Water shortage, new housing topics for Town Hall meeting

Local residents trying to understand how plans for new housing, schools and shopping complexes can be approved in our region in light of the greatly publicized water supply crisis will soon have an opportunity to learn more about these issues.

A Town Hall meeting, sponsored by the Fallbrook Revitalization Council, is slated for Wednesday, October 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the community meeting room at Fallbrook Public Utility District, 990 East Mission Road.

“Of all the issues facing our community right now, I feel this is the most critical,” says Vince Ross, council chairman. “By having people who are very knowledgeable on these subjects on the panel, residents can get specific questions answered.”

With Fallbrook Public Utility District’s recent issuance of a Stage II water alert, residents have asked how adequate water can be available for new development while enough may not exist for current customers.

Ross says a significant amount of incorrect information has been spread about the water crisis and he “hopes to head off unnecessary rumors and clarify things” by bringing together a panel that includes Fern Steiner, chair of the San Diego Water Authority; Susan Baldwin, senior regional planner for SANDAG; Keith Lewinger, general manager of Fallbrook Public Utility District; Brian Lee, engineer with Rainbow Municipal Water District; and Jim Russell, chairman of the Fallbrook Community Planning Group.

The Fallbrook Revitalization Council, a community advisory group for Fallbrook, was created some 20 years ago at the urging of the County of San Diego. The group meets each month. One of its current goals is to hold Town Hall meetings on a quarterly basis to disseminate correct information on topics of impact to the local community and encourage residents to bring forth questions, concerns and suggestions.

“Everyone thought it would be a good idea to have a quarterly program and have all the ‘right people’ on the panel to provide information,” Ross said.

Serving as facilitator for the October 17 meeting will be Jennifer Jeffries. The public is encouraged to attend.