Archive for the ‘Jerome Stocks’ Category
Encinitas’ Prop A – Deeply Flawed and widely opposed
An impressive list of bi-partisan folks and organizations have lined up to oppose Encinitas’ Prop A, the deeply flawed initiative coming to a very expensive taxpayer funded special election on June 18th of this year! Check it out.
As the following list shows, the opposition to Prop A is very broad and does not simply fall along the standard developer, big property owner lines. The opposition list includes a unanimous current City Council, many of whom were supported by the promoters of the initiative. As you will note, this is not a partisan issue. Opposition is coming from all sides:
Deeply flawed initiative up for a Special Election in Encinitas
Some residents of Encinitas, working with a Carlsbad based activist/NIMBY group, have used the initiative process to force the City of Encinitas to spend at least $350,000 on a special election to be held in June of 2013. Nice.
This ill-conceived measure:
A) Won’t correct or address state mandated forced planning for additional housing units,
B) Will actually replace steep-slope local 12 ft building height limits currently in place with its blanket 30ft limit which would be very destructive to the impacted neighborhoods and their views,
Out With the Old, in With the New
Newly elected Encinitas City Councilman-elect, Tony Kranz, has indicated via email to the City that he is having “trouble” grasping the grading required for the Encinitas Community Park, a 43 acre $18 million dollar project, 12 years and countless public meetings as well as hearings and litigation, in the making.
He seems to want a 3D model built for this project (already under construction) which would cost about $56,000 to create.
Dang! $56,000 because this guy can’t visualize grade changes?
Seems extreme, but hey, the voters selected him to represent them…
I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Taking Action Matters! — San Diego Job Creators
Third District candidate for County Supervisor Steve Danon, the presumptive front runner, chose not to wait until being inaugurated to begin helping our fellow San Diego County residents!
After a lunch meeting with the owner of a a newly opened Encinitas business and me, he realized that people needed a way to better navigate the bureaucracy inherent in each city as well as the county.
Steve took action and created www.sandiegojobcreators.com, which at no cost will help any budding, hopeful, or even experienced entrepreneur get through the process needed to create business and the jobs we so badly need.
From the “All Politics are Local” file
Hi Rostrafarians,
Do you miss the days of friendly, even cordial, political seasons in small town America? I contend they probably never existed.
Check out below what landed in my inbox with an admonition “DO NOT FORWARD!”
…and this is in bucolic and prosperous Encinitas where a recent citizen’s satisfaction survey says that an unbelievable 98 percent of the people love this city and think we’re on the right track with our amenities and our services. Now as they say “Ya’ can’t tell the players without a program,” so here’s who is referenced in the forwarded “do not forward” email:
The Steve Danon Race for Supervisor – Restoring The Public Trust
During the past few years, public trust in government has deteriorated—and rightfully so. Leaders at all levels of government have thrown fiscal restraint out the window and prioritized their own political interests above the public good. And frankly it makes the job much harder for those of us who haven’t!
Now, more than ever, we need candidates for office who promise to restore public confidence in our elected officials.
Fortunately, the voters of the Third District in the race for County Board of Supervisors have the opportunity to vote for such a candidate this November.
The California Farm Bureau has endorsed Rocky Chavez
As Joe Biden might say, this is a big “F@#%&in deal”!
The California Farm Bureau has endorsed Rocky Chavez.
Sept. 25, 2012
FARM BUREAU ENDORSES CHAVEZ FOR STATE ASSEMBLY
A candidate with a history of service and a commitment to economic development, Rocky Chavez, has earned the endorsement of the state’s largest farming organization in his bid for the state Assembly. Chavez, R-Oceanside, seeks election in the 76th Assembly District, representing northern San Diego County.
“San Diego County is a unique and important agricultural region, and Rocky Chavez has the background and experience to represent the area well in the Assembly,” California Farm Bureau President Paul Wenger said.
Do Sun Glasses “Sit on your Face”?
A recently placed, then fairly quickly removed, “SPY” sunglass company billboard in Encinitas caused some buzz this week. Some thought it was funny or clever, others not so much. The Outdoor Advertizing Company which owns the billboard claims to have received complaints, but my office did not. So, does this fall under the 1st Amendment, or is it prurient in nature and therefore not in keeping with community standards? I suppose it matters little because other than the photos, it’s gone. Spy is based in Carlsbad … they don’t have billboards in Carlsbad? SPY couldn’t post clever ads on the front of their building in Carlsbad? One wonders…
North County Coastal update
The North County Coastal region will be bidding farewell to some local elected leaders who have chosen to step aside rather than run for re-election. In all the cities where one or more incumbents have failed to file papers for re-election, non-incumbents folks have until August 15 to file and become a candidate instead of the normal cut-off which is today, August 10. So come on folks, don’t just criticize, get out there and get in the race! You have until Wednesday!!!
