by The Editors on February 27, 2008
When the Carlsbad City Council discussed the proposed Alga Norte Park last night we were worried they were going to do what many cities across the nation have done: cut funding for the planned skatepark. Luckily, that didn’t happen. Instead, they eliminated the water slides from swim complex.
Packard and Councilman Matt Hall have repeatedly argued that the water play area is a luxury that should be eliminated from the plans. Their position gained ground in recent months as state and national economic forecasts became grim. At Tuesday’s meeting, councilwomen Ann Kulchin and Julie Nygaard joined them in voting for a scaled-back project, while Mayor Bud Lewis voted against it.
Luckily, Mayor Lewis was voted down because his wacky idea was to build either the swim complex or the rest of the park but not both. We all know that if Carlsbad needs one thing it’s a quality skatepark.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on February 24, 2008
For years Highway 78 has been the unofficial boarder between Oceanside and Carlsbad. According to a Barbara Henry story in the North County Times, however, there is one parcel that illogically doesn’t fit. Oceanside dips south of the 78 just North of the the Westfield Plaza Camino Real Mall and Carlsbad officials would like that 32 acre chunk. In fact, they’re willing to trade a 288 parcel to Oceanside for it.
Under the proposal, which Carlsbad’s leaders stress is in the very early stages, Carlsbad would be permitted to absorb the 32 acres next to the mall in exchange for Oceanside’s annexation of a much-larger area to the east.
“To me, it’s common sense,” said Carlsbad Mayor Bud Lewis as he discussed his plan to bring up the issue at his council’s March 19 workshop. “Why shouldn’t we … make a fair trade with them?”
While Oceanside could get much more land in the deal, it’s not as simple as that. For the rest of the story follow the link.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on February 13, 2008
From the North County Times:
The City Council agreed Tuesday to set aside $24.5 million for a long-discussed firefighter and police training center. . . . In its 4-1 vote, the council also hired a project architect to draft the final plans for the facility, which would go on land within Carlsbad’s public safety center complex on Orion Way.
At least it’s not another golf course.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on February 10, 2008
And now, to catch up on all the important news of Carlsbadistan, we offer up this: The Carlsbad City Council has given Legoland permission to hold “Pirate Campouts” in Legoland were up to 400 guests could potentially spend the night inside the park.
In the past, officials have said the camp would mostly operate in the summer and would be open only to park visitors. That would make it similar to the “Roar ‘n Snore” events at San Diego Wild Animal Park.
Aye, ye land lubbers. Bunk up if ye dare.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on February 9, 2008
While city employee unions bicker over healthcare coverage and other issues, the Carlsbad Police department has rolled through with a five percent pay raise to go along with the four percent pay raise they got last year.
The City Council unanimously approved the officers’ new two-year deal Tuesday night. It gives the police officers 5 percent raises this year and next year. Police also receive a boost in the amount the city pays for their health insurance coverage.
Good work. We believe that Carlsbad police officers should be well paid.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on January 17, 2008
A survey released Wednesday January 16, 2008 reported 58 percent of us are “very satisfied” and 33.5 percent were “somewhat satisfied” with with the City of Carlsbad’s overall job of providing services, according to a story in the San Diego Union-Tribune. The study, performed by Carlsbad-based BW Research Partnership, is commissioned by the City every year to chart their progress.
The overall rating is identical to last year’s results. . . “That’s quite high compared with other cities,” said Josh Williams, president of BW Research.
Not bad at all. Congratulations to the City.
[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]
by The Editors on January 15, 2008
We’re not sure if this is a good thing or not by the looks of Encinitas, but the North County Times is reporting that Dave DeCordova has left his “high-level” Encinitas planning job for a spot in the Carlsbad Planning Department.
DeCordova advanced through the ranks into a supervisor position. Recently, he has overseen a citywide housing plan, a planning document for downtown Cardiff, a study on a mobile home park and amendments to the city’s zoning code, Murphy said. . . In addition to DeCordova, two other high-level planners — Gary Barberio and Sandra Holder — have left Encinitas to work in Carlsbad in the past seven years.
DeCordova actually lives in Vista so he hasn’t had to live in his own planning zone for a while. Welcome, Dave.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on January 15, 2008
According to Yahoo! Hot Jobs:
The City of Carlsbad is accepting applications for the following positions: Senior Building Inspector, Principal Librarian Police Records Specialist I/II, Accounting Supervisor Utility Workers I/II.
We’ve heard city jobs aren’t so bad. In fact, if the City employees we know are the norm, then the city gives employees ample time to surf. . . but don’t quote us.
[Link: Hot Jobs]
by The Editors on January 5, 2008
In November The Carlsbad City Council voted to accept the build-out of the Ponto Vision Plan and part of that plan requires upgrades to La Costa Avenue. Problem is, La Costa Ave. is technically in Encinitas. The Carlsbad City Council decided that developers would only have to pay 27 percent of the estimated $5.34 million upgrade and Encinitas would have to pay the rest. Not so, says the Encinitas City Council. In fact, they believe it so strongly that the City of Encinitas has filed suit against The City of Carlsbad.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Superior Court, says the proposed, 50-acre Ponto resort in south Carlsbad would introduce up to 70 percent of future traffic onto La Costa Avenue; Carlsbad has proposed that developers cover 27 percent of the cost of improving the road. . . Citing state law, Encinitas is demanding that Carlsbad require Ponto developers to pay proportionately for improvements to La Costa’s intersections at the Coast Highway and at Vulcan Avenue, one block to the east.
The City of Carlsbad had not had enough time to go over the suit to make a comment in time for the North County Times story. Anything that slows this development down is fine with us. Let the lawyers pile on.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on January 3, 2008
The North County Times is reporting that: “William Currier Atkinson Jr., the first elected mayor of Carlsbad, died peacefully in his Vista home on New Year’s Day, according to his wife, Charlotte.” Mayor Bud Lewis remembers Atkinson was also President of the Army and Navy Academy:
“Bill was the first elected mayor,” Lewis said Wednesday, “but I remember him more for his dedication to the Army (and) Navy Academy, where he dedicated his life to the school and did what I thought was a great job for them.”
Atkinson was 76. Our thoughts are with the entire Atkinson family.
[Link: North County Times]
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