Civic San Diego commits foul, says group

The neighbors in Encanto were angry because Civic San Diego staff put a gag order during the design competition phase. The opposition did not like Civic San Diego's handling of the Bidding process that did not allow others to spread the news of their projects and gain community support. The alternative proposals teams felt they were suckered by Civic San Diego staff, when agreeing to keep quiet. Then loss after decision were already made by Civic San Diego staff, with no discussion. Weird.
— December 14, 2016 9:18 p.m.

Can the San Diego River change course?

Derby Dike north of Old Town, and a California Historical Landmark, was created by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1853 to divert the San Diego River. http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/listedresources/Detail/244 http://www.sandiegohistory.org/journal/1971/april… "The first government action to imply that the San Diego river stood in need of curbing was the U. S. Coast Survey whose report of 1851 by A. D. Bache warned that the bay may be destroyed by the silting action of the river. “The only remedy for this evil is to turn the river into False Bay again. This is an excellent harbor and its loss would be severely felt. Thus, Lt. George Horatio Derby, of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, was sent to San Diego in 1853 to build what was to become known as Derby’s Dike. On his survey map he noted that “during freshets of the rainy season, the marsh south of town is entirely’ inundated as well as part of the valley and plain bordering on the river.” Derby wanted to create a straight channel and levees for the river but he was ordered to deepen the old channel and build a levee from a point at the foot of the Presidio hill to the foot of Point Loma (1190 yards). The old San Diego Herald, Sept. 24, 1853; noted that “sixty laborers with carts, wheelbarrows, etc., are to be put on the work at once and by carrying it on energetically it is hoped that it may be entirely completed before the commencement of the rainy season.” Derby complained that the plan was not sound, and funds were insufficient, and sure enough, the first “freshet” took out part of the dike, and in the heavy rains of 1855 the river went back into San Diego Bay."
— November 23, 2016 6:20 p.m.

Glide control to Torrey Pines

The City of San Diego Real Estate and Assets Department (READ) finally created a Request For Proposal (RFP) after a decade of complaints regarding lack of public facilities on site. With office space, a cafe, and porta-potties for the tourists. https://www.google.com/maps/@32.8896458,-117.2506… It does look like the parking lot is filled in by UCSD students and nearby businesses, as the car density at the entrance is filled, compared to the front row parking spots.
— August 31, 2016 7:01 p.m.

How Hillcrest sidestepped Uptown planners

Many successful local developers in San Diego live within gated communities, and within the City of San Diego in the Agricultural-Residential AR Zones. These same developers that have protections for their private McMasions estates through Agricultural Zoning, try to upzone and densify regular other San Diego Residential (R) neighborhoods to create wealth, away from where they live. In order to allow for low density residential subdivisions, with rural characters, and active recreation like golf; our Municipal Code includes Agricultural-Residential (AR) Zones. Including Zone AR-1-1 for minimum 10 acre lots, and Zone AR-1-2 for minimum 1 acre lots. Low density neighborhoods keep their value, as they limit development and require open space. See the AR-zoned green areas including Fairbanks Ranch, The Grande Del Mar at Del Mar Mesa, and Black Mountain Ranch. http://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/zoni… http://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/zoni… http://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/zoni…
— July 23, 2016 2:27 p.m.

Sale of Truax House seems imminent

The City of San Diego Public Notices of from Real Estate Asset Department (READ) for Surplus Lands to other local agencies 1 to 3 years are inadequate and unofficial Declarations of Surplus Real Property. https://www.sandiego.gov/city-clerk/officialdocs READ listing Surplus property for sale online is not an Official Public Notice. https://www.sandiego.gov/real-estate-assets/servi… Yesterday the County Board of Supervisors approved Item 6 HIV/AIDS Getting to Zero Implementation Plan and Item 11 Declaration and Donation of 247 Acres of County owned land in Campo as part of the Historic Camp Lockett. http://tinyurl.com/20160719a http://tinyurl.com/20160719b Where there is a will, there is a way. The solution is Political which is to take out the decision making from City staff and the City Council, and get County Supervisors to request the excess City Surplus properties. The County can then follow the same Declaration and Donation process used in Campo for the Truax House.
— July 20, 2016 6:39 a.m.

