Our “thumbs” for June 2017
THUMBS UP to members of the Poway City Council for their positive reception to the concept of a private company building two- and three-story mixed-use buildings on 1.58 acres along Poway Road. The “Trading Post” project would include commercial development and 53 residential units, with two levels of underground parking beneath. Announced likely anchor tenants are the Urge Gastropub and Crunch Fitness. Yes, the development represents a stark contrast to the rundown, vacant buildings on the lots. Yes, some folks will argue the development doesn’t quite jive with the “country” part of the “City in the Country.” But, as one councilman pointed out, Poway Road needs to be the “city” part of that motto if Poway’s economy is to thrive in the years to come.
THUMBS DOWN to members of the San Diego City Council for voting 9-0 last week to not provide free trash bins to replace those damaged by city garbage trucks. As noted here in March, the San Diego County Jury released a report noting that free replacements were the norm until 2008, when the policy was discontinued as part of a budget-trimming effort. Between 50 and 70 percent of the 300,000 black trash bins are beyond their 10-year service life and should be replaced, the report noted. But last week the council dumped that idea. Replacement black bins will continue to cost the customer $70, plus a $25 delivery fee.
THUMBS UP to volunteer Ted Dawson and his committee for trying to pump new energy into the Poway Days celebration. Working closely with the Poway Rodeo Committee and the Rotary Club of Poway-Scripps Ranch, the committee is bringing back the once-popular Community Day celebration following the annual Poway Days Parade and is launching a new event, “SeptemberFest” on the following weekend, featuring beer, wine, a wide variety of quality food trucks and live entertainment. A new website has been created and, in an effort to attract a younger crowd, social media is being extensively used. Event details and sponsorship opportunities can be found at powaydays.org.
THUMBS UP to the Rancho Bernardo Community Council for organizing a public meeting providing information to parents about the dangers lurking in the internet. The session, featuring Jon Moffat of Cyber Education Consulting, was very well done. (A story on the session can be found at pomeradonews.com.) Our hope is that similar programs will be presented elsewhere in the region in the future.
THUMBS UP to the Rancho Bernardo Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol upon its 25th anniversary. The RSVP program was first launched in Rancho Bernardo and it quickly spread to other San Diego neighborhoods, to Poway (known there as the Retired Senior Patrol) then to cities across the U.S. and abroad. Over the years 267 adults ages 50 years and older have volunteered in Rancho Bernardo, performing important functions that free sworn officers up for other duties. Interested in joining? Call 858-538-8146.
Email: editor@pomeradonews.com