News From Ocean Beach and Point Loma – August 2018

Latest Fundraising Numbers in District 2 Race Between Lorie Zapf and Jen Campbell

Here are the latest fundraising data from the two campaigns for District 2, incumbent Republican Lorie Zapf and Democratic challenger Jen Campbell, according to inewsource in the period from May 20 to the end of June:

Lorie Zapf

•  Zapf raised almost $31,000 and has raised more than $417,000 total for this election. She’s spent more than $192,000 but still had more than $245,000 in the bank as of June 30.
• Republican Party spent more than $7,500 on opposition research from May 20 to July 21 supporting Zapf, and nearly $7,900 to support Zapf by helping produce door hangers and voting guides.
• Prominent locals have given to her campaign, include former San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders (now the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce’s CEO), who contributed $550, and Sempra executive Frank Urtasun, a top official at the utility’s lobbying arm Sempra Services, who gave $250.

Jen Campbell

• Campbell raised more than $54,000 this filing period and has raised almost $176,000 total, and has more than $35,000 in the bank as of June 30.
• Campbell loaned herself $20,000, on top of a previous $10,000 loan she gave her campaign in September.
• San Diego County Democratic Party gave her $1,000.
• Some prominent locals who have given to her campaign, include San Diego Unified School Board member Kevin Beiser ($550); environmental activist Nicole Capretz ($100); and state Assemblyman Todd Gloria ($100 for the general, $250 for the primary).

The city limit for individual donors is $550 for each election — the primary and the general.

Pease Continues With Challenge to Zapf’s 3rd Term

Meanwhile, Bryan Pease is still proceeding with his legal challenge to Republican Zapf seeking a third consecutive term despite term limits. He has ended up right where he expected it to–the Court of Appeal. He will argue the case before a three justice panel on Thursday morning, August 16 at 10:00 a.m.
at the Court of Appeal, 750 B Street (Symphony Towers), Third Floor, San Diego 92101. The hearing is open to the public, but note that cellphones are not permitted inside the Court.

Will OB Get Some of Faulconer’s Bike Racks?

City to install hundreds of community bike racks : In its continuing effort to improve bicycle infrastructure, a key strategy of the City’s Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the City announced plans to install hundreds of bicycle racks in neighborhoods citywide. The City is seeking input via local Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to provide community recommendations for these additional racks. “These new bicycle racks will encourage more folks to get around on two wheels instead of four,” said Mayor Kevin Faulconer. “As we continue to improve transportation options citywide, it’s important to provide an orderly place for cyclists and casual riders to store their bikes so the public spaces in our neighborhoods are free from clutter.”
The new bike racks will complement the improved and developing bicycle infrastructure and offer more places to safely secure bicycles. Cyclists interested in locating existing bike racks can use the City’s interactive online map at sandiego.gov/tsw/programs/bicycle  La Jolla Light

Burglars in White Mercedes-Benz Raid OB Garage

An Ocean Beach man says he was home when two burglars in a white Mercedes-Benz were raiding his garage and stealing his vehicle. Along Lotus Street last week around 1:30 in the afternoon, Evan Montoya was in his upstairs bedroom and never heard a thing.  But when he later went down to the garage, he noticed some things were out of place and his car keys were gone.  Outside, the car belonging to Montoya – an Uber and Lyft driver – was nowhere to be found. “My heart sank into the pit of my stomach.  That’s my livelihood.  They took my entire world when they took my car,” said Montoya. But that was hardly the entire loss.  Montoya believes the intruders slipped under the garage door – left open because the garage gets hot – before grabbing anything electric. … 10News

Sea Turtle Returns to Ocean After Rehab at SeaWorld

This is what SeaWorld is good for: rehabilitating injured or sick wildlife. Coral, an endangered olive ridley sea turtle that was rescued from an Oregon beach and rehabilitated at SeaWorld San Diego, is back in the ocean for a second chance at life. The turtle was found stranded on a beach near Salishan on the Oregon coast on Oct. 20, taken to the Seattle Aquarium and then flown to San Diego on Jan. 26 aboard a Coast Guard plane. Coral was taken to SeaWorld because it is the only facility on the West Coast capable of providing long-term rehabilitative care for sea turtles. The turtle was released into the Pacific Ocean approximately 10 miles off the coast of San Diego on Aug. 1. Scientists at the Hubbs-SeaWorld Institute attached a satellite tracking device so that researchers can follow Coral’s movements at sea. SealWorld officials said it was especially important to rehabilitate a female turtle like Coral to help sustain the endangered species’ population. Times of San Diego

County Mental Hospital on Rosecrans Less than 60% at Capacity. Why?

