Keep Leucadia Merry

Happy the Funk Up

Rainy Day in the Republic of Leucadia

Leucadia Liquor Sign Update

Housing Element Open Dialogue Dec 3rd

Small Business Saturday in Leucadia

Housing Plan Update Looms in 2016

In 2016 there will be a ballot measure on the new Housing Element for the Shire of Encinitas.

The city is seeking input on what the Housing Element will look like.

Visit the city's Housing Plan Update page: clicky clicky

My Pacific View site Proposal: Make it a "Glamping" Campground

I've been thinking about our recent Pacific View land purchase and I think I got a good idea for y'all.

We need more camping opportunities around here, camping in our urban beach environment is super fun. Even locals book a campsite at Cardiff or Carlsbad once a year.

With the proper landscaping and love the Pacific View site would make for great "Glamping" (glamor camping).

The city could put in cool Airstream trailers, build modern hipster tents and yurts and install facilities like showers and restrooms. It would be great.

Imagine spending the day with the family at Moonlight Beach all day, then walking a short walk to your Glamp Site. You could enjoy downtown Encinitas easily if you get tired of the beach.

I haven't crunched the numbers, but it should be an affordable build out and I have no doubt it would book out far in advance.

Don't laugh at my crazy idea, this could work. Classic retro family camping is the future. 

Why Kristin Gaspar will be mayor of Encinitas for the next decade (and beyond)

Encinitas, Kristin Gaspar is your mayor for at least the next 10 years and maybe more. 

Let's think about that for a minute.

In the last election we all decided that we should start electing mayors instead of the ceremonial rotating system that always broke down into weird high school politics.

But, we are a fearful group so we adopted a mere 2 year term for mayor.

Now that Kristin Gaspar has handily secured the mayor spot she will now spend the next 2 years in campaign mode. Look for her to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and sharp and on point everyday all day. She will never really say anything too controversial and she will milk her role as a visible and attractive mascot of all the good things of Encinitas. Not even  Dan Dalager could crush a ribbon cutting like Gaspar.

Previous mayors like Christy Guerin and Jerome Stocks would always slip up and say mean grumpy things that eventually erode at their votes and reputations. Gaspar is way too savvy for such slip ups.

Who can beat Gaspar in the next election for mayor? There is nobody in this town with a strong enough cult of personality to energize the amount of money and votes it would take to upset Gaspar.

Newly elected council person Catherine Blakespear has good support coming out of the gate, but she would be foolish to challenge Gaspar head to head so soon, losing to Gaspar in a mayor run in 2 years would only erode her reputation and make her council seat vulnerable.  

Silver haired business men can come out of the woodwork and spend their retirement money on runs at mayor, but why would they beyond satisfying their own egos? Washed up ceo's fresh off the golf course won't beat Gaspar and they would be better off lobbying her in the background anyway.

It would take a major, major mistake on Gaspar's part to derail her destiny as the new perennial mayor of Encinitas. The now missing 10,000 strong Leucadian vote that once supported Maggie Houlihan has no-one to rally behind. Are they even still out there?

Media coverage isn't a factor.
The San Diego Union Tribune will never write anything overly harmful about Gaspar.
The Coast News might take shots at her but nobody will read it because you can't get past their online subscription form.
The Seaside Courier will probably just shut down now that election 2014 is over because the Courier is pointless.
The Encinitas Advocate will continue to do fair balance journalism and no-one will notice.
The handful of local blogs are only read by fringe weirdos like you and me.

Another huge factor, Kristin Gaspar is only in her 30's.

Bud Lewis recently passed away, he was mayor of Carlsbad for 24 years! (source)

Unless a bright new star emerges (preferably a millennial female) on the local political stage over the next year we can count on another easy win for Gaspar in 2016 and she will keep on winning every 2 years for the next 2 decades.

Easy Win for Mayor Gaspar

screenshot from sdvote.com

Visit Encinitas Advocate for election roundup: clicky clicky

Leucadians vote for Kranz & Blakespear Tuesday Nov 4th election 2014

On Tuesday November 4th 2014 I'm voting:

Tony Kranz for Mayor
Catherine Blakespear for city council

I've found both Kranz and Blakespear to be calm, intelligent, professional and reasonable people and Leucadia would do well to support them.

 Also, I'm voting Yes on F

 thank you

4 out of 5 Leucadia trailer parks support Blakespear for Enc city council 2014

Blakespear for Council 2014 website

Coronado city council approves plan to replace huge Eucalyptus trees cut down on E avenue

By John Carroll

Story Published: Oct 7, 2014 at 10:56 PM PDT

Story Updated: Oct 7, 2014 at 10:56 PM PDT

Residents on the 100-block of "E" avenue in Coronado say they're happy with a city council vote on the future of huge Eucalyptus trees on their street.  But some of those same residents also say they're unhappy with how the cutting down of two Eucalyptus trees was handled.

