space and clarity.

Bullies’behavior must be addressed

Re: Mean Girls (story in your Aug. 26 issue). I can relate to the issue of bullying in elementary school. My three daughters attended Solana Santa Fe and I am one of the co-founders of the SSF sixth grade Jubilee musical production. In 1998 my oldest daughter was in 6th grade and was being bullied by a group of boys. I was at a loss as to how to help her when an opportunity fell into my lap and I was invited to create the Jubilee. I jumped at the project for reasons that were entirely personal. Working with the sixth graders would allow me to observe what was going on and, if necessary, to subtly provide protection for my daughter. I continued the project for 12 more years, the last three of which I simultaneously earned a master’s degree in social work. The Jubilee is a wonderful team building experience for sixth graders and incidents of bullying were extremely rare. But I can say with absolute sincerity that when they did occur they were addressed immediately and with zero tolerance. The problem is that for some of the children, sixth grade came too late.
Julie Norby and her staff make great efforts to cultivate a culture of kindness and respect among the students. “Caught you Being Good” tickets, class meetings, the Value of the Month and the Friday morning assemblies all help to promote positive behavior. When my middle daughter went to a private school in 8th grade she was appalled at the mean and cliquish behavior she observed. She wrote a letter to the principal and cited her experience at SSF as something that her new school should strive for.
With all of that being said what I learned as a mother, social worker and Jubilee director is that as long as interventions are primarily focused on helping the victim cope rather than addressing the bully’s behavior, nothing will change. Schools need to use the approach utilized by law enforcement with domestic violence offenders. This may sound dramatic but the analogy works. In both cases the victims have a relationship with their perpetrators and are often powerless to escape them. They are often reluctant to report offenses for fear of worse retaliation. With DV the crime is punished without the victim’s involvement. Every report of bullying should be investigated and action should be taken on a case by case basis against the bullying child. Group interventions do not work with individual cases of bullying. Individual interventions might include taking testimony from witnesses, bringing the parents in to address the bully’s behavior, punishment, suspension, community service or, in some cases, recommendations for counseling. Bullying behavior can be a symptom of emotional problems. It is dysfunctional and as long as schools do not address it directly, assertively and individually, they will be impotent in solving the problem.
This is not an indictment of Solana Santa Fe or Julie Norby. Thankfully, real bullying is more the exception than the rule. And teachers are not police officers. But until they can figure out a way to wear both hats where bullying is concerned, the problem is likely to continue.
Shelle Wisdom

LIVESTRONG is an
invaluable organization

I was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 at age 31. All three times I've fought the disease, LIVESTRONG, the foundation created by Lance Armstrong, was there to provide a shoulder of support and incredible services. LIVESTRONG offers survivors and their families a community, a chance to contribute meaningfully to the fight against cancer and a means to support others facing the disease. It provides things no other organization does. I believe in the LIVESTRONG mission, and the bedrock of empowerment, education and change it is bringing to the world. We mustn’t let Lance’s personal battles interfere with the mission. To me, LIVESTRONG is more than an amazing organization that helps cancer warriors like me; LIVESTRONG is a mantra and now a major part in how I live my life.
Julie Westcott

Kudos to column; curfew
information can be googled

Ben Gotfredson's article on the curfew controversy is thoughtful and very well written. I agree that the curfew should be 11 p.m. However, I disagree that the curfew is hard to find. All one has to do is Google "San Diego curfew ordinance" for it. But children shouldn't have to do that. Their parents should know the curfew and tell it to them.
Ted Parker

Celebrate 'SEA Days' this fall at Birch Aquarium at Scripps

SEA Days features multi-generational learning about cutting-edge Scripps research. Monthly events focus on current ocean topics with hands-on exploration, special activities and a chance to interact with ScrippsOceanography scientists. Programs are included with aquarium admission and take place from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month. Birch Aquarium is located at 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. For more information call (858) 534-3474 or visit www.aquarium.ucsd.edu.

Sacrificing academic achievement in the interests of sports schedules seems a short-sighted move

I read your article in the Carmel Valley News and wholeheartedly agree with your views. I am a parent with a student currently at Canyon Crest Academy. I agree that having 700 student-athletes missing class is not acceptable.
However, that number is not the majority of students. The 1,100 students who are not in a sport have to bow to the needs of the minority. When decisions are made, the scales always seem to tip towards sports and away from academic or even common sense decisions.
One other point being made in favor of the earlier start times is the traffic issue. While traffic is heavy, it is not unmanageable. What should have been considered is the start and dismissal times of the feeder elementary and middle schools. The earlier bell makes it hard to juggle the drop-off, with the Del Mar district schools also starting at 8 a.m. Children at Carmel Valley Middle School are dismissed at 3:05 p.m., which makes it a mad dash from one school to the other for parents juggling the pick-up.
We live in an intensely competitive world, and our economic competitiveness depends on academic innovation and excellence. Sacrificing academic achievement in the interests of sports schedules seems to be a short-sighted move from the very people who are entrusted with educating our children.
Thank you for your support of this issue.
Sundari Baru
Carmel Valley

San Diego Youth Philharmonic Orchestra to hold auditions

San Diego Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, with new Artistic Director Alyze Dreiling, announces auditions for San Diego’s newest premiere performing youth group, Philharmonic String Orchestra and Soloist Ensemble. Participation is for advanced high school age through age 25, string players or exceptional younger students by invitation only. The String Orchestra and Soloists Ensemble will perform three concerts in the 2010-11 season. Rehearsals will be held on Sunday 6-8:30 p.m. Auditions for the Philharmonic String Orchestra and Soloist Ensemble will be held Sept. 1 and 2 in the North County area. For more information, for audition requirements and to schedule an audition, please call (858) 592-9790 or (858) 395-5439 or go to SDYPO website http://home.earthlink.net/sdypo

New proposed center: Carmel Valley nightmare on main street?

The last remaining large land development project proposed for Carmel Valley is located at the southwest corner of Del Mar Heights Rd. and El Camino Real.
The property is currently zoned for 510,000 square feet of commercial office space. The owner, Kilroy Realty Corporation, has proposed a few changes to the plan which would turn it into a mixed use center including retail shops, office space, a hotel and convention center, and residential units.
In fact, the developer has circulated to nearby residents a beautiful 20-page multicolor brochure painting a picture of a wonderful pedestrian center with great Main Street ambiance “where you can park once, browse some small shops, grab lunch with a friend, then do some specialty grocery shopping or go to the gym.”
Many residents, however, are urging us not to get too excited about this developer- induced fantasy. Getting back to reality for a moment, the proposed changes would consist of 580,000 square feet of office space (up to 10 stories), 280,000 square feet of retail space, 600 – 625 residential units, a 150 – 180 room hotel and convention center, and several above and below ground parking structures. All of this on approximately 23 acres!
Compare this with the Del Mar Highlands Shopping Center, across the street which consists of 270,000 square feet of retail and office space on approximately 28 acres. The proposed Carmel Valley project, with its mixed use, will be 600 percent GREATER IN SQUARE FOOTAGE ON 20 percent LESS ACREAGE.
To get an idea of the density of this proposed project, one resident suggested going to the Del Mar Highlands Center during peak traffic times and trying to find a parking space. Now imagine that the total land area is 20 percent smaller and six times more concentrated with offices, shops, a hotel and condos.
How far away will you have to park to get to walk on Main Street?
Let’s study this one carefully. These proposed amendments may do nothing for Carmel Valley, but allow Kilroy to shove as much density as possible on 23 acres without regard to the congestion and traffic consequences caused by these proposed changes.
We need a careful review of the data and use a little common sense before considering to scrap the current approved Community Plan density for this parcel.
If the changes can benefit the community as well as benefit Kilroy, that’s great. Let’s make sure, however, that this is not an economic bailout plan for the developer at the expense of Carmel Valley.
Jerry Mailhot
Former member Carmel Valley Community Planning Board.

Evidence shows early school start times detrimental to teens

Regarding earlier school start times approved for this fall (Aug. 20 issue), the review of teen sleep patterns research was excellent. Early morning times have long been an issue in the San Dieguito School District, particularly at Torrey Pines High School as noted by board member Barbara Groth. She stated "...Years ago, when we wanted to push Torrey back an hour to 8:15 a.m., we had a room full of students saying you can't do this to us."
The truth is that "room full" numbered only 15 kids. Historically, many thousands of students at Torrey Pines suffered for 20 years with the unhealthy 7:15 a.m. start time, until they and their parents demanded change.
Parents realized we had something in common...our adolescents struggled with continual fatigue due to starting their school day so early. We joined together and spent two years talking with administrators and surveying the school community. We learned about research that confirmed what we already knew. Doctors (also parents) spoke, strongly urging the board to take heed of the science. Five-hundred parents signed a petition. The vote was unanimous for the compromise from our desired time of 8:15 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.
The reason so few community members resisted earlier times this fall is clear: in recent years students' natural sleep patterns have been accommodated with later morning arrivals. Now, a growing body of evidence shows that earlier start times contribute to increased depression, increased drug use, lower grade point averages, and higher teen car crash rates. The new start time of 7:40 a.m. at Torrey Pines and La Costa Canyon High Schools is too early and ignores the research. Athletics and transportation are factors to consider, but we must not allow schedules to creep back to the point that students will again start their school day asleep at their desks.
Jean Quinn
Del Mar

