Split Oceanside council backs Sunrise Powerlink
By: MARGA KELLOGG - Staff Writer
Nomination for deputy mayor rejected | ∞
OCEANSIDE -- The City Council on Wednesday got behind the Sunrise Powerlink, but it wasn't without some sparks flying.
The Oceanside council voted 3-2 to support the controversial 150-mile transmission line that would stretch from Imperial Valley to a new substation southeast of Interstate 5 and Highway 56. Mayor Jim Wood and Councilwoman Esther Sanchez voted no.
"To say we're going to support this project when we don't even have the impacts, that doesn't make sense," said Sanchez, adding that a public hearing should be held before the council took a position.
Wood said he wants to see the information in a 7,000-page environmental report on the project that is to be released in January before making a decision.
The $1.4 billion line has strong support from the region's business community, but has been heavily criticized by environmentalists. While the proposed route largely avoids Julian by looping north around the popular resort town, the path for the project's 160-foot-tall poles slices through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Ramona, Poway, Scripps Ranch, Rancho Penasquitos and Carmel Valley.
The vote directing city staffers to prepare a resolution of support for the transmission line came after a presentation by J.C. Thomas of San Diego Gas & Electric Co. The utility says Sunrise Powerlink, which will transmit electricity generated by solar, wind and geothermal sources to the area, is necessary to ensure the region has enough electricity in coming years.
Deputy Mayor Rocky Chavez, who brought the issue forward, stressed that the council's vote was not about a route for the transmission line.
"Everybody knows we need to get off fossil fuels," said Chavez. "The question is, how we do it? My position is we just need to be supportive of transmission lines."
Councilmen Jack Feller and Jerry Kern agreed that there is a need for alternative sources of energy, but noted that regardless of how it's generated, there has to be a way to get it to residents.
"I really believe we need a transmission line," Kern said. "How do you get wind power to your home? This is how you do it."
Also Wednesday, in what Kern described as "the opening salvo of the silly season," the traditional rotation to the deputy mayor's seat collapsed when Wood nominated Kern for the seat rather than Feller, who was next in line. Both Wood and Feller have announced they will run for the mayor's seat in November. Sanchez's seat will also come open.
"Next year will be a very complicated year," said Wood, explaining his decision. "There are three people up for re-election. I wanted to pick somebody who would be available while the rest of us are running. He (Kern) is involved in the community and I thought he would do a great job."
The title of deputy mayor carries little weight and is more ceremonial than a working position.
However, Kern declined the nomination, saying Feller deserved the nod.
"This is my first year on the council," said Kern, who was elected in November 2006. "The mayor's going to have to make a tough decision on this one. The only person I'll support for deputy mayor is Jack."
Wood then pulled the item from the agenda pending further consideration. If Wood cannot get the council to support his nomination for the position, it reverts back to the sitting deputy mayor, Chavez.
In other business the council heard the first quarterly report on the new Community Safety Partnership, created to coordinate resources in the fight against gang activity in the city.
After two meetings, the group has developed a structural outline and a set of priorities.
Wood said the partnership is on the right track, but wanted to make sure that members of the city's commissions are not left out. Feller said he wanted to make sure the group is kept at a manageable number of about 10 members, and Sanchez said she wanted to make sure all the neighborhoods are represented.
The council also approved a new game center with 18 coin-operated electronic video games in conjunction with a new Shakey's Pizza Parlour at 4141 Oceanside Blvd.
-- Contact staff writer Marga Kellogg at (760) 901-4067 or mkellogg@nctimes.com.
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Two Faces of just confused? wrote on Dec 20, 2007 12:22 AM:"To say we're going to support this project when we don't even have the impacts, that doesn't make sense," said Sanchez. It did not stop you from taking a position on the Orange County Toll Road Counselor. But it is fine to have it both ways, it worked for the Oceanside Airport so maybe no one will notice the inconsistencies of your votes.
Randy wrote on Dec 20, 2007 4:54 AM:The City Council members should fix Oceanside first. Then they should feel free to fix the rest of the world!
