Hey Einsteins wrote on Aug 29, 2008 5:39 PM:Just drive around the city some Saturday, with at least one eye open, and observe the folks you see and hear! Spanish-speaking Hispanics(poor), homeless(poor), tattoed meth heads(poor), ganster types(poor), folks driving pink-stickered beater cars everywhere(poor),ILLEGAL's standing at Quince & Mission (poor)(although these aren't part of any census). Now drive to Poway or RB. See the same demographics? Of course not.
Escondido, the maintaining it's title as 'The armpit of north county'!

izzy wrote on Aug 29, 2008 6:43 PM:what does it take to make you people understand.......we are practically built out.......the last big project was san elijo,and that is almost done....we are going to below 2002 home values.....and for the past 9 years I have known all along that this housing boom was nothing more than high way robbery.....ask the people in our government ...they knew too....now they juist want to blame each other!

izzy wrote on Aug 29, 2008 6:47 PM:obviously, einstein is either prejudice or ignorant or both....we are built out.....our government allowed us to build out faster....with these arm/no doc loans........which everyone knew was a disaster waiting to happen!

Old Timer wrote on Aug 29, 2008 7:19 PM:Escondido is only the beginning of a trend a long time in the making. When the 2008 numbers come out most cities will be in decline, except for the wealthier cities. I guess trickle down economics is not trickling down anymore, but just staying up at the top. Look at retail stores and more folks are shopping at WalMart except for the Tax Break wealthy that are still spending when they want on what they want. Those that thought that trickle down would keep coming down during rough times, just don't know their history. This has been tried before with the middle and lower classes always getting the table scraps. Escondido is just the beginning... so get use to it.

Marilyn wrote on Aug 29, 2008 7:40 PM:Councilmen Sam Abed and Dick Daniels, who make up the council's economic development subcommittee, said they are confident the city is still on the right track when it comes to raising incomes.
They said higher-income residents will arrive in Escondido as soon as several upscale condominium complexes planned for downtown are built, and when some high-end office buildings near Interstate 15 fill up with tenants who pay high salaries.

===========================
Hey Fellas,
The good paying jobs were all sourced out.High - end ,Escondido? That's laughable & a really sad statement.

Median income ,it's POVERTY !
Increase in other cities?
answer...they left Escondido and took their income with them.Higher & lower.This place is a ghetto.


VOTE these ...out.
VOTE NOV.2008

Whats that Sound wrote on Aug 29, 2008 8:05 PM:A pin dropping at Abed-Gallo re-election headquarters.

Scooter wrote on Aug 29, 2008 8:39 PM:Whoa, all you guys trying to pin the blame on Abed and Gallo (you missed Waldron, by the way); these are the folks fighting to make this town better. But, no, we can't try and eradicate the multi families in a single family home, or try to enforce street parking, or enforce existing codes and laws without being labeled "racist" or "profiling" in Escondido!

Next, throw in Mayor Lori who caters to the low income (read multi family, non tax paying, day labor, etc. types), and Olga Diaz, who wants to promote more of the same (promoting a certain ethnic group in general) and you think that will change the face of Escondido (for the better?)?

Thank God for Abed, Gallo and Waldron, or this place would be reporting an average income of zero (since the folks dragging down the average are mostly working, and living, under the radar)!

Pretty easy to see where the real blame lies........

Vote no on Prop T wrote on Aug 29, 2008 8:56 PM:OK, property values are down.

Income is down.

And the High School district wants to float a 98 million dollar bond - payable over 44 years?

Someone needs a reality check.

Vote NO on Proposition T. ...

Not my place wrote on Aug 29, 2008 9:28 PM:Escondido is the place to be for poor and low income. Calling it "armpit" is most descriptive and adequate. I refer to it as Mexidido. It is infested with drugs and crime. The poverty is starting to branch out to other areas.

Concerned wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:02 PM:If the Council wants to attract educated high wage families they need to look at the schools. There are a few decent elementary schools but the middle and high schools are a mess. People want their children to have the best education and Escondido just does not offer it.

Also, a few more officers (30-40) would help. The City is way behind in that department.

