OB Rag

There is some anguish in the office towers of the city today, the day after the election, about what is happening in the Midway District.

Indeed, San Diego’s establishment must be in shock at how poorly Measure C is doing. At the most recent vote tabulation, there’s only a 623 vote difference between the “Yes’s” and the “No’s.”

Which is an 800-some vote loss since earlier in the day when the time the San Diego U-T posted its returns. Which means the margin of “victory” is slowly being eroded.

Seems there’s always a nugget…

By Geoff Page

An ear-catching revelation about how the city is treating a project that seriously exceeds the Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.) requirement sparked some interest at the OB Planning Board meeting, November 2. It seems that the city dismissing the extra 400 square feet as no big deal.

At least this was how the explanation from the project designer representing the owner came across. The designer said she had an email from city planner Kyle Goossens telling her the 400 extra square feet was not an issue. The designer did not know what this decision was based on.

According to the Voice of San Diego:

Councilwoman Jen Campbell appears to have held onto her seat, representing much of San Diego’s coastal area. Campbell’s district favors Democrats 2-1, the U-T reported. But Campbell’s lead over Republican Linda Lukacs did not represent nearly such a wide margin.

With only 29.4% of the vote counted, Measure C is neck and neck between the “No’s” and the “Yes’s” — 50.15% Yes versus 49.85% No. There’s less than 1,000 votes between them. This is as of 7 am Wednesday morning, the day after.

By Michael Moore/ November 9, 2022

It’s 6am and I haven’t gone to bed. The headlines are already popping up on my screen:

“No Signs of ‘Red Wave’ as Race for Congress Remains Tight” (New York Times)

“Congress hangs in balance as Democrats defy expectations” (Washington Post)

By Colleen O’Connor

If you are an Agatha Christie fan, a murder mystery connoisseur, or just tired of waiting for the current election returns to become final (which may take months), take heart.

A plot device that from ions ago dating back thousands of years from Greek tragedies brings about the final “Aha” moment when clarity arrives.

“Deus ex machina is that plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem in a story is suddenly and abruptly resolved by an unexpected and unlikely occurrence. .”

From PR.com

Peninsula Tennis Club President Todd Sprague, presented two conceptual plans for facility improvements at Robb Field at the Mission Bay Park Committee meeting held on October 4, 2022.

The first concept is for improving and enhancing the existing Peninsula Tennis Club.

There’s a continuing saga of how SeaWorld owes the City of San Diego nearly $10 million in back rent. And this despite the park’s “robust” revenue intake this past summer. The other day U-T reporter, Lori Weisberg, gave the paper’s subscribers an update, and here are some of the take-aways:

• San Diego officials just recently renewed their demand that the theme park write a check for nearly $10 million. This demand comes after a formal audit by the city treasurer confirming that SeaWorld owes more than $9.7 million in back rent, plus nearly $12,000 to cover the cost of the audit.
• SeaWorld is the only city lessee, out of about 800, in default on their required lease payments;

By Diane Bell / San Diego Union-Tribune 

When Stan Levin encountered a homeless man in a wheelchair behind a Denny’s last month, he did what he always does. He started a conversation. As they chatted, he asked the fellow if he was sleeping on the ground and needed a sleeping bag. What he wanted at that moment, though, was a meal.

“Go in and tell the cashier what you want for breakfast and I’ll pick up the tab,” Levin replied. While the stranger was ordering, Levin walked to his car and came back with a sleeping bag to give to him.

by Ernie McCray

Just got back from
New York City,
still feeling the electricity
that wonderful town
always vibrates through me,
as I’ve never ended a trip there
without thinking
of better ways
for people to live
and this visit
was no different.

Here’s a video by Charles Landon of the rally for the height limit and “No” on Measure C held Thursday, November 3. It was held adjacent to the San Diego River just across from the Midway area and sports arena.

Two city council candidates spoke, Linda Lukacs running in District 2 and Tommy Hough, running in District 6. Both are opposed to Measure C.

Also speaking were Lisa Ross of the Sierra Club, Geoff Page of Keep the Coast 30,

For two weeks the group Keep the Coast 30 ran a “Coastal Access” photo contest and here are the entries.

There were two categories: the “Best” and the “Worst” view of coastal access. The winner of each category receives an $100 award. (Names of photographers are withheld for unbiased views.)