PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92025 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
.com SERVING NORTH COUNTY SINCE 1987
VOL. 32, N0. 41
OCT. 12, 2018
SAN Mayoral result MARCOS could -NEWS force a special election
Chesterfield decision stirs debate at City Hall
.com
By Carey Blakely
ENCINITAS — A seemingly innocuous transportation update on the San Elijo Lagoon Double Track Project turned into a heated disagreement at Encinitas City Council on Sept. 26 that boiled down to who wields inter- and intra-agency authority. At issue was the Chesterfield Drive intersection at the rail crossing with South Coast Highway 101 and San Elijo Avenue in Cardiff. The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) will completely remove the sidewalk on the south side of that intersection as the double tracking progresses. Due to the grade and surface-elevation changes expected from widening the intersection to accommodate the second set of train tracks, SANDAG has said it’s infeasible to keep the original sidewalk there. Encinitas City Manager Karen Brust explained during the Sept. 26 meeting that the city asked
By Steve Puterski
.com
SANDAG to come up with options that would serve as alternatives to removal. A report from City Engineer Chris Magdosku explains that SANDAG ruled out building a new sidewalk on the south side due to concerns that re-permitting would significantly delay the project. Installing a crosswalk there would also cause “substantial traffic backups” during peak hours, according to the report. SANDAG decided that the most feasible alternative was to establish a bike lane on the south side once the sidewalk is removed. Magdosku’s report states TURN TO CHESTERFIELD ON A5
.com
PUMPKIN PATCH KIDS
Paul, 19 months, of Carlsbad, picks out his favorite gourd on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at Carlsbad Strawberry Company. Longtime strawberry farm owner Jimmy Ukegawa said the farm features a variety of seasonal activities for children and families including hay rides, pumpkin painting and a corn maze. “I love Carlsbad,” Ukegawa said, “It’s a family city and we love watching families coming out here and having fun.” Photo by Jordan P. Ingram
San Marcos taps San Diego High principal for superintendent position By Aaron Burgin
SAN MARCOS — San Marcos Unified went down south to find its new superintendent. The district recently announced that Carmen Garcia, the lead principal at San Diego High School, was the lone finalist in the district’s search for a permanent replacement for Melissa Hunt, who retired Aug. 30. Garcia presides over one of the largest schools
in the county, which is broken into three schools: the San Diego School of International Studies, School of Business and Leadership and School of Science and Technology. “Dr. García, a bilingual and bi-cultural educator, with great energy and a passion for student success, will be an outstanding leader for our district,” school board President Stacy Carlson said in a statement. Garcia, in her farewell
letter to her current school, said that the new position will allow her to engage with the North County community. “This opportunity with San Marcos USD will afford me the ability to connect deeply with the north county community where I live and where my training, background and experience will enable me to work with the Board of Education, teachers, staff, parents, and higher education (Palo-
mar College and Cal State San Marcos) to support the more than 21,000 students achieve their full potential,” Garcia said. The San Marcos Unified school board is expected to approve Garcia’s hiring Oct. 16. Recently, several school board members traveled down to San Diego High to meet with Garcia and San Diego Unified board members and the area superintendent.
Longtime school board member Richard Barrera praised Garcia after the meeting. “It’s truly going to be our loss and San Marcos’ gain,” he said. Prior to San Diego Unified, Garcia served as superintendent of the Borrego Springs Unified School District. Garcia replaces Hunt, who retired in response to her husband’s cancer diagnosis.
The Community’s Choice for Oceanside City Council - District 2 She is a proven fighter and will protect your neighborhood!
Dana and ACTION fought to defeat Props E and F in 2012 saving the homes of our Seniors and Veterans in our Manufactured home communities! A vote for Dana is a vote for:
Saving Taxpayers dollars Supporting our Schools and Small Businesses Saving Open Spaces Creating More Jobs in Oceanside The ONLY candidate endorsed by Former Mayor Jim Wood and Councilwomen Sanchez "Proven leadership for Oceanside"
CARLSBAD — Residents may think the race to fill the City Council ends in November. But it could turn THE out the council VISTA may be short one seat for up to nearly six NEWS months. The outcome of November’s general election could lead to a special election. Should Councilwoman Cori Schumacher defeat incumbent Mayor Matt Hall, it would leave one open seat on theRANCHO City Council. All SFNEWS the current City Schumacher Council members were elected through the city’s previous at-large voting system. Last year, though, Carlsbad moved to district elections, which are staggered, with Districts 1, 3 and mayor up this year. Schumacher, who lives in District 1, decided to run for mayor instead of in her district, which could leave the city with one less council member come November. Districts 2 and 4 are still considered at-large seats and not up for election until 2020. Currently, Schumacher and Keith Blackburn hold those seats, but if Schumacher wins the mayoral race, it would open one seat on the council. Under this scenario, and according to city code 2.04.030, the council must appoint a new council member within 60 days after the Dec. 11 swearing in of the general election victors. If the council does not come to a consensus, mean-
www.corsoforcouncil.com
Paid for by Dana Corso for Oceanside City Council 2018 FPPC#1368687
TURN TO ELECTION ON A11
VOTE YES on Y
Save Oceanside Open Space and Agricultural Resources!
Y will: Give Voters the Right to Vote Reduce Traffic Congestion Reduce Cost to Taxpayers
www.oceanside-SOAR.org