The Coast News INLAND EDITION
.com ESCONDIDO, SAN MARCOS, VISTA
VOL. 6, N0. 26
DEC. 24, 2021
SANDAG OKs ‘historic’ transit plan
State’s new voting maps are finalized
By Steve Puterski
TURN TO SANDAG ON 14
By Steve Puterski
A NEW FACE IN OUR NECK OF THE WOODS
A 3-week-old, female giraffe calf at the San Diego Zoo has been named Mawe (“maw way”), meaning stone in Swahili. She was born to first-time mom Saba and, at birth, she weighed a little under 150 pounds and stood approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall. Mom and baby are doing well. There are fewer than 100,000 giraffes estimated left in their native habitats across the world, a decrease of more than 40% over 20 years, according to the zoo. Photo courtesy San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
REGION — California's electoral maps for the next 10 years are in. The independent redistricting committees for the state and county approved their final maps with significant changes across the state, including North County. The new maps take effect starting with the 2022 elections. Since the process to gather the 2020 census numbers was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, each commission had just months to complete the new maps. For example, County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer's district saw some significant changes, gaining more southern coastal cities and losing inland territory. “While I am saddened that District 3 is losing some incrediTURN TO MAPS ON 18
High school drama teacher continues her father’s legacy By Samantha Nelson
VISTA — Mackenzie Scott literally grew up in Rancho Buena Vista High School’s theater. As a three-year-old, she painted shapes in the corner while her father, Mark Scott, directed plays and musicals. Several years later, Mackenzie graduated from the same performing arts program. Today, Mackenzie, 23, has returned to Rancho Buena Vista to carry on her father’s 30-year legacy as the school’s drama teacher. Mark Scott started teaching MACKENZIE SCOTT has followed in the footsteps of her father, Mark Scott, by leading the Rancho Buena Vista High School drama program. Mark taught drama at the Vista high school in theater at the school for 30 years. His daughter was one of his pupils. Photo by 1989. Samantha Nelson Over three decades, Mark
st
1
REGION — After more than a year of vigorous debate, the SANDAG board of directors on Dec. 10 approved its 2021 Regional Transportation Plan, a robust and controversial transportation plan to help meet state-mandated climate goals. The vote, which was 11-8 along party lines, calls for $162.5 billion in development and improvements to the region’s transportation system and transit lines to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, or GHGs, over the next 30 years. However, the plan's most hotly debated funding mechanism, a mileage fee for every driver, appears to be hanging in the balance as the board voted to direct SANDAG staff to eliminate the controversial road user charge in a potential future update. The fee proposed charging motorists 3.3 cents per mile beginning in 2030. “This is a historic day, a historic plan and a historic vote,” SANDAG Chairwoman Catherine Blakespear said. “This centers on climate for the first time ever. It’s critical to invest in our under-invested communities. It’s an economy-building plan and the investments are important for those transit-dependent and want transit.” According to SANDAG, the agency will “immediately” work on advancing projects such as relocating the rail line corridor off the bluffs, advancing the central mobility hub for direct
an
n u al
Moonlight Beach 2022 Half Marathon!
March 20,
Coast HWY 101 course runs along 8+ miles of the Pacific Ocean and Batiquitos Lagoon. 50% off Registration w/ promo code “coast50”
built up the program to be one of the best in the state, demonstrating that even the smallest school can produce an award-winning show. “What was so funny was that over the years as we started going to these competitions, we were winning quite a bit against all of these other kids who had extensive theater training,” Mark said. Mackenzie followed her father to rehearsals and performances, developing a deep love for theater at an early age. “I grew up on the floor here, TURN TO DRAMA ON 8
Scan the QR code, purchase your discounted ticket, then print the PDF ticket to use as your best stocking stuffer!
(less than 200 left @ this price - good until 12.31.2021)
The perfect last minute gift for the runner in your life!
excelarace.com