Lobbying proposal should be changed

I would like to clarify a point in the article about my resignation from the Carmel V

alley Community Planning board in the July 29, 2010 edition. The article incorrectly states, “Dubey alleged that the board accepted money from Pardee Homes to lobby the city for the Prop M modification for the November ballot.”
I read from a prepared statement, and what I said is as follows. “At the last monthly meeting, Chair White brought forth the plan to accept money from Pardee Homes in order to lobby the city in the creation of ballot language to modify Proposition M, which will allow Pardee Homes and others to develop the remainder of Pacific Highlands Ranch sooner than would otherwise be permitted. This money would be used to create a full-time, short-term lobbying position and be given to a board member who vocally led the recommendations of our Proposition M Committee.”
When I was reading my resignation statement, Chair White did clarify that no money had exchanged hands yet and I carefully noted that what concerned me was the proposed plan. A description of the plan can be found in the board’s public minutes from the June 8, 2010 meeting, which state the following “Pardee has offered resources (consulting and funds) to pursue the ballot measure. Chair White also disclosed to the board that Scott Tillson may take on a role as a paid government affairs consultant to Pardee.”
I have since written to the chair and expressed that I hope that the lobbying proposal can change as I'm extremely concerned about the message it sends to the community with respect to conflicts of interest. For members of a “community” planning board, I feel that there should be a mandatory reasonable waiting period after board members work on a community issue and vote on it before they can be hired by the development industry to work on that very same issue, which is not the case today. I have asked my city council woman, Sherri Lightner, to work with the community on updating the city’s conflict of interest rules for planning boards.
Dean Dubey

Town Hall meeting on Caltrans proposed expansion to be held Aug. 19

By Steve Goetsch, Solana Beach resident

Citizens Against Freeway Expansion and PLAGUE-I5 are holding a "Town Hall" meeting at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church (corner of Stevens and Lomas Santa Fe) on Thursday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. to inform North County residents of the implications of the recently released Caltrans proposal for a $4 billion, 40-year construction project to widen I-5. The project would increase the number of lanes to as many as 18 lanes in some places. Up to 112 homes and 10 to 13 businesses will be partially "taken" by this project, including 34 or more homes in Solana Beach. The project would run from La Jolla Village Drive all the way to Camp Pendleton. Target date for completion is 2050. An increase in traffic of up to 50 percent is expected. A large crowd including extensive TV coverage is expected for the Town Hall meeting.
The meeting will feature brief presentations by experts on air and noise pollution, an environmental attorney, and by Duncan McFetridge, founder of Save Our Forests and Ranchlands, and president of the Cleveland National Forest Foundation. The microphone will then be opened up to questions and comments by the audience. Caltrans is holding four meetings along the freeway which feature “No” public speakers and “No” presentation by anyone except Caltrans staff members.
The Solana Beach City Council authorized up to $85,000 to hire consultants to advise the city on the impact of this massive project. Some of them are already at work doing independent analysis and measurements. San Diego State University recently measured significant levels of very harmful Ultrafine Particles in Solana Beach near the freeway.
The project was requested by SANDAG in 2000 and is partially funded by the countywide TRANSNET sales tax, which is reserved for transportation purposes. Only about half the funding is secure at this time. The project was described in 2001 as 21 miles long (it is now 28 miles long), costing $600 million (now $3 to 4 billion) and 20 years in length (now 40 years).
Although the entire I-5 route was designated a "scenic corridor" the Environmental Impact Report (over 1,000 pages long with 11,500 pages of supporting documents) describes miles of sound walls 9 to 12 feet tall cutting off treasured ocean views.
Citizens can comment on this EIR by email to: I-5_NCC_EIR_EIS@dot.ca.gov

Adults owe it to the youth to speak out when alcohol
promotions cross the line of responsible marketing

As you head down the aisle of a major grocery store in Carmel Valley you will find the beach balls just above a large display of beer. What does a children’s toy and alcohol have in common? Not much.
As a parent of three children I have always been uncomfortable with the way the local grocery store promotes alcohol. I disapproved of the many wine bottle holders featuring cute animals and prominent sports figures because of the natural appeal these things have to youngsters.
Although I felt uncomfortable about the store’s promotional tactics, I didn’t speak up until this past Halloween season when suddenly the alcohol department turned into what looked like a fun-zone. Scarecrows adorned the wine and beer displays. Towers of hard alcohol were surrounded by haunted houses and cemetery scenes. I was disturbed to see such blatant use of child-oriented decorations so carefully placed to sell alcohol, completely disregarding the impact these displays have on kids. I complained immediately to the store manager. She told me that the store’s marketing is dictated by the district office, and gave me the district manager’s phone number.
I called the district manager and explained my concerns about the youth-oriented and carnival atmosphere of the neighborhood store’s liquor department, especially considering the store’s proximity to four local schools. In response to my call, the offending displays were removed the very next day. I was pleased by the store’s quick response; however, I now see that similar displays are again appearing in the store.
According to recent research conducted by the Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine on this topic, there is very strong evidence suggesting that adolescent drinking is more likely to increase with exposure to weekly alcohol advertising in stores (Oxford Journals Medicine Volume 42, Number 2, Pp. 143-149).
The point of all advertising is to sell a product and increase market share. Adults owe it to the youth in our communities to speak out when alcohol promotions cross the line of responsible marketing by encouraging harmful behavior. Parents must be vigilant and aware of the environmental influences including alcohol advertising that encourage children to engage in unhealthy activities.
Parents are customers and do have the opportunity to influence how alcohol is displayed in your neighborhood market. Don’t hesitate to contact the store manager to discuss your concern. As a community we have the responsibility to reduce youth’s exposure to alcohol promotions to keep kids safe.
Linda Durket

Sunrise Powerlink to fuel region’s innovation economy

By Duane Roth, CEO, CONNECT
In our cul-de-sac of the country, thriving high-tech and biotech clusters defy geography every day. Boxed in by an international border, an ocean, mountains and deserts, our technology companies find themselves at the end of the line for electricity and water supplies, barely having enough of either. In fact, there is but one high-voltage power line connecting San Diego’s 3 million people to the Western power grid.
We are reminded of that tenuous connection every time the earth shakes under our feet, as it has done disconcertingly often as of late. That is why the U.S. Forest Service’s recent approval of the Sunrise Powerlink transmission line was such a critical step in supporting the region’s high-tech and biotech companies.
The approval represents the last major regulatory hurdle for the project, which was first unveiled more than five years ago. Construction could begin as early as this fall.
Like the aqueducts that connect us with water supplies in Northern California and the Sierras, the Sunrise Powerlink will provide a second, crucial link to planned solar, wind and geothermal energy sources in our backcountry and in the Imperial Valley.
Efficient infrastructure, including reliable supplies of power and water, is a fundamental requirement to fulfill CONNECT’s mission to foster entrepreneurship and support commercialization of technology and life science products developed in San Diego.
San Diego is fortunate to be home to one of the largest and most successful innovation economies in the world. This in large part due to the 50 research institutions located on the Torrey Pines Mesa (and San Diego State and SPAWAR) and the talented researchers that are pursuing basic science discoveries. In fact, the innovation economy now accounts for a quarter of the county’s payroll.
Further, San Diego has great diversity in its regional clusters, which include life sciences, wireless & IT, software, cleantech, sports, and security and defense. For these reasons, San Diego is well positioned to provide new products and services that will be exported around the world while creating jobs locally. However, without a reliable energy supply, much of our success could be lost. Even a momentary power outage could result in a blown experiment and jeopardize months of research, or millions of dollars in manufacturing losses. Considering our geographic location, we can no longer afford to take that risk.

A parable in three acts

By Gordon Clanton

North Coastal Columnist
A young basketball coach took his first job at a small college. Moving into his office, he found on his desk three sealed envelopes and a note from his predecessor that read: “If things go badly, open one envelope at the end of each season.”
The first season was a disaster, so the young coach opened the first envelope and found a note that read: “Blame me.”
So the coach blamed his predecessor: “How could anyone be expected to win with the team I inherited?” His critics were sympathetic, and he was not fired.
The second season was not much better, so the coach opened the second envelope and found a note that read: “Blame the alumni.”
So the coach blamed the alumni: “How could anyone be expected to win with so little support?” His critics were persuaded, and he was not fired.
The third season also ended badly. Seeking solace, the coach opened the third envelope and found a note that read: “Prepare three envelopes.”
After three bad years, it’s time for the Del Mar Union School District board majority to prepare three envelopes.
Like a moth to a flame, I am again drawn to comment on the dysfunctional board. As with a gory roadside accident, I cannot look away. Like Lot’s wife, I must look back.
In 2006, dissident board member Annette Easton teamed with Katherine White and Steven McDowell to win control of the board. In 2008, the new majority fired the superintendent, Tom Bishop, at a buyout cost of about $285,000. In March 2010, the board fired the superintendent they hired, Sharon McClain — settlement pending. It’s hard to put a price on the damage done to the reputation of the district.
Critics say the district is in chaos. The board micromanages district affairs, drives away some of its best people and dithers on key strategic decisions. Public board meetings are tedious and interminable. After campaigning on a promise of “transparency,” the board majority has done much of its business in secret.
Knowing Del Mar and Carmel Valley as I do, I am confident that able candidates will step up to recapture the board for the community. The filing period for the November election runs from July 12 to Aug. 6, plus five more days if none of the incumbents seeks re-election.
Gordon Clanton teaches Sociology at San Diego State University. He welcomes comments at gclanton@mail.sdsu.edu.

The community needs — and deserves – better leadership than Steven McDowell has offered

In last week’s Carmel Valley News, Del Mar School Board President Steven McDowell stated he is planning to run for political office in November, but is unsure of which office that will be. He has told community members he is looking to run for reelection to the DMUSD board, run for the San Dieguito High School District School Board or Del Mar City Council. Come again? Apparently it doesn’t matter to McDowell which office he holds; he just wants a title and it doesn’t matter which one.
Let’s review a little history over the past few months on McDowell’s performance as a current DMUSD board member. In April 2010, when the board voted on the termination of Superintendent Sharon McClain, McDowell abstained from the vote. When asked by a local reporter his rationale for abstaining, he was quoted as saying, “I haven't articulated yet an answer to that. I don't have a good answer for that yet” (Carmel Valley News, 15 April). He was also asked: would the vote have turned out differently if it had been taken in closed session? McDowell answered, “Possibly.” Would you have changed your vote if it had been in open session? McDowell: “More likely I might have changed my vote if I was asked [to be] the first one to vote and not the last one.”
Really? As a board member, one’s opinion should not shift with the wind. Leadership involves making tough decisions. Voting “yes” or “no” on important issues are what board members are elected to do. We should all expect and demand that from our elected officials.
We need candidates who are serious about serving their communities and show real leadership in these challenging fiscal times. Steven McDowell’s behavior over the last four years has made it clear that he is not that candidate. The citizens of this district require more than just a warm body. The elementary and high school districts are in need of elected officials who have the best interest of its constituency at heart, are willing to make tough decisions, and are not political opportunists.
Lisa Sweet,
Carmel Valley
Arlene Dutchik, Carmel Valley
Lesley Ballard,
Carmel Valley
Kelli Politoske, Carmel Valley

The Kids Are Alright?

