New Technology Could Kill Fullerton Commuters

The OC Register reported yesterday that the Federal Railroad Administration has granted Caltrans with $55-million to construct, among other things, a third rail to connect Fullerton and Commerce. 

The Register's report also includes an important but completely misunderstood issue.

And $13.5 million will fund a global-positioning-based system for much of the line between Moorpark and San Onofre. Also called Positive Train Control, the system prevents collisions and derailments. The Federal Rail Safety Improvement Act makes the system mandatory by 2015.

“The implementation of the Positive Train Control will improve safety for our passengers,” said Laura Scheper, a spokeswoman for the Orange County Transportation Authority, which oversees Metrolink service in the county.

So what's the problem?  A new company known as LightSquared.  Their use of a nearly identical frequency as that used by global positioning systems (GPS) causes GPS receivers to fail.  

I have expressed serious concern regarding the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granting LightSquared, LLC conditional approval to build a nationwide 4G-LTE wireless broadband network (FCC File No. SAT-MOD-20101118-00239). Early testing by GPS technology leaders, Garmin and Trimble Navigation, demonstrated that LightSquared’s technology would likely interfere with Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, degrading their performance in the best case scenario and completely jamming GPS receivers in the worst case scenario.

The Department of Defense, FAA, DHS, NASA, DOI, DOT, DOC, and the Professional Land Surveying and Engineering professions, have all expressed serious reservations in regards to this plan by LightSquared, LLC to build 40,000 ground stations in the U.S. that could cause widespread interference to GPS signals.

The National Marine Manufactures Association said in a letter to the FCC that "they are especially concerned with the apparent lack of concern shown in the Technical Working Group report to the effect of the LightSquared proposal on existing devices."  The July 29, 2011 letter goes onto to say that "it is notable that the testing that was done by the Technical Working Group did not include recreational marine applications."

This network of ground stations will transmit signals within the L-band frequency immediately adjacent to the GPS L1 frequency at more than one billion times the strength of the low-power GPS signal from space!  Furthermore, each mobile phone using LightSquared’s wireless service would potentially become a portable GPS jamming device by jamming GPS receivers in its immediate vicinity.

The result of having GPS-guided trains AND LightSquared means a nearly certain disaster is on the horizon!

LightSquared has openly admitted to the interference after conducting their own tests! "Initial tests of LightSquared’s terrestrial base stations, however, have shown that these transmissions can cause interference issues for GPS receivers."

Telecommunications lobbyists acknowledge that "it is likely there will be interference issues that will need to be solved".

I wrote a letter to the FCC and Congressman Royce and have not heard back from either.  I'm not holding my breath...

CA Legislators Seek to End Warrantless Cell Phone Searches

As you may recall, I wrote about warrantless cell phone searched HERE after reading about the People v. Diaz, which held that information in cell phones may be searched without a warrant or other judicial supervision.

As I said before, the Administration of Justice major in me thinks the practice is a quick way to get information to use against the suspect.  As an investigatory practice, it sounds expedient but the Constitutionalist in me says STOP!  What's the rush?  Go get a warrant. 

There is a push from the California Senate and supported by the Assembly to protect against warrantless electronic searches.  Senate Bill 914, sponsored by Mark Leno (D) authored the proposed law.  I think this marks the first time I have agreed with any bill proposed by Leno, someone I consider a far-left liberal.   

Giving me some "conservative comfort", the bill will not hamper officers under exigent circumstances such as when safety is threatened or destruction of data is imminent.

The California Supreme Court ruled on January 3, 2011 that police may search the files and data stored on the cell phones of suspects who are arrested without having to obtain a warrant.  The Court likened cell phones to an article of clothing. 

The OC Register Editorial Board said on January 12, 2011:

It is archaic and short-sighted to liken cell phones to an article of clothing or a wallet; they are more akin to minicomputers, often containing extensive, intimate personal and professional data. Applications on phones store financial information, bank records and passwords, not to mention personal e-mails, photos and text messages. Giving police offers undue power to seize and peruse cell phones without a warrant is a threat to fundamental rights.

As shocked as I am that I agree with Leno's bill, I am glad to see it moving forward.  There was some language in the original bill which created a basis for the State to reimburse local agencies for State-mandated costs.  That was removed and the current version is clean and clear. 



