Frank Gormlie

Articles by Frank Gormlie

A lawyer and grassroots activist, I was finally convinced by Patty Jones to start this blog of citizen journalists after she got tired of listening to my rants about the news. Way back during the Dinosaurs in 1970, I founded the original Ocean Beach People’s Rag - OB’s famous underground newspaper -, and then later during the early Eighties, published The Whole Damn Pie Shop, a progressive alternative to the Reader.

Frank has written 2872 articles for the OB Rag!

City Council Voted Unanimously to Deny Ocean Beach Appeal on Dog Beach Ramp – Campbell Made Motion

November 19, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Minutes ago, the San Diego City Council voted unanimously to reject the appeal by the Ocean Beach Planning Board to block the City’s plans to spend $1.1 million in building a Dog Beach ADA ramp. The project will now move forward despite this opposition by the community.

Councilwoman Jen Campbell of District 2 – OB’s district – after about a minute’s worth of discussion – made the motion to deny the appeal.

This has been a contentious issue between OB and the city;

Read the full article → 13 comments

Ocean Beach Planning Board’s Appeal of Dog Beach ADA Ramp Project Before City Council – Tuesday, Nov.19

November 18, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

The Ocean Beach Planning Board appealed the city’s Dog Beach ADA Ramp “Improvement” Project. This appeal goes before the City Council on Tuesday, November 19, at 2pm.

Readers are familiar with this story. It is true that the OB Planning Board “is going toe-to-toe with the City of San Diego” over the city’s plans to spend $1.1 million upgrading an accessibility ramp onto Dog Beach in OB. The OB Rag has been covering the issue since it appeared before OB planners in early August (see our report here) and was shot down with a 12-1-1 to vote, and our writer, Geoff Page, examined the issues involved and came up with this conclusion:

Read the full article → 7 comments

Public Workshop on How San Diego Airport Reduces Noise – Thurs., Nov. 21, Liberty Station

November 18, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Residents of Ocean Beach and Point Loma may want to know how the San Diego Airport is working to reduce noise.

If so, there will be a public workshop on the update to the Part 150 study process, Thursday, November 21 from 4-7 pm at the Airport Noise office, 2722 Truxtun Road in Liberty Station.

Read the full article → 0 comments

Ocean Beach Favorite, the Electric Chair, May Close

November 15, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

We just heard some sad news: the Electric Chair hair salon may close. The Ocean Beach hair salon has been on Newport Avenue since 1984; it first began with Paul Bolton in a hole in the wall with only two chairs.

Then Paul and his spouse made the big move into its current location, 4944 Newport Ave, #A. Over the some 35 years the establishment has been through as many changes as some people change their hair. Yet it’s been a mainstay on OB’s main commercial boulevard for all this time.

Read the full article → 6 comments

Ocean Beach House Waiting for Coastal Permit, Becomes Squatters’ Haven

November 14, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

A renovation project to a small, old house on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard has new problems. The renovation to the building was approved by the OB Planning Board September 4, but the owners – who are not living there – say they are now waiting for the Coastal Commission to approve their construction. In the meantime squatters have taken over the home, neighbors claim.

Guoc Nuygen bought the property at 2068 Sunset Cliffs but wanted to renovate. During the renovation, however, something happened and too much of something was removed or taken down. After a field inspection was triggered, Nugyen had to have the roof replaced and finish the interior remodel – and now he needed a Coastal Development Permit; he had to have the city confirm it and have it approved by the OB Planning Board.

Read the full article → 1 comment

Accused Serial Killer of Homeless to Stand Trial

November 13, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Jon David Guerrero, the suspected serial killer of homeless people, has been ordered to stand trial on 15 counts of murder, attempted murder and assault on 13 victims, most of whom were homeless, in a brutal 2016 crime spree. At the conclusion of his preliminary hearing last week, Superior Court Judge Kenneth So found sufficient evidence to bind him over for trial.

