Wednesday, February 17, 2016

2/17/16 City Council meeting open thread

The current city council has continued prior councils' practice of not providing written summary minutes of council discussion, but only "action minutes" which state the outcomes. Encinitas Undercover will provide a forum for observers to record what occurs at each council meeting.

Please use the comments to record your observations.

68 comments:

  1. Council is discussing gifts and donations to the city. One suggestion is a registry of what the city may need. Perhaps the city should register at Target or Home Depot.
    Another part of the policy is that the donor would not get something in return? Does this mean the Mizer qui pro quo #375,000 a year for 4 years to the city for the naming right of the Encinitas library for perpetuity for his wife, Pat Mizel, isn't going to fly?

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  2. The renaming of the Mizel library is a separate matter to what was discussed tonight. This should be taken up with Karen since it appears to be in her hands for the time being. That being said, this should be in the publics hands. Our taxes paid for most of it except for the county library system that should preclude ever renaming OUR library to the highest bidder. Don't let this happen Karen. This will surely open the door and set a precedent that will go and on and on. Lets keep our city treasures out of the mitts of the highest bidders. The Encinitas Library should remain the Encinitas Library. We have all earned this consideration by living here and loving our town.

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    1. I didn't watch council tonight and I don't have a strong opinion either way but the library is already built and the donation appears to be simply for the gratification of having Pat Mizel's name associated with it. What harm does it do? The Mizels have for years donated matching funds for the city grants to worthy organizations. Has there been any reciprocal city favors to the Mizels unearthed?

      Will this open the door and start a naming rights bidding war? Many people on this blog wanted the city to accept the Surfing Madonna. Wouldn't that have started a precedent and encouraged other artist to clandestinely put up their art? We already have an example of precedent with the periodic decorations on the Kook (yes, I enjoy many of them).

      By the way, Encinitas taxpayers contribute to the County as well.

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    2. If i had a vote, i would say yes to the $1.5M and allow the re-naming of the library.

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    3. Agree, 9:21. But some here let their hatred rule over common sense.

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  3. 11:43 PM
    You don't think "giving" money to get their name on something isn't a reciprocal city favor? Ask the Mizels what financial or tax benefit in their established family foundation do they receive for "giving" us money. Are they required to give away a certain amount of money each year from the fund?
    The donations for years was a crafted requirement that the city receives up to $75,000 a year only if the city added the Mizel family foundation name to every grant given out by the city. Let the Mizels find another city more gullible than Encinitas and take their money there.

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    1. 9:29 AM
      'You don't think "giving" money to get their name on something isn't a reciprocal city favor' If that is all it is then it doesn't bother me. A tax deduction? Really? Giving would dry up if they eliminated tax deductions. It's the way the world works.

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  4. Bottom line: the people paid for the library, the people should decide on the name change.

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    1. I understand your sentiment. However, in a representative democracy, the people elect representatives to make decisions for them. Having every little thing go to a vote of the people is not consistent with our form of government. I hope our elected officials pay attention to our sentiments in an election year.

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    2. We are stuck with "representatives" who have reneged on virtually every campaign promise. The notion of "representative democracy" in our case is a horrific joke on residents.

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    3. 9:45 and 1:09 are obstructionists, plain and simple. They'd rather squeeze every dime and minute they can to thwart an enormous gift while wasting a lot of people's time if they don't like the giver. I'd like to see the Mizels sail through their offer easily. Then put a big sign on top that says "It's Pat!"

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  5. Mizel will give $100 to each council member for a name change - Tony Mizel Kranz, Lisa Mizel Shaffer, Catherine MizelBlakespear, Mark Mizel Muir, and Kristin Mizel Gaspar.

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  6. The Library belongs to this community and there should be no name change in exchange for dollars. If the Mizel family cares about this community, they should give their money willingly with no expectation of a return gift.

    Would they want Encinitas to change its name to Mizel, CA? I would hope not.

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  7. Good one 2:14pm. Mizel Ca. Seems far fetched, but is it really, considering who holds the reigns $ with our current council?

    If we end up with the Mizel Library, why not the David Meyer Pacific View Arts Cultural Center, the Harwood Community Park, the DeWald Center for Poor Design?

    The Planning Commission meeting tonight, Thursday, will be addressing the Leucadia Shell Stations car wash and expanded market which we want to obtain a liquor license whether or not they say so at the present time. The Gupta's were adamant about needing this alcohol permit to make a profit to all who attended community participation meeting on site last year.

