Local News

January 31st, 2008

SPRINTER Revised Start Date Announced

North County Transit District (NCTD) has selected March 9, 2008, as the start date for public service of the new SPRINTER light rail train. The Transit District and its contracting partners were working in earnest to begin service in January. However, NCTD optimistically underestimated the time it would take to complete all regulatory safety inspections and compliance approvals. The March 9 start date provides adequate time to complete regulatory approvals and allows for a smooth start with plenty of advance public notice.

NCTD and its Board of Directors remain committed to delivering safe, convenient, reliable, and user-friendly public transportation services. “We want to begin offering service for passengers on the SPRINTER as soon as possible, but safety certification of the system is our current priority,” says NCTD Executive Director Karen King. “When passengers board the SPRINTER for the first time, we know they’ll be impressed with the convenience and comfort of the train, and we hope it will be worth the wait.”

The reasons for this delay are numerous. Diesel Multiple Unit trains, such as the SPRINTER, have never been operated before in California and therefore, both state and federal regulatory agencies have understandably employed a high level of scrutiny during inspections. While the safety certification is underway and is progressing smoothly, NCTD has chosen this start date to comfortably provide time to address their requests.

Even with this new start date, there may be some landscaping and other tasks that will need to be completed after operations begin. One technical issue that will not likely be resolved is the eastbound platform at the Escondido Avenue (Vista) station. A modification to adjust the station platforms to more accurately line-up with vehicle doors is presently underway. Passengers will be transported to/from this station for all eastbound trips via bus which will be in place when the SPRINTER service begins on March 9. It is anticipated that the eastbound Escondido Avenue station will be fully functional by late spring 2008.

The revised start date will offer the operations contractor for the SPRINTER added time to test the operating schedule to ensure a reliable service for the customers. A March 9 start date provides train operators and dispatchers with additional hands-on training.

NCTD moves more than 12 million passengers annually by providing public transportation for North San Diego County. The family of transit services includes the BREEZE bus system, the COASTER commuter rail service, FAST curb-to-curb transportation, LIFT paratransit and the SPRINTER light rail, scheduled to begin operations on March 9, 2008. It is NCTD’s mission to deliver safe, convenient, reliable and user-friendly public transportation services.

SDG&E awards Palomar College $131K incentive for energy-efficient building design

In response to the energy-efficient design of Palomar College’s newest building, the college recently received a check from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) for more than $131,000, the largest incentive awarded by SDG&E to any community college in the San Diego region.

As part of SDG&E’s Savings By Design Program, the Palomar College District partnered with SDG&E during the design process for the new Natural Sciences (NS) building in September 1999. The building was first opened to classes last August, at the beginning of the fall 2007 semester. According to Mike Ellis, Palomar’s director of facilities, the NS building exceeds California energy efficiency code by 17.8 percent.

At the college’s Governing Board meeting in November, representatives from SDG&E presented college officials with a check in the amount of $131,513.00, to be deposited into the college’s Energy Conservation Projects Fund.

Scott Eveland Moved to New Hospital

On Wednesday, January 23rd, Scott Eveland was moved to Sharp Rehabilitation Hospital in San Diego, Ca.

In an open letter to family, friends and supporters of Scott, his mom Diane Luth reports the family believes this allows Scott a much better opportunity for further recovery. This state of the art facility and their doctors and staff specialize in brain injuries. In the days since his move, Scott seems to be responding well to his new environment and the family feels very comfortable with their decision in moving him.

Escondido Recruitment for City Boards and Commissions Deadline Extended to February 28th.

The City of Escondido is looking for volunteers to serve on a number of City Boards and Commissions. The deadline to apply has been extended -- interested citizens may file an application with the City Clerk's Office by February 28, 2008.

