Floyd wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:44 PM:Are you really serious when you say Escondido has an "international" reputation for being a "bigoted, racist, unwelcoming place for people of color", or are you merely representing one of those pressure groups that needs attention because your funding has been cut? Do they even KNOW we exist in, say, Morocco?

HappyHomeOwner wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:46 PM:This is some of the best news about Escondido I've heard in a long time! Who cares if the "immigrant" population is declining. We all know it's the "illegal" immigrants that are leaving because the economy is bad and work for unskilled laborers is hard to come by. In the long run Escondido will only benefit by having less crime to deal with and a cleaner Escondido. I do not believe Escondido will miss the tax revenues, as the "legal" citizens have been paying the lion's share. Hey, maybe our schools will once again be back on top having less students and speaking "English" as the primary language.

Blame Game wrote on Sep 23, 2008 8:51 PM:People in our city blame the City Council for everything. We are in an economic crisis in our country, I guess that is the City Council's fault too! Seriously, if there is a decline in a certain population, it probably has to do with the cost of living. I wonder if certain areas increased in certain populations in San Diego. Probably not. The reality is, housing got EXTREMELY expensive in the past 5 years and with the rising prices of gas thrown into that, it makes it difficult for low income families to survive in San Diego county in general. People are moving out of the county or out of state... not because of our city council. We have a large population of low income families in Escondido resulting in a large group of people making changes in their lives to better suit their families.

Alex wrote on Sep 23, 2008 9:00 PM:Why would cities like Murrieta and Temecula exerience increases in the immigrant population? There's no jobs up there and the cost of gas to commute is so high. North County has much better access to good jobs and low cost housing. You need to check your sources.

chicano wrote on Sep 23, 2008 9:15 PM:it pisses me off when so-called latino activists think that they can speak for all latino people.

the checkpoints are the best thing Escondido has ever done to curb any future accidents involving drivers with no drivers licenses.

Orange Glen HS is now able to finally offer many more AP classes, something they weren't able to do when i attended 3 years ago. could there be a correlation between these two events?

What wrote on Sep 23, 2008 9:35 PM:Population declines,median income declines, highest forclosure rates in the county...What exaclty does the council see as a quality of life improvement? Fewer people = fewer dollars. And they call themselves a pro-business council?

artindido wrote on Sep 23, 2008 9:41 PM:Good job in Escondido

QT wrote on Sep 23, 2008 9:48 PM:Illegal immigrants, can we help you pack?

Want to pay even more taxes wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:08 PM:The high school district has a 98 million dollar bond, Prop. T, on the ballot.

The "projected rate" you will pay has not allowed for REDUCED population.

So, a lower population means we all have to pay more.

Oh, and please bail out the banks that made all these bad loans too.

Prop.T - not good for MY economy.

Escondeeter wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:08 PM:It's actually probably slightly to our benefit. Fewer people require fewer services, thereby reducing the cost of government. The reduction's in our favor, because lower income people require services out of proportion to the taxes they pay. Look for a slight increase in the per capita income next year.

Greg in Oceanside wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:15 PM:I agree with what Sam Abed has been quoted as saying. The City of Escondido is doing what other cities in North County should be doing; conducting illegal aliens sweeps, and traffic checkpoints to rid our communities of criminal illegal aliens, unlicensed, uninsured, and intoxicated drivers. If these sorts of operations affect illegal aliens, so be it. Our communities will benefit exponentially, and our quality of life will only improve.

The concern and focus for community leaders should be for CITIZENS, not illegal aliens. People shouldn't take what Bill Flores says seriously. He spews his rhetoric and continues to show his true colors. It's completely evident that Bill Flores is an open-border, illegal alien advocate, period.

As a concerned AMERICAN CITIZEN, I've had enough and can only hope these population changes are the beginning of the end for the hordes of illegal aliens that have invaded our communities, and hope more self-deport back to their country of origin in the coming months.

Economic_Downturn wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:20 PM:Doesn't it stand to reason that slow down in building and the tighter economy is a more likely cause for immigrants to leave the area in search of work to feed their families? Maybe the families moved to Temecula because they could buy more house and be closer to the Inland Empire's massive labor and manufacturing base.

I don't believe that checkpoints are soley the cause of the "mass exodus."

That should wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:38 PM:That should make the council majority happier than pigs in crap!

I can see them now celebrating the fact that the immigrant population has decreased! I'm sure they will have a big party.

It's a joke to have to read Abed's quote: "This argument that whatever the city does in terms of crime and quality of life is directed toward Latinos is absurd. It's unjustified,".

Out of the horse's mouth came the justification for the argument!!

I hope the rest of the population is not fooled by these statistics...the bottom line is PEOPLE are leaving because of the "under my thumb" type council we have.

Unfortunately, the housing market is in the toilet, so leaving (for those who wish to - like myself) is not possible. If I could sell my house tomorrow (without a loss) I would...just to get the Hell out of Dodge! I mean Escondido!!

Thanks to councilmembers like Abed...I have found this city to be undesirable.
And have found Abed & Gallo to be exactly what I don't want as a civic leader!!!

Do everyone a favor and vote for Barron & Diaz! Let's bring some civility back to this city, otherwise our population will continue to decline!!

Bryan wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:46 PM:NCT is crying because some of the 40,000 illegals in escondido are leaving. We legal residents are celebrating the good news that the rule of law is winning. All are welcome if they come in through the front door.

