City council postpones action on controversial water plant

~ Farewell to Chief Lowry

Residents irate that the city was contemplating putting a water plant in their residential neighborhood found that you can fight City Hall. Or at least slow it down a little bit. After hearing outraged comments at the May 18 Town Meeting on May 25, the city council decided to continue a vote on a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to develop […]

Escondido police lieutenant saves a life



On any ordinary day, Escondido Po­lice Lt. Al Owens can be seen working as a day shift Watch Commander. He manages the activities of his team of patrol sergeants and officers, manages significant events in the city, and talks to community members about the trou­bles that they are experiencing. Tuesday, May 24, 2016 ended up being no “ordinary day.” At […]

County school board candidates discuss their visions for District 4



The local election cycle has been overshadowed by the presidential campaign. In North County one local race that hasn’t received a lot press coverage is the San Diego County’s District 4 school board race between incumbent Mark Anderson and Escon­dido Union School District Board of Education trustee Paulette Donnellon. The Times-Advocate sat down with both candidates to talk about their […]

Olga Diaz to run for reelection



Escondido City Councilwoman Olga Diaz has announced that she will seek a third term on the council from District 3. Two years ago Diaz tried to unseat Mayor Sam Abed but lost to him in a landslide. At that time political observ­ers interpreted some remarks that she made as indicative that she might not stay in city politics. However, with […]

Escondido Chamber to install officers June 10



The Escondido Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 106th annual Installation June 10, at Pala Mesa Resort in Fallbrook, beginning at 5:30 p.m. It will be an evening of cocktails and dinner as the Chamber celebrates the 106th Annual Installation and Awards banquet. The evening includes honoring volun­teers, community leaders and the Chamber’s outgoing/ incoming Board of Directors. The band […]

Police Explorers compete in countywide event



The Escondido Police Cadet pro­gram hosted its 3rd annual Police Ex­plorer Competition May 22 & 23. Police Explorer teams from law en­forcement agencies throughout the county competed in various simulated police events, as well as an obstacle course and firearms competition. Events included a simulated high- risk vehicle stop, DUI investigation, domestic violence investigation, and building search. Each of the […]

Covering the big fish

~ EDITORIAL

Once every four years the little fish (that would be us) get to mix it up with the big fish (you know, the “mainstream media”) in the covering of the national elections. This election season is the first one I can remember in a long time where California actually has had a say in who might become president. For awhile, […]

More water for farms




My Assembly Bill 2438, joint au­thored with Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian (D – Sherman Oaks), will simplify the CEQA process gov­erning installation of new recycled water pipelines in urban areas, within existing public streets, highways or rights-of-way for the distribution of reclaimed water. I am pleased to report the bill passed the Assembly. By streamlining new pipeline con­struction, AB 2438 will […]

Protecting the people’s right to know



It has been said that “the people have a right to know.” But not all politicians and political agencies be­lieve that. There unquestionably are reasons that public agencies should meet in private, away from the pry­ing eyes of the public and the media. However, those reasons should be and are limited. Actions and deliverations of legislative (public) agencies gener­ally should […]

Patriots prepare for graduation



This week seniors of Orange Glen High School are rehearsing their graduation moves in the gym. Graduation is June 1, 7 – 8:30 p.m.