October 13, 2016

EYE ON SC

What’s Up With...

Five things San Clemente should know this week

Property Owners Bear Burden of Remnants of Homeless Encampments

THE LATEST: According to documents obtained by the San Clemente Times, property owners in the Rancho San Clemente Community Association have been notified that if they don’t address the debris left from what appear to be homeless encampments, they must clear the refuse within a certain amount of time or face a $100 fine.

Warnings like these are given to people following a complaint submitted to the city’s Code Compliance Services. The city’s policy is to give people “correction notices” following the complaint.

The documents obtained showed photos of tents and what appear to be encampments. Similar human activity has been found in various areas around San Clemente, such as the encampment on Avenida Pico and Calle Del Cerro and Calle Frontera that was removed a few months ago.

“What we do is we respond to complaints from the public and monitor areas that are brought to our attention, and we’ve had responses to illegal camping on undeveloped land,” said Cecilia GallardoDaily, the city’s community development director. “We identify a violation and notify the owner of the violation and provide them an opportunity to make any corrections to come into compliance.”

Gallardo-Daily said regular monitoring of the open space by the owners is the way they should check for illegal camping or illegal dumping.

“We have noticed an increase in the number of complaints in the last couple of months,” she said. “I think it could be a combination of more people camping in the areas and the visibility of the campers. If they’re hidden from view, we’re not going to get the complaints maybe; however, the camping that we have identified has been pretty apparent to the people who are filing the complaint. And they seem to be identifying it in places where we haven’t had complaints before.”

Gallardo-Daily said people can ask for an extension of the time they need in order to have the debris removed if there is an exceptional amount.

Not all complaints warrant a correction

notice, she said.

“We don’t want to issue citations; we want the violation to be corrected,” Gallardo-Daily said.

Prosecuting someone who is accused of trespassing on commercial property in the provisions of the California Penal Code and the District Attorney has been allowed, but prior to an ordinance Council will consider on Oct. 18, the city did not have the authority to enforce them through municipal code citations, according to the city.

“Owners can set reasonable parameters for the use of their business properties,” the city’s agenda report stated. “The proposed ordinance creates an additional tool to help business owners remove unwanted trespassers from their property and the associated disturbance to the business and community.”

The agenda report also stated anyone found guilty of this would be assessed a misdemeanor, and in certain circumstances, if the alleged offender continues to trespass, they can be arrested.

WHAT’S NEXT: The ordinance, if it is adopted through a second reading at the Oct. 18 City Council meeting, will take effect 30 days from its adoption. If you notice illegal activity on your property, the city asks you to call Code Compliance Services at 949.366.4705 or Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 949.770.6011 for non-emergencies or the San Clemente office at 949.361.8224. —Eric Heinz

City to Examine Zoning for Thrift Shops, Smoke Shops and More

THE LATEST: City Council directed the city’s staff and Planning Commission on Oct. 4 to look at forming an ordinance to evaluate whether thrift stores, pawn shops, check-cashing businesses and smoke/vape shops should be allowed to do business by right or if they need a conditional use permit.

During the Oct. 4 City Council meeting, La Tienda Thrift Store owner J.P. Spitz said he was worried about what would happen to his business if the zoning were to change. A neighbor to the thrift shop said she was worried about the operation initially, but she said she has known many of the people who work for the thrift store. La Tienda works with people in substance recovery programs to help them get back into society.

WHAT’S NEXT: When the report is ready, it will likely go through the Planning Commission and eventually back to City Council. Details of the instructions can be found at www.san-clemente.org under the City Council, Oct. 4 meeting agenda. —EH

Shopping Extravaganza Raises More Than $42,000 for Local Charities

THE LATEST: In its second year at the Outlets at San Clemente, the Shopping Extravaganza raised more than $42,000 for 25 local charities, according to Outlets officials.

People bought tickets for their charity of choice and proceeds went directly to that organization.

For every $35 ticket purchased, the Outlets donated $25 to a local nonprofit organization of the shopper’s choice. Last year’s inaugural event raised $37,465 to benefit 18 local nonprofits.

WHAT’S NEXT: For more information about the Shopping Extravaganza, visit www.outletsatsanclemente.com. —EH

Political Action Committees File Finance Reports

THE LATEST: Managers of local political action committees (PACs) filed with the City Clerk’s office on Sept. 27. Based on forms filed, Businesses for a Better San Clemente, which has the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce’s address as its location, has raised almost

$7,000 and spent $4,559, giving $3,000 to Swartz for City Council, Steve Swartz’s campaign.

Watchdog for San Clemente Responsible Government opposes both Dan Bane and Steve Swartz and has raised $10,000 in loans from Jeri Mann.

WHAT’S NEXT: The next filing for PACs and fundraising committees, as well as candidate campaign financing, is due Oct. 27. —EH

Police Services Forum Scheduled for

Oct. 25

THE LATEST: Matrix Consulting Group, which was hired to evaluate current police services in San Clemente is scheduled to host a “town hall” meeting to obtain input from citizens. The consultants will use the input to assist the city with making improvements to the Police Services’ crime reduction efforts.

WHAT’S NEXT: Members of the public are invited to attend the town hall meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 5-7 p.m. The meeting will be held at City Hall, located at 100 Avenida Presidio.

For more information, contact Assistant City Manager Erik Sund at 949.361-8360. —Staff

Another Set of Ideas

TCA unveils proposals for toll roads, traffic alleviation throughout South Orange

County

BY ERIC HEINZ, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Toll Roads and San Clemente have a strained relationship at best. It’s adversarial at worst.

Since at least 2008, the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) has been trying to find a way to connect the 241 Toll Road to Interstate 5 by way of San Clemente and its neighboring areas.

Plans to build a toll road through Trestles was defeated in 2008 and in early 2015, but TCA is now holding consensus meetings to gather data from the public to address a broader issue that seems inevitable: alleviating traffic through the South Orange County corridor.

TCA recently hosted two meetings to hear public input about finding transportation alternatives to the I-5 and other existing transportation infrastructure. One such meeting took place Oct. 5 at St. Andrews by-the-Sea in San Clemente, where more than 200 people attended, according to TCA officials. The information from the meeting will be presented to a community task force on Oct. 19. Some of the ideas discussed included roads that would go through Cristianitos; a long road from Ortega Highway that would eventually connect to Avenida Pico; more lanes to the I-5 corridor in San Clemente; traffic light synchronization; more bike lanes; and increasing train frequency.

“This is solving a problem defined by the public and verified by a significant amount of data and planning documents. The working group decided it would be important to launch a public input forum series.”

— Mike Chesney, TCA

The planning, environmental studies and conception of any plan will take at least seven to 10 years, TCA officials said. Meanwhile, another obstacle any plan must consider is the increasing number of families coming into Rancho Mission Viejo, which is still being filled and is planned to be built out in 10 to 20 years—

by the Transportation Corridor Agencies during a community meeting Oct. 5 at St. Andrews by-theSea in San Clemente.

the development area has about 14,000 homes. The subdivision is at the junction of Ortega Highway and the end of La Pata, and people at the Oct. 5 meeting said development there will affect traffic coming down through San Clemente.

Soliciting Ideas from the Public

Mike Chesney, chief strategy officer of the TCA, said the TCA started conducting community input and gathering consensus data in early 2015 to see what transportation options would be preferable for residents.

A task force was formed to provide regional transportation representation (San Clemente City Councilwoman Kathy Ward is the representative from San Clemente for the San Joaquin Hills region of TCA).

Jeff Corless, managing director of Venture Strategic, a consulting firm working with the TCA, said the latest proposals use information from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and Southern California Association of Governments as well as other stakeholders. These proposals take into consideration any infrastructure that could be in place by 2035.

“This is solving a problem defined by the public and verified by a significant amount of data and planning documents,” Chesney said. “The working group decided it would be important to launch a public input forum series … and incorporate the needs and priorities.”

One of the challenges of improving transportation routes, especially in south San Clemente, is the potential of impacting natural resources.

“The San Mateo Watershed is an environmentally sensitive area,” Chesney said. “Any major large transportation project has to go through the CEQA and NEPA process, and it’s a very deliberate process in knowing what you have to do for mitigation. If you affect an acre, you have to normally give back more than an acre.”

There’s also the potential, in these early stages, that any given proposal will not contribute to the flow of traffic in a significant way.

The plans and data are compiled by Get Moving Orange County, a general brand

used by TCA for people to peruse information and ask questions regarding the toll roads.

Using the information from past proposals has been critical in understanding the priorities of residents in the area, Chesney said.

“Soliciting input from leaders in the community and people who have opposed the project in the past has been a key component of this,” Chesney said. “This is a much better process to address the transportation issues.”

The Toll Roads are funded largely by toll revenue bonds to finance the roads. The tolls collected on the roads pay back the debt. Some funding sources for the proposed extensions include OCTA Measure M funding, future TCA surplus toll revenue and competitive grants for bicycle lane additions.

There are also ideas to get more train frequency through South Orange County, but some of the costs could be prohibitively expensive ($8 billion for a tunnel, for instance, was just an estimate).

“Clearly, as an agency we’re tasked with planning for the future, and 2035 numbers are what we’re basing this on,” Chesney said. “Some say we’re already at a critical threshold (of traffic).”

In order to implement the proposals, a wide array of permitting and getting access to certain areas will be critical.

“The process of evaluating impacts is done through technical studies, rightof-way impacts, social justice impacts, air and water impacts,” Chesney said. “Those have to be approved by everyone involved, and input from the public has to be addressed. There’s definitely interest to see open spaces protected.”

During the Oct. 5 meeting, Orange County Board of Supervisors Chair Lisa Bartlett said she wants to see what the data reveals from the consensus forums.

“I’m all about process, and I think right now we want to get all the stakeholders to give input to the process,” Bartlett said. “We need to think collaboratively (about projects) that work for South Orange County.”

San Clemente City Councilwoman Lori Donchak, who is the current chair of the OCTA board of directors, said current projects need to be evaluated before moving forward with future proposals.

“I’m looking at it from a regional point of view, and the first order of business is we need to make sure that Avenida La Pata is doing what it’s supposed to do,” Donchak said, adding that gathering data on how people are using the road, signage and other safety measures need to be put in place to adequately understand its function. The La Pata Connection was completed in August.

“The second order of business is to get the Ortega Highway widened,” she said. “The third option, which I’m a big fan of, is extending the carpool lane from Pico on the I-5 to the San Diego County border so that we’re ready for the changes in the future.”

Donchak said that by 2045, there will be additional lanes added to the I-5 in San Diego County and some of them will be managed with a toll facility. Unless San Clemente adjusts for this future project, Donchak said, it could make for some congested traffic.

Environmental and Civic Concerns

San Clemente resident Kevin Nelson, the founder of the Nature Commission, an organization that has been outspoken against any toll roads coming through San Clemente, said these plans are basically a repeat of what was proposed in 2008 and again in early 2015.

“All that land south of Ortega is wild and is in a very important network of watersheds and animal habitat and for people because it’s one large mass,” Nelson said.

Nelson drew particular attention to one of the options that runs around the east side of the Donna O’Neill Land Conservancy.

Disturbing the land within the areas proposed, he said, could have irreversible consequences.

“If you don’t save the species and the watersheds, then you’re sure as hell not going to have things for the people,” he said. “I’m essentially sure that people in the future will ask, ‘What happened in Southern California, where everything was taken in a rush of greed?’”

Areas such as the land in the Cristianitos Campground, an area deemed of historical significance with the Acjachemen and Juaneño native tribes, is another environmental concern, considering a few of the proposals.

“From my standpoint, I think of nature as a whole system,” Nelson said. “The laws give environmentalists and specific species that are disappearing … the tools to (oppose development), and I think that’s good, but it doesn’t necessarily subscribe to (the fact that with conservation) it’s the whole enchilada.”

San Clemente resident Don Kunze said he has been opposing toll road proposals for decades, but he said he wants to present a solution. Kunze was at the meeting with his own poster board.

“Most of the alternatives that they’re showing would come through the city of San Clemente, somehow, and connect to the 5,” Kunze said. “Where are people going and where are they coming from? I’d like to think about taking care of Ortega and … give people a different alternative. Prove to me where people are going and where they’re coming from. We want people to come to our town, but we also want alternatives.” SC

To see the different proposals, visit www.sanclementetimes.com and find the article with this same headline. Files will be provided there. To see raw data from the TCA and Get Moving Orange County, visit www.getmovingoc.com.

NEWS BITES

COMPILED BY ERIC HEINZ

Family Assistance Ministries Hunger Walk is Oct. 16

Register online for FAM’s 29th annual Hunger Walk on Oct. 16, which raises funds and awareness about hunger in Orange County. Registration starts at the San Clemente Community Center at 12:30 p.m., and the walk starts at 2 p.m. Also register for the Finish Line Party immediately following the walk at H.H. Cotton’s American Bar & Grill. FAM has a fundraising goal of $93,000.

For more Hunger Walk & Finish Line Party information and to register, go to www.family-assistance.org, scroll down toward the bottom of the home page, or call 949.492.8477.

Golfapalooza Raises $4,050 for Boys & Girls Club

On Sunday, Aug. 28., the 10th annual Ole’s Tavern Golfapalooza brought in thousands of dollars for a local charity. The event raised $4,050, and all proceeds were donated to the Boys & Girls Club of the South Coast Area in San Clemente, according to a press release.

The first place team was Evan Kadow, Trey Kadow, Rick Fleming and Cole Eby.