Reality wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:50 PM:If 9,000 immigrants moved out, that should raise the median income of the city!

bill wrote on Sep 23, 2008 10:54 PM:I bet all the illegals are going to the sanctuary capital LA or the other sanctuary city San Fran, woops i forgot that after an entire family was murdered by an illegal alien gang member that was shielded by San fran sanctuary policies san fran welcome sign is been put away for now. Maybe LA can request their citizens pay for all the extra bond measures to support illegals. With the illegals leaving this may just save of from paying 100 million in school bonds. This arcticle talks about loosing highway funds, but again we just saved 100million by not needing more schools for the illegals.

Not An Obstacle wrote on Sep 23, 2008 11:00 PM:Fewer of the types of Escondido residents Bill Flores refers to is NOT an obstacle for Escondido, it's a GOOD thing.
They contribute relatively little to the tax base since many work "under the table" babysitting, cleaning houses, etc. Plus, they use disproportionately more resources at the ER (no insurance), schools (extra language help & other services), and other social services.
If Escondido is trying to bring up the median salary, they should keep doing what they've been doing: weekly driver checkpoints, checking for illegal garage converisons, etc.!

b wrote on Sep 23, 2008 11:15 PM:This is actually good news. Keep up the good work, EPD. Oh, and someone tell Mr. Flores his assertion "...national, if not international, reputation of the city of Escondido as being a bigoted, racist, unwelcoming place for people of color" is completely off base. In fact, most people I know who live outside Escondido have a completely different view of Escondido, but I wouldn't want to write what they think here.

Escondidos reputation per El Grupo wrote on Sep 23, 2008 11:18 PM:Does this mean our efforts may be having an affect on getting illegals to leave Escondido? That's a positive step in pulling this city back from the ghetto it has become. In time, it might even become a nice place live again. If Esco has such a "reputation" as Bill Flores states, let it be known. Whatever it takes to get this invasion under control and clean up this city, do it. Keep up the driver's license checkpoints!

rsxguy wrote on Sep 23, 2008 11:56 PM:well when youhave illegals living in a city and they get spooked by the goverment enforcing the law after going for so long without your naturally going to have a population shift...this is what happenes when you cater and bow to these people they steal your city from legal citizens and when the heats on they ditch leaving the city broke....well good riddance and hopefully more will follow...its called an embassy and a visa...try looking into one of those itll cost you less then being smuggled and you dont have the added fun of being abused/raped/killed by your smugglers or having to spend your life looking over your shoulder for ICE....its really not hard to become a legal citizen

and Statistics wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:00 AM:This looks like another one of those NCT selective reporting exercises. The numbers come from the 2007 American Community Survey, which shows that the immigration rate slowed by two-thirds that year. Escondido has a high rate of immigrants, so Escondido would be more impacted by the rate reduction. Moreover, there were reductions in the number of immigrants in Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Oakland. I'm pretty sure none of those cities was covered by Escondido's rent ordinance.

Sorry, NCT, looks you've been caught trying to stretch the truth to match El Grupo's agenda once again. What's that old line about the three kinds of lies? Something about lies, other kinds of lies, and statistics.

Ray wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:29 AM:White Flight

Puzzled wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:45 AM:Did anyone miss the implication that the illegal immigrants are staying because of the free education? Did anyone miss that the current tax base hasn't really been affected by the loss of 9500 immigrants? Where's the opposing view that the loss of 8% of the population due to immigrants is a good thing? Where's the fair and balanced view that the City Council did their jobs and should be congratulated?

Is it insane to argue that pot hole revenues make a difference when the Escondido city limits and road mileage haven't really changed in decades? Must we always pull the race card?

Local wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:03 AM:It is a federal issue. Immigration across the country has declined. We need long-term residents who invest in the community more than transient populations. Abed says median income has gone up. It's all good.

Now Quiet Neighborhood wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:09 AM:I knew something was up! This summer, I was able to have dinner on the patio without annoying loud music blasting from 3 different directions.

99 cents wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:17 AM:Okay, so the sales tax revenue from the 99 cent store is probably falling from $5,000 last year to $3,000 this year. I think we'll survive.

Wow wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:20 AM:9,500 immigrants migrated away from Escondido. That is unbelievable! How is illegal immigrants leaving Escondido tied to the foreclosure crisis? Is the subprime mess and the trillion dollar Wall Street bailout tied to immigrants walking away from mortgages in Escondido?

More Declines in 2008 wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:27 AM:The foreclosure crisis did not hit until 2007. There will be more declines in the numbers from 2007 to 2008.

Bill wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:33 AM:If frequent drivers license checks results in fewer illegals, then have them all day long, every day of the week!!

UGHHHH wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:43 AM:All of the empty storefronts in downtown might also be the result of the nasty attitude of the City. Not only has the City made it clear that immigrants are not welcome, but they have created a widespread idea, for all people, that Escondido is not the place that you want to go to.

bad wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:43 AM:city financial woes means police and firefighters will start bolting to other departments due to lack of pay increases or maybe even a paycut like what happened in SD.

bogie wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:50 AM:This is good news as far as I'm concerned.

Good news for wrote on Sep 24, 2008 6:56 AM:school children and their parents bad news for teachers and their unions.

