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11/7 Scoreboard
The annual meeting between the Cathedral Catholic DONS and the St. Augustine Saints is a San Diego Prep football tradition. This year’s 2008 version of the so-called “Holy Bowl” lived up its well deserved reputation, with both teams playing for current and alumni bragging rights. Cathedral, working on an unbeaten season and St. Augustine need to get back into the win column set the stage for excitement. Overcoming a 21-7 deficit at the end of the first quarter, the Cathedral DONS tied the game, 21-21 by halftime and then roared back in the second half scoring 35 more points while containing the Saints passing offense and giving up a measly nine points, two from a safety after an interception. With the final score 56-30 the DONS continue to find ways to beat their opponents.— November 7, 2008 11:23 p.m.
10/31 Scoreboard
Hey I hoped everyone noticed Cathedral and Oceanside, teams rated 1 and 2 in the San Diego Section beat their respective opponents again to remain undefeated. There is one odd thing about their wins. Both teams won their games by 56 points on Halloween... Now that spooky.— November 1, 2008 1:40 a.m.
10/31 Scoreboard
The Patrick Henry Patriots were buried at Manchester Stadium on Halloween last night as the Cathedral DONS dominated them 66-10. The Patriot’s nightmare at Cathedral began with their third play and a DONS inception, returned for a TD. But there may have been a benevolent spirit watching over them, at least one at this haunt, for the sideline judge spotted a defensive hold and nullified the turnover score. No matter, as DONS QB, Parker Hipp, unleashed an uncharacteristic bombardment of an aerial attack. The DONS showed they possess a swiss-army knife array of tools to beat you into capitulation. Add the sections leading scorer, Tyler Gaffney, who ran 80 yards, draging defenders the last 5 of it, is begining to look super-human. The late in the game, he let head coach Doyle know he wanted to lead the so teammate and full back Alan Conklin would score again. In the end, Cathedral fans got all the treats and Patriots followers were tricked into a long busride back to San Carlos.— November 1, 2008 1:34 a.m.
Sound Off: Best Team in the Section
Patrick Henry was buried on Halloween at Manchester Stadium as the Cathedral DONS dominated the Patriots 66-10. The Patriot’s nightmare began with their third play with a DONS inception, and returned it for a TD. Sadly, there may have been a benevolent spirit in this haunting, for the sideline judge spotted a defensive hold and nullified the turnover. No matter, as DONS QB, Parker Hipp, unleashed the hounds of an aerial attack, and Tyler Gaffney twisted, turn, leap and bounded back and forth over the carpet of synthetic turf. While full back Alan Conklin score some points for the team. In the end, Cathedral fans got the treats and Patriots followers were tricked.— October 31, 2008 10:59 p.m.
Good News: SDCERS Discussing Lowering Interest Rate on DROP Account
There is a very interesting article at this link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12254083198008608…... In it the author writes: ".... in 1999, state lawmakers had adopted a measure called "3% at 50" that allowed local and state police officers and firefighters to retire at 50 years of age with 3% of their highest annual salary -- multiplied by the number of years served. The legislation granted thousands of public-safety workers a retirement payout of 90% of their former salaries for life. The benefit, bolstered by post-9/11 recruiting, swiftly became a major staple for most California cities."— October 31, 2008 2:08 p.m.
Filner, Aguirre Say Sempra's $100,000 Gift to Lincoln Club Smacks of Attempt to Buy Election
Excuse me while I yawn....it's kind of warm today and this story just doesn't have much punch to it...— October 31, 2008 1:36 p.m.
