Local News

February 15th, 2007

San Marcos Community Foundation Streamlines Operations

Streamlined grant applications, a new brochure and website are now in place for the San Marcos Community Foundation. Responding to community need, SMCF Board members worked with city staffers to create new systems to better support local nonprofit organizations serving San Marcos.

Grant requests of $1,500 or less are accepted and decided upon monthly, and requests up to $10,000 are accepted and decided upon quarterly. Nonprofit organizations serving San Marcos are encouraged to review the new guidelines and apply for funds. With its current assets, the Foundation typically grants approximately $45,000 per year. As additional contributions to the Foundation's endowment are received, more funds can be granted.

Operation Hero Honors Lance Corporal Gary Woods

Once each quarter the Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club of Escondido honors a wounded military member who has served his nation. Chosen by the Armed Forces YMCA, often from patients at Balboa Naval Hospital but also from surrounding military posts such as Camp Pendleton and 29 Palms, the honoree is recognized by the Kiwanis Club, and presented with a check for $500.

Lance Corporal Gary Woods of the U.S. Marine Corps, his wife Julie and their two children attended the Tuesday morning meeting. Steve Vargo of the “Military One Source” organization accompanied Gary and provided background on his case. Steve’s organization is an advocate for and assists service people in linking to other non-governmental organizations that assist the military. Gary also addressed the club and spoke freely of his service in Iraq. Gary is a member of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and hails from Rockwell, Texas. He was injured during the latter part of 2005, while on his second tour of duty in Iraq. He was the victim of an attack via IED (Improvised Explosive Device). Gary served as a “mortarman” responsible for firing weapons and was in an area near Fallujah reopening a road at the time of his injury. Gary’s high back Humvee was the third vehicle in a convoy of five vehicles. He explained his vehicle was a “high backed pickup with armor”.

Lance Corporal Woods discussed the various methods used by the enemy to attack convoys as well as the tactics used by the U.S. military to counter the attacks. He said he has seen measurable improvement in Iraq over his two tours of duty. He shared his experiences training Iraqi soldiers and discussed the Iraqi’s desire to fight for their country.

Woods was evacuated by ground rather than helicopter (because he was not “bleeding out”) and was in treatment within forty-five minutes of his injury. Gary’s wife, Julie said the family has received a tremendous amount of support since Gary’s injury.

Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler, on behalf of the Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club, presented the family with $500, flowers for Julie, and gifts for the children.

The Hidden Valley Kiwanis Club meets every Tuesday for breakfast at Cocina Del Charro. If interested in attending and learning more about Kiwanis, call Lyle Davis at 747.7119.

L-R, Lyle Davis, President Richard Jungas, Mayor Lori Holt-Pfeiler,
Lance Corporal Gary Woods, his wife Julie, and Steve Vargo,
Military One Source. (Photos by Dirk Reschly)

Nelson Resigns As San Marcos Planning Chairman

Dean Nelson has resigned as Chair of the San Marcos Planning Commission and nominated Steve Kildoo as his replacement.

Nelson, a recent unsucessful candidate for City Council (and probable candidate again in the next election) said he felt it was just time to step down and turn over the reins to someone like Steve Kildoo, who has served on the commission since 2005 and is active in many other community events, commissions and task forces.

Preston Asks for Review of Council Appointment

San Marcos City Councilmember Mike Preston has requested an outside, independent audit of the appointment process as handled by the current city council.

Preston questions whether newly elected Councilmember Chris Orlando should have been allowed to participate in the screening process to determine the most qualified of applicants for the appointment. Reason?

In what many observers feel was a controversial appointment, the council recently appointed Rebecca Jones to fill the unexpired term of Jim Desmond, who was elected Mayor.

South Dakota Rapist of Escondido Girl Under Fire

Escondido police are asking that additional rape charges be filed against the former prison guard, Charles “Chuck” Leroy Crowell, 34, accused of luring a 14-year-old Escondido girl into running away with him to South Dakota last month. It is now up to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office to decide whether to pursue criminal charges here against Crowell.