Lots of useful information to keep you informed in this latest eNewsletter from Earthquakes to the West Nile virus to Computer Recycling to remembering Charles Lewis.   Are YOU ready for the "big one"?  It's all good reading with lots of helpful information.  See below for more . . .

With so much happening, keeping you up to date in my eNewsletter is a chance for me to tell you about issues and events and more importantly, for you to send me your thoughts and comments.  You can write me by clicking on the link.

If you know someone who might enjoy receiving this email, you can send them their own copy - simply click on this link.
 

In Memory of My Colleague
 

Last week was full of sorrow at City Hall. I along with others was absolutely shocked and saddened to learn that Councilmember Charles L. Lewis had passed away.  Charles was a dear friend and colleague for over a decade.  He was mild mannered yet a fierce fighter for his beliefs and the people he represented. It was an honor to serve with him on the City Council.  He was solid like a rock, firm in his faith and a guiding force in the community.

It is very difficult to comprehend that one of our City's leaders in the prime of his life is now gone.

He was wonderful to work with because he was motivated by a sense of what is best for the community.  I'm very proud of what we accomplished such as the North Chollas sports fields, redeveloping the College Grove Shopping Center, wiping out graffiti and, along with Councilmember Toni Atkins, acquiring land for what will be the new Fox Canyon Area Park.

It was my good fortune to know the man as well as the elected official.  He had many outstanding qualities that made him a role model.  He will be remembered and greatly missed.

We worked together on many projects and he shared with me the dream for a new park at Fox Canyon, for a new golf and recreational facility at South Chollas and for doing what's right for San Diego.  His dreams for a better San Diego will not go unfulfilled.

San Diego's loss is Heaven's gain as he is now in a better place. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Carlette and all his family, his staff, the residents of District 4 and San Diegans everywhere.

City Council Adjourned Until After Labor Day

The City Council had our last meeting on Tuesday, August 10th before adjourning for legislative recess until September 7th.  I want to call your attention to several items of note that were on the agenda over the past few weeks.  An increase to the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) popularly called the hotel tax passed 6-3 so it will be on the November ballot.  I voted against it because was hastily crafted and did nothing to assure funding to market tourism for San Diego - the original reason the TOT was created.  In addition, the measure may compete with the renewal of TransNet, which is the half-cent sales tax we already pay.  TransNet is also on the ballot in November.  TransNet should be our priority as it funds greatly needed transportation and congestion management projects.  It is bad timing to have both measures on the ballot.  Finally, the TOT is being put forth as a general tax which means it only needs a majority vote of the people due to a recent court ruling.  This ruling is being challenged so if it is repealed and this vote passes, then the collected funds from the tax increase would have to be returned.

In other actions, we voted to purchase another fire helicopter and there were significant donations to the Fire-Rescue Department. Judith and Jack White contributed more than $500,000 to purchase EKGs which assist heart attack victims.  The New Car Dealers Association contributed approximately $32,000 for a new vehicle for the Community Emergency Response Team or CERT program.  And the Spanos family and the San Diego Chargers donated approximately $280,000 for fire gear.

I'm pleased that the Grantville Redevelopment Area Boundary Selection and Preliminary Plan was unanimously adopted as we proceed with our efforts to improve the economic vitality of the Grantville area.  The controversial La Jolla Children's Pool issue was continued until September 14th and the Mt. Soledad Cross issue will be on the November ballot.

If you are interested in viewing a City Council meeting you may watch them on City Access Channel 24.  They are Monday and Tuesday evenings at 7pm and are repeated again on the weekends.  Visit City TV's website for a schedule by clicking on this link.

You may also want to view a past council meeting and you can do this on demand by accessing the City's web site by using this link
 

West Nile Virus Hits San Diego

San Diego County Vector Control is asking for the assistance of the public in locating and reporting possible mosquito breeding grounds, to help prevent the spread of West Nile virus.  They ask the public to report any inoperative swimming pools, fountains, ponds, or other locations of standing water to them at (888) 551-4636.

Just recently my office had learned of a vacant home in foreclosure with a stagnant pool.  We had the City reactivate the water service and working with the County, checked the site - fortunately, no mosquitos were found.

