by The Editors on December 1, 2009
The City of Carlsbadistan has announced yesterday that they have hired John W. Coates as director of the City’s Parks & Rec department. He will start January 4, 2010. The position has been open since July 2009 when Brian Albright resigned.
Coates brings more than 30 years of professional experience in the field, including serving as the director of community services for the City of Santee, a position he has held since 2002. . . Other experience includes serving as the director of parks and recreation for the City of Roanoke, Va.; the superintendent of recreation maintenance for the City of Norfolk, Va.; and a parks district supervisor for the City of Virginia Beach, Va.
Coates only recent lapse in judgement appears to be that he lives in Encinitas, but we won’t hold that against him. Follow the jump for all the details.
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by The Editors on November 26, 2009
As if The Crossings Lossings At Carlsbad golf course hasn’t already cost the people of Carlsbadistan enough, KemperSports Management, the private company the city pays to run the golf course says they aren’t “hitting budget projections this year and will need and extra $150,000 to cover,” according to a Barbara Henry story in the North County Times.
That’s in addition to the original subsidy of $1.79 million that the city contributed at the start of the year, the financial report states. . . Next year’s operations at The Crossings at Carlsbad course also will require a substantial city subsidy. In the golf course’s 2010 budget, which the City Council will be asked to approve Tuesday, operators are asking for a $1.76 million city subsidy. . . Mayor Bud Lewis said Wednesday he hadn’t seen the financial figures yet, but was “sorry to hear” that the course needed more money this year. He said he would probably vote to grant the budget requests.
Of course he would. No pool. No skateboard park. But sure, keep spending millions of dollars every year on a golf course that continues to lose money. Epic! This whole issue is getting so absurd that it’s almost impossible to speak politely about it.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on November 13, 2009
Apparently nearly everyone wants to be the police chief of Carlsbadistan. So far 112 people have applied to take Chief Thomas Zoll’s job, according to a story in the North County Times.
Carlsbad spokeswoman Kristina Ray said the city received applications from internal, regional and national candidates. The last time the city advertised the same position in 2003, 66 people applied, Ray said. . . “We consider this a really good response,” she said. . . The police chief will make $124,300 to $180,300 a year, according to the city’s job announcement. The department has 115 sworn officers and 47 civilians.
Crazy thing is, that’s really not enough pay for the responsibilities. Apparently, that isn’t slowing many down.
[Link: North County Times]
by Richard J. Riehl on October 23, 2009
Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings at a single bound. I thought of my favorite superhero when I read the qualifications required of the ideal candidate for a position recently posted on the Internet.
The successful applicant, according to the job description, must be a “proactive visible leader, with a collaborative, engaging management style,” and should have “the right blend of skills to navigate these challenging times and build a bridge to the future.” He/she must have “highly developed communication skills, effective interpersonal skills balanced by a sense of humor,” and the ability to be “politically astute, but apolitical.”
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by The Editors on October 21, 2009
The Carlsbad City Council last night put its foot down on NRG by passing a moratorium on coastal power plants, according to a City press release.
This action prohibits a second power plant proposed by NRG, requiring the state to overrule the city if the plant is to be approved. . . . The resolution establishes an emergency ordinance on the building or expanding of power plants on Carlsbad’s coast, meaning it goes into effect immediately and could last for up to two years. . . Also under the resolution, no development application will be accepted, processed or approved that would expand the size, location, generating capacity or use of the Encina Power Station for the duration of the moratorium.
This may be one of the few times we say this to the City Council, but way to go. Seriously. For more details, follow the jump
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by The Editors on October 17, 2009
This Tuesday, October 20, 2009 the Carlsbadistan City Council will be considering the passage of a moratorium on coastal power plants to prevent NRG from putting in its proposed second power plant on the Encina Power Station property, according to a release sent out by the City of Carlsbad.
If passed, this action would prohibit a second power plant proposed by NRG, requiring the state to overrule the city if the plant is to be approved. . . Also under the resolution, no development application will be accepted, processed or approved that would expand the size, location, generating capacity or use of the Encina Power Station for the duration of the moratorium. . . . The resolution under consideration would establish an emergency ordinance on the building or expanding of power plants on Carlsbad’s coast, meaning it would go into effect immediately and could last for up to two years.
Anything that slows the industrialization of the Aqua Hedionda Lagoon is fine by us, but why stop at the power plant? Why not throw in a little rider prohibiting a desalination plant as well? No harm in that really.
Follow the jump for the entire release.
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by The Editors on October 2, 2009
Seems like we (and TK Arnold) were just talking about this the other day, and now the City of Carlsbadistan has announced that the City Council will consider updated plans and specifications for the construction of the Alga Norte Community Park at its Tuesday, October 6, 2009, meeting. They will also authorize the City Clerk to advertise for bids for the grading of the park site which is apparently the first step in building the 32-acre project on Alicante Road and Poinsettia Lane.
Follow the jump for the entire press release. Sounds a lot like good news to us.
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by The Editors on September 30, 2009
In his latest column for the North County Times, TK Arnold suggests that since the City of Carlsbadistan appears to be “dragging its feet” when it comes to grading the 32-arce Alga Norte Park and Aquatic Center, that it might be a good idea to go the privatized route and ask Legoland to include a “competition sized pool” in their proposed 5.5 acre water park.
Wouldn’t it be grand if a spectacular competition-size pool was added to the mix? . . The Carlsbad City Council could put into action its long-professed affinity for government partnerships with the private sector, maybe even contracting with Legoland to operate the pool. Legoland could then play host to swim and water polo tournaments that draw thousands of visitors —- further justification for the hotel the park wants to build.
This may be one of the most ridiculous suggestions we’ve heard in a while. Aside from the fact that Legoland already has a large enough footprint in our city, do we really want our local swimming complex controlled by a New York City based private equity fund (Blackstone Group)? Do the children of Carlsbadistan need to be constantly bombarded with Lego advertising each and every time they go swimming? If you’re still wondering, the answer to both rhetorical questions is: No!
What the City of Carlsbadistan needs is a proper swimming pool (and skateboard park). The City has the money and several mandates from its citizens. The discussion does not need more ridiculous clutter. It needs clear and concise messaging. We can do it in four words: get those tractors rolling.
It really is that simple.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on September 21, 2009
On Friday, September 25, 2009 the Carlsbad City Library will be celebrating its 10th year anniversary with a free celebration from 3:30 to 4:30 PM in the courtyard.
Highlights include music by guitarist Patrick Berrogain, children’s activities, then-and-now displays, and refreshments. Carlsbad City Library is located at 1775 Dove Lane in southern Carlsbad.
Follow the jump for more information or call 760-602-2012 or visit www.carlsbadlibrary.org.
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by The Editors on September 20, 2009
We like to think that we often visit the City of Carlsbad website, however, when we checked in on the site today we got a big surprise. The site has been completely redesigned and is a 100 percent improvement over the old clunker of a site. We haven’t taken the full tour, but from what we’ve seen it looks like a very nice upgrade. It’s not exactly Web 2.0, but it’s a huge step in the right direction.
Check it out and let us know what you think.
[Link: City of Carlsbad]
The City of Carlsbadistan has announced yesterday that they have hired John W. Coates as director of the City’s Parks & Rec department. He will start January 4, 2010. The position has been open since July 2009 when Brian Albright resigned.
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