OCFA Fire Station Open House in San Clemente

Designated Orange County Fire Authority fire stations will host open houses from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, including San Clemente station No. 59, located at 59 Avenida La Pata. The station open houses are designed to bring fire prevention awareness to communities during National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 9-15.

“OCFA’s station open houses will give families an opportunity to meet and greet

their neighborhood firefighters, tour their local fire stations and hear about ways they can stay fire safe,” the release stated. OCFA firefighters said they encourage all residents to check the manufacture dates of their smoke alarms. If alarms are more than 10 years old, they should be replaced.

La Cristianita Preschool Carnival

On Nov. 5, La Cristianita Preschool is holding its annual fall carnival and 50th birthday celebration. The celebration will take place 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for carnival games, inflatable slides and obstacle courses, Xtremegame truck, PokemonGo stop, silent auction and food from The Habit food truck and Surfside pizza. Entry is free. Wristbands for carnival games, inflatables and game truck are $20 pre-order, and $25 at the door. All proceeds will go to La Cristianita Preschool.

Casa Romantica Announces Art Installation Project

Casa Romantica has commissioned artist Rebecca Louise Law to create a floral art installation. Casa is recruiting gardeners from the Southern California community to grow and donate the 8,000 blooms needed for the artwork. The artist will weave and hang the blooms at the center’s gallery in June 2017, and the living exhibition will transform for three months. During “Casa Coastal: Rebecca Louise Law,” Law will conduct educational forums about native and drought-tolerant horticulture and how these plants benefit her artwork. There will be an orientation to the artwork at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16, at the Casa, 415 Avenida Granada. For more information visit www.casaromantica.org/ casa-coastal-rebecca-louise-law.

Have something interesting for the community? Send your information to editorial@sanclementetimes.com.

Community Meetings

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16

SAN CLEMENTE FARMERS MARKET

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bundles of flowers, fresh produce and much more every Sunday. Avenida Del Mar.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17

COA CARES, BEREAVEMENT GROUP

6:30-8 p.m. Free. The bereavement group offers a source of comfort. Talega Life Church Ministries. 1040 Calle Negocio, San Clemente. 949.388.0114. www.communityoutreachalliance.com.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

6 p.m. The City Council will host its regularly scheduled meeting. 100 Avenida Presidio. 949.361.8200. www.san-clemente.org.

BILY MEETING

7-9 p.m. Meets every Tuesday. Because I Love You helps parents find solutions to any crisis they are experiencing due to their children’s (adult or minor) poor choices. Presbyterian Church. 119 Avenida De La Estrella. www.bilysc.org.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19

SAN CLEMENTE ROTARY

Noon. The San Clemente Rotary meets every Wednesday at the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course Wedgewood Restaurant. 150 E. Avenida Magdalena. 949.233.7981. www.sanclementerotary.org.

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

7 p.m. The Planning Commission will host its regularly scheduled meeting. 100 Avenida Presidio. 949.361.8200. www.san-clemente.org.

SC Sheriff’s Blotter

COMPILED BY STAFF

All information below is obtained from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website. The calls represent what was told to the deputy in the field by the radio dispatcher. The true nature of an incident often differs from what is initially reported. No assumption of criminal guilt or affiliation should be drawn from the content of the information provided. An arrest doesn’t represent guilt. The items below are just a sampling of the entries listed on the OCSD website.

Sunday, October 9

DRUNK DRIVING Avenida Pico/El Camino Real (6:15 p.m.) Police were called to a black Jaguar driving “really slow and swerving all over lanes.”

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES

Calle Sarmentoso (12:32 p.m.) Juveniles were reportedly on top of the “portables.” The entry did not define what kind of portables.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES

Avenida Estacion, 1800 Block (10:27 a.m.)

A man was talking to himself and looking into vehicles.

DISTURBANCE El Camino Real, 1800 Block (6:29 a.m.) A person was throwing things around the store.

INVESTIGATE PERSON DOWN Avenida La Pata/Calle Del Cerro (5:48 a.m.)

A man was passed out in the street.

Saturday, October 8

DRUNK DRIVING Camino De Los Mares/ Camino El Molino (7:36 p.m.) A reportedly drunken man was about to drive off in a golf cart.

WELFARE CHECK Camino Tierra Grande/ Camino Viento Fuerte (6:06 p.m.)

Someone was seen driving around with “a bloody face.”

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES

Avenida Calafia/Avenida Montalvo (3:41

p.m.) The driver of a “dirty” white camper was wearing a clown mask.

DISTURBANCE Avenida Fabricante, 200 Block (12:01 p.m.) A woman in the office was being verbally argumentative and refusing to leave.

Friday, October 7

DISTURBANCE Avenida Granada, 400 Block (10:58 p.m.) A caller said juveniles were “still being loud and setting off fireworks at fire pits and doing drug deals.” The caller said sheriff’s deputies never showed up, and he was “very irate.”

CITIZEN ASSIST Ola Vista, 500 Block (9:50 p.m.) A woman said someone dumped a couch in her driveway and took off. The caller said she does not think the person lived in the area.

DISTURBANCE El Camino Real, 2400 Block (8:37 p.m.) A 6-foot-tall tattooed man wearing a black shirt on a bike became verbally argumentative when the clerk would not sell him a pornographic magazine, the caller said.

TRESPASSING Avenida Victoria, 100 Block (7:56 p.m.) A man was at the laundromat, and a woman said she had already told him to leave, so now she wanted to prosecute. A 55-year-old man was arrested and later released in the incident.

SUSPCICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES

Camino De Estrella, 500 Block (7:15 p.m.)

Police were called for a black backpack that was locked to a trashcan with a knife hanging out of it.

DISTURBANCE Calle Sacramento, 1500 Block (7:05 p.m.) A man was in a verbal argument with his neighbor over their dogs getting in a fight. The man said his neighbor threatened to kill him and was pounding on his door.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Avenida Mateo/El Camino Real (5:52 p.m.) Police were called to a “smaller, older, white” Nissan that left on Avenida Mateo toward El Camino Real, and a woman said she thought the man driving the car was

following her and possibly drinking a beer while driving.

PETTY THEFT Avenida Victoria, 600 Block (6:12 p.m.) A man tried to steal money out of the tip jar. A 59-year-old man was arrested in the incident and has since been released.

ASSIST OUTSIDE AGENCY Camino De Los Mares/Bonanza (5:11 p.m.) Police were called regarding an “elderly” man who was in a golf cart and was seen pulling two small dogs behind the cart. The caller said the dogs looked like they were struggling to keep up.

STOLEN VEHICLE LOCATED Avenida Cornelio, 100 Block (12:45 a.m.) A woman said her vehicle was reported stolen with Long Beach Police Department, and they were tracking the vehicle. A 39-year-old man was arrested in the incident and is currently in custody. No bail had been set.

Thursday, October 6

SUSPICIOUS PERSON IN VEHICLE Colina Terrestre, 1700 Block (11:09 p.m.) Police were called to a white Chevrolet pickup truck with no lights on and no tailgate. A man said someone in the vehicle followed him. The person got out of the vehicle and was looking into his home with a flashlight.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES

Avenida Victoria, 600 Block (11:24 a.m.)

The caller said a possibly “methed-out tweaker” was acting paranoid in the area of the Pier.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON/CIRCUMSTANCES

Calle Del Cerro, 1000 Block (1:36 a.m.)

A woman said a person by the name of “Mr. Dale” tried to open her front door.

Wednesday, October 5

DISTURBANCE Avenida Victoria, 600 Block (10:25 p.m.) A man was verbally argumentative and swinging his fist at people. The man who called said he tried to assault his girlfriend. The reportedly argumentative man was allegedly walking in and out of traffic near the Pier.

SOAPBOX SC

VIEWS, OPINIONS AND INSIGHTS

Letters to the Editor

THERE ARE BETTER WAYS TO HELP HOUSE HOMELESS

PAMELA PEREZ, San Clemente

In response to Melina Stone Schoenwald’s letter in the Oct. 6-12 edition of the San Clemente Times: Yes! These are distinct homeless groups. People and families who are trying to live a normal life can be helped rapidly without living in a shelter. A shelter is important during an unexpected crisis—it should not be a solution to homelessness. The Rapid Re-Housing Program (RRHP) and Continuum of Care (CoC) Program/HUD are prerequisites to the Section 8 Voucher Rental Assistance Program. The problem is that this process does not happen rapidly and/or the middlemen, such as a “shelter,” will get the RRHP and CoC grant money (and donations) instead of it going to the homeless and homeless families directly. The shelter programs that do this will usually say that the homeless people they help need “services.” So, they keep their “clients” for six months, hence a six-month program, and then pretty much expect them to figure out their situation themselves. Their “clients” are not told that they can get into an apartment rapidly and receive “services” while their children have a steady home and can be in their home school. The shelter program will say that they gave their “clients” a place to stay for a while until they figure out where to go next. I believe the RRHP and CoC and then HUD Section 8 programs would move along more rapidly if these programs did not have homeless “shelters” to fall back on. The homeless people who are not in special need, like the “chronic vagrants,” should be moved through the HUD homeless system elegantly, appropriately and rapidly, which would end homeless, as the RRHP was intended.

COMMON SENSE SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS

LESLIE DAVIS, San Clemente

I read the City Council candidates’ responses to homelessness (in the San Clemente Times). Bob Baker and Chris Hamm’s decision to ignore the Planning Commission’s recommendations led to a lawsuit that was recently won by the Emergency Shelter Coalition. They expect the churches and Family Assistance Ministries (FAM) to house and take care of the homeless. But by zoning only public land for a shelter, the suit was lost. Not only because the public land was not feasible to build a shelter, but the Council could have

denied that use. Reading Hamm’s and Baker’s responses, they don’t want a shelter in San Clemente and will do anything to prevent that from happening. Everyone admits the homeless in San Clemente need to be helped. FAM and the churches can’t do it without a homeless shelter.

In September, the Planning Commission approved a zoning ordinance to be submitted to City Council on Oct. 18, allowing parts of Rancho San Clemente Business Park and the Calle Industrias area (behind Pier 1 Imports) to have a shelter. Calle Industrias can have a 50-bed shelter and RSC Business Park can have a 35-bed shelter. We have approximately 70 homeless in town. That means two shelters are needed. It costs roughly $250,000 a year to run a shelter. Increasing the occupancy only slightly increases the cost. Requiring two buildings doubles the cost. Do we want to help the homeless or not? It makes sense to increase the number of allowable beds to 50 per shelter with a maximum of 70 in cases of emergency and inclement weather. If we want to do something about the homeless, at least make it feasible. Another lawsuit is not needed, just common sense. I believe Dan Bane and Steve Swartz show common sense in their responses, and I will be voting for them.

‘TAXPAYING STRANGERS’ NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR HOMELESS

JEFFREY HERMAN, San Clemente native, stationed in Ventura County

Sandra Weaver wrote a heartfelt letter in the Sept. 29-Oct. 5 edition of the San Clemente Times, titled “Discriminating Against Homeless Does Not Solve Problems,” but at the same time, she insulted a great many of us, referring to us as NIMBYs. Hence, let me challenge Sandra so that she can show that she’s sincere in her convictions and not a hypocrite: Open your residence to a homeless person or family. Surely you have a spare room in your house; if not, then convert your garage to a living area, or make room in your backyard. In doing so, you’ll set an example for the rest of us; not doing so makes you too a NIMBY.

Now, having said that, let’s face some facts: Homeless are transients, not residents. They might be here one day and gone the next. They settle at places that show the least resistance to their lifestyle. Someone might have been in Mission Viejo one day, San Juan the next, and finally settle in San Clemente (free showers at the beach).

The responsibility for their care does not lie with taxpaying strangers, but rather their own relatives. If authorities are to take any action at all, it should be confined to asking a homeless person who his closest relative is, then contacting that relative. For who among us, in learning of

a homeless family member, would not take that person in and provide for his or her care, or at least pay for an apartment or hotel room for them?

Some will say my statement is too simplistic and that the situation is more complicated than I’ve presented; to them I say “baloney.” We are first and foremost responsible for our own family members, not taxpaying strangers.

VOTE ‘YES’ ON MEASURE M

GREGG SWENSON, Capistrano Beach

As a longtime Capistrano Unified School District resident and a retired teacher, I urge my CUSD neighbors to vote “yes” on Measure M. I worked in a neighboring district for nearly four decades and witnessed firsthand many of the benefits that a wellplanned and fortuitously timed bond issue can contribute to a school district. The students not only benefit from the obvious improvements to aging structures and classrooms, but there is a sense of pride when they know their school is as good as or better than it ever was. Conversely, students suffer lapses in concentration and attention when air conditioning fails in hot weather, they’re distressed when bathrooms are regularly closed for repairs, and they learn less when they’re crammed into structures designed for the class sizes enjoyed decades ago rather than the reality of today’s class sizes.

My own children (now adults) attended CUSD schools and enjoyed some of the modest improvements brought about by the last bond issue more than a decade ago, but those “upgrades” were primarily much-needed repairs necessitated by long neglected maintenance. The benefits of Measure M would not only serve today’s students but will continue to serve generations to come.

Some of the misinformation regarding Measure M prompted me to write this letter. The district has done an excellent job of polling community members, parents, students and teachers about what is needed and which schools will receive what type of improvements. Administrators and school board members conducted meetings and produced an informative website to involve and inform the community. The website and the recently received voter information booklet are quite clear on costs, expenses, specific improvements for each site, the fact that every school in the district will benefit, and a sound argument for the urgency of passing Measure M at this time.