Scooter wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:17 AM:"Instead, the loss of population in Escondido is a result of City Council policies that target Latinos, said Bill Flores, spokesman for Latino rights group El Grupo. "There's a couple of factors playing into this and one of them is the national, if not international, reputation of the city of Escondido as being a bigoted, racist, unwelcoming place for people of color," he said".

Not true, Bill. I was born is Escondido in 1959, and I do not believe your statement to be even remotely accurate. Escondido, as well as most of the Country, is an unwelcoming place for illegal aliens, as it should be. America is not unwelcoming to anyone who comes here via legal channels and supports and abides by the rules of America, which the illegal aliens do not (as a whole).

If Escondido is losing a share of its illegal alien population, that is fantastic. If these same folks want to go back and enter this Country legally and come back, I will welcome them.

This has nothing to do with "people of color", Bill. You were a law man; you should know the difference between right and wrong. Shame on you.

Mike wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:31 AM:It's amazing how short sited and ignorant some people are. The cities policies are not racists or bigoted. They are only enforcing the law, nothing more. It doesn't target people of color, it targets ILLEGAL ALIENS. Nothing else. I'm as white as a person can be, I've been through the check points but, here's the thing, I had nothing to fear because I was not doing anything wrong or illegal. (Novel concept, isn't it) If Bill Flores was robbed and knife or gun point, he would certainly want the Escondido Police department to do something about it yet when people are here in the U.S. illegally and the Escondido police depart, in conjunction with federal officials, enforce the laws, he cries foul! Statements like that only undermines any credibility that he or the Latino groups might have ever had. It's almost laughable, to be honest. There's a great little fable, that's a perfect anology to this situation, and it's called "Peter and the wolf".

Mike wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:34 AM:cont....

And the worst part is now they are attempting to cloud the issue by linking these things to the local tax base. I'm waiting for the smoke and the mirrors next. "Noth'en up my sleeve! PRESTO!"

wow wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:45 AM:Come on guys/gals, I can't believe there aren't 900 negative posts on here yet. I need my morning laughter! Come on, step it up whiners!

Hmmm less wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:01 AM:people means less need for services, less people means less taxes needed to provide to the remaining people. I see no problem.

Poor Poor Mayor Pfeiler wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:17 AM:"Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler said the decline in population was not the result of any policy the council had passed. She said there was no clear reason for the drop in number of immigrants." If there is no clear reason for the drop in number of immigrants, why is she so quick to reject the possibility that the racist attitude of our City officials is not the reason. Escondido is well known for its bigoted policies and attempts to rid themselves of those they believe are the "undesireables", Keep it up people you deserve what you get.

CR wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:19 AM:Great news! Maybe the quality of life for the legal residents will start going up. The schools should have been enforcing the laws about enrolling legal students, whose parents pay the property taxes and other taxes that support them, in the first place. What happened to all that crying over "overcrowded" schools? Another problem is being solved! Now if the parking law will just go through and start being enforced, maybe we can clear out more of the problem.

this is great news wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:24 AM:Keep moving up to Temecula and Murrieta. We knew that was going to happen eventually.

because Alex.... wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:25 AM:Houses are dirt cheap up there and there are alot of lawns to mow and houses to clean.

Find out wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:38 AM:where this missing "population" went.

resident wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:41 AM:Really, the immigrants are leaving because of driver's license checkpoints?
How dare the city do that.
It's not like it's illegal to drive without a license or anything.

Do we want Lori wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:52 AM:Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler said the decline in population was not the result of any policy the council had passed. She said there was no clear reason for the drop in number of immigrants.

Lori! Pick up a newspaper once in awhile. Keep up with current events!

Bob wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:01 AM:How does the loss of people that can't pay the rent on their own hurt the local economy? The only ones who could possibly be hurt are the over-staffed, over-paid city and school district employees. Why not have a ballot measure requiring all public employees to reside within the boundaries of their employer. That would bring a lot of highly paid, big spenders to Escondido.

Great News wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:11 AM:I watched the border patrol get a immigrant (race withheld) this morning on Tulip and 9th... There is one less potential tax donor... But then again, there is one less potential rapist, burglar, murderer, welfare sucker on our city streets...
Weigh the odds, which is better for your family? More money, or safer people?

Grandmas wisdom wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:20 AM:This brings to mind an old saying "be careful of what you ask for, you just might get it!!!

Today We March wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:21 AM:Tomorrow we leave. Explains alot!

to Alex wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:23 AM:Once they are in Temecula they are past the border checks silly. And YES I am talking about the illegal immigrants.

To WHAT wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:26 AM:Check out the forclosure notices in the NCT. Most of the names listed are LATINO! Keep up the good work EPD we want MORE check points.

To THAT SHOULD wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:30 AM:I was born and raised in Escondido. I am almost 60 years old. I would NEVER vote for Diaz and Barron because they have no interest in representing AMERICAN CITIZENS. Gallo and Abed represent me and most of the people I know who are homeowners and taxpayers in Escondido. We are tired of the gangs and the way the illegal immigrants have trashed our town.

We have a GREAT City council and I would like to see Marie Waldron as MAYOR! Please keep up the sweeps and lets close down that crime riddled swap meet!

Dman wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:36 AM:Hallelujah! I love the headline of this article though! Soooo misleading! Less illegal immigrants is not a fiscal obstacle, it's a fiscal BLESSING! That's less uninsured motorists on the road, less non-taxpaying citizens, less uninsured sick kids in our Emergency Rooms, less students in overcrowded schools.