I read with interest two side by side articles in the July 8, 2010 issue of the Carmel Valley News; one on Canyon Crest Academy students (“Possession of alcohol bars seven Canyon Crest students fromgraduation ceremony”), and the other on the status of cheating in our schools ("Schools Tackle Growing Practice of Cheating With Mixed Success"). The two articles have something in common, and the quote Ms. Sutton used to begin the second story illustrates it quite clearly. The fact is, we as parents, along with our schools, send mixed messages when it comes to teaching our children to respect the difference between right and wrong.
The student, whose name and quote appeared in the TPHS 2002-2003 yearbook, stated that he never cheated off stupid people because he wanted to go to UCLA. Will anyone actually be surprised when this young man and others like him end up in business and government jobs where the effects of cheating don't just hurt classmates or a school, but hurt us as a society?
It isn't just the schools that are letting our children down when they don't (or can't, for threat of law suit) enforce meaningful consequences for cheating and other serious infractions. The fault lies with our community, for not insisting on it. Even worse, when our own children are personally involved, often times we embrace our perception of extenuating circumstances and bring in whatever big guns are needed to make sure our kids bear as little responsibility or consequence as possible. It's no wonder students end up confused and losing respect for how serious these issues really are.
School is the bridge between the shelter of childhood and the moral responsibility of adulthood, and it provides a golden opportunity for our children to learn there is a big difference between the two. Rather than impeding and discouraging our schools from following through with consequences, we would be doing our children and society a much greater service by allowing and encouraging schools to teach our children there are repercussions and accountability at every turn. The lessons are at times painful, but the absence of the lessons leads to far worse.
Kim Perl, M.D.
Carmel Valley

An unfortunate equation: Mismanagement of the Del Mar Union School District general fund

Former Del Mar Union School District Superintendent (DMUSD) Sharon McClain filed a government code claim in June, a step in the process of developing her lawsuit against the DMUSD for breach of contract and other violations. A legal battle or settlement with her will be an expensive proposition, to be paid out from the district’s general fund. As the general fund is the account from which the education of Del Mar students is supported, any loss to the fund is significant, especially in these difficult financial times.
It may be summertime, but let’s do a little general fund math:
$331,122 (amount paid out in buyout benefits and plaintiff fees for terminating superintendent Tom Bishop in 2008)
+ $50,423.91 (amount paid in legal fees for services related to terminating McClain from 7/2009 through 5/2010)
= $381,545.91, the total spent in the pursuit of terminating superintendents in the last two years.
All paid for by your children’s general fund dollars.
And by the way, this summary figure does not include any payments relating to future legal action by McClain, which certainly will bring this total higher. We can anticipate that a settlement or lawsuit could cost the district hundreds of thousands of dollars. And it does not include an accounting of legal fees accrued in the run-up to the termination of Bishop, or the legal fees paid to the Shinoff firm in the hiring process of a replacement for McClain.
Former board president Katherine White was involved in Bishop's termination and was a prime architect of McClain's, as suggested by the descriptors on the legal bills and McClain’s post-termination comments. White has expressed interest in running for the board again in November. Perhaps those of us who understand the significance of this math equation to our students will strike a blow for good fiscal policy.
Let’s ensure that she will not be reelected.
Suzanne Hall, Torrey Hills parent
Jill Steiner, Carmel Del mar parent
Karen Schuman, Sage Canyon parent

Prescription drug abuse a serious problem

By Pam Slater-Price

Chairwoman, San Diego County Board of Supervisors
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, more than one in five teenagers admits to abusing prescription drugs, such as Ritalin, Xanax or OxyContin.
The national trend supports what officials with the Oxy Task Force of San Diego County see locally as a rising prescription drug epidemic among young adults.
To reduce that supply, Sheriff Bill Gore and I partnered in putting forward a countywide ordinance to install 22 prescription drug drop-off boxes, unanimously approved by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors on June 22.
These boxes will provide a safe, “no questions asked” option for residents to get rid of these addictive and potentially fatal drugs. The Sheriff’s Department expects to have the receptacles installed by the fall.
The need for these drop boxes is great. At our most recent prescription drug Take Back Day, San Diego County Sheriff’s officials collected more than 2,500 pounds of drugs from residents countywide for destruction — more than a metric ton of drugs from homes.
But now comes the hard part. With such a plentiful drug supply, we must seriously address a twofold problem: access and education.
“Some people may falsely believe that prescription drugs are safer than illegal drugs,” said Howell Wechler, Ed.D., M.P.H., director of the CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health.
Overcoming this belief is one problem we are dealing with locally.
In San Diego County, prescription drug-related deaths shot up 67 percent from 2005 to 2009 in San Diego County, according to data from the San Diego medical examiner’s office. In fact, the data shows that prescription drugs were involved in roughly 40 percent of the top 10 drug-related overdose cases.
This swift increase resulted in the formation of the Oxy Task Force, originally formed in 2008 to address the abuse of OxyContin, a prescription painkiller containing a potent dose of the synthetic opiate oxycodone. When abused, the euphoria-inducing drug mimics a heroinlike rush and highly addictive qualities.
We hope to get ahead of the problem. Without limited staffing, the task force has and will continue to make educational presentations to schools, PTAs, community councils and more.
These drop boxes should help reduce the easy access to drugs in the home. Together with the community, we are working to educate the public on the dangers of prescription drug abuse.
To learn more about drug prevention and treatment resources in San Diego County, call the toll-free hotline (877) 662-6384. Visit the Oxy Task Force’s Facebook page by searching for “Oxy Task Force.”
Pam Slater-Price represents San Diego County’s 3rd District and is a member of the Oxy Task Force of San Diego County. Follow her @PamSlaterPrice.

Thank you for article on heroin use in high schools

Thank you for writing your article titled “Heroin use on the rise in local high schools” in the last issue. You got the story right...this is exactly what we see in our substance use treatment program.
As as a Carmel Valley resident for the past 25 years, and parent of a 19-year-old who has seen her friends die, get into treatment or continue to use drugs, I would like for all families to know the truth about alcohol and drugs. I am a therapist and co-owner of an alcohol and drug treatment program in Sorrento Valley and for the past several years, treating teens over 18 and adults. I applaud you for bringing more attention to this growing problem.
We see the patterns of use exactly as you describe and as these kids get into their 20s it is so much more difficult for them to get off and stay off of the drugs, let along have the esteem and peer network to begin a road of recovery. Their families need help to save these kids.
We decided in 2010 to develop a teen curriculum based on the latest evidence-based approach to help the younger teens in our community, and we have recently opened two types of adolescent programs. One program, is a six-session Early Intervention Program (ages 12-17) for substance users who are not yet addicted and their parents. The other, an Intensive Outpatient Program (ages 13-17) , is eight weeks, and is for teens who have been assessed to meet criteria for substance dependence. Both programs include family education.
Thank you again for the work you put into this article. These young beautiful children are worth every effort.
Judy A. Saalinger, PhD., MFT, CAS
Executive Director, LASTING RECOVERY
CARF Accredited Programs, 6046 Cornerstone
Court W. #113, San Diego, CA 92121; 858-453-4315
www.lastingrecovery.com

DMUSD Stakeholders: Left in the Dark Again

On April 26, Comischell Rodriguez resigned her post as president of the Del Mar Union School District Board of Trustees, offering several reasons in a press release to the local media. In her statement, she expresses her discomfort with being marginalized by the board following her vote not to terminate superintendent Sharon McClain in March, and the board taking legal action on interim superintendent Peabody’s contract without her authorization. “For the past few weeks I have been isolated by the majority of the board to the extent that certain members have taken upon themselves to sign official documents without authorization, in effect, assuming the Board presidency in all but name.” She also cites the distraction of the board’s constant nit-picking and petty power struggles.
In response to Ms. Rodriguez’s statement, board member Katherine White gave a directive to new superintendent James Peabody to conduct an investigation into her charges. Whatever important business needed to be done by the district was displaced by the search for emails, and more money was spent out of our general fund for education to have law firm Stutz, Artiano, Shinoff, and Holtz redact the documents. Journalist Marsha Sutton received the emails first, all 236 of them. But despite the large number of communications handed over to Sutton, the emails pertained to only some of the events that Rodriguez refers to, and thus told only part of the story; yet they didn’t even tell that part of the story clearly.
The few emails delivered to Sutton that were actually relevant to her inquiry focused on Rodriguez’s request in the second half of April to be replaced on the committee in charge of Peabody’s contract due to a family illness that required her to go out of town. If one looks only at these emails, it may appear that Rodriguez had taken herself out of the loop, rather than having been marginalized as she had stated. But what was left out is more telling. The emails delivered to Sutton start on April 15, but by that time much of the damage had already been done. In fact, board president Rodriguez had been absent earlier that month, during spring break, and it was then that her reference to “members (having) taken upon themselves to sign official documents without authorization” took place. Apparently it was Rodriguez’s understanding that the board would wait until she returned from spring vacation to work on Peabody’s contract. Sutton alludes briefly to this breach of protocol in her article, as well as White’s acknowledgment that she did sign a letter of intent in Rodriguez’s absence. However, since information from both emails and closed door meetings is missing, it’s hard to draw a definitive conclusion. The only thing that is clear from this documentation is that White breached protocol by meeting with legal counsel and signing the letter without authorization from the board president.
So what was the purpose of this investigation? The directive came from Katherine White and it is she who dictated the dates of relevant emails to Shinoff’s firm. There was no educational benefit whatsoever to our children in this directive. It wasted money from our general fund for education on attorney’s fees and wasted time of overworked staff members. In the end, since the information released was carefully controlled by Katherine White and Shinoff’s law firm, we never got clarity. The sole goal of Katherine White’s directive seems to have been to clear her name. Jim Peabody finally released his anxiously awaited report on the subject at the last board meeting on June 9, but the result was equally unsatisfying, particularly in view of all the time and money spent. Peabody’s report consisted of two statements: first that there had been no legal wrong-doing, and second, that the term “inappropriate” as applied to the Board’s actions was subjective. As usual, the tax-payers and parents of this community are left in the dark. As stakeholders in this community, we think we deserve more clarity than that. Since our district’s money and time has already been expended on this investigation, we now call upon Mr. Peabody to release the full content of his report, including the facts and reasoning he used to draw his conclusions.
Dan Picker, Ashley Falls School
Salim Khawaja, Carmel Del Mar School
Lisa Blazer, Sycamore Ridge school

