Category: San Diego

San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board / June 14, 2025

This week, San Diego’s elected leaders completed a three-year con job targeting the bank accounts of a huge chunk of their constituents. On a 6-3 vote, the City Council approved Mayor Todd Gloria’s plan to begin assessing a $43.60 monthly trash collection fee on more than 200,000 single-family homes — a standard fee that is far higher than the $23 to $29 estimate given to voters when they narrowly approved Measure B in 2022. In July 2027, after the initial rate has gone up by an additional 26%, the fee will be $55.

By OB Rag Staff / June 15, 2025

The long-awaited San Diego City Council showdown over the catastrophic Bonus ADU program is in 24 hours. But you can (and should) send in a comment electronically to start the opposition drumbeat.

We know Todd Gloria still wants to cram as many as 10 units on single-family lots. That is unacceptable. Let’s unleash a tsunami of opposition messages on the Council.

Submit a comment on the City Council’s Agenda Comment Form.  After you fill in your personal information, the comment type is “City Council Comment,” the agenda item is “202,” and we “Oppose” the item. Here is a message you can copy and paste into the “Comments” box:

By Neighbors for a Better San Diego / June 15, 2023

Capping the total number of dwelling units is a win/win for everyone. Here’s why FOUR is the right number:

THE BREAKDOWN:

— Existing home
— A converted ADU, such as a garage (State law)
— A detached ADU (State law)
— An Affordable deed-restricted Bonus ADU (San Diego incentive)

By capping the total units on all San Diego residential parcels to 4 TOTAL units (including the main home), San Diego would be

— Complying with State law
— Protecting neighborhoods and homeownership, and
— Fulfilling the Bonus ADU commitment it made to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as part of the 2021-2029 Housing Element Cycle.

It is official, according to the San Diego Police Department and the Union-Tribune: 60,000 plus people demonstrated in downtown San Diego Saturday, June 14, for “No Kings Day!” Times of San Diego and KPBS also repeated this number. Organizers claimed 80,000. Also, police reported there were no arrests.

Meanwhile, literally millions of Americans took to the streets in opposition to Trump and his policies in at least 2,000 actions.

There were also 10 other “No Kings Day” protests across San Diego County, including events in Carlsbad, Del Mar, Chula Vista, Escondido, El Cajon, Mira Mesa, Rancho Bernardo, Civita Park, Ramona and San Marcos. Times of San Diego reported “about 1,000” in Mira Mesa and organizers estimated 3,000 in Escondido.

The Rag has been posting photos from today’s “No Kings” actions from downtown.

A massive wave of protests, dubbed “No Kings Day,” is scheduled for this Saturday, June 14, 2025, with events planned in San Diego County and across the nation.
About this event

We’re the group that organized the Hands Off April 5th event at the Civic Center in downtown San Diego — join us again

Check out https://takeactionsandiego.org/hub/ for updates and last minute information.

In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings. NO KINGS is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses. We’ve watched as they’ve cracked down on free speech, detained people for their political views, threatened to deport American citizens, and defied the courts. They’ve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their allies.

On Saturday, June 14, we’re gathering and building a movement to support and strengthen our community

The flag belongs to us. We’re not watching history happen. We’re making it.

On June 14th, we’re showing up everywhere—to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.

A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.

San Diego County rallies

By Paul Krueger / June 13, 2025

Laura Castañeda, a long-time journalist with a distinguished career in print and broadcast reporting, has been terminated from the Union-Tribune Editorial Board after five years as Deputy Editor/Editorial & Opinion.

Castañeda announced her departure on her Facebook page:

“On the same day a team editorial at @sdutOpinion on the ICE protests was pulled, my position as deputy editor was suddenly eliminated. Thanks to the SD community for allowing me to lift your voices. My next chapter TBA. I won’t be silenced and neither should you.”

The U-T’s staff bio of Castañeda, which was still posted this morning, says this:

By Kate Callen / June 13, 2025

This week’s San Diego City Council 6-3 vote approving trash fees capped another hours-long session before another furious overflow crowd. It’s no wonder the Councilmembers seemed exhausted. They are caught between their irate constituents and an autocratic mayor who scorns their constituents.

The six “Yes” voters looked like patients in a dentist’s waiting room. They have no viable solution to the budget crisis and no prospects for future elected office. They must serve out the rest of their Council terms in a kind of political purgatory.

Here are random observations of a weary Council that must now prepare for another contentious hearing when they consider Bonus ADU reform on Monday, June 16:

Going Through The Motions: The trash fees were rammed through for one reason only: The City is so financially destitute that it will dig money out of any crevice. No Council member could make that case with real enthusiasm. So they put in a token effort. Stephen Whitburn thanked some people and quickly voted “Yes.” Vivian Moreno had nothing to say. Even Henry Foster III, who ultimately voted “No,” seemed disoriented.

Elo-Rivera Fulminates:  One of the “Yes” voters brought firepower, but not about the city’s plight. Instead, Sean Elo-Rivera unleashed a diatribe about the presence of the National Guard in Los Angeles. When an audience member yelled, “That’s not city business,” Elo-Rivera pitched a fit: “I don’t care if you don’t like what I have to say, put your thumbs down, shake your heads, do what you like.” Such a class act.

By Elizabeth Ireland / Times of San Diego / June 11, 2025

More than 90% of voting United Food and Commercial Workers Local 135 members at Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions stores across San Diego County have authorized a strike if necessary, according to the union.

The vote, held June 8–11, comes amid ongoing contract negotiations between the union and grocery store parent companies Kroger and Albertsons.

The union, which represents more than 13,000 workers throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties, accuses the companies of unfair labor practices, including “surveillance, intimidation and retaliation,” during the months-long bargaining process.

By Lynne Miller

Editor’s Note: This commentary raises issues that will be front and center at the City Council’s Bonus ADU hearing at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 16.

There is a particular kind of magic in San Diego, from skyline to sandy sea.  A bird’s eye or drone view will show more structures rising faster and in greater numbers than ever before. The people of San Diego will tell you that in the blink of 30 days, the next-door house that was an old one-bedroom cottage on a good-sized lot was leveled, permitted, and framed before a person could say “Albus Dumbledore.”

When a magician presents his show, the audience tries to figure out where the rabbits were hidden and how the beautiful assistant disappeared.  In San Diego, we are trying to figure out how everything changed while we were simply living our lives.

Profit and Power magically drive good intentions into the mire. Politicians and Big Corporations, even research companies, can be tainted by “desired outcomes.” Don’t be fooled by data-driven statements that promote the “new and better” political agenda.

Here is what misuse of power looks like in local government.  Magic and Secrets are hidden among the new laws. Here is one of those secrets. The term “ministerial’ refers to actions that are carried out without discretion. In city government, ministerial laws require no public notice, input, or approval. Magic! The city does not have to notify local residents of building plans.

Jenna Amatulli, Lauren Gambino, and Chris Stein / The Guardian / June 12, 2025

Alex Padilla, a Democratic California senator and vocal critic of the Trump administration’s immigration polices, was forcibly removed and handcuffed as he attempted to ask a question at a press conference held by Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, in Los Angeles on Thursday.

In video taken of the incident that has since gone viral on social media, Padilla is seen being restrained and removed from the room by Secret Service and FBI agents.

“I’m Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary,” Padilla shouts, as he struggles to move past against the men pushing him back toward the exit.

“Hands off!” Padilla says at least three times. Outside the room, he is pinned to the floor and placed in handcuffs.