LET'S KEEP IT UP AND KEEP THEM OUT!

To El Grupo wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:41 AM:and La Raza, I say, things are not totally lost, YET! You still have Los Angeles and San Francisco as Sanctuary cities until the Feds cut off their funding. :)

Puzzled wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:43 AM:Why the inflamatory headline when the content of the story states "Whether the population decline translates to a loss in revenue for the City of Escondido is unclear"? This appears to be a fairly biased journalistic technique that gets a quick response from readers that don't take the time to read more than the headline and first few paragraphs of the article.

Very likely, for the employed tax-paying population, this will be good news and may put Escondido back on the radar screen when they are looking for a home to purchase. End result is a better tax base, less services for people that don't participate as fully in paying taxes, schools that can eliminate some of the classes needed to bring non-English speakers up to speed, and add classes for students that want to be challenged. There will be fewer hospital visits by uninsured patients and law enforcement can concentrate on something other than checkpoints and graffitti. Escondido might be on the rebound. I hope so - we've got a great City here.

Karl wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:50 AM:Get it right UGHHHH @ 5:43 AM, the city has made it clear that illegal aliens, unlicensed drivers, uninsured drivers, drunk drivers and unregistered drivers are not welcome. Your statement is racist and quite a stretch.

Happy Now wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:54 AM:Are Abed & Gallo & Waldron Happy Now?

They should be elated! The immigrant population has decreased. Not that the immigrant population is necessarily the illegal immigrant population, but just thinking about the possibilities must make the three goons happier than pigs in crap!!!

Are you happy now - Abed, Waldron & Gallo?

You have created such a stink (because Escondido is the only city in SD County to have illegals) that the bloggers feel free to talk about what a lower than low life illegals are (whether they are actually illegal or not).

And to the one that asked: Yes, people do know where & what Escondido is - people all the way over on the east coast! It's now embarassing to say one lives in Escondido!

Happy now? This is the supposed improvement in our quality of life.

One more thing: since the population has decreased so much, then why don't we have enough firefighters? (we're short 9).

I will continue to do as much of my shopping outside the city limits. I figure it is the least I could do...I wouldn't want my hard earned money going to a bunch of stereo-typical, blinded hypocrites!!!

ProudofCouncil wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:14 AM:I am proud of our Council for encouraging checking drivers in our City. Too bad the violators just happen to be illegal immigrants. I would much rather live in a smaller populated city where EVERYONE is legally here WHERE EVER they are from than live in a highly populated city with illegal immigrants. It is absolutely true that stats show when the illegal population decreases, so does crime AND the quality of life of LEGAL citizens INCREASES. Go home illegals - wherever you are from. You cost us too much...of everything.

Fools claim wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:24 AM:Escondido is racist for wanting to enforce American law??? I think maybe the whiners should move to Mexico they will be right at home.

CITIZEN AT RISK wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:24 AM:The numbers are skewed. They do not include the illegals that you can't catch to count.

Escondido needs to wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:26 AM:give a parade to Abed, Waldron & Gallo, for helping the American citizens to reclaim American land! My votes will be Abed and Gallo.

Cry Baby wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:52 AM:How does Bryan get the idea that the NCT is crying? Did he read the same article that I read? The article said that illegal immigrants are the ones who moved out of town. In my book, that's a good thing.

To Wow wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:58 AM:I'm aware of entire neighborhoods in Oceanside that are largely hispanic, where almost 1 in 5 houses are now bank owned. We checked out a few for investment, and in looking at the title, they all had one thing in common. Hispanic owners paid $300K+ for houses using sub-prime loans and 100% financing, resulting in payments between $3000 and $4000 a month when they adjusted. There's no way these folks could afford that.

So, it would make sense that if there is a high number of poorer hispanics, and this practice was as common in Escondido as Oceanside, that indeed the foreclosure situation would be magnified in these communities, resulting in the higher foreclosure rates, and perhaps the reduction in immigrant population.

As an aside, I really think that in many cases, hispanic brokers, representing buyer, seller, and lender, mislead buyer/borrowers, convincing them they could afford this, and providing inaccurate information to the banks about income. Because these buyers didn't speak english, every single bit of information they got about the transaction was funneled through these brokers, including all the disclosures explaining the loans.

Some might blame the banks for offering these programs (and rightly so to a certain extent, although they were pressured to do so to make home-ownwership "affordable"), but within this particular community, I think it was hispanics taking advantage of hispanics. There was a serious conflict of interest in these transactions, and the result has left theses neighborhoods looking like a "battlezone", with house after house up for sale, bank-owned, and vacant.

Confused wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:04 AM:"Finally, a population decline generally also means fewer students at local schools,"

Isn't this what Escondido needs? The schools are overcrowded.

To Happy Now wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:06 AM:Sound like Angry Diaz!!

