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VOL. 34, N0. 6
FEB. 7, 2020
SAN MARCOS -NEWS
Carlsbad watchful on . coronavirus
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By Steve Puterski
gates and a fence. “These buildings were in tough shape, they’re now very, very close to occupy-able,” Winters said. He added, “It was dangerous, there were some dangerous awnings and shutters that had to be removed and I believe that what we’ve really proven to you is that we’ve improved this city asset and created a safer environment for all of us.” DeWald said that moving the project forward in both the short and long term will require permits. The group tried to start the permit process last year but hit a roadblock when the
CARLSBAD — The latest global epidemic THEis in San Diego County, but VISTA the city of Carlsbad is NEWS keeping a close eye on the deadly coronavirus. The outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December and has spread to numerous countries, according to the Centers for Disease Control. This strand is a new virus, according to the CDC, and at least one possible case in San Diego County has RANCHO been reported. SFNEWS To date, more than 24,000 cases have been reported in China with nearly 500 deaths, according to City News Service. In Carlsbad, city officials are reminding residents simple steps such as proper handwashing remain the best way to stay healthy. The recommendations include washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth; avoiding close contact with those who are sick; stay home if sick; covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throwing it away; and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects. The county of San Diego’s Health and Human Services Agency is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor and respond to suspected cases in the San Diego region, according to the city. The
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STUDENTS at Scholarship Prep Charter School in Oceanside performed a flash mob during a Jan. 31 event celebrating school choice as part of National School Choice Week. STORY ON PAGE A3. Photo by Samantha Nelson
Arts group asks city for Pacific View help By Tawny McCray
ENCINITAS — The nonprofit arts group that wants to transform the shuttered Pacific View Elementary School site into an arts, culture and ecology center is now asking for the city to play a larger role in moving the project toward fruition. At a special City Council meeting on Jan. 29 the group, the Encinitas Arts, Culture and Ecology Alliance (EACEA) told the Encinitas City Council that it would like to change their arrangement from an “exclusive negotiating agreement” to a “memorandum of understanding.” “It’s time to regroup … we still need to get to the
end zone with this,” said John DeWald, the president of the EACEA, adding that the change “represents that we’re talking about a partnership more than a landlord/tenant kind of relationship.” As for what that partnership might look like, DeWald said the alliance would like some financial help from the city, especially when it comes to insurance costs and permit-related expenses. EACEA board member Steven Winters said the group believes a partnership with the city will lower costs as they build the cultural arts center, lessen the burden on city staff and city government, and ultimately
bring to fruition “our collective goal” of establishing Encinitas as an art and cultural hub of San Diego. “Our vision is to transform Pacific View Elementary School into a community arts center serving all of the members of our community … and ultimately we want to make the most people happy not the least people unhappy,” Winters said. “Our goal is to coordinate and collaborate with the city to ensure the success of this project.” The Encinitas Union School District closed Pacific View School in 2003, citing declining enrollment. In 2014, the city purchased the defunct campus from the district for $10 million.
The following year, the city selected the then-newly formed EACEA to steward the transformation of the school site. Winters said in those five years the group has raised over $500,000 from grants, donations and pledges and had over $100,000 of in-kind gifts and donated services. He said it’s been estimated that they’ve increased the value of the property by over $1 million by making a number of improvements to the site including adding a new roof, fixing broken windows, painting the exterior walls, improving the landscaping and the parking lot, and making security improvements that include new
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