Champagne wishes and SoccerCity dreams

The Point Loma bay-front mansion where Stephen Puetz was married in August 2015, thanks to the largesse of owner Morgan Dene Oliver, has just been sold, according to an announcement by brokers Brett Dickinson and Eric Lantorno. “Step through to elegant living spaces framed by sparkling bay and marina views that feature sunken living and family rooms, chef’s kitchen, large dining room and expansive outdoor patios and private lawn,” says the home’s listing, with an asking price from $7.9 million to $8.9 million. “Host lavish parties or intimate dinners or simply stroll to nearby bistros, boutiques, and yacht clubs.”

Puetz, then San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer’s chief of staff, denied Oliver had provided him with special favors, maintaining he paid the developer an adequate $427.23 venue fee, along with $340 in cleaning costs. … Democrats have won their battle against Faulconer over the San Diego Republican’s plan to hold a $5 million special election this fall on behalf of a room-tax boost and the controversial SoccerCity. And now newly released financial information shows the local GOP also coming in second to the county Democratic Party in terms of cash raised during the first five months of year by their respective federal campaign committees.

Democrats, per data from the Federal Election Commission, came up with a total of $81,000 during the first five months of the year, while Republicans gathered $77,000. At the top of the GOP donor list with $10,000 on May 10 was none other than Tom Sudberry, the Mission Valley developer and SoccerCity foe who with fellow real estate owner H.G. Fenton, Inc., spent millions to defeat Faulconer’s planned election. Other notable Republican givers include Robert S. Brewer, 2014’s failed challenger to GOP district attorney Bonnie Dumanis, with $2500. The same was contributed by La Mesa city councilwoman Kristine Alessio and by Melory Tsipouria, who last August sponsored Republican congressman Duncan Hunter’s four-day tour of the embattled Republic of Georgia. Liberal donor Lawrence Hess came up with $5050 as the top Democrat giver, with the Pala Band of Mission Indians close behind at $5000. Chris Wahl, president of local lobbying behemoth Southwest Strategies, whose stable of wealthy special interest clients include the anti-SoccerCity political committee funded by Sudberry and Fenton, gave $1300 to the Democrats.