To all the incumbents, I say thank you for your service to our region and wish you well with your future endeavors and adventures..
Happy Ending for Surfing Madonna?
The SDUT published an editorial today that was mostly correct re: Encinitas and the “Surfing Madonna”. It was indeed a piece of art which was illegally and anonymously affixed to public property and subsequently removed by the artist to prevent it from being destroyed.
The artist then went through the permit process to gift the piece to the city, but the site he selected was owned by the CA State Parks Dept and merely leased by Encinitas. The Encinitas Arts Commission recommended approval and the City Council voted 5-0 for its placement on the parcel, but the state Attorney General Kamala Harris opined that it would be illegal due to its religious imagery.
Encinitas Mayor Jerome Stocks Endorses Rocky Chavez in AD 76
This press release was issued today…
June 27, 2012
ENCINITAS MAYOR ENDORSES ROCKY
Mayor Jerome Stocks backs Rocky, further uniting District 76
ENCINITAS – The people of Assembly District 76 are uniting in support of Rocky Chavez.
Today, Encinitas Mayor Jerome Stocks announced his endorsement of Rocky for California Assembly. With his support, Stocks joins dozens of elected and former elected officials from Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas and Vista.
Mayor Jerome Stocks:
“Rocky is a fighter who will stand up for the people of District 76,” said Stocks. “We need a strong leader in Sacramento who will build support for fiscal reform and government accountability.”
June 2012 Primary: N. County Perspective on Supe D-3
The District 3 County Supervisor’s race race looked early on like a battle between Steve Danon, the challenger, and Pam Slater-Price, the 20 year incumbent. After Danon racked up a serious list of endorsements and accumulated a respectable war chest, indicating he was serious about “bringing it,” the incumbent folded her tent, said “no mas,” and withdrew from the re-election bid leaving Danon all alone. When I was interviewed regarding this sudden development I said that there was no way Danon was going to walk unopposed into that seat… I was more right than I knew… A little while later Dave Roberts (D) of Solana Beach and then Carl Hilliard (R) of Del Mar entered the race and between their self-funding and their fundraising they made sure it was a very competitive contest.
SANDAG takes historic action!
When SANDAG bought the SR125 late last year it stated the intention to reduce tolls for the motoring public.
There were skeptics (you know who you are) who said that like all government agencies, SANDAG would become addicted to the money keep the tolls the same or higher.
Today the SANDAG Board of Directors voted unanimously to reduce the tolls, and as far as I can tell, we’re the first agency in the country to actually reduce the tolls on a toll road.
The SANDAG Board agenda and report are available here.
Crime is down In San Diego County
Public safety routinely consumes 50% or more of municipal budgets and crime rates are very much associated with the perception and reality related to “quality of life” issues. Is your local park an amenity or a menace? Additionally, property crimes have a direct effect on the cost of your area’s property Insurance. The attached annual SANDAG Crime Report indicates that in 2011, both the violent and property crime rates for the San Diego region decreased and were again at new 30-year lows. Good job people!
Annual CrimeReport 2011
NCTD Press release going out today!
This press release came across my inbox this morning and I thought I would share it:
Electric vehicle charging stations abuzz at
Oceanside Transit Center
OCEANSIDE,Calif.—Electric car charging stations are now live and available for customers to use for free in the Oceanside Transit Center (OTC) parking lot.
The North County Transit District is offering the charging equipment as part of a nationwide test program with the U.S. Department of Energy. Solar panels in the OTC parking lot cover the top of a carport structure built over seven parking spots designated for transit customers who want to charge their electric vehicles (EV).
Encinitas Mayoral Process Changes
Since incorporation of Encinitas in 1986 the positions of Mayor and Deputy Mayor have been held by a member of the City Council, selected each December by a majority vote of their peers on the City Council to serve for the next year.
This is not an unusual method for new cities to select their Mayor and Deputy Mayor; However, over the years many attempts at changing the system have been proposed, but none have succeeded in garnering a majority vote.
