City celebrates democracy with pomp and mariachis

The dignified transference of power from one regime or administration to another is one of the great traditions of American life. Such a transition happened December 12 at Escondido City Hall when the city said goodbye to Mayor Sam Abed and Councilman Ed Gallo and welcomed new Mayor Paul McNamara and Councilwoman Consuelo Martinez at the Installation Ceremony. With all […]

Escondido family puts on a holiday light show for neighbors


What is more proper this time of year than for a family named Peace to assemble one of the most spectacular Christmas lights shows ever seen in Escondido? After all, it is the season of Peace on Earth! Every night that the Peace family puts on the eight-minute light show at their house on Dundee Glen—in a neighborhood that is […]

Pats’ magnificent season falls just short of state title


In a season in which the Orange Glen football team rose to unexpected heights, stunned the prognosticators and proved to be the most surprising squad in all of San Diego County, the Patriots did everything but scale the mountaintop. But damn, if they didn’t give it one hell of a shot! In a hard fought 6-A State Championship game held […]

Four new Palomar Health board members take oath

The Palomar Health Board of Directors seated four new members effective Monday, December 10 when John Clark, Laurie Edwards-Tate, Richard Engel and Linda Greer took the oath of office at 6:40 p.m. They join incumbents Doug Moir, Jeff Griffith and Tom Kumura. Clark, Edwards-Tate, Engel and Greer were elected to four-year terms on November 6 by voters living in the […]

Abed teaches enemies how to leave office with dignity

~ Editorial

Sam Abed left the office of mayor with dignity last week, despite attempts by his enemies to humiliate him by marring his farewell speech with catcalls and derisive laughter as he read his list of accomplishments.  They ended up attacking their own dignity. Yes, it is true that the former mayor had a reputation for being confrontational and authoritarian in […]

Letter to the Editor: BOLD PROMISES MAY CREATE EVEN BIGGER PROBLEMS

Editor, Times-Advocate:  After reading the front page story (print edition) of the TA on December 13, 2018, “New Mayor to Strive for Transparency, Inclusion.” First, I would like to offer my congratulations to our new Mayor Paul McNamara but I am concerned in his platform and campaign promises. First, I do agree that Escondido does need transparency, I have lived […]

Letter to the Editor: CENTRIST APPROACH IS DOOMED TO FAILURE

Editor, Times-Advocate: Your interview with new Escondido mayor Paul McNamara was informing. The new mayor is a refreshing change from the, “we’re the government and we can’t do anything” approach that the previously empowered conservative GOP mayor and city counsel hewed to, a self-fulfilling prophecy if ever I’ve heard one. But I believe his, “I’m a centrist” approach is doomed […]

ECCHO to fight judge’s decision

The Escondido Country Club Homeowners Organization (ECCHO) has announced that it is fighting on against The Villages development in the old Country Club property, despite what could be considered a devastating court ruling. Arguing that the 20 year old Escondido Growth Management and Neighborhood Protection Act initiative (Proposition S) passed by the voters was ignored by the judge who ruled […]

Trout season fully underway at Lake Wohlford

  Park hours: 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Open seven days a week) closed x-mas Dock closes: 4:30 p.m. Last Plant:  1,500 lbs. of Rainbow Trout Thursday December 13. Next Plant:  3,000 lbs. of Rainbow Trout Wednesday January 3. Water temperature: At surface 54.14 f., 8.44 D.O. @ 10’ 54.68 f., 8.20 D.O. Water level:  Low level, private water craft […]

Marie Waldron pays tribute to Abed, Gallo


Marie Waldron Monday paid tribute to men she served with for years on the Escondido City Council before she launched her own career as a state lawmaker in Sacramento where today she is Assembly minority leader. She presented former Mayor Sam Abed and former councilmember Ed Gallo with certificates acknowledging their many years of service during the monthly meeting of […]