North County Times article by Adam Kaye
ENCINITAS ---- City officials have struck a first-of-its-kind deal with two Encinitas homeowners. The homeowners, Anthony and Erin Smith, are getting nearly a 50 percent break on their property taxes. In exchange, they have agreed not to raze or substantially alter their historic home at 221 Sunset Drive.
The City Council this month unanimously approved Encinitas' first "Mills Act" tax-incentive agreement with the Smiths. The Legislature enacted the Mills Act in 1972, and in 2003, the City Council adopted the program to preserve local landmarks.
To qualify for tax relief, the Smiths have agreed to preserve the appearance of their 1926 English Tudor-style home and to allow periodic inspections by city officials.
This too late for the old adobe church compound that used to exist at Vulcan and F but I like it. Southern California has been infected with a strange desire to tear down everything in it's short history, I'm glad some people are now stopping to take a deep breath and saying no to the bulldozer.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
We Are Not Angry, Just Disappointed
This city council is a great disappointment. In 2005, Kerry Miller got 2 raises. Firefighters got a nice raise and the Sheriff's Deputies got an 8% raise. In March, city employees got a staggering 35% raise in the form of a lifetime boost in their retirement income as well as a 3.2% raise in salary for the next 3 years. What did we get. They increased our water rates, increased the appeal fee from $100 to $250, our sewer rates have gone up, they want us to pay for the clean water program and they are telegraphing even more taxes and fewer services in the days ahead.
What's wrong with this picture?
from the Encinitas Taxpayers Association.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Join the Encinitas Taxpayers Association
ENC Taxpayers Membership Online
It's time to be an adult and join the Encinitas Taxpayers Association. It's only $10 and they know what they are doing.
Yes, I know it's not quite as cool as the Star Wars Fan Club but it's cheaper.
A Note From Gil Foerster
Gilbert Foerster said,
It just seems like a mistake, in my opinion, to shrink or diminish the areas in greater Encinitas that will require a coastal development permit as well as the exclusion of some of the types of projects that the city staff, with no input or discussion from the citizens and only five quick minutes of council discussion brought forward and got passed October 26 as Resolution No. 2005-52. (Case 05-215) Every action that is taken by the city staff and/or the city council that has the potential to pose an adverse effect, either individually or cumulatively, on coastal resources, should remain under the eye of the Coastal Commission. The maintenance of an element of affordable housing and preservation of historical buildings not designated as historical by the State but historical to the residents of the City is an important part of the character of our coastal zone.
Please write to the Coastal Commission and request that the areas considered for categorical exclusions not be expanded west of Interstate 5. Please request that the changes of use of non-residential structures(#1), and demolition of existing buildings and reconstruction of ??? (#3) be removed from the request for types of exclusion.
This will not guarantee that a Starbucks won’t go in the La Paloma, nor will it save every building that someone thinks might have historical significance, BUT at least it will give the citizens of Encinitas the ability to appeal if there is a ground-swell of opposition to council or city staff decisions.
Please address correspondence to: California Coastal Commission
c/o Gary Cannon - San Diego District Office
7575 Metropolitan Dr., Suite 103
San Diego, Ca 92108
City of Encinitas Resolution #2005-52(Case 05-215)
It just seems like a mistake, in my opinion, to shrink or diminish the areas in greater Encinitas that will require a coastal development permit as well as the exclusion of some of the types of projects that the city staff, with no input or discussion from the citizens and only five quick minutes of council discussion brought forward and got passed October 26 as Resolution No. 2005-52. (Case 05-215) Every action that is taken by the city staff and/or the city council that has the potential to pose an adverse effect, either individually or cumulatively, on coastal resources, should remain under the eye of the Coastal Commission. The maintenance of an element of affordable housing and preservation of historical buildings not designated as historical by the State but historical to the residents of the City is an important part of the character of our coastal zone.
Please write to the Coastal Commission and request that the areas considered for categorical exclusions not be expanded west of Interstate 5. Please request that the changes of use of non-residential structures(#1), and demolition of existing buildings and reconstruction of ??? (#3) be removed from the request for types of exclusion.
This will not guarantee that a Starbucks won’t go in the La Paloma, nor will it save every building that someone thinks might have historical significance, BUT at least it will give the citizens of Encinitas the ability to appeal if there is a ground-swell of opposition to council or city staff decisions.
Please address correspondence to: California Coastal Commission
c/o Gary Cannon - San Diego District Office
7575 Metropolitan Dr., Suite 103
San Diego, Ca 92108
City of Encinitas Resolution #2005-52(Case 05-215)
All About Christy
NCT link
Adam Kaye wrote a good bio of Mayor Christy Guerin.
On the dais, she sometimes rolls her eyes and shakes her head when she disagrees with remarks by her colleagues. She has taken criticism for some of her retorts to statements from the public.
"I don't let people get away with saying whatever they want," she said. "We have citizens accuse us of crimes, of violating the Brown Act, of spending money like drunken sailors. No one told me I have to leave those things unaddressed. I never want to be rude to anyone, but I think the respect should be mutual.
What is the Brown Act? link
Ralph Brown sez: Don't violate me.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Those Pesky Details Keep Bogging Us Down
Coast News link
Ballots sent out early next year that deal with a monthly $5 fee for the city’s clean water program will not include any opposition statements.
Mayor Christy Guerin brokered a compromise in the language. “We’re getting bogged down in the details,” she said, adding that a sentence or two would not be likely to sway many opinions one way or the other.
Those are the kind of quotes that haunt you in November.
I'm telling you, that $5 a month tax gets voted in and in a couple of years it gets raised to $10 a month in a closed session. Then it gets raised to $15 a month and it won't keep our water clean. That money will go to consultants trying to figure out how to turn the La Paloma theater into a Starbucks or something.
Ballots sent out early next year that deal with a monthly $5 fee for the city’s clean water program will not include any opposition statements.
Mayor Christy Guerin brokered a compromise in the language. “We’re getting bogged down in the details,” she said, adding that a sentence or two would not be likely to sway many opinions one way or the other.
Those are the kind of quotes that haunt you in November.
I'm telling you, that $5 a month tax gets voted in and in a couple of years it gets raised to $10 a month in a closed session. Then it gets raised to $15 a month and it won't keep our water clean. That money will go to consultants trying to figure out how to turn the La Paloma theater into a Starbucks or something.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Bill Rodewald is a Great American
This was a comment posted regarding the proposed tax/fee:
Bill Rodewald, President of the Encinitas Tax Payers Association spoke something close to the following last night.
“I will again start my remarks by saying that clean ocean and lagoon water is very important. The truth is that the City of Encinitas has been complying with all Federal and State clean water standards for many years, and that the voters have been paying for it, thank you. This is not an environmental issue, its an economic issue.
I am not here tonight to convince the Council to abandon its efforts to tax the people of Encinitas twice for the same service. I am here to lay out my theory and opinion that the process has been rigged from the start. My opinion is that in this case and with this tax, the City has attempted, and may succeed in deceiving the people of Encinitas, the very constituents that it purports to represent.
I would agree that what I just said is strong language, and would not have made that statement had I not been interested in the opinion of the voters with regard to this issue and that the opinion survey portion of the process was fixed. The City got the answers that it wanted because they hired the team that promised to deliver just that. Let’s loook at some interesting events:
1) The City decided to spend $110,000 of taxpayer money to hire three consultants to deliver a new tax, to literally manipulate the opinions of its constituents. Interestingly, according to Jennifer Smith, the City Financial Director, there was no competitive bid process which seems odd given the value of the assignment. Even more interesting is the fact that there was no request for proposals process, and not written record of what the City was looking for in an opinion survey of the voters. Conveniently, the direction was given to the consultants verbally and without any documentation. Is anyone surprised that the survey questions were manipulated to elicit the desired results? If so, let’s get to the next item.
2) The City hired Tramutola LLC as one of the consultants and their web site is quit revealing. I’ll bet that it is meant to be seen by City Officials, not by their constituents because they spell out the playbook on how they can assist the City to manipulate public opinion. The opening page boasts that “Tramutola has advised and guided communities to successful passage of local tax measures.” The very next page is even more telling: it cuts right to the reason that the City chose Tramutola after failing to win a taxpayer lawsuit to tax its citizens twice for the same service. It says, “Working with you we will design a campaign to generate the DESIRED RESPONSE”.
They go on to say in their Planning to Win section that they will answer some though questions for the City like;
When should you hold your election? (Maybe right around the holidays so the so the opposition will be too busy to mobilize)
How do you craft a measure to maximize your chance of winning?
Can certain portions of the population be exempted from the tax?
They can even assist a city to recruit, train and empower a third party advocacy group to sell the idea of a new tax. Very interesting given the fact that one has sprung up right here in Encinitas, although I’m not sure that they all live and vote in our City.
3) This is the one that personally offends me the most. The City council had a meeting right here in this room on November 30, 2005 where they led us to believe that community input and Council debate would have some effect as to the decision to proceed with a public vote. Several people spoke in opposition to the idea and there was a support of the new tax that spoke as well. How is it that the Council voted to proceed at approximately 7:30 PM on Wednesday the 30th and voters received a letter and well crafted flyer less than 36 hours later? The picture of beaches and surfers were well chosen and quite appropriate in this marketing piece, but again the timing is most interesting. What marketing and mailing firm can pull together photos, draft and edit text, get approval from the client, fold, sort and mail a piece like this in less than 24 hours? Common sense would tell anyone that this process would take a minimum of 5 days and that the Council had given the authority to proceed several days before the November 30th meeting. Your decision had been made before you arrived here. That marketing piece that actually indicates that the clean water program has not yet been implemented, a lie, was approved and ready to be mailed days ahead of the meeting because you had made your minds up days before. That insults me and should insult everyone that believes in fair and open government!
Whether what someone here at the City did to fool the voters can be deemed illegal is for a lawyer to decide. The City attorney has said that “public funds (eg postage, mailers, and staff time) may not be expended to assist or defeat the passage of a measure submitted to the voters by the City Council”. I submit that, at a minimum, what has been done to raise our taxes is just plain wrong. I will work to educate your constituents as to the events that I have discussed and will encourage every voter in the City to demand a fair playing field in this and future elections. I would also encourage the Council to remember that you work for us, not against us.
My mother taught me that if I was going to point out a problem that I should be prepared to offer a solution, so here it is; Look your constitutes in the eye and tell them that this is not an environmental issue, it’s an economic issue. Then tell them that by voting no on this water meter tax the water quality will remain the same and that they will save $600 and be entitled to an immediate refund of close to $75. Let your constituents know that the City has the money to continue to comply with Federal and State mandated Clean Water programs. That is what I would do. “
Last night the Council also gave the City attorney a big raise. The City keeps loosing big lawsuits so I take this to mean that the City attorney is giving the Council good advise and they ignore it, the Council is too dense to identify bad service, or they want to keep the current attorney happy because a new attorney might go after the Council and expose them.
The Council also gave a juicy benefits increase to figherfighers and a raise to the City Manager.
Bill Rodewald, President of the Encinitas Tax Payers Association spoke something close to the following last night.
“I will again start my remarks by saying that clean ocean and lagoon water is very important. The truth is that the City of Encinitas has been complying with all Federal and State clean water standards for many years, and that the voters have been paying for it, thank you. This is not an environmental issue, its an economic issue.
I am not here tonight to convince the Council to abandon its efforts to tax the people of Encinitas twice for the same service. I am here to lay out my theory and opinion that the process has been rigged from the start. My opinion is that in this case and with this tax, the City has attempted, and may succeed in deceiving the people of Encinitas, the very constituents that it purports to represent.
I would agree that what I just said is strong language, and would not have made that statement had I not been interested in the opinion of the voters with regard to this issue and that the opinion survey portion of the process was fixed. The City got the answers that it wanted because they hired the team that promised to deliver just that. Let’s loook at some interesting events:
1) The City decided to spend $110,000 of taxpayer money to hire three consultants to deliver a new tax, to literally manipulate the opinions of its constituents. Interestingly, according to Jennifer Smith, the City Financial Director, there was no competitive bid process which seems odd given the value of the assignment. Even more interesting is the fact that there was no request for proposals process, and not written record of what the City was looking for in an opinion survey of the voters. Conveniently, the direction was given to the consultants verbally and without any documentation. Is anyone surprised that the survey questions were manipulated to elicit the desired results? If so, let’s get to the next item.