Gary wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:22 PM:Abed,Gallo,Waldron need to GO! they had their chance now they might lose their jobs. They should of cared when it mattered. Escondido is short of everything and no money! but wait in their defense the illegal immigrants gave them the bad ideas. Abed has nothing to worry about he can work full time at his gasoline station..Waldron you can be manager and Gallo assistant manager

to Hey Einsteins wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:23 PM:Unfortunately you are right. But don't say those things too loud otherwise all the PC correct liberals will wave the pathetic racist card at us. Sometimes the TRUTH hurts but it is the truth. When this city removes the welcome mat for ILLEGAL's and improves the public school system the high-end employers and higher wage employees will want to live here and rasie the median household income. Until then, this city wil remain the infamous ARMPIT of the county!

Jeff wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:25 PM:Just another part of the Bush/Cheney legacy, the decline of the middle class.

concerned about concerned wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:53 PM:There are plenty of high-wage families who live in several upscale neighborhoods in Esondido. Public schools everywhere, yes everywhere, need to improve, but Escondido has its share of graduates going onto the finest universities anywhere. Your expressed concern about needing 30 or 40 more officers belies the continuing and significant decreases in our city's crime rate. Know it's easy, if not fun, to denigrate our community, but you're missing the target. Bloggers who continually dis Escondido as a ghetto, armpit and other things are as much a barrier in attracting high wage families as anything mentioned in these blogs.

To Scooter wrote on Aug 29, 2008 11:09 PM:Scooter, first off you are not fooling anyone with your “name”.

Secondly, you write that all us guys are trying to pin the blame on Abed , Gallo & Waldron. No. We are not trying. WE ARE! We ARE BLAMING these three!

Third, you write “these are the folks fighting to make this town better”. Nice try with the “folks” word usage. The “folks” – ha – more likely the power crazed control freaks they "appear" to be. Just doing whatever willy nilly. Costs – who cares?

Then you write, “But, no, we can't try and eradicate the multi families in a single family home, or try to enforce street parking, or enforce existing codes and laws without being labeled "racist" or "profiling" in Escondido!” BUSTED!!! “Scooter”, YOU have revealed yourself. Excuse me Scooter, BUT WHO IS the “WE” you write about??? What do YOU have to do with these “efforts”???

And to confirm your thinly-veiled attempt to camouflage your true self, you start to badmouth Mayor Pfeiler and Olga Diaz. Again, your arrogance has betrayed you!!! How so? Well, brainchild…you refer to the Mayor as Lori…only one close (in a working sense) to her would do so! And you are also famous for trying to put down women!!! As IF you are superior!!! HA HA HA. I think you would cry like a little baby if you ever had to really answer for yourself!!!

And then you go on about Thanking God. Pretty Sick! Man, YOU seriously NEED some COUNSELING!!! You are so out there and you are PARANOID!!! One in Four, huh?

There is no doubt that the “efforts” of SAM ABED, ED GALLO AND MARIE WALDRON have DONE MORE HARM TO ESCONDIDO then anyone could have ever imagined!!!

NO DOUBT – VOTE ABED & GALLO O-U-T ... OUT, OUT, OUT!!! RAH RAH RAH!!!

Wheres the Beef wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:19 AM:Where's the Beef? Sam didn't want to go on record with a quote? Dick didn't want to possibly have to eat his words later. What a JOKE!! What a pipe dream! What condos that are going to be finished - do they mean the Paramount (the one sitting gathering dust for nearly two years) or could it be the Barrett-American project on 2nd (you know the one that just got repossessed by the bank, as Mick Pattinson sits in London)? Are those the condos that are going to sale and attract all those high wage earners? PIPE DREAM!! And what are all these office buildings? As our economic development committee, fumbles for answers and loses business after business after opportunity after opportunity - our city falls deeper into debt, our sales tax revenues are down and now our median income is down. And finally someone has acknowledged (thank you David Garrick) the fact that Escondido's problems are not only the making of a depressed economy!!! Hallulujah!! And of course, the grand plan of our economic committee "representatives" is banking on the unbankable. Because we all know, people will fall over themselves to live in Escondido!! Falling over themselves to buy in Escondido. Maybe these supposed economic representatives are so involved with the HYPE that building more houses and condos are "just what Escondido needs". Hello. Read the General Plan...read the part about economic development...this pretend committee has done EXACTLY what the GP advises against. BOOOOOO. You get a BIG FAT "F" for your efforts and your vision!! Hoping there's a change in guard in the very near future.

To Scooter wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:22 AM:Scooter, first off you are not fooling anyone with your “name”.

Secondly, you write that all us guys are trying to pin the blame on Abed , Gallo & Waldron. No. We are not trying. WE ARE! We ARE BLAMING these three.

