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THE RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS
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MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
VOL. 10, N0. 15
July 25, 2014
RSF resident launches nonprofit By Christina Macone-Greene
RANCHO SANTA FE — Rancho Santa Fe is a hub for animal lovers so when a new nonprofit emerges to benefit animals, people notice. Lynn Moon, a resident of Rancho Santa Fe, founded Art for Barks. Although she retired from the financial industry 12 year ago, this nonprofit has undoubtedly become her full-time passion which benefits animals and helps artists. “Art for Barks is an online nonprofit mobilizing animal theme artists, authors and educators to assist animal rescue charities and service dogs,” Moon said. “We are dedicated to improving pet care and reducing abandonment by providing cutting-edge information on medical care, training and nutrition. We may be the first animal nonprofit to focus on the front end care of adopted pets.” Moon describes this nonprofit as an umbrella organization representing all charities and is not in competition with others. Moon’s business acumen and love for animals spurred the Art for Barks vision three years ago. “When the 2008 crash came, being a practical economist, I knew that twothirds of the art galleries would close and animals
would have serious problems if people could not afford to take care of them,” Moon said. “I understood that both the publishing and art industries were under severe change and under a crisis mode.” Moon figured out a way to weave the arts and animals together. And Moon knows about business. Within the nation, she was the first female hired by E.F. Hutton when it was the top investment firm in its time; and, she served an unforgettable role to help provide national credit to women. When Moon began thinking about establishing a nonprofit, she spent months researching every angle. “It became very clear to me that if we followed the Washington National Aquarium model and how they used the visual appeal of fish to teach about conservation, we could use animal fine art and attract a lot of interest,” Moon said. Along with the art, Moon thought, high caliber books and authors could coalesce together to build a new community of animal lovers. The Art for Barks website is a Fine Art Gallery Museum destination showcasing dogs, horses, cats and wildlife.
Renee Hill receives her official promotion to RSF Fire Marshal on July 1. Courtesy photo
Promotion to RSF fire marshal garners praise By Christina Macone-Greene Lynn Moon, founder of Art for Barks with horses Charleston Charlie and Fred Astaire, with Valko, a mobility service dog. Photo by Susan White
“The Gallery Museum depicts the best animal art nationally and internationally in all art styles and mediums,” she said. Art for Barks points the potential shopper to the artist’s website or designated fine art gallery. “The artist has no direct obligation to do anything for us,” said Moon, noting that all she wants in
return is a spark toward animal-care education. This past school year, Moon helped promote its art and animal-care educator mission with the Rancho Santa Fe School District. Both the administration and its teachers, Moon said, developed a year-long training program TURN TO NONPROFIT ON A14
Rancho Santa Fe Association members discuss future campaign guidelines By Christina Macone-Greene
RANCHO SANTA FE — While the last RSF Association meeting served as a forum to discuss future campaign guidelines, it also brought to light the lack of civility, which occurred during the last board election. Items regarding campaign spending limits and disclosures were on the agenda. Ivan Holler, RSF Association Acting Manager, revealed some initial preliminary analysis to see if there was any feasibility on the matter. Holler cited some legal cases regarding campaigns. “Because the Association is not a government entity it may be able to adopt some sort of regulations limiting campaign contributions to individual candidates,” Holler said. “However, I would note that there would be
some risk associated with any such action, again, as a challenge to right of free speech.” Holler then went on to say that in regard to campaign disclosure requirements, such an action may
needed to be done to explore the issues. “I for one do not want to spend legal money for HOA case law,” RSF Association Director Heather Slosar said. RSF Association Di-
Had I known that I would have been subjected to the stuff that was pulled on me, I never would have done this.” Kim Eggleston RSF Association Board Member
be possible, but just as with campaign spending limits, this would require additional legal research. All research done by staff was a legal preliminary review and more
rector Rochelle Putnam said she didn’t necessarily think they were looking to establish case law. She felt there were a couple issues that concerned the community, one which pertained
to transparency. Putnam said community members expressed that a great deal of money was spent on the recent campaign, and from a curiosity standpoint, showed concern that a seat on the board could be bought. “The second issue here is regarding future elections,” Putnam said. “I think it’s intimidating with respect to candidates consider running that they may have to spend a great deal of money to actually get elected and run a valid campaign.” Moving forward, she said, they may have a tough time getting qualified volunteers willing to step up and put themselves through this. “Not only financially, it was a particularly ugly campaign,” said Putman, TURN TO GUIDELINES ON A14
RANCHO SANTA FE — When Renee Hill decided to pursue a career in fire service, she never dreamed it would skyrocket. A few years after graduating high school, Hill got the idea when her mother was employed with the Vista Fire Department. “I found it very interesting, got into some classes and finished up in Palomar College with an Associate’s Degree in Fire Technology,” Hill said. With an eye on the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District, she applied a couple of times and was officially brought onboard for an entry level position in 2005. And the rest, they say, is history. Hill started as a Prevention Specialist which consisted of managing sprinkler and new construction inspections.
She then became immersed into county land use issues, plan checks and reviews. Climbing up the District ladder, in 2012, Hill accepted a promotion as Deputy Fire Marshal where code enforcements were added onto her duties. As of July 1, Hill was officially promoted to RSF Fire Marshal. Now, she will superintend the Fire Prevention Bureau. And RSF Fire Chief Tony Michel couldn’t be more pleased. Michel said that since Hill took on the role as Deputy Fire Marshal, she has been acting in a Fire Marshal capacity without the title for some time. “She has been doing an outstanding job,” Michel said. “She wants to strive to make sure she is doing what is in the best interest of the RSF community when it TURN TO FIRE MARSHAL ON A14
District resolves lottery policy for the short term By Aaron Burgin
REGION — Taylor Lessley and 60 other students will be able to attend San Dieguito High School Academy after all. The San Dieguito Union High School District announced this week that the district had created enough capacity at the Encinitas campus to accept the wait-listed students whose parents had protested the district’s open-enrollment policies over the past two months. The district achieved the added capacity in the
short term by consolidating classes into underused classrooms. Long-term, the school will be able to accommodate the increased capacity with new classrooms being built as part of the district’s bond program. “It’s a feel good story,” District Superintendent Rick Schmitt said. “We were able to solve our shortterm capacity issues and find space for the kids.” In recent weeks, parents have protested the district’s lottery policy, which TURN TO DISTRICT ON A14