Month: August 2024

If a towering “accessory dwelling unit” (ADU) is throwing shade at you and your neighbors, the OB Rag wants to hear from you. Why? We’re holding a contest, ta-dah.

The OB Rag is inviting submissions for its “Worst ADUs in San Diego” contest. We are looking for extreme examples of ADUs that are excessive in size and overpowering in impact.

The nomination process is easy. Just send an e-mail with “Worst ADUs” in the subject line to obragblog@gmail.com.

By Rebecca Hersher / NPR News / August 7, 2024

High tide floods – when water collects in streets or even seeps into buildings on days without rain – are increasingly common in coastal areas as sea levels rise, a new report warns.

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: Tropical Storm Debby has flooded the southeastern U.S. this week. Many of the hardest-hit areas also have the fastest sea level rise in the country. Nicole LeBoeuf is the director of the National Ocean Service.

NICOLE LEBOEUF: These areas are already under the thumb of sea level rise, making the combination of Debby’s rainfall and storm surge potentially catastrophic.

MARTIN: Rebecca Hersher from NPR’s climate desk has learned of a new report that warns those sea level changes are accelerating.

By Katie Hyson / KPBS /  August 6, 2024

The Commission on Police Practices recommended last month that the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) make changes to their vehicle pursuit policy. At the top of their list: Limiting vehicle pursuits to incidents involving violent felonies.

The San Diego Police Officers Association (SDPOA) is pushing back against the suggestion, calling it horrific and dangerous. They didn’t respond to requests for an interview, but have been posting on social media about it. They wrote that the change would prevent them from pursuing people suspected of things like driving under the influence, dealing fentanyl, battery and human trafficking.

A local San Diego organization — the Community Advocates for Just and Moral Governance (MoGo) — has launched a new feature on their website which allows community members to easily and anonymously submit whistleblower complaints and public records requests. (MoGo is tied to former mayoral candidate, Geneviéve Jones-Wright.) Here’s their press statement:

Community Advocates for Just and Moral Governance (MoGo) launched a new portal on its website where community members can easily, and anonymously, if preferred, submit whistleblower complaints and public records requests (PRAs) in an effort to promote transparency and accountability.

The new website feature — which can be found at Whistleblower/PRA Form – Moral Governance and which went live on July 30th, coinciding with National Whistleblower Appreciation Day — is emblematic of MoGo’s mission of holding the government accountable to The People.

by Garrett Fantin

Are you curious about the unsung hero keeping floods at bay and sea levels in check?

Look no further than the San Diego River Estuary in Ocean Beach! This vibrant ecological hotspot isn’t just a haven for endangered species, like the California least tern, it’s a dynamic resource that provides a great deal to our community. Beyond its rich biodiversity and serene beauty, the estuary doubles as a playground for surfers and their canine companions, making it a true gem of nature and leisure.

The plants of the estuary act as powerful natural filters for urban runoff and other pollution, improving water quality for marine life and humans alike.

For the last bunch of years, the OB Rag has held our annual summer fundraising campaign during the month of August. And it’s that time of year again!

We only do this once a year, so help us reach our goal of $3,000 over the next two weeks. We do have bills — and our server bill just went up to $900. We do pay some of our reporters and writers a small amount, usually $35 to $50 an article, plus we have subscription bills and utilities to pay.

Over this last year, the Rag has become the online platform for dissatisfied residents of many neighborhoods besides Ocean Beach and Point Loma – disgruntled and frustrated fellow citizens upset with the leadership of the city – people from University City, Hillcrest, Mira Mesa, Pacific Beach, Barrio Logan, Southeast — the list keeps growing.

by Scott Hopkins / Peninsula Beacon / August 6, 2024

When Ryan Price saw Point Loma High’s head football coaching position was open he wasted no time in submitting his application. Principal David Jaffe selected him from a group of talented candidates to become just the fifth head coach in the school’s 99-year history.

During six years as head coach at University City High and his time as an assistant at La Jolla High, Price noticed qualities he admired in Pointer players.

“What I saw from afar is true,” Price said after a recent practice. “We have a bunch of scrappy, tough, really physical kids who are willing to work hard and have great attitudes. …”

By Geoff Page

The Rag decided to see how the $3.1 million – at last look – Cañon Street Pocket Park was coming along. As with everything else associated with this ridiculous use of the taxpayer’s money, the nearly finished product was jaw-dropping. And not in a good way.

For those unfamiliar with this pocket park, it is located along the east side of Cañon St. shortly before the speed limit reduces going south. The easiest way to locate the park is to look at the northwest terminus of Avenida de Portugal. The park runs from that street to Cañon St.

This is a 0.67 of an acre piece of land. That is 29,185 square feet or about six normal sized, 5000 square foot lots. The picture below encompasses the whole park. About two-thirds of the property, if not more, is taken up with concrete, decorative stone, a large circular play area, and landscaping. And a very small section of actual grass.

With all the talk about bike lanes versus charging stations, Rag reporter Geoff Page went down to Abbott Street to check out what the two city-owned charging stations in the parking lot of the main guard tower look like now.

Plus he wanted to see how the administration of Mayor Todd Gloria is  handling the new national push to increase charging stations all over California and the nation.

Any Expansion Could Also Squeeze San Diego Fishermen

By Ana Ramirez / The San Diego Union-Tribune / August 6, 2024

A proposal to expand one of San Diego’s 11 marine protected areas would make it the largest in the county, and could help wildlife off Point Loma thrive. But miles gained would be miles lost to some local fishermen. Two environmental groups want to expand Cabrillo State Marine Reserve from less than half a square mile to nearly 16, extending it westward and northward to an area of Sunset Cliffs. The reason? Kelp, long a chief concern of scientists, fishermen and other ocean-goers.

The Callen Report

By Kate Callen

City Hall has an innovative solution to the plight of flood victims still struggling to meet basic needs: Let them build accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

South East San Diego residents came to an August 5 community forum at the Jackie Robinson YMCA looking for help with lingering flood damage. What they got instead was a 25-minute slideshow on the bewildering arcana of ADU construction.

It isn’t news that the Todd Gloria administration has no interest in hearing what constituents want. And it’s no surprise that his Development Services Department (DSD) will seize any opportunity to push his ADU development crusade.

Still, the disconnect between what flood victims needed to know and what city officials preferred to discuss was staggering.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

San Diego city crews went to work Monday, August 5, on a portion of Sunset Cliffs that has noticeably eroded. A small section of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard near Guizot Street was shifted east by about 5 feet.

The construction work is scheduled all this week from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. causing portions of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard to be closed to traffic during those hours.

The city of San Diego identified it as urgent work to protect visitors and infrastructure.

Street crews removed the deteriorating guard rail and shifted the walking path, road markings and both travel lanes. Attached to the new guardrail is wood fencing to limit access.