• Neighborhood Watch: RAID

Tonight's Neighborhood Watch meeting was dealing with auto theft.

There was about an hour's presentation by the county RAID team: 

Riverside Auto-Theft Interdiction Detail.

The first thing I noticed when we got to the parking lot was that there were some tough looking hombres lurking about. We made a beeline to the front door of City Hall and was relieved to see a uniformed officer. Those toughs were going to have to behave themselves now.

Oh wait, those big bad men were actually on our payroll. They were undercover officers that work the car theft detail. I figured it wasn't a good idea to photograph them, so I did a hasty sketch to give you a rough idea.

Investigator JJ Rodriguez and Detective Moll. 

Investigator JJ Rodriguez was the average size man while Detective Norbert Moll looked like Grizzly Adams, after forgetting to shave for an additional 3 years while pumping iron almost as often as he visited the tattoo parlor. He has to play the roll of badass convincingly... I was convinced, and he knows he's doing something right when ladies clutch their purses and men cross the street as he approaches.

The powerpoint presentation covered a lot of things that most of us wouldn't consider in the world of stolen cars and chop shops.

Detective Moll  broke down the stats this way. 31 chop shops a year is 3 a month. 403 arrests is more than one a day. This is from their task force, not just the overall auto theft stats in the county.

The key takeaway points from the meeting include:

• Don't leave your car running unattended, even if it's in your driveway.
• Mid '90s Hondas are the easiest to steal.
• Be wary of car deals that are too good to be true. Craigslist is just one place that can have ads for hot cars. Caveat Emptor (buyer beware) should be your motto no matter where you're making the purchase.
• Don't buy anything of value from a person that won't show you their ID.
• When buying a car (or other high dollar item), use your smart phone to take a picture of the seller's ID.
• When buying a used car, suggest that the transaction take place in the local police station parking lot.
• If you come across a chopped car, don't touch it. Call it in. If it's in a rural area, use your smart phone to get the GPS location to give the police.
• Painted over, or removed, ID numbers on heavy equipment, or a boat, is a bad sign.
• Don't hesitate to report suspicious activity. Call the none emergency number.
• Be careful when dealing with car thieves. If you suspect something, let the police handle it.

In response to one person speaking about taking a picture of a license plate of a suspected car thief, detective Moll replied:

Be careful. I'm glad that you're filled with piss and vinegar, and you're ready to do battle, but when we were doing the storefront (undercover operation) and were dealing with car thieves on a regular basis, they also had guns, they had drugs, they had done prior crimes... shooting people, stabbing people... these guys are criminals as living.

• RAID task force has 10 members for all of Riverside County (once you discount supervisors).
• Lojack is a good device to recover a stolen vehicle. 
• Don't leave garage door openers in cars that you park outside. For the ultra cautious, you may consider taking the door opener with you when out shopping, dining, the movies, etc. Some brazen thieves will break into your car just to get your opener. Once they get your address from your car registration, they can have easy access to your house with the opener.
• The Club is a good deterrent for random car thefts.
• Tracking devices can be purchased for about  $150 that can be hardwired into your cars.
• Soon the RAID task force will be starting up a facebook page.
• It's good to use social media (FaceBook, Nextdoor App) to keep up with what's happening locally.

Investigator Rodriguez related a story about a local theft of some heavy construction equipment. 

The location of the heavy equipment sounded like it was at, or near, the Subway construction area off of Bundy Canyon during early phases of construction. It was a Saturday and the perp got dressed in construction vest and helmet, sauntered onto the property, acted like he belonged there. Fired up the tractor and drove it from the site to his home on the east side of the freeway. His intentions were to finish the work on his property and then return the equipment by Sunday evening, but didn't finish in time. On Monday morning the workers discovered that the tractor was stolen and reported it. It had Lojack and they tracked it and found the thief using it. He admitted to the theft.

