Change due date

The June deadline for the state budget is an annual problem. Here is a simple solution. No one disagrees that June is the beginning of the hazy, lazy

days of summer. It’s inhumane

to expect well-compensated Sacramento electeds to be crunching budget numbers when it’s time for them to begin junketing all over the universe, fact-finding and mapping out their next campaign on the taxpayers’ dime. Why not have the fiscal year end when it’s raining and miserable outdoors everywhere? Like early February, when the only conflict would be Presidents Day. Who ever heard of going on vacation then? Better to be in warm, cozy Sacto offices, sipping espresso lattes and working on budget numbers. Agreed?

Obstructionists continue

campaign

California Coastal Commission by a 10-2 affirmative vote recently OK’d the proposed desalination project at Encina moving it a step closer to reality but it still faces obstacles. Surfrider Foundation and San Diego Coastkeeper may still impede its progress through costly and lengthy court proceedings. They are obviously not concerned with the fact water may soon be trickling out of the spigot instead of gushing like it does today.

Hall property hearings

An environmental impact report on the 43-acre Hall property park in Cardiff-by-the-Sea will be the subject of two planning commission public hearings Sept. 3 and Sept. 9. Purchased as a community park in May 2001, it now is projected as a regional park. When it was considered by City Council in December 2002, it featured an overall garden setting, teen center, skate facility, dog park, trail network with a par course, multi-use/recreation playing fields, landscaped buffers and parking lots for local use. The similarity between that original concept and the current one is 43 acres.

Garnishing their pay

State workers have either been pink slipped out or had their pay reduced to the federal minimum wage while electeds make merry over the budget that was due June 30. To convince average folks that they are really feeling the workers’ pain, electeds should show it by contributing their pay and perks retroactive to June 30 and until the workers’ compensation is restored.

Governor candidate?

According to L.A. Times columnist George Skelton, U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein is mulling over the possibility of running for governor in 2010 when the Governator is termed out. Her senate term duzzn’t end until 2012, so she wouldn’t be jobless if she taps out in the governor’s race. Her first try for the governorship was against former San Diego Mayor Pete Wilson. This time she might be locking horns with Attorney General Jerry Brown, who has already declared he is running. He would be a lighter weight than Wilson was.

Re-entry met with disdain

Sixteen-year veteran Councilman Jim Bond, who said he wuzzn’t running before he said he was running, ruffled some feathers in some quarters. Highly regarded UT columnist Logan Jenkins wielded a sharp scalpel when he wrote about Bond jumping back into the fray.

Plastic bag recycle

Solbeach has contracted with a company that uses recycled plastic bags in the manufacture of its products. Collection points have been set up at the fire station, City Hall and La Colonia Community Center. Mayor Dave Roberts credits Solbeach resident Debbie Sandler with coming up with the recommendation.

SANDAG reply

A veteran board member of the San Diego Association of Governments sez the reason the Grand Jury has requested information about SANDAG’s operations is becuz it duzzn’t understand what SANDAG duz. Maybe it duz and that’s the reason for the request.

Fire tax on ballot

Board of Supervisors has approved a hastily written parcel tax for fire protection that will appear on the November ballot. It will require a two-thirds affirmative vote of the folks and lottsa hype to pass. If it duz, it likely will land in court.

Ribbon winner retiring

San Diego culinary artist Alberta Dunbar, who has been garnering blue ribbons and rosettes at the San Diego County Fair, state fair and nationally, sez she’s retiring from competition. She has been a great competitor since the 1970s.

Charter flexibility

C’bad folks are already benefiting from the recent vote to make C’bad a charter city. Electeds are changing the way building contracts and major purchases of routine supplies are done.

Outdoor eateries

In an effort to stimulate more sales tax, Surfside City electeds have approved outdoor seating areas for restaurants that have space to do so. Al fresco eateries do very well in other cities.

One liners

When you hear someone say “My Word is My Bond” you may want to ask what the meaning of the word “Bond” is ... Four workers at metal recycling plants have been arrested for buying stolen copper products ... Vince Signorotti who has worked in geothermal renewable energy plants for 27 years in Imperial Valley has joined Terra-Gen Power, a green energy producing company in the Surfside City ... C’bad financial bean counters are reporting revenue from the new $64 mil. golf layout is running below projections ... Nick Leibham (D) of Rancho Santa Fe is rated a serious contender for Congressman Brian Bilbray’s seat in the 50th District ... Old California Restaurant Row in San Marcos will celebrate its 30th anniversary Sept. 20 through Sept. 28 by offering nine nights of discount dining ... Leucadia 101 MainStreet Assn. will present its fourth annual Leucadia Art Walk from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 31.

Hasta la Vista