"Warrant?  Is this guy for real?  I don't need a

warrant to search his camera.  Oops!  I accidentally

destroyed the FILM in the camera.  Sorry."



The law will protect against warrantless searches of ALL portable electronic devices that are capable of creating, receiving, accessing, or storing electronic data or communications.  That means, at least to me, that officers will need warrants to search iPads, iPods, all smart phones and cell phones, and gadgets not yet invented.

You can read the current version of the law which needs Senate approval due to the deletion of the reimbursement clause by clicking HERE.

And in case you were wondering, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas OPPOSES WARRANTED SEARCHES! 

Rancho Santiago Canyon College District Hires New Trustee

by Raul Rodriguez, PhD - Chancellor of the RSCC District

A Special Board Meeting was held last night to address the vacancy in Trustee Area #3 created by the resignation of former Trustee Lisa Woolery.  The Board interviewed three candidates during the meeting and selected Ms. Arianna P. Barrios to fill the vacancy.  Ms. Barrios was sworn in as the provisional appointee in Trustee Area #3 and will serve until the term ends on December 7, 2012.  The new Trustee for this area will be elected in the November 6, 2012 election.

Ms. Barrios has over 20 years experience in marketing and communications and has served as a communications consultant for non-profit, for profit and educational organizations, including several school districts across Southern California.  As sole owner of Barrios & Associates, Ms. Barrios consults with clients across the country.  A dedicated member of the community, Ms. Barrios has served in a number of volunteer positions with local organizations including the Orange Unified School District, YWCA of Central Orange County, HomeAid Orange County and is currently a member of the Board of the Community Foundation of Orange.  Ms. Barrios is an educator at heart, having worked in the classroom as a substitute teacher for the Orange County Department of Education.

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Arianna P. Barrios to the Rancho community.  We look forward to working with her as a member of the Rancho Santiago Community College District Board of Trustees. 

Raúl Rodríguez, PhD

Chancellor

Rancho Santiago Community College District

2323 North Broadway, Suite 410

Santa Ana, CA 92706-1640

714-480-7450 office

714-796-3915 fax

rodriguez_raul@rsccd.edu

 

The Science of Irrigation: Efficiency vs. Uniformity

By Melissa Baum-Haley, Ph.D., MWDOC Water Use Efficiency Programs Specialist

When is the last time you observed your sprinkler system running? Observing your sprinkler system in action can help you save water by improving both the irrigation system efficiency and uniformity. This article will explain the difference between efficient irrigation and uniform irrigation – and what you can do to achieve both when you water your lawn and plants.

The terms efficiency and uniformity are often confused when discussing irrigation. It is a common mistake to use them synonymously. Efficiency refers to how much of the water applied to the plants is ultimately used by them, while uniformity refers to how evenly the water is applied. Uniformity is increased with proper landscape coverage. And while an irrigation system can have sufficiently good uniformity, this does not mean that the actual irrigation event is necessarily efficient.

Here’s a little game to test your knowledge. The following illustrations depict four irrigation water application scenarios in the soil. Within the root zone of the plants, indicated as the area below the ground surface and above the line, the water is used beneficially. Below the root zone, below the white line, the water is lost to deep percolation (drainage). Can you tell the difference between the efficient and uniform irrigation?

A) The irrigation water applied is both uniform and efficient (the goal).

B)While efficient in terms of conservative water use, the irrigation was not uniform. Under-watering areas in the root zone will result in plant quality decline (leading to pest and weed invasion, or "dry spots").

C) The common cure the "dry spots" is watering longer. This leads to non-uniformity and inefficiency due to over watering some areas.

D) Uniform but inefficient due to overwatering, resulting in drainage below the root zone (which, with time, can result in plant loss as well as the transport of excess nutrients, fertilizers and pesticides that harm the environment).

So, how does your irrigation system compare? Here’s a simple way to evaluate the uniformity of the irrigation distribution in your own yard. You will need:

• 16-24 empty tuna cans, pet food cans, ramekins, or similar containers for water catchment (note: all catchment containers must be the same size)
• A ruler
• A pad and pen

What to do:
• Evenly distribute the catchment containers around the turfgrass area.
• Draw a map of the catchment container locations.
• Irrigate the turfgrass area as usual.
• Measure and record the depth of water collected in each container.