To summarize some of the main points: The cost is $43 per $100,000 of assessed value (about $13.75 per month for the average CUSD resident).

Money can only be spent for school improvements, not salaries or benefits.

(Cont. on page 10)

CITY EDITOR Eric Heinz, 949.388.7700, x109 eheinz@picketfencemedia.com

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Associate Publisher > Lauralyn Loynes

> Susie Lantz (San Clemente)

> Debra Wells (San Juan Capistrano)

Real Estate Sales

Manager

> Michele Reddick

OPERATIONS

Finance Director > Mike Reed

Business Manager

> Alyssa Garrett

Accounting & Distribution Manager

> Tricia Zines

SPECIAL THANKS

Robert Miller

Jonathan Volzke

CONTRIBUTORS

Megan Bianco

Victor Carno

Debra Holm

Tim Trent

Jake Howard

(Cont. from page 8)

There is an opportunity presented by Prop 55 (which is likely to pass, according to current polling), which offers matching funds to any school districts in California that have passed a bond this year. If Measure M passes on Nov. 8, the district will be able to gain $229 million in state matching funds. If Measure M is not passed, voters in CUSD will still pay for an increase, but see that $229 million go to other districts.

With interest rates at all-time lows, more money can be used to pay for improvements rather than debt service.

Also important: attractive, well-maintained schools have a positive effect on property values within the district.

Parting with hard-earned cash is always difficult, but there is a difference between spending and investing. Money for schools is, and always has been, an investment.

PROPOSED SHELTER ZONE IN RSC BUSINESS PARK WILL INCREASE FIRE HAZARDS

VONNE BARNES, Rancho San Clemente Community Association Board President

On Oct. 18, the City Council will vote on whether to change the zoning to allow for an emergency homeless shelter to be established in the Rancho San Clemente Business Park along a one-mile stretch of hazardous fire zone areas. Zoning this area will exacerbate existing fire hazards and threaten the lives and properties of thousands of residents in Rancho San Clemente.

Homeless people have used convenient routes from the proposed shelter area to campsites in proximal fire zones for decades.

The most prominent route is The Ridge Route Trail, which serves as an expressway to homeless campsites in fire zones surrounding 5,000 residents in Rancho San Clemente. This 16-foot-wide paved road winds through “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones,” as determined by the California Department of Forestry and city of San Clemente.

There are also dozens of dirt trails from the shelter area to campsites in fire zones along the Ridge Route Trail. In some areas, the Ridge Route Trail and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones are less than 200 feet from residential homes.

Join the San Clemente Times for Beachside Chat, Friday, Oct. 14 at 8 a.m. at Café Calypso

This week’s guest will be Pamela Joy Glass, a candidate for San Clemente City Council. Beachside Chat is a spirited, town hall forum on community issues, hosted by SC Times editor Eric Heinz every Friday at Café Calypso, 114 Avenida Del Mar. All are welcome.

San Clemente Times October 13-19, 2016

Trail signs that say, “All hikers and bicyclists are required to stay on the trail. All other areas are closed fire zones,” and are not enforced by the city, which allows the homeless to trespass into RSC fire zones and establish campsites without penalty. When campsites are discovered, instead of citing offenders, the city fines RSC, who unfairly shoulders the costs, liabilities and burdens of removing the homeless, storing their belongings, hauling out combustible items, tents, equipment, trash and restoring damaged areas.

One of the most hazardous sites in the proposed shelter area is the Heritage Church (Cristianitos Community Church), because it has unfettered access to Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone Areas on the north and south side, as well as to fire zones along both sides of the Ridge Route Trail. The site is also in close proximity to two entrances to the Ridge Route Trail, located on both sides of Calle Del Cerro near Avenida La Pata.

In choosing Shelter Zone Areas, the city consulted with homeless advocates, such as the Emergency Shelter Coalition, but failed to invite either the Orange County Fire Authority or Rancho San Clemente, to provide valuable input regarding the homeless, fire hazards, drought conditions, access to fire zones and other negative impacts relevant to this geographical location.

Instead, the city created a “Matrix Analysis,” checking boxes for environmental and hazardous elements that have no relevance to the Business Park site area. For example, instead of analyzing impacts that really matter, like fire hazards, safety or preservation of indigenous flora and fauna, the city reviewed whether the site would have negative impacts on elements, such as wetlands, sea level, farm land, air odor, wells, groundwater, rivers and fish migration.

The city then checked the “No Impact” box in the Matrix Analysis and recommended zoning a shelter area in the Business Park.

The threat of fire is very real to the Business Park and 5,000 residents in Rancho San Clemente who are surrounded by fire hazard zones. The proposed emergency homeless shelter zone in the RSC Business Park will have a significant negative impact on the safety and wellbeing of all RSC residents and businesses.

Please send emails opposing the proposed RSC Business Park Shelter Zone to City Council at council@san-clemente.org and copy to RSCCA at ssharp@curtismanagement.com.

Editor’s note: The San Clemente Times obtained copies of one of the citations against RSCCA.

241 TOLL ROAD EXTENSION PROPOSALS REPEAT FAILED PLANS

JERRY COLLAMER, San Clemente

The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), a private-public entity, purveyor of all things Orange County Toll Roads (57-miles worth, but not the 91-toll lanes), trucked in their same ol’, dare I say, tired dog and pony show/revival meeting forum. This is comprised of failed toll routes through San Clemente’s pristine natural habit, to sell us (San Clemente residents) their 2016 fantasy plan, the 241-south extension, beginning at Oso Parkway (been denied), heading south to Ortega Highway (been denied), crossing Ortega (denied), south through Rancho Mission Viejo’s 34,000 acre Reserve (denied), south to Cristianitos Road (denied), terminating at I-5 at Trestles (totally denied).

The optimum word here, “denied.”

TCA’s been “denied” their dream toll route literally by everyone with an official say in the matter including tens of thou-

sands of South Orange County and San Diego north county residents.

In a word, no one but TCA wants, or needs, a toll road here, ever. A 10-year battle that ended with “100 percent denied!” We won.

But there they were, hosting a forum, here in San Clemente Wednesday evening, in the town whose City Council voted 5-0 to deny a toll road anywhere within our borders. So it hits me, as I stroll past TCA’s 13 info stations, TCA moderators extolling the virtues of their brand-new 2016 plan, which is just a reshuffling of deck chairs on TCA’s Titanic of a toll route dream-denied scheme, to make a grown man scream.

I have a question regarding TCA’s total lack of foresight, as I introduce this ageold truism.

“Doing the same failed thing, over and over again, expecting a different result, is a sure sign of insanity.”

Proof enough, TCA collectively is completely bonkers.

This cannot be denied.

CORRECTION: In the story “Candidates Turn in First Round of Campaign Finance Reports” in the Oct. 6-12 edition of the San Clemente Times, the story indicated Dan Bane received an $11,159 loan from his employer. This was erroneous. Bane himself loaned that amount of money to his campaign.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

To submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in the paper, e-mail us at letters@ sanclementetimes.com. San Clemente Times reserves the right to edit reader-submitted letters for length and is not responsible for the claims made or the information written by the writers. Please limit your letters to 350 words.

GETTING OUT SC

YOUR SEVEN-DAY EVENT PLANNER

The List

What’s going on in and around town this week

Thursday | 13

MISSION ART WALK

11 a.m. A docent-guided tour highlighting the art collection of rare paintings related to the Mission’s history. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. www.missionsjc.com.

LIVE MUSIC: CHRIS FAST BAND

7-10:30 pm. Listen to live music from Chris Fast Band at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

Friday | 14

ITALIAN OPERA AT SADDLEBACK COLLEGE

7:30 p.m. Saddleback’s applied voice students will present a concert of Italian love songs and arias. Tickets are $15, and may be purchased online or over the phone. Saddleback College, Fine Arts 101. 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. 949.582.4656. www.saddleback.edu/arts.

BALLROOM BASH COSTUME PARTY

7:30-8:30 p.m. Costumes and funny T-shirts are encouraged at this Halloween costume party. The $10 admission includes drinks, food and dancing to ballroom, Latin and swing music. Mini lessons are offered throughout the evening. This event is for singles and couples 18 and older. Community Presbyterian Church. 32202 Del Obispo, San Juan Capistrano. 949.498.0233. www.ballroombash.com.

LIVE MUSIC: THE BAYOU BROTHERS

7:30-11 p.m. Listen to live music from The Bayou Brothers at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

‘DIAL M FOR MURDER’

8 p.m. Deception, murder, and passion complicate Frederick Knott’s darkly brilliant tale of jealousy and greed, Dial M for Murder. Show runs through Oct. 30 at the Camino Real Playhouse. Tickets start at $20. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. www.caminorealplayhouse.org.

LIVE MUSIC: JANNA AND THE GIANTS

8 p.m. Listen to live music from Janna and the Giants at Goody’s Tavern in San Clemente. 206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400. www.goodystavern.com.

THE DISH

“The Tube”

SURFIN’ CHICKEN

71 Via Pico Plaza, San Clemente. 949.498.6603. www.scsurfinchicken.weebly.com.

Surfin’ Chicken looks and sounds like the kind of place that might appear in the background of a 1990s arcade game—of which there is one in the actual Surfin’ Chicken—but the food inside couldn’t get any realer.

The first thing you see inside are about a dozen broken down whole chickens spread across a big open grill that flames as fat drips down. There’s also fish rotated daily—the red snapper looks charred and delicious, but come on, chicken is in the name. There’s only one choice.

“The Tube” is aptly named because that’s really what it is—an inglorious vessel for glorious chicken. Shredded meat is impossibly moist and imbued with the flavor of some time-tested and reddish spice rub. There’s a diced salsa and small avocado salad with which to top The Tube, which comes in a clear plastic tray, but it’s all a modest pedestal for the meat.

To be clear: This might be the best chicken you’ll ever eat. At least this year. And the look of the place might be an easy jab, but it’s the kind of casual ambiance that only adds to the shop’s lore. —Matt Cortina

EDITOR’S PICK

LIVE MUSIC: FELISHA

8-11 p.m. Listen to live music from Felisha at Barnoa Wine Bar. 831 Via Suerte, No. 106, San Clemente. 949.388.4378. www.barnoawinebar.com.

Saturday | 15

TALEGA RUN CLUB

7:30 a.m. All ages and running abilities are welcome to this weekly running club. 2XU, an athletic apparel store in San Clemente, supports the club and helps lead the runs. Group meets in front of Peet’s Coffee at 801 Avenida Talega, San Clemente. 949.558.5054. www.meetup.com/2XU-SanClemente-Outlet-Meetup.

DANA POINT WOMEN’S CLUB GARAGE SALE

8-11:30 a.m. The Dana Point Women’s Club will be having a garage sale to raise money for the organization. The Women’s Club gives scholarships to students at Dana Hills High School, raises funds for the Armed Forces and other organizations. Dana Point Women’s Community House. 24642 San Juan Ave., Dana Point. 949.859.5706.

LIVE MUSIC CRUISE

8-9:30 p.m. Sonic Gold performs onboard the 95-foot Dana Pride. Full bar includes wine, beer and mixed drinks. Tickets are $22. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 888.224.0603. www.danawharf.com.

LIVE MUSIC: MIKEY DE LARA

8-11 p.m. Listen to live music from Mikey de Lara at Barnoa Wine Bar. 831 Via Suerte, No. 106, San Clemente. 949.388.4378. www.barnoawinebar.com.

Sunday | 16

OCEAN INSTITUTE WHALE WATCHING CRUISE

10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Hop aboard the R/V Sea Explorer to see whales, dolphins, sea lions and more. Tickets are $45 for adults, $35 for seniors and active-duty military and $25 for children. The Ocean Institute. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org.

SUNDAY, OCT. 16: SAN CLEMENTE SURF CLASSIC

7 a.m.-5 p.m. The second annual San Clemente Surf Classic takes over T Street Beach. The competition is strictly for San Clemente youth, and a bout 200 groms are expected to compete. Registration for contestants is $40. 339 W. Paseo De Cristobal, San Clemente. www.scchamber.com.

SATURDAYS AT THE SWALLOW’S INN

2:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Family Style performs live music in the afternoon, followed by Honky Tonk Kings in the evening. The Swallow’s Inn. 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.3188. www.swallowsinn.com.

FIFTH ANNUAL PEOPLE’S MARCH AGAINST BULLYING

4 p.m. The National Association of People Against Bullying hosts this anti-bullying support walk. The San Clemente group helps local schools—like San Clemente High School and Dana Hills High School— start anti-bullying clubs. Walk starts at Main Beach in Laguna Beach. www.napab.org.

LIVE MUSIC: BUNCH OF GUYS

7:30-11 p.m. Listen to live music from Bunch of Guys at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

LIVE MUSIC: FLOCK OF 80’S

8 p.m. Listen to live music from Flock of 80’s at Goody’s Tavern in San Clemente. 206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400. www.goodystavern.com.

FAMILY ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES HUNGER WALK

12:30-5 p.m. FAM hosts their 29th annual Hunger Walk. Meet at the San Clemente Community Center—check-in begins at 12:30 p.m. 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente. 949.492.8477. www.hungerwalk.family-assistance.org.

Monday | 17

FREE GUITAR LESSONS

5-6 p.m. Free beginner level acoustic guitar lessons for middle school to college age youth every Monday. Guitars provided or students can bring their own. 1040 Calle Negocio, San Clemente. 949.388.0114. coamusicarts@gmail.com. www.communityoutreachalliance.com.

