Friday, February 8, 2008

Friday - Quick Hits

Supporters of Toll Road plan to appeal Coastal Commission decision to Federal Government. UT

Mayor want airport authority to take a look at John Moores reconfiguration plans for Lindbergh Field. UT

Danger Will Robinson! Engineer's report claims that Lake Wohlford Dam could liquefy during a major earthquake. UT

Local conservatives are beside themselves after Romney leaves presidential race. UT

State threatens Mira Costa College with accreditation if the board of trustees don't get their act together. UT

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Thursday - Quick Hits

Coastal Commission makes the right decision, votes against proposed toll road. UT NCTimes

Sucks being to be disenfranchised, Republicans complain they didn't recieve the proper ballots to vote. UT NCTimes

Non-lethal grenades and rocket launcher tubes stolen from Marine base. UT

Despite being indicted, Steve Castaneda will seek re-election to Chula Vista city council. UT

Filing period begins for San Diego city candidates. UT

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Steve Francis Shows up at Democratic Party Election Nite Event


I hear that mayoral candidate Steve Francis made a late appearance at the official San Diego County Democratic Party Election Nite Event. It was held at the Eagles Lodge in Hillcrest. From what I have been told about half the crowd had already gone home by the time Mr. Francis showed up, but that didn't prevent him from going around and working the room for votes. At one point he got into quite the discussion over virtues of outsourcing with a member of the Democratic Central Committee who happens to work for SEIU.

Memo to Steve Francis: The Annual County Democratic Party dinner is scheduled for Saturday night April 12th. I'm sure they wouldn't mind having you purchase a table or two for the dinner. I hear there is going to be a good speaker this year.

Wednesday - Quick Hits

City Council tells residents of Kensington to "screw you," and approves development project. UT

Ethics commission rules that councilmember Brian Maienshein can use his remaining 2004 reelection funds for his race for City Attorney. UT

Non-profits who provide affordable housing and other services to the homeless will split $2.1 million in HUD grant. UT

Bob Filner and Sierra Club urge East County residents to register their complaints regarding Sunrise Project at upcoming public hearings. UT

Fines reduced for cities of Carlsbad and Vista regarding Buena Creek lagoon sewage spill. UT

Gregory Canyon landfill faces more delays. NCTimes

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

California Republican Party's Latino Outreach Secret Weapon

On KPBS's evening election report they asked what today's election results meant for the California Republican Party of Chairman Ron Nehring. During his re-cap he unrolled the Party's secret weapon to help bring Latino voters back into the Republican fold, Luis Acle.

San Diegians should make a double take, including Republicans. We should all remember Acle failed to pay his taxes, failed to pay his campaign manager and failed to pay his campaign bills. These are just the providen business facts, not the rumors or issues involving his personal life.

So, I don't think the California Republicans have a serious plan for Latino outreach.

Republican Electorial College Initiative Dead for Real

It was reported today by Steven Maviglio on the California Majority Report that the California Republican Party had their first lost before the polls even closed today, their Electorial College Initiative.

It seems with all their hype, money and supposed vast system of volunteers they could not even buy enough signatures to get their measure on the November 2008 ballot.

Don't Forget to Vote Today

Election Day - Quick Hits

By the time polls close this evening a record 8.9 million Californians are expected to have cast votes today. UT

Minutemen to sue Caltrans for moving its Adopt-aHighway sign. UT

Judge rules that president Bush cannot override a judicial ruling requiring the U.S. Navy to take more caution regarding marine mammals when there is no emergency. UT

Profiles in courage: city council still trying to figure out how to give themselves a pay raise without creating a uproar. UT

Housing crisis update, Riverside County Board of Supervisors to consider countywide foreclosue counseling program. NCTimes

Monday, February 4, 2008

Don't Forget Trestles!

With all of the excitement surrounding tomorrow's presidential primary here in California. I wanted to remind people that a public meeting regarding the toll road through San Onofre State Park is scheduled for Wednesday.

The California Coastal Commission will be holding a public hearing regarding the application for the proposed 241 Foothills South tollway extension.

Date: Wednesday, February 6th
Time: 9:00 am
Location: Wyland Hall at the Del Mar Fairgrounds
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.
Del Mar, CA 92014

Indian Gaming Props Unfair to Californians: Vote No on Props 94-97

On the heels of the Governor visiting San Diego in support of the Indian Gaming Compacts, I wanted to take some time to post about the compacts.

While I am all for tribal sovereignty, I do not believe Californians should settle for flawed deals.

In principle, I believe in granting tribes more sovereign rights. However, Californians must ensure that this is done in a fair and equitable manner.

A “no” vote does not eliminate tribal sovereignty, but requires the State Legislature to go back to the table to re-negotiate deals that are fair for all of California’s tribes, casino workers and citizens.

Tribes that stand to gain billions of dollars from these deals should expect to:

1. Ensure that casino employees are afforded the same on-the-job rights that all Californians are afforded, including health care and Cal/OSHA standards.
2. Require an independent auditor to determine the State’s fair share of revenue.
3. Clearly define what revenue will be shared with the State.
4. Require any expansion to follow the same environmental standards as every other California business.

I do not believe this is too much to ask for allowing these four tribes to participate in the largest expansion of gaming in the history of the United States.

Voting “No” on Propositions 94-97 will send our legislature back to the bargaining table to get these deals right.

Monday - Quick Hits

City and unions are heading on a collision course on bargaining. UT

City council to decide on ballot measures for June election. UT

Advocates see a rise in homelessness among seniors. UT

City of Coronado to consider placing on the ballot a measure to raise room tax. UT

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson


Positive Engagement: A Speaker’s Series for Global Understanding

Presents: The Hip Hop Intellectual - Dr. Michael Eric Dyson

Tuesday, February 5, 2008, 7:00 pm

Southwestern College Gymnasium
900 Otay Lakes Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91910-7299 [Map]

Tickets: $20 General Admission - $10 Students/Seniors/Military

For ticket reservations: (619) 421-6700 x5684 Online Tickets [Link]

SWC Gymnasium Box Office will open for ticket sales starting at 5:00 p.m.

Doors will open for general admission seating at 6:30 p.m.

What a Shock... Peters considering City Attorney Race!

So, the right wing blogs and the UT suddenly realized what those of us on the left have been talking about for weeks, Scott Peters is considering a run for City Attorney. I must admit, I was a little shocked by the "breaking news" aspect of this realization. I believe we had a post on it over a week ago. So let's fill in the gaps for those who just realized Scott may run.

1) It has been widely known that either Alan Bersin or Scott Peters would jump into the race. Labor and the Democratic Party have been talking about this for weeks, and the CTA folks have even been engaged. Peters has been seen as the clear choice for these groups, as Bersin is too polarizing.

2) Scott Peters actually sent an ambiguous note to the powerful San Diego Democratic Club a weak and a haf ago, asking them to stall the endorsement process until everyone was declared: it worked, the Club (like the Central Committee) voted no endorsement.

3) Every major Democratic constituency has held off on early endorsements for Aguirre. If you ask the players in most of those groups, I am sure they will admit they have had phone calls from a variety of elected officials, labor leaders, and even environmentalists pleading with them to hold off until Peters makes a difinitive decision.

4) Growing political thought even among those who like Mike, is Aguirre is doomed, and the moderate to left can't afford a Jan Goldsmith as City Attorney (remember Casey Gwinn?). So there has been a scramble to encourage Scott Peters to run. He ain't perfect, but he he is a Democrat.