Third, you write “these are the folks fighting to make this town better”. Nice try with the “folks” usage. The “folks” – ha – more likely the power crazed control freaks they appear to be. Just doing whatever willy nilly. Costs – who cares?

Then you write, “But, no, we can't try and eradicate the multi families in a single family home, or try to enforce street parking, or enforce existing codes and laws without being labeled "racist" or "profiling" in Escondido!” BUSTED!!! “Scooter”, YOU have revealed yourself. Excuse me Scooter, BUT WHO IS the “WE” you write about??? What do YOU have to do with these “efforts”???

And to confirm your thinly-veiled attempt to camouflage your true self, you start to badmouth Mayor Pfeiler and Olga Diaz. Again, your arrogance has betrayed you!!! How so? Well, brainchild…you refer to the Mayor as Lori…only one close (in a working sense) to her would do so! And you are also famous for trying to put down women!!! As IF you are superior!!! HA HA HA. I think you would cry like a little baby if you ever had to really answer for yourself!!!

And then you go on about Thanking God. Pretty Sick! Man, YOU seriously NEED some COUNSELING!!! You are so out there and you are PARANOID!!! One in Four, huh?

There is no doubt that the “efforts” of SAM ABED, ED GALLO AND MARIE WALDRON have DONE MORE HARM TO ESCONDIDO then anyone could have ever imagined!!!

NO DOUBT – VOTE ABED & GALLO O-U-T – OUT, OUT, OUT!!! RAH RAH RAH!!!

bryan wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:22 AM:1) get the 40,000 illegals to leave town.
2) double the size of police force to eradicate gang violence.
3) Then wait 2-3 years and escondido will be like san marcos or carlsbad.

Citizen Jane wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:44 AM:It will take an awful lot of will and the courage to deal with the ACLU to make positive changes in Escondido. It has become a bonafide sanctuary city by default. Look around - if you like what you see - ignore the coming election. IMHO we are at a crossroads.

Bill wrote on Aug 30, 2008 4:33 AM:Then let us be labeled!!

Bill wrote on Aug 30, 2008 4:34 AM:As far as a few more officers...Would that get the ones being paid now to start doing their jobs?

Susan wrote on Aug 30, 2008 5:13 AM:Thanks to all the complaints and cries of racism, our city council cannot control the amount of poverty and multiple familes living in apartments and homes all over town. Poverty and the high number of illegal's are destroying our town and schools. Why would people with money chose to live around this? I travel to towns up north and it's like being in a differnt world and you remember what towns should be like. Especially nice is that these towns and businesses have high standards and are spotlessly clean. Something you just don't find here. A good example is the sidewalk between Major Market and Traders Joe's. It looks like it hasn't been cleaned in at least a year and the chairs out front of several business for their customers are just disgustingly dirty and sticky.

Take Responsibility wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:22 AM:Even though they might like to think so, city council reps aren't in control of very much. The way we all live, work, shop, recreate, invest and even think goes far beyond city boundaries now, and this is true for everyone, rich or poor, because the "choices" we have reflect a globalized economy (read the labels - China, Dupont, High Fructose Corn Syrup!)in which faceless yet highly protected corporations rule the day.

What's a small city to do? It's pitiful to believe great employers will go anywhere because of a BUILDING. We're barking up the wrong tree. What is sorely lacking in Escondido's today is imagination! Folks can reminisce about how things used to be, or quake in fear about how things seem to be now...but the fact is, life wasn't ever and isn't ever going to be easy, perfect, agreeable to everyone, and easy to understand, much less control. What people in a city CAN do is bring people together around positive ideas. Right now, our city council troika is falling victim to heading the "bad news club." Their world view is old news. But the talents or failings of elected leaders can only do so much for us. What are YOU doing to make Escondido a better place?

Rocket sc wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:52 AM:It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that this town is turning into a third world town.

Daniels wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:52 AM:says we need more high paying jobs. While he is the one who pushed to eradicate Escondido's Research and Technology Center (hundreds of acres set aside for high paying jobs) in favor of moving the hospital out of downtown to that site. That move eliminated thousands of high paying jobs. Way to go. Councilman Daniels was hired as a marketing consultant by the Palomar-Pomerado Hospital to push the deal. Mayor Pfeiler sat on the PPH board as Treasurer. Thanks alot.