2) The City hired Tramutola LLC as one of the consultants and their web site is quit revealing. I’ll bet that it is meant to be seen by City Officials, not by their constituents because they spell out the playbook on how they can assist the City to manipulate public opinion. The opening page boasts that “Tramutola has advised and guided communities to successful passage of local tax measures.” The very next page is even more telling: it cuts right to the reason that the City chose Tramutola after failing to win a taxpayer lawsuit to tax its citizens twice for the same service. It says, “Working with you we will design a campaign to generate the DESIRED RESPONSE”.
They go on to say in their Planning to Win section that they will answer some though questions for the City like;
When should you hold your election? (Maybe right around the holidays so the so the opposition will be too busy to mobilize)
How do you craft a measure to maximize your chance of winning?
Can certain portions of the population be exempted from the tax?
They can even assist a city to recruit, train and empower a third party advocacy group to sell the idea of a new tax. Very interesting given the fact that one has sprung up right here in Encinitas, although I’m not sure that they all live and vote in our City.
3) This is the one that personally offends me the most. The City council had a meeting right here in this room on November 30, 2005 where they led us to believe that community input and Council debate would have some effect as to the decision to proceed with a public vote. Several people spoke in opposition to the idea and there was a support of the new tax that spoke as well. How is it that the Council voted to proceed at approximately 7:30 PM on Wednesday the 30th and voters received a letter and well crafted flyer less than 36 hours later? The picture of beaches and surfers were well chosen and quite appropriate in this marketing piece, but again the timing is most interesting. What marketing and mailing firm can pull together photos, draft and edit text, get approval from the client, fold, sort and mail a piece like this in less than 24 hours? Common sense would tell anyone that this process would take a minimum of 5 days and that the Council had given the authority to proceed several days before the November 30th meeting. Your decision had been made before you arrived here. That marketing piece that actually indicates that the clean water program has not yet been implemented, a lie, was approved and ready to be mailed days ahead of the meeting because you had made your minds up days before. That insults me and should insult everyone that believes in fair and open government!
Whether what someone here at the City did to fool the voters can be deemed illegal is for a lawyer to decide. The City attorney has said that “public funds (eg postage, mailers, and staff time) may not be expended to assist or defeat the passage of a measure submitted to the voters by the City Council”. I submit that, at a minimum, what has been done to raise our taxes is just plain wrong. I will work to educate your constituents as to the events that I have discussed and will encourage every voter in the City to demand a fair playing field in this and future elections. I would also encourage the Council to remember that you work for us, not against us.
My mother taught me that if I was going to point out a problem that I should be prepared to offer a solution, so here it is; Look your constitutes in the eye and tell them that this is not an environmental issue, it’s an economic issue. Then tell them that by voting no on this water meter tax the water quality will remain the same and that they will save $600 and be entitled to an immediate refund of close to $75. Let your constituents know that the City has the money to continue to comply with Federal and State mandated Clean Water programs. That is what I would do. “
Last night the Council also gave the City attorney a big raise. The City keeps loosing big lawsuits so I take this to mean that the City attorney is giving the Council good advise and they ignore it, the Council is too dense to identify bad service, or they want to keep the current attorney happy because a new attorney might go after the Council and expose them.
The Council also gave a juicy benefits increase to figherfighers and a raise to the City Manager.
Breaking News: Dalagher Finally Cuts Down Old Dead Tree
The former mayor and now mere city councilman mortal and tool sharpener has finally cut down that old dead pine tree that has been blighting up his front yard for decades.
You may have heard that Dalager plans to develop his property and build a family compound. I am cool with this and actually plan to do the same at my parent's Leucadia property.
NCT link
Dalager knows that Encinitas is out of control price wise for young people. It is extremely hard for the next generation to afford homes in the town they grew up in. The choice is to either move away or live at home with your parents forever. This sounds funny but it is actually a good idea. Keeping the family unit together is good not only for the family but is a good foundation for America.
However, if this family thing is just a cover story to sell out then he is just another Leucadia backstabber. Time will tell, in the meantime I am giving him the benefit of doubt.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
New Tax Propaganda Team Hired
Word is that the city of Encinitas has hired this slick marketing firm, Tramutola, to hoodwink us into voting in their scammy new tax next year.
Tramultola.com
Be prepared for cute signs that play on your emotions. It won't work, this new tax will be defeated because you people out there know better.
From their website:
TRAMUTOLA has helped public agencies prepare for and pass over 180 bonds and other tax measures that have resulted in more than $18 billion in voter-approved revenues. Most of these measures required approval from two-thirds of voters. We are proud to be known as this country's bond and tax election experts. When supermajority support is needed for victory, TRAMUTOLA has the expertise to get you the votes you need to win.
This is the kind of thing you can look forward to seeing.
When your little heartstrings are getting pulled when you see images of children just remember that the city of Encinitas has a surplus and that storm runoff should come out of the general fund and that the city already got busted for charging us an illegal tax (thanks to the Jarvis Taxpayer Association for watching our backs).
Previous post about this tax.
Coast News story about this tax.
Tramultola.com
Be prepared for cute signs that play on your emotions. It won't work, this new tax will be defeated because you people out there know better.
From their website:
TRAMUTOLA has helped public agencies prepare for and pass over 180 bonds and other tax measures that have resulted in more than $18 billion in voter-approved revenues. Most of these measures required approval from two-thirds of voters. We are proud to be known as this country's bond and tax election experts. When supermajority support is needed for victory, TRAMUTOLA has the expertise to get you the votes you need to win.
This is the kind of thing you can look forward to seeing.
When your little heartstrings are getting pulled when you see images of children just remember that the city of Encinitas has a surplus and that storm runoff should come out of the general fund and that the city already got busted for charging us an illegal tax (thanks to the Jarvis Taxpayer Association for watching our backs).
Previous post about this tax.
Coast News story about this tax.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Behold! A New Mayor!
NCT link
Christy Guerin is our new mayor. Now I know a lot of people around here have dubbed her "Ms. Bossy Pants" but here are some things I like about her:
She stood up for Leucadia during the Salem RDA meetings saying "I'm just not seeing the blight."
She answers her e-mails. cguerin@ci.encinitas.ca.us
She appears to be paying attention at city council meetings instead of staring out into space like some people up there.
She always has a new outfit for every public appearance.
Christy Guerin is our new mayor. Now I know a lot of people around here have dubbed her "Ms. Bossy Pants" but here are some things I like about her:
She stood up for Leucadia during the Salem RDA meetings saying "I'm just not seeing the blight."
She answers her e-mails. cguerin@ci.encinitas.ca.us
She appears to be paying attention at city council meetings instead of staring out into space like some people up there.
She always has a new outfit for every public appearance.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Artist Colony/Rock 'n Roll House Doomed?
NCT link
Rock 'n Roll House
And the A Street proposal by Sax calls for scraping the cottages that house the 101 Artists Colony and the Builders Trading Co.
Also to be demolished is a building called the Rock 'n' Roll House, a purple-painted bungalow festooned with beads, mirrors and images of rock musicians.
"It's amazing they would tear this down," said Richard Margolin, Sax's tenant who created the artwork, "but that's the way things go."
'Rather upscale'
In an interview last week, Sax said that he hoped Margolin and other tenants can remain until the last minute before a groundbreaking planned in next fall.
Sax said he expects the 52,296-square-foot project, called Encinitas Artist Lofts, to cost $23 million.
Fifteen of the town houses would be between the highway and an alley, and four others are planned opposite the alley, on A Street, where the Rock 'n' Roll House stands.
The proposed dwellings have between one and three bedrooms and decks atop the 33-foot-tall buildings. Sax said he is already fielding offers for the homes, that would sell for more than $1 million.
The homes will be connected to commercial spaces below, that could be bought and sold separately, Sax said, adding that buyers would receive incentives for buying both.
"We would like to encourage local artists who want to be in the commercial (spaces)," Sax said.
He agreed, however, that most artists would be hard-pressed to afford the spaces.
"They are rather upscale," he said.
I was kinda surprised that the Rock 'n Roll house was a rental! If the landlord was smart he would incorporate it into the new development and keep it as a tourist destination.
If I owned the land (and I don't so who cares right?) I would turn the Rock 'n Roll House into a small club and have bands play there or at least have a lounge/bar with a jukebox.
It's awesome that the new million dollar units are going to be called Encinitas Artist Lofts even though no artist will be able to afford them. That is like when somebody bulldozes a bunch of oak trees and builds tract homes called Oak Tree Ranch.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Giant Public Works Yard, Why?
Councilman Jerome Stocks is either a great America or a little weasel depending on who you talk to but he has a good quote in Angela Lau's Union Tribune story about the public works yard.
Councilman Jerome Stocks said he is not sure Encinitas really needs a consolidated public works yard.
"We have been operating satellite yards for 20 years, and we have better streets than San Diego," he said.
Councilman Jerome Stocks said he is not sure Encinitas really needs a consolidated public works yard.
"We have been operating satellite yards for 20 years, and we have better streets than San Diego," he said.
Friday, December 09, 2005
Higher Than Expected Bids for Library
NCT link
Construction bids for the Encinitas library have come in up to 50 percent higher than a city estimate of $9.3 million.
Officials this week opened four bids, ranging from $14.1 million to $18.6 million, to build the library on Cornish Drive and bury nearby utility lines.
The city has programmed $13.6 million for construction.
Officials attribute the higher-than-expected bids to increased costs of construction and materials brought by global competition and domestic natural disasters.
As many of you know my wife is a budding architect. We were talking about the cost of projects like these. She says that since materials are so expensive the trick is to be clever and design "clean with no bling".
At her firm she took over a remodel project for some crappy strip mall out in the sticks. The project was way over budget so she cleaned up the previous design, removing all the goofy ornamentation and weird angles and corners that served no function and saved the client $100,000 in one day's work.
"You can't just haphazardly design a building without thinking about the labor it will take to build it. California worker's comp insurance drives construction cost up to $200 an hour. It's stupid to have your workers spending hours and hours building useless gimmicks that make the building ugly anyway."
That is the kind of mentality we need not only for the Encinitas public library but for the sick and twisted notion of spending $16 million on pedestrian crossing for the train tracks. My wife thinks we could have crossings every 1/4 mile for less than $5 million instead of just 4 crossings for $16. Aye caramba!
Construction bids for the Encinitas library have come in up to 50 percent higher than a city estimate of $9.3 million.
Officials this week opened four bids, ranging from $14.1 million to $18.6 million, to build the library on Cornish Drive and bury nearby utility lines.
The city has programmed $13.6 million for construction.
Officials attribute the higher-than-expected bids to increased costs of construction and materials brought by global competition and domestic natural disasters.
As many of you know my wife is a budding architect. We were talking about the cost of projects like these. She says that since materials are so expensive the trick is to be clever and design "clean with no bling".
At her firm she took over a remodel project for some crappy strip mall out in the sticks. The project was way over budget so she cleaned up the previous design, removing all the goofy ornamentation and weird angles and corners that served no function and saved the client $100,000 in one day's work.
"You can't just haphazardly design a building without thinking about the labor it will take to build it. California worker's comp insurance drives construction cost up to $200 an hour. It's stupid to have your workers spending hours and hours building useless gimmicks that make the building ugly anyway."
That is the kind of mentality we need not only for the Encinitas public library but for the sick and twisted notion of spending $16 million on pedestrian crossing for the train tracks. My wife thinks we could have crossings every 1/4 mile for less than $5 million instead of just 4 crossings for $16. Aye caramba!
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Good Letter in NCT
NCT link
Developer's columns reveal building bias
By: LISA PRAZEAU - I am writing because I have to address three North County Times columns written by Michael D. Pattinson.
First, in his Nov. 1 column, Mr. Pattinson called the people of Encinitas "grouchy," "control freaks" and "no growth" advocates. He claimed that developers "give" residents "parks and roads and other amenities" and that residents "reap the rewards."