Applications are being accepted for:
Building Advisory & Appeals Board
Community Safety Committee
Community Services Commission/Senior Advisory Board
Design Review Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Advisory Commission
Library Board of Trustees
Personnel Board of Review
Planning Commission
Public Art Commission
Transportation
Commission/Vehicle Parking District Commission

Volunteers serve for a four-year term, with the exception of the Library Board, which carries a three-year term. Meeting times and subject matters are outlined in a Handbook available at the City Clerk's Office or on the City's website. For further information concerning qualifications and an application form, please contact the City Clerk's Office at City Hall, 201 North Broadway, Escondido, or call 839-4617. Information is also available on the City's website at
www.ci.escondido.ca.us/government/boards

Escondido Fire Department offers CERT Training

In the event of another major fire or other disaster in Escondido, the Escondido Fire Department is making sure that volunteers will be properly prepared and trained to assist their community. The Fire Department will be providing Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training for Escondido residents beginning February 2 and continuing on each of the three other Saturdays in February. On February 2 and February 9, the training will run from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm and on February 16 from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm, each time at Escondido City Hall in the Mitchell Room.

A “final exam” disaster simulation and graduation will be held on the last day, February 23 from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm at the San Marcos Fire Department Training Tower.

Once the students have graduated, they will be able to apply to join the Escondido Neighborhood CERT, which meets bi-monthly for training.

The program is administered through Palomar College at no charge to anyone over the age of 18. No pre-registration is available; students will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis on the first day of the class. For more information, call the Escondido Fire Department at 760-839-5400.

Oceanside Concrete Batch Plant Nixed

The Oceanside Planning Commission reversed an earlier ruling Monday evening and voted agains a concrete batch plant which was proposed to be located adjacent to a creek.

The Robertson's Ready Mix plant would manufacture 1,200 cubic yards of concrete a day. A batch plant makes concrete for industrial uses.

Outraged protesters said the plant, to be at 2847 Industry St., would be flooded in heavy rains and would carry concrete dust and other pollutants into Loma Alta Creek. The creek drains into the ocean at Buccaneer Beach, where contaminated water frequently causes the beach to be closed.
The commission vote was 5-2 to deny the plant.

In October 2006, commissioners voted 4-3 in favor of the project. Their approval was appealed to the City Council, but the company took back its application before the council could hear the matter.

The application later was resubmitted to the commission, with an upgraded environmental document.

Vista City Leaders See Progress in the City

On the anniversary of Vista's incorporation, city leaders yesterday said the economy will be a challenge in the coming years, but they see signs of progress in the community.

Mayor Morris Vance, one of several speakers at the Chamber of Commerce's “State of the Community” luncheon, said Vista anticipates lower tax revenues over the next few years. The city won't replace as many employees, Vance said, and residents will “probably see some cuts in programs.”

Vance pointed to projects such as a civic center, two fire stations and a sports park, which will be funded by revenue from a 30-year, half-cent sales tax increase that began in April.

Sheriff's Capt. Ed Prendergast, who also spoke yesterday, said the city's crime rate dropped more than 11 percent last year while arrests rose 36 percent.

Day Care Worker Under Fire - Was Cited in 2006

An Oceanside day care worker facing criminal charges in the brief disappearance of a child was cited two years ago for leaving a group of children alone with an assistant, authorities say.

Laura Martinez, whose day care license was revoked last week after a 3-year-old girl vanished from her care, was cited in 2006 by the state Department of Social Services, said Shirley Washington, a spokeswoman for the agency.

The citation said Martinez violated the terms of her day care license by leaving 10 children younger than 6 alone with an assistant, Washington said. As a result, Martinez was “ordered to hire an additional assistant to help care for the kids, which she did,” Washington said. No other disciplinary action was taken.

Martinez faces a felony child abuse charge in connection with the Jan. 15 disappearance of the 3-year-old girl, who vanished from Martinez's day care facility and turned up at an elementary school two miles away.

School officials contacted police, who watched over the girl all day, unsure of her identity, until Martinez reported her missing about nine hours later.