San Diego City Council District One update

By Sherri Lightner, District One representative, San Diego City Council

In 2008, voters approved funding for a new high-speed rail line from Sacramento to San Diego. This project is in the planning stages, and several alternative routes through San Diego County are currently being considered. The California High Speed Rail Authority recently gave a presentation to the Carmel Valley Planning Group about a proposed route that would come down the 1-15 corridor from Escondido, then across the SR-56 corridor to the 1-5 corridor and continue on to Lindbergh Field.
The Rail Authority will be giving additional presentations at the upcoming Torrey Pines, University City and Rancho Penasquitos Planning Group meetings. If you would like to attend any of these meetings, please visit my website, www.sandiego.gov/cd1 for more information on the dates, times and locations. If you would like more information on High Speed Rail and all the proposed routes, please visit www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov.
Due to the city’s financial situation, the city’s contribution to the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority (JPA) was cut from the budget in December 2009. I’m continuing to work to identify other sources of funding for the JPA to keep this important organization financially solvent. The city attorney has determined that the city’s Water Department may be able to fund some of the services provided by the JPA that directly enhance our city’s drinking water quality. I have asked the Water Department to make a determination within the next few weeks as to whether they will fund these services so that the city of San Diego can continue to support the JPA’s budget for this fiscal year.
As many of you know, construction has been going on at a site on High Bluff Drive near El Camino Real. Our office received several complaints about construction noise late into the night. We worked with the city’s Neighborhood Code Compliance Department and the San Diego Police to get the construction supervisor to stop work at 7 p.m. each night. We appreciate those of you who contacted our office to let us know about this issue.
As always, I encourage you to please contact me at sherrilightner@sandiego.gov or (619) 236-6611 if I can be of assistance with any issues or concerns.

Del Mar Schools Education Foundation mission remains the same

DMSEF Letter to Parents:
The Del Mar Schools Education Foundation wants to let our donors and all parents of the Del Mar Union School District know that the recent actions of the District Board of Trustees have not changed our mission. DMSEF will continue with our current “got ESC?’ fundraising campaign for the 2010/2011 school year. We plan to continue our partnership with parents, PTAs, teachers, principals and district staff to honor our mission to raise funds for ESC teacher salaries. As we have in the past, we will continue to restrict the monies sent to the district to ensure that all monies raised and donated are specifically spent on our ESC teacher salaries.
Our total ESC program costs approximately $3.3 million for the current school year. The district’s portion of $1.7 million is contractually tied to our teachers’ prep time. So, when the classroom teachers are working on their prep time for the class, the kids go to their ESC classes. The remaining balance of $1.6 million of this year's ESC programs was raised by the Foundation through the generous donations of our parents, PTAs, district staff and corporate sponsors. The portion of the program that we fund will be cut if we don’t raise sufficient funds to continue to support it.
For the 2010/2011 school year we are counting on the same $1.7 million for the district's portion of our ESC programs as was paid by the district for this year. As for the Foundation's share, we've raised approximately $1.1 million s and we have until April 30th to raise as much money as possible. Our goal is to raise enough funds to support the 16.5 positions that support the current ESC program. Our focus will remain on sustaining our district’s superior ESC programs and we will continue to rely on the generosity of the entire community to achieve our goal.
DMSEF Executive Board

Bilbray’s Chief of Staff seems uninformed on The Jubilee Act

In reading John Horn's article concerning the rally held outside the Solana Beach office of Congressman Brian Bilbray, which was sponsored by Jubilee San Diego (Carmel Valley News, April 8) it is clear Bilbray's Chief of Staff, Steve Danon, does not know the history of The Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation (HR4405).
The Jubilee Act passed the House of Representatives in 2008 with an overwhelming majority bi-partisan vote and also passed the Senate Foreign Relations committee. Although it was scheduled for a "Unanimous Consent" vote in the Senate it was not brought to the floor for a full vote due to the presidential elections, which was also the fate of many other bills. The Bill was re-introduced on December 17, 2008, again with strong bi-partisan support. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), the Bill's lead sponsor was joined by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), and Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL). There are currently 30 co-sponsors of HR4405, Democrats and Republicans.
The Jubilee Act cancels debt of impoverished countries, prohibits harmful policies on debt cancellation, mandates transparency and responsibility in lending from governments and financial institutions, and calls for a U.S. audit of debts resulting from illegitimate lending. Here are some facts about debt cancellation:
More than one billion people are living on less than a dollar a day, but are forced to pay $100 million per day to wealthy countries for debt service. Their citizens go without health care, education, adequate housing, access to clean water, and other vital needs.
Debt cancellation allows countries to access their own resources for poverty eradication and nation building.
Many nations have re-paid their debts: From 1970 - 2002, Africa received $540 billion dollars in loans and paid back $550 billion in principal and interest and yet Africa remains today with a debt of $295 billion due to skyrocketed compound interest.
Poverty is a major security concern (former Secretary of State, Colin Powell said that poverty was a top National Security concern).
Anti-Corruption/Transparency/Account-ability — The Jubilee Act ensures debt relief dollars are put towards measurable poverty alleviation.
The Jubilee Act encourages greater transparency and oversight of the IMF and The World Bank from donor countries and those countries receiving loans.
The resources of the poor nations paying western financial institutions debt interest often double whatever aid is given to poor countries, which in part supports the USA economy.
For every $1 in aid provided to the world's poorest nations, those same nations pay back to western financial institutions $2.30 in interest only on their debts.
Working in partnership with foreign governments and by effective lobbying of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), The World Bank and the United States Congress, JUBILEE USA NETWORK, a nonprofit agency, has been responsible for debt elimination in 28 countries.
The cry of the former President of Tanzania, Julias Nyerere, "Must we starve our children to pay our debts?" is not heard in Solana Beach, but is heard in the impoverished countries around the world. Mr. Danon infers that debt relief for these countries will have a negative impact on our citizens, this is not true. Furthermore, the support of the 68 Republicans who voted for the Jubilee Act in 2008 attests to the fact that the costs to the United States government for debt cancellation is minimal.
The above information could have been discussed with Mr. Bilbray but he has refused to meet with representatives of Jubilee San Diego at any time during the past four years. However, passage of the Jubilee Act is expected to happen in the House within the coming weeks.
It is time for Congressman Bilbray to recognize that he is an elected member of the House of Representatives and has an obligation to meet with his constituents to discuss their concerns and to be accurately informed as to pending legislation. (Ref. www.jubileeusa.org)
Margaret Gooding
Public Relations / Media Chair
Jubilee San Diego

Children will be impacted the
most by the school district’s mess

Dear Del Mar Union School District board members,
I was at the Del Mar Union School District board meeting March 31, but decided not to speak. There were so many people that shared my feelings I figured I would let them speak for me. Now I regret not speaking because there is so much I have to say.
First of all, I would like to put it simply to the board members: garbage rolls down hill. You – yes, you and your personal vendettas, political ambitions, and inability to work effectively as a team are up there at the top. You have made a decision and just sent the garbage rolling downhill to:
The Teachers
The PTA’s
The Foundation
The Parents
The Principals
And, most importantly, to our children! Our children are the ones who will be impacted the most by this mess that you have created. And that is so sad and so unfair to them.
I can only hope that now that you have decided to let Dr. McClain go, you will put every effort into moving on and seriously improving our district. The morale out there is so bad, you have a lot of work to do. Good luck with that.
Michele Lesher
Carmel Del Mar Parent and PTA Board Member

One view:

Bored of supervisors?

By Gordon Clanton

Previously I explained why, although generally opposed to term limits, I may support a June ballot measure to limit county supervisors to two four-year terms. The same five white Republicans have been in power since 1984.
Structural conditions make it almost impossible for a challenger to take out an incumbent supervisor: The enormous cost of mounting a campaign, the huge financial advantage of incumbency, the undue influence of developers and other special interests and the general lack of voter attention to county government — which is why you and my mother are the only two people reading this column.
An irony: Although Republicans usually are more apt and Democrats somewhat less apt to support term-limits measures, the San Diego Republican Party opposes and the San Diego Democratic Party supports term limits for supervisors. I wonder why?
I predicted that two Republican incumbent supervisors would be reelected and term limits would be approved.
I should have followed the example of economist John Kenneth Galbraith who said, “I never make predictions, especially about the future.”
Like nature, politics abhors a vacuum. In the last days before the deadline, four candidates filed for Ron Roberts’ District 4 seat. The district, which is within the city limits of San Diego, has a substantial Democratic registration edge.
San Diego Unified School District Board of Education president Shelia Jackson, who had dropped out of the race, got back in.
Stephen Whitburn, a communications manager for the American Red Cross, entered the fray with the endorsements of the San Diego County Democratic Party, Congressman Bob Filner, San Diego Councilmember Donna Frye and the Sierra Club.
Whitburn and Jackson will be running for second place in June, hoping to force Roberts into a November run-off. Although Roberts enjoys a huge financial advantage, this race bears watching.
North County’s Bill Horn (District 5) faces four challengers. Although San Marcos engineer John Van Doorn lent his own campaign $15,000, none of the other contenders had filed a campaign update as of March 23. Horn, of course, will have unlimited developer money if he needs it.
Meanwhile, the supervisors voted 4-1 for a one-time reduction of each member’s $2 million annual slush fund, the so-called Neighborhood Reinvestment Program, to $1 million each. Guess which supe voted against even this inadequate CYA reform?
Update: I am glad to see that the Del Mar Union School District has taken school closures off the table and entered into talks with the city of Del Mar to extend the lease on the administrative offices at the Del Mar Shores park site.
Gordon Clanton teaches Sociology at San Diego State University. He welcomes comments at gclanton@mail.sdsu.edu.