Sound Off: Best Team in the Section
The 2008 Division III Cathedral Catholic DONS are also undefeated as of week seven. Division III, and the Eastern League is recognized as the Section’s most challenging in terms of sheer talent and competition. Led by senior QB Senior Parker Hipp, powered by running back Tyler Gaffney, and finessed by tight end Brad Harrington, Cathedral has been a scoring machine averaging over 44.8 points a game. All of this offense has been possible due to outstanding work of the DONS massive and motivated offensive linemen. These young men are behemoths who defend their QB while being a defensive coordinator's worse nightmare. Opening holes wide enough to navigate a Hummer H1 has allowed Gaffney to scamper for nearly 1300 yards and a Section leading 22 rushing touchdowns. Gaffney earned four more TDs courtesy of the pinpoint passing by quarterback Parker Hipp who’s completed 65% of his passes with two interceptions and nine touchdowns. Five of those TDs have can be attributed to senior TE Brad Harrington who’s one of Hipp’s favorite targets. He’s caught passes totaling nearly 400 yards so far this season. When those guys are covered, Hipp goes back to his toolbox where he blessed to find what seems to never ending array weapons to challenge confuse, confound and contort any defense. Okay enough about their offense; Cathedral’s “D” has held teams the likes of Lincoln, Carlsbad, Otay Ranch and others to an average of 14 points a game. You accomplish this feat of football proficiency when you play hard, but more importantly, when get 60 kids “working” as a team. Led by linebackers Junior Jordan Lance and Senior Ryan Downing who leads the team with 60 tackles, the defense has been responsible for 17 QB sacks, three fumble recoveries and eight interceptions in their seven games. Let's not forget about the kicking game. Cathedral's Roman Ferriera’s foot has been busy this season and responsible for 54 of the team's 314 points. His punts average more 40 yards each, pinning back offenses. But it’s Roman’s leg strength getting the nod as his kick-offs are rarely returned. Kick returners helplessly find themselves looking up and over there shoulder pads as Ferriera sends the ball out of end zone frequently. Not bad for a kid who is 5ft 7 and 145lbs soaking wet. It’s too bad the poll leading DONS and Pirates won’t get a chance to play each other this season. Sure Cathedral was last year’s Division III CIF champs domination their opponent 41-3. But 24 seniors graduated and 21 juniors had to step up to fill their cleats. The end result, San Diego CIF’s perfect storm of offensive and defensive ability and poise blossomed. Cultivated by Head Coach Sean Doyle and a talented core of dedicated coaches, trainers and staff, the 2008 Cathedral Catholic DONS are the best team in San Diego Prep Football and a pleasure to watch grow.— October 30, 2008 2:57 p.m.
Is San Diego Back to Old Tricks of Publishing False Financial Information?
Don would you agree the value of the SDCERS fund is moving target? With daily gyrations in the stock market it would be impossible to fix the fund’s valuation. While there is NO DOUBT the fund has “lost value” in 2008 so far it is merely a reflection of the insanity that’s been going on in all of the area financial investments. While I think we ALL agree accurate reporting/disclosure is the goal, how, in times as unique as these, can this happen? In other words, if I took a snapshot of the fund’s value on September 1st it certainly wouldn’t pencil out the same on November 1st. No one intended to deceive investors, it’s simply the market dynamics of our time. Knowing San Diego’s all too recent history with disclosure, I suspect most Muni Bond investors are doing their own due diligence now-a-days.— October 28, 2008 6:48 a.m.
10/24 Scoreboard
Cathedral Catholic dispensed a whole lot of punishment on Eastern league opponent Mira Mesa Marauders Friday night as senior running back Tyler Gaffney, a local neighborhood kid, rambled for more than 200 yards in the 31-21 win. Add the combined efforts of senior QB Parker Hipp as well as the DONS’ defense unit, Mira Mesa’s potent offense was held to a measly 7 points in the first half. Mira Mesa adjusted their tactics during the second half, attacking Cathedral’s leaky pass defense scoring 14 more points but a drive late in the 4th quarter ended with a fumble on the 10 yard line. The turnover ended Mira Mesa drive and cemented the win for Cathedral over their Eastern league rival.— October 25, 2008 10:07 a.m.
Good News: SDCERS Discussing Lowering Interest Rate on DROP Account
For those of you who care to view it, you'll find the SDCERS Board of Administration meeting (video) on the SDCERS website @ www.sdcers.org so you can see and hear it for yourselves. You can skip the first 26 minutes of the video, it might save your life. But then the Board discusses how it intents to set the Interest Rate for Crediting DROP accounts, and if the member selects it, the annuity program after moving from "Active DROP to Retired DROP. To me the most interesting part of the hearing was the presentation by the Board's Fiduciary Counsel. She made it clear it doesn't matter what the City wants, what the public wants, or what man-in-the-moon wants, it is the Board's "fiduciary duty" is to the vested members of SDCERS in safeguarding and maximizing the member’s assets that controls their decision. Of note, part of the Fiduciary Counsel’s presentation subsequently changed a portion of the Actuary’s report and recommendation to the board. i.e. the Board cannot just pick any old number when determining the Interest Rate. I also note the Board has already lower the assumed rate of investment return from 8 to 7.75%. Statistically speaking over the long term these both fall below the SDCERS actual rate of return on their investments. Yes, it’s true we are in very difficult period now and losses will impact the system. But there is 20-30 time horizon on these investments. I found it interesting the Board met is closed session following the presentations to further dicuss it. A decision on the "Rate of Interest Crediting" will be made at the November meeting.— October 24, 2008 2:52 p.m.