Comments by HonestGovernment | San Diego Reader

HonestGovernment

Should San Diego dump its 30-year-old sign ordinance in portions of downtown to create an Arts and Entertainment District?

Thank you. I see, sort of. It's just odd that FinWater proposal and the CA's opinions never mention the property owners or their lessees.
— May 20, 2013 10:53 p.m.

Should San Diego dump its 30-year-old sign ordinance in portions of downtown to create an Arts and Entertainment District?

Would the property owners within such a district have a say in whether billboards/signs/graphics are placed on their buildings or lots? I read this article, then the previous City Atty article, and didn't notice a reference to the rights of property owners to make the decision to have or not have these so-called money-making advertising elements. What am I missing?
— May 20, 2013 7:38 p.m.

New lawsuit challenges Todd Gloria's pledge to open government

The problem with Gloria the hack is that it's unclear which political party he really prefers. I've always thought it's the simply the Gloria Party. Gloria is following the playbook of his mentors, Jan Goldsmith and the deputy city attorneys. Parties in current civil suits involving the City (as reported by Reader) have been stonewalled in PRA requests for documents related to the civil suits; the law requires government officials to respond openly and within timeframes to PRA requests. Goldsmith's office won't do that, to the extent that requestors routinely have to file a separate suit to get the City to turn over the documents. The City repeatedly claims the requests are too broad and too burdensome. What a convenient, if not too artful, dodge. I'd like to see the communiques between Gloria and staff and Goldsmith and staff.
— May 18, 2013 7:34 a.m.

Ben Hueso's taxi cab conflict

Jose Antonio (Tony) Hueso is also the Secretary/Treasurer of an L Street Sacramento lobbyist group, the 501(c)6 Taxicab Paratransit Association of California (TPAC-Ca.org; EIN 237410208). Their direct and indirect political purpose is "To influence legislation for the benefit of taxicab and paratransit operator issues." Ben Hueso has a long history of benefiting his many family members (wife, children, brothers, cousins) and their many businesses, by obtaining public money. Martin Stolz, a 2005 U-T staff writer, wrote (Oct 29, 2005): "Hueso became involved with the family's taxi business, USA Cab. Hueso and two brothers founded a related business, California Paratransit Services, which provided transportation for elderly and disabled people through **social service contracts**. *[bold emphasis added]* Hueso said he sold his interest in California Paratransit in 2001. He has founded a series of other companies, including the nonprofit Inner City Business Association, which Hueso said assists small business owners. He also started the Central Commercial District Revitalization Corp., which has received at least $1.6 million in property taxes to clean and beautify streets in and around an area of Logan Heights where Hueso's family and friends, including National City Mayor Nick Inzunza, Ralph's brother, own property. The City Council this year gave these nonprofits $40,000 in federal Community Development Block Grants. Hueso said he was never paid by either group. From 2001 through 2004, Hueso worked for the city's Community and Economic Development Department, where he oversaw the maintenance assessment district that collects property taxes earmarked for the Central Commercial District Revitalization Corp." But Ben Hueso hands are always clean and his intentions are nothing but 100% honorable. Not to worry, no benefit to HIS family...he's just out to help everybody.
— May 16, 2013 10:18 a.m.