It may be noted on the main FlashReport page this morning, but it’s worth mentioning here as well…the lead SDUT editorial skewers the Escondido City Council over its disdain for private property rights, giving us all another reason to hate the Kelo decision and to support the Protect Our Homes initiative this November.  An excerpt:

The busy stretch along Mission Avenue in western Escondido near Quince Street must be a pretty good place for a restaurant. After all, Oliverio and Rosa Ruedas, owners of the El Mexicano Taco Shop, have earned a living there for 21 years. Then again, maybe hard work and good food explain the couple’s ability to survive economic challenges that include the recent shuttering of Kmart, their giant neighbor.

But the Ruedas family is no match for Escondido’s city government. In a troubling abuse of power, the City Council has voted 3-2 to seize the property beneath their business and sell it to a developer whose clients will pay more in local taxes. The Taco Shop must go, replaced by a driveway for 164 condos and a Lowe’s superstore.

I’m the first to understand the desire on the part of many…er, most…ok, all…local governments to ensure good tax-generating businesses thrive in their respective communities.  However, my guess is that it’s not just Escondido that wants Lowe’s at this spot along Mission Blvd.  I bet Lowe’s wants to be there as well.  (Do I hear a great big DUH for that one?)  So, a note to Lowe’s and the condo developers: Buy the Taco Shop.

Better yet, just a thought, how about Lowe’s and the city start thinking outside the proverbial big box, and realize what a mutual benefit it could be to have a locally popular food establishment actually connected to a superstore.  Wal-Mart regularly has McDonald’s or others inside them nowadays.  I can’t go into a large grocery store without seeing a Starbucks.  Furthermore, when I hit the food stands just outside the Lowe’s in either Santee or San Diego — or any Home Depot for that matter — the food sucks.  

It could be that many would jump at the chance to have some decent Mexican food while shopping at Lowe’s.  More taco sales, more building supply sales, more sales tax.  Everyone’s happy, even the city.

I know my hastily prescribed morning vision for a joint effort could be a bit simplistic.  But, what’s the problem?  Too much Lowe’s floor or parking lot space used by a Taco Shop?  The corporate suits scared of dealing with a small independent?  Mexican food doesn’t fit the image?  What image is that, exactly?

Please tell me.  And, if it really doesn’t pencil out, then back to the first point.  BUY the shop.

That aside, the fact that the UT editorial doesn’t mention where all the councilmembers line up on the issue (other than noting Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler’s argument in support) is probably based in the paper’s dislike for Marie Waldron…this way they won’t have to put her in a good light.  Without looking, I can almost guarantee she voted against taking the Ruedas family property.  

So, I won’t look at any of the votes.  Instead, I’ll post when I’m done with this paragraph, email my entry to the Escondido councilmembers, and ask for a response.  Where do you stand and why?  Limit your potential tome to two paragraphs or so….and I’ll run it in its entirety.  Email me here.

Oops….one last paragraph.  Have a great Sunday!

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 30th, 2006 at 12:00 am and is filed under Blog Posts.