The Coast News, March 26, 2010_web

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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94

THE COAST NEWS

.com

MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

VOL. 24, NO. 13

MARCH 26, 2010

THISWEEK le b a u Val pons cou ages on P 23 B ART N SOUL

Encinitas art gallery Art N Soul hosted a party to celebrate the coming together of local artists businesses A21 and charities

Guilty plea for teacher accused of molestation

SWARM FUZZIES On March 20, the San Diego Derby Dolls Swarm took on the Los Angeles Derby Dolls Sirens in banked track roller derby at Wyland Hall at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Swarm fans were encouraged to wear yellow to support the team and receive a raffle ticket to win merchandise.

By Randy Kalp

CARLSBAD — A former Carlsbad elementary school teacher accused of brazenly molesting three of his students at school pleaded guilty March 19. Raymond Firth took a plea agreement admitting to two felony counts of sexual battery and one count of false imprisonment relating to the molestation of three of his third-grade students between 2006 and 2008 as a teacher at Pacific Rim Elementary School. In accordance with his plea agreement, Firth will receive three years and eight months in prison, Deputy

Photos by Daniel Knighton

INSIDE

TWO SECTIONS, 52 PAGES

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . A12 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . B20 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . B22 Consumer Reports . . . . . A6 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A10 Crossword Puzzle . . . . B22 Eye on the Coast . . . . . . A5 EyeWitness . . . . . . . . . . . A7 Frugal Living . . . . . . . . . B5 Hot Off the Block . . . . . A17 Legal Notices . . . . . . . . . B7 Lick The Plate . . . . . . . . B6 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . B18 Odd Files . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 Pendleton News . . . . . . A20 Pet of the Week . . . . . . A19 Second Opinion . . . . . . A18 Small Talk . . . . . . . . . . . B1 Taste of Wine . . . . . . . . B4 Who’s News? . . . . . . . . A10

HOW TO REACH US (760) 436-9737 CALENDARS SECTION: calendar@coastnewsgroup.com COMMUNITY NEWS: community@coastnewsgroup.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: letters@coastnewsgroup.com

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS Sell your car at any price, or any one item $150 or less for free! Go online to www.coastnewsgroup.com or call our free ad hot line at (760) 436-1070. Deadline is Monday at 4 p.m.

TURN TO TEACHER ON A25

Repairs slated for Carlsbad Boulevard

ALL ABUZZ

HAZZARDS OF THE JOB “Shiva Me Timbers” had to sit out the game due to a broken ankle.

Above, “Flogging Ollie” of the San Diego Hard Corps works as mascot for the Swarm on her night off from competing. At right, Swarm members take a lap during the introductions and the Los Angeles Sirens watch from the sidelines.

By Alyx Sariol

In the next few months, the Visit Oceanside nonprofit organization will be formed to oversee TMD spending, including running the California Welcome Center, that is presently run by the Chamber of Commerce. The California Welcome Center has been in operation since 1988. It is a hub for visitor

CARSLBAD — City staff announced the issuance of an Emergency Coastal Development Permit to repair damages caused by the recent winter storms at the March 23 council meeting. The permit comes two months after the Jan. 17 storm that caused damage to Carlsbad Boulevard south of the Encina Creek Bridge, including a sewer line and lift station. Since the storm, city staff has been assessing the damage to offer design solutions to fix the damage and protect the facilities involved, said planning director Don Neu. The proposed repairs include replicating riprap

TURN TO TOURISM ON A22

TURN TO REPAIRS ON A21

Tourism marketing assessment approved By Promise Yee

OCEANSIDE — A 1.5 percent Tourism Marketing District assessment was unanimously approved by City Council on March 17. The OK allows hotels and vacation rentals to charge visitors a room assessment beginning April 1 that will fund marketing Oceanside as a vacation destination. The 1.5 percent assessment will cost visitors an

extra $1.50 charge on a $100 room. Unlike the Transit Occupancy Tax, the Tourism Marketing District assessment, or TMD, will not become part of the city general fund. Monies from TMD will be set aside for tourism marketing. An 81.13 percent majority of hoteliers are in favor of the assessment. The tourism industry is in a slump due to the tough

economy, but hoteliers are hopeful additional marketing will help. An estimated $350,000 is expected to be collected in TMD annually to promote Oceanside tourism. “We’re not throwing in the towel,” Leslie Gaul, California Welcome Center director, said. Hoteliers planned to meet March 25, to learn “how to” information on collecting TMD.

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