Well some dirty tricks never change. Two days after the Jumping Turtle files a Federal lawsuit against the City of San Marcos and two others city employees they have a crippling fight. Funny thing is what the papers and city officials don’t tell you is this is a regular occurrence in Restaurant Row and Club Tropics. Just Google Club Tropics and you can see for yourself what SM will tolerate. Last time I checked the Turtle has been there over 7 years and has had no more issues than any other place similar in SM. If anything they probably have less. I requested that information from the city and was denied. Huh?!

Here it is in a nutshell based on my own independent research and opinion. Look up the Mission Road project. The specific highlighted dates and approval of the planning of this project coincide very coincidentally with the Turtle’s recent issues with the city. Wow, is it so hard to believe that the city may want to push the Turtle out of one of the most desired properties along Mission Ave.? Before you individuals, who have no idea how commercial real estate is valued, start squawking about the ascetics of the property, let me make it easy on you. Where the Turtle and their landlord sit is probably the best parcel on the strip that the city wants to develop. Right up from the new hotel, right off the freeway, etc...

When you think about it, it is really quite simple. Also, this is how the administration in SM works. The individuals who are orchestrating this must stop and think. Look around at some of the new developments. You are out of your mind to think all this development will be good for SM. San Marcos already has a high vacancy rate and it is not solely due to the economy.

People ask why they are doing this. Because it fills their pockets. There is talk that Mayor Desmond wants to leave his legacy on SM. Well if they proceed with the Sewer District and College District he will have a legacy of ghetto.

To conclude I was happy to hear that the Turtle has no plans on closing. I went in for lunch the other day and the place was happening. I believe in the city’s attempt to smear the Turtle in the Puke Tribune and in the BSNCT their support has only grown larger. This should be a lot of fun to watch.

I am going to keep this short. I have read all the facts and spin. When it comes to the hotel that is being built on Las Posas all I can say is, why.  Funny, because my friends and family that are not from San Marcos say the same thing when they see the construction. A nice hotel in the middle of an industrial area. The industrial business’ in that area should take notice.

I’ve heard all the reasoning for the hotel and can you believe they might build more? Why? Cal State San Marcos is a commuter school so I don’t think you are going to get much use from that end. Last time I checked San Marcos was not a tourist city. I think it is pretty obvious why this hotel exists. One more example of why it is time for a change in San Marcos.

One last note to emphasize my point. I know that technically it is San Diego not San Marcos, but the best hotel in town is now renting rooms to the public to help fiscally. That is right; Lake San Marcos Resort has now started renting rooms as apartments. For years this has been where you stay if you happened to find yourself in San Marcos. I think city leaders should do a little more research in their real estate ventures and stop spending millions of our taxpayer dollars.  San Marcos already owns enough vacant buildings.  Are our city officials incompetent or are they getting kickbacks from the real estate developers?  Some say the answer is both.

I stubbed my toe as I saw it. Everything around me seemed so dark for so long until this day. The light became brighter and brighter. As my eyes adjusted I knew exactly what was happening. Chris Brown was being elected to the Massachusetts Senate seat. For decades Ted Kennedy held that seat and now the reign is over. Don’t get me wrong, these days it is hard to choose a side. However, with the election of Chris Brown the Health Care Package has been put on hold. At least it has to for now. I am all for everyone having health care, but we must find a better way of doing that. This is obviously a much bigger issue.

Here is my point. Even better than the Health Care Package being defeated, we now see people are waking up and starting to pay attention to their elected leaders.

This is exactly what we need in San Marcos. We have 3 Council seats coming up for reelection this November, including the mayor, and we NEED some better candidates. The current administration has proven their incompetence over and over. San Marcos is slipping through the cracks. Whether it is the 28%+ vacancy rate, Las Posas hotel that blocks out the sun, to the selective code enforcement, and who can forget the major gang problems and all that it brings to the local residents and businesses. This does not even include the major issues that are going to arise with CSSMU.

SSMC is following some major leads so that we can offer the San Marcos voters facts about their elected officials. For example how are we supposed to allow a council member to make fiscal decisions regarding San Marcos when he in his own business career, has declared bankruptcy twice?  Yes folks, he is currently serving on the council. No wonder we are facing some of the issues in this town. We need individuals that are not developer pawns. Anyone looking for an example can drive around Escondido. That is San Marcos in 10-15 years at this rate.

This is just a very small example of what is to come. Remember November is only 10 months away. Let’s save our city while we still can.

The Jumping Turtle saga continues. SSMC has learned from an unnamed source that the city of San Marcos in an attempt of desperation has resorted to contacting one of the Jumping Turtle's old employees for "Dirt.” We also are trying to confirm that they are even making monetary offers. The old employee is Joe Troutman.

In fairness to Troutman, SSMC is going to refrain at this time releasing Joe's background information until we can confirm his position. Let us just say if this is the city’s defense, then the Turtle has already won. Troutman also works for a competitor of the Jumping Turtle is not really the poster child for honesty. Let’s just say Mr. Troutman does not have a very credible past. Not to mention he was the biggest JT supporter until his dismissal in October. Now suddenly he may have changed his opinion? Sources say, and a statement put out by owner, Matt Hall, confirms that relations between Troutman and the Jumping Turtle were strained long before the issue with San Marcos. According to Hall's statement and testimonials from local band members Joe was let go in large part due to his conduct with the bands.

Sources which include a statement put out by owner, Matt Hall, confirm that relations between Troutman and the Jumping Turtle were strained long before the issue with San Marcos. That is why Troutman was genuinely blindsided when the city did what they did. Sources say JT has always dotted its I's and crossed its T's. "This is one tight ship", one source stated. 

Troutman was contacted by Susie Vasquez, SM City Clerk, before the last hearing. Troutman provided one piece of documentation, but refused to attend and testify at the hearing. The documentation later turned out to be false. Certain actions on behalf of Troutman during that time open himself up to possible litigation from the Jumping Turtle. Matt Hall, owner of the Jumping Turtle, had no comment other than he must review all the new information and make a judgment with the assistance of his attorney. “Nothing is off the table", Hall stated.

Much more to come!!!  Check back for future blogs!!!

By JIM TRAGESER -- jtrageser@nctimes.com | Posted: Sunday, January 17, 2010 12:00am

Contact staff writer JIM TRAGESER at jtrageser@nctimes.com or 760-740-5408.

Nuff said!! The only problem with Jim's point is that I don't think San Marcos City Council wants the public to hear the truth. Here is the truth. The city shot before it looked and they under estimated the support and love for the JT. The city thought they would steam roll right over JT and nobody would even notice. Now the city is trying to back out and keep from looking like they made a grave error. The leaders of these individuals must step in and fix this issue before the tax payers spend even more money. The individuals like Susie Vasquez, City Clerk, must be reprimanded for their unethical behavior. I think Susie has worn out her welcome in SM. How a City Clerk has so much influence not only in this matter, but others seems very strange. In addition to Susie, everyone responsible for this action must resign or face termination. This is not what we as voters want from our city officials. Sometimes even the great leaders of SM make mistakes and it is now time to own up to them. The public has seen through this. Maybe if the SM leaders paid a little more attention to their city this would have never happened. The crooks must go and November is coming!!

-CH