COA BEREAVEMENT GROUP

6:30-8 p.m. The first session of the Communtiy Outreach Alliance’s bereavement group. It will be hosted by Pondo Vleisides, a pastoral care coach and spiritual advisor, and Tanya Brown, author, speaker and sister of Nicole Simpson-Brown. Event is free. TLC Ministries. 1040 Calle Negocio, San Clemente. 949.388.0114. www.communityoutreachalliance.com.

Tuesday | 18

TINY TOTS: PARENT AND ME PROGRAM

9-10:30 a.m. Children ages 2 and 3, and their parents, are invited to The Ocean Institute to explore shapes, colors and textures with the sea star. Every (Cont. on page 14)

Tuesday until Nov. 8. Cost is $30 for one class, $150 for the whole series. The Ocean Institute. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.496.2274. www.ocean-institute.org.

HALF-PRICE WHALE WATCHING

10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Hop onboar d this two-hour cruise to see dolphins, whales and other marine life in the wild. $22.50. Half price on Tuesdays but trips are available every day of the week. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.496.5794. www.danawharf.com.

OPEN MIC NIGHT

6-10 p.m. Singer/songwriters perfor m at The Point Restaurant open mic every Tuesday. Bring your instrument and your voice; The Point supplies the sound system. 34085 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. 949.464.5700. www.thepointrestaurantandbar.com.

LECTURE: HISTORY OF ARCHAEOLOGY OF RANCHO MISSION VIEJO

7-8:30 p.m. Carol Demcak, president of Archaeological Resource Mgmt. Corp, will present the history of archaeology of Rancho Mission Viejo. The talk will focus on identification and recording of the ranch’s artifacts—of which many will be on display. Spots fill up quickly, so RSVP at www.rmvreserve.org. Event is free and available to adults and kids ages 8 and up. 28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.9778.

KARAOKE AT GOODY’S

8 p.m. Karaoke every Tuesday night at Goody’s Tavern in San Clemente. 206 S. El Camino Real. 949.492.3400. www.goodystavern.com.

Wednesday | 19

LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE

9-11:30 a.m. Bring a friend or come by yourself to learn bridge. People age 9-99 are welcome. South Orange County Bridge Center. 31461 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 205, San Juan Capistrano. www.danaharborbridgecenter.org.

FRENCH CONVERSATION CLUB

2-4 p.m. Every Wednesday. Look for the table with the French Flag surrounded by a group of people speaking French. No cost to join. Café Calypso. 114 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.493.5228, or 949.369.5482.

LIVE MUSIC: THE KALAMA BROTHERS

7-10:30 p.m. Listen to live music from the Kalama Brothers at Iva Lee’s. 555 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.361.2855. www.ivalees.com.

At the Movies: ‘American Honey’ is a Sweet Alternative

BY MEGAN BIANCO, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

In the midst of Halloween season, when appropriately spooky movies like Miss Peregrine’s, The Girl on the Train and Ouija 2 are in theaters, Andrea Arnold releases her new coming-of-age indie drama, American Honey. In the same vein as her previous film about teen girlhood, Fish Tank (2009), but with a Texan girl instead of an English one, American Honey also has traces of the 1969 classic road film, Easy Rider

Eighteen-year-old Star (Sasha Lane) lives in a shack with her lowlife stepfather and her two little halfsiblings, whom she raises more than anyone else. One day while at the store, a charismatic nomad named Jake (Shia LaBeouf) convinces her to join his van of fellow vagabonds. Jake, Star and the other free spirits drive city to city all over middle America selling magazine subscriptions. When they’re not making money, they’re partying at night and discovering love.

In her usual fashion, Arnold casts an ordinary teenage girl with no acting experience as the lead, and Lane makes just as impressive of a debut as Katie Jarvis did in Tank. The natural, raw delivery of Lane’s breakthrough performance is matched perfectly with the filmmaker’s tight, documentary-style direction. Alongside LaBeouf and Riley Keough, who are the only Hollywood actors in Honey, Lane holds her own as if she’s had just as much experience acting. Every scene of the nearly three-hour film revolves around Lane and she completely shines and has great chemistry with LaBeouf. If you’re not into horror, here’s the film to see this October. SC

Quite the Propositions

This November, California voters will decide the fate of 17 ballot initiatives, including whether to legalize marijuana, repeal the death penalty and enact gun control measures regarding ammunition and magazine size. Here, you’ll find a basic rundown of what each proposition is asking of voters.

Prop. 62 repeals the death penalty in California, which has been in effect since 1978. Including California, 30 states allow the death penalty. If passed, Prop. 62 would make life in prison without possibility of parole the harshest punishment available.

For: Former President Jimmy Carter, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, California Democratic Party, California NAACP, several ACLU groups, select religious and humanist organizations

Against: California Republican Party, dozens of law enforcement advocacy groups, and dozens of district attorneys and sheriffs throughout California.

PROPOSITION 51

Prop. 51 authorizes the issuance and sale of $9 billion in bonds for education and schools across the state. If approved, the state would control allocation of those funds to districts across California with the directive to repair schools, improve safety measures and expand classroom offerings.

PROPOSITION 52

To fund its Medi-Cal program for children, low income and senior people, California hospitals pay a combined fee of about $3 billion every year in order to receive matching funds from the federal government. However, the state has previously diverted some of that money to its general fund. Prop. 52 ensures funds in this program are used only for the Medi-Cal program

PROPOSITION 53

This proposition requires voter approval for projects that cost more than $2 billion in revenue bonds—essentially bonds that are repaid by the users of the project (e.g. a toll booth to pay for a highway).

PROPOSITION 54

Prop. 54 would prohibit the state legislature from passing any bill until it had been published in print and online for 72 hours prior to the vote.

PROPOSITION 55

This initiative extends temporary personal income tax increases on incomes over $250,000. The increases were approved in 2012 under Prop. 30, and has raised about $6 billion per year since. About 89 percent of the funds go to K-12 schools in the state. If Prop. 55 is not approved, the tax increases approved in 2012 will be phased out.

PROPOSITION 56

California currently assesses a .87-cent per pack excise tax on cigarettes. Prop. 56 would increase the tax by $2 per pack to $2.87. That tax would be levied on e-cigarettes and other tobacco products as well. Revenue from the tax would be used to enforce tobacco laws, train physicians and prevent dental diseases.

PROPOSITION 57

If passed, Prop. 57 would give people convicted of nonviolent crimes more chances for parole. This is in response to a 2011 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that determined the state’s prisons were over-crowded, and piggybacks on Prop. 47, which reduced non-violent felonies to misdemeanors. It could affect up to 25,000 current inmates.

PROPOSITION 58

State rules passed in 1998 required those teaching in English-only classrooms to take one year of intensive English classes. Prop. 58 would lift that requirement, and for instance, allow bilingual instruction in a variety of classes. Parents would still have input over which non-English languages would be part of their schools’ programs.

PROPOSITION 59

Citizens United v. Federal Election Committee ruled that political contributions are free speech, and so companies and organizations couldn’t be restrained from donating large amounts of money to political efforts. Prop. 59 would pressure California’s elected officials to work to overturn the ruling through proposing and ratifying amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

PROPOSITION 60

Prop. 60 would require actors in pornographic films shot in California to wear condoms. Condoms would not need to be visible in the films, but producers will have to prove they were used.

PROPOSITION

If passed, Prop. 64 would allow adults 21 and older to possess and use marijuana for recreational (that is, non-medical) purposes. Smoking marijuana in public and while driving would be illegal, as would possession in school zones. Californians would be able to possess up to 28.5 grams at a time, and could cultivate six plants at home. Taxes would be levied on cultivation and retail sales of marijuana. Revenue would be used to fund drug research, youth programs and an initiative to help police determine whether or not a driver is high. Municipalities would be able to ban the sale of recreational marijuana, but they won’t receive a share of the tax revenue.

For: California Democratic Party, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, ACLU of California, California NAACP, California Nurses Association

Against: California Republican Party, Rep. Bill Brough and many sheriffs, district attorneys and police organizations

PROPOSITION 61

The state of California spent close to $4 billion last year in prescription drug costs for its Medi-Cal program, which serves senior, children and low-income residents. Prop. 61 would prohibit the state from paying any more for prescription drugs than the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pays for the same drug.

This initiative would require people wishing to buy ammunition to obtain a permit from the state, and would effectively prohibit possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines. The permit would require a background check by the Department of Justice.

For: California Democratic Party, U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, the cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland, and several law enforcement officials.

Against: California Republican Party, National Rifle Association, California Police Chiefs Association.

PROPOSITIONS 65 AND 67

Propositions 65 and 67 both would ratify a previous state senate bill to ban grocery stores and pharmacies from providing single-use plastic bags to its customers. Stores would be able to charge .10 cents per reusable, compostable bag. If Prop. 67 passes, revenue from the .10-cent sales would go back to the store. If Prop. 65 passes, the money would go to a dedicated environmental fund. Environmental groups, however, claim Prop. 65’s supposed environmental fund is an effort to delay the ultimate phase-out of plastic bags. If they both pass, the proposition with the greater number of votes would take effect. If they both fail, the ban on plastic bags would not go into effect.

PROPOSITION 66

If passed, Prop. 66 would continue the death penalty (competing against Prop. 62), but speed up the appeals process and require inmates on death to work in order to pay their alleged victims’ families restitutions. If both 62 and 66 pass, the measure with more votes will prevail.

City Council Candidates

DISCUSS

Traffic Issues in San Clemente

BY ERIC HEINZ

Anyone elected to City Council can expect to be tasked with answering at least a significant amount of questions regarding parking. Downtown is a patchwork of allday, three-hour or 20-minute public parking, and a long-term solution has been on the minds of residents for years.

Meanwhile, traffic alleviation has been explored since Southern California’s rapid expansion became obvious and the need for a wider interstate highway and alternate routes became imminent.

Recently, the Transportation Corridor Agencies hosted public input meetings to gauge what routes, if any, San Clemente and neighboring communities would accept, as plans to extend the 241 Toll Road from the end of Ortega and beyond were blocked in the past.

San Clemente Times asked the candidates questions about their visions for parking and traffic in the next decade. The candidates’ answers to the following question are in the order their names will appear on the November ballot.

Question:

What should the city do to address parking and local traffic issues?

Steve Swartz

“I think one thing they should have done two years ago was a parking solution for the Pier Bowl area in downtown by using the difference in grade between the streets leading to Del Mar,” Swartz said. “They could have stacked it right next to the community center with very little cost and expense, and that would have tripled the parking right there and eliminated most of your Pier Bowl and downtown parking right there. You can coordinate with the local merchants to create spots that are easy to get in and out of; you can do validation situations, so people who are parking there are actually going to the stores. You can get to those situations

to get that accomplished. In addition to that, we have a huge parking structure at the Outlets.”

Swartz said connecting parking areas like the Outlets to high traffic areas can be done via kiosks and advertising promoting downtown, the Pier Bowl and the trolley system. He added, though, that he’s been pushing for this initiative a long time, saying that “if you go back to 2002 or ’04, we (the Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission) submitted to the City Council a suggestion to put in a trolley or bussing to tie in our different venues, such as recreational parks and beaches.”

Swartz said utilizing the existing parking around town is a large part of the solution to figuring out parking issues. He emphasized utilizing the trolley for issues that will help fund the operations of the trolley.

“If the trolley is set up right and promoted right, it will be a great success,” Swartz said. “I think promoting San Clemente as a destination place, a place where people should go, eat dinner here, shop here at our boutique shops, that’s a good idea.”

Chris Hamm

“The (outcome of the) Beach Parking Impact Fund … was one of the reasons why I voted to appeal the initial ruling. We polled 100 people on the street … and all of them said we need beach parking, and the biggest reason as to why I appealed those things was because we do need it. We’ve tripled our numbers in the last 15 years, and we haven’t done anything for beach parking. Here we had this fund that we’re trying to spend money on it, and we couldn’t do it. We definitely need more.”

Hamm said he doesn’t think La Pata will have an immediately visible effect on alleviating traffic in the area.

“La Pata isn’t going to help us with our traffic concerns, that’s for sure,” Hamm said. “So all the studies that came out for La Pata shows that we’re going to go to an F rating after that whole thing is built out with Rancho Mission Viejo, so there’s going to be significant traffic impacts with the extension of La Pata being completed. There will be a slight reduction on Calle Del Rio because there will be more people going to Calle De Los Mares than Avenida Vista Hermosa and Pico, but it’s still going to be a net-negative impact.”

Hamm said there are many complexities related to traffic in San Clemente. He said the two people in charge of heading the city’s staff regarding traffic and parking, public works director Tom Bonigut and traffic engineer Tom Frank, have helped guide the City Council through the intricacies of the thoroughfares and making them more accessible.

“Those guys are on the cutting edge of what makes sense,” Hamm said, adding

some of the concepts presented to the city may seem questionable, but they’ve helped reduce speeds in residential neighborhoods. Making it easier for bicycling is also one of his priorities.

Pamela Joy Glass

“Just make people read the signs,” Glass said. “If you don’t read the signs and you think you’re above the law, you’re going to get a ticket. And don’t think if you don’t pay that ticket that a warrant won’t be put out for your arrest.”

Glass said people may have to park farther away from the locations they’re trying to visit.

“We have the La Pata connection. It’s beautiful here,” Glass said. “I spin 360 degrees in all directions, and there is not one ounce of turf that’s not filled with peace and comfort and beauty from Las Palmas Elementary to this corner to Max Berg Plaza to the bike trail to the La Pata connection. If someone is handicapped, then call upon the Lord’s prayers. People here are really kind and all kind to one another. That’s why we have such a great village here. As Hillary Clinton said, ‘It takes a village,’ and this village is filling the gaps that only kindness fills.”