Guerrero, 42, is suspected of very gruesome killings of his victims, including driving railroad spikes into some of them, setting two on fire and bludgeoning several on the head with hard objects.

He is charged with four counts of murder and a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders, in the deaths of Shawn Longley, 41, – a man who was homeless in Ocean Beach,

Read the full article → 0 comments

SeaWorld to Use 500 Drones for New Light Show

November 13, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

There’s a new article in the Press Enterprise from Orange County that reports SeaWorld San Diego plans to use 500 aerial drones to create images in the sky above Mission Bay. First, SeaWorld plans to do a test run of the aerial drone light show in early February.

The aquatic park has already submitted a proposal to the California Coastal Commission for a test run of the drone show. The dates for the test run are on select nights from Feb. 4-18.

If successful, SeaWorld probably will employ the drones as a replacement for part or all of their nighttime fireworks.

The Seaworld drone show will use 12-ounce Intel Shooting Star quadcopter drones designed specifically for aerial shows.

Read the full article → 1 comment

Ten Years Ago in Ocean Beach – November 2009

November 12, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

What the heck was going on in Ocean Beach ten years ago, in November 2009? We wondered that too, so opened our archives to find the following posts maybe of interest:

Local Artists’ Collective Putting OB Art Scene Back on the Map

Sheldon Dorf dies – OBcean helped start Comic-Con

The Dilemma of the Disenchanted Progressive

83% in poll believe marijuana should be legalized

Read the full article → 0 comments

Scooters Are Replacing Biking, Walking and Taking the Bus

November 12, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Joshua Emerson Smith, at the San Diego Union-Tribune, earlier this month asked the question, “how green are e-scooters?” He proceeded, of course, to attempt to answer his own query. Here below is a summary of sorts of his findings.

In general, he says – as reflected in the sub-head – studies do find that dockless e-scooters are more eco-friendly than driving – but buses, biking and walking remain the greenest travel modes.

“According to studies, many people are currently cruising around on e-scooters as an alternative to cleaner forms of transportation, such as biking, walking and taking the bus.”

  • The scooter craze may not be as green as advertised;
Read the full article → 5 comments

New Ocean Beach Tattoo Shop Vandalized Twice

November 11, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Apparently someone is trying to send a message to the owner of a brand new tattoo shop that opened in Ocean Beach a week ago.

The Southbay Blackwater Tattoo – which opened in the former site of the Black Bead at 5003 Newport Avenue – had an explosive taped to its front window early Saturday, which blew a hole in the front glass window. Then early Monday morning, somebody threw something through that same window.

Mike Kellerman is the owner of the new shop and he reports that right after he opened up he had a confrontation with another tattoo shop owner last week, who threatened him about opening the shop in the community.

Read the full article → 9 comments

With Virginia Legislature Flipping, ERA Poised to Become Law – Despite Hurdles. Finally!

November 7, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

On election night, Tuesday, the Virginia state legislature flipped – and now the state is blue. Virginia Democrats have been out of power in the legislature for a quarter of a century but the voters have spoken.

This turn-over now creates a road for the ERA, the Equal Rights Amendment, to become law. Virginia is now – with the first woman to serve as speaker in the body’s 400-year history, Democrat Eileen Filler-Corn – poised to pass the ERA. And when it does, Virginia becomes the crucial 38th state to ratify the measure. This would be the three-fourths of the all 50 states threshold needed to add it to the Constitution.

But there are two main hurdles.

For one, Congress set a deadline of 1982 – but by that date, only 35 states had ratified the ERA.

And two, some states have withdrawn their approval.

Read the full article → 5 comments

City Pushes Million Dollar Ramp to Nowhere onto Ocean Beach Against Community’s Will

November 7, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

The issue of the City’s million dollar ramp to nowhere at Dog Beach in Ocean Beach is heading to a full City Council vote later this month. Because of that, local mainstream media have picked up on the issue with headlines that emphasis “controversy in Ocean Beach” – always a head-turner for the television audiences.