LONG TIMMER wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:42 AM:It's not just the immigrants moving out.
I lived my whole life in Escondido(born during world war 2), went to Lincoln, Grant, Escondido High, city campus, and valley. I am not college educated but I am an employer of high skilled well trained and paid people.Been so for close to 40 years.Business in San Marcos. Good old Esc. was home, thought I would never move.
Do to declinning conditions I now live in Temecula.There are a lot of us up there.
Our old nighborhood is filled with Latinos, good people,hard working,pay there bills,and taxes,take care of there familys.
While the people are great, the cultures don't mix. We spent many sleepless night because of loud parties.
If you complain to E.P.D. you are told you are living in diversity,yes we could file charges, but thats no way to live in a neighborhood.
Temecula is quiettier, cleaner,I understand the english spoken,and their old town is booming.(if Esc. wants to know what to do with grand they might look north for ideas).
In my hart Escondido is still home,my mother is there and I visit often,A lot of things need cleaned up.Seems money is spent in the wrong places.
Sorry if my letter upsets you,sometimes you just need to let it out.

John E wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:05 PM:The entire county has been suffering for years under the load of unbridled population growth. A reprieve is probably a good thing.

toFloyd wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:09 PM:Yes, I recall hearing a story on the BBC regarding the legal battle to require apartment owners to screen occupants.
I easily found the online BBC story RE this.
I suspect NCT screens out comments with links or I'd drop here.

To Confused wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:10 PM:Yes, the high schools are overcrowded.

Consider this: Did the "immigrants" buy the thousands of new homes/high-end condos built over the last four years?

Or did the "immigrants" buy the homes of those "moving up/upsizing" their homes (you know the non-immigrants)?

My point: The immigrants (aka. the "pc" version of illegals) have not been the only cause for our schools being overcrowded. No. It has been a combination of overcrowded homes and too many homes built without the infrastructure to support it (like enough classroom seats & such).

I wonder if that helped clear up some confusion. I must admit, I suspect that you could care less. Prove me wrong.

To To that should edited wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:28 PM:So, you are almost 60 (everyone is “almost” 60 or maybe it's 49)...and you were born and raised in Escondido! Wonderful!

I am not “almost” 60 - I'm "almost" 20 years YOUNGER!! And I have lived in many, many, many states throughout the U.S. and I have visited many other countries.

It seems the difference between you and me is that I have lived in different areas & have experienced different cultures and have lived among many of different nationalities! AND YOU...well, you have lived in Escondido your WHOLE LIFE!!!

And now...that the Latino population is becoming "bigger" you are out of your mind!!!

As far as your BS about Barron & Diaz having no interest in representing American citizens…it is just that: BS!! (Hey...did you forget they both own businesses in downtown Escondido & Barron is actually English??)

You are obviously on the anti-illegal (at ANY COST!!) judge a book by its cover mantra bandwagon!!

You exaggerate about the illegals affects on our town. Our town has been neglected by its "leaders"...they can't enforce all the codes on the books, they waste money (like $18.9 mill for the downtown hotel), they cut services (nothing for the kids to do!), they cut non-profits & social services (less for the needy and elderly)... AND they have subjected all those innocent from driving violations and immigrant status violations to the increased enforcement to apprehend those that are guilty.

Now, many respectable CITIZENS in this community are tired of the stronghold, the chokehold Abed, Gallo & Waldron have on this city and its people! We would like nothing more to kick two of these "leaders" to the wayside in November!!

Many respectable CITIZENS in Escondido KNOW THAT BARRON & DIAZ do indeed represent the American citizen. Barron & Diaz are both very successful business owners and possess the true intellect and the true integrity necessary to represent a city of our size and population.

Many respectable CITIZENS in Escondido would NEVER – NEVER - NEVER want to see Waldron as Mayor. Many would sooner pluck their eyes out (a bit of an exaggeration, but they might think it). Besides…she’s always seems a wee bit uninformed on the dais.

And one more thing: if most of the people you know are represented by the likes of Abed and Gallo…well, then I can offer you this advice: GET OUT MORE!!

To to confused wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:29 PM:You are 100% correct, we could care less, as long as the illegals leave!

Joyful Noise wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:33 PM:I just love all the gleeful comments I'm reading here about the exodus of illegal immigrants. I read this article twice and what it says is "The Census Bureau defines immigrants as residents born in another country; it makes no distinction between legal and undocumented immigrants." Your blogs just prove this is all about race. So many times I have read blogs saying things like "we welcome legal immigrants" etc. etc. but as soon as you read this article it was "yippee the illegals are going away". That census number included hard working, tax paying, legal residents of the this country. Escondido deserves any cuts in revenue that result from the policies of gentrification that the city council has put into place.

All across America wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:36 PM:Richmond Police Crack Down On Unlicensed Drivers
Richmond Police say they towed away 18 vehicles Monday night from a driver's license/proof of insurance checkpoint. Officers conducted a checkpoint on Garrard Boulevard near Barrett Avenue between 5 and 6 p.m. Monday. Richmond police are cracking down on drivers without licenses or proof of insurance because of the many accidents caused by these types of drivers. Monday morning, police say an undocumented immigrant who was driving without a license or proof of insurance caused an accident in the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and 7th Street. Officers say the driver's SUV sped through a red light and hit a four door sedan head-on... But some in the community feel driver's license/proof of insurance checkpoints targets Hispanic drivers

Wait a minute wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:37 PM:In this article high school superintendent Ed Nelson says enrollment has "held steady" over the past two years. In another NCT article published Monday, assistant superintendent Barry Dragon stated enrollment may decline. Yet over the past few months I have received three mailings from the high school district whining about "overcrowded" schools and that they need a $98 million bond to filx it. Now it sounds like the problem just might take care of itself. Whoopee! That means they don't need more of our tax money. Vote No on proposition T.