Press Release: Jerome Stocks to head up Steve Danon campaign effort
ENCINITAS MAYOR, SANDAG CHAIR JEROME STOCKS TO HEAD DANON FOR SUPERVISOR CAMPAIGN
Encinitas, CA – Jerome Stocks, Encinitas Mayor and San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) chair, representing all 18 cities throughout the region, today announced he will chair the Steve Danon for County Supervisor campaign.
“It’s a pleasure to join Steve’s campaign as Campaign Chairman,” said Stocks. “It’s crucial to the health of our region that the next Third District Supervisor be a true partner with the cities in the district to ensure that the needs of its residents are met. I am one of many elected officials and community leaders who have gotten behind Steve knowing that he will be that kind of partner,” said Stocks.
Iowa Primary – 55.47% REPORTING
A Caucus is a very different animal than a Primary Election, but Bachmann and Huntsman are not feeling the love right now!
Caucus is Jan 3, 2012
CANDIDATES VOTES % OF VOTE.
Rick Santorum (R)15,218 25%
Mitt Romney (R) 14,625 24%
Ron Paul (R) 13,365 22%
Newt Gingrich (R) 8,268 13%
Rick Perry (R) 6,513 10%
Michele Bachmann (R)3,351 5%
Jon Huntsman (R)334 1%
The Danon Steamroller has some competition
The local San Diego great politico John Dadian is quoted as calling the Steve Danon campaign for the 3rd District Supervisorial seat “the steamroller,” but thus far there hasn’t been much to roll over since he had drawn no opponents and the incumbent has bowed out of the race.
Well folks, we’re in a new year and things have changed! In fact Del Mar City Councilman and Mayor Carl Hilliard and Solana Beach City Councilman and past Mayor Dave Roberts have both announced their intentions to take on Danon for the seat.
Kudos to the North County Times!
Today the North County Times printed a pretty hard hitting piece I wrote in response to their editorial published last Sunday, November 27. Below please find their original (misguided) editorial as well as my (educational) response which to the credit of the N.C. Times they published. Frankly, I’m impressed.
NC Times Editorial from 11/27/2011:
No public rescue for private road
The latest bit of profligacy from the San Diego Association of Governments makes us wonder whether there is any transportation project in and around the city of San Diego that is so unnecessary, so out of line with larger regional needs that SANDAG won’t fund it at the expense of more critical North County projects.
Recent Encinitas Council Drama
Somewhat newly minted Council Woman Kristin Gaspar (November 2010 first place vote getter) has been a real worker on the Encinitas City Council. In addition to her other obligations she agreed to serve on a Sub-Committee with Council Woman Barth along with some other folks (Barth came in 2nd behind Gaspar in 2010 even though she was the incumbent…) dealing with our ongoing General Plan 2035 update. The meetings were tough but productive until the last meeting when it appears Barth had unilaterally imposed her opinion on staff between meetings, altering the direction the committee was headed. This Hi-Jacking of the sub-committee process was not well received by Gaspar, and at Wednesday’s City Council meeting Gaspar read this into the record as a report to the Council which authorized the Sub-Committee and gave them their charge:
Encinitas City Council Appoints Mark Muir to Maggie Houlihan Vacancy
Tonight the Encinitas City Council voted 3-1 to appoint Encinitas Fire Chief Mark Muir as the candidate to fill the City Council vacancy created by the death of Council Member Maggie Houlihan.
Encinitas is blessed with a very involved and active electorate and as such pulled 13 great applicants for this position during the two week window when people could apply. Had the Council not been able to agree on an appointee, a special election would have cost over $300,000 to conduct and the results would not have been certified prior to March 2012 for an interim term which expires in November 2012. Thank goodness three votes and common sense prevailed!
Electric Rental Cars Will Be Here by Nov 18.
You’ll be hearing about this in the mainstream media over the next couple weeks, I just thought Rostra-farians deserved to have advanced info on this innovative program coming to San Diego.
Received in my inbox today:
I’m thrilled to announce car2go San Diego — North America’s first all-electric car sharing program — will officially launch on Nov. 18, 2011.
Attached and below, for your reference, is the press release that was distributed this afternoon to local and national media.
Please feel free to share this exciting news with your colleagues and media contacts.
Risky Sports
A credible shark sighting was reported today in Leucadia, a community of the City of Encinitas.
The weather has been great and the water has been mostly glassy, making the beach a wonderful place to play. But be careful out there, and (hopefully) this was not just a Halloween spoof! Here’s the incident report I received:
To Council and Administrations,
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