La Jolla meets its new county representation La Jolla’s new county representative, Supervisor Ron Roberts, introduced himself at the LJTC meeting and answered questions from the public and trustees regarding his position on county issues affecting La Jollans. He emphasized transportation, air quality and health issues as key specialties of his administration. “I’m an architect by profession so I like to build things, and at the county now, we have more construction going on than any other local governmental agency, certainly in San Diego County and maybe in the state,” he said. “If you look at everything that’s under construction or about to begin, its well over half a billion dollars in construction, and it’s county dollars. We’re able to do this within our own budget.” He highlighted several of the county’s upcoming projects, including a light-rail line servicing UCSD and UTC shopping center, a women’s jail in Santee slated to begin construction early next year and a waterfront park from Ash to Grape streets downtown. “We want positive outcomes and we work for positive change, and I will put that record up against anyone, anywhere,” he said. Some of those measurable outcomes from past initiatives include a decrease in child obesity in San Diego from a larger “Live Well San Diego” initiative, and improvement in air quality despite a larger population and greater number of cars on the road. “In San Diego the air quality is better than it’s ever been since we started measuring the air quality in the 1950s,” he said attributing the change to the quality of automobiles, the way Californians do business and restrictions that protect air quality. “California has led the world in dealing with air pollution. Nobody — no state, no province, no country anywhere — has done what California has done and I feel good about that,” he said. Despite his successes, he said there is more to be done. He emphasized thinking outside the box to assure the county can provide the best quality services in the most efficient and effective way possible. “I believe passionately in the stuff we are doing,” he said. “This is not the end. This is the beginning.” News from Bird Rock Bird Rock Community Council president Joe Parker announced local infrastructure projects in the Bird Rock community that will be taking place over the next few months. “We currently are under way with six to eight miles of replacement of existing sewer in residential areas. Right now, the project is primarily commencing on Chelsea Avenue and will be going through other neighborhoods,” he said. “So far it has been going smoothly.” The construction schedule is available on the Bird Rock Community Council’s website, www.birdrock.org. In addition to the trenching project, the city has agreed to fix intermittently working crosswalk lights, underground utility poles and install a drainage ditch in front of Pace Realty to prevent ongoing flooding in the area. Unleashed pet parents in the dog house Parker also announced the occurrence of unleashed dogs at Calumet Park is on the rise once again and causing a public safety concern for visitors of the park. “I’m a dog owner, a dog lover and one of those that used to take my dog to that park unleashed all the time,” he said. “Unfortunately over the years, the incidences of unleashed dogs have escalated to the point of a public safety issue. It’s destroying the grass and it’s creating a problem for those who want to come down there and enjoy the park.” Recently, a pregnant woman was knocked over by a large dog in the park, he said. She was not injured. The incident, however, has brought the issue of unleashed dogs in the park to a head. “Neighbors are coming out in droves and complaining about fighting among dogs,” he said. “The situation, quite to my surprise, got a little bit out of control. Depending on what day and time you go down there, it continues to be that way.” Parker said at least one person has been cited at the park. “Unfortunately, in addition to our continuing public outreach to ask people to be responsible, the police now have been engaged because of the public safety issues,” he said. “I hate to be the deliverer of bad news and I certainly don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade, but we do have to respond to the public safety issue. So I hope that people will act a little more responsibly in the park.” New trustee praised for community involvement Five-year La Jolla resident David Woo was sworn in as a LJTC trustee at the board’s Nov. 10 meeting. Woo was praised by trustees for his community involvement in LJTC projects including the Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival, SunSetter, charity poker night and Shop Local, Shop La Jolla program. Woo said he hopes to make some “serious contributions to the village” over the years. Trustee candidate can be La Jolla’s ‘Hispanic link’ Secretary Sonia Marie Olivas introduced Yolanda De Riquer as a trustee candidate for the LJTC. “I am always trying to do something for the community,” de Riquer said. “I’m willing to cooperate with any event that’s here that can help us in the community. Besides that, I can be the link with the Hispanic community, which we have a few of here.” De Riquer has worked for the U.N. in Mexico, owned a business in La Jolla, and organized fashion shows for underprivileged children in Tijuana. LJTC Gold Member blossoms in La Jolla Michael Oleata, this month’s LJTC Merchant Gold Member, introduced his business Bridget’s Blooms, a flower and garden shop named after his wife and co-owner, Bridget, located at 1055 Torrey Pines Road. “What’s most important to my wife is the relationship we have with people coming in,” he said. “My wife is obsessed with quality and making people happy.” The indoor-outdoor children- and dog-friendly shop has a front and side garden, ample parking and a colorful décor in a “beautiful and unique location,” Oleata said.