The people of Encinitas voiced their concerns and Pattinson resorted to name-calling and blanket statements. Everyone knows that growth puts a bigger demand on infrastructure (roadways, schools, water and sewage). In turn, cities often increase utility rates and city fees to help compensate for the impacts. Furthermore, developers do not "give" anything. By law, they are required to monetarily compensate for impacts associated with the development. It's a good thing that article was on the Opinion page, because it stank.
Second, Pattinson's Nov. 15 column stank worse than the first. I was hoping the NCT printed the column to let its readers see the character of Mr. Pattinson. In that column, Mr. Pattinson wrote: "If you are looking for a hero, you must first find a simple act of defiance." He identified Rosa Parks as a hero and offered a look at his so-called "local hero," Bill Johnson.
No doubt Rosa Parks is a hero admired for her bravery, great deeds and noble qualities. On the other hand, in 1998 Bill Johnson purchased 7,500 acres around the man-made Vail Lake near Temecula and proceeded to grade the land without the required permits. Pattinson praised Johnson's "act of defiance." Is Johnson known for his activist work against the mistreatment of developers? Pattinson suggested that "heroes slice through red tape." He proposed that "deep in the bowels" of City Hall a bureaucrat came to the "sudden realization that all of the permits, all the fees, and all the time to get them were a huge hoax" and "a fraud no longer worthy of belief." It would be "deep in the bowels" that Pattinson would come to that summation. A world without permits (law and order) would be a smorgasbord for the self-serving; Pattinson and his cronies would no doubt be at the front of that line.
The third NCT column is the one printed on Nov. 29. Pattinson complained that "Christmas has come early to Oceanside, Lake Elsinore and the county of Riverside." He complained that City Hall is raising new-home taxes. He said residents of these cities are "reaping the rewards," i.e., a new City Hall, boat docks, animal shelter, child care centers and brand-new traffic signals (he refers to these as "amenities" and "gifts"). He admitted that developer fees do not cover all costs of the "gifts." Then he announced that "developers don't pay fees; they just collect them." What I hear Pattinson saying is: The city imposes proportionate developer fees to compensate impacts to infrastructure and services and in turn the developer passes on the costs to the new-home buyer. How in the world did Pattinson think that this column was a winning position? Pattinson should heed the words of Shakespeare: "Better to be silent and thought ignorant; than to speak and remove all doubt."
Pattinson's position is clear: As president of Barratt American, a builder based in Carlsbad, his goal is to build. He is an opportunist. He has no real regard for the impact to the existing residents, schools, infrastructure, environment or quality of life and no respect for the people whose lives are disrupted. He is grouchy because the longtime residents of these impacted communities are not bending over backward to his massive building and measly compensation. Meanwhile, Barratt American just registered an "all-time record quarterly sales" of $131.2 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30. So, what is with all the grouchiness from Pattinson?
Lisa Prazeau lives in Escondido.
Developer's columns reveal building bias
By: LISA PRAZEAU - I am writing because I have to address three North County Times columns written by Michael D. Pattinson.
First, in his Nov. 1 column, Mr. Pattinson called the people of Encinitas "grouchy," "control freaks" and "no growth" advocates. He claimed that developers "give" residents "parks and roads and other amenities" and that residents "reap the rewards."
The people of Encinitas voiced their concerns and Pattinson resorted to name-calling and blanket statements. Everyone knows that growth puts a bigger demand on infrastructure (roadways, schools, water and sewage). In turn, cities often increase utility rates and city fees to help compensate for the impacts. Furthermore, developers do not "give" anything. By law, they are required to monetarily compensate for impacts associated with the development. It's a good thing that article was on the Opinion page, because it stank.
Second, Pattinson's Nov. 15 column stank worse than the first. I was hoping the NCT printed the column to let its readers see the character of Mr. Pattinson. In that column, Mr. Pattinson wrote: "If you are looking for a hero, you must first find a simple act of defiance." He identified Rosa Parks as a hero and offered a look at his so-called "local hero," Bill Johnson.
No doubt Rosa Parks is a hero admired for her bravery, great deeds and noble qualities. On the other hand, in 1998 Bill Johnson purchased 7,500 acres around the man-made Vail Lake near Temecula and proceeded to grade the land without the required permits. Pattinson praised Johnson's "act of defiance." Is Johnson known for his activist work against the mistreatment of developers? Pattinson suggested that "heroes slice through red tape." He proposed that "deep in the bowels" of City Hall a bureaucrat came to the "sudden realization that all of the permits, all the fees, and all the time to get them were a huge hoax" and "a fraud no longer worthy of belief." It would be "deep in the bowels" that Pattinson would come to that summation. A world without permits (law and order) would be a smorgasbord for the self-serving; Pattinson and his cronies would no doubt be at the front of that line.
The third NCT column is the one printed on Nov. 29. Pattinson complained that "Christmas has come early to Oceanside, Lake Elsinore and the county of Riverside." He complained that City Hall is raising new-home taxes. He said residents of these cities are "reaping the rewards," i.e., a new City Hall, boat docks, animal shelter, child care centers and brand-new traffic signals (he refers to these as "amenities" and "gifts"). He admitted that developer fees do not cover all costs of the "gifts." Then he announced that "developers don't pay fees; they just collect them." What I hear Pattinson saying is: The city imposes proportionate developer fees to compensate impacts to infrastructure and services and in turn the developer passes on the costs to the new-home buyer. How in the world did Pattinson think that this column was a winning position? Pattinson should heed the words of Shakespeare: "Better to be silent and thought ignorant; than to speak and remove all doubt."
Pattinson's position is clear: As president of Barratt American, a builder based in Carlsbad, his goal is to build. He is an opportunist. He has no real regard for the impact to the existing residents, schools, infrastructure, environment or quality of life and no respect for the people whose lives are disrupted. He is grouchy because the longtime residents of these impacted communities are not bending over backward to his massive building and measly compensation. Meanwhile, Barratt American just registered an "all-time record quarterly sales" of $131.2 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30. So, what is with all the grouchiness from Pattinson?
Lisa Prazeau lives in Escondido.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
A Disconnect in the Brain
NCT link
This week's column by Barratt American CEO Michael D. Pattinson is about city fees and taxes associated with new development projects.
At first I thought Patty Boy and I were going to see eye to eye on this one but it didn't take long to realize that this man has a serious disconnect from reality.
Pattinson just can't grasp that if he comes into an old neighborhood and builds a bunch of new homes that the new people impact the area. He complains that Oceanside is helping itself to new traffic lights, well gee, why would they need those? Because everyone in the new houses drives cars.
Should all this come out of the general fund? Yes. But these developments are so big and happen so fast that if "improvements" (it's really hard to call a stoplight at the end of your street that used to be a quiet stop sign an improvement) aren't made then it leads to congestion, chaos and a lower quality of life for everyone.
In Riverside County, child care is the fourth largest industry, taking in $230 million per year. But even that is not enough to support the cost of their own facilities, supervisors say. That is why they are talking about forcing developers ---- I mean new home buyers ---- to foot the bill.
What they don't say is that excessive government fees have raised the cost of housing so much that most families need both parents working, hence the need for child care.
To hear Pattinson tell it the reason both parents have to work is because the fees are too high on new homes. Pattinson's company recently reported record revenue, $131.2 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30. This an all-time record for a fiscal quarter since the founding of the firm. All you Moms out there, are you swallowing this tripe?
Take a look at Barratt's website The gross over ornamentation of their homes is ridiculous. If Pattinson wants to cut cost on home building he could start by streamlining his projects. Construction cost are extremely high in California with labor, worker's comp. Insurance and materials. Imagine the extra hours and materials it takes to build pseudo-castles and faux shutters. Why all the widgets and gimmicks Mr. Pattinson? Do you like wasting money?
Pattinson says new homebuyers who are taxed have no say in where those taxes go. Taxation without representation? Time for another Boston Tea Party? Let's start by sending euro trash Pattinson back across the Atlantic.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Ecke Ranch Shopping Center Refinanced for $63.4 Million Smackers
GlobeSt.com link
Taking advantage of the continuing low interest rates, a joint venture of Los Angeles-based Zelman Development Co. and Carlsbad-based the Carltas Co. has refinanced Encinitas Ranch Town Center. The JV refinanced the 503,000-sf property for $64.3 million.
Gee, that was easy. Didn't someone suggest like a year ago for Ecke to use his shopping center equity to modernize his greenhouses?
Taking advantage of the continuing low interest rates, a joint venture of Los Angeles-based Zelman Development Co. and Carlsbad-based the Carltas Co. has refinanced Encinitas Ranch Town Center. The JV refinanced the 503,000-sf property for $64.3 million.
Gee, that was easy. Didn't someone suggest like a year ago for Ecke to use his shopping center equity to modernize his greenhouses?
Monday, November 28, 2005
Jesus and Santa are American Citizens
Union Tribune columnist Logan Jenkins wrote a good piece on the parade name change. link.
He brings up an excellent point, the stores don't care what you call it:
In this mercantile context, Christmas could not be more inclusive. The more shopping the merrier. (And we don't care if you call them Hanukkah presents!)
On this plane, Christmas is a money-driven revelry that, long ago, exchanged the soulful Jesus, a spiritual prophet whose world view was something of a downer in the marketplace, for the materialistic Santa Claus, the emcee of plenty.
Jenkins also makes this wise obsevation: Dalager is right – and wrong.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Christian Values for City Council?
The prophet Isaiah said: "Woe to you legislators of infamous laws ... who refuse justice to the unfortunate, who cheat the poor among my people of their rights, who make widows their prey and rob the orphan."
I patiently await a press release from the Encinitas city council announcing an end to closed session meetings and cronyism with consultants and contractors.
I patiently await a press release from the Encinitas city council announcing an end to closed session meetings and cronyism with consultants and contractors.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Has the Leucadia Town Council Killed It's Momentum??
The Coast News wrote that the defeat of prop A signaled a new movement in Encinitas, one spearheaded by the politically active members of the Leucadia Town Council.
Well, the LTC has blown it's wad and picked a poor battle. By boycotting the parade they will now be forever filed into the PC liberal goofball category and no-one will pay attention to anything they say ever again.
They are making all of Leucadia look bad by acting on our behalf. Most Leucadians could probably care less what the parade is called.
Way to go hippies!
Parade History
What if they boycotted the parade by marching in it with signs saying boycott the parade? That would be sweet.
Well, the LTC has blown it's wad and picked a poor battle. By boycotting the parade they will now be forever filed into the PC liberal goofball category and no-one will pay attention to anything they say ever again.
They are making all of Leucadia look bad by acting on our behalf. Most Leucadians could probably care less what the parade is called.
Way to go hippies!
Parade History
What if they boycotted the parade by marching in it with signs saying boycott the parade? That would be sweet.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
It's a Christmas Parade Dude
Encinitas Mayor Dan Dalagher has used his extra special mayor powers to change the name of the city's annual "Holiday Parade" to "Christmas Parade."
KFMB website story
"I'm not terribly religious. I'm just sick and tired about everyone whining about things. You know ... there's an American holiday called Christmas, said Dalager.
Some people plan to boycott the parade.
What do think?
Bob Johnson, retired social worker
I support the city telling the Jews to go fuck themselves and banning them from the parade. I mean Hanukkah? What the hell is that anyway? And is it spelled with an H or a CH? Make up your minds already.
Harold Webster, systems analyst
I guess this means that the city council will adopt Christian morals and values and stop shafting us. No? Oh well.
Susan Goldstein, data entry
Mayor Dalagher should name the parade, "Seemingly Endless Amounts of Boy Scouts Marching For-Fucking-Ever While I Freeze My Ass Off On The Sidewalk Parade"
Rick Lemon, mechanic
I'm joining the boycott and by boycott I mean going to Hooter's with my buddy Earl and eating chicken wings and drinking beer.
Helen Frisket, retired school teacher
Mayor Dalagher said there is an American holiday called Christmas? Wow, does he know that Christmas is celebrated all around the world? I would like to hear from him about some more American holidays, like New Year's for example. This guy Dalagher isn't the sharpest tool in the shed is he? Get it? I said the sharpest tool in the shed because he owns a blade sharpening...oh, never mind.
KFMB website story
"I'm not terribly religious. I'm just sick and tired about everyone whining about things. You know ... there's an American holiday called Christmas, said Dalager.