DM school board creates problems rather than solve them

The Del Mar Union School District had the opportunity last week to right a wrong, and sadly they continued on their path deferring to “not enough information” and “premature decision making.” Could one of the trustees please tell me why, 10 months later, you still do not have the facts to make a decision? This board has spent valuable employee time and community time on a vicious circle to nowhere. A wild goose chase (aka 7-11 Committee) now deferred to “wait and see what the strategic budget task force” can come up with. Having been at a majority of these meetings, I was beginning to think this board was incapable of making one solid decision. However, now that I look at it, perhaps they are even more crafty and their long-term strategy has been continued deferment until even us die-hard attendees get tired of coming and there are no voices left to stand up against them.
What is even more frightening is that this board should have been expediting a budget process, but instead they have created an even bigger one. By tearing apart our community over possible school closures and co-location, they have turned neighbor against neighbor, child against child, they have created such uncertainty and animosity that our ESC programs are crippled, teachers will be laid-off, and our class sizes will be increased.
Those at the highest level of employment are afraid to speak out lest their jobs go the way of our former superintendent or beloved principals. Or, they put themselves at risk for an embarrassing public flogging to determine if the contracts had enough dotted “I”s and crossed “Ts.”
This board was elected as community representatives, to encapsulate the community voice, and enact what is for the greater good of the whole. Yet, so far all I have seen is four ineffective leaders trying to be corralled by one brave soul encouraging the board to take action and move forward. It is like trying to round up a group of schoolmates who would rather focus on petty grievances or old grudges, when they should be standing up as leaders and saying, “I take responsibility for our failures and suggest that we [fill in the blank with something that looks like progress].
Unfortunately, it is too late to recall this group and we are now forced to continue to watch this pathetic excuse for leadership take its course. However, I urge all of our community to be aware, for the 20 of us who stuck our heads out of the hole at the Feb. 24 meeting have seen our shadows and it looks like nine more months of upheaval.
Heidi Niehart
P.S. The board still has a chance to leave a legacy of progress if they would listen to the realtors and the attorneys and buy a building while it is buyer-friendly.

Moving on

As most of you already know, in December 2009 we merged the CMC papers – the Carmel Valley News, Del Mar Village Voice and Rancho Santa Fe Review into MainStreet Media, owners of the La Jolla Light, Del Mar Times and Solana Beach Sun.
At the time of the merger I sold my interests in our three papers to the new company and decided I would stay in my role as publisher through 2010. After three months of blending the culture of two companies into the new company (MainStreet Communications) it became very obvious to me that I saw the world differently than my new partners. I decided I would step down as publisher earlier than originally planned.
When I bought these papers in 2004 I truly believed the Carmel Valley News and Rancho Santa Fe Review were community treasures – they still are! My parting wish is that the new owners treat the papers with the same level of editorial honesty and support that these two papers have had during our ownership going forward. I’ll be keeping an office at the Fairbanks Village Plaza (suite 3-13) and will remain on the new company’s board of directors for the balance of the year.
I wish you all a prosperous and successful 2010!
Dex Allen

Considering terms limits for county supervisors

By Gordon Clanton

In June, voters will be asked to consider term limits for county supervisors.
I am generally opposed to term limits. They rob the public of expertise that comes with experience. They devalue public service, encouraging a cynical view of politics. They greatly expand the influence of corporate lobbyists. Term limits are unnecessary: If elected officials do a bad job, voters can replace them.
Legislative term limits, approved by California voters in 1990, encourage job-hopping among the politically ambitious. They create anxiety among members of Congress that termed-out state legislators will come after their jobs. Term limits are a major source of the costly dysfunction in Sacramento.
But I may make an exception to my opposition to term limits, because races against incumbent supervisors are nearly impossible to win.
Financing a challenger's campaign is difficult, because most donors (other than developers and builders) simply do not care.
The enormous size of the districts, roughly the same as a congressional district, means a successful challenger must do lots of very expensive mail and TV advertising to create name identification. Incumbents almost always have much more money than challengers — in part because of big contributions from developers and other special interests.
Most San Diego County voters live in one of 18 incorporated cities, so they don't think much about county government. If you ask average voters what stake they have in county services, you'll be lucky if they come up with animal control and senior vaccinations. Try running a campaign on that platform!
The best argument for term limits for supervisors is the entrenched incumbent board. All five are white in an increasingly diverse county. All five are Republicans, although the city and now the county of San Diego have Democratic pluralities.
Predictions? Two incumbent supervisors will be re-elected, and term limits will be approved.
Ron Roberts (District 4, downtown San Diego, 16 years on the board) faced two potential challengers, Assemblywoman Lori Saldana and San Diego school board member Sheila Jackson, but both dropped out. Roberts had more than $100,000 cash on hand compared with $17,000 for Saldana. Do the math.
Bill Horn (District 5, North County, 16 years in office) has raised almost $100,000. His strongest challenger, Vista Councilman Steve Gronke, has about $2,000 on hand. Horn, long considered developer-friendly, supports the proposed Merriam Mountains development.
Even if the initiative passes, all the incumbents will be eligible for two more four-year terms. So they are more likely to be taken out by age, illness, boredom or affluence than by this ballot measure.
Gordon Clanton teaches sociology at San Diego State University. He welcomes comments at gclanton@mail.sdsu.edu.

The board’s vision of the DMUSD community is flawed

By Suzanne Hall

Parent, Torrey Hills Elementary School
After rejecting Superintendent Sharon McClain’s design for the composition of the Financial Planning Task Force (FTF) in favor of emphasizing community input, the DMUSD board created an unbalanced FTF that poorly represents the DMUSD community as a whole. This inequitable composition threatens the validity of any recommendations made by this task force.
The FTF is, in part, comprised of 13 parents. Logic would dictate that these 13 parents be spread as equitably as possible across the eight DMUSD schools, with no school receiving more than two parent representatives. However, two of the smallest schools in the district — Del Mar Hills and Ashley Falls — each have three parent representatives.
Conversely, the three largest schools in the district — Torrey Hills, Ocean Air and Sage Canyon — have between them a sum total of four representatives.
As a result, four FTF members represent 51 percent of the student population while 19.6 percent of the students have six representatives. Does this seem fair to the board? To parents of underrepresented schools, it falls far short of equity.
In addition, the board itself chose to appoint to the FTF two of the Del Mar Hills parents and two of the Ashley Falls parents. This, beyond the mandated appointment of a representative by the PTA at each school. The board knew that each of these schools already had one representative, and they chose to seat two more. Thus, the board is directly responsible for the inequity in the composition of the FTF.
Does the board truly believe that the voices of the parents of the other district schools matters less than that of parents at these smaller schools?
This board faces a number of challenging issues, including an increasingly divided community of parents. The composition of the FTF does little to improve the latter, and a concern is that it may do little to improve the budget crisis. The other members of the task force, staff and volunteers representing various aspects of the district, will be met with a skewed perspective on what the parents of the DMUSD want to see in dealing with the district budget crunch. How can these parents represent the well-being of the district as a whole when so many of them represent only one point of view?
The board has made a grave error. There is so very little time before they must make significant decisions for the potential benefit of the district, and yet they have set themselves up for failure by not developing an FTF of the composition they so strongly professed they wanted. This FTF does not represent the community of DMUSD. It represents only a small proportion of the community. And the message sent by the board is: it is the only part of the community that matters to them.
In response, I would remind the board: the larger community will be voting, come November.

Summation of Slater-Price’s State of the County, 2010

Editor’s note: This is a summary of supervisor Pam Slater-Price’s State of the County Address, presented on Feb. 10.

By Pam Slater-Price

Chairwoman, San Diego County Board of Supervisors
The tough economy means government is going through some rough financial weather right now, as is everyone. But due to good planning and cutbacks the County of San Diego is in a better position to weather the storm than most public agencies.
During my term as chairwoman, I promise a balanced, tight, no-frills budget. We are going to need to do things better and with less expense.
To start, I am positive about the future.
But 2009 was not an easy year.
San Diego County lost close to 45,000 jobs.
Our unemployment rate is over 10 percent.
Job losses, slow home sales, and reduced sales taxes are the proverbial snow ball rolling downhill. The result is less revenue for county government to provide necessary core services.
In the coming year the county will operate 33 libraries, three animal shelters, Sheriff’s protection, the probation department, the office of the district attorney, and we run the jails.
The county also oversees a massive health and welfare safety net for the poor, inspects and rates your restaurants for cleanliness and food safety, tests your beach water for contaminants like e.Coli and inspects cash registers and sales at your stores to make certain that you are not being cheated.
We will protect over 45,000 acres at 33 parks and one of the largest multi-species conservation and land protection plans in the country — which this Board of Supervisors put in place.
We protect your food supply through inspections of the county’s $1.5 billion agriculture industry.
The county has firefighting helicopters and we clear dry trees and brush to prevent fires. Last year we spent more than $33 million to protect your homes from fire.
Next month we will complete a Fire Deployment Study. This will assess fire services countywide so we can plan ahead as a region.
By partnering with the private sector to provide services we have saved over $390 million. We will continue that practice where necessary.
During my term as chairwoman , we will not shy away from making tough decisions. We are prepared for harder times because experience tells us we must be prepared.
In the coming year, we will provide the best law enforcement we can muster and the county’s libraries, parks, health programs for kids, and environmental protection will remain top notch.
I will begin planning for a San Dieguito River Park Nature Center near Del Mar. Most of the funds for construction will come from private donations and grants.
I will work to add regional hiking and biking trails along the river by the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
I will also open new initiatives in making county government more transparent, fighting teen use of drugs and alcohol abuse, combating animal cruelty, elder abuse, and a major new regional health initiative and I will continue to support the arts.
I know that issue number one on everyone’s mind is the economy. However, the county isn’t going to solve this problem alone.
Last month, top economists met at the county’s Economic Roundtable to analyze where our local economy is headed. We are trying to forecast the changes and the bumps in the road, because that will drive all our planning.
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and I will work together this year to explore potential incentives to encourage businesses and jobs to relocate in San Diego from other areas.
The county’s role in a recovery is to be business-friendly. And it is imperative that we maintain a financially-solid county government.