←•→

If I can make a suggestion to the fine people that are organizing these Neighborhood Watch meetings it would be this: Please prepare a Wildomar specific report, and let's have a brief question and update about our specific area. I enjoyed the information from the first meeting (Gangs and Drugs) and the presentation by RAID on auto theft was good info too, but I think it would be much appreciated to get to the active local concerns as much, or more, than the prepared info.

The meetings are quarterly and the next one will be in September.

Use the Non-Emergency number 951-776-1099 to report suspicious activity and NOT the emergency 911 number. If you see something out of place, they want you to call and report it.

•      •      • 

And now my friend, the first-a rule of Italian driving.

[rips off his rear-view mirror and throws it out of the car]

What's-a behind me is not important.

 — Franco Bertollini, Gumball Rally, 1976

Wildomar Rap remembers fondly the elderly security guard that was guarding the new construction site where we used to play pick up baseball games (1978). The problem was that our home runs would end up in his yard and he eventually got tired of us (we were hitting more homers than the major leaguers at the height of the steroids era). Tip o' the cap to Chogie.

• City Council Meeting June 2015

The meeting started with a moment of silence for marine Sgt. Eric Seaman, who died in a helicopter crash in Nepal; Wally Edgerton, the first mayor of Menifee; and Joe Semon, a Wildomar city staffer. 

Presentations

• Recognition of the 2014 Miss City of Wildomar Queens.

If you go to any city events, you're bound to see these young ladies there.

• Fire Department update

Fire Chief Joel Vela reminded us all about the drought conditions and the ever present fire danger. He also reminded us about fireworks, and that ALL fireworks are illegal in Wildomar. Something tells me that the people that love to shoot these off really don't care about the danger they pose to others. 

Public Comments

This is where comments about things NOT on the agenda are given by residents.

• Pam Nelson spoke about the Sierra Club and the recent ribbon cutting ceremony for Murrieta Creek Regional Trail being a success.

• Ken Mayes spoke about the Murrieta Creek Trail.

• Patti Hatch spoke about the proposed name changes to the streets.

Council Communications

Mayor Ben Benoit mentioned that we got a grant from RCTC for $250,000 for the bike path on Grand project.

2.1 2015 development Impact Fee Update (DIF Fee)
This was the most interesting part of the evening and it was the most energetic I've seen the council get about something in the last 20 months. There were two public speakers on this agenda item. Ken Mayes and Nathan Miller.

I uploaded a video of it [the link is below] if you'd like to see the public comments and the council discussion and vote.

(The start of the video) The take away quote from Mayes was in his final words, as he was clearly in support of this: "Developers should want to build in Wildomar not because it's cheap, but because it's a nice place to live."

(Starting at 2:12 in the video) Nathan Miller, basically a shill for the Riverside County Building Industry Association, let the council know that he his group are against any fee increases. Well knock me over with a feather, who'd a thunk such a thing to be possible? He basically did his best hand wringing/woe is me act for the remainder of his time at the podium.

The council members all had good points, but I sympathized more with the Bob Cashman/Bridgette Moore side that felt the DIF Fees needed to be raised now. The other side of the point had Tim Walker, Marsha Swanson and Ben Benoit not wanting the fees hiked (or at least not as proposed).

DIF fees are what is charged for those that want to build in an area. Historically speaking, Wildomar has had some of the lowest fees by far. Low fees are attractive to developers because that is less money they will have to payout (ie MORE PROFIT). One problem with such low fees is that not nearly enough money gets collected for things that a modern city needs (take a look at present day Wildomar and you'll quickly see what low fees do to an area).

So you have two basic choices here. Either keep the fees low to appease the developers, or boost them up to what the neighboring cities are charging and stop being a doormat for them.

We all hate taxes, but we live in a modern world and to pretend that we can live on the cheap is silly. Life costs money, and most of us want to live in a nice city. Sorry, but I'm tired of being the Building Industry's booty call. If they want to build here, let them pay the same as they would pay to build in other cities. 