Results:
• If there is more than a ¼ inch variation of water collected within a certain area of the test site, the distribution of applied irrigation is not uniform.

Want to know more? What you have just measured is the uniformity of how you water your lawn during your regular watering cycle. The lack of even distribution (uniformity) can result from either 1) how the timer is set, or 2) the sprinkler equipment. Let’s dig a little deeper.

• Manually turn on the irrigation system, zone by zone.

• Determine which zone(s) are watering the turfgrass area.

• Note whether the zone(s) are using spray heads, rotor heads, or other.

• Observe the sprinklers as they run.

Spray Head

Rotor Head

Drip Irrigator

Q: Is the area irrigated by more than one type of sprinkler head?

A: Different types of sprinkler heads will apply different amounts of water (referred to as the application rate).

Q: Is the test area irrigated by one, two, or more zones?

A: If the test area is irrigated by multiple zones, the scheduled run time for each zone must be matched. If the zones both have the same equipment type (sprinkler head), try retesting so each zone is set to run for the same length of time (for example, 15 min). If the zones water the area with different types of sprinklers, use this rule of thumb for rerunning the test, set the spray head zone to run for half of the time as the rotor head zone.

Q: Are there any geysers, leaks, or ponding?

A: Broken equipment can result in variations in water pressure within the system. Changes in water pressure will affect the water distribution pattern and system uniformity.

Issues like these reflect both the uniformity of distribution and overall efficiency of the system. Good uniformity combined with proper irrigation scheduling will result in reduced pest and weed invasion and fewer "dry spots".

Remember, even the smartest of irrigation controllers cannot correct for inefficient irrigation design, improper installation, or lack of maintenance. The potential of water savings that result from efficient watering practices must take the irrigation system, landscape design, and maintenance each into consideration. The three fundamental roadblocks for fully achieving the watering efficiency potential when considering the use of irrigation technologies are: (1) how to use the equipment, (2) when and how long to water, and (3) system uniformity. This requires a holistic approach, to realize true water use efficiency potential.

So, we’ve now completed the second lesson in our Science of Irrigation series. In the next installment, we will examine irrigation controllers and explain just what makes a "smart" controller so smart.

For more information about irrigation uniformity and efficiency, please contact Melissa Baum-Haley at (714) 593-5016.

A Message from Ron Thomas

After a meeting with the City Manager and many others tonight, the event for Sept. 10th has been canceled. We will still have a protest, but there was not enough time to coordinate everything that had to be done for the bands, food, venders, and so on.

 

However; after the protest on the 17th of Sept, from 3:00pm until 8:00pm at the Fullerton Museum stage area (Pomona and Wilshire) where the Farmers Market is held, it is now set in stone with everyone to have a huge fund raiser. There are many bands (confirmed), raffles, lots of KTMF items for sale, lots of food, venders, and fun for all. Please attend and bring your friends and family members. You will start to see a lot of advertisement for this, as the bands are very well known.

 

Because this is a fund raiser, please bring canned goods, clothing, or you can donate cash/checks...........

All of the proceeds will go directly to feed and clothe the homeless.

 

Thank you for everything that you do.

Ron Thomas

MWD: Do as I say, not as I do

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California adopted a new “Long-Term Conservation Plan to help improve water use efficiency and reduce regional per capita water use 20 percent by 2020.”

The plan is pretty simple: use 20% less and pay 200% more.  Yes, 200% MORE!  OK, 200% is MY BEST GUESS based on MWD's own data and budget.

MWD’s rates are always increasing to cover their overhead, most of which addresses increased costs of benefits and salaries.  Let’s not forget that this same agency has the Ethics Office which costs ratepayers $571,000 per year to help train District employees about sexual harassment and ethics.

It’s ironic that the agency promoting water conservation is so wasteful with our money.

Despite MWD’s business practices, it is important that we conserve water and recognize the actual cost of managing our water system.    

It is equally important that government agencies recognize their role in supplying residents with water the residents already own.  I know that sounds odd but think about it.  The MWD is a public agency, not a private for-profit corporation.  And all of the Agency’s property and commodities belong to the shareholders (not to be confused with the stakeholders) which are the District’s residents.  Therefore, MWD Directors need to remember who they serve and why they serve us.

I suggest the MWD swallow their own pill and demonstrate greater fiscal responsibility before saddling consumers with the cost of their waste.

