Local News |
May 22nd, 2008 |
NCTD Executive Director Announces Resignation
NCTD Board Takes Step Forward in Securing a Balanced Budget
North County Transit Executive Director Karen King has announced her resignation effective June 20 in order to accept the CEO position at Golden Empire Transit District in Bakersfield. NCTD Chairman Ed Gallo said of King’s service to NCTD, “I want to personally thank Karen King for her dedicated years of service to NCTD. She came to NCTD in 1998 and instituted Fast Forward and was instrumental in getting the SPRINTER train operational. The entire Board appreciates all she has done for this organization. We wish her well in Bakersfield.”
The NCTD Board of Directors is aggressively pursuing its search for a new Executive Director. These recruiting efforts have already led to a short list of potential candidates.
Meanwhile, in a meeting last week, the North County Transit District (NCTD) Board of Directors released its proposed $91.2 million Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Operating and five year Capital Improvement Program budget. The board’s actions during the past few months allow NCTD to avoid a projected $3.5 million deficit for the 2009 budget and more importantly allow NCTD to remain financially viable for many years to come. The new budget contains proposed service reductions, staff layoffs and restructuring, and fare increases, which must be approved by SANDAG. The Board plans to approve the budget in June in order for it to take effect on July 1, 2008.
Escondido’s Undercover Internet Prostitution Detail Yields Five Arrests
On Saturday May 17, 2008, Escondido’s Police Department conducted an undercover prostitution detail. Detectives focused their efforts in the area of W. Washington Ave. and N. Escondido Blvd. as well as prostitutes that use the internet to solicit perspective clients. As a result of that detail, detectives arrested five individuals that were ultimately booked into Vista Detention Facility.
Hooker’s Corner
Escondido’s Police Department will continue to actively enforce all violations of prostitution including internet solicitation and encourages anyone with information on these cases to call Escondido Police at (760) 839-4722, or contact Sergeant Jim Lanigan directly at (760) 839-4759.
Kristina Ann Craft, 20, of Escondido, California |
Rachel Suzette Minchow, 23, of Deming, New Mexico |
Theresa Ann Charles, 25, of Yuma, Arizona |
Cori Hamilton, 30, of San Diego, California |
Eboni Brianna Morgan, 19, of Richmond, California |
were all arrested for Penal Code 647(b) - Soliciting an Act of Prostitution. |
Applications being accepted for vacancies on San Marcos City commissions
The City of San Marcos is accepting applications for the following vacancies:
Two scheduled vacancies and one unscheduled vacancy on the Budget Review Committee; three scheduled vacancies on the Youth Commission; two alternate vacancies on the Traffic Safety Commission; and one alternate vacancy on the San Marcos Economic Development Corporation. Applications are due to the City Clerk by Tuesday, June 3, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. Appointments to the commissions, committee, and corporation will be made on Tuesday, June 10th after the City Council conducts interviews with candidates during its 6 p.m. meeting.
Detailed application instructions and interview requirements are available on line at www.san-marcos.net or by visiting City Hall at 1 Civic Center Drive in San Marcos. For more information, please call the San Marcos City Clerk at (760) 744-1050, ext. 3145.
Striking Changes in Arizona as Illegal Immigrants Flee the State
Arizona is leading the nation in local enforcement of laws against illegal immigration. As illegal immigrants leave the state, the state's most serious problems such as traffic congestion and the expense of teaching English Language Learner classes are dissipating.
Since Arizona's local law enforcement began enforcing illegal immigration laws and an employer sanctions law went into effect, illegal immigrants have been fleeing the state in large numbers. The effects have been far-ranging. Commuters are reporting fewer vehicles on the freeways, shortening their rush-hour commutes. What had become a serious transportation problem in Arizona is losing its urgency. English Learner Language (ELL) students started dropping out of school. This helped end a confrontation between the state legislature and a liberal federal judge who had ordered the state to spend more money on ELL classes.
Fewer illegal immigrants are using hospital emergency rooms, so waiting times have decreased. Although the rest of the country is in an economic slump, unemployment is going down in Arizona, from 4.5% in January to 4.1% in March. Day laborers loitering outside of Home Depot and other stores have mostly disappeared, ending months of confrontation between illegal immigrant sympathizers and protesters. Desert lands near the border are returning to their pristine condition and the wildlife is coming back. Identity theft and car thefts are decreasing. No one showed up on May 1 to march in immigrant rallies.
With illegal immigrants leaving, the state will see huge savings as fewer illegal immigrants use social welfare programs and the cost of arresting, prosecuting, incarcerating, and deporting them decreases. Arizona is facing one of the worst budget deficits ever, looming as high as $2 billion in 2009, but the situation may resolve itself.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas are leading the local law enforcement efforts in Arizona against illegal immigration. Arizona is also home to State Representative Russell Pearce, who is responsible for spearheading possibly more laws against illegal immigration than any other state representative in the country. Other counties around the state are beginning to follow the lead of Maricopa County, signing agreements with I.C.E. to permit their law enforcement agencies to arrest illegal immigrants. - by Rachel Alexander -illegalimmigrationjournal.com.
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