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Dollars and nonsense in Chula Vista
Only if a private citizen steps up to pay for it!— November 19, 2014 5:12 p.m.
Dollars and nonsense in Chula Vista
In my opinion, those who hadn't really followed anything voted for McCann because he had been "the only unindicted member of the Sweetwater Board of Trustees"...but of course, that is nowhere close to the whole story. If McCann gets in--I haven't heard a formal announcement, as the last votes were/are still being tallied, and there was only about a 50 vote difference--we already know he will vote with the majority, especially if the majority is voting in favor of a power block development issue. There will be no integrity, there will be much posturing, and there will be little of substance. McCann, the Empty Suit's Empty Suit. Personally, I am still hoping the vote goes the other way.— November 18, 2014 2:39 p.m.
Dollars and nonsense in Chula Vista
Sometimes it looks to me as though there is a manipulation of the issues. For example, years ago, we were told we needed a new police headquarters, and people believed that was so, and agreed, and we got the new police headquarters. Yet, I wonder if people would have wanted all those high-end finishes, if they had been given a choice? Looks like many square feet of limestone and/or marble to me. How much was spent on that? Millions? And then, the whole thing was financed in such a way that even during the "fat" years, we were only paying interest. The only word for that is stupid. So--do we blame the public, who weren't really in on all those decisions that didn't benefit our tax dollars, or do we blame those who went ahead and spent our tax dollars so very irresponsibly. And yes, Mayor Cox did--a year or so ago--get that amount refinanced, so that we are now paying principal as well as interest--but can anyone tell me why such a pathetic fiscal policy was allowed in the first place? (cough Shirley Horton cough) And again, yes, this is ancient history. But it shows that we may be paying our city leaders quite well, but that does not guarantee they will be on the side of the taxpayer. Scrutinizing everything is the only way, and even then, I am sure someone will slide a trick or two past the public. Of course, we voters and taxpayers need to stay alert--but we should also be able to believe one or two things our civic leaders say. Unfortunately, our civic leaders don't seem to care much for those of us who live here, vote and pay taxes. So just who are they aiming to please? Must be another group entirely. Of course, the Developer/Campaign Financer. The power vortex is spinning in the wrong direction.— November 18, 2014 1:43 p.m.
Encinitas cyclist run over by North County Transit bus at Camp Pendleton
There are many questions about this, but one line of questions has to do with why it was so difficult for Antje Heinz to get any information regarding Udo. While I am sure there are regulations regarding who is allowed to give such information out, and to whom the information can be given, it really seems horrifying that on top of all that happened, Antje had so much difficulty finding out where her husband's body was. The article clearly states that he had ID on him. Was anyone trying to contact his family? Or was it all one-sided, Antje trying to track down what happened? Yes, the main horror was that this accident happened at all, on a clear day, with no on-coming traffic, and no excuses for the bus driver. So, was he texting? Did he have eyesight that should have meant he should not have been driving?— November 18, 2014 12:13 p.m.
All surface
The choral sound was rich, all the musicians--instrumental and vocal--were excellent. Maybe they can put a little more into the storyline, or to be more precise, bring some of the storyline back.— November 16, 2014 1:15 p.m.
Tearing down the ivory tower
Nicely done.— November 13, 2014 10:07 a.m.
Dollars and nonsense in Chula Vista
So I guess Eastlake won't be winning best planned community anymore!— November 13, 2014 10:05 a.m.
Dollars and nonsense in Chula Vista
If I am reading the map correctly, there does appear to be a green circle, which is supposed to mean a city park. But it pays to get everything spelled out, or someone might come along later and say, "Oh, that was left in by error!"— November 11, 2014 4:19 p.m.
Dollars and nonsense in Chula Vista
So business as usual, then. Nothing that would benefit the wider public, and the kids who are trying to compete with all the North County schools and pools and teams and funding. Why is that? Where is the leadership? Oh, that's right, we elected John McCann, who can be counted on to roll over for the developers, and any monied interests out there. We really do need a strong group of people to care about this.— November 11, 2014 12:01 p.m.
Dollars and nonsense in Chula Vista
The City Plan. Supplied with erasers. Susan, interesting that you say Village 2 is supposed to get a pool. Is there a way to find out the details on that? Pool complex, short course and long course, diving tower, suitable for water polo, complete with diving blocks, so it is actually useful for high school and club competitions? Or just what developers love to describe as an "Olympic pool", which is really 25 yards long, maybe 6 - 8 lanes, no diving blocks? As in, not even close to being an "Olympic pool"!! I had heard at one point that Sweetwater UHSD owns property at Hunte and Eastlake Parkway, and that is where the next high school was slated to be built, prior to the economic downturn. Then I believe I heard that Ed Brand said that would be the home of his k - 16 charter school?? Anyone know what is going on with that? Because that would appear to be in the thick of things! The city of Chula Vista IS far behind on building pools--having said one would be built in 2003, and that never happened--I remember being told something about the actually land being unsuited because of pipelines of some sort that would be underneath the pool, and any problems/repairs would be too expensive. So I guess that property was traded away for something--still no pool. And no explanation or new timeline for one. (Sweetwater UHSD is also very far behind on building pools. Mar Vista High School being the only Sweetwater school with a pool onsite--but I guess that came with a trade-off, as Mar Vista doesn't have tennis courts. What's up with this nonsense? And the District continues to waste money on that law suit about the softball field--after they have rebuilt it? Can we get some intelligent behavior here?) Ah, yes, let's keep building houses. Will they be environmentally smart? Using grey water to water lawns? Solar powered? Really, if Chula Vista wants to keep building in crazy quilt fashion, the least that the developers can do is be water and power smart. That is, if they are building for the future. If they are just building for a fast buck, I guess it will be chicken wire, tarpaper, Styrofoam and spray-on finish. You do know that's been done around here, right?— November 11, 2014 11:28 a.m.