By John F. Pilch

We apologize for the cancellation of our meeting on Jan. 6, but the seriously inclement weather left us little choice. Our preference was to not have folks travel in the heavy rains and be exposed to dangerous road conditions. The decision was made after receipt of many requests to cancel the meeting. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Therefore, the next meeting of the San Carlos Area Council (SCAC) is scheduled for Wednesday, March 2 at 6 p.m. in the Winer Family Community Room at the San Carlos Branch Library, 7265 Jackson Drive. We spoke with our special guest speaker and the speaker agreed to address the SCAC on March 6. His identity will be revealed at the meeting, at the speaker’s request. Hint: the speaker is quite familiar with one of the three jewels in San Carlos. Please plan to attend. We think you’ll agree it will be educational and time well spent. We will also have reports from the SDPD and SD Fire-Rescue and representatives of elected officials.

We would have welcomed our new library manager, David Ege, who comes to us from the Serra Mesa branch, where he was the branch manager. If you visit the library, please take the time to welcome him to our neighborhood.

The Navajo Community Planners, Inc. (NCPI) Board met on Dec. 9 and unanimously (13-0) opposed the 70-foot telecom towers proposed by T-Mobile on the field area adjacent to the San Carlos Recreation Center. It now can move on to the Planning Commission for another presentation and vote. The proposed site may end up before the full City Council, if the applicant’s proposal is again rejected by the Planning Commission.

The other telecom site on the NCPI agenda was not heard at the request of the applicant, Verizon Wireless, due to some technical problems. Verizon proposes yet another “architectural element” on the roof of the Masonic Lodge building. This would be the fourth site on that property, which has turned into an antenna farm for the carriers.

More information and NCPI agendas are available on their website, navajoplanners.org. NCPI meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Tifereth Israel Synagogue on Tommy Drive and Cowles Mtn. Boulevard. Please note the new day and time of their meetings.

Currently, there is nothing new to report, as we continue to work with the District 7 office to determine what can be done to make the intersection of Navajo Road and Golfcrest safer for pedestrians. This follows a fatality in August, when a driver, who ran a red light and was under the influence of alcohol, struck and killed a female pedestrian, who was headed to the Cowles Mtn. trail. A traffic study is being conducted and more info will be reported, as it’s made know to us. In the interim, please be extra careful in this area. We’ll await the results of the traffic study before making any specific recommendations.

We pleased to report that the San Carlos Community Garden continues to flourish, in spite of all the recent rain. If you’re interested in raising your own plot of fruits and vegetables in this garden, please visit their website at sancarloscommunitygarden.com for details. The community garden is located at the corner of Lake Adlon and Boulder Lake Avenue, adjacent to Springall Academy, 6440 Boulder Lake Drive.

We have resumed the collection of dues, to become more actively involved in community events and activities. Dues are $7 per household and $15 for a business. We’d like prior members to return and are soliciting new members in this article. Please send your check to SCAC, P.O. Box 19246, San Diego, CA 92159-0246. Many thanks to those who have already sent in their checks.

We’re interested in hearing from residents about ideas to enhance our community and ask that you send your thoughts and suggestions. For information about speakers, meeting reminders and agendas and other local news; or if you have an issue you wish us to consider or just have a question about the community, please contact me at 619-462-1408 or by email at [email protected]. Thank you.

–John F. Pilch is the president of the San Carlos Area Council. Write to him at [email protected].