Encinitas Campaign Contributions

NCT: ENCINITAS: Campaign finances released in City Council race

Three incumbents ---- James Bond, Maggie Houlihan and Jerome Stocks ---- are seeking re-election Nov. 4.

Seven challengers are also in the race for three open seats on the City Council. They are Betsy Aceti, Tony Brandenburg, Rachelle Collier, Doug Long, Bob Nanninga, Harriet Seldin and Joe Sheffo.

According to the financial reports released on Monday by the city clerk, incumbent Jerome Stocks raised the most during the last three months, with contributions totaling $12,780.93.

Stocks also has raised the most to date, with nearly $25,000.

Filing a Fair Political Practices Commission Form 460 is mandatory for any candidate who has raised more than $1,000.

Betsy Aceti was the only candidate who did not file the form.

Challengers Rachelle Collier, Tony Bradenburg and Doug Long closely followed Stocks, all with contributions of greater than $10,000 for the same period, followed by incumbent Maggie Houlihan with $6,556, newcomer Harriet Seldin with $6,349 and incumbent James Bond with $6,516.13, including a $3,295 loan.

Rounding out the field, Bob Nanninga raised $4,686 and Joe Sheffo raised $3,351, according to paperwork released by the city clerk’s office.

Contributions cannot exceed $250 per individual and candidates must list the full name, address and occupation of each contributor.

Sheriff's Signs

Sheriff's union breaks the law in order to support candidates?

This sign was put up by the deputy sheriffs association, which I think is basically a union. It is on the site set aside for the new Cardiff fire station (another property that the city overpaid to acquire.) That is public property, so I think putting a sign there is a violation of the law.

This won't win the contest, but it might get an honorable mention.

Complaints about illegally placed signs?

Call Code Enforcement 633-2685. Do not take them down yourself as that is a misdemeanor.

It's Campaign Signs Time *sigh*

It's that time of year where our town gets blanketed in campaign signs. Here are the rules if you want to put some up:

ENCINITAS MUNICIPAL SIGN CODE PROVISIONS

2.16.040 Campaign Sign -- An unlimited number of political signs is allowed per parcel with the property owners permission. Signs may be displayed 30 days prior to the election and must be removed 72 hours after the election. The sign area shall not exceed 32 square feet for nonresidential zones or 32 square feet for nonresidential uses in residential zones; signs shall not exceed 8 feet in height. The sign area shall not exceed 3 square feet for residential uses in residential zones with a maximum height of 5 feet.

30.60.050(c) - Unless authorized by other provisions of this Chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to post, erect or maintain any sign within the public right-of-way or upon public property.

30.60.050 (E.2) No sign shall be posted, erected or maintained so as to obstruct a clear view of the street from any intersecting street or access to public street such as driveways.

30.60.050 (H) - No sign shall be erected that would unreasonably obscure from any public view existing, nonconforming signs on adjacent properties.

30.60.050 (K) - No vehicle or trailer shall be parked that is utilized as a portable sign for the purpose of providing directional signage, additional on-site signage, or an attention getting device.

Complaints about illegally placed signs?

Call Code Enforcement 633-2685. Do not take them down yourself as that is a misdemeanor.

*blogger request--Please email me photos of the biggest most obnoxious campaign sign in your neighborhood!

North County Times Newspaper Endorses Encinitas Incumbants

A raspberry to the increasingly irrelevant North County Times for endorsing all 3 Encinitas city council incumbents. Not only is endorsing the status quo boring, it defies their own logic.

NCT: EDITORIAL: Encinitas trio merit return to city council

How quickly the NCT forgot it's previous Editorial comments about the Encinitas incumbents:

Encinitas approves 20 percent raise for city manager

May 14, 2007 NCT Roses & Raspberries
The 'City Manages to Overpay' award
A raspberry to the Encinitas City Council majority for being the latest to overcompensate their chief executive. Council members James Bond, Jerome Stocks and Dan Dalager voted to boost the salary of City Manager Phil Cotton, by all accounts a fine public servant, to $198,723. So Cotton apparently cottoned up to the council enough, in just six months on the job, to earn a 20 percent ---- or $33,723 ---- raise. What's more, the council tried to sneak it through by putting it on the consent calendar ---- more typically reserved for minor, noncontroversial items to be approved en masse.

In a bizarre race to cripple themselves at the bargaining table when public employee unions come a-calling, local councils are competing to overpay their city managers. Escondido shells out $243,310; Poway, $237,350; San Marcos, $237,008; Carlsbad, $228,968; Vista, $216,587; and Oceanside, $207,525. Even tiny Del Mar pays $160,000 and Solana Beach, $156,870. It's good to be the city manager. Taxpayer, not so much.

NCT criticizes city for holding special meetings: When is a 'special meeting' not so special?