Some people plan to boycott the parade.
What do think?
Bob Johnson, retired social worker
I support the city telling the Jews to go fuck themselves and banning them from the parade. I mean Hanukkah? What the hell is that anyway? And is it spelled with an H or a CH? Make up your minds already.
Harold Webster, systems analyst
I guess this means that the city council will adopt Christian morals and values and stop shafting us. No? Oh well.
Susan Goldstein, data entry
Mayor Dalagher should name the parade, "Seemingly Endless Amounts of Boy Scouts Marching For-Fucking-Ever While I Freeze My Ass Off On The Sidewalk Parade"
Rick Lemon, mechanic
I'm joining the boycott and by boycott I mean going to Hooter's with my buddy Earl and eating chicken wings and drinking beer.
Helen Frisket, retired school teacher
Mayor Dalagher said there is an American holiday called Christmas? Wow, does he know that Christmas is celebrated all around the world? I would like to hear from him about some more American holidays, like New Year's for example. This guy Dalagher isn't the sharpest tool in the shed is he? Get it? I said the sharpest tool in the shed because he owns a blade sharpening...oh, never mind.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Another Perfect Fall Day In Leucadia
Leucadians are pleased to announce that once again the weather is beyond perfect, people are out and about with smiling faces enjoying the best small town on Earth.
Yesterday evening as I ran down the Beacon's trail to surf the last dark lines of the day I passed two women in their late 50's. They held a steady stride and were chatting about their families. Classic Leucadians, they were dressed humble, no flash or glitter. They were healthy and enjoying life. They are archetypes of the Leucadia population.
Much to the chagrin of the interloper who wants to raze and change Leucadia, these women vote in numbers.
Developers from overseas may call these women grouchy, but they are not. They are savvy, educated and wise. They are enjoying every sunset and every lungful of air.
Leucadians are not grouchy, they just have their priorities straight. Here, family comes before corporate snake oil.
Leucadia "funky" stands for family and community.
Have a funky day.
Yesterday evening as I ran down the Beacon's trail to surf the last dark lines of the day I passed two women in their late 50's. They held a steady stride and were chatting about their families. Classic Leucadians, they were dressed humble, no flash or glitter. They were healthy and enjoying life. They are archetypes of the Leucadia population.
Much to the chagrin of the interloper who wants to raze and change Leucadia, these women vote in numbers.
Developers from overseas may call these women grouchy, but they are not. They are savvy, educated and wise. They are enjoying every sunset and every lungful of air.
Leucadians are not grouchy, they just have their priorities straight. Here, family comes before corporate snake oil.
Leucadia "funky" stands for family and community.
Have a funky day.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Thursday, November 17, 2005
4th Crossing Added for N. Leucadia
Sometimes it takes a little nudging but the city council will oil our squeaky wheels from time to time.
I threw a fit when North Leucadia (the blighted part) was overlooked for pedestrian train track crossings.
Last night the council approved ordering plans for a 4th crossing.
Thanks gang, now the kids who live in that part of town can safely get to the beach (just a reminder, we will need a crosswalk at the same location so once people are across the tracks they can get to the other side of the coast highway).
The price tag freaks me out though, from the NCT "The city must set aside $203,500 to pay for the design work, said Richard Phillips, assistant to the city manager.
The crossings may cost up to $4 million each to build and the city has not identified a funding source for construction."
Here is my idea free of charge, don't over design it. All we need is a ramp like they have at the Coaster station. We don't need tunnels or bridges, just a ramp. Maybe add a crossing guard like the ones at the street crossings or just a warning light that flashes when the train is approaching.
Seriously guys, I'm thinking like 5,000-8,000 for each one if you do it this way.
In other newz:
The public works yard contract was put on hold (those squeaky wheels again).
Now, where do we put this thing? I was thinking the hall property as Gilbert Foerster suggested.
But that kinda sucks, you say, we want the park!
Yeah, but that park is so over the top we can't even come close to paying for it. The council already explored selling some of it for housing. I seriously think that might be the best place to store our city vehicles. What other open land do we have?
I threw a fit when North Leucadia (the blighted part) was overlooked for pedestrian train track crossings.
Last night the council approved ordering plans for a 4th crossing.
Thanks gang, now the kids who live in that part of town can safely get to the beach (just a reminder, we will need a crosswalk at the same location so once people are across the tracks they can get to the other side of the coast highway).
The price tag freaks me out though, from the NCT "The city must set aside $203,500 to pay for the design work, said Richard Phillips, assistant to the city manager.
The crossings may cost up to $4 million each to build and the city has not identified a funding source for construction."
Here is my idea free of charge, don't over design it. All we need is a ramp like they have at the Coaster station. We don't need tunnels or bridges, just a ramp. Maybe add a crossing guard like the ones at the street crossings or just a warning light that flashes when the train is approaching.
Seriously guys, I'm thinking like 5,000-8,000 for each one if you do it this way.
In other newz:
The public works yard contract was put on hold (those squeaky wheels again).
Now, where do we put this thing? I was thinking the hall property as Gilbert Foerster suggested.
But that kinda sucks, you say, we want the park!
Yeah, but that park is so over the top we can't even come close to paying for it. The council already explored selling some of it for housing. I seriously think that might be the best place to store our city vehicles. What other open land do we have?
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Rosa Parks & Grading Permits?
My all time favorite North County Times guest columnist is of course, Mr. Michael D. Pattinson, CEO of Barratt American. His newest column is his greatest yet.
NCT link
He compares some meatsack out in the sticks who was too dense to get a grading permit to iconic American hero Rosa Parks.
Now, a grading permit IS a hassle, this is true. But what is a bigger hassle, getting a grading permit or going to court?
Pattinson refers to "college kids with earth shoes" (wtf?) as the main culprit here, but the fines were dished out by the San Diego Water Quality Office. Why do they care about grading permits? I'll tell you why:
A grading permit insures that your property doesn't drain into your neighbors yard. It insures that you contain as much excess water on your own property so it doesn't drain into the city stormdrain system (keep that illegal tax in mind people), but most importantly it insures that the site is compacted properly so that your future structure does not settle and your foundation cracks or worse, your structure sinks or collapses.
Mr. Pattinson and Barratt American seem to have issues with grading permits (see the drama at Sheridan and Andrew St). Yes, it's a hassle, especially when the Coastal Commission is involved, but man, if you just take it on the chin and wait you WILL get the permit in due time.
Bureaucracy is daunting but the seemingly endless codes and permits are there ultimately for safety. The irony is, if we didn't have building codes why would we need development companies like Barratt? We could just build everything willy nilly ourselves.
Rosa Parks dramatically changed the paradigm of America, to compare her to some guy playing around on a tractor is blasphemy.
The greatest American hero who ever lived, M.P.D.
NCT link
He compares some meatsack out in the sticks who was too dense to get a grading permit to iconic American hero Rosa Parks.
Now, a grading permit IS a hassle, this is true. But what is a bigger hassle, getting a grading permit or going to court?
Pattinson refers to "college kids with earth shoes" (wtf?) as the main culprit here, but the fines were dished out by the San Diego Water Quality Office. Why do they care about grading permits? I'll tell you why:
A grading permit insures that your property doesn't drain into your neighbors yard. It insures that you contain as much excess water on your own property so it doesn't drain into the city stormdrain system (keep that illegal tax in mind people), but most importantly it insures that the site is compacted properly so that your future structure does not settle and your foundation cracks or worse, your structure sinks or collapses.
Mr. Pattinson and Barratt American seem to have issues with grading permits (see the drama at Sheridan and Andrew St). Yes, it's a hassle, especially when the Coastal Commission is involved, but man, if you just take it on the chin and wait you WILL get the permit in due time.
Bureaucracy is daunting but the seemingly endless codes and permits are there ultimately for safety. The irony is, if we didn't have building codes why would we need development companies like Barratt? We could just build everything willy nilly ourselves.
Rosa Parks dramatically changed the paradigm of America, to compare her to some guy playing around on a tractor is blasphemy.
The greatest American hero who ever lived, M.P.D.
Cart Before Horse? The Public Works Yard
On the city council's agenda for the Wed. 16th meeting is a council vote to approve a big contract (over $400,000) for the design of the public works yard.
Does it make sense that they are going to spend this money prior
to swapping the land or getting a rezone.
What did I miss?
Was the city so confident that Prop A would pass that they put this issue on the agenda and forgot to take it off?
Or, are they awarding contracts without a site?
Does it make sense that they are going to spend this money prior
to swapping the land or getting a rezone.
What did I miss?
Was the city so confident that Prop A would pass that they put this issue on the agenda and forgot to take it off?
Or, are they awarding contracts without a site?
Saturday, November 12, 2005
People, Please NO MORE TAXES
Friends and neighbors please, don't be get scammed into giving this city any more or your cash. Five bucks a month ($60 a year) doesn't sound like a lot to give, especially when it is for a worthy cause like clean storm water runoff, but please don't do this.
SignOnSanDiego.com story
This is a Jedi mind trick, A FEE IS A TAX.
Read the UT story, the city has been illegally collecting this tax for some time now.
This city spends a hell of a lot of your money, my money, our money. This city council is rabidly consultant happy. This city takes in a lot of revenue and it loves to spend it. This city has a lot of ambitious pet projects that cost millions of dollars. YOUR dollars.
Never, ever vote in a fee. A fee is a tax.
But comon' man, you say, it's just five bucks.
Yes, just another five bucks. Then it will be just another five bucks. And then just another five bucks. Just like the last streetlight fee/scam this city will continue to nickel and dime you until the end of days.
Force the city to use the overflowing general fund more wisely. Force them to put on their thinking caps, don't let them worm out of this by simply charging you another five bucks (sixty bucks a year).
It doesn't rain 12 months of the year here my friends, keep that in mind.
SignOnSanDiego.com story
This is a Jedi mind trick, A FEE IS A TAX.
Read the UT story, the city has been illegally collecting this tax for some time now.
This city spends a hell of a lot of your money, my money, our money. This city council is rabidly consultant happy. This city takes in a lot of revenue and it loves to spend it. This city has a lot of ambitious pet projects that cost millions of dollars. YOUR dollars.
Never, ever vote in a fee. A fee is a tax.
But comon' man, you say, it's just five bucks.
Yes, just another five bucks. Then it will be just another five bucks. And then just another five bucks. Just like the last streetlight fee/scam this city will continue to nickel and dime you until the end of days.
Force the city to use the overflowing general fund more wisely. Force them to put on their thinking caps, don't let them worm out of this by simply charging you another five bucks (sixty bucks a year).
It doesn't rain 12 months of the year here my friends, keep that in mind.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
The Experts Can't Believe It
Among the city's 35,957 registered voters, 13,223, or 36.8 percent, participated in Tuesday's election. A 42 percent turnout had been predicted.
edit-there seems to be a lot of misinformation on the voting results. I suppose we won't know until the election is certified sometime in Dec.
The experts at the North County Times just can't believe what has happened. They have been punked by the free weekly coastal paper down the road and it stings.
The NCT, has printed an ill conceived whiny editorial accusing anti-prop A folks of just exporting sprawl to the surrounding areas.
link
This editorial reads like a Dad scolding his teenage son, "Don't you see what you are doing to your mother?"
Everyone is feeling really bad for their golf buddy Paul right now but even worse they have to face the harsh fact that their horse not only lost the race but it went lame and was shot dead and sent to the glue factory*.
The major players in this town were popping the champagne corks just a wee bit early in this one. Their indignant attitudes haven't changed though. I guess they learned nothing. It's too bad that the NCT is out of touch with the vibe of the town. Of course, that is apparent when the daily newspaper in a beach town keep using lame headlines like, "Local Surfer is Riding a Wave of Success." whenever they write about some local guy who just opened another smoothie stand/yoga studio.
The NCT and other supporters never could quite explain how more traffic was less traffic and more sprawl was less sprawl and we just couldn't take their word for it.
*Apologies for the use of such an old cliche'.
edit-there seems to be a lot of misinformation on the voting results. I suppose we won't know until the election is certified sometime in Dec.
The experts at the North County Times just can't believe what has happened. They have been punked by the free weekly coastal paper down the road and it stings.
