Caption This

I tried, I got nothin'. That is a really awkward vignette. Mayor Jerome Stocks with his hand out, Deputy Mayor Kristin Gaspar excelling at her singular contribution (smiling) and James Bond in an inexplicable position. Mark Muir is behind the scenes somewhere, his preferred position.

Andrew Audet wrote in the Coast News last week about this day our mayor was selected, saying:

"The Encinitas city council super-majority recently appointed council member Jerome Stocks mayor. Some 75 percent of the residents in attendance stood in silence and turned their backs to Mr. Stocks when he was selected. It was a powerful community commentary, but not surprising, as Stocks and the council super-majority have had a history of seemingly turning their backs to the needs of residents."

Snap! Now that you are fully focused, a reminder that the first city council meeting of 2012 is in two days, Wednesday, January 11, 2012. This week's agenda you ask?

Presentations by San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and Stellar Solar regarding SDG&E's Phase 2 General Rate Case (solar user rate increase) application before the California Public Utilities Commission.

Public Hearing of an appeal filed by Phil Fischman regarding the Planning Commission's approval of a Minor Use Permit (MIN) to allow the total area of all accessory uses onsite to be greater than 1,200 square feet.

Discussion of the County Department of Environmental Health's Closure Report regarding the level of pesticide found in the on-site soils contaminated by pesticides and the related health impacts associated with the remediation plan approved by DEH for the City Ventures 19-unit subdivision at 1492 Hymettus Avenue.

Spoiler Alert. Encinitas citizens have every reason to be vigilant regarding:

1. Public Utilities justifying increased rates.
   
2. City Planning Staff's interpretation of land use for individual property owners and city council members perspectives and interest. Consistency is not either groups' strength.
3. No amount of scientific data seems to guide ultimate council majority voting.

These are based on empirical evidence and has no relationship to the specific facts, people or presentations scheduled for this upcoming meeting, Wednesday at 6 pm. This will not be a meeting to turn our backs, 2012 will go down in local history as the Awakening.