Robert “Bob” Baker

“Sometimes it is difficult to find a parking spot; however, it’s like building a church so that everybody gets a seat on Easter Sunday,” Baker said. “I don’t think most churches do that.

Parking downtown, … most of the time you’re able to find a parking spot. You can’t find a space in front of the business or place you’re trying to go, but there are parking spaces in the area. So, you just drive down Del Mar, turn right or left on the next street … I mean, I’ve always found a parking space. We’ve heard concerns about parking since I was elected to City Council eight years ago, and we’ve done parking studies down there. The first thing any parking consultant will tell you is that we need parking meters.

As a City Council, we’ve said, ‘no, we don’t.’

So we’ve accepted the fact that parking is difficult because we haven’t put in meters. If you put in meters, you force people to mind how long they stay, but then people say, ‘I got a parking ticket in San Clemente, and I’m never coming to our downtown again.’”

Baker said he doesn’t like the prospect of a parking structure downtown.

“If you do that, you increase traffic and bring more people and make the traffic worse and you exacerbate all the problems

that you thought you were solving,” Baker said.

Baker said he is adamantly against any toll roads coming through San Clemente. On City Council, he has held his constituents to their opinion on any development of the tolls roads, whether connecting the 241 extension somewhere in town or other prospects.

Dan Bane

“In the last (City Council) debate, we got into it about the shared parking program in San Clemente,” Bane said. “There is one for the town center district, but that needs to be a citywide program.

Shared parking permit programs could work with North Beach with the businesses there or in Rancho San Clemente, it could work all over town. A lot of cities have done that, ours is a volunteer program because you can’t really make property owners and businesses share their property, but I do think you can make other incentives for public benefit. We should, if not require, strongly encourage businesses in the area to participate.”

Bane said there should be an in-lieu parking fee program.

“A lot of cities around Orange County and L.A. have done this with town-center parking districts where there’s an in-lieu fee that’s paid by a developer or property owners or business owners who want to put in a restaurant (a very high-intensive parking property), and you pay into a fund that will pay for additional parking. We need a more robust program citywide.

“I would like to see a parking structure— behind the San Clemente Senior Center would be a good location. It wouldn’t bother residential areas, and you could do the alleyways and make a nice paseo for people to come down.”

Bane said the new trolley program will help with traffic issues, and he said there needs to be more opportunities for people who live inland to enjoy the public transportation that is planned.

“It needs to be multifaceted and work with all the tools the city has at its disposal,” Bane said, adding he’s not a fan of parking waivers, but would allow for them in certain circumstances.

“Waivers feel good and they do help in some circumstances,” he said. “I’m very leery of that parking solution. It doesn’t maximize the spaces that we have.

“We do need to look at La Pata, especially when Rancho Mission Viejo is built out. Once it’s done, I think the study showed that a lot of the signals are going to be at an F rating.”

•••

Visit www.sanclementetimes.com to read the candidates’ answers to questions about the hospital, sober living facilities and more.

CITY COUNCIL

ONE FINAL PITCH

What is one thing you’d like to accomplish on City Council, or what do you think will be the biggest issue in San Clemente in the next four years?

Steve Swartz

“Number one is to realign where we’re spending our money and to increase our public safety and take a hard look at how we can get more patrollers out there,” Swartz said. “I’m seeing nothing but escalating issues. God help us if Prop. 57 passes. The decriminalization is just putting people on the streets. We need the broken-window concept as far as our (law enforcement).”

Swartz said he would also like to focus on helping the city grow its sales tax.

Chris Hamm

“Public safety,” Hamm said, adding although that’s at the top, he doesn’t want to be a one-priority candidate. “I just want to make sure San Clemente can continue to be the best city it can be. San Clemente needs more police officers, and the last three budget cycles I’ve said we shouldn’t cut the sheriff’s budget, but in my mind there are things that matter—public safety—and anything after that is ancillary.”

Hamm has also been a major proponent of bringing back a hospital in San Clemente.

Pamela Joy Glass

“Closing down every one of those cults that don’t honor independence but a lifestyle that gets them hooked and dependent on the government instead of on their own initiative

South OC Community College District

The South OC Community College District encompasses Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Irvine Valley College in Irvine and the Advanced Technology and Education Park in Tustin. The board is comprised of seven members, who are voted in at-large. This year, Trustee Areas 3, 4 and 6 are up for election (two areas are unopposed), and the candidates for those Trustee Areas must live within its boundaries. One seat is available in each area.

Trustee Area 3

Includes Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Dana Point and parts of Laguna Hills, Newport Beach, San Clemente and unincorporated areas

BARBARA “BOBBIE” JAY, INCUMBENT

Jay was appointed to the board two years ago to fill a vacancy. She has worked as a teacher and business owner for 42 years, and has volunteered with Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College. Her priorities include fiscal responsibility with no new taxes, lifelong learning for seniors, job training, expanding K-12 and community partnerships and improving student access.

and employment,” Glass said. “(Making sure) the children are safe, and that their mommies and daddies love them, and that would be an avenue that is important to me.”

Robert “Bob” Baker

“The number one priority is to get a hospital and emergency room back up and operating in San Clemente,” Baker said. “The hospital and emergency room are such an important part of this community, I think we should do all we can to try and get that hospital and emergency room back.”

Baker was mayor during the closure of the hospital and spoke at gatherings protesting the closure of Saddleback Memorial Medical Center, which shuttered operations in May.

Dan Bane

“The top priority is going to be public safety, and I know that cutting sheriff’s deputies has been a big concern, and part of that is going to be looking at our budget and getting that under control,” Bane said. “We’ve been spending a lot of money on various things, one of which is litigation. Also, a more strategic approach to manage our budget and get ourselves out of potentially devastating lawsuits. I hope (the MemorialCare lawsuit) won’t cost us $42.5 million. That’s about $2,500 per every family of four in San Clemente.”

PETER J. ESPINOSA, COLLEGE PROFESSOR

Espinosa touts 41 years of experience in the field of higher education as a professor, counselor and administrator at the college and university level. He served two terms as a school board trustee for Capistrano Unified School District. His goals include cutting the cost of administrators, streamlining financial aid, improving technical and career training and more.

KIMBERLY CLARK, NON-PROFIT DIRECTOR/ EDUCATOR

Clark has 22 years of experience in areas of management, collaboration, staffing and facilitation of programs. She’s served as school-site administrator and counselor, coordinated programs and volunteered as a court-appointed CASA advocate. She has a doctoral degree in education and runs an education non-profit organization. Her priorities include fiscal responsibility, improving educational quality and hiring a new chancellor and president for the district.

GARY V. MILLER, RETIRED TEACHER

Miller’s focus is on providing students more opportunities. This includes offering meaningful internships by partnering with businesses; offering college courses to high school students; and ensuring the district remains committed to returning students, especially veterans—Miller himself is a veteran. Miller previously served eight years on the Mt. San Antonio Community College board of trustees.

Trustee Area 4

Includes San Clemente, Ladera Ranch, San Juan Capistrano, Coto de Caza, parts of Rancho Santa Margarita, Las Flores and unincorporated areas

TERRI WHITT, INCUMBENT Whitt touts analyzing budgets and carrying out “due processes” in all matters during her time on the board. Her priorities include the Emeritus Program for seniors, supporting K-12 partnerships; expanding veterans’ curricula and supporting the transition program with California’s state universities. Whitt has spent 40 years at Saddleback College as a nursing professor.

JOHN ALPAY, BOARD MEMBER, CAPISTRANO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Alpay touts business experience at Oakley and Samsung, as well as a board position with the South Orange County Economic Coalition. His priorities include increasing public-private partnerships between community colleges and businesses. As a CUSD board member, Alpay says he advocated for reducing property taxes, saving residents $61.1 million in Mello-Roos payments. He says he also helped refinance bond obligations in South Orange County.

JIM LEACH, DIRECTOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Leach served two terms as president of the Saddleback College Foundation Board. During his tenure, he claims growing the Foundation endowment from $500,000 to $5 million, increasing scholarship funding by 157 percent, and increasing the number of students receiving support. One of his foci is on using tax dollars on student achievement, instead of getting caught up in bureaucracy.

Trustee Area 6

Includes Lake Forest, parts of Irvine and unincorporated areas

JAMES “JIM” R. WRIGHT, INCUMBENT

Wright is a current trustee and a former college administrator and chemistry professor. He also served as the Math/Science Dean at Saddleback College. His priorities include ensuring tax dollars enhance student success, maximizing programs for transfer, vocational and life-long students and keeping in line with his “values as a fiscal conservative.”

MIKE DALATI, EDUCATOR

Dalati is a professor at ORT Jewish College and co-founder of the OC Latino Outreach nonprofit organization. His two kids attend Irvine Valley College. His focus is not on politics, but on “leveraging and maximizing our resources” to meet future educational needs. He says the time is now for an overhaul of leadership on the board.

South Orange County’s CUSD Candidates

Six candidates are running for three seats on the Capistrano Unified School District’s Board of Trustees in Areas 1, 2 and 3, which cover schools in South Orange County. Each area has two candidates vying for a seat, and in Area 3, both candidates are newcomers, as incumbent John Alpay is running for a seat on the South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees. There is also a fourth seat up for election in Trustee Area 5, which covers schools in Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel. Incumbent Gary Pritchard is running against Jake Vollebregt. Introductions from candidates in Areas 1, 2 and 3 are listed below in the same order that they’ll appear on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.

Trustee Area 1

R.H. Dana Elementary, R.H. Dana Exceptional Needs Facility, Palisades Elementary, Las Palmas Elementary, Shorecliffs Middle School

Shrove is a 20-year resident of San Clemente, whose children both attend CUSD schools.

Shrove said she’s running for CUSD Trustee to provide better representation on the school board for residents. She plans to focus on helping students meet minimum standards in English and math and improve the district’s occupational training program to meet the demands of the current job market.

She is against Measure M, the $889 million bond, because it would add unnecessary debt.

Hanacek touts the rapid growth in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) programs during her time on the CUSD board.

She says her targets on the board include practicing fiscal prudence to make sure cutting-edge resources are available to students. She serves on the College and Career Advantage Board, which provides technical education and career pathways for students.

Hanacek is a Capistrano Beach resident, small business owner and is the parent of two CUSD graduates.

Trustee Area 2

Harold Ambuehl Elementary, Chaparral Elementary, Ladera Ranch Elementary, Las Flores Elementary, Oso Grande Elementary, Wagon Wheel Elementary, Ladera Ranch Middle School, Las Flores Middle School, San Juan Hills High School

Workman is the father of five children in CUSD, and his wife is a district teacher. He’s worked 22 years as a project and sales manager.

Workman has served on the PTA board, and wants to focus on a democratic, open approach to board discussions and decisions. Workman says the last 15 years of CUSD boards have not put residents’ interests first, claiming the current board is “dismissive” towards those in the community wishing to share input.

Reardon is the current CUSD board vice president. He supports “classroom reform, school choice, local control, program innovation and fair taxation.”

Reardon opposes CUSD’s $889 million bond, which he says will burden younger families. Reardon says his focus will be on opening new schools (like in Esencia) and overseeing expansion (as at San Juan Hills High School).

Reardon is a parent and business owner. He also runs a nonprofit serving sixth- to 12th-grade students with autism.

Trustee Area 3

Truman Benedict Elementary, Concordia Elementary, Marblehead Elementary, Clarence Lobo Elementary, Vista del Mar Elementary, Bernice Ayer Middle School, Vista del Mar Middle School, San Clemente High School

Ferguson has served as a San Clemente city employee for 17 years. She says she wants to raise the district’s math and English ranks from 31st and 23rd in the state, respectively. Ferguson serves on State Assemblyman Bill Brough’s Education Advisory Committee, and is an advocate for more school choice. She opposes the $889 million bond—she also led a citizen advocacy group in Talega to win a reduction of Mello-Roos taxation payments in the neighborhood.

Holloway is a 30-year San Clemente resident and volunteer. She has experience with fundraising efforts for nonprofits like Casa Romantica and the Marine Monument.

She says she’s running to build trust between CUSD and the community, and plans to build an economic council if elected to bridge the gap between residents, teachers and parents. She supports more school choice, language immersion programs and an increase in the technology and new education tools available to area students.

CUSD’s Measure M: What You Need to Know

BY ALLISON JARRELL

The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees voted in August to call a school bond election within the newly formed School Facilities Improvement District #2, which encompasses the entire district except for Rancho Mission Viejo. On Nov. 8, district voters will have to decide whether they want to pay more taxes to help the school district leverage state funds for over $800 million in deferred facilities maintenance.

Below is the district’s official summary of Measure M, which will appear on the ballot:

“To upgrade neighborhood schools by repairing outdated classrooms; improving science, technology, engineering, and math labs; ensuring fire/drinking water safety; removing asbestos; replacing leaky roofs; upgrading safety/security; repairing, constructing, and equipping educational facilities to prepare students for college/ vocational/military careers, shall School Facilities Improvement District #2 of the

Capistrano Unified School District issue $889 million in bonds at legal interest rates, requiring an independent citizens’ oversight committee, annual independent audits, no funds for administrator or teacher salaries/ benefits, and all funds used locally?”