The NCT, has printed an ill conceived whiny editorial accusing anti-prop A folks of just exporting sprawl to the surrounding areas.
link
This editorial reads like a Dad scolding his teenage son, "Don't you see what you are doing to your mother?"
Everyone is feeling really bad for their golf buddy Paul right now but even worse they have to face the harsh fact that their horse not only lost the race but it went lame and was shot dead and sent to the glue factory*.
The major players in this town were popping the champagne corks just a wee bit early in this one. Their indignant attitudes haven't changed though. I guess they learned nothing. It's too bad that the NCT is out of touch with the vibe of the town. Of course, that is apparent when the daily newspaper in a beach town keep using lame headlines like, "Local Surfer is Riding a Wave of Success." whenever they write about some local guy who just opened another smoothie stand/yoga studio.
The NCT and other supporters never could quite explain how more traffic was less traffic and more sprawl was less sprawl and we just couldn't take their word for it.
*Apologies for the use of such an old cliche'.
Tough Love for Ecke
To Paul Ecke III,
I know you feel like you got punched in the gut and I'm not totally unsympathetic, but trust me when I say this is for the best. One of the main problems I had with this whole rezone issue is that it seemed very uncreative to me. Yeah, building big ugly stucco McMansions is the way to make money these days but it just wasn't the right solution to your problem.
High energy cost is something that affects everyone and not just you. All business owners must deal with this issue. Your quote about not selling your own assets to save the business angered many small business owners in the area who were originally inclined to support you.
Energy cost fluctuate but the rezone would have been forever. Once those homes were built you were never going to get to farm that land again. I know this seems like a defeat but it really is an opportunity for you to reach down deep into your farming roots.
Paul, you should know that the NO votes were against the Carltas Corp and not so much you personally (I hope). Carltas are developers, you are a farmer. It is time to farm something. I guarantee in the decades to come you and your children would have regretted developing that land.
Your dilemma is unique in that it your solution would have adversely affected all of us. I supported your golf course and shopping center because I figured it was better than a Wal*Mart and face it, people around here love golf. However, we made a deal and that deal was more than a reasonable and decent one. When you are the big chief wealthy landowner in a small community everything you do has a domino effect. Your neighbors just couldn't fill in that yes bubble, they have already given you enough.
(Classic quote overhead at Potato Shack-"My wife already buys his damn flowers every Christmas, what more does he want?")
Paul, you spent a lot of money on the campaign and got hammered. Why? Your tactics were all wrong. You can't bully people into voting for your cause. You can't hold your father's charitable contributions over our heads like that. Everyone donates time and money to charity, not just Eckes.
Barratt American CEO, Michael D. Pattinson did untold harm to your cause and was this year's scary clown. His drunken editorials in the North County Times alienated a lot your old school supporters. His tirade against the 8 acres of parkland "stolen" from you and then later using that 8 acres as a leverage for a YES vote was transparent and downright insulting. I am convinced that if not for Pattinson's editorials that the vote would have been much closer.
With friends like these who needs enemies?
I still say that owning farm land is a blessing and not a curse. Some people would give anything to own farm land on the coast of California, especially in Encinitas. What a unique privilege your father left you.
I know you feel like you got punched in the gut and I'm not totally unsympathetic, but trust me when I say this is for the best. One of the main problems I had with this whole rezone issue is that it seemed very uncreative to me. Yeah, building big ugly stucco McMansions is the way to make money these days but it just wasn't the right solution to your problem.
High energy cost is something that affects everyone and not just you. All business owners must deal with this issue. Your quote about not selling your own assets to save the business angered many small business owners in the area who were originally inclined to support you.
Energy cost fluctuate but the rezone would have been forever. Once those homes were built you were never going to get to farm that land again. I know this seems like a defeat but it really is an opportunity for you to reach down deep into your farming roots.
Paul, you should know that the NO votes were against the Carltas Corp and not so much you personally (I hope). Carltas are developers, you are a farmer. It is time to farm something. I guarantee in the decades to come you and your children would have regretted developing that land.
Your dilemma is unique in that it your solution would have adversely affected all of us. I supported your golf course and shopping center because I figured it was better than a Wal*Mart and face it, people around here love golf. However, we made a deal and that deal was more than a reasonable and decent one. When you are the big chief wealthy landowner in a small community everything you do has a domino effect. Your neighbors just couldn't fill in that yes bubble, they have already given you enough.
(Classic quote overhead at Potato Shack-"My wife already buys his damn flowers every Christmas, what more does he want?")
Paul, you spent a lot of money on the campaign and got hammered. Why? Your tactics were all wrong. You can't bully people into voting for your cause. You can't hold your father's charitable contributions over our heads like that. Everyone donates time and money to charity, not just Eckes.
Barratt American CEO, Michael D. Pattinson did untold harm to your cause and was this year's scary clown. His drunken editorials in the North County Times alienated a lot your old school supporters. His tirade against the 8 acres of parkland "stolen" from you and then later using that 8 acres as a leverage for a YES vote was transparent and downright insulting. I am convinced that if not for Pattinson's editorials that the vote would have been much closer.
With friends like these who needs enemies?
I still say that owning farm land is a blessing and not a curse. Some people would give anything to own farm land on the coast of California, especially in Encinitas. What a unique privilege your father left you.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
What Is a Pasco Fiasco?
guest commentary by Kevin C.
It is Just an Extra $30 Million
The Encinitas City Council continues to bob around when it comes to Leucadia’s flooding. After decades of struggling with periodic flooding, residents along the 101 corridor were provided a $4+ million dollar solution in 2003. From several perspectives the project became a fiasco.
The system was either poorly designed or the City knew it was not up to the task from the outset (or, why are back at this so soon?). First consider that more competent engineering firms were available for the job. Unfortunately, other firms had fewer ties to politically connected insiders. The City’s current story is that the project did have a good design, but “we” didn’t ask for a system that meets our needs.
The first big storm to test the completed system occurred in 2003 and the flooding was terrible. Poor design coupled with poor execution and weak City oversight collided. The contractor did not install the backflow preventer valves and the City failed to ensure they were installed in time. The valves are necessary to ensure that the system does not cause a catastrophe.
Some credit the City Council for rushing in and hiring a new engineer. At great cost* to the City, the new engineer installed orifice plates at all the storm system’s intakes, which slow the entry of water into the system, which is evidence that the system was poorly conceived. Now we have well planned flooding.
Every time a storm hits Leucadia a small army of public servants shows up. Sheriff, public works, and fire departments block off streets and pump water away from the system (much of their work is overtime). Given the original project’s cost, perpetual storm event costs, and newly acquired political and legal liabilities to the City, it is not surprising that some Council Members were quick to put a spin on the failure.
The worst spin was the blame publicly proposed by Council Member Stocks (and others). During a Leucadia Town Council meeting, while Mayor Dalager was present, Stocks told the public that the original system did not live up to its sales pitch because the Coastal Commission had limited the size of the storm drain’s outfall into Batiquitos Lagoon. The Coastal Commission was to blame. But, it wasn’t long before that meeting that Mayor Dalager had told me that the City had gone to closed session regarding the project to discuss how to respond to the blunder. (Was the City liable for all the damage? How did they justify the closed session?) At that time, the Mayor did not mention the Coastal Commission as the problem.
Last December the Council moved to alleviate Leucadia’s flooding, again. At the cost of $290,000 the City hired a new engineering firm to design a $30 million storm drain system, with a bigger pipe. If the Coastal Commission squashed the first project, why should tax-payers spend money designing another that will be denied? The answer must be that the City Council is not worried about the Coastal Commission’s response. This is probably because it turns out that the Coastal Commission did not direct the City to install a small pipe. The response to my public records request provides evidence that the Coastal Commission did not limit the size of the pipe (although they did suggest we microtunnel and have outfalls at the beach, but we ignored that suggestion. We didn’t follow the real recommendations).
It is a brazen act that Council Member Stocks continues to take campaign contributions from the original engineering company’s employees even though they don’t report living in Encinitas. Maybe this helps explain why Stocks remains uninterested in explaining what really went wrong and why there appears to have been a blame-game cover-up.
The Council has failed to educate the public. We are left with a lot of concerns and questions. Why didn’t the City do the job right the first time? Why did the City pay the engineering contractor in full? How did the engineer get the contract in the first place (a touchy subject with some staff)? Why did the Council hire a new engineer? Why not tear out the current small pipe and replace it with a bigger one? How could the repair cost 6 times as much as the original project? Why can the City of San Diego lay storm drain for $1million a mile but it costs Encinitas $25 million a mile? When publicly and privately asked these questions, why won’t the Council answer? I hope they answer them tonight.
The details need to be understood by the public so that we can understand where all this tax money is going. This goal might be difficult to obtain because the Council is not publicly curious about what happened. So, the biggest question of all is, why doesn’t the Council act like they want to get to the bottom of this? Is it because they already know?
We shouldn’t have trusted this Council with the first project and we should not trust them with the newly proposed and overpriced $30 million dollar project, at least not until they are straight with the taxpayers. The first project was not promoted as a short-term fix. It now looks like we should call it “phase I” and the $30 million project “phase II.” Lets hope there is no phase III.
Kevin C.
I by no means wish to present myself as an expert on this blunder. I don’t think there is anyone outside the City that has much of a clue what went on, because the Council has not kept the public in the loop.
It is Just an Extra $30 Million
The Encinitas City Council continues to bob around when it comes to Leucadia’s flooding. After decades of struggling with periodic flooding, residents along the 101 corridor were provided a $4+ million dollar solution in 2003. From several perspectives the project became a fiasco.
The system was either poorly designed or the City knew it was not up to the task from the outset (or, why are back at this so soon?). First consider that more competent engineering firms were available for the job. Unfortunately, other firms had fewer ties to politically connected insiders. The City’s current story is that the project did have a good design, but “we” didn’t ask for a system that meets our needs.
The first big storm to test the completed system occurred in 2003 and the flooding was terrible. Poor design coupled with poor execution and weak City oversight collided. The contractor did not install the backflow preventer valves and the City failed to ensure they were installed in time. The valves are necessary to ensure that the system does not cause a catastrophe.
Some credit the City Council for rushing in and hiring a new engineer. At great cost* to the City, the new engineer installed orifice plates at all the storm system’s intakes, which slow the entry of water into the system, which is evidence that the system was poorly conceived. Now we have well planned flooding.
Every time a storm hits Leucadia a small army of public servants shows up. Sheriff, public works, and fire departments block off streets and pump water away from the system (much of their work is overtime). Given the original project’s cost, perpetual storm event costs, and newly acquired political and legal liabilities to the City, it is not surprising that some Council Members were quick to put a spin on the failure.
The worst spin was the blame publicly proposed by Council Member Stocks (and others). During a Leucadia Town Council meeting, while Mayor Dalager was present, Stocks told the public that the original system did not live up to its sales pitch because the Coastal Commission had limited the size of the storm drain’s outfall into Batiquitos Lagoon. The Coastal Commission was to blame. But, it wasn’t long before that meeting that Mayor Dalager had told me that the City had gone to closed session regarding the project to discuss how to respond to the blunder. (Was the City liable for all the damage? How did they justify the closed session?) At that time, the Mayor did not mention the Coastal Commission as the problem.
Last December the Council moved to alleviate Leucadia’s flooding, again. At the cost of $290,000 the City hired a new engineering firm to design a $30 million storm drain system, with a bigger pipe. If the Coastal Commission squashed the first project, why should tax-payers spend money designing another that will be denied? The answer must be that the City Council is not worried about the Coastal Commission’s response. This is probably because it turns out that the Coastal Commission did not direct the City to install a small pipe. The response to my public records request provides evidence that the Coastal Commission did not limit the size of the pipe (although they did suggest we microtunnel and have outfalls at the beach, but we ignored that suggestion. We didn’t follow the real recommendations).
It is a brazen act that Council Member Stocks continues to take campaign contributions from the original engineering company’s employees even though they don’t report living in Encinitas. Maybe this helps explain why Stocks remains uninterested in explaining what really went wrong and why there appears to have been a blame-game cover-up.
