Carmel Pine Cone, April 29, 2016 (Main News)
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VolumeThe 102 No. 18 Carmel On the Internet: www.carmelpinecone.com Pine Cone April 29 - May 5, 2016 TRUSTED BY LOCALS AND LOVED BY VISITORS SINCE 1915 ‘Changing of the guard’ as new mayor, council members take office By MARY SCHLEY turnout was around 55 percent. Burnett also took the opportunity to ‘BEING MAYOR is like owning a thank Talmage for his years of service boat: The two happiest days are the day as councilman, including three years as you buy the boat and the day you sell his vice mayor. the boat,” outgoing mayor Jason “You’ve long been a key element of Burnett commented just a few minutes the institutional memory that we’ve before Steve Dallas was sworn in as the had on the council,” Burnett said. city’s 34th mayor on Tuesday. “I’m “That sense of history has been invalu- happy to be taking some of the weight able.” off of these shoulders and passing it He mentioned Talmage’s “brilliant along to you.” financial mind,” and thanked him for The council held a special meeting his work on refinancing the Sunset April 27 to swear in Dallas and incom- Center bonds and the CalPERS debt, ing council members Jan Reimers and and for getting Measure D, the city’s Bobby Richards, who took over from sales tax increase, passed a few years councilwoman Victoria Beach, who did ago. not run for reelection, and councilman “He’s been a generalist,” Burnett Ken Talmage, who lost the mayor’s race continued. “He’s been on the city coun- to Dallas. cil not to advance any one agenda, but Before the transition took place, the the broad agenda of what’s best for council voted to certify the election Carmel-by-the-Sea.” results, which had Dallas prevailing Burnett and city attorney Don PHOTOS/KERRY BELSER over Talmage by 753 votes to 600, Freeman also noted that Talmage’s role Steve Dallas (above) took the Oath of Office in city hall Tuesday afternoon to become Reimers with 793 votes, and Carmel’s newest mayor after incoming council members Jan Reimers (top right) and Bobby Richards with 672. Overall voter See SWORN page 27A Richards (bottom right) made the same pledge. DEAL WILL TURN GOLF COURSE INTO PARKLAND, Mayors decide they HELP STAVE OFF LOOMING WATER CUTBACKS still need Burnett’s help By CHRIS COUNTS businesses and residents could face drastic water cutbacks. The sale of the property likely spells the end of golf at By KELLY NIX HEN A big land transaction in Carmel Valley closes Rancho Cañada. In February, the latest version of Clint W HE MAYORS of the Monterey Peninsula’s six cities escrow next month, the East Course at Rancho Cañada will Eastwood’s Rancho Cañada housing project was unveiled, T have asked former Carmel Mayor Jason Burnett to remain become parkland — and the 300 acre-feet of water it once and if it is approved, it would replace the golf club’s West part of their water group as it works toward a solution to the used annually will no longer be pumped from the Carmel Course. The golf club’s lease runs out at the end of next year. Peninsula’s water shortage. River. Besides the sale of the Hatton property, conservation At a meeting Tuesday night, the mayors asked Burnett to The Trust for Public Land announced it will buy the 140- groups are in talks to buy an adjoining 50-acre piece of land became a “liaison and advisor” with the group after his suc- acre golf course property on Carmel Valley Road, between owned by the Lombardo family, confirmed attorney Tony cessor recommended his ongoing involvement. Carmel Middle School and the Hacienda Carmel retirement Lombardo, Nick’s son and Rancho Cañada’s CEO. Lombardo Mayor Steve Dallas, who defeated former Carmel City community. The large parcel, which includes much of said the parties are also discussing a buyout of the golf club’s Councilman Ken Talmage for the seat on April 12, pointed to Rancho Cañada’s east golf course, belongs to the Hatton lease. Burnett’s contribution to the group — officially called the family, which has leased the land to the golf club since it was Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority — as the rea- founded by Nick Lombardo in the late 1960s. Buyers still raising money son he should stay onboard. Because so much water will be saved, former Carmel While the Trust for Public Land is buying the property, the “Jason’s leadership on the issues surrounding a safe, long- Mayor Jason Burnett told The Pine Cone he’s hopeful the group’s long-term plan is to transfer it to the Monterey term, sustainable water supply for the region is the very