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Attention, San Diego Shoppers
Oh yeah, and I hate sodas and would never be fool enough to buy flavored water.— January 29, 2011 4:30 p.m.
Attention, San Diego Shoppers
Have you seen the obnoxious TV ads about "the government running our lives" because of the possible tax on flavored water and sodas? The tax, which passed in Hawaii and is being considered again in Cali, is called the Fat Tax. Like the tobacco tax, it targets people who buy items that contribute to disease (in this case, obesity, theoretically, from sugar-laden sodas and the like; theoretically, these careless consumers contribute to our collective health-care costs, though that's being argued: http://www.sbsun.com/pointofview/ci_17187110). The woman in the obnoxious ad appears to be in something like a Walmart and is decrying a tax on all of those things that Walmart sells lots of. I don't know where corporate America (Walmart) would stand on the tax, but the local Republican and Chamber of Commerce types now supporting Walmart would probably rail against this type of tax...which could actually be a source of the purported tax revenue...talk about zero-sum! Caveat: I've never been in a Walmart, and never will be, and own stock in Target.— January 29, 2011 4:27 p.m.
Jerry Brown Wants to Rein in Redevelopment Scams
There is a meeting on Jan 31 2011 of the "first ever Ad Hoc Committee on Redevelopment" chaired by Gloria. He and his possee " will spend the next year or so studying how to make redevelopment work better..."...if redevelopment still exists legally. Guess that's what the "year or so" means. You can read his announcement of this glorious new body politic yourself: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150098… Here is the IBA's Jan 26 2011 report on restructuring RDA: http://www.sandiego.gov/iba/pdf/11_04.pdf— January 29, 2011 9:20 a.m.
San Diego's Mayor Is One Strong Mayor
The city attorney opines and the councilmembers make assumptions. Do any councilmembers have the rule book? Or care? If the council has been "operating" based on assumptions, why stop now? Thanks for this report, Dorian. It's good to be reminded that we have such a dopey local government.— January 27, 2011 4:49 p.m.
On the Palm Canyon trail in Borrego Springs, the twisted remains of a bush stand in stark contrast t
Wonderful photo. Love Palm Canyon trail and Indian Head. What kind of camera/setting did you use for this shot?— January 11, 2011 7:37 a.m.
Centre City Development Corporation Plans Public Outreach
Ceegars, anyone? No pix, but there was a viewing. Maybe still possible...Seriously, I guess the humidor was among the items purchased for use by CCDC folks and bigwig hotshot visitors, ...using Redev $? And... is smoking allowed in the CCDC offices? Also, were't there some stories about Graham purchasing a lot of very expensive furniture to redecorate her offices? This could be that stuff. And maybe there is a secret drawer in her old desk, with all sorts of interesting papers?... Highest bidder...— January 10, 2011 1:01 p.m.
Centre City Development Corporation Plans Public Outreach
Cleaning house, CCDC? Nancy's old humidor? Or Fred's? The following notice was posted on Jan 3 and 4, 2011, in the SDDT: CENTRE CITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION REQUEST FOR BIDS FOR SALE OF USED OFFICE FURNITURE AND A USED CIGAR HUMIDOR Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC), an equal opportunity contractor, is soliciting bids from companies or individuals who wish to purchase used office furniture and/or a used cigar humidor. .... You can submit bids until Jan 12, 2 pm.— January 10, 2011 8:31 a.m.
Centre City Development Corporation Plans Public Outreach
"Downtown business owner Bill Keller suggested attending Community Planning Committee meetings. "It's a really opinionated, if not an outright snarky group,..." Snarky? Come on down, Bill. What business did you say you own? For many years, CCDC has been "reaching out" to people in Planning Committee meetings in areas ringing downtown. They sent Downtown GlobalRod (developer Jason Elrod) over to Golden Hill to pitch the tax increment cap increase, before the backroom deal was finalized. GlobalRod showed up dressed for the hood - rumpled jeans and shirt was how he thought he'd blend in. He never mentioned that he depends on public money to get downtown development contracts for his livelihood. He was just an "ordinary citizen" (looking to drum up a small army of supporters from the equally desperate developer/architect pool in the hood). GlobalRod said the cap lift had NOTHING to do with a Spanos stadium. C'mon back, GlobalRod, unless you think we're too snarky, or you don't need us anymore.— January 10, 2011 8:26 a.m.
Michell Told She Can't Lobby City for a Year
Absolutely agree. The PBID and BID tax-taking role is just a minor perq of a being allowed to function as quasi-government.— December 18, 2010 3:57 p.m.
Michell Told She Can't Lobby City for a Year
They also "manage" the BID (manage = get the money). The PBID adds an assessment to every downtown property tax. The BID adds an assessment to every downtown business license. The PBID is the big money. All of the money goes to the DSDP to spend as they decide, e.g., on banners, powerwashing sidewalks. None of the property-based PBID assessment can be used for capital improvements or infrastructure (e.g., sidewalk repair), only for maintenance, by State law. The CCDC redevelopment money (property tax money share) can only be used for capital improvements and infrastructure. See how it works? CCDC buys porta potties and the PBID is told to use property assessment money to clean the potties. There was big fight over this last July 20 in the Council, because the DSDP said they weren't legally allowed to pay for potty maintenance (because it's not specified by their legal description of services). Councilmembers didn't care if was legal, just said "do it!" Jan the Handyman Goldsmith issued a ruling saying that all we have to do is ignore the State documents and change the City operating agreement w/DSDP. Clever, how it works in San Diego! Who needs to worry about State laws?— December 18, 2010 10:27 a.m.