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Gas-price hike protests in Tijuana
In some typical Mexican doublespeak, El Presidente announced that the prices were being allowed to adjust to international pricing. If so, why are the new prices higher than those here in high-cost California? And if they are being allowed to follow market pricing, why was there a decree that raised them to a preset level? PEMEX has had those fixed prices for decades, maybe for its entire existence. Sometimes they looked like wonderful bargains to US drivers, other times they were higher, and nobody knew why. Well, they did know why, in that some bureaucrats and politicos in Mexico City were setting them arbitrarily. (For those with long memories, in the late 70's PEMEX sold diesel for $0.15 a gallon. Those diesel Benzes were most popular cars for US types to own back then. But they had to drive across the border to get that ultra-low price.) Is the notion of price competition among stations such a hard concept for Mexico?— January 8, 2017 10:04 a.m.
Former DA's office attorney suspended for conspiracy
Worden's offense (not wearing a seat belt) was a mere infraction. Oh, the fine would have been substantial--they all are. But here is a textbook example of how the coverup is far worse than the "crime." I'd have assumed that when she quit the DA's office, that would have been the end of it. But when there's a conviction, I suppose the Bar has to do something. A sixty-day suspension is really not much punishment.— January 8, 2017 8:51 a.m.
Demolition plans for Town and Country hotel
One detail of background to this story is the fact that the tall,easternmost tower of the hotel wasn't always part of the T&C. It was a separate hotel, named Le Baron. Built during the MIssion Valley hotel building boom of the 1960's, it was newer than the T&C. But by the early- to mid-70's the Le Baron was hurting financially, and either had filed BK or was in foreclosure. Brown bought it and made it part of his T&C complex. For a time it was called the T&C East.— January 6, 2017 9:29 a.m.
More dog than biergarten
Hmmm. Struggling Burger King just recently added hot dogs to its offerings. With the ho-hum basic menu, I actually went for a chili dog that wasn't bad at all for the price. The dogs are supposedly pure beef. Does that get you a Nathan's dog? Not at all, but for the price, they aren't half-bad as a mid-day bite to eat. Are dogs coming back as respectable fare? It just could be the case. Wienerschnitzel has been dropping locations all around the county. It's getting hard to find a dog, especially if you want a good one.— January 5, 2017 6:36 p.m.
Doctor of politics
Alex, he may be a political hack, but when he ran against Susan Golding for mayor, who was the bigger hack? The local establishment, especially the building industry, paid to get her elected by doing a hatchet job on him. The U-T aided and abetted that to the hilt, as did the TV stations. He didn't stand a chance. But then Susan wreaked havoc on the city finances by pushing that stadium remodel through, and then started the really scandalous under-funding of the city pension system. Looking back on it, I doubt that Peter would have done worse by the city's voters and taxpanyer.— January 4, 2017 9:50 p.m.
No comment on restaurant surcharges
Until the eateries adjust their menu prices, expect to see those surcharges. 'Way back a long time ago, 1973 to be exact, the effect of price controls finally hit the restaurant industry in the form of higher food prices and the unavailability of beef for several weeks. Many restaurants put on a surcharge at that time to offset, it was claimed, the higher cost of food. I don't really recall whether those came off, or if they stayed until the prices were raised. We need to remember that one of the reasons for generous tipping was that wait staff didn't get paid much in light of the work and the demands on them. So we generous diners gradually went from tipping about 10% in the 1950's to a "recommended" 20% by the 1990's. With the staff now being paid better, maybe it's time to take a good hard look at the notion of giving out tips in the 20% range for everyday, unexceptional service. I'm going to be tipping less generously from here on out, and especially when the service is indifferent or negative. That claim that "wages and employee costs are as much as 95 percent of a restaurant's expenses" is ludicrous. Even where the chef serves ordinary, basic and cheap food and gets a too-high price for it, the place still has to buy the food! Then there's the matter of rent, utilities and maintenance that probably eat up close to 40% of the total costs of operation. It is a tough business, and has a low profit margin in most cases. But it is also possible to do very well if the owner or manager is willing to work hard, show some pride in the stuff coming out of the kitchen, and be creative while remembering that they don't sell food exactly. What they sell is satisfaction. Pissing off the public is just plain dumb, and if you want your surcharge, tell the diner about it as he/she sits down to order.— January 4, 2017 9:40 p.m.
Costly backstory of a big-money political power couple
That short dress is her wedding dress, not something for a night on the town dancing. Another six to eight inches of length would have actually have been more flattering.— January 4, 2017 4:11 p.m.
Former Poway schools chief claims innocence
We all must ask if the DA is even making a start on an investigation. As far as school district corruption goes, she's usually AWOL. Oh, she did finally bestir herself in So County and brought charges against rip-off artists in the Sweetwater district, Southwestern College, and in San Ysidro. But when it came time to get tough in the plea bargains, she went very wobbly on it all, aided and abetted by the wishy-washy judge. So, if you're hoping for charges by the DA, hope away. Just prepare yourself for either a long, long wait, or no charges at all. Yeah, I know, the bar for criminal prosecution is lower when tax money is involved. All the more reason that his conduct should get a fine-tooth review by the DA. Poor old Poway, the place that was so proud of its municipal government and proud of its school district just can't win any more. A big dose of skepticism on the part of the local residents--the voters--would go a long way toward getting the ship righted.— January 3, 2017 3:47 p.m.
Costly backstory of a big-money political power couple
And isn't it great that selfless and philanthropic Irwin Jacobs is willing to finance those selfless public servants?— January 3, 2017 3:40 p.m.
Disabilities act a shakedown vehicle?
This is exactly the sort of thing that has society holding lawyers in such low esteem. The plaintiff would not be filing these suits, not any of them, if it were not for that "law" firm. It is a shakedown vehicle, plain and simple, and is being flagrantly abused by Potter and his gang. I feel for those struggling businesses that end up on the receiving end of such lawsuits.— January 2, 2017 8:25 a.m.