The Council has failed to educate the public. We are left with a lot of concerns and questions. Why didn’t the City do the job right the first time? Why did the City pay the engineering contractor in full? How did the engineer get the contract in the first place (a touchy subject with some staff)? Why did the Council hire a new engineer? Why not tear out the current small pipe and replace it with a bigger one? How could the repair cost 6 times as much as the original project? Why can the City of San Diego lay storm drain for $1million a mile but it costs Encinitas $25 million a mile? When publicly and privately asked these questions, why won’t the Council answer? I hope they answer them tonight.
The details need to be understood by the public so that we can understand where all this tax money is going. This goal might be difficult to obtain because the Council is not publicly curious about what happened. So, the biggest question of all is, why doesn’t the Council act like they want to get to the bottom of this? Is it because they already know?
We shouldn’t have trusted this Council with the first project and we should not trust them with the newly proposed and overpriced $30 million dollar project, at least not until they are straight with the taxpayers. The first project was not promoted as a short-term fix. It now looks like we should call it “phase I” and the $30 million project “phase II.” Lets hope there is no phase III.
Kevin C.
I by no means wish to present myself as an expert on this blunder. I don’t think there is anyone outside the City that has much of a clue what went on, because the Council has not kept the public in the loop.
Holy Crap!
North County Times website reporting results: link
PROP A-CITY OF ENCINITAS Rezone Ecke Ranch Land
Precincts: 47
Counted: 47
Percentage: 100.0%
Vote for: 1
NO
12006
65.39%
YES
6355
34.61%
A total vote count of 18,361.
Sooooo, um...I guess people really did want to keep flowers in Encinitas?
*The Yes on A camp spent $187,000 and got 6,355 votes. That is $29.43 a vote.
The No on A camp spent $14,000 and got 12,006 votes. That is $1.17 a vote.
PROP A-CITY OF ENCINITAS Rezone Ecke Ranch Land
Precincts: 47
Counted: 47
Percentage: 100.0%
Vote for: 1
NO
12006
65.39%
YES
6355
34.61%
A total vote count of 18,361.
Sooooo, um...I guess people really did want to keep flowers in Encinitas?
*The Yes on A camp spent $187,000 and got 6,355 votes. That is $29.43 a vote.
The No on A camp spent $14,000 and got 12,006 votes. That is $1.17 a vote.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Flooding Back in Prime Time
Click the headline, it is a link that will take you to a new NCT Adam Kaye article on Leucadia flooding.
Attend the city council meeting Wed. Nov. 9th 6 pm.
I know, I know. The city council meetings are worse than boring. Yes, I feel like my soul is being sucked straight out of my body at those things. But, if you live in Leucadia you will want to check this out. Some residents will no doubt get up and speak.
The city is pursuing the big pipe. I keep talking to people in the know, retired water district workers and such, and everyone ask me the same thing, "Why doesn't the city of Encinitas just do micro-tunneling through the cliffs? It is cheaper and more efficient." they say.
I dunno, they are super gung-ho on this giant expensive pipe for some reason.
I predict that the flooding topic won't come up until very late because they know that people want to go home and watch Lost. Bad news, we got TIVO!
Attend the city council meeting Wed. Nov. 9th 6 pm.
I know, I know. The city council meetings are worse than boring. Yes, I feel like my soul is being sucked straight out of my body at those things. But, if you live in Leucadia you will want to check this out. Some residents will no doubt get up and speak.
The city is pursuing the big pipe. I keep talking to people in the know, retired water district workers and such, and everyone ask me the same thing, "Why doesn't the city of Encinitas just do micro-tunneling through the cliffs? It is cheaper and more efficient." they say.
I dunno, they are super gung-ho on this giant expensive pipe for some reason.
I predict that the flooding topic won't come up until very late because they know that people want to go home and watch Lost. Bad news, we got TIVO!
Monday, November 07, 2005
Gil Foerster Sticks His Neck Out
One of the most compelling things about this whole Prop A Ecke drama has been flower grower Gilbert Foerster's outspokenness.
He has really been sticking his neck out. He has taken out a series of full page No on A ads in the Coast News at his own expense. They are intelligent, well written and have been a breath of fresh air in this whole stinky mess.
The Wiegand family seems more upset with Mr. Foerster than the Eckes. I'm sure all these growers had personal friendships before Prop A. You have to hand it to Mr. Foerster for speaking the truth despite the future personal consequences.
I respect Mr. Foerster for taking issue and speaking out. His arguments have been the most logical and level headed. I highly suggest reading them before voting tomorrow.
Gil gets it.
He has really been sticking his neck out. He has taken out a series of full page No on A ads in the Coast News at his own expense. They are intelligent, well written and have been a breath of fresh air in this whole stinky mess.
The Wiegand family seems more upset with Mr. Foerster than the Eckes. I'm sure all these growers had personal friendships before Prop A. You have to hand it to Mr. Foerster for speaking the truth despite the future personal consequences.
I respect Mr. Foerster for taking issue and speaking out. His arguments have been the most logical and level headed. I highly suggest reading them before voting tomorrow.
Gil gets it.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Light Snack for Thought
Bianca Kaplanek writes an opinion column for the Coast News called Food for Thought.
Here is her recent piece that made me sarcastically roll my eyes so far back in my head that I went temporarily blind. link
Bianca seems like a nice enough person but her delicate yuppie sensibilities are hilarious. I get the impression that she would like all of north county to look like the Carlsbad outlet mall, probably the most sanitized environment in these parts.
She is okay with declaring the Ponto area "blighted" not understanding that she is endorsing the government seizing private property and selling it to corporate interest.
Sure, the big wood pile is unsightly and the "wood not for sale" spraypainted sign is a cryptic message to passing motorist.
(The wood is not for sale because it is drying out. Eventually it will be sold as firewood to tourist in the local campgrounds, duh).
For the love of god Firewood Man, build a giant fence or plant some trees or shrubs! Don't you see that the yuppies just can't deal with the big pile of wood? You are scaring the hell out of poor Bianca. She can't see past the big pile of wood and notice the really cool hotrods you are restoring this month. She can't possibly look the other way or keep her eyes on the road. Your big pile of wood is just too distracting. She and others are happy to strip you of your basic human rights just so the 3 seconds they spend driving past your property will be more pleasant.
quote from article: Greenhouses, like Mick Jagger and pit bulls, are not, by nature, pleasant to look at. But the products of greenhouses (and Jagger, some would argue) are so beautiful that we tolerate them. It's a perfect example of the end justifying the means. But when greenhouses, like those on Saxony, are abandoned and left in despair, they become unsightly and end up targets for vandalism and graffiti.
Bianca like many others are getting hoodwinked here. It is just like the recent situation in Leucadia. The city purposely let Leucadia get rundown while focusing all the tax money into the heart of Encinitas. Then, when it was shabby enough they tried to declare it blighted and seize it.
It didn't work.
So by her logic, instead of letting the Eckes develope the farm land the city should declare it blighted and seize it for themselves.
The Ecke camp don't like that idea so much eh?
Bianca says she grew up in the 60's and 70's. Her current attitude is similar to Union Tribune columnist Logan Jenkins. They both have this "I'm really tired and worn out and can no longer fight city hall because I smoked way too much dope back in college so yeah this sucks but what are ya gunna do about it so you might as well let the fat cats win. *shrug*" kind of demeanor.
People like Bianca Kalpanek need to be careful when they speak out publicly about what is unsightly and what is not. These are vapid times we live in. It is hard to tell from that postage stamp photo of her in the paper but those teeth look a little crooked to me.
Now, I think a slightly crooked smile can add character and charm to a person. But most folks in new millennium Encinitas might declare Bianca's mouth blighted and slap some braces on her grill.
Ty Paddington, know any good dentist?
Here is her recent piece that made me sarcastically roll my eyes so far back in my head that I went temporarily blind. link
Bianca seems like a nice enough person but her delicate yuppie sensibilities are hilarious. I get the impression that she would like all of north county to look like the Carlsbad outlet mall, probably the most sanitized environment in these parts.
She is okay with declaring the Ponto area "blighted" not understanding that she is endorsing the government seizing private property and selling it to corporate interest.
Sure, the big wood pile is unsightly and the "wood not for sale" spraypainted sign is a cryptic message to passing motorist.
(The wood is not for sale because it is drying out. Eventually it will be sold as firewood to tourist in the local campgrounds, duh).
For the love of god Firewood Man, build a giant fence or plant some trees or shrubs! Don't you see that the yuppies just can't deal with the big pile of wood? You are scaring the hell out of poor Bianca. She can't see past the big pile of wood and notice the really cool hotrods you are restoring this month. She can't possibly look the other way or keep her eyes on the road. Your big pile of wood is just too distracting. She and others are happy to strip you of your basic human rights just so the 3 seconds they spend driving past your property will be more pleasant.
quote from article: Greenhouses, like Mick Jagger and pit bulls, are not, by nature, pleasant to look at. But the products of greenhouses (and Jagger, some would argue) are so beautiful that we tolerate them. It's a perfect example of the end justifying the means. But when greenhouses, like those on Saxony, are abandoned and left in despair, they become unsightly and end up targets for vandalism and graffiti.
Bianca like many others are getting hoodwinked here. It is just like the recent situation in Leucadia. The city purposely let Leucadia get rundown while focusing all the tax money into the heart of Encinitas. Then, when it was shabby enough they tried to declare it blighted and seize it.
It didn't work.
So by her logic, instead of letting the Eckes develope the farm land the city should declare it blighted and seize it for themselves.
The Ecke camp don't like that idea so much eh?
Bianca says she grew up in the 60's and 70's. Her current attitude is similar to Union Tribune columnist Logan Jenkins. They both have this "I'm really tired and worn out and can no longer fight city hall because I smoked way too much dope back in college so yeah this sucks but what are ya gunna do about it so you might as well let the fat cats win. *shrug*" kind of demeanor.
People like Bianca Kalpanek need to be careful when they speak out publicly about what is unsightly and what is not. These are vapid times we live in. It is hard to tell from that postage stamp photo of her in the paper but those teeth look a little crooked to me.
Now, I think a slightly crooked smile can add character and charm to a person. But most folks in new millennium Encinitas might declare Bianca's mouth blighted and slap some braces on her grill.
Ty Paddington, know any good dentist?
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
$$$ vs. $
The Yes on A campaign has spent $186,000
The No on A campaign has spent $13,000
Seven more days until the election.
ELECTION IS NOV 8TH
Voter Info Link
The No on A campaign has spent $13,000
Seven more days until the election.
ELECTION IS NOV 8TH
Voter Info Link
Monday, October 31, 2005
"It’s Frightening" Happy Halloween!
From Rock My Car Dot Com link
It’s not about money
Ecke proponents dodge the real issues
October 28th, 2005
“I’m not going to sell my assets to save this business,” Paul Ecke III told the Union-Tribune recently. “It would be foolish to do that.”
If it would be foolish for Ecke to sell assets to save his poinsettia ranch, then it’s insane for the city to give up its assets to do the same. If he won’t, then neither should we.
Ecke and his crew pushing Proposition A — which asks the city to rezone half of his land to make room for 101 houses — have said opponents are hung up on the load of cash the Ecke family has amassed over the years. “To grade me on how much in assets I have is ridiculous,” Ecke said. “It’s frightening that a successful businessman is being attacked.”
The Union-Tribune, in yet another display that the paper has no grasp on what happens north of Highway 52, joined the fray in an editorial — accusing the “No on A” crowd of being envious and attempting to bilk Ecke Ranch for more than the proposed 8-acre park. Where did they get that?
The opposition to Prop. A is not about Ecke’s bank account. It’s not really about the flowers, either. We’re not after any more from Ecke or his ranch, and we’re not attacking him because of his success.
It’s about preserving one of the last pieces of agriculturally zoned land in the city for something other than houses. Most of the nursery and farming facilities in Encinitas are operating on land already zoned for residential. Some day very soon those greenhouses will be homes.
In an area overrun by sprawl, the remaining land zoned for agriculture is a jewel, an asset to the city. In fact, Ecke agreed to keep that land as agricultural in 1994.
Ecke says he needs the profits from the housing development to modernize his farm. Opponents have asked him to prove it — and rightly so.
