Palomar College has hired two legal firms to conduct fact-finding investigations of employment-related complaints.
College officials declined to provide any information about the nature of the complaints or the employees involved. Officials decided that third-party investigators were needed, said John Tortarolo, Palomar's vice president of human resources. He said the complaints are confidential personnel matters.
At a special meeting Tuesday, the community college's board agreed to hire Irvine-based Meyers Allison LLP at a cost of $225 an hour plus expenses.
According to Meyers Allison's Web site, the firm is experienced in labor and employment law, including recruit-ment and retention, discrimination and harassment, employee discipline, leave issues and disability accommodations.
The board also approved an agreement with Trabuco Canyon-based Jeffrey B. Love & Associates LLC for $130 an hour plus expenses.
The college does not know how long the investigation will take, Tortarolo said. –L.L.
Council candidates
to face off at forum
POWAY: The first of three Poway City Council candidate forums will be held tomorrow night.
All four candidates vying for two open seats have said they will attend the South Poway Residents Association event. It will begin at 7 p.m. in the Poway Community Auditorium, 13094 Civic Center Drive.
The event is free, and people are encouraged to submit written questions to the candidates about Poway issues.
Longtime Councilman Bob Emery is not running for re-election, which means his seat is open for the first time since Poway incorporated as a city in 1980.
Merrilee Boyack is running for a second term. She is joined by first-time candidates Howard Collins, Chuck Cross and Jim Cunningham. The top two vote-getters will win a seat. –J.H.J.
Street renamed for
high school mascot
ESCONDIDO: Orange Glen High School is all about Patriot Pride, and now it has a street sign to match.
As part of tomorrow's homecoming, the school will celebrate a new name – Patriot Place – for the city street that serves as the main access to campus.
The name change, approved by the City Council in March, affects a small portion of Midway Drive. A celebration at the street begins at 5 p.m.
Later, assistant principal Allen William will lead a 20th anniversary reunion of some of the school's 1988 football players, who were undefeated in their regular season.
Homecoming also marks the kickoff of a $100,000 fundraising campaign by the school's foundation. –J.R.
Guitar Hero contest
to help school band
SAN MARCOS: The San Marcos High School band will host a Guitar Hero Tournament on campus Saturday to raise money for the band.
Competitors will have a chance to win $200 and other prizes. Contestants can preregister online, at smhsmusic. com, for $10 a person or at the door for $12 a person. Spectators will pay $5 each.
Registration will start at 1:30 p.m., and the games will begin at 2 p.m. at the band room on campus, 1615 San Marcos Blvd. For more information, call (760) 290-2236. –L.L.
Mayor launches
personal Web site
SAN MARCOS: Mayor Jim Desmond announced the launch of his personal Web site yesterday.
The Web site, at sanmarcos-mayor.com, lists who he's endorsing in the City Council election next month and his opposition to Proposition O, a growth-management initiative that will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Desmond's site also has six YouTube videos that he made. The first explains why he's against Proposition O, including its potential negative financial effects on the city.
Other videos include information about the city's budget, the role of the council, frequently asked questions, the procedure for speaking during public comment sessions at council meetings and a planned downtown area along the San Marcos Creek.
The site also allows people to e-mail Desmond. He said he'll be updating it periodically.
“Hopefully, it will generate some interest from the citizens of San Marcos,” Desmond said. –L.L.
Staff writers Linda Lou, J. Harry Jones and Jeff Ristine contributed to this report.
