Wake and Bake, Kids! San Diego News You Can Use

By OB Joe

Since Doug Porter moved over to the San Diego Free Press, I’m left here at the OB Rag to strut my stuff. That’s fine by me, cuz there’s lots of news that you missed while you were surfing or baking or just sittin on the couch, and I’m here to set you straight.

Medical Marijuana Ballot Initiative In San Diego City Falls Short Of Goal

Citizens for Patient Rights regrets to report that our initiative for safe access to medical marijuana in San Diego City, the Compassionate Use Dispensary Regulation and Taxation Initiative, has failed to gather the necessary signatures by the June 19th deadline to qualify for the November ballot.  Weedblog.com

Chicano Park Murals Restored

With the stroke of a brush, a team of Chicano muralists started a movement in 1973 when they painted the “Historical Mural,” the first mural in Barrio Logan’s Chicano Park. Now, with help from a $1.6 million state grant, they have reunited to restore their original artwork almost 40 years later. U-T San Diego

 San Diego Foreclosures Fall to Five-Year Low

Foreclosures in San Diego County are at their lowest levels in more than five years, while default notices have held steady.  In May, 426 homes were foreclosed upon, down 51 percent from a year ago and down 19 percent from the previous month. May’s count is the lowest it’s been since February 2007, when there were 383 foreclosures in the county. Foreclosures peaked at 2,004 in July 2008. U-T San Diego

Janitors Gain New 4-Year Contract With Raises

Unionized janitors who picketed in recent months in downtown San Diego and University City announced today the ratification of a four-year contract that will give them a 3.5 percent raise.   One of the job actions by the janitors blocked La Jolla Village Drive for a short time a few weeks ago. The protests came during protracted negotiations with contractors who put janitors to work cleaning businesses around San Diego, including biotech firms.  KPBS

 San Diego City Council Approves Labor Contracts With City Workers – DeMaio Objects

The City Council Monday, June 18th, approved six labor contracts that spell out employment terms for city of San Diego workers in the fiscal year that begins July 1.   The deals with the San Diego Police Officers Association, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 145, Teamsters Local 911, Deputy City Attorneys Association, Municipal Employees Association and American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 127 contain no changes in salaries or specialty pay.   A 6 percent salary reduction implemented in 2009 will remain in place. The deals do, however, provide employees with 16 hours of discretionary leave that expires at the end of the fiscal year.  Channel 6News, U-T SD

San Diego Courts to Close and Lay Off Staff

San Diego Superior Court is facing $14 million in reduced funding for the fiscal year starting July 1 and the elimination of jobs and the closing of courts, due to state budget cuts. Six downtown criminal courtrooms would close, along with probate court in North County, a juvenile dependency courtroom in North County, a downtown civil department and the Ramona branch court.   Included among those 75 jobs to be eliminated are student workers, retired rehires, law clerks, retired commissioners and paid juvenile court pro tem hearing officers.  Channel 10News

 Senate panel rejects bill that could boost U2 guitarist’s plans

A key Senate panel on Tuesday rejected a bill that could have pumped new life into a quashed proposal by U2 guitarist the Edge to build five mansions on a scenic bluff above Malibu.   The measure, AB 2226, would have required state agencies to accept as fact that the person holding the deed to a piece of property is the owner. The issue is at the heart of a dispute between the California Coastal Commission and the Edge, whose real name is David Evans.  LA Times