Please consider whom you might know that would be interested in defining the City of Ramona.  

Fund raising committee is also looking for some folks to plan events.  We need a calendar of events.  Call Paul Tarr  760-788-9600

Wednesday, Sept. 26 the Executive Committee met with Doug Wilsman and guest Troy Romero (involved in incorp. in Wa.) to refine agenda for meeting with Mike Ott and LAFCO Oct. 5th.  Doug Wilsman brought the RMWD budget and there was discussion of RMWD operations.  We are exploring the options of contracting for RMWD services v. absorbing the RMWD as a Dept. of Public Works v. dissolving the RMWD as an agency with LAFCO.  The passage of Prop NN has hindered the RMWD from major projects with a requirement for voter approval on projects requiring funding in excess of $1 million.  Civic infrastructure projects are large investments usually paid for with a bond measure.  The voters have usually voted down these projects.  There are several projects in the wings.  Doug estimates that there is enough sewer capacity for 620 more hook ups in town.  MWD water rates continue to rise.  The R O effluent treatment plant in SDCE has been shut down since 1996 and now is useless.  The Nature Conservancy has ordered RMWD to cease its use of the spray fields that they now own with the acquisition for the Gildred Ranch.  This may require an eminent domain action.  The discussions have been enlightening, and Doug Wilsman has been very giving of his time and expertise.

Tuesday, Oct 2nd President Bob Hailey and Director Paul Tarr had lunch with Chris Brown with the Montecito Ranch development to discuss how their project is progressing, and explore what their EIR and other impacts might be.  Chris supplied maps and offered to provide a copy of their EIR.

Wednesday, Oct 3rd the executive committee met to refine agenda for Friday's LAFCO meeting.

Friday, Oct 5th the executive committee along with Doug Wilsman, and Maureen Robertson met with Mike Ott and Shirley Anderson at the 1600 Pacific Hwy. County Office of LAFCO.  It appears that should the RMWD be dissolved, Prop NN restrictions will convey to the City.  Ramona NOW! needs to update the initial fiscal analysis done in November 2005 by RSG.  The application process requires a careful description of the need to incorporate.  We need to include at least 4 variations of the boundaries with a Metes and Bounds description of each.  Careful study needs to be conducted.  This is our top priority.

Please, if you haven't already, read the article in the Ramona Sentinel Thursday, Oct. 11th by Maureen Robertson.  It is a good objective review of the meeting.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Oct 12-13-14 we manned our booth at the Chamber's Oktoberfest event.  We continue to educate Ramona with these public appearances.  Most everyone was aware of the effort, and the feed back from most everyone ranged from skeptical to absolutely positive.  Of course, there were a couple of folks that just scoffed with no specific objection when asked why.  It was a lot of fun as well.  Director Paul Tarr won the drawing for a smaller version of the metal sculpture monument that will be installed at the corner of HWY 67 and Highland Valley Rd. by Leslie Souza.  The Ramona Trails Association was responsible for commisoning the monument.  It is plasma cut steel depiction of a horse standing against hills with a blazing sun and hawk on the wing.  It is a beautiful rendering of the Valley of the Sun.  Paul is stoked!

Monday, Oct. 15th, Bob Hailey, Torry Brean, Rath Webster, and Paul Tarr traveled to Menifee to visit with Joe Daugherty, a Sun City Financial Planner.  Sun City is in the middle of their planning area.  Joe is the President and driving force behind their incorporation group.  Menifee has attempted the process once before in 1994.  Menifee now has their application for incorporation in to the Riverside County LAFCO and most of their studies completed.  They are hoping to be a city by Jan 1, 2008.  

This meeting was extremely encouraging from the financial point of view as Joe recited ways that their group saved money by negotiating with LAFCO on the necessity for some requirements, and what sort of acceptable alternatives might work.  They also saved money by doing some of the studies themselves.  Some of their fund raising activities were very creative, as well.  He had a through understanding of the issues, and added some insight on winning consensus with the different areas they have chosen to annex in.  Though the area is different than ours, it was a most enlightening meeting.  He has generously offered to avail himself to our efforts (at a nominal cost).

DPLU has sent me the following announcement regarding GP2020:

October 12, 2007

TO:                  Community Planning and Sponsor Group Chairs, and Interested Parties

FROM:           Devon Muto, Interim Chief, Department of Planning and Land Use

RE:                 GENERAL PLAN UPDATE — Steering Committee Meeting

A Steering Committee meeting has been scheduled for October 25, 2007. The focus of the meeting will be to introduce our new team members and provide a status on the general plan update.   There will be time for questions and answers after the presentation.

What:             General Plan Update Steering Committee

When:            Thursday, October 25, 2007 1:00 – 2:30 pm

Where:           Department of Planning and Land Use

DPW Conference Rooms 1 & 2, located next to Cartography

5201 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA  92123

If you have any questions about the upcoming meeting please call Stephanie Gaines directly at (858) 694-3493. You can also check our website at www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dplu (select GP2020). A message will be left on the voice mail of (858) 694-3493 to confirm that the meeting time and place. Thank you for your ongoing input and participation in the General Plan Update process.

Yours truly,

Paul Tarr