PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92025 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
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VOL. 29, N0. 18
MAY 1, 2015
SAN MARCOS -NEWS
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.com Steve Sarkozy and the city announced last week that they will be parting ways amicably. Photo courtesy city of Carlsbad
Del Mar resident David Arnold explains the process that allowed him to transform a Torrey pine tree stump into public art. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek
From tree stump to tree art By Bianca Kaplanek
DEL MAR — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Tuesday for a Torrey pine tree stump that was recently transformed into a piece of public art Councilman Terry Sinnott described as “uniquely Del Mar.” Late last year the tree became infected with bark beetles. A decision was made to remove it so other nearby trees wouldn’t be damaged. Del Mar resident David Arnold drove by the day chainsaw-wielding crews began taking it down.
“On my way back they were still cutting,” Arnold said. “I was just moved to do something. So I went up to the guy with the chainsaw and I asked him if he would stop and he said ‘no.’” Arnold, an artist who helped design the city logo about five years ago, immediately contacted Sinnott and city staff members, who ultimately supported his plans and work to remove the stump was stopped. Arnold then created two clay models and presented them to the
Parks and Recreation Department, which selected one. A modified version was approved by the City Council in February. Arnold said the process was “astoundingly smooth” and “a very happy occasion” until reality set in. “I thought, ‘Now what am I going to do?’” he said. Arnold eventually enlisted the help of Tim Richards, a local carver who created the tiki head at Swami’s TURN TO STUMP ON A16
Sand replenishment project clears major hurdle By Bianca Kaplanek
REGION — Plans to place more than 1.5 million cubic yards of sand on beaches in two North County cities over a 50-year span recently reached “the last significant major milestone,” Solana Beach City Manager David Ott said. The Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Review Board voted 5-0 on April 21 to advance the Coastal Storm Drainage Reduction project, which has been in the works for more than 15 years by officials in Solana Beach and Encinitas. “This is big for Solana Beach and all those who have served,” said Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner, who traveled to Wash- A project 15 years in the making that would put about 1.5 million cubic yards of sand on beaches in Encinitas TURN TO SAND ON A16
and Solana Beach over a 50-year period recently cleared its last major hurdle when it received unanimous approval from the Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Review Board. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek
Carlsbad, city manager RANCHO part ways after SFNEWS one year By Ellen Wright
CARLSBAD — Almost exactly a year after City Manager Steve Sarkozy started in his position, the city announced that his contract will not be renewed, marking the city’s third city manager in three years. His last day was on April 24. Sarkozy said he and city staff weren’t in “complete alignment,” which is why he’s moving on. “To reach peak performance, the City Council, city manager and staff need to be in complete alignment, and we just weren’t able to get there,” said Sarkozy. “Carlsbad is a great city with even greater potential. The community deserves a team that will fully realize that potential,” he added. Mayor Matt Hall agreed. “Steve is one of the top city managers in the nation, with vast experience and a stellar track record,” said Hall. “Sometimes you can have all the right pieces, and just not the right fit. We are grateful for Steve’s efforts and wish him the best.” Sarkozy’s final day with the city is April 24. He was appointed on March 11, 2014 after the city conducted a nationwide search and began April 14, 2014 with a salary of $260,000.
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He replaced John Coates, who suddenly resigned in October 2013. Sarkozy left Bellevue, Wash., where he served as city manager for 13 years. Bellevue is a major Microsoft employment hub, has the same AAA credit rating and is ranked similarly for resident satisfaction. During his time there he received the “Innovations in Local Government
Sometimes you can have all the right pieces, and just not the right fit.” Matt Hall Mayor, Carlsbad
Award,” which is sponsored by Harvard University. He won awards for neighborhood investment, e-government and intergovernmental cooperation and led the development of the city’s environmental stewardship Initiative, which focused on energy conservation and electric vehicles, according to the press release. Prior to that he served for 11 years as city managTURN TO SARKOZY ON A16