Transportation for seniors definitely needed in Carmel Valley

My husband and I moved to Carmel Valley from Pittsburgh, Penn., eight years ago and, unbelievably, realized that there was no public transportation to be found in the entire neighborhood. When in Pittsburgh, both of us took public transportation to work daily and enjoyed reading on the bus as well as conversing with the regulars on our route. We very nicely survived with one car.
I recently read with interest the article about Dr. Julie Saltman who is trying to secure transportation for seniors in Carmel Valley. It is hard to believe that a senior citizen, much less anyone else who either doesn't own a car, or doesn't drive a car, would have to rely on an expensive cab to transport him/her to a doctor appointment. When all surrounding areas offer this service (most also offer public transportation), why not Carmel Valley? The article struck a chord with me inasmuch as my 61 year old husband has an upcoming appointment at Sharp Memorial for a routine procedure. He will be sedated and will be unable to drive home. As it stands currently, I would have to take a day off of work to bring him home from his procedure, which is not necessarily the best use of my time.
I thoroughly back Dr. Saltman's efforts to secure transportation for seniors in Carmel Valley. It is quite unbelievable to me how backwards San Diego is in regard to its public transportation. If we do not want to become another LA, we should try to minimize the number of cars on the road and educate people about the benefits of taking the bus.
Judith Gross
Carmel Valley

Superintendent’s actions cause for concern

I am a fairly new parent to the Del Mar school district, but I have been watching what has been going on during that time. One of the issues raised at the recent school board meeting has caused me enough concern that I am writing to you.
At this last school board meeting, I was watching a parent accuse trustee White of using the DMUSD legal services for her private use. How did this parent get information on district legal bills? I understand this parent made a request to the district for bills, but I have enough experience in my business life to know legal bills are always provided redacted, so that attorney-client privileged information is protected. In all the bills I have seen, the text describing the service is whited out. I am not necessarily concerned with the ignorance of this parent although her behavior was disrespectful and poor role modeling for the children in the audience. I am concerned that a superintendent would potentially put our district at risk for divulging attorney-client information to the public through these legal bills and documents.
I understood when Ms. White explained that her role as board president last year made her point person for legal issues and I understood this role now falls to Ms. Rodriguez. I saw the board explain this and concur this is how they work. But I don’t understand how a superintendent who was involved in an employee complaint which required the district to hire an attorney for this complaint should ethically be looking at these bills and how legally she can provide confidential information to someone. This is wrong.
Ms McClain, when hired for this district, was hired because she claimed to be a team player and a community builder, something this district really needed. Since her arrival, she has been divisive and has pitted school against school. I am now convinced, especially after this very concerning action, that she should be let go. She is damaging this district.
Hanna Morgan

Transportation for seniors in Carmel Valley long overdue

As a longtime resident (23 years) of Carmel Valley I have always read the Carmel Valley News for up-to-date news of our community, so you can imagine how happy I was to read in this week's issue of the effort of my neighbor, Dr. Saltman, to bring to the attention of the Carmel Valley Community Planning Board the [transportation] problem that our seniors in the community are facing.
Somehow, there must be a solution to this as it has been overcome by so many of our neighboring areas. I am sending a copy of this to Sheri Lightner, our council representative, to let her know how urgent this will be for many of us, in the hope that her office will be able to help this [effort to bring transportation for seniors to Carmel Valley] come to fruition.
Cecile Powers
Carmel Valley

Carmel Valley updates

By Sherri Lightner, District One City Councilwoman
I started 2010 on a high note by visiting several community groups, where it was great to see so many friends and familiar faces.
The much-anticipated Ocean Air Rec Center in South Carmel Valley celebrated its grand opening on Jan. 20. Thanks to everyone on the Ocean Air Rec Council for all their efforts in making this center a reality. If you haven’t used this exceptional new facility yet, please check it out!
Many area residents shared their concerns about a proposal to relocate the City’s Hazardous Material units to Station 46 in Santaluz and 47 in Pacific Highlands Ranch. I conveyed your concerns about this proposal to the Fire-Rescue Department, and I’m pleased the department has decided to house these HazMat units elsewhere and retain the existing staffing and equipment at Stations 46 and 47.
After hearing from many of you about the need for additional time to review and comment on the Environmental Impact Report for the Del Mar Fairgrounds Master Plan, we worked with State Senator Christine Kehoe to get an extension on the public comment period. If you haven’t already done so, please submit your comments about the project to the 22nd Agricultural District by Monday, Feb. 8. For more information about this project, please visit our website, www.sandiego.gov/cd1.
The City Council recently approved the Pacific Highlands Ranch Village project. I added several conditions to the project, including a tot-lot, preservation of view corridors, and restrictions on the hours for truck deliveries. It may be a number of years before this project is built, but when completed, the Village will provide long-awaited shopping and services for the community.
Meanwhile, we are working with the City Attorney’s office to determine whether the Water Department can fund the city’s contribution to the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority. I will continue working to identify any potential sources of funding to keep this important organization running.
Please contact my office at any time if we may be of assistance: sherrilightner@sandiego.gov or (619) 236-6611.

DMUSD school board tries to terminate second superintendent

By Kate Takahashi, DMUSD parent

How would you feel if your child forfeited his birthday presents to make a school donation only to find that three grown adults snatched it from her and threw it in the Pacific Ocean? If the three-person majority of Del Mar Union School Board succeeds in their agenda of firing Superintendent Sharon McClain, they would do just that, but on a much larger scale. Please read on.
The economic reality
During these tough economic times, we DMUSD parents are scrambling to save the cherished ESC programs that our district can’t afford. Honestly, it’s exhausting, but we do it for our children. And the children themselves are working hard to keep their teachers. I have stories of Girl Scout Troops donating, pancake breakfasts, garage sales... We’re all doing our best to scrape together every penny we can.
The economic crisis is not just affecting ESC. DMUSD’s reserves are millions of dollars below the recommended level for a Basic Aid district. If our reserves dip below 3 percent of expenditures, the state could be required to balance our budget in any way it sees fit — larger classroom sizes, teacher lay-offs – without community input.
The board’s actions
And what is our school board doing about the budget? They are calling their attorneys – daily at times – at the rate of $160/hour. From July through December of 2009, they racked up $21,339 in legal fees. What could be so important? The school board is searching for ways to fire Dr. Sharon McClain, the supremely qualified leader they chose in September 2008 to replace Tom Bishop, the last guy they fired that same year.
Disaster either way
If the board fires Dr. McClain for cause, she could sue for the length of her contract, plus benefits, plus attorneys’ fees. That could amount to as much as half a million dollars. If they buy out her contract for one year, that could approximate a quarter million dollars. Either way, that money comes from the district coffers to educate your child.
Incidentally, this board, in pursuing this wasteful litigation, is choosing to triple-pay a superintendent’s salary. Remember Tom Bishop? He’s Superintendent 1, and we are still paying his buyout. If they fire Dr. McClain – or Superintendent 2 – then the district would pay her while paying an interim superintendent, or Superintendent 3 (if they could find anyone willing to work here). So DMUSD would be paying Baby Superintendent, Mama Superintendent, and Papa Superintendent all at the same time, for a grand total that could approach a million dollars. Now I’m asking, Are you outraged yet?
Did I mention Dr. McClain doesn’t deserve this?
At the hard-to-believe age of 65, she is at the top of her professional game, having won Pepperdine University’s Superintendent of the Year Award, and having taught school governance at seven different universities. She has worked with and for children her whole life, having been an elementary teacher, university instructor, principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent (three times), mother, and foster mother. At this stage of her life, she has chosen her most challenging job yet as superintendent of DMUSD, and she has thus far guided us through this financial crisis with optimism and smart ideas.
And, gratefully, she’s still here. Let’s be there for her.
What we can do:
1) Talk: Tell people what you have learned about this board. If you are unsure about any facts or figures in this editorial, ask DMUSD about what public records you have a right to see, including their attorney bills. Research past articles from local papers.
2) Make it a daily task to log on to dmusd.org in order to know if a board meeting is taking place. If it is, go to “view agenda.” Be on the lookout for “Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release.” If that is there, there could be a closed meeting to terminate Dr. McClain. The board must hear public input before they go into closed session. Fill out a speaker slip, wait for your name to be called, and you will have three minutes to tell the board how you feel. If you are uncomfortable speaking, write a letter to the board and have a friend read it and/or send a letter to the board.
3) Vote: Cast your ballot this November. Tell your friends to vote, as well.

