Save the Date: July 12, 2011, 6-8 pm

Public Grand Opening 

Chula Vista Police Otay Ranch Storefront & Farmer’s Market

July 12, 2011

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Cool ways to get involved with the Police Department.

From the Chula Vista Police Department Website:

• Explorers are youth 14-21, who meet twice a month with a purpose to acquaint young people with the objectives of public safety in our community and to instill and promote sound morals, ethical conduct, and respect for law and order. More Information. 

• Mounted Police Unit is an organization of volunteers equipped with their own horses and support equipment to provide public relations, assist with enforcement, and remain prepared as a mutual aid resource. More Information 

• Reserve Unit is a volunteer organization of academy trained Police Reserve that augment the department by assisting with routine patrol functions, special events, traffic and bicycle team.  More Information call 619-476-5369

• Community Volunteers - Lots of different opportunities available from clerical to customer services.  More Information call 619-409-5956

• Senior Volunteer Patrol members perform such services as commercial district foot patrols, vacation house checks, vehicle abatement, handicapped parking enforcement and more. More Information call 619-476-2417

A Parent's School Woe ...

I’ve written and rewritten this entry for weeks now. Hard not to just go off on all of them!

With every new story, rumor, political spin and grandstanding – it’s like a personal attack. This is about my children’s education. They spend most their time in that environment. How can it not feel personal?

Last week I received an e-mail – from SaveSUHSD. Don’t know who they are – but it had nothing to do with saving SUHSD (Sweetwater Union High School District) and everything to do with a targeted political attack. YUCK. If it was truly meant to save, then it should have been about solutions for classes, education, programs, funding ... it should have been focused on providing better for our children.

The subject on that e-mail was “Creating Division at SUHSD” … congratulations. Mission accomplished. Now what?

Caught in the crossfire between teacher unions, administration, boardmembers, outsourced contracts, political posturing, blatantly bad decisions and the sad state of our CA budget are the teachers, the students and the parents. And it doesn’t stop there -

Schools are hubs of the community. If you were a perspective homebuyer or renter with kids – would CV be your first choice? How about donating to an education foundation – would you consider the local Mariachi, Sweetwater or Eastlake Foundations?  Could this be why High Tech High has an incredible amount of families vying for their coveted spots?

Sadder yet, are the good teachers and the good experiences that are put out of sight. It’s easier to share the complaints – I should know, I have a list. And quite frankly it feels good to vent. But like a child who constantly gets ridiculed and demeaned – the spirit can break.

While there has been a change at the top – I don’t think it’s the cure all. If all the rumors and accusations are true – and since we’re continuing to deal with budget cuts - the changes need to start within as well.

So hear is my urge to you – to all parents. 

First of all get involved and get informed. The more you know about your own school and the more you get involved; the better position you’ll be in to offer solutions, decipher the rumors and make changes if needed. 

If you work long hours – Check in with teachers by e-mail, phone call, or write a quick note. Meet with your administrators. Make sure they know you by name. A quick meet and greet. Demand information if needed.

Read up. There have been several thorough write ups and journalist covering SUHSD – Ashly McGlore and Wendy Fry at the Union Tribune; Carlos Davalos at Star News now has some video coverage too; Emily Alpert at Voice of San Diego. Add them to the RSS feed –  or follow on Twitter: SoBayBoardMtgs, sdutAshly, emilyschoolsyou, wendyfry, suhsd, starnewseditor. It's like following a radio show.Concise play by play of meetings. It keeps you in the know.

And of course talk to your kids! You'll be surprised how much they know. 

At the end, if it feels like no one else is watching out for our kids – then you’ll know you are. 

Our kids go back to school mid July; I’ll be joining the conversation with weekly updates on my experience as a parent at SUHSD. Maybe you’ll like to share yours too. And just maybe we’ll find more good than the bad and ugly.

- PC

Happenings at Chula Vista City Hall

Yes, we’ve been quiet .... due to series of unforeseen matters ... but we are back :)

So, I thought I’d provide some updates on stories that we have shared.

Budget & Police Layoffs

Looks like this is a win-win situation all around.  The city has found funding to avoid police layoffs.  Funding comes from grants and savings generated within the police department.  Nobody wanted to lose police - so everyone wins.  Community advocates didn’t want to see more cuts in community services such as libraries - so again, everyone wins! Bravo!

Fee Increases

Looks like the parents and sports leagues got hold of our story and the subsequent ones that followed because they are up in arms!  Expect a crowd at tonight’s council meeting, but it may not be necessary ... for now.  The city manager is expected to ask the council to delay any increases to sport field fees until November 2011.  The idea is that if revenue continues to increase, the higher fees may not be necessary.

Medical Marijuana

The public safety subcommittee of the council held a meeting with the public and heard from both sides of the issue.  The result - policy recommendations to allow medical marijuana collectives with developed regulations.  This has not been formally approved by the council, so there is still time for public input.

The budget --- What can I say?  The council is probably discussing as I type this --- so I’ll update you soon.

Z

Coming Soon to East Chula Vista ...