City offers housing rehabilitation loans for homeowners

I have mixed thoughts on the City making loans to residents but I tend to favor this program.

It is far cheaper for taxpayers to give homeowners loans for minor repairs than it is to have code enforcement (or Community Preservation Officers) write tickets and then have the City Attorney file a civil suit against a homeowner.

By doing this, the City is taking a proactive role in combating blighted conditions.  These loans may also help prevent the “need” for the Fullerton Redevelopment Agency to condemn properties as part of that Agency’s fight against blight.

Here is the City’s press release:

 

Does your plumbing leak or your house need a fresh coat of paint? How about other basic safety improvements such as a new roof or repairing faulty wiring or heating to curb high energy costs?

           

If your answer to any of these questions is "yes," but your checkbook balance says it’s out of the question, don't give up: The City of Fullerton may be able to lend you a hand.

           

The City, through its Housing and Community Development Office, offers both deferred and below-market interest rate loans to Fullerton homeowners through its Housing Rehabilitation Program.

The loans are funded through the federal Housing and Urban Development Department's Community Development Block Grant Program, and qualifying homeowners must meet the program’s income criteria and guidelines. .

           

"The goal of the program is to assist low- and moderate-income residents who cannot afford to keep up their homes on their own," explained Sylvia Chavez, housing programs assistant for the city. "By providing them with a way of taking care of their homes, the City is helping protect their quality of life, as well as their property values."

           

Below-market rate loans of up to $65,000 are available for qualified applicants. The loans carry a low interest rate of 6 percent or below, and the maximum repayment period is 15 years.

           

Homeowners unable to qualify for the below-market rate loans may qualify for a deferred loan, Chavez continued. Deferred loans require no monthly payments and no interest, and are reviewed every 15 years for eligibility. The loans come due upon the sale or transfer of the home.

           

Senior citizen homeowners (62 years of age or older) who only receive federal or state financial assistance, such as Social Security or disability, are allowed to bypass the bank application and apply directly for a deferred loan.

           

Applications and further information about the loan programs may be obtained by calling Chavez at (714) 738-6874, or by coming to the Housing and Community Rehabilitation Office on the second floor of Fullerton City Hall,

303 W. Commonwealth Ave.

           

Applications and further information are also available under the Community Development Department section of the City website at www.ci.fullerton.ca.us.

Fullerton Press Release - Al Zelinka

A City of Fullerton Press Release just dropped into my in box and it looks like something you should know about. 

Fullerton Community Development Director Al Zelinka will conduct a “Community Dialogue” Tuesday, Sept. 27, which citizens can attend and discuss issues, concerns and hopes they have regarding the city’s growth and development.

The dialogue, one in a series of bi-monthly community meetings conducted by Zelinka, will be held from 6-7 p.m. at the Vision Center, Room 140, Grace Ministries International, 150 S. Brookhurst Road.

Zelinka said he started the dialogues as a means of helping his department meet the goals of its mission statement.

           

“Our mission,” Zelinka said, “is to help residents and businesses with their efforts to grow within our community in a safe, orderly and healthful manner that respects Fullerton’s heritage while sustaining opportunity for present and future generations.

           

“I believe community involvement in the planning process is absolutely essential to achieving that goal, and I hope the public will take advantage of these meetings to share their ideas, issues and other information.”

The final dialogue in the series will be held from 8-9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, at the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce, 444 N. Harbor Blvd.

Further information about the “Community Dialogue” program may be obtained by calling Zelinka at (714) 738-3347, or by email at alz@ci.fullerton.ca.us.

Persons requiring special accommodations to attend a “Community Dialogue” are asked to notify the Community Development Department at (714) 738-6547 prior to the meeting.

U.S. Dept. of Justice email announces some details regarding the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund

I'm not sure why the email was sent to me but I thought you might like to know what "progress" looks like 10 years after we watched the towers fall.  At the bottom is a link to a Youtube Video.  It is 26 minutes of pain and suffering.  Watch it and never forget...

Dear Friend,

I am writing to let you know that I have sent to the Federal Register the Final Rule governing the September 11^th Victim Compensation Fund. Since issuing the proposed regulations in June, I have met with hundreds of you at town halls in New York and New Jersey and reviewed the formal comments submitted in response to the proposed regulations. I am so grateful for and have benefited from having met so many of you and having heard your concerns and suggestions.