    Another issue tonight will be the Balour density bonus project that Melia Homes, out of Irvine, are building. The Commission told them last month to come back with a less monolithic design that won't tower over their single story neighbors backyards by changing to four single story homes instead of just the one they presented. It seems they capitulated a tiny bit and changed one to a single story for a total of two. Whoopee.

    Come on down and pack the hall and defend our community character, whether or not you choose to speak, at least help show the Commission their public is watching.

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  8. Whoops. Meant to say the owners, the Gupta's, will want a liquor license at the Leucadia Shell and we in the neighborhood absolutely do not.

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  9. I don't see how the Shell getting a liquor licence could make any differance in your life. Frankly, I think it is very risky to oppose any and all change.
    You'll just start sounding like the town cryer. Pick your battles more carefully and you will have more creds. BTW I supported prop A and fought the Leucadia re-developement district and I live in the hood.

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    1. When Orpheus already has drunks stumbling up from town, the last thing those of us who live in "the hood" need are any generated from the other end. The Shell owners claimed they would "control" who they sold to. All together, now: "Give me a break!"

      Alcohol sales were just one of many reasons that project stank to high heaven.

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    2. Lips that touch liquor will never touch mine either, 3:44.

      - Aunt Bea

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  10. 2:57 PM
    Thank you. Also on the commission meeting tonight is the Davidson Homes design review of mega homes in Berryman Canyon. Davidson brought up three tentative maps in the canyon and is stripping and grading coastal sage scrub as fast as possible so they can't be stopped. Talk is that Dividson is trying to buy the rest of the canyon. More million dollar houses.

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  11. 3:38 A little historical precedence of which you need to be reminded of. The La Costa Chevron Station on the 5 and La Costa Ave., years ago got a liquor license and the police had to be called numerous times because of the liquor sales and the trouble that license created.

    This does not come from me alone but from all who were there that morning when the Gupta's presented their project to the neighbors and insisted they couldn't make a profit without alcohol sales. If that were really the case, isn't that a shame for them.

    That neighborhood does not need or want alcohol sales or the inevitable problems that will come with it, if it is allowed. All well and good that it is not an issue to you, but it surely is for most of your neighbors. Just ask them, if you are so tuned in to their opinions or are you just representing the Gupta's wishes.

    The rest of us don't want that there and don't need the problems that will come with the expanded market selling booze there.

    Thanks 3:45 for that addition to tonights agenda. I remember Donna's filed appeal on the Berryman Canyon project that was completely ignored. Thank you Donna for fighting the good fight. Our Planning Dept never fails to disappoint and stand against this community's efforts to preserve what we all love about living here. There has to come a time when we tell Planning to take a hike since all Council ever does is thank them for their substandard performance weak in, weak out. Yes that spelling is intentional.

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    1. When will Manjeet's replacement be hired? He is telling people that Karen did tell him that the job he is doing was advertised in the papers. Can he take a hint

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  12. Yes Donna deserves lots of applause in our community, she does her homework where those that got our votes don't. No more alcohol, especially next to the freeway to attract the same problems as La Costa ave. You can drink on every corner in Encinitas as it is now. All for revenue council? Alcohol your legacy?

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  13. Tonight at the Planning Commission meeting Manjeet again hired [at what cost? please answer that] an outside firm for a Community Character Study that was a complete sham. Those in attendance were observed shaking their heads in amazement, or disgust, is more appropriate, at the supposedly independent[ not even close] assesment [intentional] of the values of Melia homes project, as it relates to the neighbors on Balour Dr. It was difficult to not cry out BS Manjeet for ever thinking this tact would have an influence.

    How long will we have to put up with OUR planning dept whoring themselves at every opportunity to developers interests? I cannot believe this would be acceptable behavior in the private sector.

    We are owed so much more. Council, wake the f up and assume the responsibility and trust we voted for when supporting your candidacy. This is an election year and every one of your heads is on the block, with the exception of Catherine. She gets two more years to prove her worth to this community's residents.

    Manjeet has repeatedly shown that he is another Jeff Murphy, Gus Vina, Richard Murphy[ we have had enough Murphys around here, et al, sadly, this list is endless. This so-called presentation hired by OUR planning dept. to support Melia Homes bonus density project couldn't have been more transparent with its intentions. All the considerations that were ignored by this firm, Latitude 33, or something close, was appalling.

