Page 5 - The Friday Flyer • October 7, 2016

OCTOBER 7, 2016 THE FRIDAY FLYER A-5 Candidates discuss BLM land development
BY DONNA RITCHIE
EDITOR, THE FRIDAY FLYER
Over the next few weeks, citizens will have a chance to hear from their City Council candidates, learn how much they understand about the City’s current and future challenges, and what each candidate hopes to accomplish if elected to serve a four-year term on City Council.
Residents who have a question they’d like to have candidates answer in The Friday Flyer’s Q&A can e-mail their questions to news@goldingpublications. com.
The general election will take place on November 8. All Canyon Lake citi- zens registered to vote are eligible to vote for candidates to fill the three avail- able seats on City Council.
In last week’s Q&A, The Friday Flyer asked candidates to explain their plans to continue fire services for the City of Canyon Lake. This week, The Friday Flyer asked candidates to explain their thoughts on the BLM land development. Candidates are listed in reverse order ac- cording to their last names.
Question:
In 400 or fewer words, please ex- plain your thoughts on the BLM land development.
George Middle
The hundreds of acres of BLM land, surrounding the north side of Canyon Lake come in three categories:
• A section too steep for walking, bik- ing or horses. This is on north side of the river.
• A section of land on the fire station side of the river that is hike-able. A gate
has to be unlocked by a $100 key deposit. • A section of “flatish” land approxi- mately 880 acres, adjacent to the Eques- trian Center that is currently used for horse riding, cycling and walking. This land has a gate that requires a key to access the BLM land. A large group of homeowners are fighting to protect this
land from development.
Canyon lake residents will be mostly
affected by the private lands all the way to Central Ave. that can be developed. An example of the potential develop- ment is the site on the north side of Gre- enwald, about a half mile from the North Gate approved by Lake Elsinore City for a home development of 350 homes. Adding possible traffic lights and an ad- dition in traffic will increase the time to travel Greenwald significantly.
My view on all of these BLM discus- sions is that we must keep this BLM land for its limited recreation. A Memorandum of Agreement between the BLM and the City charges the City to send its Special Enforcement staff to patrol the land and control debris and illegal use of it, e.g. shooting and riding ATV vehicles.
The City has been in negotiation to lease this BLM land. This lease states, “The proposal to lease the BLM land de- clared as open/natural public recreation space that will allow residents of Canyon Lake to continue to use the land for hik- ing, bicycling, picnicking and fishing.”
The City of Canyon Lake hopes the efforts it is putting in with a budget of $45,000 per annum for Special En- forcement will encourage the BLM to lease the land. Whether these negotia- tions are still ongoing, and whether the City is paying these Special Enforce- ment wages currently, will be interest- ing to find out.
The City of Canyon Lake should be proactive in ensuring that public safety, conservation and recreation go hand in hand when thinking what use these lands may be put to.
The financial benefit to the City for developing BLM land will be miniscule compared to the loss of home values and the loss of its rural image.
Larry Greene
The Bureau of Land Management
City Council candidates from left to right are
Dave Eilers, Randy Bonner, Larry Greene, Jordan Ehrenkranz and George Middle.
(BLM) land encompasses approximate- ly 700-plus acres adjacent to the of the City of Canyon Lake and is within the sphere of influence of the City. Discus- sion with the BLM regarding this prop- erty has been ongoing for years. It now appears within the next two years Can- yon Lake can purchase this land.
Only a portion of this acreage can be developed; the east side of the North Ski Area and behind the Jump Lagoon. The west side of the North Ski Area must re- main an open space for an animal refuge and conservation zone.
Many questions about development of this land must be addressed. What im- pact will this have on our roads, lake ac- cess, water, sewer, public safety, police and fire, infrastructure and POA mem- bership. How will “Fair Share Costs” be generated? Will it be a special district like Mello-Roos?
The City Council has commissioned a consulting firm to address how much land can be developed, property tax rev- enue and density issues. The report is
uuCONTINUED PAGE A6
Canyon Lake Doctor Helps Visually Impaired To See
High Technology For Low Vision Patients Allows Many To Drive Again
Low Vision Glasses for Macular Degeneration by Elena Lombardi
For many patients with macular degeneration and other vision-related conditions, the loss of central visual detail also signals the end to one of the last bastions of independence
- driving. California Low Vision Optometrist Dr. Richard Shuldiner is using miniaturized telescopes which are mounted in glasses to help people who have lost vision from macular degeneration and other eye conditions.
“Some of my patients consider me the last chance
for people who have vision loss” said Dr. Shuldiner, “most people don’t know that there are low vision optometrists who have extensive experience in helping those with vision loss. We help people with
macular degeneration, diabetic, retinopathy, RP and other eye diseases regain function and independence.”
Patient using telescopic glasses to drive and read signs.
Imagine a pair of glasses that can improve your vision enough to change your life. Low Vision glasses may allow you to read, watch television, see sporting events, and even drive.
There are two types of macular degeneration: wet and dry There is no treatment for the dry form, which is caused by aging, sunlight, smoking, and genetics. The
damage in the wet form is caused by blood vessels leaking uid. Treatment is aimed at stopping the leak and preventing further leaks. The vision cannot be regained in either type. This is where low vision glasses can help.
While there is currently no cure, promising research is being done on many fronts. “My job is to gure out everything and anything possible to keep a person functioning” says
Dr. Shuldiner. “Even if it’s driving.”
“The major bene t of bioptic telescope low vision glasses is magnifying road signs, traf c lights and other distance objects necessary for safe driving”.
Dr. Shuldiner is the founder of The International Academy of Low Vision Specialists (www.IALVS.com) and
Patient using prismatic low vision glasses for reading.
has extensive experience in working with the visually impaired.
Call For a Free Telephone Consultation with Dr. Shuldiner
and to schedule an appointment.
Richard Shuldiner O.D., F.A.A.O.
(888) 610-2020
www.IALVS.com www.LowVisionCare.com
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PHOTO BY DONNA RITCHIE