Based on your feedback, as well as further review of the best scientific and medical evidence that is available, I have made some changes to the regulations for the Final Rule. First among them, I have expanded the geographic zone recognized as a “9/11 crash site.” The proposed rule suggested that the term “9/11 crash site” included the area in Manhattan south of Reade Street – boundaries that were substantially broader than those used in the Fund’s first iteration. However, in light of the comments that were submitted, as well as further examination of the available evidence, the Final Rule expands the zone of geographic eligibility to include the area south of Canal Street. In addition to the dust that was present most heavily in the area south of Reade Street, there is also evidence suggesting that prolonged exposure to dust between Reade Street and Canal Street created a risk of physical harm. There are also substantial numbers of patients who live between Reade Street and Canal Street who are receiving treatment in the World Trade Center (WTC) Environmental Health Center program.

While there is evidence that the smoke plume from the site traveled beyond Manhattan south of Canal Street, the concentrations of contaminants in the smoke cloud were most intense within and very near Ground Zero. By the time the smoke cloud had reached other areas, such as Brooklyn, the particulate concentrations were significantly diluted. Thus, the initial zone of coverage will include the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Shanksville sites; the buildings that were destroyed; the area south of Canal St. in lower Manhattan; and the routes of debris removal.

One area that has remained unchanged since the draft regulations involves the determination of which physical harms and deaths were “a result of” the crashes or debris removal within the meaning of the statute. The Rule requires the Fund to maintain and publish a list of presumptively covered conditions that resulted from the air crashes or debris removal. This list will consist of the physical injuries and conditions that are found, under the WTC Health Program, to be WTC-related health conditions. I will update this list so that it includes not only those physical conditions listed in Title I of the Zadroga Act, but also any additional physical conditions that the WTC Health Program subsequently determines to be WTC-related.

I know many of you will be disappointed by this decision; in particular, because it means that, at least at the beginning of the Fund’s operations, the Fund is not able to identify any particular type of cancer as a WTC-related condition. Congress, in drafting the Zadroga Act last year, did not include cancer in the list of illnesses and health conditions that experienced medical professionals have determined could be found to be substantially likely to have been aggravated, caused, or contributed to by exposure to conditions resulting from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Since that time, the first periodic review by the WTC Health Program Administrator similarly found insufficient scientific and medical evidence for adding cancer to the list of covered conditions. After considering all of the comments and the available scientific and medical evidence, I have decided that it is important, and consistent with the intentions of Congress, that I continue to rely on the medical judgment made by the WTC Health Program. While the Fund will evaluate new evidence as it becomes available, and will add to its list of presumptively covered conditions any physical injury condition that the WTC Health Program recognizes as WTC-related, the Final Rule will not add any additional conditions at this time.

Although exceptions can be made to this list of covered conditions, the rules require such exceptions only in extraordinary circumstances, and where the claimant satisfies other eligibility criteria, including presence at a 9/11 crash site.

The Final Rule contains other changes as well. For example, we have attempted to provide greater consistency with the WTC Health Program by adding additional forms of proof that may be used to establish eligibility. We have also clarified the types of fees and charges that would come within the caps on amounts that a claimant’s representative may charge in connection with a claim made to the Fund.

I encourage you to read the Final Rule in its entirety. I am placing the signed copy of the Final Rule that was submitted to the Federal Register on the Fund’s website, www.justice.gov/vcf. I expect the Rule to be published later this week, and we will put the official version on the website when that happens. The Rule will go into effect when the Fund opens its doors on Monday, October 3. Much more information, including detailed instructions on how to file a claim, will be made available at that time. In addition, we will continue to update the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section of our website, www.justice.gov/vcf.  

I can’t promise that everyone will be satisfied with every decision that the Fund makes, but I do hope you feel that the process is fair, transparent, and easy to navigate. As I said when I was first appointed, as a lifelong New Yorker, the opportunity to serve the country and the 9/11 community in this way is a tremendous honor. I have been touched by how many of you have expressed appreciation or good wishes for the Fund’s operations.

Thank you for your continued faith and support. I look forward to meeting more of you, and to serving you the best that I can.

Yours,

Sheila

http://youtu.be/wNNTcHq5Tzk