Please visit the San Diego County Vector Control website for more information about West Nile in San Diego by clicking on this link.

Parking Meters, Parking Zones and More

Frequently I receive emails from folks upset because they received a parking ticket they feel they did not deserve.  I can appreciate the frustration people feel when this happens.  The City Parking management division has updated their website with some excellent educational materials and other pointers worth a review by us all.  You can visit their website and learn more by clicking on this link

College Rolando Area News

Great news! I'm happy to report the College-Rolando Library is about one-third completed.  If you've been by the site, I'm sure you've seen the flurry of activity since we held our groundbreaking in February.  The concrete slab for the library has been laid and the exterior steel beams are now erected.  In addition, the portion of the parking lot that the College Lutheran Church uses is now complete and is quite an improvement.

I am also thrilled that the City recently secured a grant from the First 5 Commission that will provide equipment and furnishing for the children's area.  The grant is for $4 million to construct Preschooler's Door to Learning centers at four branch libraries including the College-Rolando Branch.  While this is great news, the Friends of the College-Rolando Library still need additional funds for the interior of the library.  If you would like to donate your money or time, please contact College Rolando Library committee members Dan Cornthwaite at 619-265-5995 or dcornthwaite@cox.net, or Doris Perry at 619-583-7321.  The project is quickly moving forward and they need assistance now. The library should be completed by early summer next year.

Since coming into office I've been working diligently on plans to improve communities throughout the district.  It ranges from addressing traffic issues, to holding neighborhood cleanups to planting trees to creating new youth sports fields to installing entry signs.  A new community entrance sign is in the works for the College Area.  It will be installed in the median as you are headed eastbound on Montezuma Road between Yerba Santa and 54th Street.  The sign is similar in design to the one at the entrance of Del Cerro, made from simulated natural stone and will say "Welcome to the College Area."

Due to some internal problems, Safe Streets Now unfortunately closed their doors.  However we're confident of partnering with another organization that can provide similar enhanced code-compliance services to address the mini-dorm issue.  The CDBG funding I had allocated for that program is still available and will be used for the same purpose once we have a new partner in place.

City Heights News

I recently allocated funding for a new speed radar unit for the Mid-City RSVP.  Now the hard working volunteers of the Mid-City RSVP will have permanent access to a traffic calming unit that displays speed, and alerts drivers if they are driving over the speed limit.  Thanks to all of our friends at the Mid-City RSVP for all of your volunteer time, for helping with National Night Out and for doing the important police work that they do!

We now have a new City Heights Business Association (CHBA) Maintenance Assessment District.  It's known as the Clean and Safe program.  Following an election of the area property owners endorsing the enhanced services, the City Council approved this new Maintenance Assessment District (MAD).  Services for the area will include litter and graffiti abatement, tree and landscape maintenance, removal of large items from alleys, lighting maintenance, and security programs. The annual budget paid by property owners is estimated at $285,000 per year for district activities.

The Maintenance District was formed following a 15-month strategic planning and outreach effort in the University Avenue Corridor. This new MAD will cover the University Avenue corridor from I-805 to 50th Street, and along 43rd and Fairmount from Orange to Dwight. There are existing Mid-City maintenance sub-districts along University Avenue from Fairmount to Marlborough and from 37th to Wilson.  These will be dissolved and their responsibilities taken over by the new MAD. City Council Districts 3 and 7 will both be served by this new MAD.

The planning process for the Clean & Safe program included door-to-door outreach to business owners in the area.  Through this process, we heard loud and clear that the primary concerns of our business owners are the cleanliness and safety of their neighborhood.

The CHBA worked very hard this past year reaching out to property and business owners to gain their trust and support toward supporting a new MAD.  Councilmember Atkins and I heard clearly and repeatedly from the residents of our communities that they want to see our commercial corridors improved so that they would reflect the revitalization that is already taking place in our neighborhoods.

I want to commend the efforts of the City Heights Business Association. In particular, let me thank William Perks, President; Debbie Cooper, Treasurer; Lorraine Schmallenberger, Program Manager; and Enrique Gandarilla, the new Executive Director of the Association.

