Encinitas Resident Says It’s Hard to Let Go

Les Izmore, a New Encinitas resident, said once a politician has held public office, it’s hard to let go.

“I’ve seen it several times,” said Izmore, “and the degree of the grip varies from person to person. There appears to be a correlation between the level of government position the politician has held and his or her difficulty of letting go once out of office. The higher up or the wider the berth, the tougher it is to release.

“Some politicians refuse to recede even if they left office in disgrace,” said Izmore. “Of course, if they’re in jail they do effectively disappear.

“They take different routes in their effort to stay influential and in the public eye,” said Izmore. “Social media have made regaining prominence easier because a politician can reach many people without much effort. If disgraced, a politician usually lies low for a while to let the public memory fade.

“Time helps because events keep rolling along,” said Izmore, “and most people confuse one politician’s record with another’s. There was one politician who not only lost his city position, but his county role and his spot as a supervisorial candidate’s campaign manager. Out at third base after one election season. That’s exceptional!”

“Still, things don’t change much,” said Izmore. “One politician replaces another, but the policies and practices stay pretty much the same.”

Encinitas Managerial Staffer Confesses

“I suppose it’s obvious why Encinitas city planners never turn thumbs down on a project,” said an anonymous managerial staffer. “A big clue is the name of the department. It’s Development Services. It’s not Slow Growth Services or Uphold Prop A Services.

“Actually the reason the department never nixes development is a little more complex than that,” said anonymous. “The council wants development because that’s where property and sales tax revenue come from. Ongoing development is the city’s bread and butter. The pension debt alone could eat the whole loaf. No council member wants to preside over bankruptcy. The staff’s marching orders are to keep development rolling.

“And why would any well-paid staffer object to development?” said anonymous. “We get those handsome salaries, generous benefits and magnificent pensions. No staffer wants to look a gift horse in the mouth. Besides, few of us live here so if every square inch of open ground is covered with homes or businesses, who cares?

“We do get annoyed by pesky and persistent residents who object to our approval of every project that comes down the pike,” said anonymous. “We get especially peeved about people who appeal decisions. That makes extra work for us. But we know the council will deny appeals every time, so in the end they don’t really count. I have to admit I’ve often been amazed at the back flips the council does to ignore appellants’ points when denying appeals.

“Well,” said anonymous, “thanks for letting me relieve my guilty conscience.”

Encinitas Installs Queue Device for Prospective Plaintiffs

As the defendant in an unusually high number of lawsuits, the city of Encinitas has installed a device at City Hall to maintain order among parties pursuing information for possible legal action against the city.

After demands for documents and interviews became frenzied, the city found it necessary to impose a system to preserve civility among residents and others seeking information that could be used in lawsuits.

Put simply, the city said get in line, stay in line, don’t cut in, and don’t rub us the wrong way or we’ll make life more difficult for you.

Reports are that decorum has been restored since the queue device was installed, although some prospective plaintiffs have grumbled about wait times.

Encinitas Chooses Official City Mammal

“In recognition of our longstanding friendship with our sister city Bitung, Sulawesi, Indonesia,” said Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear, “I am pleased to announce that the council has chosen the crested black macaque as our city’s official mammal.

“We considered several candidates, and the choice was not quick and easy,” said Blakespear. “After careful deliberation and much discussion, the council unanimously chose the macaque. It’s a critically endangered Old World monkey that’s also known as the Celebes crested macaque. But most Sulawesi locals call it yaki.

“The yaki is remarkably human-like,” said Blakespear. “An adult is about the size of a two- or three-year-old human child. I think those facts swayed some council members in their choice.

“Over the years, California has chosen several plants and animals as the official state species,” said Blakespear. “The council thought it fitting that Encinitas should honor that tradition. We are proud to have chosen the crested black macaque as the city’s official mammal.”

Encinitas Will Fine Fossil-Fueled Drivers

Using a complex formula that combines cubic centimeter engine displacement with miles driven, the city of Encinitas will soon begin fining drivers of gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. Fines for drivers of vehicles powered by vegetable oils, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) will be reduced, as will those for drivers of hybrids. Electric vehicle drivers will not be fined.

The fines are the latest component of the city’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). Among the other components are encouraging biking and walking, converting the city fleet to electric or renewable diesel vehicles, banning two-stroke gas-powered leaf blowers, and installing charging stations and photovoltaic systems.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) citywide is a difficult and complex task. Old habits die hard. Generally, people resist change unless the benefits are clear and significant. Decades of experience show that taxing or fining anti-social behavior is most effective in altering it.

Fining fossil-fueled drivers will also increase city revenue. With 24,000 households having an average of 1.88 vehicles each, the vast majority of which are gas or diesel powered, the base of fine-eligible vehicles is about 45,000. Fines revenue has the potential to eclipse sales tax revenue.

The city will work closely with the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and auto insurance companies to establish the cubic centimeter displacement and annual miles driven for fine-eligible vehicles. Fine notices will be sent via the United States Postal Service (USPS). Fines on drivers who don’t cooperate will compound.