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Marco Li Mandri wants to get around Prop 13
Um, look up your last name on the net and I'll bet there's some real doozies who've done some real boneheaded things out there with the same surname. Being Italian is not a crime and accusing someone of being in organized crime without evidence is libelous. Just because Mr. Li Mandri was investigated does not mean he's a criminal. Sure, the suggestion is there and I've thought of it myself but, anything outside of fact is purely speculation (read: worthless). Apparently Mr. Li Mandri is a very successful businessman but, in this case he should be judged on the merits of his work and not because of his heritage right? That's how you would want to be treated isn't it? Just sayin...— April 27, 2012 7:19 p.m.
Marco Li Mandri wants to get around Prop 13
I'm working with the group that's focused on a CBD or MAD in Pacific Beach. There were a lot of good points brought up here and in the comments. Right now we're forming the arguments to secure a consultant with experience such as Mr. Li Mandri's. It seems such districts could be useful because the city frankly doesn't have the money or will to clean up our neighborhoods. I’m not entirely convinced all this stuff is their job either. If the district was fairly created, had an escape clause, only commercial retail/service business properties would be assessed along with other controls over administration costs - would you agree this could be a good thing for our neighborhoods? I'm looking for pros and cons. I definitely hear and appreciate all the criticisms (being an original protestor of PB's and GH's districts) but, my question is - is there a realistic solution or, should we just let the place remain trashed? What if a district included terms such as: .. Minimum 50% +1 vote by commercial (not commercial-residential) property owners on a weighted scale where each linear foot of frontage is equivalent to one vote (existing MAD guidelines for instance) .. No public property counted .. No one property owner has more than X% of the vote - i.e. to avoid a single person carrying a majority of the vote should we have a ceiling whereby this vote plus a minimum X weighted-number of votes totaling 50% +1 would carry the action? .. Seated board members assigned geographically vs. by weight (i.e. two for each of the major business areas). .. Residential members of the Board - elected by vote of residents (i.e. four districts throughout all of PB same vote-weight of other members) .. A permanent three year cycling sunset whereby a majority of assessed property owners voted to continue or discontinue the district? .. Administrative costs cannot exceed X% of the gross collections .. Meetings and all business follows Brown Act. .. Single three-year term limits (it doesn’t take rocket scientists to run this) .. Businesses assessed on their actual impact on the business district... i.e. a fast food joint who's customers trash the surrounding 300' around their shop would pay more than a non-food retailer? [This is a difficult one] .. Prior to such an agreement being enacted a contract with the city for X services would be required (i.e. so they don’t gradually waft away leaving us with the entire responsibility) .. Not to be facetious but, Isn't a democracy a mechanism where property holders can gather, agree to assess themselves and thereafter have representation? p.s. I shudder at the mention of a 20-year term. Cable companies spent hundreds of millions for infrastructure in a market where low fixed-rates can be charged against a fixed market area. Long-term sunsets were given to reward the risk of the entrepreneurial cable company. There is near ZERO risk here.— April 27, 2012 6:32 p.m.