Jim Bond's lame "State of the City" address
Raspberries and Roses

"A raspberry to Encinitas Mayor James Bond for his ill-prepared and self-serving State of the Community address last week. Bond's delivery indicates he has become entirely too comfortable in office. Unless voters see more substance and less stale style from the mayor, they may send Bond right back to retirement in 2008."

Comon' NCT, we need some fresh meat on the council. Try to think outside of the box, go to a different restaurant for a change. NCT, you are in a rut man. You used to know how to party but now look at you. You are old and stale man. ZZZZzzzz. You gotta reach for the brass ring every once and awhile in life you know? Can't have leftover meatloaf every Saturday night for the rest of you life you know what I'm saying man? Go talk to the pretty girl, she digs you man and you don't even have the balls to go over there and introduce yourself. NCT, you've turned into your parents man.

The Greatest American in America--Sarah Palin

Cardiff called "seedy"; post office and zip code in doubt?

Seedy-by-the-sea?

From SignOnSanDiego.com: Cardiff residents fear for post office's future

story by Tanya Mannes

excerpts:

The owner of Cardiff's beloved post office has put the land up for sale, raising fears among residents that it could close, even though the U.S. Postal Service just renewed its lease there.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea...known both for its low-key, beachy feel and for its feisty residents.

“The fear has always been that if we lose the post office, we lose our ZIP code, we lose our identity,” said Barbara Cobb, president of the Cardiff Town Council.

Charles Brockett, whose family has owned the post office property since it opened, said he's ready to sell if he gets his $3.7 million asking price.

Brockett said that whoever buys it would take over the lease contract, which was just renewed for five years.

The Postal Service says it has no plans to shut down its facility in Cardiff through October 2013.

Brockett is seeking a change in zoning that would provide more incentive for a new owner to close the postal facility, many fear.

In September, Brockett wrote a letter to the city in which he said he opposes the Cardiff Specific Plan's restrictions on the size of buildings he could construct on his site. He wants to have up to three stories, not two, and said he should be allowed to have a mixed project of commercial and residential uses, which would be allowed on certain other sites in Cardiff.

“I'm seeking relief from some of the restrictions,” Brockett said.

His ideas for developing the post office site include a drugstore such as a Walgreens or a small bank, possibly with homes on the second floor, which wouldn't be allowed under the zoning update.

Brockett doesn't believe the citizens advisory committee represented the community.

“They'd rather leave Cardiff just a little dusty, run-down, undeveloped, seedy little place,” he said. “It's totally against business. They went way overboard.”

Gosh!

Cardiff post office review on Yelp.com, clicky click.

Leucadia 101 Streetscape Workshop

Nobody wanted to talk to that guy.

The Highway 101 trees were mapped. Trees in green are safe from the axe. Red, firewood. Yellow, might get cut.

Open house for Leucadia streetscape and Candidate Forum on same night, Wed. Oct 1st

From the NCT: ENCINITAS: Open house set for Leucadia streetscape project

ENCINITAS ---- The public will be given a chance to view concept design plans for the North Coast Highway 101 streetscape project from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the community room at the Encinitas Public Library, 540 Cornish Drive .

Unfortunately the candidate forum is the same night which will dilute the participation for the Leucadia streetscape.

NCT: ENCINITAS: Olivenhain Town Council to hold candidates forum

The Olivenhain Town Council is set to hold a City Council candidate forum from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Olivenhain Meeting Hall on Rancho Santa Fe Road.

Welcome to the U.S.S.A

Coast Hwy Traders

The cool and funky gift shop Coast Hwy Traders in downtown Encinitas is currently running second place in the Channel 10 News contest for best gift shop in San Diego county. Hop over to the Ch 10 website and vote Coast Hwy Trader's in the #1 slot.

click here to vote

Voting ends October 3rd.

Sent to America's inbox

From: Henry Paulson

Date: Tue, Sep 23, 2008 at 1:18 PM

Subject: URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP

DEAR AMERICAN:

I NEED TO ASK YOU TO SUPPORT AN URGENT SECRET BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH A TRANSFER OF FUNDS OF GREAT MAGNITUDE.

I AM MINISTRY OF THE TREASURY OF THE REPUBLIC OF AMERICA. MY COUNTRY HAS HAD CRISIS THAT HAS CAUSED THE NEED FOR LARGE TRANSFER OF FUNDS OF 800 BILLION DOLLARS US. IF YOU WOULD ASSIST ME IN THIS TRANSFER, IT WOULD BE MOST PROFITABLE TO YOU.

I AM WORKING WITH MR. PHIL GRAM, LOBBYIST FOR UBS, WHO WILL BE MY REPLACEMENT AS MINISTRY OF THE TREASURY IN JANUARY. AS A SENATOR, YOU MAY KNOW HIM AS THE LEADER OF THE AMERICAN BANKING DEREGULATION MOVEMENT IN THE 1990S. THIS TRANSACTIN IS 100% SAFE.

