Older Americans recognized in May B-4
Chamber honors members C-1
Hoff throws no-hitter D-1
Village News Fallbrook & Bonsall
a l s o se rv i n g t h e c o m m u n i t i e s o f
Joe Naiman Village News Correspondent
The May 22 Fallbrook Public Utility District (FPUD) board meeting will likely include the approval of a fire management plan for FPUD’s Santa Margarita River property. The April 27 FPUD board meeting included discussion about developing a fire management plan for the 1,384-acre property. A 4-0 FPUD board vote approved further review of developing a fire management plan with input from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the North County Fire Protection District. The fire management plan is associated with a tentative sale of that property which includes an equestrian easement to be granted to the Fallbrook Trails Council. Donna Gebhart is the Fallbrook Trails Council representative in the negotiations. Al Gebhart, husband of Donna Gebhart, is on the FPUD board and recused himself from the vote which could be related to the future purchase. “As part of the pending sale there is scheduled to be a management plan for that property,” said FPUD general manager Brian Brady. That overall management plan includes a fire management element. “What the board has asked staff to do is investigate the cost of the plan as well as the elements
see PLAN, page A-9
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May 18, 2017
Fire management plan for Santa Margarita River property likely to be approved
D e L u z , R a i n b ow, C a m p P e ndl e t o n , Pa l a ,
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Volume 21, Issue 19
FRHD votes to sell hospital to mental health provider
Tom Ferrall Staff Writer
Less than one month after holding an initial town hall meeting to solicit feedback from residents on possible uses for the vacant Fallbrook Hospital building located at 624 East Elder St., the Fallbrook Regional Health District (FRHD) board voted unanimously to sell the facility to mental health provider Crestwood Behavioral Health Inc. for $4.5 million during its regular board meeting May 10. The first town hall meeting was held April 12 during a regular FRHD board meeting and it attracted more than 100 residents. Ideas from the public included making the facility a hub for wellness non-profits to operate out of, using it for mental health care services, and utilizing the facility for wellness services for seniors, specifically cardiac rehabilitation. The district announced it would hold a second town hall meeting immediately prior to its May 10 board meeting, and it was shortly after that town hall meeting – and a PowerPoint presentation by Patricia Blum, executive vice president of operations for Crestwood – that the board voted to sell the building to the Sacramento-based company. The sale is in escrow. When FRHD (then known as the Fallbrook Healthcare District) first publicly announced in March 2016 that it was putting the hospital and its annex buildings up for sale, executive director Bobbi Palmer and board president Gordon Tinker both stressed that the hospital is
Shane Gibson photo The Fallbrook Regional Health District (FRHD) board voted unanimously to sell the vacant Fallbrook Hospital building located at 624 East Elder St. to mental health provider Crestwood Behavioral Health Inc. for $4.5 million during its regular board meeting May 10. The sale is in escrow. “the community’s asset” and thus the public will have to approve any sale. “If the district eventually finds a buyer that we can make a deal with, then it will have to go to the voters,” said Tinker in an article published in the April 7, 2016 issue of the Village News. “Basically, the health and safety code, which we operate under, says that any sale, lease or transfer of 50 percent or more of the assets require a citizen’s vote.” When asked via email May 15
why the board was able to approve the sale to Crestwood without the public’s approval, Palmer responded, “At a sales price of $4.5 million, the sale represents about 38 percent of the District’s total assets. Therefore, a vote is not required under Health & Safety Code 32121(p).” Before casting his vote for approval of the sale, board director Stephen Abbot said, “I think this is the highest and best use of this asset. It’s good for Fallbrook; it’s good for the surrounding
communities.” Crestwood is the leading provider of mental health services in California. It has 19 locations in the state, including rehabilitation centers in San Diego and Chula Vista. The company was seeking a third location in San Diego County and heard about the vacant Fallbrook Hospital structure. “I visited the site for the first time in March and I absolutely loved the layout and the community and kind
see FRHD, page A-9
First canine mayor helps raise over $20,000
Announcements �������������������������A-4 Business ���������������������������������������B-6 Business Directory ���������������������D-6 Calendar........................................A-6 Classifieds ������������������������������������B-7 Dining & Food ������������������������������B-8 Education.......................................B-5 Entertainment ������������������������������D-4 Health & Fitness ��������������������������B-2 Home & Garden �������������������������C-2 Legals.............................................C-6 Obituaries �������������������������������������D-6 Opinion �����������������������������������������A-3 Real Estate �����������������������������������C-2 Sheriff’s Log ���������������������������������A-6 Sports.............................................D-1 Wine................................................D-7
The inaugural Canine Mayor of Fallbrook, Quintin Marr, poses for a photo with, from right, owner Krista Fedon; Miss Fallbrook Brianna Lehman, First Princess Hayley Lawson and Second Princess Yvonne Damian, at Vince Ross Village Square on May 13.
Village News
Andrea Verdin Staff Writer Most electoral races are dogeat-dog, but the inaugural canine mayor election in Fallbrook involved lots of smiles and wagging tails. Vince Ross Village Square was full of music, fun and dog loving folk as they waited for the winning candidate to be announced on May 13. Miss Fallbrook and her court, in addition to campaign managers and fans of each candidate, stood waiting for the announcement to be made. The Midili Brothers Band played classic rock as everyone gathered to celebrate the inaugural event. Doggie treats and human clothing were available for purchase at the event, and folks of all ages were able to meet all
of the candidates, some of which dressed up for the special event. Candidates were able to register with the Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary, and voting started on April 15, finishing May 11. Votes were taken on the Animal Sanctuary’s website and on Paypal, with each vote costing one dollar. Voters could vote as many times as they liked, for as many candidates as they liked. While the 17 candidates were of all sizes, shapes, breeds and temperaments, their end goal was the same − to raise much-needed funds for the Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary. According to event coordinator Christine Shurow, the fundraiser successfully raised approximately $20,006 at the time of the event, and funds were still being counted.
She thanked all of the candidates, their managers and supporters for their help. Quintin Marr was named Fallbrook’s first canine mayor, having raised $2,423 in votes. His new role includes a oneyear term in office, an official mayoral collar, a medal and framed certificate, as well as goodies from local pet businesses. (His human campaign manager was also given prizes to enjoy). As the mayor, Quintin Marr will make appearances at community events, and will serve as goodwill ambassador to all pets in the community, advocating on their behalf. To help Quintin Marr with mayoral duties, the top five runners up became Canine Council Members, and may be
asked to fill in when the Canine Mayor is unavailable. They also received medals and certificates for their hard work. All candidates received a prize for their hard work. Rounding out the Canine Council are Axelle Belle, who raised $1,641; Izzy, a 21-yearold blind and deaf candidate who earned $1,235; Yogi, who raised $1,043; Halsey, who is working to be a therapy dog, raised $745; and Pariselle, who raised $662. Quintin Marr’s work as mayor starts nearly immediately, as he will serve as ambassador at the May 20 1 Love Reggae and Art Fest, another Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary fundraiser, which will be held at Casa Estrella.
see CANINE photos on page A-8