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May 22, 2014
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Volume 18, Issue 21
Fire Chief says May fires “worse than 2007” Bids come
in for SR76 work Hazard Construction low bid for some items Joe Naiman Village News Correspondent Hazard Construction is the apparent low bidder for work on State Route 76 east of Interstate 15 which will include repaving, shoulder and centerline rumble strips, and improved striping. The California Department of Transportation opened bids May 15. The Hazard Construction bid of $4,294,738 was the lowest of the three companies which responded to the bid package which was advertised April 1. Caltrans had estimated a $5.3 million cost for the project,
see BIDS, page A-8
The Tomahawk Fire, which started near Old Highway 395 and West Lilac Road, burns voraciously down the hillside towards the Rancho Monserate senior mobile home community in Fallbrook on Wed., May 14. Debbie Ramsey Managing Editor When Bill Metcalf, chief of North County Fire, called the firestorms that threatened Fallbrook last week “worse than 2007,” it was apparent he had a
grim story to tell. Metcalf, who has overseen local firefighting efforts in three critical times for Fallbrook - 2003, 2007, and now, 2014, detailed the experience. “Last week we didn’t have the sheer acreage that burned in 2007,
but having nine simultaneous events going on at once made it worse than 2007,” said Metcalf. “It was a challenge sending resources to help at other locations, while keeping enough to protect what’s at home. In a normal fire situation, with all of our North
Jack McKee photo
County resources, we can usually overwhelm a fire pretty quickly.” Metcalf said a separate problem also created a negative impact on firefighting efforts in regards to the Tomahawk Fire, which was
see FIRE, page A-6
Priorities set for 19 road projects in Fallbrook County
proposes $5.06 billion budget Supervisors begin public hearings on June 9 Joe Naiman Village News Correspondent
Motorists make their way through a curve in the road at the intersection of East Mission Rd. and Santa Margarita Dr., a location Fallbrook planners have requested a traffic signal for.
Shane Gibson photo
FCPG establishes circulation priorities for county’s capital projects Andrea Verdin Special to The Village News The Fallbrook Community Planning Group (FCPG) and Fallbrook Circulation Committee h a v e r e v i e w e d F a l l b r o o k ’s roads, and have prioritized road construction and maintenance
2014-2015 budget includes: for the county. The circulation committee meets every two to four years to let the county’s Department of Public Works (DPW) know what road reconstruction, community developments, intersection improvements, and asphalt overlays are most needed in the community.
Anne Burdick, circulation committee chair, stated that the county looks at the list, and allocates certain funds for various projects according to their placement on the DPW’s waiting list for capital improvement.
see PRIORITIES, page A-9
Memorial Day observances offered in Fallbrook Debbie Ramsey Managing Editor As Memorial Day approaches on Monday, May 25, Fallbrook area residents will have two opportunities to pay tribute to the military men and women who died while serving to keep citizens of the United States safe. A Civil War-themed historical remembrance will be offered on Saturday, May 24, at 10 a.m. at Odd Fellows Cemetery at the corner of West Clemmens Lane and Alturas Road. Memorial Day
• $1,909.9 million - Health & Human Services • $1,908.3 million - Salaries and Benefits • $1,626.6 million - Public Safety • $417.5 million - Land Use & Environment • $383.6 million - Finance & General Govt. • $322.2 million - Debt Financing • $81.7 million - Capital Projects
was formerly known as Decoration Day, as it originated after the Civil War to commemorate Union and Confederate soldiers who perished in that conflict. This event, presented by the Sgt. William Pittenger Camp 21 of The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, is educational in nature and open to the public. Due to the uneven ground surface, guests are encouraged to wear flat-soled shoes. On Monday, May 26, at 11 a.m.,
“Our biggest risk continues to be the slow economic recovery,” said county Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer. “We have to prioritize.” The proposed budget allocates $1,909.9 million for the county’s Health and Human Services group, $1,626.6 million for the Public Safety Group, $417.5 million for the Land Use and Environment Group, $383.6 million for the Finance and General Government Group, $324.1 million for the Community Services Group, $322.2 million for debt financing, and $81.7 million for capital projects. The expenditures include $1,908.3 million for salaries and
see MEMORIAL, page A-8
see BUDGET, page A-9
• May 24 - historical event at Odd Fellows Cemetery • May 26 - traditional event at Masonic Cemetery
Christine Rinaldi photo
The proposed County of San Diego budget for fiscal year 201415 is $5.06 billion, which is a 1.6 percent increase over the $4.98 billion budget for 2013-14. The unanimous San Diego County Board of Supervisors action May 6 was to receive the recommended operational plan and set June 9 as the day to begin the public hearings. “We’re not rich. We never thought we were rich. But we try to effectively get things done with what we have,” said Supervisor Ron Roberts.
CIF to shift North County leagues Fallbrook may be moved to Valley League Joe Naiman Village News Correspondent On April 30 the CIF Board of Managers held a first reading for the North County Conference league realignment. The releaguing will require a second reading and approval vote which is scheduled for the June 4 Board of Managers meeting. Fallbrook would be moved to the Valley League under the proposed realignment.
see CIF, page A-10
SPORTS
Warrior gymnasts win first two meets since 2009 Joe Naiman Village News Correspondent When Fallbrook High School gymnastics co-coach Krystal Schmid was herself among the Warrior gymnasts, the team completed Schmid’s freshman season by placing seventh at the 2009 CIF meet. Six gymnasts are required for a team to obtain a full score, and for the next four seasons Fallbrook lacked the minimum number of varsity gymnasts to receive enough points for a dual meet victory.
see GYMNASTS, page C-4
thisweek
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