PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
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MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
VOL. 24, NO. 29
JULY 30, 2010
Voters to decide on retiree benefits
THISWEEK MAKE WAY FOR WIRELESS Council upholds Planning Commission decision to install wireless antennas in Leucadia despite residents’ objections A6
By Alyx Sariol
CAMP CLASSIC
Families enjoyed songs, s’mores and the great outdoors at a Solana B1 Beach campout
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WHAT REMAINS The charred remains of two vehicles and part of a duplex in the 900 block of Regal Road are the result of a suspected female arsonist who is in jail on a $75,000 bail. Photo by Wehtahnah Tucker
Dog saves lives in suspected arson fire By Wehtahnah Tucker
ENCINITAS — The canine has long been considered “man’s best friend,” but one dog raised the standards on what that description really means. Thanks to Zed, a 7-yearold golden retriever, at least two people escaped harm during an early morning fire July 26 in the 900 block of Regal Road. “He just kept barking and causing commotion telling me to ‘get up,’” said Zed’s owner James Booth. When Booth went outside to investigate at his dog’s urgings he saw a woman setting fire to one of the automobiles in the nearby carport of his duplex that houses two units. “It’s a good thing Zed woke me up because he saved some lives,” Booth said. “He’s the hero in this story.” However, Booth deserves some credit despite his modesty. The native Australian who moved into the unit just three months ago apprehend-
MAN’S BEST FRIEND Zed, a 7-year-old golden retriever, finds his favorite toy on top of a pile of charred rubble from a fire in the early hours of July 26 at his home in the 900 block of Regal Road. Zed alerted his owner to the fire. Photo by Wehtahnah Tucker
ed the suspected arsonist who was standing near the flames watching the fire reek havoc on the structure. According to reports from witnesses who do not wish to be identified, a woman was seen pouring a
liquid on one of the vehicles at the scene and setting it aflame. Booth was able to hold the woman until the Sherriff’s Department arrived and arrested the suspect who was reportedly intoxicated.
Nancy Lee Ellis, 64, is being held at the Las Colinas Detention Facility on charges of arson on a $75,000 bail. While no official motive was given as to why the petite woman would allegedly turn TURN TO FIRE ON A22
Residents give their opinions on I-5 expansion By Alyx Sariol
ENCINITAS — Local residents gathered at Caltrans’ first public hearing on July 27 to comment on the draft environmental impact report addressing expansion in the I-5 corridor. More than 100 people attended the event at the Encinitas Senior Center to learn more about the proposed project, which covers 27 miles from La Jolla to Oceanside. Four alternatives and one “no build” option are up for consideration to be used as the final plan.
The alternatives consistently include four “managed lanes” in the middle of I-5 to be used for carpools, rapid transit and as a toll road for single commuters willing to pay, said Caltrans’ I-5 Corridor Director Allan Kosup. However, the plans vary between using painted double-line buffers or concrete barriers to separate the managed lanes from the rest. Whether to add another “general purpose” lane to each side is also up for consideration.
“We either add four lanes or six lanes, with the four always being the managed,” Kosup said. “If you’ve driven I-15, it’s that same idea.” Calrans’ plans also include community enhancement projects, more accessible bike/pedestrian lanes and plans to improve air and water quality in the surrounding areas. The information was presented in an informal open house style, with a number of poster boards detailing each part of the
project stationed around the room. Representatives from Caltrans, SANDAG and other agencies were available to answer any questions. Residents were encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed alternatives, either in writing or with an available court reporter. Those that did focused on several main themes, including noise, congestion and public transportation. Vista resident George TURN TO FREEWAY ON A22
CARLSBAD — City Council members voted 4-1 on July 27 in approval of a charter amendment to this November’s ballot allowing voters to weigh in on increasing retirement benefits for safety employees. With the exception of Councilman Keith Blackburn, council approved the amendment that will give voters the power to bar future benefit increases without approval by the public. City leaders will not need voter approval to further decrease benefits. “Four of us will be supporting the ballot issue and Mr. Blackburn will be giving his concerns on why he opposes it,” Mayor Bud Lewis said. Blackburn, who has repeatedly voted against reducing safety employee benefits, has an opportunity to submit his concerns for inclusion in November’s ballot pamphlet. Earlier this year, Carlsbad was in the spotlight when it unveiled a plan to reduce retirement benefits for future firefighters, police officers and other safety employees. The city is one of the first in the region to implement a “2 percent at 50” system, instead of the current “3 percent at 50” formula. Under the current system, safety employees that retire at age 50 will receive 3 percent of their highest yearly salary multiplied by the number of years they have worked. The new formula will give employees 2 percent of the average pay from their final three years with the city, again multiplied by the number of years worked. The new pension plan will only affect new safety employees hired on or after Oct. 4. As mandated by state law, current employees will still receive the benefits they were originally offered. As a former Carlsbad police officer, councilman Blackburn has consistently voted against measures to reduce safety employment benefits. He has voiced his concerns that if Carlsbad offers less than surrounding cities, it will no longer attract the best of the best. “I strongly think that going to the second tier retirement system is a big mistake,” he said at a previous council meeting. “We’re going to build the most mediocre group of safety TURN TO BENEFITS ON A22