Here is a link to a 2010 City Beat story about the Zapf's financial dealings: http://lastblogonearth.com/2010/09/08/zapf-house-…
You can follow the links within the story to other stories about Mr. Zapf strategically not paying the mortgage on their Clairemont home to force the lender to renegotiate their loan. City Beat also reported that Mr. Zapf worked a similar scheme on another home the Zapf's own in Henderson, Nevada. Anyway, I always wondered what Mrs. Zapf's qualifications are as self-proclaimed businesswoman. — October 9, 2014 11:21 a.m.
Good Jobs First attacks corporate welfare
From a reliable source: Civic San Diego is seeking independent federal sources of funding to rake in millions of dollars. Speculation includes seeking money via the EB 5 program. http://www.wsj.com/articles/hot-source-of-real-es… Also, as we know, Civic San Diego and City officials are fighting the state's attempt to establish legislative (City Council) oversight for Civic San Diego's development decisions. In the words of my source, Civic San Diego with independent funding and no legislative oversight would be a "monster."— September 16, 2015 9:19 a.m.
Media spin and legal drama merge in Briggs battle
They want Ian's computer?! "Have you no decency?"— February 27, 2015 11:06 a.m.
Taxpayers on $271 million Petco hook
Evidently, this Pet Co Park debt service agreement was part of the bigger scam the city tried. In February or so of 2011, when it was clear the state was going to shut down redevelopment, the city created billions of dollars of cooperation agreements with the redevelopment agency. These would have generated tax increment and tied up redevelopment debt practically into perpetuity. The law to dissolve redevelopment was retroactive back to January 1 of 2011 to negate such bogus agreements between a city and its redevelopment agency.— February 12, 2015 4:26 p.m.
As San Diego's economy hollows...
The economy is going to get hollower, when the city authorizes the construction of over 8,000 residential units, where there are currently over 700 businesses and over 7,000 jobs and no residences. This is the plan for Grantville sub-area A. The planning group is going to vote on this tonight. They will vote in favor. How do I know? The group is chaired by a lobbyist for the Building Industry Association. I think another BIA lobbyist is vice chair. This matter will be at the city council in a couple of months, and I am guessing they will vote yes, too.— February 11, 2015 4:55 p.m.
Who crashed up Grantville's multi-thousand-dollar sign?
The sign was installed sometime in 2007. Word was that it was paid for from money from the D7 council office and perhaps some from Archstone, too. Almost as soon as the sign was up, it was vandalized. The lighting was ripped out. I presume for the copper. Really, until recent months the sign was an eyesore, because it collected trash and debris. Ultimately, the Allied Gardens Community Council led the way in cleaning this up.— February 9, 2015 1:03 p.m.
Super Bowl lies
"Host city realistically loses money on the event." Does that go for baseball All Star games, too? The city council seems to be banking on the windfall of positive PR from all the blimp shots of San Diego Bay, when Pet Co Park hosts the All Star game.— January 26, 2015 11:45 a.m.
U-T says "follow Lucchino." Right on!
Coincidentally, in 2009, speaking to a meeting of Municipal Officials for Redevelopment Reform, Stanford economics professor Roger Noll singled out Fenway Park as the only sports stadium in the United States that is an economic benefit to its city. Among his reasons were: Fenway has a small footprint--about one city block, and concessions are offsite. So, surrounding businesses are able to gain some income from Fenway, not just the team owners. In comparison, he noted modern sports stadiums are self-contained, like a shopping mall. Concessions are on-site and controlled by the team owners.— January 21, 2015 4:42 p.m.
Mayor Faulconer's folly
Right. Like Stanford professor Roger Noll. Has "Sully" read his work? Does he know who he is? This is especially aggravating, because this talk show host presents himself as a financial expert.— January 15, 2015 11:57 a.m.
Mayor Faulconer's folly
So does KOGO radio--their afternoon talk show guy and their news director. They promote a new football stadium as an economic benefit to the city. Makes me want to vomit. This is especially problematic, because I listen to KOGO, when I am driving my car.— January 15, 2015 11:19 a.m.
Zapf's husband zapped by appeals court
Here is a link to a 2010 City Beat story about the Zapf's financial dealings: http://lastblogonearth.com/2010/09/08/zapf-house-… You can follow the links within the story to other stories about Mr. Zapf strategically not paying the mortgage on their Clairemont home to force the lender to renegotiate their loan. City Beat also reported that Mr. Zapf worked a similar scheme on another home the Zapf's own in Henderson, Nevada. Anyway, I always wondered what Mrs. Zapf's qualifications are as self-proclaimed businesswoman.— October 9, 2014 11:21 a.m.