From Dave's Desk

May 17, 2013

4S Ranch, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Carmel Mountain, Carmel Valley, Del Dios, Del Mar, Del Mar Heights, Del Mar Mesa, Encinitas, Escondido, Leucadia, Mira Mesa, Olivenhain, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, Sabre Springs, San Pasqual, Scripps Ranch, Solana Beach, Tierrasanta, Torrey Hills, Torrey Pines and University City

News of the Week

From Dave's Desk...

Bike to Work Day

From Solana Beach to the County Administration Center. That was my Bike to Work Day goal. Two hours and 24 miles later -- with plenty of laughs along the way -- I reached my office, sore and sweaty but very exhilarated. My ride was a great success in large part because of Daniel Powell, who piloted our tandem bike. I followed his orders and he kept me safe. Other riders in our group included Karl Rudnick, Paul Dickstein and Kristine Schindler. Congratulations to the many San Diegans who started their day with an athletic commute. For more photos of my ride to work, click here.

Sincerely,

Keeping PACE

I am determined to make low-cost financing available to residential property owners who want to make energy improvements to their homes. Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs allow for property owners to finance energy improvements on their property tax bills.

In 2009, the County adopted the CaliforniaFIRST Resolution, envisioning commercial and residential PACE programs.

At our meeting this week, my colleagues and I received a report on expanding the PACE program to residential properties. Afterward, I supported a motion to direct county executives to return to the board with as many options as possible to implement a program that offers options to homeowners and commercial buyers, and creates increased competition which could drive down prices for consumers.

I suggested that the county allow as many funding providers as possible to form a district and asked that the underwriters sign indemnification agreements and provide letters of credit to insulate the county and taxpayers from risk.

Vice Chairwoman Dianne Jacob - who said she hopes to see solar panels on every rooftop in the county - made the motion.

The motion ended in a stalemate, however, amid no votes by supervisors Bill Horn and Ron Roberts. Chairman Greg Cox was absent.

The issue at hand is whether you believe PACE is needed to jump-start solar installations. I believe it is. Anything we can do to create competition and simplify the process - such as financing the cost of energy improvements on property tax bills - benefits the consumer.

But because of the tie vote, the issue will come back to the board for reconsideration on June 18.

Approaching open space goals

The county and its partners are nearly three-quarters of the way toward meeting the Board of Supervisors' goal for habitat acquisition in South County, planners told the Board this week.

At the board's Wednesday land-use meeting, county staffers said 75,635 acres of habitat within the South County Subarea today are secure as permanent open space. Our goal for that subarea is to preserve 98,379 acres.

Habitat acquisition continues for conservation programs in North County and East County.

Protecting citrus

Also on Wednesday, my colleagues and I approved $227,000 to protect citrus trees from a devastating disease. The county's $78 million citrus industry is threatened by the Asian citrus psyllid, a serious pest that can transmit an incurable disease - known commonly as 'citrus greening.' Backyard trees also are at risk.

Citrus production is engrained in the county's cultural heritage and is reflected in the names of cities, schools and major thoroughfares.

Citrus greening has caused serious economic losses in Florida, Brazil, China and Mexico. Most disturbing is that to date, wherever Asian citrus psyllid has been detected, citrus greening appears later

City unplugs Los Penasquitos Lagoon

A City of San Diego effort to unplug Los Penasquitos Lagoon this week appears to have lowered water levels back to normal. A great quantity of fresh water had filled the lagoon basin because the outlet to the sea had been blocked for many months, resulting in a mosquito barrage that annoyed nearby residents. An ecologist with the county's Vector Control Program says mosquito levels should start dropping quickly because salt water is flushing the lagoon and much of the larvae has washed out to sea.

Congratulations are due to San Diego City Councilwoman Sherri Lightner, a driving force behind the lagoon-mouth opening. I hope to work closely with the Councilwoman to prepare for next year.

At the starting line

Escondido Mayor Sam Abed, Deputy Mayor Olga Diaz and I met prior to the start of the Escondido leg of the Amgen Tour of California. Thousands of cyclists braved heat in the upper 90s to participate in the race.

Meeting the new supe

Rick Schmitt, the newly-named Superintendent of San Dieguito Union High School District, spoke with me on Saturday at the Canyon Crest Academy Foundation Celestial Celebration. The fundraiser was held at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

Best Moms luncheon

Pam Pantua and Joe Gabaldon of Time Warner Cable organized a terrific event, the 50 Best Mom's Luncheon, and Chairman Greg Cox and I were among the elected officials who attended.

The weekend event drew a big crowd.

Greetings, Mrs. Schlesinger

One of my favorite small-town community groups is the Solana Beach Civic and Historical Society. At one of the group's recent get-togethers, I enjoyed catching up with friends like Margaret Schlesinger, the first mayor of Solana Beach.

Greetings, Mr. Packard

Former North County Congressman Ron Packard and I chatted last week at a San Diego North Economic Development Council luncheon in Carlsbad.

Happy birthday, Ruben H. Fleet center

What a privilege to present a county proclamation to recognize Reuben H. Fleet Science Center's 40th Anniversary.

Fundraising for homeless children

A United and Elite Lions Clubs event last week raised funds for the Monarch School, which serves homeless children at its modest campus in downtown San Diego.

Asian cultural festival

The Asian Cultural Festival of San Diego included ethnic dancers, cultural exhibits and helpful organizers in purple shirts.The event was one of many during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Supporting county parks -- naturally

A big supporter of healthy lifestyles, Jimbo's Naturally made a generous donation of $15,644 to the county's Department of Parks and Recreation this week to support the development of the "Track Trails" program for children. The first Track Trails site is set to open in July at the San Elijo Lagoon and Ecologcial Reserve in Encinitas. Thank you, Jimbos!

Fit for a proclamation

Retired triathlete Julie Moss of Cardiff-by-the-Sea made history in 1982 as she crawled across the finish line of the Ironman World Championship. Today she continues to inspire people as a motivational speaker, announcer and yoga instructor. For her many accomplishments, and for recently being inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame, I awarded a county proclamation to Julie this week.

Inspiring young leaders

What a pleasure to address a standing-room-only crowd of ambitious young leaders at the San Diego Leadership Alliance. My message was to follow your dreams. City of San Diego officials in attendance included Mayor Bob Filner and council members Todd Gloria and David Alvarez.

Tasty fun in Cardiff-by-the-Sea

Tess Radmill, program manager at Cardiff 101 Main Street, did a great job organizing the 4th Annual of Cardiff on Thursday. Some of the tastiest treats -- surprise, surprise -- came from that great Cardiff institution, V.G. Donut & Bakery.

Juvenile Hall open house

The San Diego County Probation Department invites the public to tour juvenile hall during an open house from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow. Probation Chief Mack Jenkins says, "Everyone who comes always finds it interesting, and it's always particularly eye-opening to young people." Click here for more details.

Calling young playwrights, musicians

Attention young playwrights: The deadline for submissions for the 29th Annual Playwrights Project is June 1, so polish your piece and send it to the Playwrights Project! And young maestros: Registration for San Diego Youth Symphony seats closes May 24 and auditions are scheduled from June 10 through June 20, so polish your chops and contact San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory.

Keeping seniors safe

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis provides numerous tools to keep seniors safe, including a Web site that provides resources to prevent elder abuse. Click here to visit the site. The elder abuse reporting hotline is (800) 510-2020.

Sustainable transportation survey

As part of her Urban Studies and Planning thesis, UCSD senior Katherine Elliott has posted a survey on sustainable transit options. Complete her survey here.