Goldspotted Oak Borer

I promised Doug this posting a week ago. I’m sorry Doug.



The TC has written two stories about the threat of the goldspotted oab borer — now found in San Diego County.

The insect plants its larvae in several species of oak. After several generations, only years in oak time, the time will die. Think of the damage that bark beetles create in pines.

So far the oak borer has not been found in Riverside County. While it can fly, it’s best form of migration is stealing a ride on a four-wheel vehicle.

If you buy oak fire wood in Riverside County or on the Hill, you should be sure to ask the seller where he obtained the wood.

There is no inspection or certification program available to guarantee that the insect will be contained to the county to the south and not illegally immigrate here.

The way we can police and safeguard our “Hill” is to be vigilant and careful ourselves. You’ll have to inspect and look for the “D” shaped holes. If it’s split, perhaps on the edge near the bark you might observe the larvae galleries.

As the temperatures drop, many entrepreneurs sell their firewood across the street from the Town Crier. Unfortunately, we are not the “wood” police, despite what you think!

I have asked several vendors what kind of wood they have although I didn’t see any oak. And was surprised to learn that almond is a good hot burner.

I’ve also inquired about their source. Riverside and Fallbrook are the most frequently cited areas.

The Forest Service plans to make more local oak wood available from thinning and hazardous fuels removal projects. Check with Hal Carey, the local forester (909) 382-2946. Or call the Cal Fire foresters at the Mountain Resource Center on Franklin Drive (951) 659-3337.

And please not, this villain's name is "Goldspotted", not "goldenspotted" — a mistake that we made several times in those published articles!


P.S. 2:30 pm
This afternoon, a vendor is offering a half cord of oak for $130. He says the wood is from north of here, between Idyllwild and Banning — Poppet Flats. That's what he says.

Hemet High Schoo Football

Trick or treat? Treat came early for the Hemet High School football team last night, Well before the dawn of Halloween, the varsity soundly defeated Perris High School 33-7.


The fireworks were for the crowning of the Homecoming queen, abut could have been justified for the team’s first home victory in a year.

In a battle of once triumphant teams, Hemet clearly dominated Perris. The halftime score was 26-7. Hemet’s “breaker” offense kept the ball on the ground and used much of the clock.

The defense had one of its finer nights. Two Perris fumbles were returned for touchdowns, including one off a field goal attempt.

Hemet’s frosh unit beat Perris’s freshmen 27-12 earlier in the afternoon. And to cap a successful homecoming week, the junior varsity won Thursday 7-6. And "Dawg" was happy!!

IFPD meeting with their auditors

the planned Monday morning meeting with Smith Marion & Co., IFPD's auditors, has been rescheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov 4. A revised audit for years 2004 through 2006 were received this week and the differences between year-ending and year-beginning balances have been corrected.

David Marion and staff are supposed to be available to answer questions.

IDYLLWILD FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
AGENDA FOR SPECIAL MEETING
November 04, 2009. (10:00 a.m.)

The meeting is held at the Idyllwild Fire Station, 54160 Maranatha Dr. The Board may approve or take action on items contained in the discussion Calendar.

Call to Order:

Roll Call:
1. Mcwilliams – Vaught – Parker – Riggi – Killingsworth – Kunkle – Coopersmith

Pledge of Allegiance:

Consent Calendar:
1. None

Reports:

1. Presidents
2. Vice Presidents
3. Chief

Correspondence:
As Included

Action Items:
1. Smith Marion review of prior year audits.

Discussion Items:
1. None
Citizen Comments:

As Requested at the October 30, 2009 special meeting please have all questions regarding the audits prepared and delivered by Monday November 2nd 2009.
Questions which are received without prior notice may need to be answered at a future date.

Executive / Closed Session:
1. None Scheduled.

Adjournment:

How to evaluate the VHS deal?

If voters reject the proposed sale of the VHS to local physicians, the doctors will have the right to purchase Menifee Valley Medical Center (MVMC) for $29 million. Some might argue that the voters have an incentive to approve the sale while doctors are better with its defeat.
One statistical indicator is the cost per hospital bed. MVMC has 84 beds, which computes to $345,200 per bed. The VHS Web site says Hemet Valley Medical Center has 343 beds, but even Dr. William Cherry, VHS president admitted there is seldom enough nurses to fill all the beds.
Nevertheless $162 million for 427 beds is $379, 400 per bed, a better deal for voters. But the fewer beds HVMC has the higher the per bed price, thus doctors would do better with just MVMC.
Of course, the $162 million price is the Press Enterprise estimate and includes the $55 million of unsubstantiated claims. If that is deleted from the costs, the price per bed is only $250, 600.
So how one evaluates the sale, depends upon how many beds one assumes for HVMC and how reliable and accurate is the estimate of PHH claims totaling $55 million.