Jacobs says he is bowing out of Balboa Park makeover

Sadly, and alas, I, and most anyone who pays attention to government affairs at the local, regional, or national level "know' how things work; not on merit or with regard to law, but to $, power, influence, position. I just got back from Argentina and if you think it is bad here................ And when deeds afoul do occur they may never come to light or receive the justice they deserve, until someone steps out of line. In particular this time it is the City Attorney's office that put their neck on the line in my viewpoint, and they lost. The City Council, except for Sheri Lightner, simply caved into a classic daddy warbucks scenario. Thus it is that I ask the obvious questions in a not so veiled attempt to make obvious glaring points without making blatant accusations. We know. They know. Everybody knows. We need to support those who stood up for what was right in the event that they suffer future indignities for their bravery.
— February 6, 2013 3:56 p.m.

Jacobs says he is bowing out of Balboa Park makeover

Did Jacob's lawyers fail him by not investigating that the plan would violate city law, or knew of this and did not tell him, or tell him and he brushed that point of information aside? The City Attorney advised the City Council. Just how far did the City Attorney investigate and proceed in advising the Council about the project's conflict with law. Did the City Council know of, or coy past such legal issues. ? Inquiring minds want to know. SOHO has said that it endorses removing cars and parking from Plaza de Panama. SOHO sued because their attorney's determined that the plan violated city law. Jacobs, the City Attorney, the City Council have wasted precious unrecoverable time, a lot of money in their pursuit of what should not have been pursued because it was illegal. That's the point : law. Thankfully, via law, SOHO was able to prevent power, money, influence, and reluctance to confront them, from usurping Balboa Park.
— February 6, 2013 9:54 a.m.

McGrory to Borrego's rescue?

Update. The Casa La Zorro escrow has closed. There is a new owner that has money and is going to invest in that property and re-open it under it's original La Casa name this Spring (2013). If Borrego Springs were to change its community name, it might be changed to "Hope Springs", for hope springs eternal there.
— February 6, 2013 9:35 a.m.

McGrory to Borrego's rescue?

The homes, and neighborhoods are very well kept still. One pretty much needs to own property there because it is where you want to be, part or full time, not for real estate investment. Rams Hill is pretty much like The Best Exotic Magnolia Hotel movie. Rams Hill has it's own cast of unique characters who come and go, and some who stick with it against all odds. You buy more than property when you become an owner at Rams Hill; you become part of a small unique community, with all the dimensions of a small town. From the movie: Evelyn: Nothing here has worked out quite as I expected. Muriel: Most things don't. But sometimes what happens instead is the good stuff. Evelyn: There is no past that we can bring back by longing for it. Only a present that builds and creates itself as the past withdraws. Or as re-quoted by "Sonny" in the movie: “Everything works out in the end. if it hasn't worked out yet, then it's not the end.” ― Tracy McMillan, I Love You And I'm Leaving You Anyway Rams Hill will endure because the current and future cast (owners) will stay, pass on, or leave, just like in any town. It's smallness, relative isolation, and incomparable location are what make it irresistible to some, and impossible to others. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/feb/0…
— February 6, 2013 9:29 a.m.

McGrory to Borrego's rescue?

RE Javajoe25 eyewitness account. The grocery store is in The Center, has a new owner, and has been fixed up and modernized with 21st century equipment. The former grocery store on Christmas Circle has been renovated inside and out to become a new Art Institute and its mid-century architecture is beautiful. The town has planted desert plants in public areas along the main road. There are ample places to stay and eat. The Borrego Springs Country Club is renovated and it's new Spa is lovely. OK, maybe everyone does not like going back in time to enjoy a little nostalgia to experience a bit of what Palm Springs was like. But not that nostalgic: you can get free WIFI in Christmas Circle and at the County Library and at the Chamber of Commerce office, Cell and internet service providers have communications in the area and can keep you connected. For accurate and up to date truthful information about Borrego Springs just visit the Chamber's Web Site at: www.borregospringschamber.com And as far as hard times go, they make Borrego Springs one of the best real estate buys. Once the golf course and former La Casa are back in business you will kick yourself for not buying in when the prices were low low low.
— December 18, 2012 4:34 p.m.

Irwin Jacobs Praises Consultant For Their Work On Plaza de Panama Project

Well, a lot of people praised the design and construction of the Titanic too.
— July 28, 2012 1:38 p.m.

Irwin Jacobs and Jerry Sanders: Billionaires and bullies create a false picture of public support for Plaza de Panama

The "Long Arm Of Wealth" becomes almost dictatorial in nature when members of The Wealth Club work together. If it is one thing they do not like it is anyone who opposes them or stands in their way. If you are a politician, and you stand in the way of wealth, those who hold the power of wealth will bear down on you to evict you from office. If you are in business and are not wealthy, your job, your business will become a target. If you are a charity, you best not bite, or ignore the hand that feeds you (money). Donating a few hundred dollars is commendable. Donating millions gives you the ability to control people, be they in the public, private, or charitable sectors. We see this very clearly happening in the Plaza de Panama Project. Control people and you run the city. If you are a person in authority, an authority figure yourself, someone with influence, and you spoke out against the Plaza de Panama project, watch your back. It seems the unwritten word has already circulated around The Wealth Club and an editorial in the Union Tribune is attacking Sherri Lightner for voting FOR the people, and against the project. She is the first victim of the smoking gun of wealth, who will be next? Make a list of all people and organizations who opposed the project and wait and watch. The power of The Wealth Club will be aimed and sooner than later start picking them off like sitting ducks. What we see going on in San Diego is philanthropy turned wicked. It is money using the most basic of principles; reward and punishment. It is money smiling all the way to the bank, and smiling as it gets its revenge against those who stand in its way. It is a very powerful force. It is like a black hole. Get too near and you get sucked in and are unable to exit without causing your own self destruction.
— July 17, 2012 5:05 a.m.