    Planning must be in a bubble of insulated denial to think that this type of sell out would not be recognized for what it is. Tonights performance only supported this conclusion.

    Karen, please step up, You cannot be blind to this perception. If some casual observer can see what is going on, how can you allow this to continue? Perhaps we put too much faith in you. We surely have put too much faith in our elected council members to not recognize this betrayal when we see it so obviously, as we did tonight by this hired outside firm and at what cost? Community Character Study. Argh!!!!!!!!!

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    1. Apparently, there is no one working for the city that can do their job without hiring a consultant. Makes one wonder why we pay good money for staff salaries.

      Let's just hire consultants and get rid of staff. I'm sure it would save us money in the long run.

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  14. Gaspar and David Meyer's attorney have something in common . . . I wonder what that might be??

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    1. What is David Meyer's attorneys name? Perhaps then we can find out.

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    2. Gaspar announced when she recused herself from the closed session meeting on the Meyer lawsuit that the lawyer was a client of Gaspar Physical Therapy. The FPPC gave a verbal opinion that she should recuse herself. This is to be followed with a written opinion.

      The lawyer is Gregory S. Day of Cardiff. This is pubic record.

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    3. A client - pro bono services? Just a coincidence, I'm sure.....

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    4. 8:23 AM

      "A client - pro bono services? Just a coincidence, I'm sure" so you immediately jump to the conclusion that Day must be getting his physical therapy for free even though Gaspar voted not to settle the BIA lawsuit. She wanted to continue to fight it.

      If the FPPC weighed in it's probably because there is the appearance of a relationship not because there is one. If only the CPUC followed those guidelines.

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    5. Polly parrot is back with nothing to contribute.

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    6. 12:59 PM

      "Polly parrot is back with nothing to contribute" People are still making inane comments but I'm sure you'll just blindly accept them. God forbid you actually use your brain. Speaking of "Polly parrot" repeating herself - AWK, AWK

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    7. 1:55 PM Inane comments?! You appear to have made an art form of them.

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    8. 1:55 Has an extensive vocabulary.

      Poof! Gone again.

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    9. 9:40 PM

      "Poof! Gone again." Actually, I'm still here. Did you have to look up "inane"? Given the high education level in Encinitas, my comments assume an educated readership but it looks like I'm mistaken in your case. The best you can do are hit and run comments. Hopefully, most readers take your vacuous comments with a grain of salt. Proof I'm back.

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    10. My delete key works wonders.

      Poof!

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    11. Gaspar recused herself because the attorney is the same one they use. Glad she did it.

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  15. 11;46 AM

    "My delete key works wonders." Interesting. Your delete key only effects what you type. Maybe you mean it makes you (and your comments) disappear. If so, you are doing us all a great favor. So please hit the delete key and proof, you're gone.

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    1. 3:02 You don't know what you don't know.

      Here, let me help you:

      "You don't know what you don't know".

      BTW, my word is POOF not PROOF.

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    2. 7:28 PM

      Why I have indeed misspelled "poof". "You don't know what you don't know." In your case truer words were never spoken. I'll remember that about you. It's not your fault. You just don't know.

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    3. 12:46 I see no reason to waste my time on idiots. Words of advice: GET A LIFE.

      Last POOF. You are gone.

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    4. 1:25 PM

      As I said earlier, no originality. Sadly, the nonsense you write will continue I'm sure. Actually, I have too much of a life at the moment. So you've called me a moron and an idiot but you've still never demonstrated your "expertise" to justify your comments. You're just a first grader on the playground trying to bluff your way through. That's the quality of your so called arguments, besides "I'm rubber and you're glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you". I wanted to put it into words you'd understand.

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  16. Encinitas council selling out to the Mizels. On the parks and rec commission agenda - The Mizels want more, more. Proposed are two monuments with plagues that honor the Mizels name for their monetary contributions to the city. The monuments will be placed on the trail 15 in Encinitas Ranch close to Lynwood Drive. Doesn't the Mayor live in that neighborhood? Hail to the Mizels.

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    1. Gaspar lives on Lynwood Drive. What a coincidence.

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  17. Gaspar has the $tock$ $tamp of approval.

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    1. $tock$ seems to like all fake blondes.

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  18. Monday from 5pm to 6pm the Park and Rec master plan will be presented and this might be an opportunity, or the only opportunity, for the public to let them know how we feel about selling out our public treasures to the highest bidder for naming rights, a la the Mizels.

