by The Editors on October 16, 2012
After having called the police numerous times to complain about the motor homeless pulling up in front of our house in the middle of the night and camping out (and having the Carlsbad police tell us there was nothing they could do about it) we’re glad to finally see the City Council take action.
In a workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 16, the Council directed staff to draft an ordinance that would prohibit overnight parking of RVs within the City of Carlsbad between the hours of 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. The ordinance would include exceptions to accommodate the needs of city residents and guests. . . “The City of Carlsbad wants to continue to allow residents and tourists the ability to enjoy our great coastal weather and attractions in their recreational and oversized vehicles during the day,” City of Carlsbad Deputy Director of Transportation Bryan Jones said. But he noted that the practice of camping overnight in RVs on city streets results in many problems and complaints.
While we’d rather having the RV ban go into effect at midnight, but we’ll take 2 AM. For more complete details, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by Richard J. Riehl on October 10, 2012
According to a local newspaper columnist, allowing Carlsbad’s new high school to sit empty for at least a year is the answer to the district’s financial woes. But T.K. Arnold’s argument for delaying the opening of Sage Creek High is about as watery as the school’s fictional namesake. A closer look reveals how his politics trumps his punditry.
Calling Prop 30 “Gov. Jerry Brown’s blackmail ballot” tells you all you need to know about Arnold’s political bias. But what’s equally troubling is his reasoning. In a facts-free claim, he says the district could “save hundreds of thousands of dollars each year” in operating costs that could be used to close a gaping budget hole as high as $11 million” if Proposition 30 fails. The mixed metaphor (I’m trying to picture a “high” hole) could make you chuckle if the subject weren’t so serious.
Arnold doesn’t bother to estimate the cost of letting a $104 million high school campus remain vacant for at least a year, as well as the loss of learning opportunities to students denied access to new facilities. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on October 10, 2012
Occasionally, the fact that the Canadian province of Quebec is lost in some weird French time warp is a good thing. Take Genticorum for example. It would be impossible to imagine this French/Canadian/folk trio coming from anywhere but Quebec.
Firmly rooted in the soil of their native land, the energetic and original traditional ‘power trio’ also incorporates the dynamism of today’s North American and European folk cultures in their music. They weave precise and intricate fiddle and flute work, gorgeous vocal harmonies, energetic foot percussion and guitar and bass accompaniment into a big and jubilant musical feast. Their distinctive sound, sense of humor and stage presence make them a supreme crowd pleaser.
Genticorum plays this Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 7 PM at Carlsbadistan’s Museum of Making Music. They sing in French. Click here to buy tickets and get more info. Tickets are $25, $20 for members and $18 for students. The MoMM is located at 5790 Armada Dr., in Carlsbad, California.
[Link: Museum of Making Music]
by Richard J. Riehl on October 8, 2012
Getting fan mail from elected officials is one of my pet peeves. They want “my opinion on the issues,” they say. But what they really want is the answer to a question not included in their questionnaires: “Do you still love me?”
To add insult to injury, I’m paying the postage for their reelection campaign.
If politicians made decisions based on their deeper understanding of the issues, rather than their popularity, their newsletters would be more informative and voters could make better choices at the polls.
It’s doubtful the Civil Rights Act would have won the popular vote in the general election of 1964, the year Congress passed it into law. Our elected representatives had the courage to do what was right, at the risk of popular opinion. The Democrats lost the Solid South because of it.
Fast forward to this year’s Election Day in Carlsbad. By putting Proposition A on the ballot, the City Council found an easy way to shirk their responsibility for making tough decisions. What could be better for elected representatives than being allowed to decrease city employee benefits, but requiring a vote of the people to increase them?
It’s a politician’s dream. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on October 2, 2012
Apparently, there are some in Carlsbadistan who have been bumming out all their neighbors, making their street look trashy, and being bad people in general by leaving their trash cans out on the street well after pick up day. But thankfully, that is against the law and the City of Carlsbad is sending volunteers out with reminder notices to make sure everyone picks up after themselves.
Under city laws, trash carts may be put out on the street between 6 p.m. the day before collection and 6 a.m. the day of collection. They must be removed no later than midnight the day of collection. . . “Residents have done a great job making the switch to the new trash service,” said Craig Schmollinger, management analyst for the city’s Utilities Department. “The goal of this effort is to give a friendly reminder to residents about the need to take their carts in after trash day.”
Do everyone a favor and put your trash cans away after they’ve been emptied. That way, no one has to place a reminder on your can. Follow the jump for more info. [click to continue…]
by Richard J. Riehl on October 1, 2012
Carlsbad school officials worry that if voters don’t agree to a tax increase on November 6, a midyear budget reduction could lead to cutting the school year by up to three weeks. But a greater threat to local schools in the long run hangs on the outcome of the Presidential election.
Mitt Romney has announced a plan to “restore the promise of American education” by promoting choice and innovation. Titled, “A Chance for Every Child,” it signals a retreat from the goal of No Child Left Behind. A chance is not a promise. Romney’s vow to use federal funds to support school choice, rather than school improvement, will produce winners and losers. That’s a far cry from the role of public education as a springboard of equal opportunity for upward mobility.