THIS IS A MATTER OF GREAT URGENCY. WE NEED A BLANK CHECK. WE NEED THE FUNDS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. WE CANNOT DIRECTLY TRANSFER THESE FUNDS IN THE NAMES OF OUR CLOSE FRIENDS BECAUSE WE ARE CONSTANTLY UNDER SURVEILLANCE. MY FAMILY LAWYER ADVISED ME THAT I SHOULD LOOK FOR A RELIABLE AND TRUSTWORTHY PERSON WHO WILL ACT AS A NEXT OF KIN SO THE FUNDS CAN BE TRANSFERRED.

PLEASE REPLY WITH ALL OF YOUR BANK ACCOUNT, IRA AND COLLEGE FUND ACCOUNT NUMBERS AND THOSE OF YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN TO WALLSTREETBAILOUT@TREASURY.GOV SO THAT WE MAY TRANSFER YOUR COMMISSION FOR THIS TRANSACTION. AFTER I RECEIVE THAT INFORMATION, I WILL RESPOND WITH DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT SAFEGUARDS THAT WILL BE USED TO PROTECT THE FUNDS.

YOURS FAITHFULLY MINISTER OF TREASURY PAULSON

Unfinished Nantucket Development Blighting Leucadia

Watch the Ch. 8 video about the now humbled Barratt American and the unfinished (and controversial) Nantucket development which is currently blighting Leucadia.

WATCH VIDEO

Barratt American has lost it's Bank of America loan. Recall that not to long ago Barratt American bragged about it's record profits. Barratt is also being sued by their unpaid sub-contractors.

LA Times: Barratt lays off 100 of 130 employees.

From August 2006:Barratt Finishes Record Year

Barratt American, a Carlsbad-based residential builder, on Aug. 1 reported record high revenue of more than $378.6 million for the fiscal year ended June 30.

The figure includes $361.1 million on sales of 598 homes, up from 431 homes sold in fiscal 2005, and land sales valued at $17.5 million, according to Michael D. Pattinson, the firmÂ’s president and chief executive officer.

The average home-sale price was $603,965, ranging from products in the high $200,000s to luxury residences priced around $2 million.

San Diego Business Journal online story.

Barratt American CEO Michael D. Pattinson wrote and now defunct but entertaining column for the North County Times. His controversial columns include strange bi-polar mood swings from hubristic bullying to whining like a little girl, often in the same paragraph.

The Quiet War against Leucadia's Tree Canopy

Leucadia's logo is an old growth tree.

FYI to all the Leucadia faithful, some of the most influential people in Encinitas are drinking the "Leucadia's trees are at the end of their life cycle so let's cut them all down" kool-aid and spreading it around.

If you meet one of these people do not panic for they are mostly harmless. They tend to be nice people, just misinformed. It's up to all of us to set these folks straight.

The propaganda war against Leucadia's heritage tree canopy seemed to begin with the hired gun from the NCTD (who have a scorched earth policy against Leucadia).

The most common piece of twisted logic you hear is, "We have to cut down all the trees and plant new ones so in 50 years we can have a nice big tree canopy."

This makes little sense, why cut down what you already have-in order to achieve what you already have? And, in 50 years some knucklehead is just going to try and cut down ALL of those trees and the whole sick cycle begins again.

The trees ARE NOT at the end of "their life cycle". Trees are not like humans and other mammals, they don't live for 100 years and then drop dead. Trees have no set end date, trees will live on for hundreds of years if given a chance. Look for more detailed post on this all this week.

There are thousands and thousands of eucalyptus trees older and bigger than Leucadia's trees around San Diego county.

Warning, the majority of anti-tree talk is coming from NON-Leucadians. Why are non-Leucadians piping in on this?

Some of the anti-tree talk is ironically coming from people who have done good work with preservation and with our local historical society. I would rate preserving Leucadia's heritage tree canopy with preserving the Boat Houses and the La Paloma.

The tree canopy is what makes north Hwy 101 unique. We are letting the trees vanish, this means less shade for pedestrians, less ambiance for tourist and locals and a more bleak tone.

Have you walked the non-tree zones of Leucadia in the summer time? It's hot and sweaty my friends.

We need a urban tree management plan for the entire city of Encinitas. We need to protect our classic old growth trees, trim their dead branches, feed and water our trees and plant new ones so we can preserve and improve the ambiance of our hometown.

The only city council candidates for election 2008 who has made preserving our trees a major issue is Bob Nanninga and Rachelle Collier so keep that in mind.

Paul Ecke alerted me to Indiana University professor, Burney Fischer who wrote a paper titled "Street Trees -- A Misunderstood Common-Pool Resource," check it out here.

King Paulson

Henry Paulson, an unelected man, is now the most powerful person in the United States of America: