Category: Economy

Although the nation’s leading economists have determined that the national recession began in December 2007, regional economists are split over when San Diego County slipped into recession.
Some mark the beginning of the recession as early as spring 2007.

MICHAEL MOORE: You might assume that I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about these miserably inept crapmobile makers down the road in Detroit city. But I do care. I care about the millions whose lives and livelihoods depend on these car companies.

Miami housing activists are organizing homeless people to illegally move into foreclosed homes. “We’re matching homeless people with people-less homes,” Max Rameau said with a grin. Rameau is part of a group of like-minded advocates who have formed Take Back the Land, which so far have moved six families into foreclosed homes, with nine on a waiting list. The organization also helps the new “tenants” with secondhand furniture, cleaning supplies and yard upkeep.

The National Retail Federation reports that consumer spending during the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend was up 7%. This should spell relief for state and local government who depend on sales tax revenues to provide local services like Police, fire, parks, libraries, schools. But look a little deeper in the report to see why local governments are not breathing easier.

DAVID WASHBURN at voiceofsandiego has been doing his homework when it comes to library cuts and City Council votes. How would Councilmember Hueson and the incoming members have voted on cutting libraries and rec centers.

For all the rolling up of sleeves and “everything is going to change” exuberance, however, taking on the Pentagon, with its mega-budget and its mega-power, may be the hardest task he faces.

Ocean Beach business – Falling Sky Pottery – commits to donate 5% of sales to the Ocean Beach library, from December 7th to December 21st.

Pat Flannery, of Blog of San Diego, has a perspective on why Mayor Sanders made an abrupt proposal to summarily close down several libraries.

Rally reports & photos – Ocean Beach, Carmel Mountain, University Community, Benjamin, University Heights.

Our good friend and fellow librarian activist Anna Daniels has sent a letter to the San Diego City Council and…

Late this afternoon, the San Diego City Council delayed any decision on Mayor Jerry Sander’s budget cutting proposals until another special meeting that they will hold on Monday, November 24th, from 1 to 4 pm. The Council, sitting as the budget review committee and chaired by Councilmember Toni Atkins, held its meeting before a packed Chambers, as they considered Mayor Sanders’ proposals – the closing of 7 libraries – including the Ocean Beach branch, and 9 recreation centers, including the Point Loma Cabrillo Center.

OCEAN BEACH, CA.  Ocean Beach residents who have organized recently to save the Ocean Beach Library from closure, have called…