Judge admonishes city attorney's office over Filner case

Goldsmith has stated many times that he will go after Court Fees of individuals who sue the City of San Diego. The solution to get around the bullying is to get a Non-Profit with Zero assets to sue the City of San Diego instead. A non-profit should sue the City Attorney for his 2010 Legal Memorandum that Outlawed the Use of Redevelopment Agency (RDA) Tax Increment (TI) for Homeless Emergency Shelters and Wrap Around Social Services. This Memo is what is allowing the ongoing violations of the Civil Rights, Fair Housing, and HEARTH Act by our City against the Poor and Homeless. With the resulting death and violence that could have been avoided. Pathetic.
— July 9, 2016 10:43 p.m.

Billionaire Democrat's Balboa Park plan revived by GOP mayor

The FY-2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report documents that the City of San Diego has $1,747,256,000 = $1.7 Billion in Cash Reserve Fund Balances (see Pages 174-175). With approximately +$700 million available for CIP Infrastructure project according to the Independent Budget Analyst (IBA) and Financial Management. The +$700 million available and Unencumbered could pay for ALL Regional Park needs. Mayor Faulconer has been hoarding this Cash since 2013. Cash in the Bank through Cash Reserve Fund Balances exists to build the unneeded Jacobs Bridge to Nowhere. https://www.sandiego.gov/comptroller/reports https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/lega… The City of San Diego Cash Reserve Fund Balances increased dramatically due to the liquidation of $500 million = $0.5 BILLION in Successor Agency (SA) to the former Redevelopment Agency (RDA) Assets and ongoing Revenue. All outside the normal Budget process. City staff state the reason why no shovel-ready projects exist is Either Due to a lack of funding or Staffing. There has never been a lack of Infrastructure CIP Funding, only a lack of Staffing by Mayor Faulconer. The City of San Diego created this massive non-well-known Pot of Gold, including adding an additional $273,506,000 = $273.5 million Cash between FY-2014 and FY-2015. With no plans to spend until FY-2019 at the earliest. Please investigate the available funding siting in the bank for the unwanted Balboa Park Centennial Bridge, or any Neighborhood Infrastructure project. Even though the City of San Diego has cash in the Bank, they are still taking on New Bond Debt and Bank Fees. Please analyze these Shady practices.
— July 1, 2016 9:15 a.m.

SDPD overreacted at 7-year-old's birthday party

Published on Feb 5, 2016. City of San Diego police officers appeal from the denial of qualified immunity in an action brought by Edward Sialoi and other family members alleging that they were detained and unlawfully arrested at their apartment complex. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOGK3-X8eP4
— May 27, 2016 4:04 p.m.

Morning burglary interrupted in Cardiff

SANDAG's Crime Report dated April 2016 1980-2015. http://tinyurl.com/20160401a http://www.sandag.org/index.asp?projectid=243&fus… Countywide the FBI Crime Rate Index Increase +6% in one year 2014 to 2015. 
 Encinitas/Cardiff +9% Increase in the FBI Crime Rate Index from 2014 to 2015. Del Mar +20% Increase in the FBI Crime Rate Index from 2014 to 2015. 
Carlsbad +18% Increase in the FBI Crime Rate Index from 2014 to 2015. 
 Solana Beach +45% Increase in the FBI Crime Rate Index from 2014 to 2015. 
 4S Ranch +17% Increase in the FBI Crime Rate Index from 2014 to 2015. 

— May 26, 2016 7:50 a.m.

For sale: Dolphin Motel. Includes billboard.

Great update.
— May 22, 2016 7:59 p.m.