It is true that the Ocean Beach Planning Board “is going toe-to-toe with the City of San Diego over the city’s plans to spend $1.1 million upgrading an accessibility ramp onto Dog Beach in Ocean Beach.” The OB Rag has been covering the issue since it appeared before OB planners in early August (see our report here) and was shot down with a 12-1-1 to vote, and our writer, Geoff Page, examined the issues involved and came up with this conclusion:

Read the full article → 9 comments

San Diego Mainstream Media Downplay Suspected Serial Killer of Homeless People

November 5, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

For some reason, San Diego’s mainstream press is downplaying the fact that the man in court is suspected of being a serial killer of people who were homeless.

On Monday, a preliminary hearing opened for Jon David Guerrero, 42, who is charged with four counts of murder with a special-circumstance allegation of multiple murders. He is accused of killing four people, three men and one woman during a murderous crime spree in 2016. Plus he may be charged for another murder, as one of the badly injured victims has since died. He also faces charges of attempted murder, arson and assault with a deadly weapon likely to cause great bodily injury.

That’s still a lot of murders. So many I thought of asking the ol’ citadel of wisdom, wikipedia: “How many random murders does it take for it to be a serial killing? ”

Here was my answer:

Read the full article → 3 comments

November 5th: Guy Fawkes Day

November 5, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Guy Fawkes maskNovember 5th is Guy Fawkes Day.

Many Americans know Guy Fawkes through the movie “V for Vendetta“, or at least recognize the mask, popularized by the film, and which then used by activists in the Occupy Wallstreet movement back in 2011, which was modeled after his face.

We have a basically positive view of Fawkes.

But in England, it’s the other way around. Fawkes is seen by many as a traitor and they celebrate his death.

You’re familiar with the John Lennon song, “Remember” where he sings “remember, remember, the 5th of November….”? Listen to the rest of the words.

Read the full article → 0 comments

Biggest Things to Know About New Rent Control Law

November 4, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Whether you’re a tenant or a landlord, you need to be up to date on the new rent control law coming to San Diego and the rest of California in 2020. [The following is taken largely from the San Diego Union-Tribune of Oct. 27, 2019.]

Rent control was signed into law when Gov. Gavin Newsom put his signature on the legislation – Assembly Bill 1482 – about a month ago, in early October.

The basic rule of thumb: rent increases will be capped throughout California from 7 to 8 percent a year. It’s especially important for renters to know the law – as many landlords will get special briefings from their associations. The rent cap will expire in 10 years, but lawmakers are likely to extend It.

Rent is now capped: Landlords cannot raise rent more than 5 percent plus inflation as of Jan. 1, 2020.

Read the full article → 6 comments

OB Planning Board to Review ‘Nix on the Cannabis’ Code Proposals and Establishment ‘Reforms’ to Neighborhood Planning Groups – Wed., Nov.6

November 4, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

This Wednesday night, November 6, the Ocean Beach Planning Board will hold its monthly public meeting. The volunteer panel of community members has one development project to review, but also will review issues from the weighty to the more lightweight. This all happens at 6 pm sharp at the OB Recreation Center at 4726 Santa Monica Ave. Here are the agenda items of note:

1776 Cable Street

The Board will review a Coastal Development Project application for 1776 Cable Street, one which seeks …

Read the full article → 2 comments

News from Ocean Beach and Point Loma – Early November 2019

November 1, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

DUI While Sailing?

A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of boating while intoxicated after running his sailboat into the shore in Ocean Beach on Sunday night, Oct. 27, authorities said.

Suspect in OB Murder Case of Mother Has Prelim Set

The preliminary hearing for a man suspected of killing his mother in Ocean Beach was set on Oct. 28 for Jan. 14

Point Loma High Has Broken Retaining Wall

Argument Over Stolen Scooter Leads to Stabbing in Midway District

OB Street Stewards Take Off

Ocean Beach Street Stewards are sweeping into town ushering in a new era in community beautification.

