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Wildfire Hits Potrero
This is an awful time, of course, and I don't wish to start any of the inevitable finger-pointing that is sure to come; nonetheless, I believe the words of the former San Diego Fire Chief Jeff Bowman, who resigned last April of 2006, should be reviewed. From the April 5, 2006 Union-Tribune article by Tony Manolatos and Matthew T. Hall, (plus Pauline Repard), here are some of the reasons for his resignation: "Almost since the day he took over four years ago, Bowman was clear on one thing: A community constantly at risk for a deadly wildfire should be better prepared for a major disaster. He said it to just about anyone who would listen." "After the 2003 wildfires, Bowman publicly ripped city officials for underfunding the department. “This city has not prepared itself for even day-to-day events,” he said during a meeting with The San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board. 'We did not have enough resources to handle the fire. For a county with the risk that this one has, I'm absolutely amazed at the lack of resources'.” “ 'This is the most understaffed fire agency I've ever seen,' he said of a department with 875 firefighters and 45 stations." "He said the city should have 20 more fire stations, which would cost $100 million to build and equip. It would take an additional $40 million a year to operate them." "More bad news arrived for Bowman in February when fire officials said serious deficiencies in service and response times had kept the department from gaining national accreditation." "Yesterday, Bowman said he would leave behind a strategic plan for improvement, something he's already drafted and discussed with the mayor. 'These problems didn't take a year or two to be created, and they're not going to be fixed in a year or two,' he said. 'I'm not sure it will ever happen. It's expensive, and the city has some significant financial hurdles to face in the next few years'.” * * * Now, I'm not throwing any blame on the current chief, who Bowman picked to succeed him, or Mayor Sanders. To a great extent, these problems were inherited. In addition, voters historically have been reluctant to approve fire protection bonds. My question is, given the Cedar Fire disaster, with over 2400 homes destroyed, and Bowman's frustrations and subsequent resignation (which, to be fair, were also related to health issues and a pension benefit dispute), how seriously are the government officials and the city/county citizens taking the fire hazard situation that so obviously can turn into a disaster every year? Am I alone in thinking that this issue needs to be made into a top priority? After all, we are ALL at risk here.— October 22, 2007 10:55 a.m.
Bersin's Brief and Belated Response
As a 50 year resident, born and raised here, I've seen this game played countless times. In this case, Bersin helped Sanders attempt an end-around to bail Sunroad out; the reward will be Sanders and Company support for Bersin's shot at the city attorney job. This is another hand-in-glove example of how things work here in San Diego. The worst case for San Diego would be a City Attorney aligned more with the insiders than the common yokels like the rest of us. Tover7, it is not a "shame" people like Bauder and others ask questions about what's going on. The shame is that more people are not.— October 22, 2007 7:29 a.m.
Flannery Says Sainz May Have Committed Felony
No, I tend to suspect Reynolds and Wade were fired for not helping gather "evidence" against Aguirre. But, the problem is that Reynolds is not talking, at least not publicly. And I can't understand why not. If Reynolds can publicly confirm the whole story and go on record, then Sanders is dead in the water, so to speak, since the complicity between the UT editorial board, Sanders, and Sainz can be fully exposed. As of now, however, there is only conjecture. All of it can be easily denied and covered up under privacy law. That is, unless Reynolds talks. Why he doesn't is a mystery. Until he does speak up, everything is just guess and conjecture, and it doesn't amount to anything substantial.— October 15, 2007 5:59 p.m.
Flannery Says Sainz May Have Committed Felony
Don, I've been in touch with Ron Powell of the UT, who wrote an article about Wade and Reynolds being forced to resign, and asked him about the connection between the firings and the IP address request by Sainz. He is adamant there is no connection between the two events, and added "it's a nice cover story, though." Any comments about Mr. Powell's position on this?— October 15, 2007 10:52 a.m.