Author: Staff

There will be at least three future Citizen Budget Review Town Hall Meetings with Independent Budget Analyst (IBA) Charles Modica this month, February.

The title of the series is to the point: “Now that Measure E Has Failed, Where Should City Budget Cuts Be Made?”

Dates and locations are:

• Thursday, February 13, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm, Porter Elementary School in Lincoln Park, SE San Diego
  
• Saturday, February 15, 11:45 am–1:15 pm, Mission Valley Library
• Thursday, February 20, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm, Mira Mesa Senior Center

The OB Rag needs help — no, not money donations — but writers and reporters.

OB – Point Loma Restaurant Reviewer

With the retirement of our mainstay restaurant reviewer, Judi Curry, we are without one. It’s a very popular gig and chore to check out the eateries in Ocean Beach and Point Loma and express your opinions and experiences. If you have any culinary experience, writing experience, live in either OB or PL and would like to be considered, please contact us at our gmail account — obragblog@gmail.com and indicate which position you’re applying for. We can afford $35 to $50 a review.

Local Reporter / Writer From the Peninsula

We’re also looking for a writer or reporter and more for local news in Ocean Beach or Point Loma. If you have any writing experience, live in either OB or PL and would like to be considered, please contact us at our gmail account — obragblog@gmail.com and indicate which position you’re applying for.

A military E/A-18 G Growler fighter jet crashed into the San Diego Bay off Shelter Island late Wednesday morning, February 12,2025, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

Prepared by Kate Callen

Source: Citizens Budget Review Committee

The first of four 2025 Budget Review Town Hall forums explored a range of public concerns about San Diego city finances, from diversion of developer impact fees (DIFs) to inflated management payrolls to sparse infrastructure maintenance.

More than 50 people gathered for the February 8 forum in the Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox Library on Washington Street. Chief Operating Officer Eric Dargan and Randy Reyes, a Community Representative for Mayor Todd Gloria, were in the audience. Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, whose District 3 includes Mission Hills, did not attend.

Throughout the two-hour forum, which began with a slideshow from Independent Budget Analyst Charles Modica, several points of public consensus came through strong and clear, including:

When constituents challenge City Hall funding decisions, and they are told, “Well, that’s what the policy dictates,” they must exert pressure on their elected officials to change the policy.

A La Jolla-based ice cream shop is coming to Ocean Beach and plans to open this spring right next to the Ocean Beach Playhouse at 4944 Newport.

Scoops Ice Cream Shop will be expanding its presence in San Diego with the opening of its third location.

According to SanDiegoVille:

Since launching in La Jolla Shores in 2018, Scoops has built a loyal following for its handcrafted ice cream, crepes, and other sweet treats. Known for offering both dairy and vegan ice cream flavors sourced from Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream, the shop has become a go-to spot for high-quality, all-natural frozen desserts.

People into football have heard of Eric Allen.

And for those that haven’t, be it known that Allen played football under the legendary coach Bennie Edens at Point Loma High School in the early 1980s, and was just inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Finally. Because for him, it’s been a long wait.

For Eagles fans, Allen is the first cornerback in Eagles history to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was announced as part of the Class of 2025 on Thursday night last week at the NFL Honors awards ceremony in New Orleans.

By Geoff Page

On Monday, September 30, 2024, a little more than a month before the election, the mayor’s office issued a press release:

“City of San Diego Marks 1,650 Miles of Road Repair Under Mayor Gloria”

“MILESTONE FOLLOWS RECORD INVESTMENTS FOR STREET PAVING BY CITY LEADERS IN RECENT YEARS’ (This was in all caps.)

Having worked in the construction industry for many years, including for a grading and paving company, this kind of statement makes me see red because it is so deceptive.

Start with the word “repair.” In most people’s minds, this means to fix something that is damaged. For street work, this usually means things like filling potholes, something substantial.

Then look at the word “paving.” What this conjures up for most people is the laying down of an asphalt structure like full depth replacement of asphalt or perhaps an overly of 1.5 to 2.0 inches.

Neither word refers to surface treatments like slurry seal, that makes a road look nicer but is not a “repair” or “paving.” Surface treatments are maintenance.

By Kate Callen

After decades of City Hall neglect, Encanto residents are savoring their stunning victory over predatory development at the January 28 City Council hearing. And it looks like they’re just getting started.

At a jubilant February 2 gathering, leaders of Neighbors for Encanto said they are ready to double down in the battles ahead. And they are confident neighborhoods across the city will stand with them.

“This isn’t just Encanto’s fight,” Lisa Becerra told the crowd at the Encanto Recreation Center. “We’re hearing from people all over San Diego who are already pissed off and already fighting this.”

Noon this Friday, January 31st, is the deadline to register to vote online for your local representatives to the California Democratic Party.

If you’re in California Assembly Districts 77, 78, 79 or 80, you’re in Region 22, which covers all of San Diego County. Here is the link 

For those who are still appalled by the shellacking last November at the national level, or concerned about cronyism at the local level, this is an opportunity to weigh in on who gets to decide which Democratic candidates you get to vote for.

By Geoff Page

A recent survey of the newly completed Dog Beach fence sadly confirmed the concerns detailed in The Rag’s earlier stories on it. The fence is not doing well.

This the third piece The Rag has done on the new fence. The first was October 9, 2020. The second was November 9 last year.

To refresh memories on what the fence is, it is a system of tall 4×4 posts, four rows of twisted wire, and wooden slats. It runs like tunnels, lining paths on both sides intending to keep people – and more importantly dogs – on prescribed routes. There are three “exits” from the main path across the dunes toward the river, also lined with fence.