When San Diego 6 first covered the story in late September, two trees had been cut down earlier that day.  Two others are scheduled to go, but it appears the remaining ones are safe.  Now the question turns to what kind of trees will replace the two that are gone and two others that are scheduled to be cut down.

The Eucalyptus trees along the 100-block of E avenue have been on the 100 block of E avenue between 80 and 100-years.  They're majestic, a draw for tourists, the pride of neighbors.  So when crews showed up here late last month and began cutting them down, surprised and horrified neighbors like Dan'l Steward swung into action.  You may recall Steward and another man climbed into two of the trees and refused to leave until the city listened to their concerns.

Fast forward to Tuesday night's city council meeting, and the issue before council members was approving a plan to replace the two trees already gone, and two more that will be cut down in the near future.

read the rest of the news story: clicky clicky

The city of Encinitas has been circling on the giant euc at Leucadia Blvd and Hwy 101 (which will cause 10,000 Leucadians to march on city hall with pointy sticks).

Stone Steps Contest 2014

Nice gallery online of the 2014 Stone Steps Contest: clicky clicky

Jasper St Dragon Tree Slain

You say you want a little shade break on your walk up Jasper St to Beacon's Beach?
Fuck You, that's why. 

Jasper St "Dragon Tree" to be cut down

The famous "Dragon Tree" (or sometimes called Godzilla Tree) of Jasper St in Leucadia is scheduled to be cut down by the city, citing beetle infestation as the cause of removal.
The city cut off the top of the tree last week which resembled a dragon's head, causing anger and confusion, especially for local children.
This unusual looking tree will be missed by many appreciators.

Dragon Tee watching over the coast hwy upper left

Dragon Tree humble beginnings and friends long gone.

Urban Forest Management Program
Encinitas Has Been Named a Tree City USA
City of Encinitas Tree Tracker  

2nd Annual Leucadia Used Surfboard Swap Sat Sept 13th

2nd Annual Leucadia Used Board Swap this Sat Sept 13th 8am-noon
Leucadia Roadside Park on the coast highway 101 and Leucadia Blvd.
Free to attend and sell Sellers may park in the Encinitas Tax parking lot.
Bring your used surf junk.
Buy, Sell, Trade with your fellow aquatic apes.
Hooray!

Local Historic School needs decades old infrastructure update

Paul Ecke Central School was established in 1927.
It is one of nine elementary schools in the Encinitas Union School District.

The communique below has been making the rounds:

Thirteen of our classrooms do not have A/C and temps can be in the 80’s.  Tim Baird is not interested in providing it as he see’s it we never had it in the past, so not now.
We also never had iPads, or many other things we have now.
I bring this us as most parents at our school are unaware of the lack of A/C or of the other things happening at the other schools.  ECC got new furniture, garden, solar tubes and panels, OPE got solar as well.

I have emailed the board, with a lack of response.  Just they usual ok, thanks.

Our kids are entitled to a comfortable learning environment.  Our school is the ONLY school without A/C in all the classes.  PEC is last for many things and this basic can not be overlooked.  It would only be about $6500 to remedy the situation.

As Tim is up for review next Tuesday and is asking for a raise, I’d like to urge parents to contact the board and let them know your opinion/concerns about ANY item, but this in-particular   Following this will be all 5 board member e-mails as well as Tim Baird's, Leighangela Brady and our principle. Just copy any paste into a new email.  I will also include a quick blurb you can cut and past as well.  

Please feel free to forward to anyone at school you think might help.

Thanks!

Elizabeth Shany

Parent of 2 5th graders and a 4th at PEC

EMAIL ADDRESSES -  Timothy.Baird@eusd.net, maureen.muir@eusd.net, Marla.Strich@eusd.net, carol.skiljan@eusd.net, emily.andrade@eusd.net, gregg.sonken@eusd.net, Leighangela.Brady@eusd.net, adriana.chavarin@eusd.net

SAMPLE EMAIL - 

Dear School Board-

As a parent I feel it important that ALL the children in EUSD are provided a comfortable learning environment.  I urge you to remedy the A/C issues at PEC.  Other schools without basic need issues are being upgraded/remodeled, while this issue is pressing for our children.  As you know it’s only getting warmer, for longer periods of time. 