Upward Mobility wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:53 AM:Our nation has championed education because people rejected by Europe's elitist and rigid social system fled here to find a new way. Schools helped colonial and then pioneer communities literally set down roots and make way for the future. Nowadays, school districts consolidate for "efficiency," and it's hard for consumers to know who to believe - teachers' unions, politicians dabbling in education policy, or our own children, who don't seem to be getting what they need.

On the down side, let's not forget that this Council let High Tech High slip through their fingers and go to San Marcos, and the parcel on Ash and Washington they were valuing so highly sits empty. On the up side, some people brokered a program with CSUSM and the Chamber to guarantee all Escondido HS graduates university enrollment if they do their part. The HS district says it has 1000 more kids than they have room for, but I'm unconvinced we need that bond to solve the problem. It would have been cheaper to let the acclaimed HTH help relieve the pressure, if you look at the big picture.

President Bush's No Child Left Behind has made schools all about testing, which tells us what we could have guessed - schools serving families with every challenge in the book do worse compared to middle and upper-income kids. And the State of CA wants every high schooler to know algebra but won't pay for it.

Oy vey, it's enough to make you want to join the ranks of homeschoolers, or move to a cabin in the woods.

Back to reality. Escondido can do WAY more to make itself known as a community that values education. Not just with K-12 public schools, but with dynamic charter schools, libraries, active internship, vocational, and volunteer programs, more private-public partnerships, and everything we can think of.

It's 2008 - can you see how the world is changing? Let's hold our elected officials and our district bureaucrats to a standard even higher than testing or counting noses. What do children need NOW? What skills and knowledge will they need with this world we are giving them? Are we willing to work hard to meet these needs?

"Falling median incomes" is but one measure of what we know in our hearts: we can do far, far better in Escondido than we are doing.

Citizens of chamber wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:21 AM:We at the Citizens of Chamber want to increase the median income by supporting businesses and candidates who want to increase the median income: Sam Abed and Ed Gallo. No baristas for Escondido.

Sow what you want to reap wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:30 AM:The problem is that those of us already living in Escondido who make six figures aren't too keen on spending it here. The city needs to attract more upscale retail and restaurants. They need to stop floating bond measures every year. They need to take a more pro-active stance to eradicate gangs and stop the outreach that encourages illegals to swamp our hospitals, schools and social services. They also have to realize that not many high income people want to live in a condo above a noisy retail store or restaurant and certainly families don't want to raise children there. High income don't buy their cars here, don't eat in restaurants here, don't buy clothing or household goods or even use the hospital, PPH in Mexcondido because we don't feel safe enough. Until those problems are addressed, the city will only attract more low income illegals. If you keep building low income houses, that is what you get, low income families...

to the three stooges wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:36 AM:is time for them to go. a lot of people had left our city because the hate that continues growing here. thanks to the stooges we have minutemen bulliying our residents. with so many check points the police doesn't have time to police the city.
we need a fresh start.
no more stooges!!!

Outside Escondido wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:46 AM:I sit outside Escondido and wish it was different. It has the possibility of being a charming and prosperous city, but it has always been misguided. Misguided by a few who sit in power and blame, blame, blame the other. Stop blaming each other and accept some facts. Escondido is a bedroom city. Escondido has a large, large population of latinos. Escondido is divided by seperate neighborhoods that don't recognize each other. Why and how this happened are not as important as what to do about it. Keep your seperate neighborhoods but work for a common good, just like the States of the United States. Latinos need to clean up their own - get rid of the gang, macho attitude within your own people; stop the population growth - it is only leading to less for more; assimilate in all ways. Nothing wrong with being a bedroom city but find out what works for that type of city. Follow the example of other bedroom cities - Santa Monica is one - copy the 3rd Street Promenade and put the downtown to use as a money maker. Open up the use of the Performing Arts Center to popular, money making use. Recognize that you are the gate way to the Wild Animal Park, Indian Casinos, and many, many other North County tourist attractions. Do these things without getting hooked into the elitist idea of a few hooty tooty, well connected city council wanna-bees. Thes are simple, old fashioned, no nonsense, middle class, hard working ideas and you just need to do it.

Deanna wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:17 AM:Why is this a surprise to anyone living here?

To concerned about concerned:
"There are plenty of high-wage families who live in several upscale neighborhoods in Esondido."
If this is the case, I wonder why it didn't show an increase rather then decrease. (how many is plenty?)

I agree with the statement that we need to be more positive in improving this city, but at the same time you can't live in a bubble (or perhaps high attitude) and deny the fact that Escondido is pretty run down for a city.