Five Facts about Measure M:

1. If 55 percent of voters approve Measure M in November, the district estimates that residents living within SFID #2—which includes the entire district except for Rancho Mission Viejo—will be taxed $41.81 per $100,000 of assessed value on their homes in fiscal year 2017-18 in order to begin funding the bond. That amount will grow to $42.93 per $100,000 in 2025-26 and reach a maximum of $42.99 per $100,000 of assessed value in fiscal year 2032-33.

*Bonds can only be issued if the tax rate levied does not exceed $60 per year per $100,000 of taxable property, according to the California Education Code.

2. The total debt service, including principal and interest, for the $889 million general obligation bond would be $1.8 billion. Taxpayers will pay off the bond over a 35-year period.

3. The Orange County Taxpayers Association has confirmed that Measure M meets

Race for the State Assembly

Bill Brough, the Republican candidate for California’s 73rd Assembly District, served on the Dana Point City Council from 20102014. Prior to that, he served in the U.S. Army from 1986-1991, and operated a government affairs consulting firm from 20052014, according to his campaign page. Brough’s challenger is Mesbah Islam, a write-in candidate. The San Clemente Times reached out to the Democratic candidate and did get in contact with him initially. However, after weeks of continuous emails and phone calls, Islam did not respond to set up an interview. After taking down his campaign’s Facebook page for months, Islam recently reopened it. However, he still did not respond to questions, and a spokesman for the Democratic Party of Orange County said in September that they didn’t think Islam “was very serious about running anymore.”

the association’s minimum criteria for school bonds; however, the association does not endorse measures. The South Orange County Economic Coalition announced its opposition to Measure M in September because it is “too large and its impacts too broad to support.”

4. How CUSD will spend the potential new funding is a topic of contention. Measure M states that the proceeds from the sale of bonds would be used for “construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of school facilities.” The measure lists 53 school sites, including charter schools. Additional expenditures may include “student transportation, food service, maintenance and operations facilities” (excluding the district office). By law, none of the bond’s funds can be used for administrator salaries or pensions. Critics of the measure say the ballot language lacks specificity and transparency.

5. Should Measure M pass, the district will be required to establish an “independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee to ensure that bond proceeds are expended only for the school facilities projects” listed. The district will also conduct an “annual independent financial audit of the bond proceeds until all of those proceeds have been spent for the school facilities projects” listed in the measure.

As Islam has been unreachable, we will only report excerpts from our conversation with Brough. If Islam responds between now and the election, we will run his answers online.

On Prop 47

San Clemente Times asked Brough if he would do anything to alter Prop 47, which reduced punishments of certain crimes to citations in lieu of jail time.

“We had a series of fixes come through because we found out that things like the date-rape drug, stealing firearms or less than $950 were things that were missed in the proposition,” Brough said. “I think there were some unintended consequences that were missed when Prop 47 was passed. We had a series of bills to try to correct those, and as things come up… we’ll certainly look at legislation to fix that.”

On Sober Living Homes

“We’ve got a big epidemic with prescription drug use,” Brough said, adding that he wants to approach sober living as a “consumer-protection issue.” He said, “I’m going to get with the insurance (companies) and see what it is they offer, and maybe there’s a way to steer people toward a licensed facility rather than an unlicensed (facility).”

Bond Measure Key Features

$43 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value)

IMPLEMENTATION TIMEFRAME 10-year plan

SCHOOLS INCLUDED

Every existing school in CUSD

Wondering what specific improvements are planned for your school? For a complete list of facility projects included in the ballot measure, visit www.capousd.ca.schoolloop.com.

Brough also said it’s difficult to find space in South Orange County to establish a larger sober living facility.

On Homelessness

SC Times asked Brough about what can be done to alleviate the increase in the homeless population.

“We have to have a community plan,” Brough said. “There’s actually money and programs out there, and the county is sitting on a bunch of mental health money, and I know they’re moving forward on that as a county problem. We just need to get that money out, and the money needs to go to the homeless veterans and the support groups who are helping.”

On Marijuana Legalization

“I don’t think (recreational marijuana legalization) is a good thing,” he said. “If a doctor thinks it will help someone, I have no problem with that. My big issue is if it’s legalized and gets into the hands of kids.”

Brough said if Prop. 64 (which would legalize recreational marijuana) passes, he would like to tax both medicinal and recreational purposes as much as possible and to craft regulation around the marijuana industry that would limit negative repercussions.

Water DISTRICT Candidates Make their Pitches

Municipal Water District of Orange County, Division 7

MWDOC purchases and distributes water throughout most of Orange County. It is governed by a seven-member board. District 7 of MWDOC covers South Coast Water District, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. One will be elected.

Schneider has over 12 years of professional and association experience, including serving on two boards of directors, and she possesses multiple bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering. She is also a licensed professional civil engineer in the state of California. Schneider says she invests much of her time to increase public awareness and educate the younger generations about the importance of water.

Chaffee is a lifelong Orange County native and small business owner. His focus serving on MWDOC would be to provide fiscally responsible leadership by ensuring customers receive inexpensive and clean water. He also wants to incorporate emerging technology and water supply options, including desalination. Chaffee has previously served as a city planning commissioner and public policy advisor.

Gardner says by conserving water, the area has been able to meet demands of a growing population, without yet increasing water supplies. Gardner supports further water conservation and the California water fix, which he says will provide high quality water without damaging the environment or state fisheries. If it’s not approved, Gardner said he will work as a board member to secure state and federal funding to fill in the gaps.

Santa Margarita Water District

Miller is a water manager and registered engineer in South Orange County. He was the general manager of the South Coast Water District for 25 years and also served as the vice president of the American Water Works Association, the national organization of water professionals. His focus is on ensuring water availability given California’s ongoing drought and water shortages.

Santa Margarita Water District is the second largest district in the county. It governs parts of San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente, notably Talega. Three will be elected.

As president of the SMWD Board of Directors, Wilson touts “aggressive efficiency measures, visionary strategic planning and a strong focus on customer service” as saving millions in taxpayer dollars while ensuring water quality. He says his focus will be on meeting future water reliability needs and providing clean and affordable water to the district’s residents.

Chuck Gibson was elected to a four-year term on the SMWD Board of Directors in 2012 and has served as vice president. Gibson has served as the chair of the Engineering Committee of the Board and was appointed chair of the Board’s Finance and Administration Committee. His priorities include water recycling and supporting solar energy for district operations.

Olson is a UC Irvine professor of Environmental Engineering, and says her focus is on improving water quality and quantity, drought-proofing the San Juan Basin and educating future generations about water issues. As a SMWD director, she touts having increased reclaimed water use to 48 percent in the past four years, purchasing storage in the El Toro reservoir and elsewhere.

What is the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC)?

MWDOC is a wholesale water supplier, which distributes water throughout most of Orange County. The organization is split into seven districts, and it serves a total of 28 retail water agencies—including South Coast Water District, Santa Margarita Water District, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

Though about half of Orange County’s water comes from local sources, MWDOC purchases imported water through a larger water agency (Metropolitan Water District of Southern California) from the Colorado River and Northern California, and delivers it to the retail water agencies.

MWDOC is also responsible for emergency preparedness and actively supports research and investments in alternative water supply sources—like desalination, groundwater recovery, conservation and more.

Water Sources

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California collects water from Northern California and Colorado River

Metropolitan dispenses that water to MWDOC and others.

Update on the Doheny Desalination Plant

water agencies

MWDOC distributes to including South Coast Water District, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano

The local agencies also have their own local water sources.

The South Coast Water District—with some participation from several other agencies including the Municipal Water District of Orange County, city of San Clemente and city of San Juan Capistrano—is in the process of building an ocean water desalination plant off the coast of Doheny State Beach.

The plant would bring in water through slant wells that are built under the ocean floor, and cull seawater from an area removed from the coast. The wells are designed to be minimally invasive to the habitat, though a full environmental impact report still needs to be done on the project to assess potential hazards. Hazards for desalination include massive energy use,

habitat destruction and the safe disposal of the salt byproduct, called brine.

The estimated completion date—pending environmental review and funding considerations—is 2018. The plant could produce up to 15 million gallons per day for residents in the area, or about 25 percent of the area’s water needs.

Candidates for U.S. Senate

Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D)

Sanchez was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996 and has represented California’s 46th district (temporarily rezoned as the 47th) since. The district covers Anaheim, Santa Ana, Orange and Garden Grove.

As a member of the House, she has served on the Armed Services Committee and the Homeland Security Committee since 2011. She touts being a champion for women in the military, advocating for women to serve in combat roles and passing

Candidates

U.S. House of Representatives

District 49

Two Democrats are vying for the seat in the U.S. Senate vacated by Sen. Barbara Boxer, who is retiring from the position. The candidates received far more votes than the nearest Republican, and California’s primary system allows the top two vote-getting candidates, regardless of party, to move on to the general election. Kamala Harris received more than double the amount of votes Loretta Sanchez earned in primary voting. Here is a primer on the two candidates, including brief biographies and select policy positions

a bill to update sexual assault provisions.

However, Sanchez’s attendance record in Congress has been questioned, and according to data from GovTrack, a nonprofit that measures legislative action, Sanchez has missed 8 percent of votes in her time in the House—the median lifetime attendance average is 2.3 percent for other representatives currently serving. She’s also missed about 33.5 percent of votes since mid-2015.

Sanchez leans left on most social and fiscal issues. Nearly half of the legislation she has sponsored, however, focuses on armed forces and national security issues and taxation. She has received endorsements from several colleagues in the House of Representatives.

Col. Doug Applegate (D)

Kamala Harris (D)

Since 2011, Kamala Harris has served as California’s Attorney General. Prior to that, she served as the District Attorney in San Francisco.

As the state’s Attorney General, she touts a focus on combating international drug rings and working with Mexico to prevent gangs from bringing guns and drugs across the border. She also worked to enforce environmental protection laws and lays claim to helping create a comprehensive package of foreclosure reforms following the financial crisis.

Colonel Doug Applegate served 32 years in the Marine Corps, and has lived in San Clemente since 1981. He is also a civil trial attorney. This is his first time seeking elected office. Applegate’s platform includes reform of mandatory sentencing laws, a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and increased regulation of the financial sector. He would also call for a second look at the Trans-Pacific Partnership, retooling Veterans’ Affairs and protecting Medicare and Social Security.

“I was concerned about the leadership in Congress because every time I hear somebody talking about the use of military force or combat operations, I’m hearing somebody talk that’s never really seen the trials and realities and the fog of war. And you just can’t send our children, our grandchildren, our blood and our treasure off to foreign lands without asking the right questions. I’ve been a trial attorney going on four decades, and you don’t get to the point of asking the right questions until you walk the ground in any subject area.”

“We should have a Manhattan-type project with renewable fuels. And guess what? This part of Southern California has all these natural synergies in research for so many things. It’s stupid that our Congressmen haven’t been pounding the table on that. I mean, I know who to drag up from the Pentagon to say, ‘Hey renewables, talk to all these idiots.’ And it’s a national security thing, so if you think this is some grand liberal conspiracy or whatever, it’s not. This is a real issue.”

“You have to do something with the ADA because otherwise sober living facilities have complete leverage. … Ultimately there’s going to have to be something that you need to have real evidence on up in Congress, because I don’t think this was the real intent of the ADA, but there’s your federal issue. ... It’s paralyzing everyone, even municipalities.”

Harris’ performance as Attorney General has been critiqued (by Sanchez and others), who point to the fact that violent crime has increased 10 percent in California during her term.

Harris also leans left on most social and fiscal issues, and has expressed her goal to reduce mass incarceration and reform the criminal justice system and to enact stricter environmental regulations.

Harris has earned the endorsement of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, Senators Barbara Boxer (whose position she would fill) and Elizabeth Warren, and a long list of organizations and local officials.

A former member of the U.S. Army and businessman, Issa has served numerous roles in his 16 years in Congress, currently serving on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The richest member of Congress, Issa lays claim to having played integral parts in several matters of national and state importance. He touts initiating a laterapproved movement to create a bipartisan commission to investigate the “root causes of the financial crises,” and launched an investigation into the attacks on U.S. offices in Libya.

“I didn’t plan on being here 16 years, but 9/11 happened and something else happened. And instead of going back to my business career, I’ve stayed with doing what I’m doing. Now I’m very involved in some things that I want to get done, and I’m asking the district to consider are they better off with somebody with my experience and the things that I plan to accomplish, and I’m hoping they say yes.”

“We have to essentially get off burning carbon faster than it’s produced. So the entire sustainability question of ecology is in fact the same question as the global warming crowd has. I’m not going to be an alarmist and every time it’s a little warmer or cooler say ‘My goodness. Climate change’ and the floods here are there are automatically caused because I don’t think they are. What I do know is there’s 7 billion people in the world, and we are not in a sustainable mode.”

“Well I think what we do is we maintain you can’t discriminate based on somebody being handicapped, including being a recovering alcoholic or recovering drug abuser, but we recognize that cities should have the ability to take care of health and sanitation. These are commercial enterprises; these are not group homes where we all share the rent.”

Clemente

LIVING

by Tom Blake

Senior Women Who Date Younger Men: “Don’t Call Us Cougars.”

henever I write about senior men dating much younger women, the majority of responses come from women. Many women think the guys who try to do so are delusional.

And yet, some women don’t have a problem with those guys, as long as women dating younger men is acknowledged. In this column, six Southern California women share their opinions.

By Tom Blake

Maurya, San Clemente, said, “It’s important to look at the other side of the coin, or the reverse situation, which is less common but noteworthy. I know a number of women over 50 (who are divorced or widowed) who are quite happily dating or married to younger men.

