$889M School Bond on the Ballot for South OC
The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees voted to advance a district-wide $889 million bond to largely fund deferred maintenance of the district's school facilities.
The board had initially considered splitting the bond into six separate School Facilities Improvement District, but the majority decided to pursue a single general obligation bond instead. The school bond election will be held within SFID #2 (CUSD excluding Rancho Mission Viejo.) Voters will have the opportunity to approve the bond when they vote November 8.
Cadiz Project to Bring Water to South OC Celebrates Win
The time period to challenge the environmental review of the Cadiz Water Project has passed and the project can now move forward unopposed.
Paul Simonds, president of the South Orange County Economic Coalition, commented on this important victory for Cadiz Inc. and the impact it will have on south Orange County water customers.
"The decision by opponents of the Cadiz Water Project not to appeal the project's numerous court victories is the right one for all water users in Southern California and shows that sound science can prevail over rhetoric. Southern California and South Orange County need the reliable, environmentally sound water supply Cadiz offers, and the Coalition hopes our elected officials will work to ensure the project will soon deliver a needed new water source to 400,000 Southern Californians as soon as possible."
Another Water Project for Southern California Faces Trouble
A judge has ruled that the Delta Plan,
a comprehensive, long-term management plan to improve statewide water supply reliability, and protect and restore a vibrant and healthy Delta ecosystem
is invalid.
This decision essentially puts a halt on plans to create a reliable source of water for Southern California.
The Delta Stewardship Council must rewrite the Delta Plan to include quantitative measures of performance and a reduced reliance on the Delta by exporters. This decision also puts the California WaterFix into question, which relied heavily on the Delta Plan and carrying Sacramento River water under the delta to the aqueducts running south for Southern California's water suppliers.
District Elections to be Held in San Juan Capistrano
In November, San Juan Capistrano will hold its first-ever district elections.
Voters from Districts 1 (north part of the city) and 5 (east along Ortega Highway) will decide on their council representatives instead of a citywide council election. District 1 will automatically be on the November ballot as the city's most heavily Latino district. District 5, held by Council member John Perry, was chosen by a 3-2 council vote.
Road Linking San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente Nears Completion
After more than two years of work, the $127 million La Pata extension is almost complete.
This road will reduce congestion for drivers and businesses traveling throughout South Orange County and provide a more direct route for San Clemente students traveling to San Juan Hills High School.
The project is ahead of schedule according to the project manager, opening on August 13 with a ribbon-cutting.
