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THE RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS
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MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
VOL. 13, N0. 31
OCT. 27, 2017
Gallagher fills vacant board seat
‘Puppy mill’ bill signed
By Christina Macone-Greene
By Aaron Burgin
REGION — North County’s animal welfare activism community is hailing the signing of a statewide bill that would ban the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits that aren’t from a rescue group or a shelter. Gov. Jerry Brown last week announced the signing of Assembly Bill 485, which State Assemblyman Patrick O’Donnell, D-Long Beach, introduced in February. The bill had near universal support in Sacramento, passing through both the State Assembly and State Senate with sweeping majorities. California is the first state to ban retail pet stores from selling animals from commercial kennels, which are sometimes referred to as “puppy mills.” The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2019. The bill had the backing of nearly every animal welfare group statewide, including a strong contingent in North County that had worked for years to pass similar ordinances in cities throughout the county, including in Encinitas, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista and San Marcos. “We are elated, absolutely elated,” said Andrea Cunningham of the local group Not One Animal Harmed, or N.O.A.H. “It’s the first step of hopefully 49 more in the entire country as each state comes on board.” The bill, though widely supported in the legislature, was not without opponents. These opponents of the bill — including the American Kennel Club, the California Retailers Association, the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council and one prominent San Diego County pet store owner — argued that the bill strips consumers of the right to choose where they purchase their animals. The Coast News reached out to David Salinas, who operates four retail pet outlets TURN TO BILL ON 20
On the border of Encinitas and Solana Beach, the 979-acre San Elijo Lagoon is home to more than 700 species of plants and animals, many rare and endangered. The property includes a nature center, above, and is popular with runners, bird watchers and wildlife photographers. Photo by Rennett Stowe
San Elijo Conservancy celebrates 30 years By Aaron Burgin
REGION — Thirty years ago, the San Elijo Lagoon — the area off of Coast Highway 101 and Interstate 5 in Cardiff that serves as a critical bridge between the Escondido Creek and the Pacific Ocean — was suffering. Years of development and neglect had relegated the lagoon to nothing more than a dump and a pond where sewage would settle. A duck hunting club used it as
well. In 1987, however, a group was formed to steward the restoration and ongoing protection of the lagoon. The group’s roots date back to the late 1970s when the community banded together to preserve the lagoon from development and the San Elijo Conservancy was born. But talk to Sally Foster, the co-chair of the Conservancy’s “Birds of a Feather” Gala, and
others associated with the restoration group, and they will tell you the conservancy is needed now more than even it was in its infant stages. “It’s more important today,” she said, without hesitation. Located on the border of Encinitas and Solana Beach, the 979acre lagoon is home to more than 700 species of plants and animals, TURN TO CONSERVANCY ON 17
RANCHO SANTA FE — After several deadlock votes at the Oct. 5 Rancho Santa Fe Association meeting, Mike Gallagher walked away as the newly appointed board member. Gallagher is filling former board member Mike Licosati’s seat, which will come up for re-election in June 2018. Licosati, whose primary residence has shifted from Rancho Santa Fe to Solana Beach, resigned on Aug. Gallagher 23. The board was at a standstill five times, with members locked 3-3 in a tied secret vote. It took the board six attempts, and an impromptu adjournment to executive session, before the tie vote broke and Gallagher was nominated. According to Association Manager Bob Hall, seven candidates initially were in the running although one withdrew. “The quality of these candidates are incredible, and this is a wonderful thing,” Hall said. “It’s exciting to have so many who want to serve this community.” The names of the candidates remained confidential out of consideration for those who were not appointed. Board President Fred Wasserman told Covenant residents TURN TO GALLAGHER ON 20
School Board interviews 5 to fill Ritto seat By Christina Macone-Greene
RANCHO SANTA FE — The Rancho Santa Fe School Board publicly interviewed five applicants on Oct. 16 to fill an empty seat left by Marti Ritto, who resigned on Sept. 13. The school district closed applications on Oct. 9 for the existing term that runs through November 2018. The five applicants interviewed were Kali Kim, Jee Manghani, Richard The five applicants interviewed by the Rancho Santa Fe School Shen, Ph.D., Jon Yonemitsu Board all have children attending R. Roger Rowe School. File photo and Elise Dufrensne. Each
applicant has children attending R. Roger Rowe. Board President Todd Frank explained the board would not decide on an appointment that day. First up was Kim, who has a professional background as a senior tax accountant. When asked why she would make a good board member, she shared that she had a vested interest in the success of the school. She said she believes the school board should have a long-term vi-
sion with a clear consensus. “I think a school board member is an advocate for the kids to ensure kids receive everything they need to receive their highest potential,” she said. When assessing the performance of the district, Kim said a significant metric is the feedback from the community, parent surveys and test scores. Another way to determine performance, she said, is to see TURN TO SCHOOL BOARD ON 6
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