San Diego is My Home

04
Apr

Rep. Issa’s Big Goof

Author: HelenKay, Category: Emergency Situations, Neighborhoods, Politics

U.S. Representative Darrell Issa (Republican from Northern San Diego County) got himself in a bit of trouble this week.  During congressional hearings regarding additional benefits for the 9/11 victims, Rep. Issa described the World Trade Center attacks as:

“…a fire that had no dirty bomb in it, it had no chemical munitions in it. It simply was an aircraft, residue of two aircraft and residue of the material used to build this building.”

Yeah, that did not go over all that well.  Many viewed his comments as being dissmissive of the attacks.  He argues that he was merely questioning whether benefits should be extended to people who were not physically injured and who did not work at Ground Zero.   Some fellow Congressional folk did not accept the explanantion.  Rep. Issa has been called stupid, unpatriotic and insensitive.

Admittedly, his delivery needs work.  But questioning a blank check and wondering if the federal government is going to compensate anyone involved in similar terrorist attacks in the future is legitimate.   A reasoned discussion without namecalling might be the best way to come up with a solution to this difficult issue.  Have members of Congress forgotten how to do that?

For Rep. Issa’s part, talking about 9/11 in terms of ariplane residue is about as smart as setting his desk up in the middle of the 805 and trying to do work.  We’re talking about people killed in a terrorist attack.  Show some smarts when trying to raise a point that needs to be raised.

Politicians…

05
Feb

Voting Day

Author: HelenKay, Category: Politics

It’s Super Tuesday.  That means it’s Primary Day in California.  Time for one and all to get out there and vote. 

Go. Vote. 

01
Feb

It’s Money Time

Author: HelenKay, Category: City Council, Housing, Neighborhoods, Politics

A panel recently recommended raises for our Mayor and for the City Council members.  The proposal suggests increasing the Council members’ salaries from their current $75,386 level to $125,000 next year, and from $100,464 to $150,000 for the mayor.  More than likely this will not be approved.  Kind of a bad political move to increase their income while many in San Diego are losing their homes.

And speaking of that…you may be entitled to a temporary break in your real estate taxes.  The idea is to give relief to those who purchsed their homes during the housing boom and now find themselves sitting in a house that’s worth a lot less than it was last year.   In other words, this is a benefit for everyone who purchased a home during the last five years.  You fill out a form with the Assessor’s Office and you’ll find out if you qualify. 

Now, there are companies offering to check into this relief for you for a fee.  There’s no need to pay it.  Just fill out the form through the County.  There’s nothing to lose.  For more information, check here.

01
Feb

Hillary Hits Town

Author: HelenKay, Category: Events & Happenings, Politics

With Super Tuesday right around the corner (the day 22 primary elections are held across the country) and California such a big prize in delegates, the presidential candidates are hitting town.  Hillary Clinton stops at SDSU’s Cox Arena this afternoon at 1:30 p.m. for a Town Hall Meeting.  She’ll be traveling to Northern California later today, so this probably is your last chance before you head to the polls to ask a few questions and hear her answers live (and without the benefit of CNN commentators).

If you go, be smart.  You will have to go through security.  So, limit what you’re carrying to something small and non-offensive.

29
Nov

Children’s Pool Revisited

Author: HelenKay, Category: Beaches, City Council, Politics

The State Supreme Court has spoken…or not spoken.  The Supreme Court (the one in CA, not the one in DC) decided to let the lower court’s ruling to dredge the Children’s Pool/Seal Beach in La Jolla.  This means that all those adorable little seals that congregate there, sleep, give birth and otherwise entertain toursists is - GONE!

The beach as it looks now will disappear, as will the seals.  In it’s place will be children.  Many think, in addition to being inhumane to the seals, that having hordes of children there is not exactly progress. 

Where will the seals go and how?  Well, that’s the question.  The Court has spoken, so there is no choice.  The seals go.   Maybe everyone can agree on how to get that accomplished.  Doubtful, but possible.

07
Nov

Beach Booze Ban

Author: HelenKay, Category: Beaches, Politics

Remember Labor Day?  It feels like years have passed since the brawl at Pacific Beach that required police in riot gear to calm everything down.  The drunken fighting led to calls to ban all alcohol use on San Diego beaches.  Now, San Diego is one of the few places were you can still enjoy your suds while engaging in a bit of beach fun.  After the Labor Day drunken mess, the City Council is debating a proposal to do away with our beach-and-booze specialty here. 

The idea of banning alcohol on beaches has its proponents and opponents.  Naturally.  The Mayor takes a middle ground view and asks for the ban only on certain holidays with all other times being fine.  Proponents cite the rest of the state as a guide and point to the Labor Day incident as a prime example that booze on the beach is an idea that needs to go.  Opponents of the ban talk about freedom and the joy of drinking on the beach, the long history of such activities in San Diego, most without incident, and commerce.  Opponents also remind the Council that previously bans were knocked down by ballot votes. 

What we can depend on is a fight over this issue, some screaming, much arguing and a possible ballot initiative.  Life is never dull in San Diego.

16
Oct

No Place Like Home

Author: HelenKay, Category: Housing, Neighborhoods, Politics, SDSU

The housing battle between students and residents continues in the area around SDSU.  Mini dorms - those fabulous living arrangements where too many students try to live in a too small place - have long been a touchy issue.  This year is no different.

The problem usually arises when a neighborhood home in a residential area is rented out to students.  A two-bedroom house becomes a home for ten as every available inch of inside space, sometimes including the family room,  is used for beds.  The result being noise, partying and parking problems.    

Enter a developer who wants to turn a heap of rubble on El Cajon into a multi-level dorm with retail on the ground floors.  The developer has made this work in university areas across the country.  The developer argues that with this new dorm there will be ample parking, residential staff and the eyesore will be gone.  Students say they need to live somewhere and it’s not their fault SDSU does not have enough living space.   Some also point out that living next to SDSU you should expect to see students everywhere.  Area residents sense a bait-and-switch coming where the developer promises an okay situation and, instead,  leaves behind a bunch of college party animals, no parking and bad retail.

So, what’s the answer?  No idea.  But, if you care about this issue and live near SDSU you may want to check out the Rolando Community Council Meeting tonight at 7:00pm at the Methodist Church (4855 Seminole Drive).

01
Oct

Rough Weekend For All

Author: HelenKay, Category: Environment, News, Politics, Sports

The Chargers lost.  The Padres lost.  The Aztecs lost.  If not for the perfect weather, it would have been a hard weekend in San Diego.  

Sports teams were not the only ones struggling around here over the last few days.  Mayor Sanders and City Attorney Aguirre are bickering like 4th graders over every issue imaginable.  An appellate court sided with the plans to dredge the Children’s Pool in La Jolla and run the seals off the beach.

Too much sunshine?  Too much beach?  Yeah, something strange is happening.