Pirate wrote on Dec 20, 2007 8:03 AM:When Sanchez, Wood and Mackin controlled the council, they had no trouble voting on projects without any background info or EIR. The most notorious was their vote to kill the RDO interchange without an EIR or even a staff report. Sanchez and Wood's argument on this matter is disingenuous, to put it mildly.
Wind Power is the answer, wrote on Dec 20, 2007 8:18 AM:Maybe the City Council can use all their hot air to power up some coastal fans.
Rick wrote on Dec 20, 2007 8:53 AM:Could Wood have looked any pettier about the Deputy Mayor appointment? Besides, why would Kern want it, he re-arranged all the committee assignments anyway. You don’t need the title if you have the power. If I was Wood I would watch out for Kern running for mayor instead of Feller, he is twice as smart and much more personable.
LOL wrote on Dec 20, 2007 9:10 AM:Oceanside polotics makes me laugh, all the finger pointing and such, they get paid a good salary ... for what they do ... LOL so glad I moved OUT of Oceanside before they change the name of the City ... nevermind they could never agree on a new name they would have to hire 4 or 5 differnt firms to do a study spend 2 or 3 hundred thousand dollars and still could not agree Woodsville or Sanchezland those work for me LOL
Powerlink not environmentally friendly wrote on Dec 20, 2007 10:54 AM:I certainly am glad that I don't live in Oceanside, where their council votes to support a project without ever seeing its EIR or without any investigation into where the sources of the power are generated for the Sunrise Powerlink. They sure look foolish in light of the fact that the energy that is to be transmitted, which is supposed to be from solar, wind, and geothermal. How about the sources are the new LNG burning power plants which are NOT environmentally friendly at all.
Up for reelection? wrote on Dec 20, 2007 11:44 AM:According to the mayor, he and 2 others are going to be too busy campaigning to do the business of the city in 08. Guess they don't want to be reelected?
Richard wrote on Dec 20, 2007 12:01 PM:The region needs the sunrise power link. If it is ever going to be built, it needs some support from local governments now. If the EIRs come in showing gross damage to the environment, the city can pull its support at a later date.c
Good Plan. wrote on Dec 21, 2007 2:26 PM:Powerlink not environmentally friendly wrote: Hey we are glad you don't live here too! Funny, you all don't have a problem with adding 20 lanes to the 5 and its environmental impact. Get your priorities in order we need all the power we can get.
Deputy Mayor is soley up to the Mayor wrote on Dec 21, 2007 11:03 PM:The Deputy Mayor is supposed to be the Mayor's right hand. He or she is supposed to assist the Mayor and be there to represent him whenever there is a reason the Mayor might need someone to represent him or her. This position should and is at the Mayor's discretion. It is up to him or her to appoint someone who he or she can trust to help with his or her duties. Why in the world should he appoint someone who is out to get his job? If Feller is going to run for mayor he should not be considered for the Deputy Mayor position. The mayor should be able to appoint someone he can rely upon and trust and that is not a political thing it is just the way it is. Quit crying Jack, and let the mayor appoint his own deputy.
Deputy Mayor is Assistant to Jim Wood, wrote on Dec 22, 2007 7:35 AM:How petty this looks to all except those who blindly support Mayor Wood. He is showing us all what a petty man he really has become. The Mayor of Oceanside and the Deputy Mayor each have one vote and their own individual voices on the Council.
Denis wrote on Dec 22, 2007 2:58 PM:The Oceanside Council heard from SDGE, but they didn't bother to hear those who don't believe the Project is needed at all. So you didn't hear both sides and you made a decision. sounds like you were really informed on the subject!
Go Nuclear wrote on Jan 1, 2008 12:53 PM:"Everybody knows we need to get off fossil fuels," said Chavez. "The question is, how we do it?
Simple – Have SDG&E Build a few large Nuclear Reactors right in Oceanside!!
Obviously, the Oceanside Mayor feels it’s ok to poop on everyone else instead of fixing his own city problems first.
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