Without an increase in revenue (paycheck) which brings profit to the business folks (buy) which in turn brings money to our city you have what?

You have those that "take and not give", you have substandard living conditions (3rd world) because this is the way they are used to living...henceforth, it brings down a city to their standards and not our's. So, who wants to move here? More of the same (3rd world.) Perhaps they can live in the upscale condo's (see below)

"They said higher-income residents will arrive in Escondido as soon as several upscale condominium complexes planned for downtown are built, and when some high-end office buildings near Interstate 15 fill up with tenants who pay high salaries."

Historian wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:26 AM:Rocket sc, as is the whole country. Our days are over. Remember the Greeks, Romans, British and all the others, everything comes to an end. Read "White Lotus" if you want a view of the future. To all of you who look for and buy "Made in China" instead of "Made in USA", you are to blame. Or just look outside at the car you drive and you will know who's side your on.

Old-timer wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:45 AM:Two words: White flight

Concerned wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:47 AM:To concerned about concerned:

I speak with first hand knowledge on both issues. Do you?

Dont blame wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:11 AM:it on our city council. They are trying their best to keep this city from turning into a third world city. Take a look at Olga and Bill Flores who are trying their best to protect illegals. Look at Flores who is against deporting illegal criminals and check points.

To concerned wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:40 AM:Better believe I do. In more ways than one.

to Wheres the Beef and To Scooter wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:49 AM:Both blogs sound as if they come from the same poster, specifically the Chamber of Citizens lady who CAPS all the words she wants to shout and uses exclamation points instead of period. Calm down, take it easy and wait for the meds to kick in. Civility is a lost virtue that we need a lot more than people shouting at each other via a stupid blog network on a late Friday night or Saturday morning.

Poor Schools wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:08 AM:A few words in response to Dick Daniel's & Sam Abed's comments about high-end housing. As long as the Escondido schools remain far inferior to other local districts (eg Poway, San Dieguito and others), no amount of high-end housing will bring high income, young professionals either with children or planning to have a family to Escondido.

We have lived in Escondido for almost 20 years, and our children attended the local public schools. Despite its many attributes, with the current state of the school district, we would never consider living in Escondido if our children were school-age currently. Additionally, many of our business partners with school-age children did not even consider Escondido when purchasing their homes. Good schools are the single most important issue for young families. They were discouraged from considering Escondido by real estate agents, primarily because of the school system.

Our two adult sons, both UC graduates, are the the process of purchasing a home. Unfortunately, despite having strong ties to Escondido, they are looking elsewhere. Their desire is to gain equity in the home, which under current conditions is less likely here

edu Kate wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:19 AM:To Upward Mobility - Yes! I agree with everything that you posted. The council and the district need to work together. The median income has been slipping in Escondido for the last several years. Schools are packed and bursting at the seams. NCLB is a disaster specifically to communities like ours. Because of this legislation, parents are moving their children out of their local school and transfering them across town to the "better" schools. Why? because they are afraid that their children will not be given the same oppertunity as around the corner. Teachers and schools are suffering because of this thought process. If our highest ranking city officials in both council and district are doing this and supporting it through NCLB legislation then "left behind schools" struggle to keep up their own rank and standing. When families leave a school because of a low "API", it hurts those that remain. What does this teach our children?
We are built out here in Escondido and we need to work with what we have. I have seen San Marcos zoom past us here in Escondido over the past 20 years. Outwardly, them seem to be going places and visually they look stunning. We are being left in the dust folks. Let's put our schools and education first! Let's respect education again after all, if you're reading this, you can thank a district as well as the many teachers who supported and believed in you from K 12th grade!

To Outside Escondido wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:32 AM:Thanks for posting the first rational comment on the thread. Remembering who we are and playing to our strengths is absolutely the way to go.

To Dont Blame wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:43 AM:Good point. Do not forget that Olga Diaz is against the checkpoints too.

Give this city wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:47 AM:a few more years and like New Orleans we will be known for having nothing but gang infested low income projects which include illegals. She will do nothing to correct this infestation if we elect Olga. She sees nothing wrong with the city harboring illegals.

The Three Stooges wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:53 AM:I would like to annoint three new strooges who are responsible for the low income mentality: Olga Diaz, Lisa Prazeau, and Bill Flores.

Deanna wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:56 AM:Bryan: How do you propose getting the 40,000 illegals to leave?

and, Susan..."our city council cannot control the amount of poverty and multiple familes living in apartments and homes all over town."