Thank you,

BELOW IS WHAT I ALREADY SENT TO THE BOARD

Good Morning-

I would like to invite you ALL to visit PEC today and work for 30 minutes in any of the 13 classrooms without A/C.  Yesterday I took a photo of the classroom temp at pick up (79 degrees) and another class at  Back to School Night (78 degrees at 7 pm).  I understand the district has sent a fan for each classroom.  This fan is so loud that the teachers can not use while they are giving instruction.  Also, in the old buildings, window's don’t all open to give a cross draft, so the fans can move cooler air instead of the hot air in the class.  We have already had 2 hot weeks starting the year and my kids leave the school, red, sweaty and tired, not the most optimum conditions to learn in.  The district was aware of this problem from last year and it is sad it has not been fixed.  I know the district is proud of it’s solar tubes, panels and new furniture at other schools, but this is a joke, PEC is always overlooked when it comes to basic necessities.

On Amazon you can buy portable AC units that will cool up to 500 sq./ft for $500 with free shipping.  That would be $6500 to keep PEC cool and learning.  I urge you to remedy this situation.  If the classrooms stay so warm, I am certain you are losing much needed teacher instruction time.  $6500 is not an unreasonable amount of money to ensure ALL kids in EUSD are able to learn in a comfortable environment.

Again, please go visit the classes to see for yourself.

Thanks,

Elizabeth Shany

Leucadia Blog Casual Observations:
*The childless anonymous haters who frequent the local blogs will not be sympathetic on this issue. *This is another example of why starting school in August before Labor Day is a bad idea.
*It's 2014, the classrooms need to be climate controlled.
*It's hard to believe Paul Ecke Central made it to year 2014 with A/C in only some of it's classrooms. 
*There are better 21st century design options to A/C to keep classrooms cool. 
*Turn off the A/C in the main office until this is resolved.
*Tim Baird, you are on notice buddy.

 See also: Commentary: Who paid for Encinitas school officials' pricey retreat?

ENC BANS PLASTIC BAGS

Who will be the next/first Mayor McCheese?

 

A lot of people want to be the first official mayor of Encinitas!

From the UT:  

The five people who met Friday's filing deadline are:

 -- Munawer "Mike" Bawany, an engineer who is making his first run for political office.

 -- Sheila Cameron, a former Encinitas mayor and council member who has remained active in city issues and frequently attends City Council meetings.

 -- Alex Fidel, an independent journalist who supports the Encinitas Medical Cannabis Initiative and worked as a petition gatherer for the California Legalization of Recreational Marijuana Initiative, which attempted to qualify for the ballot this year.

 -- Kristin Gaspar, who started serving as the city's appointed mayor in June and was first elected to the City Council in 2010. She is the chief financial officer for Gaspar Doctors of Physical Therapy

 -- Tony Kranz, who was elected to the City Council in 2012 and has two years remaining in his council term. Kranz is an account executive for a printing company. 

Two people picked up papers, but did not complete them before the filing period closed: Tara Joanna Stafford, who collected her paperwork July 29, and community activist Al Rodbell, who recently indicated on his blog that he very was conflicted over whether to run for office.

The Coast News reports that William Morrison and Bryan Ziegler have also pulled papers to run for mayor.  

Burning Question: Why would anyone want to be mayor of Encinitas???

People against Pacific View vs People for Hall Park Sports Complex

Casual Observatios:

The people against the Pacific View purchase are the same people who were for the Hall Park purchase.

They argue against Pacific View, saying that soil quality and problems with the site as reasons we shouldn't have bought it.

These same arguments used against the Hall Park were scoffed at.
 
Because political observers in North County are simple minded they must break all topics, people, places and actions into two tired groups: Liberal vs Conservative

And, because it's  an election year, right around August everyone has to start acting weird and hostile.

Look for "conservatives" to attack "liberals" regarding the $10,000,000 Pacific View purchase, even though those same "conservatives" were major cheerleaders for the nearly completed Hall Park sports complex (Construction: $19,300,000, Hall
Property Land Acquisition: $17,200,000. Total of $36,500,000

I wonder if all these new crappy free newspapers will keep showing up on our driveways after November?

Snazzy New Bike Racks at Roadside Park

Nice work by our Leucadia Mainstreet Association.

Bloggers report big Eucalyptus still in danger of getting cut down for Leucadia streetscape that will never happen

ENCINITAS UNDERCOVER BLOG City of Encinitas Leucadia Streetscape Project web page
 

Look down that railroad track

Look a-yonder comin'
Comin' down that railroad track
Hey, look a-yonder comin'
Comin' down that railroad track
It's the Orange Blossom Special
Bringin' my baby back