Solution to the problem is obvious

Sometimes there is an obvious solution to the problem. Del Mar Union School District Superintendent Sharon McClain came with previously used and not the best idea of changing school boundaries again to fill low enrollment schools. Superintendent Bishop tried just that. He wanted to force parents of children living next to Torrey Hills and Sage Canyon schools to drive their children to and from Del Mar Heights and Hills schools every school day. Those parents were paying Mello-Roos tax to be able to send their children to neighborhood schools. It took a lot of time and energy to convince him to instead let Sage Canyon accept more children. Do you want to repeat the past?
Why would anyone even suggest adding offices to Torrey Hills school knowing that there is a plan to built a condominium complex just across from this school and the enrollment will increase again.
From Google maps, one can see that the distance between Del Mar Hills and Del Mar Heights schools is 0.8 mile, it takes 3 minutes by car, or 14 minutes by walking. Are there any other schools in the district so close to each other? You have a half empty school, space for additional kids in nearby schools, you need space for the office, what do you do?
Grazyna Krajewska
Torrey Hills

Leave district boundaries intact, don’t hire vice principals

I wanted to comment on Del Mar Union School District Superintendent Sharon McClain's comment in the Jan. 29 article titled “DM superintendent recommends district buy property for headquarters” which stated "McClain mentioned making boundary changes east of Interstate 5 as a possible cost-saving option. As Sage Canyon and Ocean Air each have around 700 students and Torrey Hills nears that size, the schools will need vice principals. She said the district could save $850,000 by reducing the enrollment size of the three schools through boundary changes (students would be moved to other schools in the district). The enrollment changes would eliminate the need for the three vice principal positions. The re-boundary could also help boost enrollment numbers at Ashley Falls.”
Homes in the boundaries of these three schools are south of the 56 freeway, many have been paying a special Mello Roos tax for a "neighborhood school" for years, and all are several miles away from Ashley Falls (and require crossing a major freeway), making that far from being a "neighborhood school." Before any consideration is given to changing boundaries for these three schools, I sure hope they will eliminate the policy that has grandfathered in many kids outside of these school boundaries.
I used to watch every morning the many dozens of cars from north of the 56 that would cross the freeway bringing their kids over to our area schools. Does it make any sense to have kids driven from homes north of the 56 to school south of the 56, and drive kids from homes south of the 56 to school north of the 56? It wastes fuel, and it breaks up the integrity of having kids who live near one another go to school together, which would facilitate friendships and neighborhood cohesiveness. Another suggestion would be to leave the census and boundaries as is and just not hire the vice principals, if their cost is the issue. I wanted to bring this suggestion to light to the community before it gets much traction.Kathy Rowe

School bored, school daze, school wars

By Gordon Clanton

School board politics is the most local politics of all. This may explain the intensity, nay, the rancor that often characterizes school board meetings and school board elections. Until recently, the Del Mar Union School District was spared such struggles. But no more.
In 2006, dissident board member Annette Easton recruited Katherine White and Steven McDowell to help her take over the board. The new majority fired the superintendent. Now the board is feuding with the new superintendent they hired.
Full disclosure: I opposed the insurgent slate in 2006, supporting Barbara Myers and Martha Murphy. I was not persuaded that the incumbent board should be turned out, and I found the strident and expensive insurgent campaign off-putting.
I re-joined the fray when I learned that the board was considering closing the Del Mar Hills Academy. I live three blocks from the Hills school. Although I have no children, I consider the school an important part of my community.
My neighbors with children in the Hills school are upset to learn the school may close. They like the fact that their kids can now walk to school without crossing Del Mar Heights Road. They are alarmed that some parents in the district support closing the Hills school as a likely way of preserving their own neighborhood schools.
By the way, I’m suspicious of estimates that purport to show ever-decreasing enrollments for the Hills school and Del Mar Heights school. What’s happening in my neighborhood is that elderly residents are dying, and young couples with school-age children are purchasing their houses.
So, having sold the Shores school site, the school district needs to find a new home for its administrative offices, thus stirring fears of school closings.
Meanwhile, the Del Mar campaign to pay for the Shores property has come up short, with more than $3.5 million owed.
Nobody asked me but: If the school district were to buy back or lease back the portion of the Shores site it currently occupies, then it would have no need to find a new location. Simultaneously, the debt owed by the city of Del Mar would be substantially reduced. The district could gain flexibility by moving more administrative functions to available space at schools that are under-enrolled.
I hope the board will find a way to keep all the schools open, thus reducing the prevailing anxiety and distrust.
The neighborhood school is part of a social fabric that ought not be casually rent asunder.
Gordon Clanton teaches sociology at San Diego State University. He welcomes comments at gclanton@mail.sdsu.edu.

Shores property price was not ‘bargain basement’

By Joe Sullivan

President, Friends of Del Mar Parks
Debra McGinty-Poteet, in her Jan. 22 “Community View,” incorrectly states that the sale of the Del Mar Shores property by the Del Mar Union School District to the city of Del Mar was at a “bargain basement” price.
The $8.5 million purchase price might seem a bargain if the property could be densely developed for residential or commercial use. But it can’t. The property is zoned only for public facilities. No private developer would bet on the Del Mar City Council changing the zoning so playing fields could be paved over for private development. In addition, most of the property is covered by the Kerckhoff deed restriction, limiting the use to “educational purposes.” The district went to court to have this restriction lifted, but it was denied on appeal. Moreover, a state law known as the “Naylor Act” arguably required the district to sell the playing fields to the city at 75 percent of market value.
Both the district and the city had a fiduciary duty to arrive at a “fair market value.” The city paid the district $8.5 million after several years of public meetings and arms-length negotiations that were often contentious and even litigious. The final agreed price was supported by independent appraisals.
The DMUSD staff and board worked very professionally over a long period of time to manage this transaction and protect the interests of the district. McGinty-Poteet’s allegation otherwise is a perversion of history and a disservice to all the professionals, volunteers and donors who provided $8.5 million for the benefit of the DMUSD while keeping the Shores park and school property in the public trust for future generations.

Killing two birds with one stone: Resolving multiple issues within the DMUSD

Now that the 7/11 committee has issued its final report, the DMUSD Board of Trustees is tasked with resolving the movement of the district offices. In addition, it has directed that a financial task force begin working on options for cutting expenses within the district. It is imperative that the board considers the financial health of the DMUSD as it makes its determination as to where to place the district offices and maintenance operations.
Superintendent McClain has made a recommendation that the board use the money from the sale of the Shores property to purchase a site for the district offices. The superintendent stated that a decision needs to be made expeditiously. Dragging this process out can cost the district money, as property values of lots for sale will eventually escalate, and interim leasing of a temporary space would bleed badly needed funds from the DMUSD budget. The board is urged to make a decision soon.
One of the superintendent's alternate recommendations is to house the district offices on a school site. This is a bad idea, unless that school site was designated solely for the purpose of district offices and maintenance operations. District offices should be housed separately from students. Joint use endangers children and degrades the atmosphere of the school, which in turn reduces the quality of the educational experience for the children at that site. Further, joint use options at school sites provide no significant cost savings to the district. Resolving the move of district offices without an eye to the financial crisis the DMUSD is experiencing is imprudent.
Closure of a school would allow for the offices to be unified at one site, while providing cost savings needed by the district. The 7/11 committee determined that the DMUSD would save at least $450,000 annually if a school were closed. This could protect the job of one teacher at each of the remaining school sites, year after year.
Closing a school does not completely cover the projected gap in the DMUSD budget for the next two years. However, in combination with other proposed money saving options, such as installing solar panels, school closure can provide more than an estimated $1,000,000 per annum. How many teachers' jobs could be saved with that figure? It is too significant to be ignored.
In summary, the board is urged to keep the district's financial situation in the forefront of their minds during deliberations regarding the move of district offices. It is a certainty that the DMUSD will need to be making cuts to the budget in the near term to make ends meet. Let's hope the board of trustees does not exacerbate the need for cuts by disregarding cost savings measures available to them in making this decision.
Suzanne Hall
Torrey Hills mom

City responds to fairgrounds master plan, EIR

By Richard Earnest
Mayor, Del Mar

There have been numerous news articles recently about the 22nd District Agricultural Association’s master plan and about the draft environmental impact report the district prepared to assess that plan’s potential impacts.
The master plan lays out ambitious proposals for developing new and upgraded facilities and uses at the fairgrounds’ property over the next decades. Among these are: a new 330-room condominium hotel, demolition and rebuilding of exhibit halls, maintenance buildings and administrative offices, demolition of the existing Del Mar Fire Station, a train-stop platform and a construction of a new freeway oriented reader board sign.
As is our right and responsibility, the city of Del Mar prepared an extensive letter in response to the EIR. We did so with the help and expertise of an appointed citizens’ committee and our staff. We responded point-by-point to the 4,500-page draft EIR based on facts and on data.
Our letter is extensive because, after reviewing the master plan and EIR, they appear to be inadequate in their descriptions and analyses of the many new buildings and uses proposed. We are concerned that the design and scope of the project would cause many adverse impacts, especially with respect to the three issues that are of paramount importance to Del Mar and its citizens: 1) health and safety; 2) preservation of the quality of life in this small, beach community; and 3) protection of natural resources. Based on these concerns, we asked that the EIR be redone and re-circulated for public review.
Some of the items we responded to involve: impacts to the San Dieguito Lagoon; increased traffic; building in flood-prone areas; demolition of the existing Fire Station without really addressing how a new one would be built; the lack of “green” planning and building concepts; and the aesthetic impacts of tall new buildings along the Lagoon edge.
We also expressed our disappointment that many of the things that we say in the letter are the same things that we have been saying for years now: protect the lagoon and respect community character.
Our EIR comment letter can be reviewed on the city’s Web site at www.delmar.ca.us.
The fairgrounds master plan presents a wonderful opportunity for the Agricultural District to implement its mission while also pursuing projects that protect and enhance the environment and character of our community. We have asked that the district sincerely consider our comments and work with us toward those ends. We believe that working together we can create a plan that is more appropriate for upgrading the fairgrounds facilities and a quite sizable portion of our city.
I, along with my colleagues on the City Council, will continue to work toward this cooperative goal.

Does every woman count?