The upper portion of the graphic is our current DIF fees. The lower one is what was voted on tonight.
A 76% increase from total fees, with a 657% increase in the Parks Improvements portion.

You can see in the graph above that the Park Improvements fee went from $597 to $3,926. An increase of 657%. Thing is, we were WAY under what neighboring cities charged and it's time we stopped acting as if we were happy to be treated like a rented mule.

As you can see, the new fees take us from the bottom of SWRivCo to top dog here.
Sorry about the image quality, this was rehabbed from a cellphone pic of the presentation.

Below are a few pull quotes from the City Council. 

Bob Cashman (6:24 in the video) We don't have to build all the houses this year. There's no problem building the houses because they're going to come some time or another in the future. We don't have to have special rates to make sure we get more houses this year when I know these houses are going to come later.

Bridgette Moore (7:55) As I said last time, I'm for it and (looking towards the developer rep) I understand and I hear you, but they're building in other cities and their prices (fees) are higher than ours. I don't see why our city should be shortchanged.

Marsha Swanson (8:20) Again, this is a really tough decision for me. I see both sides of it... I cannot support this unless we phase it in. Maybe even just a three year period. 

Tim Walker was fiery in his opposition, particularly about the Park Improvements increase. He spoke of how people (like his kids) won't be able to buy a home in the city they were raised in.

Tim Walker (10:22) I see it [the proposed increases] as a negative, with the numbers, because my kids won't be able to buy a house here in Wildomar. They can't afford a $400,000 home, it's not possible.

My problem is that it's going to be $12,000 and that doesn't include school bonds and everything else. By the time you're said and done [a new house] is costing $50,000 more than it should.

I'm just not for it. I'm sorry but unless it can come in slowly or something I'm going to be against it.

(13:35) Walker started talking about people "not paying their fair share." Sorry, but I disagree. Where is the precedence that people that bought their homes years ago, and paid the appropriate fees then, are supposed to be hit with more developer fees as new houses go in? If you want to make things fair, propose a new city-wide tax.

Ben Benoit  (15:00) It's a huge price tag and whether or not it can be burdened or not is a question for anyone coming out here to buy a home someday. They look at that bottom dollar and [ask] can they afford it?

Here's something that I wish Cashman or Moore would have reminded their colleagues: Wildomar property taxes are generally much lower than they are in the surrounding cities and that would be a big incentive for people to choose Wildomar even with the newer DIF fees.

So what was the final upshot?

The new higher fees did pass with a 4-1 vote, but they are going to be phased in over three years. The first third on January 1, 2016, the second third in January 2017, and the final percentage in January of 2018. 

The funny thing is that Cashman voted against resolution since the fees were being phased in. I say it's funny because he voted in opposition to what he wanted, as did Walker from what I could tell.

Considering how slowly things move in government, this should be considered a win for those that wanted the fees hiked and a loss for those that wanted them to remain lower. Now let's see if there is a rush of pillow talk from developers to get their projects in the pipeline, with the old fee structure, while they still can.

2.2 Accessory Structures Code Amendment

This was discussed in the past meeting. It was to remove the need for a plot plan application for outdoor buildings larger than 20'x20', which had cost $3,940. This passed 5-0.

←•→

Below is a short video snippet that happened during 2.2. Since they referenced the camera, I decided to upload the clip... even though I didn't quite get it. My guess is that they seldom agree on matters...?

 

Remember that there is a Movie in the Park at Windsong this Saturday evening. Also, on June 23rd, the Mayor is having a community coffee at Starbucks (near D'Canters). Get your gripes primed and ready so you can pepper him over a latte.

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Since trifles make the sum of human things,
And half our mis'ry from our foibles springs.
 — Hannah More

Wildomar Rap wants to wish Sharon Heil a speedy recovery from her recent heart attack.

• Big Day at Marna O'Brien Park

Today was a combo event at Marna O'Brien Park. It was part bicycle safety event, part Health & Fitness Fair, part ribbon cutting for the Murrieta Creek Trail and also a Volkswalk... all on National Trails Day.

