Residential Customer Del Mar CA, 92014 ECRWSS
Volume XVI, Issue 32
www.delmartimes.net
Aug 16, 2012 Published Weekly
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Directors urged to stamp out smoking at racetrack concerts Harper says staff needs to work on problem, which isn’t limited to tobacco
■ 90-year-old WWII fighter pilot recording storied life in memoir. Page 9
BY KATHY DAY Battles over smoking at the fairgrounds have moved to the racetrack where concertgoers have been lighting up – and not just tobacco. Joe Harper, president and general manager of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, beat several people to the punch on the issue on Aug. 14. They had come to
the 22nd Agricultural District’s directors meeting to tell stories about what they say has been happening at the post-race concerts. “Smoking is an issue, smoking marijuana is an issue – and that’s against the law,” said Dean Scott, one of a group of regular attendees who pushed the fair board to declare the venue a non-
smoking one — but to exempt the actual racetrack from the rules. However, the rules do apply to the concert series. But before Scott, who in June volunteered to serve on the board’s non-smoking subcommittee, and the others had their say near the end of the meeting, Harper had already told the board
Riding out the heat wave
that they thoroughbred club staff needed to work on the matter. He said they are increasing signage, announcing the rules from the stage and have reminded the 121 security staffers – that includes private Elite security as well as sheriff’s deputies – that they need to increase enforcement.
While the speakers expressed their thanks that Harper was paying attention to the matter, they still raised the issue. Kathy Lippitt, a Rancho Santa Fe resident, and Judy Strang of the San Dieguito Alliance for Drug Free Youth, both were also critiSee SMOKING, Page 6
Concerns raised over Ag. district pay cuts 22nd District’s 175 employees haven’t seen a raise in five years
■ Trunk show to benefit local girl with Crohn’s disease. Page 8
The warm weather has been an additional bonus for surfers who recently hit the waves in Del Mar. (Above, l-r) Greg Jones of Del Mar; Molly Jasco. (Bottom) A surfer enjoys life in beautiful Del Mar. PHOTO: JON CLARK
BY KATHY DAY Concerned that employees took yet another pay cut on July 1, 22nd District Agricultural Association Manager Tim Fennell told directors on Aug. 14 that the situation is hurting morale and forcing staffers to endure hardships. Since 2007, the district’s 175 employees – who run the Del Mar Fairgrounds and staff the annual San Diego County Fair – have not had a raise and have actually lost ground because they have been required to take furlough days and seen their personal leave programs re-
duced. Noting that the fair again set records for attendance and safety, Fennell said that just before this year’s fair he had given “a key person a glowing evaluation” for the fifth year in a row. But he could not give her a raise and had to tell her that she would have to work two more days during the fair’s extended season. The extra days, he noted, added to the hardship because it meant more expenses in babysitting and gas. “I’m starting to see the
SEE PAY, PAGE 6
Report cites some improvements in fair traffic, parking issues ■ Paralympic gold medalist teams with local woman to help others. Page B1
BY KATHY DAY Traffic and parking matters continue to be topics of conversation between fair board directors and representatives of Del Mar and Solana Beach, and while differences remain they generally agree that things are better. But director David Wat-
son, in a report at the Aug. 14 meeting of the 22nd District Agricultural Association board, said a new shuttle system designed to take fairgoers into the two cities to shop and dine seemed to have a reverse effect. “People were driving to the cities and shuttling to the fair,” he said, noting that part of the problem
Traditional Sales. Short Sales. Auctions.
might have been the plan went into place “without a long-term marketing plan. We need to get the businesses to market (the service) better in the months leading to the fair. When director Russ Penniman raised the question “Is it worth bringing up the temporary (rail) stop again?”, Watson said they
had decided to focus first on the simple things. “The rail stop is in the category of long term. It will take a lot of energy,” Watson said. “Right now we are just all learning how to get along,” he added, citing ongoing litigation with the cities. Barkett said they were making a “good-faith effort
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on transit issues” that requires the cities to work with the district. Meanwhile, Watson said, the rail stop is on the table, but until the litigation is resolved it’s not likely any major accomplishments will be made.