PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
.com
MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
VOL. 24, NO. 47
DEC. 17, 2010
Water rates jump
THISWEEK
■ Increases
looking steeper than expected
CALLED BY PHONES A local communications pro shows off his 500item collection of B1 antique phones
TROUBLE IN CHARITY
dbye to g
A5
Local organizations aimed at helping the needy are finding their systems overwhelmed as the number of people seeking help soars this A5 holiday season
INSIDE TWO SECTIONS, 48 PAGES
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . A5 Camp Pendleton News . . . A16 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . B19 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . B22 Consumer Reports . . . . . B3 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8 Frugal Living . . . . . . . . . B2 Hit the Road . . . . . . . . . B2 Hot Off the Block . . . . . B15 Legal Notices . . . . . . . . A17 Not that you asked . . . . A4 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . B7 Odd Files . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 Pet of the Week . . . . . . A10 Second Opinion . . . . . . . B5 Small Talk . . . . . . . . . . . B1 Taste of Wine . . . . . . . B11 Who’s News? . . . . . . . . A10
HOW TO REACH US (760) 436-9737 CALENDAR SECTION: calendar@coastnewsgroup.com COMMUNITY NEWS: community@coastnewsgroup.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: letters@coastnewsgroup.com
By Promise Yee
OCEANSIDE — City Council OK’d an increase in water and wastewater rates in a 3-2 vote on Dec. 8, in which Mayor Jim Wood and Councilwoman Esther Sanchez voted no. The first increases will be effective in February. Water rates will bump up 7.4 percent. With the initial increase water rates will still remain below the average regional cost. Wastewater rates will increase 9 percent and put costs above the regional average. Additional increases were also OK’d for July. Water
Who needs
snow?
While people in other parts of the country were sweeping the snow off their driveways, fun-seeking North County residents took to the beach Dec. 12. Above, Kaylee Martinez endures the chilly waters to ride the waves, having recently moved to Vista from Arizona. Right, San Diego resident Raylee Groves enjoys a day at the beach in Oceanside with her father, who was visiting from Ohio.
TURN TO RATES ON A18
Photos by Daniel Knighton
City votes to Carlsbad welcomes new mayor, council members demolish run-down buildings By Alyx Sariol
CARLSBAD — Local residents packed Carlsbad’s council chambers Dec. 14 for the official swearing in of the city’s first new mayor in 24 years and four others, as determined by the results of last month’s general election. Longtime Councilman Matt Hall took his oath to become Carlsbad’s next mayor, succeeding Claude “Bud” Lewis, who has served in the position for more than two decades. “In my heart, there’s only one mayor in this city and that’s Mayor Bud Lewis; he has truly been an inspiration and a leader beyond words,” Hall said. To council, he said, “It’s now time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.” Hall ran against fellow Councilman Keith Blackburn for the coveted position and ultimately prevailed with 40 percent of the vote. Incumbent Mark Packard and newcomer Farrah Douglas were sworn in as council members, having collectively won with around 80 percent of the vote. They will serve four-year terms with City Council.
“I appreciate your trust in me,” Douglas said. She campaigned for more than a year to secure her new title. “I am committed to open, responsible and responsive local government.” Carlsbad’s new city treasurer, Jim Comstock, said he was accepting the position with “great sadness and great jubilation.” He will take over the position most recently held by the late Harold “Mac” McSherry, who passed away in July and was a close friend to council. On a lighter note, Comstock said, “I’m excited to be your treasurer. Having been in Carlsbad for 28 years, I have come to deeply love and respect this city.” Incumbent Lorraine M. Wood was sworn in as city clerk once again, having received 100 percent of the vote from Carlsbad voters. She ran unopposed and was nicknamed “Landslide” at the ceremony. Wood certified the results of the SIGNING IN TO OFFICE Longtime Councilman Matt Hall officially signs his oath, Nov. 2 election at the ceremony and becoming Carlsbad’s first new mayor in more than two decades. Photo by Alyx Sariol
TURN TO NEW MAYER ON A18
By Wehtahnah Tucker
ENCINITAS — City Council voted unanimously to demolish buildings on privately owned land along Quail Gardens Drive on Dec. 8. City officials and neighbors told the council the property located on the east side of Quail Gardens Drive north of Encinitas Boulevard has become a haven for transients and drug users. The 11-acre property has 11 dilapidated structures that were declared a public nuisance in October of this year. Three of the structures contain hazardous materials. Many of the buildings are littered with drug paraphernalia according to Patrick TURN TO BUILDINGS ON A18
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