    Apparently their attempt to spread their name to OUR library is only the beginning for them. Show up Monday and have your say.

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  19. Once the Streetscape is done, I'll put up a gofundme page to collect donations to name all twelve roundabouts for Lynn.

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    1. Nah, better to alternate Fred and Marvy's names as the two lone Leucadia supporters of Cementscape. They'd actually appreciate it.

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  20. 9:21am. You just cannot resist the temptation to drag up a reference to Lynn if anyone criticizes the streetscam project. She is not the source and you should realize there is not a community majority in favor of what the streetscam as presently proffered. This is why the promoters would never allow the roundabouts to be voted on.

    I would bet there will be a community wide petition coming before not much longer that will be definitive in its condemnation of this current plan. Only then will you and your handful of supporters finally see how out of touch you are with the community's wishes.

    Please don't come back with the usual crappy response from we all know who. Some parts of plan are welcomed by most, if not all. Other parts, like the concentration of 5 or 6 roundabouts north of Leucadia Blvd. and only one south of that intersection, not so much. Convenience is the given reason. That just does not fly.

    If the true intention for the roundabouts is to moderate traffic flow through the whole 2.7 mile corridor, these would have been placed somewhat evenly. Since they are not even close to that in the current plan, just what legitimacy can their be with their locations beyond being convenient? Convenient to whom? The property owners on Grandview and the 101 who will be served with eminent domain to squeeze in a roundabout in their front yards?

    If the residents were allowed to have their say, this would go down in flames. The coming petition will be undeniable and those handful of supporters will have a lot to answer for.

    Again, this opinion is not against most of the Streetscapes plans for OUR 101 but there are some parts that will not be allowed if the residents can to have their say. A petition drive has become necessary since the handful of promoters continue to ignore the outcry and this will only grow as this election year progresses.

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  21. Thanks, 10:31. And we can alternately name each new tree after you and the 4 people against removing acres of concrete for the new canopy.

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    1. Canopy?? In whose lifetime?

      And if you think reduced parking and slower traffic from two lanes squeezing into one x5 will create anything but annoyed travelers, think again. And if you think an annoyed traveler is going to decide to suddenly stop and shop, think some more.

      I'll be signing that petition and encouraging Leucadia neighbors to do the same. And it won't be a hard sell, either.

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    2. I think we need a few roundabouts on La Veta.

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    3. I think we need a few on QGD, one at Lisa's corner, too.

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    4. It's not all about our lifetimes, 1:47, but it is about restoring the canopy the only possible way and that would be putting trees in the ground sooner rather than later (or not at all, as has obviously been the trend for too many decades).

      5 roundabouts within only 5 blocks has improved Birdrock safety, circulation, business and ambiance. They shaved 5 lanes into 2. But go ahead and sign a petition against roundabouts. Maybe you can get some more hazardous stop lights to go up and put everyone's safety, time, gas and money at risk while increasing air and eye pollution at the same time.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQki1Aecktk

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  22. 1:47pm You are correct sir and in the majority of the many who will be signing this petition, when it is presented. Turning OUR 101 into single lane traffic north and south will only exacerbate the bumper to bumper flow we have now.The roundabouts, along with the lane reduction, north and south, is a recipe for disaster.

    The few businesses who support this will be welcomed to breath deeply every day, if this is allowed to come into being, as it is currently planned, and the flow crawls from La Costa to Leucadia Blvd. The frustration this will bring down on the locals will not look kindly toward these few supporters. I hope this does not come true, because we all should respect these owners for being the longtime locals that they are. We all want to support them in every way can and need them to be there for our unique towns character we love and want to preserve.

    All one has to do is to have a look at the drawings and know this is not for us. Any who want a typical every beach town look along the corridor with the same frontal face design for every building, this plan is for you. For those who love unique individuality of our respected longtime businesses, not so much.

    The coming petition drive will be clear to all on what part of this plan is or is not acceptable to the majority. Most of this plan is welcomed by most residents so forget the stupid crappy response we always get from we all know who.

    The money is not there to go much further with this ill advised plan anyway and who knows when and where it will eventually come from.