rea- State Water Resources Control Board will add five years to Peninsula Regional Park District. The San Francisco-based son we have [made] such positive progress,” he wrote to the the deadline on its order to pump less water from the river — land trust and the local park district are two of four partners board and its president, Pacific Grove Mayor Bill Kampe, in which would buy crucial time for local officials to develop an who are working together to make the deal a reality. The an April 25 email. alternative water project, including a desalination plant. coalition also includes the Santa Lucia Conservancy and On Tuesday night, the mayors agreed unanimously that Without the extension, officials say Monterey Peninsula Trout Unlimited. Burnett should continue working with the group. Burnett The sale price of the property hasn’t been revealed, but a recused himself from the meeting because of the mayors’ real estate brochure had it listed at $10 million, and later reduced to just under $9 million. To help pay for the land, a OG JUMPS IN LAP fundraising effort is underway. See MAYORS page 27A D , Dave Sutton of the Trust for Public Land told The Pine CAR ROLLS OVER Cone that his group typically won’t buy a property unless its DA’s office won’t pursue See LAND page 31A charges against Adams for ‘misleading’ signs By KELLY NIX THE MONTEREY County District Attorney’s Office will not pursue charges against a candidate for 5th District Supervisor, Mary Adams, after a supporter of incumbent Supervisor Dave Potter issued a complaint alleging her cam- paign signs were misleading to voters and could violate state election laws. Last week, Dan Mitchell, the president of the Monterey County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, which endorsed Potter, filed a complaint alleging that the slogan “Mary Adams, A Supervisor On Our Side,” on Adams’ campaign signs and PHOTO/MARY SCHLEY bumper stickers could lead voters to believe she is the incum- Carmel resident Thomas Jones tells Cpl. Ken Shen how his PHOTO/PINE CONE FILE bent supervisor. Toyota rolled onto its side after one of his dogs climbed into his Hikers will soon replace golfers on Rancho Canada’s East Course “I wouldn’t want voters to think they are voting for the lap and distracted him. See story page 9A. (yellow arrow). A deal to buy the land and “rewild” it could also play a role in solving the Monterey Peninsula’s water troubles. See SIGNS page 30A Have the complete Carmel Pine Cone delivered every Thursday evening to your iPad, laptop, PC or phone. Free subscriptions available at www.carmelpinecone.com 2A The Carmel Pine Cone April 29, 2016 TOMMY BAHAMA Sandy Claws By Lisa Crawford Watson OUTDOOROR FURNNITURNITURE SALE A Disney Doodle 35% offff MSRP HAVING WAITED a long time to get her very first dog, she was determined to get exactly what she want- custom orders only ed. Except she had no idea what that was. And thus began her research. She talked with friends and family, and she bought books and read articles. Still, she knew she hadn’t come up with the right dog. Then someone suggested she consider a golden Doodle. She had seen Labradoodles, but a golden Doodle, a througho end of April golden retriever-poodle mix, was definitely a new idea. She pulled up some pictures on the Internet and thought, “That’s it! That’s my dog.” “I called ‘Miss Behavin’ Doodles’ in Bakersfield,” she MONTEREEY DEESIGN CENTER said, “and they told me they had exactly what I was looking for: a blond male. I drove four hours to get there 299 LIGHTHOUSE, MONTEREY in pouring-down rain. But the minute they put Kirby in 1 683 49 3083 • poppletonshome.com my arms, I knew I had my dog.” Kirby’s mother was a white standard poodle, and his father, an English golden retriever. The result is a fairly large dog with a gentle face and long, white hair who gets attention wherever he goes. Carmel Highlands Some people wonder if he’s the doodle they’ve seen in a Disney movie. Estate Auction “Carmel is such a dog town,” his person said, “and Kirby’s such a friendly dog, we can’t go anywhere with- out people saying, ‘Can I touch your dog?’ I love that.” “When we’re out, he will not leave our side for anything Monday, May 16 12 PM PST Kirby, now 10, loves to go for walks and to play, except an actual squirrel. If he thinks he’s going to get depositing his toys at his person’s feet to indicate play- that squirrel, he forgets about everything. We don’t Online, Phone, & time. know what he’ll do if he ever gets one, and neither does Absentee Bid Only “Kirby’s favorite is a toy squirrel,” his person said.