The day started at 8:00am, though the Rotary members were there well before that to set things up. Boy Scout Troop 332 sold breakfast burritos, and they even passed an actual food prep inspection and received an A grade. They sold out of the 50 they made half way through the day.

There were many vendor booths, I counted almost two dozen of them and I heard estimates between 300 and 400 people that attended throughout the morning.

Here is a look at the safety course that young bike riders maneuvered through.

There was a bloodmobile, the most current RTA bus on display, the Game Master (He's been to a few other events in Wildomar and he keeps the kids busy with outdoor games), a DJ/MC, dances by Hollywood Dance, and of course the BMX Stunt Guys.

(Here's a link to the blog about last year's event along with the video)\

The adult cyclists that had ridden the entire trail from Temecula to Lake Elsinore had commented how Wildomar's event was the best of the bunch. 

It was really a day made for pictures and so I made a brief video montage where the pictures only get about 2.5 seconds of screen time. Take a look and enjoy a peek at the the day if you missed it, or take another look if you were there.

Stat Time

• Over 100 cyclists ranging from age 2 to 12 took part in the bicycle safety training.
• Last count on walkers was 37.
• 29 blood donations.
• Four ladies actually walked the whole course from Temecula to Lake Elsinore.

Kenny Mayes got his "Passport" stamped at all 4 events.

Tug O'War was a big hit at the end of the day. It had the Boy Scouts against all comers. Each side ended won once.

Early in the day Doug Ames tried to get me to go donate blood. It was still early and the one time I'd given blood before, it took 35 mins and it felt kind of the way a clothes pin might feel if it was pinching the inside skin on the elbow. I was trying to avoid it, and almost did until another friend, Jeremy Swann, mentioned it at the end of the day.

I went in there and jumped through the hoops. First thing you do is fill in a form and answer some questions. Then you wait. Then you go into a small room and answer 48 more questions. Then they prick your finger and you wait.

Once I got to the area where I laid down, and they tapped my vein, I was surprised that it was less than 15 mins. It could have been as short as 10 mins at that. Then I got some water, juice and chips and rested for 15 mins. I may have to do this more often.

My daughter gives blood regularly... I'll have to tell her I just deposited my second pint in 17 years.

This event couldn't have come off without the tireless efforts of the volunteers. I'm not going to try and name them all because I'd be sure to leave out some key people. Thanks for all you do to make Wildomar a nicer place.

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Childhood's work is learning, and it is in his play... that the child works at his job. — Caroline Pratt

Wildomar Rap is not all about that bass 

• Girl Scout Troop 447 on the Bronze Award Trail

Wildomar girl scout troop 447, comprised of local 5th graders, was learning about runoff the other day, and my wife and I were invited along by Mayor Pro-Tem Bridgette Moore to watch as they were completing their Bronze Award project at William Collier Elementary School.  The project was to put warning emblems near drains, reminding people Only Rain Down the Storm Drain.

Matt Bennett getting the tiny town ready for impending doom.

Deputy City Engineer Matt Bennett is shown as he illustrates the pollutants that gets into run off and ends up in storm drains. They were using cinnamon and sugar to represent pesticides, fertilizer and dog droppings.

Then the girls used spray bottles to simulate rain and we watched as they brought what must have equated to a cat 3 hurricane to the tiny plastic town. They all seemed to enjoy watching/making the dog poop flow down to the storm drains.

While this was going on, Bennett was teaching them about storm drains and the value keeping trash (and other nasty things... ie dog poop) from getting in the runoff that ends up in the drains. Once the classwork was complete, the troop headed outside to do the fieldwork.

Matt Bennett and Julianna at the first drain.

This was the girls' chance to get some hands on work with some tools that many of them hadn't seen before. Specifically the caulking gun. Watching them try and work in gloves that would have been too big for me was fun too. ☺

Here you see Shelby prepping another warning disk with adhesive.