    If streetscape really wanted to do something valuable for this community, they would do all they can to help trench and cover the tracks. That alone would solve so many problems and create more business opportunities along the corridor, which they should be in favor of, since these few are primarily real estate and developer based positions. Primarily, needs to emphasized, as we all know a few who are not of the developer mindset and wish them all the success we can generate for them . They are a treasure and we all want them to thrive, in spite of their misguided leanings to such a faulty plan. We love you all anyway, That will not be changing.

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    1. Thank you very much, but I happen to be a ma'am. You're welcome anyway and we are in complete agreement.

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    2. OMG Lynn,

      Stop. You are embarrassing yourself.

      1:47, 3:34, 4:41: all Lynn.

      This makes my day, actually. Pictuing Lynn calling herself "sir." Pure genius. No one could possibly see through that!

      Cue the obligatory objection from several people that all happen to write using the same literary style tropes that are easily identifiable.

      It was just a little joke; but the response is much funnier. Thank you.

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    3. Oh good lord Jerome, would you just dry up and blow away already? You are the longest-running bad joke in this town and everyone seems to know it but you. Or you could be Mikey. Same applies.

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    4. $tock$ is the area's Trump clone. A blowhard, with nothing to offer.
      Vote NO on A.

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  23. Trenching frees up all that land for other uses which would well offset the cost of lowering tracks. Land for commerce, parking, pedestrian safety, open space. Yet we have no vision or leadership running the show, against citizens will ta boot.

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  24. Thank you very much Ma'am and you are very welcome. Back at you fellow citizen.

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  25. 8:31pm could not be his lowness but very well sounds like A++ream. His lowness would not have been able to post and get the grammar correct. Mikey, on the other hand, does have that ability.

    Hey Mikey, none of these postings are from Lynn. Get a life somewhere else and spare us your vindictiveness. Your transparency is always easy to see. You don't need to sign your name to be recognized, the same as your buddy his lowness, J$ssssssss.

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  26. Wrong again 9:41 this is the second time you are mistaken.

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  27. 2:36pm I am sure I have been mistaken many other times in my life, so don't feel especially put upon, but the message of you and your twin minds couldn't have been more similar. Who knew Mikey had another mind bro out there? Sorry for you that you were mistaken for him. That is really a blow to any caring, aware citizen in our town.

    Now if you could separate yourself from the likes of this scum in your contributions here, you would be doing yourself and our community a big favor.

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  28. So that wasn't you trying to blame Lynn for postings that she had nothing to do with? If so, you were taking the same tract Mikey and his lowne$$$$$$$$$ and crappy are all well known for around here. If not, then good for you and kudos for not stooping to their level.

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  29. Hypothetically, how much would one have to spend to rename the city of Encinitas to "Your Name Here", CA? Mark Zuckerburg, CA? Starbucks, CA? The Burger King Library? Moonlight beach becomes "Qualcomm Beach"?
    No thanks, Mr Mizel. This type of philanthropy feels has too many strings attached. He should donate to the library because its the right thing to do.
    I vote for a nice painting of any kind family who donates significant money to any city building, hung prominently with a sincere note of thanks. But the Encinitas library should be called the Encinitas Library.
    Andrew Carnegie provided the funds to build over 60 libraries, not one of them is named "The Carnegie Library", they're all named after the city or borough where they're located. Makes sense doesn't it?

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    1. 10:03, Do you ever look things up, or do you just post as fact the things you wish were true?

      In fact, the entire public library system in the city of Pittsburgh is called the Carnegie Library:

      http://www.clpgh.org/

      Also see Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Hall, Carnegie Museaum of Natural History, and the cities of Carnegie, PA and Carnegie, OK.

      Closer to home, wealthy benefactors' names grace our hospital (Ellen Browning Scripps), and a park (Paul Ecke).

      It's fine to be opposed to sellin Ng naming rights of public institutions and assets, but please base your arguments in reality.

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  30. 10:03am. Spot on. There will be no ending of this practice of selling out our public treasures if this is allowed. Already this same family has convinced Park and Rec to approve of them adding some monuments on our public trails. This will still need to come before the Planning Commission and the Council for final approval. We still have a chance to save our public treasures from this newly instigated practice.

    Yes, I know we have the Maggie Dog Park and she earned it for her love and caring for animals. Bless her heart for that. The Barth fruitcase grove somehow ?slid by without public involvement. Apparently that has opened the door to what we are dealing with now.

    Memorials to those who have passed on and and have served our community with distinction have little opposition. The undeserving others, not so much and deservedly so.

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