City Heights Residents: Be On the Alert

City Heights residents should be on the alert.  In the past two weeks there have been two unlawful entries into residences through open or unlocked doors and windows.  They occurred at night at the same apartment complex on Euclid Avenue north of University Avenue.  Both victims are women.  Whoever is doing this is very brazen because in both cases the victims' husbands were sleeping right beside them.  He touches his victims, they wake up screaming and he runs off.  The suspect is described as:

• An African-American male
• 25-30 years old
• 5' 10"- 6' 0"
• 180-200 lbs
• Wears small prescription glasses, black sweater, green t-shirt and dark shorts

If you have any info, please call the San Diego Police Department at 531-2210.  The SDPD advises that you secure your windows and doors.

You can also subscribe to eWatch a free service and be kept informed on crimes happening at any City of San Diego address.  See near the end of this email for more information.

Tierrasanta News

Tierrasanta's street sweeping day was changed from the first Tuesday of the month to the first Thursday of the month.  Please remember to move your vehicles off the street in order for the crews to have access and properly clean the streets.

Also, soon we will have a dedication ceremony for the youth sports fields at Kumeyaay Elementary School.  It is one of several joint-use projects I've worked out with the school system in my district. As I've repeatedly said, youth are a priority and I've focused on turfing several sports fields in District 7 communities.  Thanks again to AYSO and the students and parents of Kumeyaay for contributing funds to this project.

In the next issue I'll give you my thoughts about the proposed Navy Housing project slated for the open space areas of Miramar, north of Hwy 52.

Navajo Area News

It is a busy summer and much is taking place.  As mentioned in previous eNewsletters, the new fire station is under construction and should be completed in the fall of 2005.  For the time being a temporary station is situated on on top of Del Cerro on Pasatiempo.

And with new funds for a second radar unit at Mid City, that means the Navajo Communities will have a radar unit permanently for Navajo area RSVP units.  If you feel your neighborhood street is in need of being slowed down, call the RSVP and make arrangements for the radar unit to visit your neighborhood.  Please call 619-287-RSVP for more information.  Please remember the speed limit on residential streets is 25MPH - whether there is a speed limit sign or not!

Speaking of funding, I've been working with the newly created Navajo Community Foundation and have allocated funds for three major landscaping improvement projects located at the northwest corner of Waring Road and Navajo Road, in the Waring Road median at Greenbrier Avenue and also at the Jacaranda Bowl located at Waring Road and Adobe Falls Road.  As you may have read in a past eNewsletter, we completed planting the additional vegetation and 15 jacaranda trees along Del Cerro Boulevard and College Avenue.  My office has helped to coordinate an Eagle Scout project adjacent to Hearst Elementary School that resulted in 4,000 square feet of fresh landscaping completed along the south side of Lambda Drive between the sidewalk and the school fence.  I'll have more about that in a future eNewsletter once that project is 100% complete.

And at long last, improvements are being finalized to beautify the corner at Navajo and Waring Roads thanks to Eagle Scout candidate Luke Kenway.

Luke has undertaken this project with the assistance of San Carlos Landscape Architect David Reed.  David designed a plant and tree layout several years ago, but because of the lack of irrigation, it could not be implemented.  My office worked to establish a water source and now that we have water, the plantings can begin.  Luke is responsible for coordinating this ½ acre project that will include removing weeds from the entire area (this was accomplished with the help the Urban Corps) watering and fertilzing the area to force the growth of all the vegetation - including the weeds and non native plants; scheduling the spraying of the weeds to kill them; working with David Reed to design the irrigation system; working with Don Bogotay of TLC Landscaping for installing the irrigation system; working with David Reed to finalize the landscaping plan for the plants and lastly to coordinate the planting of the coastal live oaks and the groundcover.

Luke will also be working with the Urban Corps.  The Urban Corps are donating a grove of 15 trees for each City Council District in honor of their 15th birthday this month and the 15 trees they are donating to District 7 will be installed at this site.  We are planning a dedication sometime near the end of September - I'll have more information in a future eNewsletter.

Changing topics, what I call the "new" National Night Out in Allied Gardens on August 3rd was a great success by all accounts.  It took some hard work, creativity, commitment by the community and some guts to try this new venture.  We had nearly 300 people attend the night out at the movies at the Rec Center.  That is outstanding and especially for a first-time event.  A special thanks to Don Brennan of MME Event Productions who came up with the idea and was the driving force in making it happen.

