OB FLASHES – News, Calendar, and Whatever – August 12, 2010

Jolly Roger Pirate Captured by Lifeguards

An unidentified pirate flying the “Jolly Roger” was captured by brave lifeguards on Monday August 9th who tried to rescue him as his boat ran aground along Sunset Cliffs.  The pirate reportedly refused to leave his vessel  and defiantly kept lifeguards at bay to await high tide — at least for a little while. A trio of lifeguards eventually removed the man by force. He was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication, according to a statement from San Diego Lifeguard Services.  Jim Grant was on hand as usual and captured the lifeguards capturing the pirate.

OB Town Council Candidates Needed – Apply by August 16th

There are seven seats – seven! count them! – open on the OB Town Council Board.  The voting begins at the next meeting of the Council on Wednesday, August 25th, and ballots will be accepted for a week after that.  Candidates must be a paid-up member (you can pay dues at anytime)  – BUT – any candidate must submit an application – they call it a  LETTER OF INTENT – by Monday, August 16th.  The Letter can be submitted by email or to Landry Watson, membership coordinator.  Lately, there has been a lack of sufficient participation on the Council and elections over the past four years have been circumvented by this lack of involvement.  The results: people have been appointed to vacate seats.

Bylaws provide that a person may run for Board of Directors if they live, work, own a business or own a property in the zip code 92107, plus they need to be 18 years of age and also be a member in good standing at the time of election. Good standing would imply that they are currently paid for the year.

The community of OB can do better.  Get involved.  Run for the Town Council.  Even though the OBTC does not have any official governmental connections, the City and the neighborhood look to it for representation of the interests of OB.  Let’s get some people on the Board who can and will represent the community.

Community and Alley Clean-Up on August 21st

One of the major issues identified by the participants of the first community forum on homelessness in early July was the cleanliness of Ocean Beach, and the manner in which it reflects on the community self-respect.  Following the breakfast for the needy on Saturday, August 21, 2010, 7:30 a.m., the Ocean Beach Inter-Faith community, in conjunction with the Ocean Beach Main Street Association will sponsor an alley (or two) clean-up. Dumpsters, some bags, and few tools will be provided. Please bring your own heavy gloves, and any tools (rakes, brooms, weed whackers) which you may have for the cause.

We have a long road ahead, but we are taking the first steps. Please join us for a pancake breakfast and the beginnings of the Journey back to a community working together.

When: Saturday, Augus t 21, 2010, 7:30 a.m.

Where: First Baptist Church of Ocean Beach – 4790 Santa Monica Avenue – (Hall faces 1900 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.)

Second Community Forum on Homelessness – August 24th

As a result of the first community forum on July 6th, a report was generated identifying a number of areas Ocean Beach, as a community, can come together to improve the quality of life for all.  The report is available through churches within the Ocean Beach Inter-Faith, Restorative Justice Mediation Program of San Diego County, and the OB Rag (we had a bad link to it but are fixing it).

As promised, the Inter-faith Community is sponsoring a second forum in order to develop action items and form committees to work on community specific a projects. Some action items identified are building and improving bathroom facilities in the beach area, looking into the feasibility of an emergency drop-in shelter and/or a community center, developing a productive working relationship with the San Diego Police Department, Job mentoring, and a Coordination of drug and alcohol abuse counseling and treatment.

We are hopeful representatives from the pertinent agencies will be in attendance to add their experience and some direction to the discussions.  You are invited to attend. Bring your ideas and energy. We look forward to seeing you there.  When: Tuesday, August 24, 2010, 7:00 p.m. Where: The Church Hall, First Baptist Church of Ocean Beach at 4790 Santa Monica Avenue.

The OB Inter-faith community includes Sacred Heart of Ocean Beach Catholic Church, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Bethany Lutheran Church, First Baptist Church of Ocean Beach, Harbor Presbyterian Church, St. Peters by the Sea Lutheran Church, Point Loma United Methodist Church, All Souls Episcopal Church, Second Chance Ministries, and Oasis Ministries.

Candidate Forum for Town Council – August 25th

The OBTC is having a Candidate Forum at their regular meeting on Wednesday, August 25th, at 7pm, at the Masonic Center on Sunset Cliffs Blvd. During the meeting, candidates for the 7 open seats can be addressed and give their spiels on why they want to serve.  The Council will also announce winners in their grant awards program.

Point Loma – Midway Community Meeting on Transforming the Post Office

On August 10th, a forum was held in order to invite the local Midway/North Bay/Pt Loma community to hear about the idea of turning the old Midway Post Office into transitional and supportive housing for veterans, women, families. Community members were invited to express their concerns and ask questions, give guidance.  The proposal is being formulated by a local,non-profit Amikas. Organizers canvassed the businesses nearby a week before with fliers inviting everyone near Midway PO to come.  At the meeting, Jeeni Criscenzo and Maurice Martin (Amikas VP and homeless veteran) presented a powerpoint on the Amikas community to the more than dozen people in attendance.

One woman named Kim (quoted in the article/s and on TV) had already prepared her own flier to “protest” the Amikas community model proposal, filled with many fear-mongering claims (“2000 druggie/mentally ill/alcoholic MEN! Will Destroy Point Loma!”). Kim had previous concerns about vandalism at her laundromat. She was listened to and her issues addressed civilly. We had expected more “angry opposition” and were pleasantly surprised by the general positive responses otherwise. Most other “local” attendees expressed interest, and some support, for the proposal. Veterans for Peace members talked about the importance of transitional housing and support for jobless or homeless veterans. Amikas plans to incorporate community concerns into its model such that its community would bring positive benefits to the neighborhood it joins.  Go here for the Peninsula Beacon‘s article on the meeting.

Peninsula Planners to Review Bylaws on August 19th

On August 19th, at their regular monthly meeting, the Peninsula Community Planning Board (PCPB) will once again take up the issue of its bylaws.  The bylaws have produced a frustrating time for the Board as different interpretations have divided its members as well as community members.  The current Board is a result of a number run-off elections and appointments to the Board.  The Board at one point had five vacant seats, but due to non-conclusive votes, had to hold a number of run-offs to fill the seats.   One of the issues is whether the board has the authority to appoint replacement members or whether such matters should be left to the voting members of the Peninsula public. The PCPB’s bylaws can be viewed online at  www.pcpb.net .

Tagged as: OB Town Council