Chick bait and the big-money merry-go-round

Yet another turn of the San Diego City Council staff’s rapidly revolving high-dollar door has landed former Chris Cate aide Julianna Chick in the offices of California Strategies, the influential lobbying and government affairs outfit founded by Bob White, onetime top aide to Republican ex-mayor and later senator and governor Pete Wilson. “Julianna moved to San Diego in 2013 where she took the helm of the Republican Party of San Diego County as Executive Director,” notes Chick’s profile on the influence-peddling firm’s website. “Managing a multi-million-dollar budget, her leadership resulted in one of the most successful election cycles in the Party’s recent history.” Chick became Cate’s director of outreach and policy advisor in December 2014. “Cate’s staff include young political pacesetters. to mothers and military family members,” said his news release that month. “With decades of experience in both the public and private sector, the District 6 staff team will pay homage to their predecessors. and bring enthusiasm and light to neighborhoods that have been dormant for many years.”

Among current California Strategies clients seeking favor at city hall are Airbnb, the home-stay firm from San Francisco that paid the lobbying company $15,000 during the second quarter; and BOOS Development West, LLC, which came up with $6000 for the firm to push a new CVS drugstore at Fifth and J Streets. $10,000 came from EBI Consulting for lobbying services regarding city planning commission approval of a 7-Eleven at Sunset Cliffs and Narragansett in Ocean Beach, and $7500 from Topgolf International of Dallas, Texas, seeking “the opportunity to use City owned land for a premier golf entertainment complex.” On May 26, Cal Strats lobbyists Ben Haddad and Craig Benedetto threw a fundraiser at the posh Evans Garage private venue for the reelection of GOP mayor Kevin Faulconer, netting $20,774. The week before, the pair sponsored an intimate event for Republican city attorney candidate Robert Hickey aboard the Elegante at Shelter Cove Marina, coming up with $8750. “Full size galley for even the discriminating chef,” says an online promotion for the vessel. “The upper deck boasts fabulous views. Great salon area for entertaining. This yacht is classic luxury for 3 couple[s] or a family of 10.”