Rowan is putting the protective gloves on.

In all there are 10 members of troop 447, though only 8 were present for this project. Each of the girls had a chance to wear the oversized gloves and then squeeze out the industrial strength caulking. After which they affixed the emblems by applying pressure and twisting them downward.

I asked troop leader Connie Nader how they came up with this idea for their Bronze Award. 

To earn a Bronze Award the girls have to do what is called a 'journey' first and their journey involves studying the environment. Then they did their animal habitats badge and that involves studying what's happening in the Gulf of Mexico and water pollution. Bridgette Moore was nice enough to let the girls interview her and to pick her brain, and this came up as a possibility. Then the troop voted yes this is definitely what they wanted to do.

What's the next step in the Bronze Award process?

After this they have to write a report of the process and what they did. Then they will have earned their Bronze Award. Which is the highest award that a junior girl scout can earn.

Back row (L-R) Noelani Tupua, Connie Nader, Bridgette Moore, Matt Bennett.
Front row (L-R)  Alyssa C., Morgan, Melokia, Rowan, Shelby, Julianna, Leah and Lindsay.  
Not in this photo include Allyssa L. and Allison.

Way to go troop! It's good to see the future generation of leaders learning to care for our environment from an early age.

•      •      • 

If you want a quality, act as if you already had it. Try the "as if" technique. — William James

Wildomar Rap has gotten more scouting in during the last year and change, than the previous 49 combined. Thanks ☺

• Planning Commission Meeting June 2015

There was only one real item on tonight's agenda: Discount Tire Centers.

The issue was about the location. It's to be in the building just to the south of Albertson's and the nearest neighbors are Ace Hardware and Massage Envy.

Who knows, perhaps it'll all work out swimmingly and they'll cross promote with offers
to get a massage while you get your tires changed... or get a free tire after ten back rubs. ☺

There was a lot of discussion about decibel levels and noise deadening efforts so that the two businesses could live in harmony. What was easy to see was that there was effort being put forth on all sides. Discount Tire Centers, Massage Envy, the landlord and the planning commissioners.

After a brief presentation, outlining the new business layout, the reps from Discount Tire were explaining all the noise mitigation efforts they plan to use here.

It's all about the decibels. An Ingersoll Rand pneumatic drill with Quiet Tool technology is approximately 80dBs.

• A special noise reduction type of compressor placed at the furthest point away from Massage Envy. 
• Also in mind are rubberized pads under the compressor to reduce vibration. 
• Quiet tech pneumatic tools.  
• On the wall between the businesses will be a special noise deadening drywall. 

In the graphic below, the lower portion is on the alley between them and Albertson's. The upper portion is the common wall with Ace Hardware and Massage Envy is on the right side.

Let's not forget how vibrations tend to be tenacious little buggers and though aren't always heard, quite possibly could be felt as a person was trying to achieve that long sought after moment of Zen after a long day at work. I invite you to rewatch part of the classic T-Rex-water-in-the-cup-vibration scene from Jurassic Park to illustrate the point.

Larry Ferguson, of Massage Envy, spoke for about 6 mins. You can tell that he's very worried about the potential effect of impact wrenches on his business. Even with noise deadening mitigation plans, you're not going to remove the fact that a tire center wants to move next to a massage place.

If you've ever had a massage from one of the modern establishments you know that ambiance is everything.

I was the only public speaker on the topic. I mentioned how that I'm pro business and it would be good to have another tire shop in Wildomar, but part of being "pro business" means being pro existing business too. It would be different if the massage place was trying to move next to a long time tire store, and then asking them to hush up, but Massage Envy has been there for more than seven years.

Also, I mentioned that even with noise mitigation efforts, unless the roll up doors are down, the sounds would echo off of the block wall across from them (Albertson's) and find their way to the front where Massage Envy is. 

The key hangup for tonight's meeting was that there had not been a comprehensive noise/sound test done for the project. So in the end, the item was continued until after such a study is completed. Below are the words of Commission Chairman Veronica Langworthy.