When college students apply for government loans, they have to prove their need. The same is true for people who apply for Medicare, welfare or any other government subsidy.
That’s the only reason money is in this debate. We don’t fault Ecke for his success. But he is asking the residents of Encinitas to give up a city asset to “save” his business. It’s only right that we should ask him to verify his need.
The attempt by the Union-Tribune, Ecke and the “Yes on A” folks to obfuscate the real issues surrounding Proposition A is shameless, and you shouldn’t be fooled.
They’re only trying to distract attention from the fact that the ranch won’t show us that it really needs to develop the land to remain competitive. They’re dodging the fact that Ecke refuses to use his own assets.
After all, if Ecke won’t use his resources to “save” his business, then why should we?
It’s not about money
Ecke proponents dodge the real issues
October 28th, 2005
“I’m not going to sell my assets to save this business,” Paul Ecke III told the Union-Tribune recently. “It would be foolish to do that.”
If it would be foolish for Ecke to sell assets to save his poinsettia ranch, then it’s insane for the city to give up its assets to do the same. If he won’t, then neither should we.
Ecke and his crew pushing Proposition A — which asks the city to rezone half of his land to make room for 101 houses — have said opponents are hung up on the load of cash the Ecke family has amassed over the years. “To grade me on how much in assets I have is ridiculous,” Ecke said. “It’s frightening that a successful businessman is being attacked.”
The Union-Tribune, in yet another display that the paper has no grasp on what happens north of Highway 52, joined the fray in an editorial — accusing the “No on A” crowd of being envious and attempting to bilk Ecke Ranch for more than the proposed 8-acre park. Where did they get that?
The opposition to Prop. A is not about Ecke’s bank account. It’s not really about the flowers, either. We’re not after any more from Ecke or his ranch, and we’re not attacking him because of his success.
It’s about preserving one of the last pieces of agriculturally zoned land in the city for something other than houses. Most of the nursery and farming facilities in Encinitas are operating on land already zoned for residential. Some day very soon those greenhouses will be homes.
In an area overrun by sprawl, the remaining land zoned for agriculture is a jewel, an asset to the city. In fact, Ecke agreed to keep that land as agricultural in 1994.
Ecke says he needs the profits from the housing development to modernize his farm. Opponents have asked him to prove it — and rightly so.
When college students apply for government loans, they have to prove their need. The same is true for people who apply for Medicare, welfare or any other government subsidy.
That’s the only reason money is in this debate. We don’t fault Ecke for his success. But he is asking the residents of Encinitas to give up a city asset to “save” his business. It’s only right that we should ask him to verify his need.
The attempt by the Union-Tribune, Ecke and the “Yes on A” folks to obfuscate the real issues surrounding Proposition A is shameless, and you shouldn’t be fooled.
They’re only trying to distract attention from the fact that the ranch won’t show us that it really needs to develop the land to remain competitive. They’re dodging the fact that Ecke refuses to use his own assets.
After all, if Ecke won’t use his resources to “save” his business, then why should we?
Friday, October 28, 2005
US Troops to Ecke, Where is Our Body Armor?
In a tightly controlled forum where Paul Ecke III was able to pick and choose pre- written questions about his proposed rezone of agricultural land he fumbled when a brazen soldier stood and asked why his unit had still not received body armor.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
NCT Poised to Make $14422.80 Off Prop A
The NCT has run an editorial supporting Prop A. link
Why? Because 101 new homes means 101 potential new subscribers.
A subscription to the NCT is $11.90 a month, that's $142.80 a year.
101 x 142.80 = $14422.80
That doesn't even include future garage sale ads!
Why? Because 101 new homes means 101 potential new subscribers.
A subscription to the NCT is $11.90 a month, that's $142.80 a year.
101 x 142.80 = $14422.80
That doesn't even include future garage sale ads!
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
NO DJ's OR DANCING ALLOWED IN ENC ?!?
This photo was taken before the boring lame people took over the town.
You may have noticed that the bar/restaurant in our beloved historic La Paloma building is turning over to yet another owner.
First, good riddance to Martini Ranch I say. I pretty much hated that whole scene.
Unfortunately, some of the things I hated about Martini Ranch will remain and in some ways the new place may be worse.
NCT link
I have a personal hatred for hangouts with 50 television screens. Keep that crap in the sports bars. The very name "Martini Ranch" brought visions of sipping martinis and having intelligent conversation while listening to some jazz or Sinatra or something. Instead it was bad potato widgits, ESPN and decade old surf videos.
"At least the Martini Ranch had live DJ's spinning records sometimes", you say. Well, our sleepy city has adopted the fascist attitude that all music must be on CDs and listened to in your own home. Forget about art or self expression.
The license allows up to three musicians to perform but with no amplification, including microphones. Up to six video games are allowed, but pool tables are not.
Dude, I'm stoked we can play Golden Tee but these longhairs with their acoustic guitars are really disturbing my enjoyment of Monday Night Football.
Now, Martini Ranch had a bad habit of hiring lazy and untalented DJ's and ignoring the local talent pool. (Many people are completely unaware that several prominent club DJ's have grown up in Leucadia. One of them will be spinning records in New York this weekend). But at the very least we had one establishment to patronize that had a little something to check out.
Encinitas is the ultimate yuppie town. The median age of our population is 36. That leaves tons of young people who love alternative music (not top 40 baby boomer radio) and dancing and literally have no place to dance or just hang out and groove to music. Just because councilman Jim Bond wants to go to bed early doesn't mean we have too.
The film Footloose was about a new guy who moved into a town that banned fun but when it turned out that Jesus liked to dance sometimes the town elders gave in.
I laughed when I read "no wet t-shirt contest". Isn't that just some lame urban myth from the 1970's?
One of the new rules is that food sales must be higher than booze sales. How the heck do you regulate that? A 2 drink limit with every cheeseburger?
So, the new D-St Bar&Grill will have lots of tee-vees to watch and chicken wings to eat. This is unique how?
At least it's not another Italian place right?
No more vinyl, that's final!
Monday, October 24, 2005
Rebuild the Greenhouses!
Rebuild the Greenhouses is a very important grassroots campaign. Our dear friend Paul Ecke III doesn't have the money to rebuild his greenhouses. They are in a shabby state of disrepair and Christmas is just around the corner, prime poinsettia time.
If you want to help poor Paul rebuild his greenhouses vote NO on Prop A in the upcoming November election and send a donation to:
Encinitas Taxpayers Association
P. O. Box 46
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007
write "Paul III is #1" in the memo space of your check.
If you want to help poor Paul rebuild his greenhouses vote NO on Prop A in the upcoming November election and send a donation to:
Encinitas Taxpayers Association
P. O. Box 46
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007
write "Paul III is #1" in the memo space of your check.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Those Wacky 8 Acres!
It's possible that the funniest part of the Ecke Prop. A drama are those 8 acres of "parkland".
At first Ecke felt like he was getting ripped off when the city came up with the 8 acre compromise. Ecke's buddy, Michael D. Pattinson wrote an angry commentary to the North County Times about it. link
City plans allowed 200 homes on the Ecke land. City planners thought 100 were better. The Eckes agreed, but it was a Hobson's choice: Agree, or lose all economic use of the land.
So much for property rights.
Then city staffers came up with a brainstorm: Since they had eliminated 100 homes from the plan, that meant there was that much more land left to take, I mean, set aside. So they grabbed another eight acres. And the city didn't pay a penny for it.
Of course now those 8 acres are being touted by the Ecke camp as this really awesome generous thing they are doing for us.
Dietmar Rothe offered this up in the NCT on Sunday link.
The people would not automatically get a fully developed park. There is much confusion about this gift. Ecke would give the city eight acres that are no longer protected as "agricultural land in perpetuity." You, the taxpayer, would have to pay for the park's development, if and when the city approves it. There is no guarantee that these acres will ever be developed into a park for all. The city could choose to develop that "gift" into more affordable housing instead. Alternatively, Mello-Roos taxes could be collected from future homeowners on the other 30 acres to develop the land into their own private neighborhood park.
No Future For My Favorite Building in ENC
Okay, drifting away from Leucadia today towards downtown Encinitas.
I swear I am the kiss of death around here. NCT link
If I love a certain open space someone will build a hotel on it. If I love a certain building it will get torn down.
The old newspaper building on the coast highway in the heart of downtown is far and away my favorite building in this town (well, I love the little metal building on E St. that was the Redsand clothing store and coffee shop just as much).
Maybe I just have an affection for cool industrial metal buildings, they are so rare in this land of stucco and red Spanish tile.
So I am dismayed to learn that the building will be torn down.
I do support mixed use, I like the idea of a grocery store in downtown Encinitas. That has been a major void in that area for the last few years.
Underground parking is a good idea, I assume it will be a pay lot though.
I am really against any corporate chains going into downtown Encinitas. I know Crate & Barrel seems fairly harmless but they could just kill the other little boutiques in the area. The city needs to talk with these other small business owners before going forward on that.
But man, I am really nervous about the new building. Mixed use sounds groovy but the great fear is getting a horrific mixed use building like the one that just went in on the coast highway in north Carlsbad. All bling bling and no substance.
I would love to see the building built in the spirit on the existing one but I believe that the city forbids any new metal buildings.
Why? Because we are a yuppie suckhole, that's why.
Volleyball dude Steve Timmons is current co-owner of the building. Remember when he wanted to fight Mike Tyson?
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Orrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!
The NCT published a letter from the Leucadia Cares folks in response to Oceanside political lobbyist Jack Orr's "Red Shirts" column. They pretty much bitch slap him.
link
link to Orr's commentary
The letters to the editor section of the NCT is great because it's filled with people taking sniper shots at each other and it takes days if not weeks for the drama to unfold.
link
link to Orr's commentary
The letters to the editor section of the NCT is great because it's filled with people taking sniper shots at each other and it takes days if not weeks for the drama to unfold.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Ms. Beak Nails It
My all time favorite columnist in San Diego, the mysterious Ms. Beak, calls out Ecke and the city council. Classic.
Encinitas calls itself the “Flower Capital of the World,” which confuses many visitors. After all, even the most brain-dead ’Zonie knows the famous flower fields are actually in Carlsbad. The only overt sign of flowers in Encinitas are the buckets of plastic-wrapped roses for sale in the local 7-Eleven.
Encinitas proclaims itself the “Flower Capital of World” primarily due its status as the home to the Paul Ecke Ranch, the company that almost single-handedly turned poinsettias into an annoying Christmas tradition.
More than 70 percent of the poinsettias grown in North America and more than 50 percent of the poinsettias sold worldwide originate at the Ecke Ranch, according to the company. So maybe Flower Capital of the World is a bit of reach, but at the very least the city could legitimately call itself the Poinsettia Capital of the World.
But there is a wee bit of a problem. The Eckes say they can no longer afford to compete in the cutthroat flower biz unless they upgrade their facilities and “modernize” their greenhouses. To raise money, they want the city to allow them to build more than 200 houses on some of their land zoned for agriculture.
Cutting through the fertilizer, the Eckes are, in fact, simply pointing out that growing condos in Encinitas is far more profitable than growing flowers.
The Eckes’ operation is based on choice land on the hillside just east of I-5, the type of location that makes for developer wet dreams. When the family first moved to the area in 1923, Encinitas was just another dot on the map, a cool place to surf and camp on the beach. There was no interstate, never mind a Taco Bell.
Needless to say, that was long ago, as anyone who has driven Encinitas Boulevard on a Friday night can attest. The Ecke property is now smack dab in the middle of one of the hottest real-estate markets south of Irvine, a thriving metropolis of tract homes, fast food chains, Super Target stores and swell car washes.
To a very large degree, the Eckes have already cashed in on the rush to pave Encinitas. In the mid-’90s they sold off 850 acres of prime hillside land that was carved into a sea of stucco, shopping centers and various city-approved recreational facilities. At the time, they whined about “saving the ranch,” arguing that unless they could plant more townhomes, the flower business might have to move to, say, Fallbrook. Apparently the millions they earned off that deal wasn’t enough, and now the Eckes are once again tossing out the sob story.
