The Coast News

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THE COAST NEWS

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MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

VOL. 25, NO. 33

NOV. 4, 2011

Fire Chief appointed to seat

THISWEEK Oceanside’s Dia de los Muertos By Promise Yee

STANDING UP 7-year-old Gianna Repetti shows what it means to give, donating her hair to create wigs for kids with cancer B1

DENIED

The Oceanside City Council denies Tri-City Medical Center’s request to hire armed guards for A3 board meetings

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■ Public calls

OCEANSIDE — More than 25,000 celebrated Day of the Dead at Mission San Luis Rey on Oct. 30, with a mix of traditions and local spins on the holiday that laughs at skeletons and remembers loved ones who have passed away. Dia de los Muertos is a blend of cultural and religious beliefs that celebrates the cycle of life and death. The long-held holiday was first celebrated by the indigenous people of Mexico before Spanish explorers arrived. It was later combined with the Christian traditions of All Souls Day that is celebrated in early November. Today, modern spins like car trunk altars and chalk cemeteries are included. The Dia de los Muertos festival sprawled over mission gardens and lawn areas. In the sacred inner gardens more than 20 Dia de los Muertos altars decorated with arches of marigolds, loaves of sweetbread and rows of fruit and family photographs honored loved ones who have died. “The altars are built by family members and volunteers to commemorate their loved ones,” Maureen Sullivan, director of special events at Mission San Luis Rey, said. “It

Photo by Promise Yee

TURN TO CELEBRATION ON A22

The Los Vijitos dance makes light of old age.

into question Muir’s political background By Wehtahnah Tucker

Solana Beach moves to ban plastic bags By Bianca Kaplanek

SOLANA BEACH — Paper or plastic may soon cease to be an option when shopping for groceries and other items in Solana Beach. City Council directed staff at the Oct. 26 meeting to create an ordinance banning single-use carryout plastic bags used by most area businesses. If an ordinance is adopted — and it most likely will be sometime early next year — the small city known for its commitment to environmental sustainability will be the first in the county to enact such a law. Solana Beach has shown interest in the past in adopting a ban but legal concerns pre-

cluded it from doing so. Save the Plastic Bag Coalition, with members that include plastic bag manufacturers and distributors, sued Manhattan Beach, claiming the city should have conducted an environmental impact report prior to adopting a ban in 2008. The city appealed a 2009 Los Angeles Superior Court ruling in favor of the coalition. This past May, Manhattan Beach won the appeal. The state Supreme Court ruled that cities smaller than 40,000 residents should not be required to conduct an expensive ERI. Solana Beach will have to prepare a negative declaration at a cost of approximately

$14,000, which is about $60,000 less than what an EIR could cost, according to the staff report. With a population of about 13,500 residents, Solana Beach is one of four cities that can take advantage of the recent court ruling. The others are Del Mar, Coronado, Lemon Grove and Imperial Beach. Staff presented different ordinances adopted by three other California cities to help council members make decisions on how the new law should be crafted. Council members agreed it should apply to all grocery stores, pharmacies, retail businesses, city facilities, farmers

markets and events on public property, such as the annual Fiesta del Sol. “We have to set the example,” Councilman Joe Kellejian said. Other cities took eight months to a year to educate the public. Two of the three used a tiered system depending on the size of the store. Most of the Solana Beach council members agreed the law should be implemented as soon as possible but it should be tiered to give businesses a chance to get through their inventory. “We’re in an economic TURN TO BAG BAN ON A8

ENCINITAS — In a 3-1 vote, with Councilwoman Teresa Barth opposed, the City Council chose Encinitas Fire Chief Mark Muir over 12 other applicants to fill the vacancy on the council left by the death of Counciwoman Maggie Houlihan. The special council meeting on Nov. 2 was well attended as public speakers made their opinions known. Foremost, Ian Thompson, Houlihan’s husband implored the council to let Houlihan’s dying wish, an endorsement of UCSD lecturer Lisa Shaffer, become a reality. Further, Thompson said that by appointing Muir “you’ll be collectively dismissing the wishes of the citizens of Encinitas.” He cited Muir’s involvement in various political action committees that supported both Mayor James Bond and Deputy Mayor Jerome Stocks in various elections. He also said Muir’s “pro-development stance” was antithetical to Houlihan’s record of environmental stewardship. Anticipating a nomination, Bruce Ehlers, Houlihan’s former campaign manager provided more background and examples of Muir’s involvement in local city politics before the council began discussion. He cited the “Encinitas Coalition of Homeowners” a PAC run by Muir that endorsed Stocks and Bond. Ehlers showed emails Muir sent from his city email address during normal business hours regarding the 2002 campaign. “He both directly, and TURN TO MUIR ON A18


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