Barney wrote on Sep 24, 2008 12:40 PM:Being a lawman means just one thing for certain. Someone gave you a badge and a gun!

to long timmer... wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:02 PM:oh yeah....Temecula is soo much better. Another shooting just happened. You could not pay me to live there an commute a million miles to work. Also, you live in Riverside County and that really sucks!

go to temecula... wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:08 PM:Hopefully they will all go to Temecula. They can afford a house up there because it is dirt cheap! Things have changed up there as you can see in today's paper...another shooting.

overtaxed wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:13 PM:sooo...Waldron Abed & Gallo can waste millions ,mismanage this city,give it a black eye across the nation and taxpayers like this?
Get real! This council allowed this mess to happen on their shift.
sooo some people left...so what.
A pigsty is still a pig sty.Lipstick or not.
look at the deficit -$9.8MILLION
we dont need a parade for any council member...we should be kicking them to the curb in one of the parking problem neighborhoods.
VOTE NOV 2008
Goodbye Abed Gallo
*** GAG ***

I disagree ... wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:13 PM:with the post above. I know Diaz and she is a bitter angry woman and she does not support the checkpoints. Who wants that kind of person to run our city? Please...we are trying to clean this city up and she will not help. As for Waldron being the next Mayor..BRING IT ON! Most of the hard working folks in Escondido feel the same as me. Get the scum out and let's make this city what it used to be.

thank you thank you wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:16 PM:thank you to the Police Chief, Gallo, Abed, and Waldron. We are reaping the awards from all your hard work. Keep going!!!

Hatch wrote on Sep 24, 2008 1:35 PM:It seems that attacks against Waldron, Abed and Gallo are campaign speeches and little else. After all, they were elected by a majority of voters.

It was said: "Many respectable CITIZENS in Escondido would NEVER – NEVER - NEVER want to see Waldron as Mayor." And yet, evidently, many did.

What was also said was: "You exaggerate about the illegals affects on our town." And yet, we have slums, barrios, if you prefer, in which reigns a "diversity" of opinions about what constitutes a decent front yard. This is also where the definition of "law" is different from so many "respectable" CITIZENS.

So, it would appear that the majority of CITIZENS are not "respectable" people. It was, after all, this same majority that put Waldron, Abed and Gallo in office. It could be said about these respectable people that they have exercised their right, by the ballot, to live in a city where laws were respected and a culture is protected.

That culture of which I speak is a "respectable" one.

Having just returned from a trip to the east and gulf coasts, I can report that there was not one person that knew of Escondido and had anything negative to say about a city's efforts to promote a safe haven for its citizens. Yes, the city has come into the focus of many Americans. Many look at us as courageous.

Delusions of Grandeur wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:05 PM:And we're supposed to believe the census. When's the last time an illegal alien filled out something that would equate to a census form?
Flores only says international because yes, they know about Escondido in TJ. Whoopdedoo. It's still one of the brownest communities in SD County, case in point, the new Vallarta supermarket who runs primarily out of Ventura decides on finding an area of SD in a city that has a concentrated Latino market....who could that be? Well, good old Mexcondido of course.
I'm not bashing illegals or Flores, I actually am a Native Escondido Latina myself and frequent the above store mentioned, all I'm saying is the census is wrong and dont believe everything you read.
Abed insults our intellligence by saying none of his proposals are targeting the illegal populus. Gallo is about as sharp as a marshmallow and Waldron, while she has done positive things for the city appears to be an elitist crony of Sam and Ed. I dont want Diaz or whatever the name is of the ones that find every reason to stump for office--I'd like to see a native Escondidan from humble origins who doesnt see skin color as a problem or a crutch. Know anybody like that?

bogie wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:30 PM:wow @ 7:45 AM:

You can be part of the problem or part of the solution. Which do you choose?

bogie wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:40 PM:Well, Happy Now @ 9:54 AM, since you take your sales tax outside of Escondido to make a statement why not your rent/mortgage payments also and the whole kit and kiboodle?

If you do not support local efforts to rid our city of illegal immigration and the problems that come with it, I suggest you move to a local municipality that is more in line with your thinking.

Peace to you.

drivin buzzin wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:45 PM:The flight of illegals is only great if you're some bigot convinced that they're the root of all evil/problems. For business minded people, it's an alarming concern. If you own a business, you're going to make less. If you own property, it will drive down rent prices. So cheer all you want. I think the surrounding cities with increased growth and prosperity will appreciate it.

bogie wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:48 PM:To To that should edited @ 12:28 PM, Is there anything that you can agree on with me? I am against illegal aliens entering our country illegally. Once in our country all people should and will be treated with respect. Are you for an unabated tsunami of illegals being allowed to enter our country and once here become citizens? Simple questions. a yes or no will suffice.

bogie wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:51 PM:overtaxed @ 1:13 PM, everytime I read one of your posts I want to GAG. Quit using this blog for political gain Olga. We are not as blind as you may think.

Karl wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:04 PM:drivin buzzin @ 2:45 PM:

Please explain further, you lost me. I do not believe for one moment that illegal aliens are the root of all "evil/problems". I own my own business and I am not the least bit concerned that illegal aliens are fleeing Escondido, quite to the contrary. I now might be able to compete on an equal footing. You see, if everyone in my business hired legal citizens at the wage the job deserved, we might even have fewer mortgage failures.