Read the full article → 8 comments

More Debate Over San Diego’s Secret Streetlight Cameras

October 31, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Recently – and to their credit – the editorial board of the San Diego Union-Tribune raised the question, “who’s to blame for San Diego’s secret streetlight cameras?” – and natch, they answered their own question.

In December 2016, when the San Diego City Council preliminarily approved a $30.3 million “Smart Streetlights” project, a key detail — that contractor GE would equip thousands of streetlights with cameras to monitor their surroundings — was never shared publicly. Awareness spread with the sensors themselves, and there is now a set of 4,000-plus cameras that are on all the time — and a sense of conspiracy. Critics complain the contract gave GE an “irrevocable, permanent, worldwide, royalty-free” right to use footage for its own commercial purposes.

Read the full article → 1 comment

House of Representatives Votes for Rules for the Impeachment Inquiry Into Trump

October 31, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

The US House of Representatives – in an historic move – just voted to approve the rules to be used for the impeachment inquiry into president Trump. By a vote of 232 to 196, the House passed rule that will:

Read the full article → 1 comment

San Diego Scooter News: Ridership Off by Half Since Summer, a Call to Cap Scooters and Badly Injured Rider Goes Home.

October 28, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Keeping Track of the Scooter

The biggest scooter news in San Diego is on several fronts.

First, San Diego Union-Tribune reporter, Joshua E. Smith broke the news several days ago, that scooter ridership has plummeted by over 50% since summer. Here’s his opening:

It might be the change in the seasons, but since the city of San Diego put its rules for dockless e-scooters in place this summer ridership has been plummeting.

Read the full article → 1 comment

Trump Booed and Met With Chants of ‘Lock Him Up’ at D.C. World Series Game

October 28, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

The president of the United States was loudly booed at the Washington DC World Series game when he was shown on the Jumbotron- and met with a chorus of chants of “Lock him up! Lock him up!”

Reportedly, the sustained boos and chants were the loudest expression of the fans at the game.

Read the full article → 0 comments

OB Town Council Looking for a Christmas Tree Donation for Annual Display at Foot of Newport

October 23, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Hey, it’s not even Halloween yet, but your Ocean Beach Town Council is looking for a giant, tall Christmas present. The Town Council is looking for a donated Christmas Tree for the annual display at the foot of Newport Avenue.

 

Preferably one that is crooked, or bent like a question mark or …. whatever.

If you have one to donate, please

Read the full article → 3 comments

Water Quality Advisory Issued for Dog Beach

October 22, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Effective October 22, 2019 at 8:30am, the County’s Department of Environmental Health has issued a water quality Advisory for San Diego River outlet – Dog Beach – in Ocean Beach.

The County says humans [we add “and dogs”] should avoid water contact in the advisory area, as bacteria levels may exceed health standards.

Bacterial exceedance Advisories are issued when monitoring

Read the full article → 2 comments

Ocean Beach Is Second Only to Barrio Logan for Being the ‘Mural Capital’ of San Diego

October 18, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

It’s not surprising that Ocean Beach has many murals adorning the walls of businesses around the community. But what is surprising is that Ocean Beach now – with recent additions on People’s facade – has more murals than any other community in San Diego except for Barrio Logan and all its murals at Chicano Park.

Not based on any scientific study – this is art, you understand – this claim to mural fame second to Chicano Park – is based on just driving around the village and counting all the murals. Try it – it’s a trip. OB has a feel, a vibe for art – (and music, beer and drugs) …. – but OB has had a history of murals since the 1970s. Another OB tradition that’s still alive.

Now, there’s different kinds of murals, for sure.

Read the full article → 1 comment

Another Cannabis Bust at the Foot of Newport in Ocean Beach

October 17, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

It has happened again. Back on October 7, there was a bust of a cannabis canopy at the foot of Newport Ave. where OB’s “outlaw” weed salesman was detained by police and his products taken.

