City Council to consider UC traffic plan
City Council will decide whether to build the Regents Road Bridge, widen Genesee Avenue or pursue another alternative to alleviate traffic in University City on Tuesday, Aug. 1 at 2 p.m. at the City Administrative Building, 202 C St. The environmental impact report (EIR) for the University City North/South Transportation Corridor Study assesses seven alternatives for relieving congestion in the area.
On Wednesday, July 26, Mayor Jerry Sanders announced his recommendation for building the Regents Road Bridge. He also recommended that the Genesee Avenue Widening option be removed from the plan.
On July 12, the University Community Planning Group (UCPG) voted against the most controversial projects ” to connect Regents Road with a bridge over Rose Canyon, or to widen Genesee Avenue. Instead, the advisory board voted for the “Limited Roadway Changes” alternative that would add turn lanes to the Genesee Avenue/SR-52 intersection and Governor Drive/Genesee Avenue intersection.
The EIR indicated that the roadway changes are environmentally superior to the other alternatives, stated the board’s motion. UCPG also voted to recommend that the city council not certify the EIR due to inconsistencies in the document.
To purchase a copy of the EIR, contact Martha Blake, (619) 446-5375. CD-ROMs cost $5 and a printed copy is $200. Hard copies are also available for review at: City of San Diego Development Services Center, 1222 First Ave.; University Community Branch Library, 4155 Governor Drive; and Clairemont Community Service Center, 4731 Clairemont Drive.

House passes bill to preserve Soledad cross
The Mount Soledad cross received another wave of support as the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to transfer the war memorial to the federal government in an effort to “protect and preserve” the monument.
The bill passed 349-73 on Wednesday, July 19. The bill was co-sponsored by Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine), Congressman Darrell Issa (R-49th District) and Congressman Brian Bilbray, representative of the 50th district that includes Mount Soledad.
“When put to a vote of the people, more than 75 percent of San Diegans supported saving and preserving the Mount Soledad Veterans War Memorial,” Bilbray said. “The House vote brings us one step closer to permanently protecting the memorial.”
Senator Jeff Sessions (Alabama) has also introduced similar legislation in the senate.
The American Legion also filed an amicus brief on July 26 in the Paulson v. Abdelnour case before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
An amicus brief is Latin for “friend of the court” and is a way for interested parties to voice concerns about the issue. The court chooses whether or not to accept the brief.
Philip Paulson sued the city (represented by the city clerk, Abdelnour) in 1991 over the constitutionality of the Mount Soledad Cross on city property. U.S. District Judge Gordon Thompson ruled in favor of the plaintiff in 1991.
Since that time, the city has unsuccessfully attempted to sell the property three times and popular vote failed to transfer it to the federal government.
Finally, Thompson returned to his original injunction that the city remove the “constitutional infirmity” within 90 days or pay the fine. The U.S. Supreme Court froze that injunction until appeals are heard in October before the fourth appellate court concerning Prop. A, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

‘Batter up’ at Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast
“Padres ‘n’ Pancakes” is the theme of the 43rd annual Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Kiwanis Club of La Jolla.
The all-you-can-eat extravaganza runs from 8 a.m. to noon this Saturday, July 29, at La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St.
The menu includes blueberry pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice. Music to eat by will be provided by the Torrey Pines Ramblers Bluegrass Band, while face-painting, pony rides and an inflatable jumper will entertain the youngsters. There will also be appearances by the San Diego Padres Friar and the Pad Squad.
Tickets, which are $7, can be purchased by calling (858) 546-5479 or at the door on the day of the event.
Money raised supports the Kiwanis’ charities and community service.
For information about the club, which meets each Friday at noon at the La Jolla Presbyterian Church, call Trenton Bonner, (858) 546-5434.