Planned for a 2010 vote

A half-cent sales tax on the dollar measure is being primed for the 2010 general election by guess who? If you said San Diego Association of Governments, you can move to the head of the class. Currently Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego, offered a measure that received a unanimous 6-0 vote from the Assembly Local Governments Committee and it now heads to the Assembly floor that rarely votes against tax increases. The measure needs voter approval before SANDAG can impose the tax. Labeled a “Quality of Life” measure, it’s to benefit (still to be decided) such items as sand replenishment. Ho hum.

Candidates filing period

Expect a bunch of incumbents and wannabe electeds to begin to pull papers on July 14, the first day these will be available. According to Flower Capital City Clerk Deborah Cervone, the filing period runs from that day to Aug. 8. If an incumbent does not file, the period is extended to Aug. 13. Most cities will each have three seats up for grabs.

Parking user fee to rise

Folks flying out of Lindbergh Field who avail themselves of the parking lot later this year will pay more. Rates will go up from $3 to $4.50. Long-term parking will also go up to as much as $18 per day. Increases are needed becuz of the rising cost of doing bizness. For example, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority just issued its 2007 annual report — a 12-inch-by-12-inch, 24-page brochure on heavy stock, containing full-color pages of all sizes and shapes that propagandize operations. Made available to assorted electeds with a cover letter from Authority Chairman Alan Bersin and President/CEO Thella F. Bowens. Most facility users who pay the user fees probably weren’t on the receiver’s list.

Saving on gas?

Lines reminiscent of the last gas crunch are queuing up at Tijuana petrol stations where the critical commodity is more than $1 cheaper. But since folks are burning gas for a coppla hours waiting in line to return to the U.S., is it worth time, gas consumed and aggravation? And some stations are posting “No Mas” when they run out of gas so it becomes a matter of driving around seeking a station that has a sign “Tenemous gas” which duzzn’t indicate a gastronomical condition. Nobody said life was easy.

Enuff already

There appears to be a growing number of Saturday or Sunday ayem events that require the closure or partial closure of Historic 101. Event on June 22 through Solbeach created a mess on residential streets. Promoter of this activity failed to provide an alternate route through the city with adequate signage. Motorists drove aimlessly on streets in their effort to get out of Dodge. Their displeasure mounted as their gas gauge slid downward. Summertime events on 101 should be limited even if they are for nonprofit endeavors. Two hours of summertime bizness by 10l merchants amounts to hundreds of dollars in lost revenue to them plus sales tax income for the city.

Socko show

Veteran barkeep at the old Del Mar Hotel Johnny Kentera, who used to pour some pretty hefty adult beverages to the Hollywood crowd during the races, decided it was time to honor the ladies auxilliary of American Legion Post 4l6 in the Flower Capital. He did what he is a pro at doing. He put together a show that was reminiscent of those the World War II servicemen used to stomp their feet over and dedicated it to Valley Mettam, the auxiliary’s community service chair. “The gals do so much for our citizens it was time to recognize them,” Kentera opined. Deputy Mayor Maggie Houlihan was there. She likely will run for re-election in November. Diane and Paul Welch, who have just published a 123-page historical book on the County Fair, were also among the folks. Fifteen-year-old Torey Mercer sang the “Star Spangled Banner” and rocked the building.

Who is to blame?

A lotta finger-pointing going on among the electeds regarding the obscene rise in the cost of petrol. The correct answer is for them to look into the mirror.

Booze ban in Solbeach

Silver Strand Beach adjacent to Coronado and the Camp Pendleton shoreline now are the only beaches where it’s OK to quaff suds. Solbeach recently joined the booze ban. Sad situation for folks who want to enjoy a nice beach outing but are denied the pleasure because of a bunch of hoodlums who can’t control their drinking and behavior.

MiraCosta seeks

community input

No less than 11 folks from the community will provide input on the selection of a MiraCosta College president, a position now vacant. They will join a like number of reps associated with the college in one form or another. A previous committee turned in only two finalists and the trustees rejected both. They have the final say in the process.

Fone not working?

Some Rancho Santa Fe folks found their fones out of service. It turned out thieves had swiped the copper transmission lines. On another front, in the Flower Capital’s High Country Villas, irrigation stand pipes have been carted off in significant numbers. In a coppla instances, these were cut out and water was left gushing into the sky. If you notice some suspicious-looking characters casing your area you might want to alert law enforcement before your fone goes dead or your irrigation system goes haywire.

One liners

Vivian Feig, Torrey Pines High School student, has been named a 2008 National Scholarship winner and will receive a $2,000 educational award for each of the next four years ... Congressional electeds who haven’t accomplished very much now are looking into horse racing safety ... A law established a year ago gives governors the authority to half-staff U.S. flags over state buildings but not federal ones ... Whomever owns an affordable unit lot in a subdivision on Andrews Street in the Flower Capital has six months to pull a building permit and another six months to build an affordable domicile ... A November initiative will do what state electeds failed to get done which is to let the voters decide how to redistrict political boundaries ... How cum vets of previous wars weren’t smitten with post traumatic stress disorder as they seem to be now in large numbers? ... Charles Marvin III has been elected Leucadia Highway 101 Main Street Assn. ... C’bad electeds are considering a complete overhaul of sewer lines that will cost upwards of $38 mil. give or take (mostly take) a few mil. ... San Diego Historical Society will feature Vonn Marie May, cultural landscape specialist from 4 to 6 p.m. July 13 at Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club ... Happy Fourth of July! 

Hasta la Vista