Just yesterday, October 16, two gentlemen were detained by San Diego police for sales of cannabis products under a canopy right there on the sidewalk across from the Wall.

Their products were confiscated and the two were handcuffed and at least detained. It’s unclear if they were arrested and taken either downtown to the jail or over to Western Division HQ. (Even being detained with cuffs is a type of arrest, yes.)

Read the full article → 2 comments

San Diego Progressives Lose an Icon – Floyd Morrow Passes

October 16, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

One of San Diego’s most popular progressives in the modern era has passed. Floyd Morrow died October 3; he was 86.

Called “independent” or a “lone ranger” by his colleagues on the San Diego City Council – Floyd represented the greater Clairemont community of the 5th District for 3 terms – 15 years.

Others – such as those within the then-small progressive community of San Diego – saw him as a populist, a hero to the downtrodden or under-represented, and an early environmentalist and supporter of parks and people’s movements.

Read the full article → 3 comments

Ocean Beach Project Review Panel Looks at Long Branch and Cable Projects

October 16, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

The Project Review Committee of the OB Planning Board has two projects to review Wednesday, October 16. The committee is a sub-committee of the full Board and getting first crack at reviewing project plans, it usually makes recommendations of whether to approve or not projects that come before the Board.

Meeting at the OB Rec Center, 4726 Santa Monica Ave, the PRC meetings begin right at 6 pm.

4672-4674 Long Branch Ave

The first project up for review is a Coastal Development Permit by Wennes to convert part of the garage at 4672-74 Long Branch. It would have 499 square feet.

2077 Cable Street

Read the full article → 0 comments

Proof That the Fox Has Returned to the Peninsula

October 16, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

An Ocean Beach woman who found a fox – yes, a real fox – in her bathroom this past week took its photo. And the photo is proof that the fox has returned to the Peninsula, to Point Loma and Ocean Beach. The fox, as a mammal group.

According to the San Diego Humane Society, the fox was playing with the woman’s dog on Monday, October 14, but then it ran into her house. In the hope that it would it would run back outside, the woman left her door open over night.

But when she came into her bathroom the next morning – there it was. So, she called the Humane Society.

The Humane Society stated:

Our Humane Officer safely captured the fox, which was healthy, and released the animal back outside.

Here’s the full Humane Society statement:

Read the full article → 6 comments

News and Notices for Ocean Beach and Point Loma – Mid-October 2019

October 11, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Liberty Station’s Golf Course Future Could Be in the Hole

Liberty Station’s Loma Club is considered a great golf course in its own unique way. …More than a century of history sits in the club’s soil. At one time, a young Phil Mickelson played tournament at what was then called Sail Ho. Which is why players and locals were shocked to learn the Loma Club put out a notice that it will close in late December.

Point Loma Home Target of Passing Cars – Hit Twice Within a Year

San Diego Music Hall of Fame in OB at Newbreak Church – Oct. 18

Two Roots Brewing Wins Gold Medal for Non-Alcohol Beer

Point Loma Office Building Is Awarded “Orchid” in Annual Judging

Santa Barbara Coastline Study Has Lessons for Us: More Hot Days, Longer Dry Spells and Higher Sea Levels

Read the full article → 1 comment

City Council Committee Gives Go-Ahead to ‘Tiny Houses’ on Wheels for San Diego Backyards

October 11, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

A key San Diego City Council committee has given the go-ahead to allow property owners to have movable “tiny houses” on wheels which they hope will help alleviate the city’s affordable housing crisis and steep homelessness. The small units can be moved into backyards and have their wheels removed.

The council’s Land Use and Housing committee voted voted unanimously Wednesday, October 9, to have the City Attorney’s Office come up with language for an amendment to San Diego’s municipal code which would permit the movable tiny houses.

Councilwoman Dr. Jennifer Campbell, a member of the committee said: “I think it’s a good idea. Let’s do it.”

Here’s some of the proposed restrictions and requirements property owners would need to comply with:

Read the full article → 19 comments

← Older Articles