Local News

January 8th, 2009

Developer Plans Major Industrial Park for Escondido

A 17.5-acre industrial park for Escondido? Could be. Such a park could well mean a number of high paying jobs and a major influx of money for the city of Escondido, which is hard pressed for money.

Developer James Gianulis, who co-owns Pacific Realty Advisors, said the industrial park could provide medical office space for Palomar Medical Center West, under construction on Citracado Parkway in the Escondido Research and Technology Center. The Harmony Grove Industrial Park would be located south of Harmony Grove Road and north of Escondido Creek, with 10 professional office or light-industrial lots, each 1 acre or larger to attract high-end users.

Escondido is wrestling with a $7.4 million budget deficit this fiscal year, mostly the result of its dependence on sales taxes, which have been plummeting. City officials are looking to increase Escondido's jobs base and, particularly, high paying jobs. An industrial park would fit the bill.

Councilman Dick Daniels pointed to San Marcos as an excellent example of what industrial parks can do for a community in terms of providing good jobs. The developer must first persuade the city to annex the land. The council has authorized an environmental study to evaluate the effects of annexation.

Developments near Harmony Grove, an unincorporated area west of Escondido, have often been contentious because residents have steadfastly fought the urbanization of their community.

The privateer, Lynx, at sea

Tall Ships Invade Oceanside

It’s not just the USMC that are able to do battle at sea . . . this week, today through Sunday, the Tall Ships are in Oceanside Harbor . . . and there will be plenty of firepower to observe. Three ships, the Lynx, the Californian and the Irving Johnson will do battle with one another as well as offer dockside tours to the public.

The ships are floating museums operated by non-profit groups. Their crews are all decked out in period costumes and will offer maritime history lessons.
Today and tomorrow there are free tours from 4 to 5pm, this weekend the tariff is $8 per adult, kids 12 and under are free. Weekend tours are from 10am to 1pm.

At 2pm on both Saturday and Sunday, mock battles will commence. If you want to be on board during the battle, the tariff is $65 per adult, $55 military, active duty or spouse, $35 for kids 12 and younger. For reservatons, call 866.446.5969.

Escondido Driver Checkpoint Nails 51 Impounded Vehicles

This last weekend saw six people arrested, four for DUI (Driving Under the Influence) at a checkpoint in the 700 block of West Grand Avenue. The checkpoint ran from 6pm till midnight and tallied up 1,836 vehicles, of which 51 were impounded, 63 citations were issued.

Driving without a license was the most common offense: 39 unlicensed drivers, 13 drivers with suspended licensed and 14 without car insurance.

Reidy Creek Golf Course Cutting Costs

There will be less maintenance at Reidy Creek Golf Course in Escondido, due to the downturn in the economy, a reduction in sales tax revenue to the city, and a continuing deficit at the popular golf course. To try and eliminate the red ink, city officials propose to layoff one of three maintenance workers, and cut employee hours in the pro shop.

The course has been running between $25,000 and $50,000 deficits each year since it opened. City officials feel these cuts could bring the course to a break even point.

Wanna Play Like the Chargers?

Register now for 5-man all-passing flag football leagues in Chula Vista, Mira Mesa, N County, N Park, Poway, San Marcos and Santee. Evening & weekend leagues begin January 25. Inter-league playoffs with neighboring counties. Call toll free 877.846.3178 or visit TopGunFlagFootball.com. Must be 18+ to play. Referees needed.

Smothers Brothers Visit Escondido This Weekend

Tommy and Dickie Smothers will be on stage at 2pm and 7pm this Sunday, January 11th, at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

Those who grew up in the 60’s will remember the brilliant topical humor from their Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour on CBS, before they were summarily fired for getting a bit too political in their humor. Looking at their humor now, it seems pretty tame compared to the change we now see. Chances are the Smothers Brothers led the way, however, to today’s sometime irreverent look at government, politicians, and society’s foibles.

As they mark 50 years in show business, the Smothers Brothers are being saluted as time-honored legends. Special musical guest Janet Klein will open the show with her obscure, naughty and lovely songs from the 1910s, ‘20s and ‘30s. www.smothersbrothers.com

North County Charitable Foundations Growing

The Escondido Charitable Foundation and the Carlsbad Charitable Foundations, both of which operate under the umbrella of the San Diego Foundation, appear to be growing nicely, according to officials from the San Diego Foundation.

The Escondido Charitable Foundation raised most of its money by enlisting subscribers to the tune of $5000 over a five year spread. They generated a membership of 123 members. The money received is then distributed with roughly half going to an endowment fund and the balance being distributed to area non-profit groups that need financial support and apply for grants.

The grant applications are typically reviewed by members of the local community foundation, and then distribute funding to those selected. In 2007, the Escondido Charitable Foundation gave out $90,000 to four after-school programs; earlier this year, they gave out $80,000 to three public health and nutrition programs.

Meanwhile, the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation, with 109 members, granted $44,000 in its first fiscal year, with most of the money going to the Science Olympiad program in Carlsbad Middle Schools.

The Oceanside Charitable Foundation has only attracted 47 members but is relatively new and hopes are for more members to join. For more information, contact Trudy Armstrong, or call (858) 385-1595.

Escondido Plans $3M in Cuts

The city of Escondido’s payroll may soon be 32 employees lighter if the City Council approves proposed layoffs under a cost cutting plan to try and cut back on the nearly $6 million deficit the city faces.

In addition to the layoffs, plans call for major cuts to libraries, recreation programs, police and firefighting budgets, all of which were presented to the City Council last evening. As of press time, results were not available the but the council was expected to approve the recommendations. Under the plan, effective February 1st, there would be $3.2 million in cuts, including $516,000 from the Fire Department by delaying plans to increase staffing, $405,000 from the Police Department by freezing six positions and disbanding the SWAT team, and $219,000 from the city’s code compliance campaign by reducing weekend shifts.

Libraries would be giving up $215,000 by cutting hours at both branches, $196,000 would be drawn away from recreation programs and $1.4 million from the layoffs and reduced employee benefits and salary increases.

There had been an earlier proposal to help reduce the city’s deficit by most all employees taking a 5% reduction in salaries; however, for that to happen the city would need to negotiate with the union representing many of the city workers. According to City Manager Clay Phillips the union has refused to meet so, “technically, the idea isn’t dead . . but until we’re able to meet and negotiate, it’s going nowhere.”

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