A battle is raging over one of the most fundamental aspects of San Diego County’s future: how folks get around. Will commuters overwhelmingly continue to drive their cars to work, as they’ve done for decades? Or will lawmakers fashion a public transportation system — consisting largely of bus, trolley and train lines — that’s efficient […]
San Diego public utility officials shut off customers’ water with no warning and have no specific policy outlining how to restart service or adjudicate complaints, local consumer advocates say. The city also piles on unnecessary fees and penalties — even adding years-old parking tickets and library fines to the balances due — before agreeing to restore […]
Coachella Valley water agencies are again making the case that the state should ease its drought restrictions, especially for those here in the desert. Officials argue that this region’s unique circumstances – the hot climate, a varying tourist season/year-round population mix that distorts actual per capita usage and access to groundwater as well as surface […]
With the drought continuing in California despite El Niño, more and more homeowners are considering alternatives to thirsty lawns. But before pulling up the turf, consider your options and their advantages and disadvantages. Grass typically uses about 60 gallons of water per week for every 10-by-10-foot area. That can add up in a hurry. The […]
San Diego County is Divided Over Proposed Half-Cent Tax for Transportation Projects
/in San Diego County /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Times by By Joshua Emerson SmithA battle is raging over one of the most fundamental aspects of San Diego County’s future: how folks get around. Will commuters overwhelmingly continue to drive their cars to work, as they’ve done for decades? Or will lawmakers fashion a public transportation system — consisting largely of bus, trolley and train lines — that’s efficient […]
City Tacks Parking, Library Fines Onto Late Water Bills
/in San Diego County /by Mike Lee /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby By Jeff McDonaldSan Diego public utility officials shut off customers’ water with no warning and have no specific policy outlining how to restart service or adjudicate complaints, local consumer advocates say. The city also piles on unnecessary fees and penalties — even adding years-old parking tickets and library fines to the balances due — before agreeing to restore […]
OPINION: State Officials Must Maintain Smart Water Policies
/in San Diego County /by Mike Lee /The Desert Sun (Palm Springs)Coachella Valley water agencies are again making the case that the state should ease its drought restrictions, especially for those here in the desert. Officials argue that this region’s unique circumstances – the hot climate, a varying tourist season/year-round population mix that distorts actual per capita usage and access to groundwater as well as surface […]
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Keeping Your Lawn Green
/in San Diego County /by Mike Lee /The San Diego Union-Tribune by By Pat SetterWith the drought continuing in California despite El Niño, more and more homeowners are considering alternatives to thirsty lawns. But before pulling up the turf, consider your options and their advantages and disadvantages. Grass typically uses about 60 gallons of water per week for every 10-by-10-foot area. That can add up in a hurry. The […]