What the heck is your point? We should all welcome illegal aliens with open arms no matter the number or affect? I say we could be a lot more effective if advocates like yourself would march on Mexico's capitol and demand fair wages for their citizens.

No Bogie wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:08 PM:No Bogie. I am not for the "unabated tsunami of illegals...".

No. I am for our federal authorities and our border patrol seriously stepping up enforcement so fewer illegals enter our country.

The difference between you & me "bogie" is that I do not see the "unabated tsunami of illegals..." that you "see with your eyes"!!!

I leave it up to my federal represenatives to come up with a better plan to curb the illegal flow. Also, I leave it up to my federal representatives to come up with a better immigration process.

It seems "some" people are intent on trying to enact laws that are intended to address federal issues - if the local & state levels feel their resources are strained because of illegals....then those same people should be hounding the federal officials for action - not punish anyone & almost everyone (visitors too) within their city in an attempt to correct a federal problem.

As far as "all people should and will be treated with respect". Now, that's a campaign speech if I ever heard one. Oh sure...just as they are now. Can't agree with you on that!!

To Drivin Buzzin wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:25 PM:Lower apartment rent? Ship them all out TODAY!!!!

To To bogie wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:30 PM:To bogie @ 2:40pm:

Would if the housing market wasn't in the crapper. Did you miss that part?

Also, I do not support the council's efforts. I do not support legislation (like the rental ban) that everyone & their dog said was gonna end the city in court - and it did! Do I support idiotic legislation? No. But, you do - peace to you.

Would I spend $350,000 dollars for a stupid parking ordinance thinly disguised as a tool to get rid of illegals? No. I wouldn't enact a parking ordinance to deal with overcrowding. But, you would, I guess.

Do I support legislators that take pay raises for themselves, get a $9,000 a month gas allowance and at the same time cuts services and department budgets? No. I do not support legislators such as this. But you do. You are a big Abed Gallo fan.

Who cares about the financial pit our city is in...just as long as your councilmembers fight a federal fight to stop illegals (an impossible dream).

And your councilmembers want to rid the city of ALL the graffitti (another impossible dream) and also have a color palette for all the houses in Escondido (wouln't want no brightly painted homes in Escondido - it wouldn't "look right").

As cities all around us grow and prosper, Escondido's council majority has all the focus on illegals (because we all know Escondido is the only city in SD County with illegals - right?).

Peace Out!!!

bogie
[-] wrote on Sep 24, 2008 2:40 PM:Well, Happy Now @ 9:54 AM, since you take your sales tax outside of Escondido to make a statement why not your rent/mortgage payments also and the whole kit and kiboodle?

If you do not support local efforts to rid our city of illegal immigration and the problems that come with it, I suggest you move to a local municipality that is more in line with your thinking.

Peace to you

Happy Halloween wrote on Sep 24, 2008 3:46 PM:Just the thought of Ogre Diaz on the council is frightening.

Citizens of Chamber wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:49 PM:We at the Citizens of Chamber (all four of us) think that Ms. Prazeau needs to blog under fewer names. How many do you have on here Lisa? Stay classy.

ABOUT TIME wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:12 PM:"Latino activists said recent moves, such as frequent driver's license checkpoints, discourage immigrants from living in the city." GOOOOD!!!!

Peter wrote on Sep 24, 2008 5:56 PM:We need more check points, keep up the outstanding job of taking law breakers off our city streets.

Over There wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:16 PM:Floyd (first entry above) asked if people far away know of Escondido. Answer: some do. I do, for one. I live about 12 hours away by plane and Escondido's fierce reputation as an anti-immigrant city has come to my attention. The population decline may well indeed be in part a product of the city's reputation among immigrants. The idea can't be dismissed out of hand though more study is needed. As for those say "good riddance" to the immigrants I say: 1) caution: more study needed to see to what extent this is true; and 2) shame on you for thinking that you're worth more as a human being than certain groups you assign to a lower rung of the ladder. I believe there's a name for that. I wouldn't be proud of tossing around remarks like "help them pack". Is that what your fair city is all about? If so you folks deserve a whole lot better. I like Escondido and I hope it will one day be a more welcoming city. That would certainly help improve its image.

Escon-dude wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:22 PM:Some criticize Olga Diaz for seeking political gain on this blog. These very people are the ones seeking such gain by though insults such as suggesting she's unfit to serve. Well, time to get out of the gutter. You know the lady? Pretty classy, knows her stuff, wouldn't make a bad city councillor. You can argue policy if you like but don't say she isn't competent, that's off the wall.

Alex wrote on Sep 24, 2008 7:43 PM:To BECAUSE ALEX:

I used to live in Temecula and let me tell you, it was not cheap. The high property tax base, the extreme heat and high price of gas forced me to move back to San Marcos. I paid less for my house in SM and without the high cooling and commuting costs. I'm saving money and spending more time with family. There's high unemployment in Southwest Riverside County and I doubt they're able to afford a gardener. You mentioned cheap housing- you'll find it in San Jacinto, San Bernardino and Barstow. You can buy a house there for $70k! Your statement is without base.

bogie wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:11 PM:"$9,000 a month gas allowance", right. Are we stretching the truth a bit?

Don't campaign here Olga. None of your opponents are.

Members of the council wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:25 PM:We the members of the council (the ones lacking cognition) have run out of ways to try to spin this thing in our favor, so we will now resort to calling people names and putting down non-profits.