We have two very wonderful businesses that are working to present how to make this happen. I appreciate the graph that was brought in by Massage Envy (a decibel graph). I appreciate the experience of Discount Tires, but to make a decision like this we need more than feelings... we need some facts. A noise study in advance would make us all more comfortable with making a really good decision for both businesses, so you [don't end up as] contentious neighbors.

— Veronica Langworthy

I'd like to see Discount Tire Centers in Wildomar, I'm just not so sure how well of a fit they make in that location. I feel bad for Massage Envy, because even though the landlord made it clear that they want both businesses to succeed, I got the feeling that the tire store would be a bigger feather in their cap (maybe it's just me projecting). I'm probably just a worrier, but I'd be sleeping with one eye open if I were in the front unit... figuratively speaking of course.

•      •      • 

Since I had access to assistant city manager Dan York, I took the opportunity to ask him for some details on the signal light being out at Cervera and Central.

Here's where we're at. Southern California Edison is improving our electrical service through the southern part of the city. Through that process the power going to the signal was down. As a result, we turned the light off. So that when they powered back on we wouldn't blow our controller. 

It was a joint effort between Edison and the city... we've known that. Now that they're completing their work, our signal still didn't energize. Meaning that there was some construction impact to our line. The guys in the field have identified it, they're correcting it, and that light should be energized pretty soon. 

This has been frustrating for us but realistically understanding what's going on. This is good for our community —the upgrade of the electrical power system, and fortunately the traffic volume is such on Central and Cervera that we're able handle it with stop placards.

— Dan York 

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Sometimes you will never know the value of something, until it becomes a memory. — Dr. Seuss

Wildomar Rap hopes Commissioner Gary Brown gets over that bug that kept him from the recent Chamber of Commerce breakfast and tonight's planning commission meeting. 

• Water Worries

Unless you're new to the area, you know we've all been flooded (pun intended) with dire warnings about the drought and the cutbacks that we are all being expected to abide by. This morning EVMWD spokesman Greg Morrison gave a presentation at the Wildomar Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast at Denny's.

Water Use Prohibitions:

• Washing down sidewalks or driveways

• Watering during or within 48 hours after a rain event.

• Overwatering, causing water to run off of a landscaped area

• Washing your vehicle on your property.

• Filling, refilling or adding water to your uncovered pool or spa.

• Using a fountain or water feature unless the water is recirculated.

• Watering on windy days.

• Providing water at restaurants or food establishments unless requested.
• No Pressure Washer use.

Guidelines for outdoor water use and irrigation:

• Use sprinkler irrigation systems between the hours of 6:00 P.M. and before 6:00 A.M.

• Limit sprinkler operation to no more than two times per week on odd/even 

calendar days based on last digit of service address.

• Watering by hand, with drip irrigation or reclaimed water is ok during daylight hours.

• Sprinklers and irrigation systems should be adjusted to avoid overspray, runoff and waste.

• Fix leaks or broken irrigation equipment to reduce waste.

• Having a cover on your pool to reduce evaporation.

We're in a Stage 4 drought and if you've been ignoring the calls to cut back overuse of water, you may be in for a shocker in the near future. We've heard about Sacramento's approval of $500 fines for transgressors, but nothing ever seemed to come from it. Until now that is, as enough time has gone by  —coupled with another very dry rainy season— that such warnings are starting to sprout some teeth.

I wonder who'll be the first schmuck in the area to actually end up with a flow restrictor? 

Here are a few of the points that stuck with me.

• Our area's mandate is to reduce water usage by 25% from 2013 levels. The thing is, we already made 20% cutbacks over the last 5-7 years... so the effective rate is closer to a 45% reduction that we're expected to undertake compared to the halcyon days of the early aughts.

Don't we love unreasonable and unrealistic dictates from Sacramento? My favorite one of theirs is "reducing GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 - a reduction of approximately 30%"... but don't order yet... if that isn't enough to get your eyes rolling check out their new La-La Land idea: "reducing GHG emissions 80% reduction below 1990 levels by 2050."

