Chelsea was on a run near Rancho Bernardo Glassman Community Park when she disappeared.

SDNR Commentary

The untimely death of Chelsea King has touched the hearts of everyone. I didn’t know Chelsea, but her story is very personal to me since, like Chelsea, I’m a runner. Going on a run was Chelsea’s last known act.

On Thursday, Feb. 25, Chelsea parked her car at Rancho Bernardo Glassman Community Park and left for a run through the picturesque trails in North County. Five days later, her lifeless body was found in a shallow grave near Lake Hodges. Her cell phone, iPod, and school clothes remained inside the car. At some point during her run, Chelsea was attacked by a monster.

I find comfort in believing Chelsea’s purpose is bigger than us and that this tragedy will prompt action and awareness that will save lives. I also find comfort that Chelsea is free from such an ugly world that does little to protect the innocent.

                                            

Some of the most heated debates in California's water wars revolve around the Bay Delta.

More than 55 percent of 600 Californians polled would vote no on the measure, according to a study released by Tulchin Research on Feb. 19. Further analysis of the findings by Tulchin shows that nearly three times as many voters strongly oppose the bond as strongly support it: “32 percent of voters indicate they will definitely vote no on the bond if the election were held today compared to only 12 percent of voters who would definitely vote yes.”

“Voters recognize this bond as bad water policy and bad fiscal policy at a time when California is drowning in red ink," said Sierra Club California's Jim Metropulos in a statement regarding the poll.  "We need clean water and we need a better water policy, but this bond is not going to get us there."

                                            

A North Park resident has created an organization to fight what he believes is a flood of bars coming into the 30th Street and University Avenue business district.

Don Leichtling said he established the North Park Residential Improvement District (NP-RID) in January because he is concerned about the potential for more alcohol licenses to be granted in the area.

“If there’s three clubs in North Park, that’s all right, but if there are 30, at some point we’re going to top out,” Leichtling said.

                                            

SDNR Commentary

On a camping and rafting expedition gone haywire, Homer Simpson, Flanders and Bart were stranded at sea with only one canteen of water.  Unfortunately, Homer used the water to wash his socks.  San Diego’s use of water is similarly inefficient.

Per capita, the U.S. uses more water than any other nation on earth, but our costs of water are among the lowest.  However much we complain about our water bills, the cost of water does not incentivize us to act in an economically rational manner or find alternatives to the current use of potable water.

In this arid climate--our manufactured oasis--only 3 to 5 percent of the total water used is recycled water. This is despite the fact that we use 60 percent of all our water on outdoor uses, and 80 percent of all our water on non-potable uses.  In California, 20 percent of the energy we burn is used to transport water, so that we can sprinkle potable water on our lawns.