We the members of the council "majority" know we have failed the good citizens of escondido and know we can never make it up to the good people.

We the members of the council can't figure out why our tax revenues have declined more than any other city in SD County.

We the members of the council will never admit that we are targeting illegals, even if we have said it in public numerous times.

We the members of the council...uhhhhhhh.

Oh Bogie wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:39 PM:Oops. My bad. It's $9,000 a YEAR per council member.

Let's see if the IRS reimburses mileage at 58.5 cents per mile...our council members would each have to drive 15,385 miles a year to justify that $9,000 gas allowance.

I hardly think the council (except Pfeiler) are putting 15,000+ miles...they drive from home (in Escondido) to work (city hall in Escondido). I think this is a nice fringe benefit for the council.
Don't bother trying to defend their trips to SD...they get paid for those meetings (just as they are paid to sit on all the subcommittees which they are assigned to once on the council).

P.s. I'm not Olga. Why so infactuated with her? I am just an resident who is sick of Abed and Gallo and Waldron...if I told you my name...then you would address me by such while bashing everything I have to say. My name is not important...my message is! What's your name Ed, Sam, Marie or Paul?

Greg in Oceanside wrote on Sep 24, 2008 8:50 PM:"Over There" doesn't seem to grasp 'what' has happened to Escondido over the years, and how hordes of free-loading illegal aliens have changed the 'landscape' of the city for the worse and run many neighborhoods into the ground.

The quality of life has eroded, schools are overcrowded, and enormous resources are devoted (at taxpayer expense) to teach English Language Learners. Escondido Unified has some of the lowest performing schools in San Diego county, with a majority (close to 60 percent) of Latino boys dropping out and not graduating.

The infrastructure has been overburdened and Palomar hospital has illegal aliens showing up in the emergency room for free medical care. Homes and apartments have multiple families living in them, putting a drain on water, sewer, and electrical resources. The streets in overcrowded neighborhoods are packed with too many autos and trucks. Unlicensed, uninsured, and illegal drivers use the roadways, thus endangering law abiding citizens. (Traffic checkpoints have taken many off the streets and there's been a noticeable drop in hit-and-run accidents.)

Gangs and crime is rampant in many areas that were once nice. Immigrants play loud music at their parties and don't care how it affects their neighbors.

The business climate has changed and cheap 99 cent stores, Mexican markets, and taco stands have popped up. The swap meet is like Tijuana.

So, the good people/citizens of Escondido are at a point where they're elated to see these 'immigrants' leave, and hope their community can begin a period of rebuilding.

To Greg wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:21 PM:I have a sock with your name on it.

MJ wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:28 PM:Adios amigos!! Finally it looks like some policies are having an effect. It is one thing to embrace a multi-cultural environment -- we have always done so in southern California, witness the names of our cities, roads, streets .... it is another thing to look the other way as a neighboring third world country off loads its undereducated, semi-skilled masses upon us. Blame does not lie with the good people who migrate, it lies with the dysfunctional, criminal infested and corrupt government of their homeland.

20000 more wrote on Sep 24, 2008 9:59 PM:and I will feel a tad bit safer. I notice walmart seems a little less congested these days too.

LossOfSituationalAwarness wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:07 PM:ESCO will after time be on the map for forging the path for the everyday action hero. The entitled elitist are getting displaced and headin to cheap riverside county to be close to LA work HELLO! Sorry consuela and javy...actually NO me no sooorie. Wow the vacant signs on Mission are epic..

To 2000 More wrote on Sep 24, 2008 10:25 PM:What are you doing at Wal-Mart? Taking up space?

Eugene wrote on Sep 25, 2008 2:33 AM:Has anyone thought that maybe it's not the case of 9000 immigrants leaving the city, but the case of illegals doing a better job hiding from authorities (census bureau agents included)?

Curve ball wrote on Sep 25, 2008 3:20 AM:If this is based on census figures, we need to take it with a grain of salt. I'm lily white and my family goes back almost 400 years in this country. I haven't heard squat from the census since moving to California over 20 years ago. Lies, damned lies, I tell ya.

Local wrote on Sep 25, 2008 3:47 AM:Socal will always be a place where people want to live. Period. Those who are deciding the precise location and take quality of life seriously, do their research. They check schools, business climate and various other pertinent demographics. How many do you think decide that this is the place because we are a sanctuary city? Really! Who wants to deal with this mess?

EXCITED wrote on Sep 25, 2008 3:49 AM:It's about time! Less illegals means more jobs for the people that deserve them....ya know, like the legal ones!!!

Tell your international buddies we don't want them either!!

They are doing wrote on Sep 25, 2008 7:23 AM:license checkpoints across the country, why? Because Escondido has proven they do work.

Really Bad wrote on Sep 25, 2008 7:47 AM:Okay folks, lets try real hard, put the anti-illegal rhetoric aside for a moment and think about this. This is not good for the city. A nine percent drop in population is going to have very negative repercussions. Most importantly, state funding will likely be reduced by a comperable number. Like one writer above said, if the people who have left were all from the lower economic strata, then median income should have gone up, but it didn't, it's gone down. Also even if every one of these people who left was an illegal that is less money being spent in Escondido. Yes, illegals spend money too. So with the downturn in the economy we can look forward to a drop in retail sales