“As in any relationship, finances may play some role: younger men may be attracted to the economic security that many older professional women have achieved.

“In this day and age of changing social roles, revised identities and greater self-awareness, the pre-existing barriers of gender stereotypes and behaviors are beginning to change, thank goodness.”

Stella, Newport Beach, wrote, “Regarding dating and aging, I’ve heard … that the ideal age gap should be five to seven years either way (men or women dating younger). Beyond that, you have to start to question the motives…”

Diane, Laguna Woods, emailed, “How about older women dating younger men? It is very liberating, no stress to marry, guys are respectful, the women love it (I know I do). Commitment issues seem to be not so important.

“And please, don’t call us ‘cougars.’ It’s disrespectful. I am 73, and he is 58. We’ve been seeing each other two to three times a month for four years. (We) met on Senior Date, and he contacted me. I was very hesitant for the first five or six dates, but we have the highest respect for and expectations of each other.”

Joanie, of Torrance, said, “I had a relationship with a man 14 years younger. He was a bit immature (although a very nice person) and eventually we had little to share—it almost felt like mommy and son. Both of us needed a relationship with someone closer to our age.

“Music and events related to particular decades are fun to discuss and share, but when the partner is over a decade younger,

he might not have been born at the time so he cannot share ‘memories.’ Maybe a fiveto seven-year age difference would work.”

Janice, of Anaheim, said, “All of us hope our relationships will withstand the test of time. However, the ones with less baggage—such as not having a big age difference—will most definitely have a greater chance of doing so.”

Shelly, of San Diego, said, “I am 68, a widow of two years, and a retired school teacher and have been seeing a man five years younger for six months. His online profile said he likes to walk, swim, travel, dance and that he is ‘playful,’ likes to sing and play the guitar and piano.

“But, we have managed to take only a few short walks together. He usually says he can’t walk more because he suddenly feels overheated. We went on four halfhour bike rides and then he said his hip hurt so he can’t ride a bike anymore. He takes a long nap every day. Sleeps nine to 10 hours a night! I never nap and sleep only 5-6 hours a night. He watches a lot more TV than I do.

“We have yet to travel anywhere together because I refuse to go on a trip with him unless and until we can spend more than three consecutive nights together. He lives an hour from me and usually comes over on Saturday and spends three nights at my home then we start to get on one another’s nerves and so he leaves. Why do I keep seeing him?

“He tells me he admires my intelligence and asks my opinion on many things. We are on the same page as far as politics, music and humor go. He is very playful and funny. We laugh a lot together. He always says he misses me when we are not together. And, I miss him as well and wish we could spend more time together.”

Tom’s comment: I endorse older women dating younger men. If compatibility is present, a reasonable age difference (10 years or less) doesn’t matter much. It is good that the preexisting barriers, as Maurya pointed out, are beginning to change.

Tom Blake is a Dana Point resident and a former Dana Point businessman who has authored several books on middle-aged dating. See his websites at www.findingloveafter50.com; www.vicsta.com and www. travelafter55.com. Email: tompblake@ gmail.com. SC

News from San Clemente’s business community

New Business

NEAR & DEAR LOCAL GOODS FUNDRAISING

www.neardearfundraising.com

Near & Dear Local Goods Fundraising raises funds for schools by promoting shopping locally at California businesses and from local artists. It is owned and operated by Tara Rynne and Caroline Johnston.

“Our mission is to create a healthy, sustainable fundraising system that benefits the whole community,” Rynne and Johnston said in a press release. “Schools receive 30 percent of sales to support

enrichment programs for students.”

The organization recently partnered with Vista Del Mar Elementary School in Talega. Some of the companies participating include Hobie Surf Shop, Boga SUP, The Paddle Academy, Rainbow Sandals, O’Neill, Rusty and Ozobot.

The way it works is businesses and craftspeople sell their items wholesale to the website and then the products are displayed categorically.

The two owners have children of their own, which helps motivate them in their business.

“Year after year, our kids would bring home school fundraising catalogs full of cheap, mass-produced plastic goods and other unwanted or unneeded items,” the press release stated. “We knew there had to be a better way. By approaching school fundraising with a reenergized community spirit and shop-local mindset, we are here to help schools fund their passion projects for things like field trips, playground renovations, school supplies and extracurricular activities.”

15 Years in Business

ERBA

114 Avenida Del Mar, No. 1 949.492.2355

www.shoperba.com

ERBA, a gift and jewelry store in downtown San Clemente, is going on 15 years of business.

Owner Lisa Rodarti Yates said she and the other owners want to thank all their loyal customers.

“We continue to evolve and add new interesting, fun and loving gifts and beautiful artisan handmade unique jewelry to our boutique,” said Yates. “It is and will continue to be my pleasure to provide beautiful items for our customers to enjoy, and I am filled with gratitude for their support.”

Large in Charge

The scene at Carnival Colossal

or the sixth year in a row, Carnival Colossal and Food Truck Festival, hosted by the Friends of San Clemente Foundation, provided a weekend of entertainment for children. The event took place Thursday, Oct. 6, to Sunday, Oct. 9,

at Vista Hermosa Sports Park.

“The special needs expo on Thursday, in conjunction with Courtney’s Sandcastle, was a resounding success,” said Jim Nielsen, the treasurer of the Friends foundation. “There were a number of special needs kids that were able to go on carnival rides for the first time in their lives.”

The Friends earned about $30,000, Nielsen said. The funds will go toward projects like Fun on the Run, beach concerts, Easter egg hunt, snow hill and scholarships for beaches, parks and recreation classes.

Plans are already under way for next year’s event, and the vendors are eager to return, Nielsen said. SC

Sudoku

BY MYLES MELLOR

Each Sudoku puzzle consists of a 9x9 grid that has been subdivided into nine smaller grids of 3x3 squares. To solve the puzzle, each row, column and box must contain each of the numbers 1 to 9.

Puzzles come in three grades: easy, medium and difficult. Level: Medium

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

STORIES, SCORES, SCHEDULES AND MORE

Triton Report

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

For in-game updates, scores, news and more for all of the San Clemente High School fall sports programs, follow us on Twitter @SouthOCsports.

‘Second Phase’ of Season Begins for Triton Football

San Clemente football coach Jaime Ortiz likes to break each individual season down into three distinct phases. The first involves the nonleague portion of the schedule, during which the Tritons battled some local teams as well as some unfamiliar opponents. They went 4-2 overall. The second phase is league play, and the third, naturally, is the postseason.

The second phase of the Tritons season begins Friday night when they make their return to the South Coast League for the first time since 2013. The Tritons’ first league game will be on the road against Tesoro, and it will have big-time playoff implications.

The five-member South Coast League offers two automatic berths into the CIF-SS Championships. With undefeated Mission Viejo showing no signs of slowing down (the Diablos knocked off Tesoro 41-0 last week), the winner of this week’s game between San Clemente and the Titans will give one program an inside track to claiming the remaining playoff berth. San Juan Hills (6-1, 1-0) is also looming on the schedule.

“Every game in league will (have playoff

implications) for us,” Ortiz said. “That’s the fun part of coaching. Tesoro is a good team, and they know how to win games. For us, it will be a good barometer to see where we’re at as a program.”

The Tritons were on a bye last week, and will enter the game against Tesoro well-rested.

The Tritons’ offense, led by standouts Jack Sears and Brandon Reaves, has grabbed a lot of headlines throughout the season. But the team’s defense has shown over the last two weeks that it deserves top billing as well.

The San Clemente defense has allowed just one touchdown over its last eight quarters of play, and recorded its first shutout of the season in a 64-0 victory over Rancho Buena Vista on Sept. 30. Senior safety Jason Graff had two interceptions against RBV and junior Branden Wilson had one, returning it 102 yards for a touchdown.

“Defensively, we’re controlling the line of scrimmage, and we’re swarming the ball very well,” Ortiz said.

The Tritons defense will look to contain Tesoro’s top receiver, Shane Coleman, on Friday. Coleman has caught 31 passes for 495 yards and three touchdowns in six games. Aaron Angelos and Chase Petersen, transfers from Mission Viejo, have been platooning at quarterback. Tesoro has played well in close games this season, and owns a 3-1 record in contests decided by seven points or less.

SOCKS FOR HEROES DRIVE: The San Clemente and Tesoro football programs are holding a Socks for Heroes sock-drive competition this week, and are asking for donations of black or brown cotton, athletic crew socks to be donated to military personnel deployed overseas.

The two programs are coming together to honor Donald Hogan, a Tesoro grad

who died while serving as a Marine in Afghanistan. Hogan sacrificed himself to save his fellow Marines when the unit ran into an improvised explosive device while on patrol. Hogan was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, the nation’s second-highest decoration for valor.

Those interested in donating socks can do so online at www.scmcsg.org/events/ triton-titan-sock-drive, or drop off socks on-site at the game. San Clemente residents can also drop off socks at the SCHS campus’ front office.

Girls X-C Keeping Pace in League

Several runners stepped up for the San Clemente girls cross country team at the Sea View League preview race at Irvine Regional Park on Oct. 4. The Tritons, led by Chandler Horton, went 4-1 overall in the dual meet competition and are currently in second place.

Horton, who placed third, had a teambest time of 18 minutes at the threemile course, while Marina McDonough (seventh), Amy Vollebregt (10th), Katelyn McNeal (12th) and Belle Sachse (16th) rounded out the top-5 for San Clemente.

The boys team went 1-3 in dual meet action at the race. Senior Carlos De Jesus (16:07.2) placed 10th as an individual and sophomore Patrick Riley (16:08) placed 11th.

Both Triton teams will compete in the sweeps race at the Orange County Championships at Irvine Regional Park on Oct. 15.

Tritons

Golf in the Hunt for League

Title

A big 207-221 victory over Tesoro on

Oct. 10 kept the San Clemente girls golf team in the hunt to defend its South Coast League title. The Tritons were led by Erica Cornelius, who carded a 40 (+4) on the back nine at Tijeras Creek Golf Course. San Clemente (7-5, 5-2) now sits in a two-way tie for second place in the league with Trabuco Hills (15-2, 5-2). The Mustangs and Tritons trail first-place Dana Hills (14-7, 6-2). The Dolphins closed out their league run with a two-match sweep over Tesoro and have no league games remaining.

San Clemente’s final league match will be against Tesoro on Oct. 13.

Water Polo Falls to Chargers

The San Clemente boys water polo team has kept it close against top-level league opponents so far this season, but have yet to pick up a win. Last week, the Tritons lost 10-9 to rival Dana Hills. On Oct. 11, the Tritons (8-7, 0-3) fell to ninth-ranked El Toro 11-8.

San Clemente will travel to play Villa Park on Oct. 14, and return to league play with a home game against Capistrano Valley on Oct. 18.

Volleyball Heads into Final Stretch

The San Clemente girls volleyball team will enter its final run through South Coast League play in need of some wins. The Tritons (5-17, 0-5) have lost nine in a row, but will get a chance to play one match against every league opponent one more time before the season ends.

San Clemente will travel to play Trabuco Hills on Oct. 13 and will host San Juan Hills, the defending league champion, on Oct. 19.

Continued Success on the Diamond

Local senior ballplayer wins big in the desert

BY STEVE BREAZEALE, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Baseball is in Bob Leatherwood’s blood.

He grew up playing the game as a child, excelled in high school and was talented enough to land a scholarship to play for the University of California Berkley. As his collegiate career ended, the Big Leagues came calling. Leatherwood was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the third round of the secondary phase of the 1967 MLB Draft. He spent five seasons playing in the minor leagues for two organizations.

Decades have passed since he laced them up professionally, but like Ray Kinsella in Field of Dreams, Leatherwood, who is now 70, still feels the calling of the diamond.

Leatherwood, a San Clemente resident, joined up with a high-level senior softball team this season, and they just won the biggest tournament on the circuit. Sons

of Pitches, Leatherwood’s team, traveled to Las Vegas and came away with the 7075 age bracket championship in the Las Vegas Senior Softball Association/Senior Softball USA World Masters Championship on Sept. 29.

The tournament attracts over 542 teams from across the country and Canada, and 20 teams were vying for the age 70-AAA division trophy.

Leatherwood and his team entered their bracket as the No. 9 seed, and played their way into the grueling final day of competi-

tion, during which teams played four games in six hours in the hot desert heat. Sons of Pitches eventually defeated a team from Northern California, 9-8, to claim the title. He said his teammates’ quickness and movement isn’t what it used to be, but they can still swing it when the time comes. Leatherwood, a middle infielder, went 22 for 24 at the plate over the 10-game stretch, good for a .916 batting average.

“The team always talks about ‘When we were 20 years old, who would think we would still be doing this 50 years later?’ … The guys just play because they love the game,” Leatherwood said.

He finds time to play softball, but Leatherwood’s other passion is coaching. He has been an assistant coach on the St. Margaret’s Episcopal School’s baseball team for the past nine seasons, where he tries to impart his love of the game, and knowledge, on the next generation of ballplayers.