The city council does have 'control' over mutiple families living in apartments and homes, they are considered 'codes' set down by the city. fire codes for one, that limits how many people (and animals-different code) can live in a residence. They also have building codes which limits the add-on's and the conversion of garages into living spaces. There is a reason for such codes but, the city has turned there backs to enforcing such codes..I tell you its going to take one big house fire where 20 people die and the city gets sued then perhaps they will wake up and enforce the codes on the books.

Its all on paper wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:08 PM:The median income in Escondido has not dropped! The incomes of the past several years wear exaggerated because of the housing market and the ease of securing a home loan. Now people who can't keep up with the lifestyle they burdened themselves with are reverting back to reality. This, in the hope of a bailout of their current situation.

Spend it in Escondido wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:16 PM:Save 20 million dollars and convert the Palomar Medical Center into the new hotel that the council thinks it needs downtown.
Then the people will have to walk down Grand Ave. to (and from) the Arts Center, spending money at the stores along the way. Hire only the local homeless and illegals to run the hotel.
PROBLEMS SOLVED!

Poor Schools wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:46 PM:I think it is instructive to contrast Escondido with Poway. Everything from the city name to the natural terrain favors Escondido. 20 + years ago, Poway was considered borderline desirable, ranking behind other local communities. Poway's leadership recognized the importance of a top-notch school system, which has been instrumental in Poway's resurgence, also benefitting the other communities such as Rancho Bernardo and Penasquitos that are served by Poway Unified.
The more recent migration of families to the Carmel Valley region has been fueled by the excellent schools. We personally know several families that have left Escondido over the past few years, some even taking losses on their homes, to get their kids out of the local schools. The situation has worsened over the past several years, and continues to do so, based on local school performances and rankings. The future for children is difficult enough without the added burden of a substandard education. The city can attempt to be the arts and cultural center of North County, but this is just window dressing and will do nothing for the long term viability of our community.

Hey Einsteins wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:28 PM:In another year, before my kid starts high school, I'll be moving out of Escondido, along with my above-average household income, down to RB or Poway. They have good schools and safer communities. High quality school districts and large ILLEGAL Hispanic communities are mutually exclusive! They do not co-exist. Same goes for median household incomes. Large Hispanic communities equates to a low median income. Escondido is now something like 54% Hispanic. So guess what folks- the median income has dropped accordingly. That is not racist, just total FACT.
Thanks to or mayor for doing nothing to curb the flood of ILLEGAL's here. I am leaving and can't wait.

The Schools wrote on Aug 30, 2008 2:07 PM:Have to agree the schools turn families that care for their children away. And this is not the fault of the school administrators. The fault is the CITY COUNCIL's. They are the only ones that have the power to bring change. They have to take steps to stop the residential overcrowding. They have it in their power to stop the parking in yards, the living in garages, the inundation of parked vehicles in the streets, all of which foster the residential overcrowding. And what are they CONSIDERING? How about legalizing expanded front yard parking for people that already have garages and driveways. Mailing out 50,000 FREE UNSOLICITED PERMITS for parking in the streets to people that already have garages, driveways, and parking lots for their vehicles. WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?

Flatus wrote on Aug 30, 2008 3:01 PM:All hot air talk at election time.

Citizens of chamber wrote on Aug 30, 2008 3:13 PM:We at the Citizens of Chamber (all four of us) want to improve the median income for all legal citizens. Therefore, we encourage people to vote for candidates who care about median income: Sam Abed and Ed Gallo. Thank you and stay classy Escondido.

Happened Last Night wrote on Aug 30, 2008 3:16 PM:True story. A friend and business owner who currently resides in Vista is looking to buy a family home.

This morning I had a text message from him... "Call me asap"

He was visiting with friends last night in Escondido. They went to a pub to listen to entertainment and socialize.

Later they went to a local taco shop where he, and his girl friend companions were confronted by two Charger shirt wearing hispanic males with bandanas covering there mouths.

The "gang bangers" aggressively confronted my friend and he insists that they were spared assault or robbery by luck (divine intervention) when a couple of car loads of hungry taco-eaters showed up in the nick of time.

That's why business owners and high income people aren't coming to our city.

By the way, he needed to talk with me because he is urging me to move out of Escondido immediately with my family.

And no he didn't call the police (I wish he had) but he was so freaked out that he hurried back to the freeway and vowed to not return to our City after dark.

