Support Our Troops

I want to let everyone know about an imporant event coming up in
our city on October 6th. The 501 (C)(3) group Welcome Home Troops is holding a fundraiser at Chili's in Lake Elsinore from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. All tips/donations and all proceeds will be donated by Chili's to support our military, veterans and their families.

This group was home grown in Lake Elsinore a few years ago in an effort to support our troops. Their efforts are dedicated to establish family fun and community integration, which helps replace the memories of war with more pleasant memories of time spent with family and community.

Please come out to Chili's on October 6th to support our troops. They have risked their lives for us and they need us now more than ever.



If you would like to make a donation, corporate or private, here is the contact info:

Welcome Home Troops
P.O. Box 488
Lake Elsinore, CA
92531
(951) 385-2774

$10.00 helps one family
$100.00 gives hope to ten families
$1,000.00 opportunities to heal one hundred families

Who Let The Dogs Out?

Here's an update on the vote for the Dog Park.

There was quite a bit of discussion on whether or not to allow the ball field at McVicker to be used as a dog park that's for sure.

A few of the concerns that I specifically raised were:

1) The health issues since we have little league kids who play on that field from January to November. The little league president expressed at the meeting they already have a problem with the kids having to dodge dog droppings. Giving permission to let the dogs roam free will increase the use of the park, which may lead to more dodging.

2) The park would not be available to everyone in the city to use since it would only be a dog park Monday through Friday from 6:30-10:30 a.m. Those who work and the kids in school would not be able to use it.

3) The small dogs and large dogs would not be separated, which is how every other dog park operates, for safety reasons.



In the end, the proposal by the dog owners received a yes vote by a margin of
3-2, with myself and councilwoman Bhutta voting against.

Staff has been directed to look for an alternative place for a dog park, as well as providing the cost.

Councilman Buckley, Hickman and Magee felt allowing the field to be used as a dog park for three months was a good solution. At the end of the three months, the council will have to evaluate how it's working out and make a decision then about keeping it there, putting it somewhere else, or not having it at all at this time.

The one thing everyone agrees on is that we need a dog park! The question that remains is where?

I hope that the new people who go to use the park for their dogs will be considerate and clean up after their pets. The folks who brought this forward are extremely pleased now that they went through the democratic process and won the right to let the dogs run like the wind. I would hate to see it ruined by a few bad apples.

KCAL News Video Clip Below
http://cbs2.com/video/?id=114810@kcbs.dayport.com

Council Meeting Goody Bag

Someone requested I do this so...

On this Tuesday's Sept. 22nd city council agenda are two items of interest.

ITEM #1) Appeal of a decision of the Nuisance Abatement Board declaring property at 30085 McBurney a nuisance.

Here is a summary of the staff report:

This property was approved for construction in 1991 but never completed. It was then purchased from the original owner in 1999. Between 1992 and 1999 it was left in an unfinished state.

This property owner started and stopped rehabilitation of the home several times. However, the work was done without the appropriate permits.

In 2002 there was a complaint about someone living in an RV on the property, and more building code violations.

This property owner was given several extensions of time to acquire his permits and submit plans. Alas, here we are with a still unfinished house, trash and debris strewn all over the property, and a home placed in Nuisance Abatement.

The owner, Mr. Cal Bellini, is appealing the Declaration of Nuisance.




ITEM #2) Consideration of a proposed Dog Park at McVicker Park

A letter and petition with nearly 200 signatures was submitted to the city requesting that a dog park/designated off leash area be established at McVicker Park. The proposal is to designate the fenced area of the lower baseball field for use as a dog park during the hours of 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Approval is being recommended by staff. The estimated cost to the city is $2,000.00 for signs, installation, and doggie depots with trash bags for, well, you know.

So, what's your input/opinion???

Free for All FRIDAY

Today is Free For All Friday! That means you get to post your comments, complaints, suggestions or words of praise (my personal favorite) on any topic you choose.

Now, please, keep it clean. No name calling, no vulgar language, no nasty personal attacks. Also no biting, scratching or hitting. (oh wait, that last part is actually for my kids).

So, if you have something on your mind that hasn't been addressed on this blog or otherwise, let's hear it!

Look Out Below!

This Sunday's post is about an upcoming project by EVMWD. The Lakeshore Trunk Sewer North Reach Project, pending permit approvals, is scheduled to begin this fall.

This project involves replacing the wastewater trunk sewer pipeline.

The work will take place along Lakeshore Drive, Spring Street and Minthorn. So basically we're talking about a 3 1/2 mile stretch of road starting shortly after turning on Lakeshore from Railroad Canyon, all the way down to Third St. before Cental Avenue. (Think Target, Home Depot, Ihop)

According to EVMWD, the proposed construction work hours will be from
7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The timeframe for work to be completed is approximately 18 months.

Also according to EVMWD, here is what to expect during construction:

1) Increased truck/construction traffic
2) Road Detours
3) Noise
4) Dust
5) Vibrations
6) Temporary on-street parking restrictions
7) Temporary disruption of water service

EVMWD has stated they intend to invite residents and businesses potentially impacted by the construction to community meetings, as well as send construction alerts.

At the next city council meeting, September 22, I believe EVMWD will give a presentation on the project. Should you have questions or concerns, that would be a good time to bring them up. Or, you can post them here of course!

If the date changes, I will post the correction here.

If you would like more information than I've given, go to www.evmwdcipo.com.

Hey, Where's Your Hall Pass?

There is much buzz on the news and in the papers about the live web broadcast to students across the nation that will be aired by our nation's president on Tuesday.

The Lake Elsinore Unified School District School Superintendant Dr. Frank Passarella has informed me that the decision has been made to allow teachers in our district to show the broadcast if they so choose.

Teachers who plan to show the speech have been asked to notify parents. Parents can choose to have their child opt out of watching the presentation. Students opting out are to be given a chance to participate in an alternative activity.

On one side are those who -

a) feel uncomfortable with the fact that this speech has not been screened for political content

b) argue it should first be reviewed by the State Board of Education and local school boards, which, under state law, must approve the curriculum

c) feel it's inappropriate to spend taxpayer dollars for this effort.


On the other side are those who -

a) feel it's appropriate and parents should not keep their kids from listening to the president, even if the parents do not agree with his policies

b) don't feel listening to the president will prove to be damaging to students

c) argue that the message is about working hard in school, not politics


So, parents, take a peek in your child's backpack for a flyer from the school. If your child's teacher plans on showing the broadcast you will have the opportunity to either request that your child not participate, or the opportunity to talk about the speech with your child when he/she gets home from school. It's your choice.