If the Sac-to dreamers can pull that one off, that'll be right up there with feeding 5,000 men with 7 loaves, and a few fish, and still ending up with 12 baskets of leftovers.

EVMWD Drought Info link

• There is an app called iEfficient that can be used to report water wasters. It's a GPS based program that allows a person to snap a pic of violations. The picture is sent directly to customer service and the ball is now rolling directly toward you. Morrison made it clear they are NOT encouraging Neighbor on Neighbor spying, though he mentioned how that has already started in some areas.

EVMWD link to rebate programs

• No new turf in front yards for new developments.
• No filling pools that do not have covers.
• No car washing at home, even with a nozzle.
• You're soon to be "slammed" with mailings from EVMWD. We know that you'll read them, but question is, will your neighbors bother reading them?

I had a question for Greg Morrison.

Speaking of needing to reduce water usage by 25% from 2013 levels, Wildomar Parks were closed during that time and so there was no effective water usage. How does that work?

• That's a good question... it's a tough question... it's sort of a sad question, because it doesn't matter. I'm being absolutely sincere, I know how the council members here feel about this (pointing to Mayor Ben Benoit and Mayor  Pro-Tem Bridgette Moore who were in attendance). We're doing everything we can to work with the city... it'll be tough.

So you can't go back to the last year that the park was opened as the baseline?

• No, because it's not that specific (the mandate). The regulation is on us (EVMWD) as a blanket. They (Sacramento) don't care about the details.

This is a good opportunity [for our area]. If we get the snows, we get the rains... the penalties, and these drought restrictions, will change. If you have questions about conservation, about what you could do —call. We are here to help people.   Phone: (951) 674-3146

— Andy Morris, EVMWD Board of Directors, Division 5

In short, it's time to start taking our water shortage/drought seriously if you haven't already been doing so. With tiered rates, if you choose to not comply, it's only going to cost you a grip of cash as your water bill rolls in. 

There were many other good points made. If you'd like to see the video of the presentation check it out (it's an hour long). Remember, I shot the video only to use for notes. So the quality is so-so and the there are background noises you'd expect to hear at a restaurant. 

•      •      • 

If it's yellow, let it mellow,
If it's brown, flush it down! — LA Mayor Tom Bradley, 1977

Wildomar Rap is suspending the clothespin boat race nationals, that are usually held in the gutter adjacent to the front yard, until the drought is over.  

• Signal Out at Central and Cervera

You may have noticed that the signal has been out at Central and Cervera. It's been five days now and when I saw the repairman on site I thought I'd ask him about it.

Last week the controlling unit got a surge of electricity and the worker was telling me that they've been trying to isolate the bad sector (my wording). They've narrowed it down but want to make sure that's the only issue, and that if by replacing the piece in question it doesn't then knock out other components at this point.

A case of measure twice and cut once.

I gave Wildomar Public Works Superintendent Les Chapman a call to get some input from him about it.

He was telling me that it's a pretty significant situation and they're trying to repair this without having to replace the whole shebang. I asked him if this was due to something the electric company did and he told me "No, they did things according to the book" (my paraphrasing) "we just have old equipment."

Les was telling me that in other cities it's not uncommon to replace the entire unit from the start, and that still may end up being the final verdict here, but he wants to try other avenues before jumping to that step.

I asked him how much something like that costs to replace and his response was that he's trying to be optimistic and that tomorrow Siemens' Top Gun in SoCal will be there in the morning to make any final determinations on the health of the unit. His final thoughts on it were "It's going to be tough news no matter what." Surely a reference to an unplanned big ticket item hitting Wildomar.

•      •      • 

Give me another horse! Bind up my wounds! 

— Richard III, Shakespeare 

Wildomar Rap never learned semaphores or Morse code... or braille for that matter, though I'm sure none of that is applicable in the least here.