A tree survives in Bay Park

I do have years of experience caring for ficus trees as they've been in and around my homes since I was a child (large and small). I have a couple of them out front right now. The tree this article is about is a tree I see almost daily. For years it had a shape that looked sort of like a dance hall girl circa 1800s flipping up her skirt in the back. I don't claim to be a tree expert, just someone that has admired this tree over the years coupled with having cared for ficus trees for the better part of my life. Nuclear plants - while I understand how they work, I don't have the experience to glance at a nuclear power plant as I drive by and know it's safety record (I doubt many do). Though an expert recently reported the San Onofre plant incident posed no threat, but did point to the red flags. I would say the ficus tree's current state does appear unsafe as most of it's weight is shifted toward the church playground. Yet, it's an old tree with a hefty root system and if cared for can likely heal. It should probably be trimmed all the way around to even out the balance. Ficus trees, as rose bushes, sometimes respond wonderfully to being cut all the way back (I did this recently to a ficus tree in a pot and it is flourishing now). This tree in this article has been cut down to a naked state before (last time I recall was in 2014).
— September 10, 2018 8:13 a.m.

A tree survives in Bay Park

I drive past that tree quite often. It seemed healthy to me. This is bolstered by the city saying it will survive. The city has zero issue with taking out trees they feel might be a liability. It's clear in this case, the city didn't hire the workers to remove the tree. The big question is with winter approaching, can the tree survive bad weather and/or not be considered a hazard with being off-balance.
— September 6, 2018 4:37 p.m.

U-T paperboy blues

It does sort of seem sweat-shop-like. It also seems a lot of money is going into delivering from the U-T coffers and it's not being used very efficiently. As I was doing the route with Bob, several other ways occurred to me. The co-founder of ACI is part of an org determined to compete with the USPS, UPS, etc. ACI just bought their competitor of 30 years recently (owned by the LA Times) and increased their revenue substantially, but one has to ask if it's helping quality of service too. I have to say I was impressed with Bob's (OB carrier) work ethic. He's a veteran, so maybe that has something to do with it. I kept thinking someone out there could hire him so he wouldn't give up all but four of his waking hours to the U-T. He did grumble about working complaints and how he has to drive all over town (lots of fuel used and wear and tear on his car). But he said that sometimes he gets paid for nothing when there are no complaints. This article went long, but I had enough detail for a much longer article. One thing the lawsuit/court documentation said was this about how many miles carriers drive (the lawsuit covered 2005 - 2007, July 2007 is when the U-T stopped dealing with carriers directly): Court documents mentioned carriers drove an average of "7,000 miles per day" and that there were "around 600 routes with an average distance of 11 miles per route." As employees, carriers driving those same 2.5 million miles in 2018 would be reimbursed $1.4 million. (7,000 miles x 365 days) x (current IRS mileage rate of 54.5 cents). A recent job ad from ACI offered to pay fuel compensation for someone to audit weekend U-T delivery (0.29 cents, much lower than IRS mileage rate). No carrier I spoke with said they got mileage reimbursement. https://www.indeed.com/cmp/ACI-California-LLC/job… It sort of blew my mind that carriers have to pay for the rubber bands and plastic bags. I was actually quite shocked that this was the case. The U-T used to charge them warehouse rent and for third-parties helping to add inserts to papers, as well as insurance and bonding premiums (most of this deducted from their paychecks). I think most of the carriers today don't get that independent contractors usually invoice clients and are able to negotiate terms. It's clear that carriers like Bob are employees. Nathan told me that carriers that are messing up will be surprised when they get their paycheck and see how much less it is.
— September 1, 2018 9:02 a.m.

Spit at in Del Taco

I know they are short-staffed but just having more cop cars around would help. The thugs seem to know what they can do so even if someone calls the police, they won't show. I have seen some run or race off in their car from just hearing a police siren. Hmmm, maybe I need to find an ap of a police siren and blow it through my portable Bose as needed.
— August 31, 2018 12:53 p.m.

U-T paperboy blues

That is just sad. There was a former investigative reporter (drawing blank on his name) with the Voice that I think died before Trump was voted in. I heard a piece on NPR where he was inviting other reporters in to look at his treasure trove of Trump info before he died. I wonder what ever happened to his treasure trove . . .
— August 31, 2018 12:48 p.m.

U-T paperboy blues

For a weekly publication, it would be okay. But not for a daily publication. They might want to consider bringing it back to San Diego. And while they are at it, why not let kids deliver papers in their own neighborhoods again. It looks like it was cheaper, better for the environment, and more efficient.
— August 31, 2018 11:12 a.m.

Spit at in Del Taco

An officer I interviewed for a story said that defecating and pissing on the street isn't a crime unless a police officer sees it happen. It makes sense that spitting would be the same thing. It seems in the face is an assault though.
— August 31, 2018 8:46 a.m.

Yard crimes in Clairemont blamed on Prop 47

I noticed it getting really weird the summer of 2016. Drug dealers feel very comfortable dealing out in the open, smoking crack pipes at shopping centers at high noon, and breaking into homes without a care in the world. I get that we maybe need to try something different but what do you do when the people committing the crimes don't feel part of the solution? There is a drug house (used to be three, so slight improvement) in my neighborhood that is tied to much of the crime and they aren't even subtle about it. The police know about it, but nothing changes.
— August 21, 2018 11:01 a.m.

Yard crimes in Clairemont blamed on Prop 47

They have to want to help themselves instead of just helping themselves to other people's material possessions. A little empathy wouldn't hurt on their part.
— August 21, 2018 10:55 a.m.

Yard crimes in Clairemont blamed on Prop 47

Lisa said today (after publication), "An elderly neighbor just had her yard ransacked this week. She has lived here for 30 years without incident and was very upset. Your article is timely."
— August 17, 2018 4:40 p.m.