Romney also believes school reform can be done on the cheap, evidenced by his claim class size doesn’t matter. He’s fond of quoting a 2007 McKinsey report, “How the World’s best performing school systems come out on top.” The consultants claim studies show good teachers are more important than smaller classes. To that earth-shattering discovery my response can only be, “well…duh!” [click to continue…]
by The Editors on October 1, 2012
Turns out North County Times editor Kent Davy could have let Carlsbadistan.com columnist Richard Riehl “tee off on [new NCT owner Doug] Manchester” after all, as he’s getting the boot at the newspaper anyway, according to a story in the KPBS.org.
Davy said he was informed he would not be moving forward with the new management that takes over the paper today, though he was asked to be on a transition team for an indeterminate period. . . Davy arrived from Chicago in 1996 to become the editor of the North County Times after the owner of the Blade Citizen bought out its rival North County paper, the Times Advocate, and merged the two. Now, with the buyout of the North County Times by Manchester, Davy will move on.
We’re guessing it is “Davy’s commitment to balanced local journalism” that did him in. Another sad day in San Diego media.
[Link: KPBS.org]
by The Editors on September 26, 2012
Cyclist Scott Folck, 35, an Engineering Manager at Taylor Made Golf in Carlsbad died Sunday, September 23, 2012 from injuries he sustained after being struck by a car while riding his bike on Wood Valley Road in Valley Center, California at approximately 6 AM on Sunday, September 16, 2012. According to the U-T San Diego:
California Highway Patrol officials said a 22-year-old motorist from San Marcos was attempting to make a left turn onto Cool Water Ranch when he turned in front of Folck. The driver applied his brakes when he saw the bicyclist but was unable to avoid him. . . Folck’s bicycle ran into the right front of the driver’s Mitsubishi 3000GT and was thrown to the ground. . . CHP officials are investigating the incident. They have said they do not believe alcohol was a factor.
Cyclists who frequent the Swami’s Cycling Club training rides through Carlsbad knew Folck very well and most saw only the back of his Adams Avenue Bicycles Team kit. On Monday the Swami’s Cycling Twitter feed sent out the following message: “Scott was a great guy and a good friend of Swamis. We’ll miss him on the morning rides.”
Folck is survived by his wife, Sheryl Lynn Talmage Folck; stepson, Shane; his father; his mother; his sister, Christine, and several other relatives. Click here for his complete obituary.
Cycling friends of Folck’s will gather at 7 AM Friday, September 28, 2012 at Fletcher Cove for a “low-key pedal along the coast to simply show some solidarity in remembrance of Scott.”
[Link: U-T San Diego]
by The Editors on September 26, 2012
How stoked are we with the latest news from the City of Carlsbadistan? Way. The Carlsbad City Council recently voted to ban smoking from all outdoor restaurant areas were food and/or alcohol are served as part of an update to the City’s ordinance covering smoking.
The ordinance was introduced Sept. 25 and will come before the City Council for adoption, currently scheduled for Oct. 2. The new ordinance will go into effect 30 days after its adoption. At that time, dining establishments will be required to ban smoking in outdoor spaces where they serve food or drinks, and to post signs alerting patrons of the ban. It would also require smokers to stay at least 20 feet away from outdoor dining areas, to prevent second-hand smoke from affecting diners.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Now if we could just get smoking outdoors (including in a car with the windows down) banned in Carlsbadistan, things would be all good. People are aren’t allowed to defecate all over the city’s streets, why should smokers be allowed to stink everything up? Think about it.
For the official word from the City of Carlsbad, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on September 24, 2012
Principal Matthew Steitz and Assemblyman Martin Garrick and Math teacher Jeff Simon accepting the check from Edwin “Thorpe” Romero.
The Barona Band of Mission Indians (owners of the Barona Resort & Casino) made a $5,000 donation to the Carlsbad High School’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics curriculum.
“Over the past several years, Carlsbad High School and schools across California have struggled to keep their budgets intact for basic operations,” said Barona Band of Mission Indians Chairman Edwin “Thorpe” Romero. “We are thrilled to be able to help our area schools add to and improve science and technology in their classrooms, areas that are growing quickly in the education world.”
Since 2006 the Barona Band of Mission Indians has awarded more than $1.5 million to 300 schools statewide. Nice to see of those gambling profits going to a good cause. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
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Get Riehl: Showdown at Sage Creek
by Richard J. Riehl on October 10, 2012
Calling Prop 30 “Gov. Jerry Brown’s blackmail ballot” tells you all you need to know about Arnold’s political bias. But what’s equally troubling is his reasoning. In a facts-free claim, he says the district could “save hundreds of thousands of dollars each year” in operating costs that could be used to close a gaping budget hole as high as $11 million” if Proposition 30 fails. The mixed metaphor (I’m trying to picture a “high” hole) could make you chuckle if the subject weren’t so serious.
Arnold doesn’t bother to estimate the cost of letting a $104 million high school campus remain vacant for at least a year, as well as the loss of learning opportunities to students denied access to new facilities. [click to continue…]
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