Did you know a police storefront would be opening soon at Otay Ranch Town Center?

Look for the grand opening to take place in mid-July.

Local Agency Praised for Homeless Youth Programs

Of course I'm a bit biased - I was their Community Relations Director for several years and I'm still a very big fan and supporter.

South Bay Community Services (SBCS) was one of seven agencies receiving commendations for excellent service in the County by a San Diego County Grand Jury. The dedicated individuals I met at SBCS dealt with daily emergencies - struggles I never knew actually existed in our communities - violence, hunger, homelessness. The face of those families in need changed in the years I was there - it was anyone.

There are too many stories to share - all impacted me deeply. Spending just a few hours with SBCS families - especially the kids - was very emotional - deepening the awe I had for service providers, social workers and therapist. How they could do it every day?

What struck me most incredibly was the amount of homeless youth - right here in our City. I was told many of these kids should have been in foster care long ago - now too old as they would probably just run away. They couch surfed. Drifted to shelters closer to the beach in summers. They could be as young as 12 years old - my daughter's age.

At the shelter, they have rules and all take part in chores. When we worked on the re-beautification project with many local partners and supporters - the one special request from these kids - A table large enough for them to all sit and eat together.

SBCS runs the only youth emergency shelter in the South County: Casa Nuestra. Specialist there - 24 hours a day - focus on reuniting families and if that fails - finding a stable living environment - sometimes tracking down families in other states. Some have been able to transition to the agency's affordable housing development for former foster youth or homeless youth: Trolley Trestle.

Congrats to SBCS and all the agencies and their dedicated employees. For more information visit SignOnSanDiego for an in-depth article and the full report.

PC

Did You Know: Chula Vista is only the 3rd in CA to ...

Become certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat. 

My thriving back yard with very low H2O

We’re also the 53rd in the country and the second largest in population following Austin, Texas.

A Community Wildlife Habitat is a community that provides habitat for wildlife throughout the community--in individual backyards, on school grounds and in public areas such as parks, community gardens, places of worship and businesses. Residents make it a priority to provide habitat for wildlife by providing the four basic elements that all wildlife need: food, water, cover and places to raise young.
It also supports sustainable gardening practices such as reducing or eliminating chemical fertilizers and pesticides, conserving water, planting native plants, removing invasive plants and composting.

Since implementing the program in Chula Vista, a total of:

• 303 homes, 
• 10 schools, 
• 1 nature center, 
• 5 parks, 
• 4 businesses, 
• a botanical garden, 
• a recreational center, 
• the civic center, 
• a condominium’s grounds and 
• the municipal golf course all became NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat sites. 

And I’m so proud to have taken part. Our garden is thriving with veggies and fruit and our drought tolerant plants are blooming and growing! Who knew native plants had such beautiful flowers. My family - including two cats and dog - enjoy the landscape. One of the best investments we've made.

Thank you Chula Vista for caring about our environment!


To learn more about ways you can conserve and commit to sustaining a clean, healthy environment in Chula Vista, visit  the City's Mission Green site! 


PC

Look Who Will Be Paying More in Fees

Does your child play on a local youth sports team? Have you rented park picnic shelters for birthdays or other events? Swim in any of the community pools? Use any of the fitness centers?

Well, if so, the council is considering approval of fee changes – mostly increases – to continue and/or restore certain services.

Let’s start out with the good news! 

If you have a Fitness Center membership at Otay or Salt Creek Rec Centers, your fees will be reduced from $8-16. If you have rented Recreation Facility Space (i.e. Gym, Soccer Arena, Tennis Courts, etc.), rental fees will also decrease from $2-40. The City anticipates the lower fees will increase membership and revenue.

All-righty then, are we good?

Now the fee increases.

Aquatics: Fees will increase minimally (think $1-2). 

But the City is looking at offering a NEW Twenty-Swim Pass that will cost you $16-24. This is new revenue for the city.

Ball Field Rentals: Okay, listen up all you Pop Warner and Little League Groups and City Adult League participants!

• Unlighted fields will cost $10/hourly, an increase of $10.
• Lighted fields will cost $25/hourly, an increase of $10.

In addition, the City is proposing to create new ball field rental fees for tournament uses. This fee will only apply to the fields at San Miguel Park, but they will be $100/hour for daytime use and $145/hour for night/lighted use.

Picnic Shelter Fees: I imagine this one will be the most far-reaching, but I could be wrong. 

• Large Shelters (200 group size) will increase 75% from $120 to $210.
• Medium Shelters (100 group size) will increase 72% from $90 to $155.
• Small/Picnic (50 group size) will increase 100% from $30 to $60.

These increases will move Chula Vista from offering the lowest picnic shelter fees to the fourth lowest, and will be used to restore a minimal Park Ranger Program.

Parking Citations: If you get a parking ticket in the city, you may also see an increase in the fee from $1.50-3.  The City is charged similar amounts by the County/State for processing tickets, but now will not be absorbing the cost – You will.

Nobody likes higher fees – but consider this. 

The proposed fee increases is anticipated to increase city revenue by $571,000 – over half a million dollars!   

Much needed money these days.