On Jan. 1, The Every Woman Counts program, which provides mammograms to 350,000 underserved women in California each year, closed its doors and will not start screening women again until July. When the program reopens, women under age 50 will not be served. Why? To save a few bucks — just one half of 1 percent — which will have little impact on the state's massive budget deficit.
While the economic impact of these cuts is insignificant, for the women of this state they may mean the difference between life and death. Screening saves lives. When breast cancer is detected early, the five year survival rate is 98 percent. We also know that the lack of regular screening leads to late stage diagnosis when treatment is more expensive and survival is less certain.
This is just the beginning. The Governor just announced the likelihood of even more cuts to the state's screening program for next fiscal year. If that wasn't bad enough, he is also considering eliminating the state program that provides breast cancer treatment to for low-income women. This will leave up to 9,000 women with breast cancer no treatment options. I find this unacceptable.
Our elected leaders face a tough economic situation. I get it. There are no easy choices and few decisions come without consequences. Yet we also see the tough choices women who are on the front lines of our troubled economy face when they lose their job, lose their insurance and have to choose between health care and other important needs and obligations. Balancing the budget shouldn't come at a cost of risking their lives.
Why are we turning our backs on women in our state when they need us the most? Every Woman does Count.
Zarita de la Cerda
Carmel Valley

Those afraid to speak out send wrong message to children

Re: The story titled “Investigation continues into scene of underage drinking at RSF party house...”
I’m saddened, angry and ashamed that my neighbors don’t have the courage to step forward and teach their children the same, and by their example, to take responsibility for any part they played in this disaster. We are all in danger, and our children. But “for the grace of G..d” we would all be there and we know it.
Heidi Farkash

Time is now for residents to speak on behalf of Pacific Highlands Ranch community

As the fate of the Pacific Highlands Ranch (PHR) Village will be decided by the San Diego City Council on Tuesday, Jan. 26, I want to let residents know that now is the time, the final time, to speak up for our community and for what its core will become. As a community member who has been involved with this issue since 2007 I have become dismayed at the way this project was handled. Pardee Homes has exerted enormous pressure both on our local planning group and the city planning staff, to allow construction of buildings much larger than is allowed under our existing community plan (the PHR Subarea plan).
Our village is supposed to be a walkable pedestrian center, one that encourages residents to walk to our village center to have our every day shopping and service needs met. However, Pardee's plan includes a six story parking garage (two stories are below ground) with condos surrounding it, that sits on a 3.9 acre block which far exceeds a block size requirement and exceeds our communities height restriction of 45' by 15'. This will be a detriment to our community.
It appears that Pardee's purpose for the village is to be primarily a regional draw that will bring significant amounts of traffic to our community and hurt our property values, instead of serving the residents of PHR first and foremost. Pardee's plan calls for 2,189 parking spaces, with 675 of those for future residences in the Village. With only 5,000 total homes for PHR at full build out, clearly Pardee is planning for this to be a regional draw which will be to our community’s detriment.
However, please don't take my word for it. Please research our community plan (the city's guide to what Pardee is supposed to be follow) at: http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/community/profiles/pdf/cp/cpphrfullversion.pdf and then read the city's report on Pardee's plan at: http://www.sandiego.gov/planning-commission/pcreports/2009/pdf/09086pt1.pdf with attachments at: http://www.sandiego.gov/planning-commission/pcreports/2009/pdf/09086pt2.pdf and make up your own mind.
Then please send your comments to the city council at Hearings1@sandiego.gov and specifically to our city council representative Sherri Lightner at SherriLightner@sandiego.gov. This is your last chance to be heard.
From the time I bought my home in PHR in 2005, I have believed strongly in the PHR Subarea plan, which in 2007 won a prestigious Golden Nugget Award for Best Master Planned Community. I have no bias on this issue, except the fact that I am a homeowner in PHR. I am not affiliated in any way with the development industry unlike a few who are speaking in favor of Pardee's plan. I believe that we need to protect our community and demand for the original plan to be followed. Through my interest in our developing community I have become one of the two representatives for PHR on the Carmel Valley Community Planning Board. I welcome your comments and questions about this and other PHR issues at ddd.cvcpb@gmail.com
Dean Dubey
PHR Resident

Heroics of two men saved dog’s life

Bogart is a 5-year-old German wirehaired pointer who is crazy in love with playing ball. He is one of the dogs you see at the dog park who will run and run and run after his ball until he is ready to fall over. His two true joys in life are his ball, table scraps, and being with his family.
We most often play ball at the dog park or in the empty fields behind where we live (Pacific Highlands Ranch). I use a “flinger” (the long plastic arm) so that I can throw it far enough (especially now that I am six months pregnant) and he loves to “catch it on the fly” in a mid-air spectacular.
Recently, we were out playing and had a freak accident. Bogart jumped up to get the ball and suddenly it was gone. He looked up at me in surprise and it took me a couple of seconds to register. The ball had gone down his throat. It was stuck there and soon it was evident that he couldn't breathe.
What happened next went by in a flash and I actually try not think about it too much. I couldn't pick him up and he could walk a little. I started shouting, not so much for help (because there wasn't anyone there) but because I was watching my dog die in front of my eyes. Two men came running to help me and one of them stuck his hand down Bogart's throat and got the ball out. The other man (he seemed to have medical training) helped him to breathe again and both of them stayed with me until Bogart recovered enough to walk to my car.
I was in complete shock and could only manage a “Thank You.” I do have the phone number of one of the men and have offered many thanks since then. He won't accept any gifts, not even something for his dog.
In this day and age, you hear stories of people standing by or looking the other way when someone is in danger or needs help. These two men are my heroes. Not only did they save my dog's life, but they also restored my faith in humanity. I will be forever grateful to them.
I am making a donation to the Humane Society in their honor.
Kerily McEvoy

Kudos to Ava Weitzen for excellent letter; Israel and U.S. share values that bind forever

Re the Dec. 3 article titled “Couple to spend Christmas on Gaza convoy.” First of all, I commend you for publishing Ms. Ava Weitzen’s response, as a letter to the editor, titled "Gaza Article Misleading." Second, Ms. Ava Weitzen must be also commended for taking the initiative and bringing to your readers the actual facts about the "poor" Palestinians of Gaza. It is clear that the couple that [gave] you the misleading [information] are either misinformed or malevolent. Here is something additional you and your readers may wish to know about.
Instead of being grateful to the hated Jews for having totally withdrawn, the Palestinians of Gaza showed their gratitude by almost daily pounding Israeli towns with close to 10,000 rockets and bombs. After countless warnings, Israel ultimately decided to put an end to this travesty. When Israel finally did invade Gaza, it took the most elaborate precautions not to hurt civilians. As a first in the history of warfare, Israel dropped tens of thousands of leaflets, warning the population and urging it to abandon areas in which military action would take place. The Israeli military made thousands of phone calls urging people to leave areas that would come under attack. But fighting in a densely populated environment is difficult and loss of civilian life is hard to avoid. Hamas fighters wear no uniforms. It is impossible to tell them from civilians. Is a person who allows a rocket launcher in his backyard a civilian or a fighter? And how about using schools, hospitals and mosques as munitions depots and staff centers? The hue and cry of Israel’s demonizers in accusing it of “disproportionate force” is totally absurd.
Make no mistake, Israel and the United States stand together in the fight against Islamo-fascist terrorism. These shared values will bind Israel and the United States forever.
Dr. Solomon Gabbay

I-5 construction project: Oppose ‘grotesque’ expansion of freeways

Many people are confused by projects Caltrans has completed along the I-5 corridor in San Diego and what remains. Caltrans has already completed three major projects: the widening to 23 lanes in "The Merge," the Route 56 flyover to southbound I-5, the “auxiliary” lanes between Lomas Santa Fe and Via de la Valle and the Lomas Santa Fe bridge reconstruction. Still on the agenda is the 20 mile I-5 widening project ("The Big Enchilada") from Del Mar Heights Road north to Van de Griff and the flyover from southbound I-5 to eastbound Route 56 and from westbound 56 to northbound I-.5
The Environmental Impact Report for the 20 mile widening project (first proposed in 2001) will soon be released, no sooner than March 26. This project is estimated to cost over $1 billion and take 20 years to complete. It was authorized by SANDAG using funds from the TransNet sales tax. It is said to meet future growth needs in the North County (vastly overstated by SANDAG at the time) and to "prevent gridlock." It would take the present 250,000 vehicles per day and increase that load by about 50 percent. Caltrans has not released the design, but I believe they would like to expand to 16 lanes from Del Mar Heights all the way through Solana Beach into southern Encinitas, followed by 14 lanes into Carlsbad and 12 lanes from Carlsbad to Camp Pendleton, where they expect to add 2 HOV lanes across the Marine base in the near future.
It is hard to know where to begin the objections that many of us have to both of these proposed projects, but let me try: 1) You can not escape gridlock by "pouring my concrete": just look at Los Angeles. 2) Residents living near the present freeway are assaulted by noise and air pollution that I believe violates present California and U.S. EPA limits. 3) Jack Hegenauer and the Clean and Green team of Solana Beach have made the assessment that 60 percent of the Greenhouse Gases generated in our city come from traffic on I-5, which CalTrans wants to expand by 50 percent, in violation of state law AB232. 4) Twenty years of construction in the North County will result in 20 years of gridlock: is this all for the sake of our descendants? 5) Kevin Costner had it right "If you build it, they will come!" Every freeway expansion in world history has lead to increases of traffic, leaving things no better off.
Please join with me, with members of P.L.A.G.U.E. and all clear thinking citizens in opposing this grotesque expansion of our freeways. It is time to get smarter about transportation and not rely on thinking from the 1950s.
Steve Goetsch

Del Mar school board has taken district in a new direction — south

Given the realization of the mess their micro-management has created in the last three years, the majority slate of three orchestrated the election of first-year board member Comischell Rodriguez as president of the board at the organizational meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009.
While there was understandable elation in the audience at President Rodriguez’s election, the community needs to be reminded that she continues to remain only one vote out of five on the school board. If President Rodriguez is able to restore protocol and time-efficiency to the conduct of public meetings, that alone would be a significant contribution to the community.
Meetings have become nitpicking marathons of minutiae and seemingly endless time-wasting discussion, with the audience wandering and chatting and eating throughout the entire proceedings. The retreating board members vowed sincerely to support President Rodriguez throughout what will soon become a very challenging year for her. And, we can hold them to their word, can’t we? After all, when the majority slate of three fired the superintendent in February 2008, they indicated that they wanted to take the district in a new direction. Well, they surely did. We just didn’t know that direction was south.
Martha Cox

Low and Slow Running Club of Del Mar thanks supporters for making 2009 Red Nose Run a success

On behalf of Fresh Start Surgical Gifts for Kids and the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund, the Low and Slow Running Club of Del Mar extends its sincere “Thank you” to all of its numerous contributors/sponsors for helping to raise more than $20,000 through the 2009 Red Nose Run. Since 1992, it has been the support of many individuals and businesses that has enabled a small local running group to raise more than $140,000 in support of Fresh Start and the Injured Marines Fund. Thank you and God Bless!