Let's hope that the community pulls together for another event, namely next year's July 4th MusicFest & Fireworks.  It was canceled this year due to lack of funding.  I sincerely hope it doesn't suffer the same fate next year.  The Lake Murray July 4th Music Fest Committee is a group of six community members who have worked long and hard over the past several years to bring this wonderful event to life.  The event costs approximately $25,000 to produce.  It is funded by residents and community-minded corporations and organizations and I've contributed funds in the past. Please help.  The new Navajo Community Foundation mentioned above is a 501(3) (c) non-profit established to enhance the quality of life for the Navajo area communities.  They are acting as an umbrella group for several projects and events including the MusicFest.  I encourage you to contact the MusicFest organizers and offer your time and contribution so that we do have a July 4th celebration next year.  Contact them by by visiting their website - click this link.

Disaster Planning: Be Prepared

We've all seen the devastation, costs and hardships resulting from last year's wildfires and have all been urged to take steps in order to be prepared.  I want to remind you of another threat for which we must be prepared: Earthquakes.

Our region and all of California is prone to having earthquakes and in recent months there has been a noticeable amount of earthquake activity in California even though the magnitudes have been relatively low.  Experts are unable to predict when and where the next earthquake will occur.  However, there seems to be consensus that our area could be affected in the not so distant future.   The map above is a map of normal seismic activity but illustrates how many have occured in just the past week - most if not all, we never even feel.

A group of scientists from UCLA predicted last year that an earthquake would strike Southern California sometime between last December and this September.  UCLA professor-in-residence Vladimir Keilis-Borok and his colleagues have predicted that a magnitude 6.4 or greater earthquake will occur sometime between December 2003 and September 2004, somewhere within a 12,000 square-mile area that extends from the Mexican border through the low desert, past the San Bernardino Mountains, and up into the Mojave.

It's important to point out the California Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council concluded that although the Keilis-Borok methodology is a legitimate approach in earthquake research, it is too early to tell whether the method will prove useful.  The Council did not endorse this prediction and concluded, "The results do not at this time warrant any special policy actions in California."

But none-the-less, Southern Californians should take the Keilis-Borok predictions as strong reminders that earthquakes have happened and will happen again in the region.  And they should keep doing what the earthquake community has preached for many years: Prepare for the inevitable.  Whether they happen in the next 9 months or the next 9 years, earthquakes in California will happen, and we need to be ready.

I certainly don't want to alarm folks; I just want to remind people that there are steps we can take and now.

As an example, during an earthquake, large pieces of furniture such as tall bookcases and file cabinets can fall on you or members of your family.  Toppled furniture can also block exits and prevent you from escaping.  Anchoring furniture so that it remains upright not only helps prevent injuries but also helps protect both the furniture and its contents.

The City, the County of San Diego's Office of Emergency Services and FEMA all have excellent web sites giving specific information on what you and your family should do now in order to be prepared for the future.  It also gives instructions on what to do if an earthquake occurs.  I urge you to visit these websites and don't delay in following the recommendations.  I have spent a lot of time researching and studying this topic along with these websites.  I am providing a number of website links to visit:

FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) offers some excellent sites to review.

Click on this link for an excellent review and checklist

Click here for a kid's earthquake page

Click on this FEMA click for securing furniture

The County Office of Emergency Services has a great site as well.  Visit their website by clicking here.

The County website also has a very good earthquake preparedness family checklist by clicking on this link

Also, the American Red Cross offers a brief publication with additional information worth reading. You can get it by clicking on this link

Lastly, if you're interested in learning even more, I might suggest you visit the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.  I took my kids there last weekend and we watched "Forces of Nature", an outstanding IMAX film.  Forces of Nature showcases the awesome spectacle of earthquakes, volcanoes and severe storms as scientists go on ground-breaking quests to understand how these natural disasters are triggered.  Learn what is being done to predict and prepare for these events - and minimize their deadly effects.  You can visit the Fleet website by clicking on this link for more information.

Free Computer Recycling

Do you have an old computer you'd like to recycle?  Be among the first and get in early on the latest City of San Diego Residential Electronics Recycling event!