In essence, they’re saying that developing the land is the only way to raise capital to save the poinsettia business. They can’t get a bank loan. They can’t run up the old credit card. They absolutely must build more than 200 houses on one of the last greenbelts left in the area, or the Ecke Ranch will go bye-bye.
Since the Ecke Ranch is a private company and doesn’t release any details, the city will have to take the Eckes’ word that times are real tough in the poinsettia game, despite the family’s dominance of the industry.
Much like the Chargers and Padres, the Eckes say they are committed to staying in town—even while they’re threatening to leave if they don’t get their way. They also play the “jobs card,” noting as often as possible that the ranch employs more than 300 employees “during peak seasons,” making it “one of the largest private employers in north San Diego County.”
The Eckes don’t explain how many people they employ outside “peak seasons,” nor how many of those employees are “poinsettia waterers.” But even if the plans are approved, the Eckes’ poinsettia operation will dwindle to a skimpy 20 acres, and it certainly won’t create new jobs or grow the all-mighty tax base.
In other words, the Eckes’ core business these days is really land development. No matter how they spin it, their motivation to “raise capital” is the same as every other developer who would like to “raise capital” by turning farmland into a row of duplexes. The Eckes are simply using the flower business as a front, asking for special favors in order to subsidize a less profitable aspect of their business. It’s the same as Alex Spanos asking for a variance to build apartments on city controlled open space simply because the Chargers suck.
Any other landowner in Encinitas would have to get on all fours and squeal like a pig to get prime land rezoned for another grove of stucco palaces. After all, city leaders hold all the cards in these little poker tourneys.
The smart move would be for the city to tell the Eckes, “Eat me.” Save the land. Make ’em sweat. If the Eckes really need the big payday, they’ll come back with a better plan, one that might actually help the city’s quality of life.
Instead, the Encinitas city leaders are negotiating like crack ’hos desperate for a fix. They’re fast-tracking the project, rubber-stamping every new development proposal from the Eckes, pursuing the same shrewd community planning strategy that turned the El Camino Real corridor into a clogged land of Long John Silver franchises.
If they keep it up, no one will call it the “Flower Capital of the World” anymore, even if the Eckes keep their operation alive. Heck, they won’t even call it Encinitas. It will be known simply as “South Tustin.”
Encinitas calls itself the “Flower Capital of the World,” which confuses many visitors. After all, even the most brain-dead ’Zonie knows the famous flower fields are actually in Carlsbad. The only overt sign of flowers in Encinitas are the buckets of plastic-wrapped roses for sale in the local 7-Eleven.
Encinitas proclaims itself the “Flower Capital of World” primarily due its status as the home to the Paul Ecke Ranch, the company that almost single-handedly turned poinsettias into an annoying Christmas tradition.
More than 70 percent of the poinsettias grown in North America and more than 50 percent of the poinsettias sold worldwide originate at the Ecke Ranch, according to the company. So maybe Flower Capital of the World is a bit of reach, but at the very least the city could legitimately call itself the Poinsettia Capital of the World.
But there is a wee bit of a problem. The Eckes say they can no longer afford to compete in the cutthroat flower biz unless they upgrade their facilities and “modernize” their greenhouses. To raise money, they want the city to allow them to build more than 200 houses on some of their land zoned for agriculture.
Cutting through the fertilizer, the Eckes are, in fact, simply pointing out that growing condos in Encinitas is far more profitable than growing flowers.
The Eckes’ operation is based on choice land on the hillside just east of I-5, the type of location that makes for developer wet dreams. When the family first moved to the area in 1923, Encinitas was just another dot on the map, a cool place to surf and camp on the beach. There was no interstate, never mind a Taco Bell.
Needless to say, that was long ago, as anyone who has driven Encinitas Boulevard on a Friday night can attest. The Ecke property is now smack dab in the middle of one of the hottest real-estate markets south of Irvine, a thriving metropolis of tract homes, fast food chains, Super Target stores and swell car washes.
To a very large degree, the Eckes have already cashed in on the rush to pave Encinitas. In the mid-’90s they sold off 850 acres of prime hillside land that was carved into a sea of stucco, shopping centers and various city-approved recreational facilities. At the time, they whined about “saving the ranch,” arguing that unless they could plant more townhomes, the flower business might have to move to, say, Fallbrook. Apparently the millions they earned off that deal wasn’t enough, and now the Eckes are once again tossing out the sob story.
In essence, they’re saying that developing the land is the only way to raise capital to save the poinsettia business. They can’t get a bank loan. They can’t run up the old credit card. They absolutely must build more than 200 houses on one of the last greenbelts left in the area, or the Ecke Ranch will go bye-bye.
Since the Ecke Ranch is a private company and doesn’t release any details, the city will have to take the Eckes’ word that times are real tough in the poinsettia game, despite the family’s dominance of the industry.
Much like the Chargers and Padres, the Eckes say they are committed to staying in town—even while they’re threatening to leave if they don’t get their way. They also play the “jobs card,” noting as often as possible that the ranch employs more than 300 employees “during peak seasons,” making it “one of the largest private employers in north San Diego County.”
The Eckes don’t explain how many people they employ outside “peak seasons,” nor how many of those employees are “poinsettia waterers.” But even if the plans are approved, the Eckes’ poinsettia operation will dwindle to a skimpy 20 acres, and it certainly won’t create new jobs or grow the all-mighty tax base.
In other words, the Eckes’ core business these days is really land development. No matter how they spin it, their motivation to “raise capital” is the same as every other developer who would like to “raise capital” by turning farmland into a row of duplexes. The Eckes are simply using the flower business as a front, asking for special favors in order to subsidize a less profitable aspect of their business. It’s the same as Alex Spanos asking for a variance to build apartments on city controlled open space simply because the Chargers suck.
Any other landowner in Encinitas would have to get on all fours and squeal like a pig to get prime land rezoned for another grove of stucco palaces. After all, city leaders hold all the cards in these little poker tourneys.
The smart move would be for the city to tell the Eckes, “Eat me.” Save the land. Make ’em sweat. If the Eckes really need the big payday, they’ll come back with a better plan, one that might actually help the city’s quality of life.
Instead, the Encinitas city leaders are negotiating like crack ’hos desperate for a fix. They’re fast-tracking the project, rubber-stamping every new development proposal from the Eckes, pursuing the same shrewd community planning strategy that turned the El Camino Real corridor into a clogged land of Long John Silver franchises.
If they keep it up, no one will call it the “Flower Capital of the World” anymore, even if the Eckes keep their operation alive. Heck, they won’t even call it Encinitas. It will be known simply as “South Tustin.”
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
The Short Term Rental Drama
The short term rental ban is in the news again NCT link
I personally have no problem with people renting out beach houses. There were complaints about noise and partying, mostly from the Sea Bluff condos (which is ironic because when I was in high school some of the most gnarly parties I had ever seen where held there. "The cops can't get through the gate." explained some coked out knucklehead in a fluro pink t-shirt with matching Oakley blade sunglasses).
The motels and hotels may complain but if you are a nice proper Midwest family where would you rather stay, in a cool 4 bedroom beach house right on Neptune or cram the whole family in one room of one of our ratty motels?
An argument against the rental ban is that it denies people access to the beach. I guess I follow that flimsy logic, sort of.
You would think an anti-social guy like me would support the ban but I've never had it out for tourist. I have nothing against tourist. In fact thank gawd for all those tourist bringing out their cute daughters back in the day (the local girls would have nothing to do with me).
Also, tourist eat out a lot thus supporting the local restaraunts that we all love. This is a good thing.
Somebody brought up the new hotel going in. Oh gee, you mean the $400 a night hotel?
I don't see a lot of families going for that.
I understand that the city council wants to avoid us becoming a full on rental/transient type of beach town but I just don't see that happening.
So here is how it breaks down as I see it:
Couples book hotel rooms.
Families get beach houses.
So I guess we can conclude that the Encinitas city council hates the American family. You know who else hates the American family? OSAMA BIN LADEN, that's who!
I support banning things.
I personally have no problem with people renting out beach houses. There were complaints about noise and partying, mostly from the Sea Bluff condos (which is ironic because when I was in high school some of the most gnarly parties I had ever seen where held there. "The cops can't get through the gate." explained some coked out knucklehead in a fluro pink t-shirt with matching Oakley blade sunglasses).
The motels and hotels may complain but if you are a nice proper Midwest family where would you rather stay, in a cool 4 bedroom beach house right on Neptune or cram the whole family in one room of one of our ratty motels?
An argument against the rental ban is that it denies people access to the beach. I guess I follow that flimsy logic, sort of.
You would think an anti-social guy like me would support the ban but I've never had it out for tourist. I have nothing against tourist. In fact thank gawd for all those tourist bringing out their cute daughters back in the day (the local girls would have nothing to do with me).
Also, tourist eat out a lot thus supporting the local restaraunts that we all love. This is a good thing.
Somebody brought up the new hotel going in. Oh gee, you mean the $400 a night hotel?
I don't see a lot of families going for that.
I understand that the city council wants to avoid us becoming a full on rental/transient type of beach town but I just don't see that happening.
So here is how it breaks down as I see it:
Couples book hotel rooms.
Families get beach houses.
So I guess we can conclude that the Encinitas city council hates the American family. You know who else hates the American family? OSAMA BIN LADEN, that's who!
I support banning things.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
City Council Unearths Magical Zoning Amulet
After years spent poring over mysterious and arcane plat sheets and deciphering long-forgotten building codes, the Encinitas city council unearthed the mysterious City Zoning Amulet Friday.
"Behold!" Jerome Stocks shouted, holding aloft the solid-gold amulet, which is emblazoned with the Ever-Evaluating Eye of Surr-Vey, Lord Of Demarcation, He Who Measures And Assesses. "With this sigil, the power of zoning comes. Through me, the power of zoning flows! All will behold my power, and I shall bow to no man when designating matter-of-right developments for major retail and office spaces to a maximum lot occupancy of 75 percent for residential use!"
Christy Guerin took her turn and held the glowing amulet aloft and transmuted a neighborhood of low-income apartments into a semi-wooded, single-family, residential district with an adjoining riverside park.
Though the amulet had long been dismissed as urban legend, a mythical ideal of zoning perfection handed down from city planner to city planner, the Encinitas city council became convinced that not only was it real, but that it had been used to lay out the cities of Ur, Atlantis, and Inver Grove Heights, MN.
apologies the the onion.com
Monday, October 03, 2005
Choo Choo!
I live close to the tracks, so close in fact that I if I am watching a movie on DVD that I have to pause it when the train blows it's horn. There is a lot of fuss these days about train noise and "quiet zones".
NCT link
As usual everyone is over thinking the problem.
The problem really isn't the horn, it's the fact the engineers lean on the damn thing for a half mile when a couple of short toots would suffice.
Remember a couple of years ago when Amtrak had that new euro train running for a short time? That train had a nice horn, a classic whoooo whooooooo.
The current trains all have The World is Ending Banshee Screams of Death horns that sound horrifying.
The Coaster trains seem to be less offensive than the Amtrak. I figure that a ex-wife of a Amtrak engineer lives nearby.
Our fearless councilman Jerome Stocks is on the NCTD board. So Jerome, at the next meeting throw it out there that the engineers just need to do the classic "choo choo" and not the status quo "BLAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRR BLAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!!!!"
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Illegal Alien Labor & Ecke Ranch
Ecke Ranch has always been a mecca for illegal aliens. When I was a little kid I remember riding my dirt bike on the trails of what is now the shopping center and seeing the large migrant worker camp.
I wonder how much money the Eckes have saved in tax free low cost labor over the decades?
I wonder how many of those illegal aliens ever received free medical care from Scripps at the taxpayer's expense?
I wonder how many of those illegal aliens committed petty to serious crimes against the legal citizens?
Is that how the Eckes became millionaires? By employing a cash under the table labor force?
We know one thing for sure, none of those workers were "coddled".
Yup, the Eckes are true local hero's
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Baby Steps Towards Improving Leucadia
Now that total redevelopment is dead a lot of long overdue improvements are finally being done. There are a lot of conspiracy theories about work getting put on hold over the years in order to make Leucadia seem "blighted".
The little Leucadia Wino Park has new sod and other improvements and the street going up to the Beacon's beach parking lot has been repaved. I'm happy about that.
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