In Borrego, Prices Are Low, Anyway

We have owned a residence in Rams Hill since 1988. It was a retreat residence until last year when we made it our primary residence. Never was a golfer so don't miss that. However, I would re-invent desert golf so that it did not require so much grass and water (artificial turf, painted fairways, or something). Borrego Springs has all the essentials, water, sewer, electricity, phone, cell phone, wireless internet, cable TV, cable internet. It is only 1.5 hours from San Diego via a lovely back country drive. And if you feel like it there are a few Indian Casinos on the path to break up the drive. Borrego Springs is also only 1.5 hours from Indio (a nice Costco) via uncrowded 2 lane and 4 lane divided highways. In just 40 minutes you can be in the cooler pine scented air of Julian. Since buying the Prius, the cost of gas for occasional trips is minimal. The Borrego Springs resorts are pleasant and peaceful. Sure, it gets hot. Hot in Las Vegas, Phoenix, too. Lots of people live there. Eventually, when necessary, water will be piped in from the East. Of course, jobs are not plentiful. Although the new solar power farm is providing some employment now. And don't forget the airport for private planes, operated by the County of San Diego. Borrego Springs, like many places, has had its ups and downs. But through it all, as a part time mid-life retreat, or full time retirement haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it has a lot to offer.
— May 31, 2012 4:05 p.m.

Does it Still Pay to Have a College Degree?

What is "affordable" is relative. What is equal to all is TIME. If you can afford college was the time spent of value. Do you have a career objective? Or are you just going through the motions and living your life as if a college degree is like four years of lotto tickets and someday your ticket will provide you with a gravy train future.? The reality of it is that some smart driven talented people won't have enough money to attain a college degree but they will be successful anyway; maybe not as successful as they could have been had they obtained a college education, but successful anyway. Then there are those who have plenty of money but no drive, no passion, no goals. Their college degree gets them in the front door but success is always one step beyond attainable. So much time is waisted in getting a 4 year degree. By the time a person leaves high school they should have attained the equivalent of 14 years worth of education. So, there are two areas of weakness: personal passion and dedication, and a flawed educational process. History has endless of well educated personal failures, and undereducated success stories. Ultimately one must take responsibility for ones self and not wallow in blaming the system or other people. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.
— December 5, 2011 3:33 a.m.

Fabled Borrego Springs Resort, Development May Close Nov. 30

The Vision for Montesoro Country Club homes and Borrego Ranch Resort and Spa has been spectacular and very upscale. But it had a few things going against success, even before the worst economy since the Great Depression: Location, Location, Location. And sinking tens of millions of dollars into re-doing a perfectly good existing golf course and making it private didn't help. The vision, and the products (homes, golf course, and resort) are top drawer, upscale, classy, quality, desirable, and in any upscale location, in good times, would be very marketable. But Borrego Springs, the town and valley, isn't an upscale classy location. Surrounded by the Anza Borrego State Park, and about two hours drive from major population centers (over winding roads) it is a focal point for desert denizens who hike, bike, sightsee, birdwatch, dunebuggy, photograph, walk, or just sit in an isolated place and enjoy peace-quiet-solitude. The town can supply the visitor and resident with ample conveniences and necessities including cell phone, high speed cable internet, wireless wide-area internet and cable TV services (and there is still plenty of water for a couple of generations) but it is not an upscale shopping mecca that would appeal to very upscale resort visitors or a lot of upscale homeowners. The original Rams Hill Country Club and homes built by DiGiorgio were marketed to the middle class and slightly above. Those with higher net worth bought lots and acreage and had custom homes designed and built. Instead of following this development model the current developer tried to build and sell homes in the $800k to $1.2mil range in a non-upscale relatively isolated location, and virtually eliminated the custom home market. For that much money most people, who don't like to live in relative isolation, would go to La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, but not Borrego Springs. Borrego Springs isn't "funky" or "bohemian", it is just a simple mix of American and international tourists, local working people, second home working people, retired local one home people and retired second home people. With a summer population of around 3,000 and a winter population of around 6,000 it is small, yet very active. With millions of "baby boomers" on the (delayed) verge of retirement, many of whom don't like snow or Florida, it is quite probable that the population of the winter mecca of Borrego Springs could easily double in the next few years; but it will be a population of budget conscious retirees and middle class working people to support that population. For a resort and home sales plan to succeed it needs to appeal to volume, more clients, and to achieve that in Borrego Springs one needs to be more mid-scale than up-scale.
— October 19, 2009 8:04 a.m.