“There is a sanctity to the game that I want to pass along to the players. I want to pass along not only the baseball knowledge, but the knowledge of lifetime events and things I’ve gone through that I think can help them out,” Leatherwood said. “When you’re playing baseball, you have a lot of ups and downs and a lot of hard times and you just have to learn the grit to get through them. Hopefully they will learn something besides just how to hit a curve ball. There’s a lot more to it than that.” SC

BUSINESS DIRECTORY Locals Only

ADDICTION RECOVERY TREATMENT

Body Mind Spirit Intensive Outpatient Program

665 Camino De Los Mares, Ste. 104, 949.485.4979, www.bodymindspiritiop.com

AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING

Solstice Heating and Air 2208 El Camino Real, Ste. #1, 949.573.3607, www.solsticehvac.com

APPLIANCES

South Coast Furniture & Mattress 109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

APPLIANCE SERVICES & REPAIRS

ASAP Appliance Service

3200 Legendario, 949.361.7713, www.asapapplianceservice.com

ART GALLERIES

San Clemente Art Association 100 N. Calle Seville, 949.492.7175, www.scartgallery.com

CHIROPRACTIC

Spinal Vitality Chiropractic

647 Camino de los Mares, Suite 220, 949.616.5470, www.spinalvitality.com

CHOCOLATE/CANDY

Schmid’s Fine Chocolate 99 Avenida Del Mar, 949.369.1052, www.schmidschocolate.com

CONCRETE

Costa Verde Landscape Lic.: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com

DENTISTS

Eric Johnson, D.D.S. 647 Camino de los Mares, Ste. 209, 949.493.9311, www.drericjohnson.com

Shoreline Dental Studio

Kristen Ritzau, DDS 122 Avenida Cabrillo, 949.245.6046, www.shorelinedentalstudio.com

EDIBLE LANDSCAPING

Organics Out Back 949.354.2258, www.organicsoutback.com

EDITING SERVICES

Perfectly Clear Editing Services

Judi Heidel: 949.281.6364 www.perfectlycleareditingservices.com

ELECTRICAL

Arcadia Electric 949.361.1045, www.arcadiaelectric.com

FURNITURE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

HOME DÉCOR

South Coast Furniture & Mattress

109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

HOME REPAIRS/IMPROVEMENT

Capistrano Valley Raingutters Scott Williams, 949.542.7750 Hoover Construction 949.292.6778

JEWELRY

Paradise Jewelers 166 Avenida Del Mar, 949.361.6661, www.paradisejewelers.com

LANDSCAPING

Costa Verde Landscape Lic.: 744797 (C-8 & C-27) 949.361.9656, www.costaverdelandscaping.com

MATTRESSES

South Coast Furniture & Mattress 109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

MORTGAGES

Brian Wiechman, Equity Coast

Mortgage A division of Pinnacle Capital Mortgage 949.533.9209, www.equitycoastmortgage.com

MOTORCYLE PARTS & SERVICE

SC Rider Supply

520 S. El Camino Real, 949.388.0521, www.scridersupply.com

MUSIC LESSONS

Danman’s Music School 949.496.6556, www.danmans.com

OFFICE FURNITURE

South Coast Furniture & Mattress 109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

PET SERVICES/HOUSE SITTING

2-dogswalking.com

Ricky, 949.973.4128

Pet care –Insured & Bonded

BUSINESS • SPOTLIGHT YOUR BUSINESS HERE!

Sign up to be featured as our monthly Locals Only Business Spotlight for only $100!

Write-up of 50 words with logo. Four weeks in print and online. Contact Debra Wells at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@picketfencemedia.com

PERIODONTICS & DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dr. Alice P. Moran, DMD 1001 Avenida Pico, Ste. K, 949.361.4867 (GUMS), www.moranperio.com

PLUMBING

A to Z Leak Detection

929 Calle Negocio #D, 949.481.7013, www.atozleakdetection.com

Bill Metzger Plumbing 929 Calle Negocio #D, 949.492.3558, www.billmetzerplumbing.com

Karl Aiken Plumbing-Rooter San Clemente, 949.366.8302

POOL SERVICE, REPAIR, REMODEL

Radiant Pool & Spa Service Lic # 985800, 949.290.5616, www.radiantpoolservice.com

SC Pool & Spa Works 1311 N. El Camino Real, 949.498.7665, www.scpoolworks.com

REAL ESTATE

Marcie GeorgeStar Real Estate South County 949.690.5410, marciegeorge@cox.net

“Sandy & Rich” - ReMax 949.293.3236, www.sandyandrich.com

RESTAURANTS

Café Calypso 114 Avenida Del Mar #4, 949.366.9386

SALONS

Salon Bamboo

150 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. A, 949.361.3348, www.salonbamboo.com

Salon Bleu

207 S. El Camino Real, 949.366.2060, www.scsalonbleu.com

Syrens Hair Parlor 217 Avenida Del Mar, Ste. E, 949.361.9006, www.syrens.com

SCHOOLS

Capistrano Valley Christian Schools

32032 Del Obispo Street, San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.5683, www.cvcs.org

SECONDHAND/ CONSIGNMENT SHOPS

South Coast Furniture & Mattress 109 Calle de los Molinos, 949.492.5589, www.southcoastfurniture.com

SWIMMING SCHOOL

Waterbabies Swim School 142 Avenida Granada, 949.488.2512, www.waterbabiesswimschool.com

TERMITES

Colony Termite Control 1402 Calle Alcazar, 949.361.2500, www.colonytermite.com

WEBSITE DESIGN

San Clemente Website Design 949.246.8345, www.sanclementewebsitedesign.com

WINDOW & DOOR REPLACEMENT

Offshore Construction 877.774.1492, www.offshoreconstruction.org

ONLY

LOCALS ONLY

In print and online 52 weeks a year. View online at www.sanclementetimes.com. Call at Debra Wells for pricing at 949.589.0892 or email dwells@picketfencemedia.com

CLASSIFIEDS

Submit your classified ad at www.sanclementetimes.com

GARAGE SALES

HUGE 3-FAMILY GARAGE SALE

Saturday, October 17 from 7:30a2p. 110 Avenida San Diego, SC 92672. Lots of clothes, jewelry, etc. Something for everyone!

10/15 SATURDAY ONLY

7:30 am - 2:30 pm, 3120 Calle Grande Vista, San Clemente. Furniture, complete parakeet set-up, indoor rabbit cage, pots, decor items, Razors, collectables, Norman Rockwell plates, Lladro items, clothes and much, much, more. Don’t miss this one!

HUGE GARAGE SALE OCT. 15TH 8 AM-12 PM. You don’t want to miss this! Household goods, antiques, antique bed, antique pine cabinet, furniture, bikes, tons of clothing. 183 West Junipero San Clemente

MULTI-FAMILY GARAGE SALE: 1609 Calle Las Bolas, San Clemente, North Beach Area. Saturday, October 15th 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Housewares, Furnishings, Collectibles, Furniture, Sporting Goods, Toys, Tools, Men’s and Women’s Clothing and much more.

GARAGE SALE. ONE DAY ONLY! Saturday 10/15 from 7:30 - 2:00 PM. Literally clearing out my garage and neighbor’s garage. Purging everything from collectibles to furniture to home decor at great prices. 3120 Calle Grande Vista, San Clemente

HANDYMAN CHRIS

Flat screen TV’s installed, anything Electrical, Plumbing, Finish Carpentry, Drywall Repairs, Mold and Wood Rot issues, Waterproofing, Decks and Patio covers repaired, Doors, Windows, Kitchens and Baths, Water Damage Restoration, Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication and Much More. Phone Chris –949 510 6645

WOOD DECK REPAIR WIZZARD

Wood Rot Repair Certified Specialist, Wood Decks, Balconies, Patio Covers + Outside Stairs Repaired / Replaced, New Decking Systems, All work Guaranteed. Phone Chris949 510 6645

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

SCOOP ON THE LOCAL SURF COMMUNITY

Classic in San Clemente

Second annual San Clemente Surf Classic lands at T Street this Sunday

BY JAKE

There’s no shortage of surf events in the local area for those looking to tip their toes in competitive waters. From the Gudauskas brothers’ Stoke-ORama, to Nate Yeoman’s Fishbowl Classic, to weekend NSSA and WSA contests, all the way on up to the big leagues and the WSL’s Hurley Pro at Lower Trestles, there’s literally something for every age and ability level. Adding to that list, for the second year in a row, the second annual San Clemente Surf Classic is coming to T Street on Sunday, Oct. 16

Citing an abundance of events for adults, professionals and up-and-coming amateurs, last year the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce established the first annual San Clemente Surf Classic as a way to provide the kids around town with an opportunity to come down to the beach with their families, ride a few waves with their peers, and soak in the surf culture that put this area on the map. Now, back for a second year, the upcoming incarnation of the San Clemente Surf Classic looks to be even bigger and better.

“We have such a rich surfing heritage in

SURF RESULTS

Stoke-O-Rama

T Street Beach, San Clemente, Saturday, Oct. 8

12 and under Boys:

1. Miles Biggs; 2. Tyrone Fomenko; 3. Brayden Burch;

4. Dax McPhillips; 5. Conan Craig; 6.Aidan Pearce

12 and under Girls:

1. Sawyer Linblad; 2. Ezra McPhillips; 3. Nicole Economos; 4. Taylor Stacy; 5. Makayla Moss; 6. Julia Guild

10 and under Boys:

1. Ben Brantell; 2. Makai Bray; 3. Cannon Carr; 4. Azure Trujillo; 5. Maddox Bray; 6. Alex Guild

8 and under “Pops and Pups”:

1. Kai Finn; 2. Zealand Post; 3. Brooks Montoya;

4. Mia McLeash; 5. Nolan Senn; 6. Carson Carr

Most Stoked Award: Zion Walla

Sportsmanship Award: Carson Kropfl

Inspirational Award: Dutch Althouse

this area, and it’s something we all really love to celebrate,” said local surfer Phil Johnson.

“The San Clemente Surf Classic is great. We were down on the beach last year and the kids had a blast. The community vibe is amazing, and the kids are also able to sort of get a feel for the culture and identity of the town they’re growing up in. To be a surfer in San Clemente is a special thing, and it’s great we have an event like this where we can all come together and enjoy it.”

To be sure, the grommets will be out in force this weekend. There is currently space for 200 competitors in a multitude of divisions (the entry fee is $40 per division and competitors must live within San

GROM OF THE WEEK

CARSON

KROPFL

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Legends aren’t born, they’re made, and 11-year-old Carson Kropfl is well on his way. Showing up at T Street for this fall’s rendition of the Stoke-ORama—a kid’s surf contest put on by resident pros Dane, Pat and Tanner Gudauskas and their Positive Vibe Warrior foundation—young Carson was psyching to compete. Putting his all into it, he didn’t exactly win, but he did capture a lot of hear ts. Pat Gudauskas called him “the warrior of the day.”

“He was our first-ever Stoke-O-Rama injury,” explained Pat. “He took a board to the head, got five stitches, and then came back with the intent to win. He surfed the second round with his head all

Clemente city limits). From the Under 12s for both boys and girls, to the bigger Under 18s, all the way to longboar d and “beater” board divisions, there’s something for every kid regardless of their surfing style or approach. And if pulling on a jersey and duking it out in the waves is not their idea of a good time, no worries—it’s a familyfriendly day with plenty of other activities and fun to be had.

“The contest is epic, but just being down at T Street with all our friends and neighbors, that’s a big part of it, too,” continued Johnson. “Surf contests should be just as much about community as they are competing, and I think the San Clemente Surf

wrapped up and barely missed making the final. But he was there all day frothing and was easily the grom of the event.”

For his grit and gumption, Kropfl ended up leaving the beach with the inspirational Timmy Dowell Sportsmanship Award, which is given out based on passion and character in the name of the late Dowell, a much-loved local surfer, who passed away in his sleep in 2004. As the old adage goes, sometimes winning isn’t everything. SC

Classic does a good job of that. Excited to see what they came up with this year.”

As far as the size of the waves go, it’s looking like the Pacific will provide. There’s a healthy dose of southwest swell heading into the area for the second half of the week. The swell is expected to peak on Friday as “breaks in SoCal run thigh-waist-chest high, and focal points mainly in Orange County go shoulder-head high at times,” reported Surfline.com forecaster Schaler Perry. “The size is down slightly and holding Saturday morning, before easing through the weekend into early next week.”

Surfline’s calling for the sur f on Sunday at T Street to hover in the playful two- to three-foot range—perfect for the kids. The weather’s also looking cooperative with the daytime high expected to linger in the low 70s and light west winds under 10 knots in the afternoon.

Picking up a lot of support from the local surf brands, everybody’s favorite sock maker Stance has signed on as this year’s title sponsor, while eyewear company Dragon is proud to be the presenting sponsor. Support is also coming from Salt Life, Catch Surf, DSC, Fight Strong MMA, the Republik of Kalifornia and San Clemente post-surf grind staple, Pedro’s Tacos. The San Clemente Surf Classic takes place at T Street in San Clemente on Sunday, October 16, and runs from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Trophies will be awarded for first through sixth place in all of the divisions, and working the mic on Sunday will be former WSA judge and local fixture, silverthroated Dave Schulte.

Just because summer is officially over doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a good day at the beach. See you down at T Street on Sunday. SC

SURF FORECAST

Water Temperature: 63-68 degrees F

Water Visibility and Conditions: San Clemente: 5-10’ Fair

Catalina: 15-20’ Fair-Good

Thursday: SSW swell trends up through the day while steep angled NW swell gets reinforcing energy. Look for knee-waist-chest high (2-3’+) at good spots while standouts see shoulder high (4’) sets. Light/variable winds early, trending to light+ onshore as the morning goes on, then moderate Westerly flow during the afternoon.

Outlook: Touch of slightly stronger SSW swell and steep NW swell combo for the second half of the week keeps surf in the modest to locally fun size range. Morning winds and conditions remain mostly favorable. Be sure to check the full premium forecast on Surfline for more details and the longer range outlook.