PLJ board’s appeal of judge’s decision denied
An appellate court denied Promote La Jolla’s (PLJ) last-minute appeal to stop two business owners from sitting at the March 12 board meeting, after a judge denied the business improvement district’s fight to keep the duo out of the group.
Just hours before Nancy Warwick and Bob Collins were to take their places at PLJ’s monthly meeting, their lawyer Steve Haskins received PLJ’s document from the 4th District Court of Appeal for San Diego County. But hours later, the court called him, saying it had denied the appeal.
“I thought it was pretty unusual,” Haskins said.
However, when Warwick and Collins went to La Valencia hotel ” the meeting spot every second Wednesday of the month for PLJ ” to take their places, there were not enough board members to start the meeting, Haskins said.
“There was no meeting and they didn’t mention anything about [the case],” Haskins said. “It was a big waste of time.”
Collins and Warwick sued after PLJ’s November election, in which two incumbents were later found ineligible to run. Collins and Warwick, challengers to PLJ, were especially concerned with La Jolla’s ongoing parking controversy. They were the next highest vote-getters, but the group didn’t seat the duo.
Haskins, attorney for the La Jollans for Clean Government group, took the case. In February, the two won a judgment against PLJ. In addition to suing for their seats, Warwick and Collins sued for information. Haskins said they repeatedly asked for public records that PLJ refused to provide.
Haskins continues to pursue the documents, and Collins and Warwick will continue to go to the PLJ meetings, which Haskins said will be held at La Valencia the second Wednesday in April at 3 p.m.
Preliminary survey says paid parking a no-go
A group of La Jollans concerned with public sentiment regarding paid on-street parking sent a survey to merchants in the Village, and say preliminary results show that about 74 percent of respondents are opposed to parking meters.
Of 1,200 La Jolla Village business owners, who also are eligible for membership in the business improvement district Promote La Jolla, Save Our Village received 805 surveys back, said Darcy Ashley, La Jollan in charge of the survey results.
Of the 805 surveys, 597 business owners indicated they are opposed to paid on-street parking, Ashley said. Sixty-five, or about 8 percent, said they are in favor of paid on-street parking, and 25 respondents ” about 3 percent ” took no position.
Eight respondents declined to comment, as business owners were required to give their names for verification purposes.
One hundred and ten surveys were “returned to sender.” Although many businesses have a La Jolla ZIP code or address, they may use multiple buildings, Ashley said, so for this reason, creators of the survey have seen many returns.
Ashley said the group sent surveys to every merchant who owns a business in the Village of La Jolla. Members of Save Our Village said they will complete the survey as soon as all the results are in.
City invites kids to enter conservation art contest
San Diego students in first through six grades are invited to participate in the City of San Diego Water Department’s eighth annual Water Conservation Poster Contest.
The contest invites all public, private and home-school teachers to use art to help students learn about water conservation. According to the water department, each person uses approximately 80 to 100 gallons of water every day, with San Diego importing about 90 percent of its water.
The theme for this year’s contest is “Water Wins!” to get students thinking about what everyone can do to save water.
“We’re trying to get kids involved in water conservation. Kids can be very persuasive in the household; they can nag mom and dad to turn off the water while brushing their teeth. We’re trying to jump-start them into the water conservation process with this contest,” said Kurt Kidman, spokesperson for the San Diego Water Department.
Entries must be original artwork drawn horizontally on an 11-by-14 inch paper. A teacher should submit the poster along with a class entry form by March 26. Posters can only be done by one child and will not be returned.
Water Department staff will judge the posters based on the water conservation message, neatness, creativity, originality and visual effectiveness.
All entrants will receive a certificate of participation, but 18 winners will be selected: first, second, and third place for each grade level. All winners will be recognized at a City Council meeting and will receive a Certificate of Excellence, a U.S. savings bond and four tickets to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.
The 18 selected posters will be displayed in the City Administration Building, at the San Diego County Fair in the San Diego Watercolor Society’s Gallery, and will also be featured in the 2009 Water Conservation Calendar.
More information, entry forms and a free activity book are all available by visiting the Web site, www.sandiego.gov/water/conservation. The City of San Diego Water Department can be reached by calling (619) 533-5312.