True Story. And I'm planning to take his advice.

Hey the schools wrote on Aug 30, 2008 3:26 PM:The problem schools that serve the communities where there are parking problems, people living in garages are, for the mosts part, experiencing declining enrollments. So, the problem isn't the number of kids in those classrooms, it's the fact that they are not fluent in the language of instruction. Somehow, someway, that's the fault of the five saps on the City Council. Gotta be. Can't be the federal government that doesn't enforce immigration; can't be the state government that forbids local governments from restricting the number of occupants in a house. So, it's gotta be the local politicos who we run into at the supermarket. Yep, they're the guilty ones!

Dont Forget wrote on Aug 30, 2008 5:04 PM:about Escondido Charter High School and K-8 Heritage as an alternative to the traditional Escondido public schools. There are quality schools in Escondido, but the school district doesn't want anyone to know about their competition for the same tax dollars.

Just remember, the city council decided NOT to sell the Washington/Ash property to High Tech High thereby forcing them to San Marcos. Nice job. I guess the $98M bond was a better way to get a small high school.

to To Wheres the Beef and Scooter wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:25 PM:The lady you refer to in your post happens to be my wife and I don't appreciate the tone of your blog. Don't sit there and lecture about civility and in the same breath tell her to "wait for the meds to kick in". I know the real deal with what's going on here. You have been blogging in under my wife's name, falsely blaming her for every anti Abed and Gallo posting here, and doing everything you can to disparage and spread false information about the group she works with. And then again, you have the nerve to blog in about civility. If you don't like her politics, fine. Post with that and I have no complaint. But you've taken a direction in your blogs that as a husband, I'm not going to stand for. You feel the overwhelming need to defend your compatriots, fine, you can blog in against me, my name is Kurt. Have fun with it. If you choose otherwise then I may choose to return the favor. P.S. My wife is completely capable of defending herself, don't misinterpret the purpose of this blog.

Too busy to work wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:28 PM:The city council and city attorney have the authority to enforce ANY state law.

taxpayer wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:21 PM:So many suggestions for bloggers to take meds.Personal attacks here are like compliaments to me.Politicians go personal when you've got them by the short hairs.They cannot stand on the facts because the facts show what bad managers they are.
Bloggers are not up for election.
Bloggers didnt ruin this city.
Politicians posing as bloggers are desperate.
Time for the politicians to put down their egos,stop lying and face facts.
L O O S E R S your body of "work" in this town has been documented for years.
Gallo & Abed are up for re election in NOV.2008 VOTE them OUT.We will VOTE the rest out NOV.2010. It will take time to clean up the mess they have all created.So let's start NOV 2008.
UNITED WE CAN ROCK THE VOTE ROCK!

Mr.ED wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:23 PM:Too busy to work
[-] wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:28 PM:The city council and city attorney have the authority to enforce ANY state law.
=================================
Unless it's the City of Escondido's Council & City Attorney.They believe they can "adjust" the laws to suit them.

to kurt wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:27 PM:The violent tone of so many blogs, including the ones I referenced, show an usual level of let's say, "passion." That said, I'll defer prescribing medications and take your lead and say that I don't like the politics inferred in that blog. The problems the city faces cannot be answered in one sweeping move at the ballot box, sir. It takes a common understanding of the social and economic issues that get swept under the table come election time when all we read is Vote Nov 08 and out, out, out. I know the challengers -- good people all -- and I know the incumbents, equally good people all. Calling people morons, the "three stooges" is equally detestable as suggesting somebody should get off the meds, wouldn't you agree? So, your defense of your wife is commendable, but what you said should apply to those who denigrate other people by calling them stooges. I'm not involved in this campaign -- and, sir, I have never blogged in by using your wife's name. Somebody out there's doing it, but it isn't yours truly. In the end, all of us need to keep this in perspective -- this is just a network of stupid blogs.

What wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:53 PM:What violent tone? Read the blogs again, "Yours Truly".

It's called PASSION.

To Scooter wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:58 PM:To "Scooter" (is that like a little bike)?

Anyway, "Scooter" you need to go back and read your first blog.

Take a look at the comments and especially note what you had to write about the mayor and the things you write about her and her agenda.

Then...practice what you preach. Hypocrisy...at its worst!

wade wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:22 PM:If i could sell my house i would leave today. I agree escondido is not a place to be at night. Actually not a place to be at all.

Question for Bryan wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:47 PM:I like the guy who said that Escondido would "become just like Carlsbad."

