Replacement sought for retiring county sheriff The County Board of Supervisors is seeking candidates interested in replacing Sheriff William Kolender who plans to retire on July 2 after 14 years of service. The board will appoint an interim county sheriff to carry out the rest of Kolender’s term through January 2011. Candidates must submit an application from May 13 through June 10 at 5 p.m. in person at the office of the Clerk of the Board, located at the County Administration Building, 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 402. The County Board of Supervisors is expected to review the qualifications for all applicants at a hearing on June 16 and will select no more than five finalists. On June 23, the board will review and select an interim sheriff. The sheriff oversees 4,000 employees. Candidates must fulfill specific requirements, including a certain level of experience and education, listed at www.sdcounty.ca.gov/-cob/sheriffvacancy. County attorney’s office cites 2008 record A 94 percent felony conviction rate — one of the highest in California — and an honor as one of San Diego’s best places to work were cited among last year’s accomplishments at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, according to a recent report from the office. During 2008, the group worked with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, resulting in the arrests of 75 San Diego State University students for selling various controlled substances. It also took part in two undercover narcotics operations that resulted in drug charges against 82 defendants. The office also recovered a record $1.5 million in bad check funds, broke up a real estate fraud scheme that victimized hundreds of county homeowners and assisted in an investigation that resulted in a $1.4 million judgment against retail giant Wal-mart. Its child abduction unit helped recover 93 children worldwide. The office co-sponsored a summit to combat county gang violence and released statistics centering on the county’s 1,200 homicides unsolved over a 10-year period. The office received a prestigious 2008 Workplace Excellence Award as one of San Diego’s most outstanding places to work. Citing employee communication, quality of life programs and a focus on staying healthy, the office’s Employee Relations Department was singled out among 130 nominees. The office was also honored for its Diversity Pipeline Project, aimed at recruiting minorities to careers in the criminal justice field. City launches pipe project on Harbor Drive The city began replacing about 18,000 feet of 16-inch water pipes along North Harbor Drive late last month to improve service from the aging water mains. Two construction crews will replace the aging and failing cast-iron pipes with plastic pipes. Some of the pipes have been installed as early as 1950, according to officials with the San Diego Engineering and Capital Projects Department. City officials said they aim to complete the estimated $5.7 million project by September. The project will occur in two sections with one crew in each section. One project replaces pipes along North Harbor Drive from West Laurel Street south to Pacific Highway and along Pacific Highway south from F Street to Seaport Village. The second project will replace pipes along North Harbor Drive from the San Diego International Airport’s terminal-2 to Lee Court, according to the statement. City crews will ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible. “If a lane closure is required we’ll have cones in place as well as project staff to help direct the traffic,” said Raquel Vasquez, Engineering and Capital Projects department senior public information officer said. “Mostly likely it is going to require a lane closure because construction will be taking place in the public right of way.” 2 Point Loma small businesses honored The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce honored 10 outstanding local businesses at a Small Business Awards luncheon recently — including two Point Loma merchants. The awards, handed out May 27, recognized innovative small businesses that support the local economy and community, including contributions of new ideas and services to the marketplace, according to chamber officials. The honorees included United States Karate Academy, 2590 Truxtun Road, Suite 200 in Liberty Station, for excellence in customer service. Also recognized was AArrow Advertising, 4312 Valeta St., for most innovative marketing campaign/concept. “It is important to recognize these leaders in small business, especially during a recession, as they are vitally important to our local economy,” said Ruben Barrales, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. For information about the chamber, call (619) 544-1300, or visit www.sdchamber.org. New passport program begins for border crossing Americans driving across the border of Mexico or Canada – or traveling to the Caribbean or Bermuda – by land, sea or air must now possess a passport book or card to reenter the United States. In 2007, Americans were required to possess a passport to travel internationally via airplane and that restriction has now extended to land or sea travel. Residents living in border communities who frequently cross the Mexican or Canadian border or who travel through seaports from the Caribbean and Bermuda can apply for a passport card, which is not valid for international air travel. Vacationers are advised to apply for a passport in advance, which can take up to six weeks to receive. For an additional fee, applicants can receive a passport within two to three weeks. San Diegans can apply for a passport at the County Administration Center at 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 402, opened Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Passport cards cost $45 for first-time adult applicants and $35 for children. For more information visit www.sandiegocob.com or call (619) 531 5600.