From climate change to road widening

Benefits of fixing climate change

You think? North County Climate Change Alliance presents Dr. Tom English, a Carlsbad lecturer and scientist and Rolf Dorp, Alliance grass roots organizer discussing the benefits of fixing climate change.

They’ll be at the Escondido Public Library’s upstairs Turrentine Room from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23. It’s open to the public and free.

Planet on fire.

“Sponsored by The North County Climate Change Alliance, as well as the Escondido Chamber of Citizens, the meeting’s discussion will address a range of topics drawn into public consciousness by the ongoing developments in climate change,” said Frank Henry-Reyes, event publicist.

Added Roselva Reyes, another Alliance member: “The combination of scientific understanding and grassroots organizing is exactly what we need to face the overwhelming challenge of climate change.”

For more information, call (760) 536-2228 or visit North County Climate Change Alliance, Avocado cities chapter on Facebook.

Annual State of the City Address

It’s that time of the year apparently as Escondido Mayor Sam Abed takes time out from his campaign for San Diego County District 3 Supervisor to deliver his Annual State of the City address.

It’s scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 24 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido Conference Center.

Escondido Mayor sam abed.

Co-sponsored by the Escondido Chamber of Commerce, the event begins at 7:30 a.m. with an optional breakfast followed by the program at 8 a.m. The program will include awards to outstanding community volunteers as well as the great address.

The optional breakfast is available for $20 per person. To make your reservation for breakfast, please register online at https://www.escondido.org/state-of-the-city-address.aspx  or contact the City Manager’s Office at (760) 839-4631.

The deadline to reserve breakfast is 5 p.m. Friday, February 19, 2016. Persons wishing to attend the program may do so at no cost, if they are not eating breakfast.

If you would like information about sponsoring a table, please contact the Escondido Chamber of Commerce, (760) 745-2125.

Widening East Valley Parkway and Valley Center Road

The Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians has agreed to boost its financial contribution toward widening a 3,000-foot segment of East Valley Parkway/Valley Center Road to $800,000, the city of Escondido announced Monday.

The project, which carries an estimated $9.7 million price tag, is designed to mitigate traffic issues stemming from the Rincon Band’s expansion of Harrah’s Resort in Valley Center. The roadway — which changes names between the city limits and unincorporated county area — is the main route to the hotel and casino.

Bo Mazzetti, chairman of the Rincon Band, said there is normally a wide gap between calculating the fair share of funding, and actually mitigating traffic problems.

“We funded the extra amount needed to make the improvements because we wanted to solve the problem sooner rather than later,” Mazzetti said. “Our government has a vested interest in traffic safety because we live on these roads.”

The project will bring three lanes in each direction between Beven Road and Lake Wohlford Road.

The bridge over Escondido Creek will be widened to accommodate two through lanes in each direction north of Lake Wohlford Road, according to the city.

Construction will also include curbs and gutters, streetlights, landscaped medians, new pavement and traffic signal modifications. Construction is expected to begin in the late summer or early fall.