Where are they going to install the beach?

Escondido wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:48 PM:It wasn't this bad 10 years ago. And it wasn't this bad just four years ago. Instead of getting better it just got bigger. Thanks for nothing. I hope things will turn around.

Susan wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:30 AM:To those who say there's no upscale shopping/eateries etc in Escondido they are correct. Before any business moves to a particular location, they look closely at the median income and demographics of the area. Ours are not good and won't warrant upscale anything.
I would love to spend more money locally if possible. As for the schools, more classroom space at any school level does not solve the problem of english speaking childen being in a classroom where 90 percent don't speak english. Just as a new hospital will not prevent an overcrowed emergency room with 90 percent who don't speak english. At the very least we need to push for private schools to locate here. Maybe that would improve our tax base and keep the higher income residents that this town needs to support businesses and services.

Jaque wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:08 AM:Happened last night? WHERE?

WHERE DID THIS OCCUR?

Scooter wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:58 AM:Couple of things: "Kurt"; very admirable to stand up for your wife, but very short sighted to think somebody is blogging under her name. I don't know who you wife is, but if it is Lori or Olga, and if they pander to a certain group publicly, then they will get comments occasionally for their remarks. If you want to be the hubby in the public eye of these women, you better get used to it! With the current condition of Escondido, and the support for a certain group that both of these ladies give them, you need to toughen your hide!

To "To Scooter": Yes, you are very intelligent, a scooter is kind of like a small bike. Don't know why that is relevant, but very good.

As for my first blog, I stand by it. Mayor Lori (and, no, I am not part of her entourage, all of you who think so. I work in construction and was born in Escondido almost 49 years ago, so I have seen quite a few changes, and mayors) has a track history of buckling on all the hard points, and making Abe, Gallo and Waldron be the bad guys. If this City would enforce the current codes we would not need additional laws(street parking, increased check points, etc.), but Mayor Lori doesn't want to appear unpopular to a large group, so she defers the hard votes to the three who have some back bone. Since she hopes move on to a bigger political position, she is already starting to try and gain popularity with a larger voting group.

Sorry that I made some of you a little upset, but sometimes the truth hurts. Today it is hard to stand up for what is right some times, and not kowtow to the masses. Too bad some of you can't see that. Like the old saying says: "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything".

Wrong, or illegal activity, is always wrong, no matter what. Defending illegal activity will never be right, and probably never be popular either! Good thing this isn't a popularity contest, huh?

Concerned wrote on Aug 31, 2008 2:17 PM:To Concerned About Concerned:

I guess we agree to disagree. Time will tell.

Not Fooling wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:31 PM:Not fooling anyone with your fake names.

I'm done...you are boring and polarized and obviously uneducated and uninformed. Obviously!

Esco Local wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:40 PM:"[Abed & Gallo] said higher-income residents will arrive in Escondido as soon as several upscale condominium complexes planned for downtown are built, and when some high-end office buildings near Interstate 15 fill up with tenants who pay high salaries." BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA!!! I don't know why Sam and Ed keep saying that the condos are going to be finished "on schedule." I want them to be done, but it isn't going to happen until the housing market turns around. And even after City Council voted to spend $16 MILLION dollars of yours a my money, the hotel may still not be built. What a boondoggle.

Jaque wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:07 AM:""Mayor Lori doesn't want to appear unpopular to a large group, so she defers the hard votes to the three who have some back bone""

INDEED AND WELL PUT!

Mr.Potato Head wrote on Sep 1, 2008 3:49 PM:Using caps for those with eye problems.If you have a problem with me using all caps,take it up with the ADA.

* DO SOMETHING YOU CAN FEEL GOOD ABOUT *

* VOTE OUT THE OLD AND VOTE IN THE NEW *

* TIME FOR FRESH IDEAS AND MINDS *
****** NOV 2008 ******

To Scooter wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:12 PM:You are a riot! You are hilarious.

Let me get this: You want us to believe that you are (as you say): "work in construction and was born in Escondido almost 49 years ago".

Oh...sure. A forty nine year old CONSTRUCTION WORKER who blogs regularly.

Didn't your mother teach you it's wrong to tell fibs. Naughty Naughty.

And then wrote on Sep 4, 2008 11:22 PM:And then Councilman Sam Abed watched his platform & his boasting of "having raised the median income" GO DOWN IN FLAMES!!! Just like everything else he has done.....................