OB Rag

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.

There was such intense pushback from everywhere across the country in reaction to Trump’s very recent dictatorial powergrab in his federal funds freeze that was clearly so unconstitutional (only Congress has the power of the purse), that today the White House had to rescind the edict.

Yet, in the meantime, the order created chaos and confusion in every governmental and public-serving agency. And San Diego was no different. Even ICE funds were frozen.

Axios San Diego laid out some of the local effects and consequences of the freeze — see below. And while ICE agents began to make their rounds in San Diego County and arrested some immigrants, the El Cajon City Council failed to endorse rightwing mayor Bill Wells’ controversial motion.

By JW August

Legislation aimed at making child trafficking a felony in California was signed into law Monday, Jan. 27, by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

For the supporters of SB 1414, authored by Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) it’s a good news-bad news outcome. While the bill builds on continuing efforts to criminalize the trafficking of children 18 and under, it comes up short of the legislation’s original goal.

SB1414 had the backing of a coalition of more than 100 organizations. What was signed by the governor doesn’t finish the job, say anti-trafficking activists. Groves doesn’t disagree with the criticism, saying Monday that while her bill provides “a significant step in the right direction” to protect children from child sex traffickers and buyers, “there is still work to be done.”

By Kate Callen

It’s a Philly Thing, Donald

I didn’t think I could feel any happier after the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Washington Commanders to win the 2025 NFC Championship and a Super Bowl berth.

Then I learned that Donald Trump had once again dissed my team. And the win became that much sweeter.

Trump and the Eagles have a curious history. He was running for president in 2016 when San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick took the knee during the National Anthem at NFL games to protest police brutality against Blacks.

Some players knelt with Kaepernick, some didn’t. Many fans respected his principled stand, which ended his NFL career. But most were puzzled and pissed.

In addition to voting to repeal the controversial “Footnote 7” from Encanto’s Community Plan, the San Diego City Council also unanimously passed a motion asking City Planning to remove the so-called “Bonus ADU Program” so that the program is consistent with state-mandated ADU regulations.

The motion was made by Henry Foster of District 3, and was seconded by Councilmember Raul Campillo and all members then agreed. (District 9 Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera was absent.)

During the Council hearing on Footnote 7, many Encanto and District 4 residents also expressed their numerous concerns about the Bonus ADU Program …and the City Council agreed!

By Katie Hyson / KPBS / January 28, 2025

The San Diego City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to repeal a controversial footnote in the city code. District 9 Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera was absent.

The 2019 footnote reduced minimum lot sizes for a certain zone of land, allowing denser housing — but only in neighborhoods in Southeastern San Diego. These neighborhoods were formerly redlined and remain majority Black and Latino and low-income.

On one lot in Emerald Hills, developers plan to build more than 120 homes where zoning would only allow 70 anywhere else in the city.

From Washington Post, Wednesday, January 29

The White House budget office on Wednesday rescinded an order freezing federal grants, according to a copy of a new memo obtained by The Washington Post, after the administration’s move to halt spending earlier this week provoked a backlash.

Coalition Proposes Alternative Plan to Preserve Property as Community Hub

By Mike James

Ocean Beach, CA — A coalition of Ocean Beach and Point Loma community leaders is fighting to preserve the historic property at 1984 Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, part of the area’s iconic “Church Row,” which is at risk of being replaced by a high-density housing development.

The site, formerly home to the Point Loma United Methodist Church and more recently operating as Water’s Edge Church, has served as a vital cultural and social hub for nearly a century.

The property, owned by First United Methodist Church (FUMC) of Mission Valley, has been under scrutiny since the local congregation’s closure on Christmas Eve 2023. Discussions led by FUMC leadership propose selling the property for affordable housing. To explore this plan, FUMC enlisted LeSar Development Consultants to provide recommendations.

Such a project could result in the construction of an 80+ unit, four-story apartment complex under San Diego’s Complete Communities program, potentially bypassing zoning and height restrictions.

On Monday, January 27, the San Diego City Council voted in closed session to select a development team to convert the infamous 101 Ash St. office tower into what’s being proposed as “hundreds of subsidized apartments.”

The companies Create Dev LLC and MRK Partners Inc. were chosen to redo the asbestos-ridden building and civic blunder into a potential downtown housing success project.

End of story? Not exactly. This is San Diego.

It just so happens that Create Dev is run by the head of the San Diego Planning Commission, Kelly Moden. The person who chairs the Commission was just chosen to head up the make-over of one of the most controversial of the city’s recent real estate deals. Moden was appointed a year ago by Mayor Todd Gloria.

It’s a feint when politicians blame forestry management or a Jewish space laser. Any valid plan must curb fossil fuels.

By Jordan Thomas / Op-Ed Los Angeles Times / January 24, Jan 2025

To be a first responder at this stage in the climate crisis is to face an escalation of violence. For many wildland firefighters, the unprecedented scenes from the last couple of weeks in Los Angeles — dozens dead, tens of thousands without homes, hundreds of thousands more displaced — will appear part of a familiar pattern.
The national conversation, predictably, will follow a pattern as well: Republicans will try to dismiss or

The national conversation, predictably, will follow a pattern as well: Republicans will try to dismiss or play down the role of fossil fuel-driven climate change, and everyone else will have to decide whether to ignore them or argue.

How we frame this pattern of violence matters because it directs the focus of our solutions and the fight for accountability.

At a community meeting tonight in Clairemont tonight, Jan. 28, a proposal will be made that calls for an emergency moratorium on all infill construction projects in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones within the City of San Diego until comprehensive risk assessments and mitigation measures are completed.

Paul Coogan, Secretary of the Community Planning Committee will present the proposal at the Cathy Hopper Clairemont Friendship Center at 4425 Bannock Avenue, San Diego, 92117. The meeting runs from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m.

All community members, stakeholders, and media representatives are encouraged to attend. (Click HERE to Join the Meeting Via Zoom)

By Lori Weisberg / The San Diego Union-Tribune / January 27, 2025

Animal rights activists showed up at City Hall on Monday, Jan. 27, to protest a proposed settlement with SeaWorld that would require the theme park to pay the city $8.5 million in back rent that went unpaid during the pandemic.

PETA, which has long been critical of SeaWorld for its treatment of killer whales and dolphins, has filed a formal objection in federal court to the settlement, which it calls a “sellout.” The group says the payout falls short of the more than $12 million in back rent, late fees and interest the city had originally sought.