The City's Environmental Services Department (ESD), in partnership with Solar Turbines Incorporated, will host a Residential Electronics Recycling Event on Saturday, September 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Solar Turbines' Kearny Mesa facility located at 4200 Ruffin Road, San Diego.

Click on this link for map to the event

This event is free and open to the first 1,000 residents of the City of San Diego and the County of San Diego's unincorporated areas who schedule an appointment time with ESD beginning Monday August 23, 2004.

Participants who schedule an appointment will be mailed an admissions ticket that lists their appointment time to drop off a limit of five each of the following: televisions and computer monitors, computer processing 'units (CPUs), and computer printers. Peripheral computer devices such as keyboards, mice and speakers will also be accepted and there is no limit to the amount of these items that can be dropped off.

Items not accepted at the City's Residential Electronics Recycling Event are: small household appliances (such as microwaves and toasters), cell phones, copiers, fax machines, telephone answering machines, television remotes and uninterruptible power supplies with batteries, other electronic devices (such as stereos, DVDs, and VCRs), and hazardous and business waste.  These items are not accepted due to funding limitations.  Residents may recycle electronics not accepted at this event for a minimal fee at recycling centers located throughout San Diego.  A reference list of recycling centers is featured on the Environmental Services Department's website.

Residents of cities located in the incorporated areas of the County of San Diego have separate electronics recycling facilities and will not be included in the upcoming City and County Residential Electronic Recycling Events.  Excluded cities are Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Oceanside, Poway, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, and Vista.  For information on electronics recycling locations within these cities, please contact the individual city or contact ESD's Customer Service for a referral number.

To make an appointment for the Residential Electronics Recycling Event on September 18, 2004 at Solar Turbines, please call ESD's Customer Service at (858) 694-7000 beginning August 23.  For more information about Residential Electronic Recycling Programs or general information about ESD's programs, please visit the department website by clicking this link.

For more useful help from the City's Environmental Services Department, click on any of the buttons below for more:

In the News

Usually he is reporting the news but recently he was in the news when the City Council declared it "Rod Luck Day" in San Diego.  The KUSI news personality with the distinctive high-octane style of interviews was recognized at the July 26th City Council meeting when the late Charles Lewis, Ralph Inzunza, Brian Mainschein and I presented the proclamation.  We wanted to acknowledge Rod's civic involvement and his excellent coverage of community events.

Rod has a passion for charitable causes and has been awarded special recognition by the Special Olympics, big/Brothers/Big Sisters, United Way and United Cerebral Palsy.  Rod has been an integral part of the KUSI News operation from its inception in 1990.  In September 1995 he moved solely to the morning news and has established himself as one of the most prominent television on-air talents.  I appreciate all the Rod has done in working with the non-profit Alpha Project to improve communities in my district and throughout the City.  Thanks Rod!
 

Neighborhood E-Watch Keeps You Informed

The City of San Diego's Neighborhood eWatch provides information about crime incidents in the City of San Diego to the public for free via the Internet and is updated every 24 hours. I introduced this popular service last year and encourage you to use it. The web site address is: http://ewatch.sandiego.gov.

Future Happenings

From time to time I include a few community events taking place throughout the District. Here are a few you may be interested in:

August 28 - Mayor Dick Murphy and I are having a public event to celebrate the end of above ground utility lines in the Del Cerro area. At 12:30 p.m. we'll have a brief ceremony and then remove the very last utility pole. The special "pole out" event takes place at the intersection of Lyden Way and Del Cerro Boulevard. There are numerous areas within my Council District where we are undergrounding. For more information call my office at (619) 236-6677 or visit my website by clicking on this link.

September 18 - The 20th annual Lake Murray Picnic and Street Fair takes place all day at Lake Murray with activities for the entire family. I'll be there and look forward to talking to you. The Lake Murray Kiwanis are organizing it and for more information, please call Catherine Serowizz at (619) 818-6357.

We welcome submissions.  For an upcoming event you would like to see in the next eNewsletter, please email information to lwebb@sandiego.gov.

Thanks for reading the eNewsletter.  If you have any suggestions or comments, please email me at JMadaffer@SanDiego.gov