While it might seem like county government could simply build a few more stand-alone psychiatric hospitals in the community, the current state of the county’s 109-bed mental health hospital on Rosecrans Street in San Diego’s Midway district shows why that solution is a nonstarter. Last week, just 70 of the facility’s total bed capacity was in use, and an entire 30-bed unit has been empty for many years. With other hospital-based psychiatric units across the region generally operating at or close to capacity, some have wondered how the county can have so many idling beds? Money is the simple answer.

Due to a law that forbids using federal Medicaid dollars for stand-alone psychiatric hospitals larger than 16 beds, the county has long minimized the use of its own bed capacity, preferring to contract at units attached to local hospitals that face no such billing restrictions. “Because it’s a stand-alone hospital of more than 16 beds, we don’t get a penny of federal dollars for anyone we admit,” said Alfredo Aguirre, director of the county’s Behavioral Health Services department. San Diego Union-Tribune

Patients at Point Loma Convalescent Hospital Without Air Conditioning

Residents of the Point Loma Convalescent Hospital with a nonfunctional air conditioning system are worried the uncomfortably hot temperature in the building is having a negative impact on their health. NBC 7 first heard about the situation from a concerned viewer. After visiting the hospital Thursday, we learned some patient visitors were taking their loved ones outside to try and cool down. The Point Loma Convalescent Hospital serves patients recovering from illness or injury, and those needing long-term care, according to its website. “We are all hospital patients. We all have health concerns and some are pretty serious, so yes, I think it is pretty dangerous for a place like this, a hospital, to have the air conditioner out like this,” patient Susan Kay Wilson said.

Wilson told NBC 7 the facility hasn’t had a functioning air conditioner for at least one day. An NBC 7 news crew went inside and asked to speak to a manager but was asked to leave and was given no comment. “They have fans. They brought several fans up and down the hallways, but it’s nothing like air conditioning,” Wilson said. Wilson said the hospital hasn’t told patients when it expects the air conditioning to be fixed. A hospital visitor told NBC 7 it was very hot and humid inside but was afraid to interview on camera for fear their statement could be tied back to the relative staying at the facility. NBC7

Water Main Break in the Midway

At least 30 customers are without water Monday Aug.5 following a water main break in the Midway District. An 18-inch pipe broke around 5 p.m. Sunday on Midway Drive between Rosecrans Street and Sports Arena Boulevard, according to the San Diego Police Department. The break caused some flooding in the area. Midway Drive was shut down in both directions. “It looked like a big lake of water,” said Michael Valadez, who was at a nearby laundromat when the pipe burst. Valadez said his clothes were still stuck in the washing machine Monday morning because all the machines stopped working after the pipe broke. Police conducted traffic control until the water department arrived to shut the water off. Water service to customers were restored around 2 p.m. Monday, officials said. A local taco shop said this was a common issue in the area, but that it’s taking longer to fix this time. By Monday morning, the heat in the area caused some roads to dry with dirt caked onto the asphalt, adding to the mess. The city’s Water Department said the cause is most likely corrosion of an old pipe. NBC7

Is San Diego Working to Fix 100-Year Old Pipes? History of Breaks Over Last 6 Years

The latest water main break Sunday in the Midway District is the latest example of San Diego’s aging water system. But the city is working to fix the issue, replacing more than 100 miles of water transmission and distribution pipes. According to city documents, since 2013, San Diego spent $328 million to repair and replace 116 miles of water transmission and distribution pipes. A total of 72 miles of those repairs were on cast iron pipes, the oldest ones in the system. The project started in 2007 and sparked a rate increase to pay for the work.

As older piper are replaced, the city has seen the number of water main breaks decrease. “We have more than 3,000 miles of pipeline,” said department spokesperson Brent Eidson, “To do it properly, we’re probably always going to be replacing pipes.” Throughout the project, older pipes made from concrete or cast iron are being replaced with new PVC pipes. Edison says PVC is the industry standard. Pipes made from the material usually last between 50-75 years. The city says its water system extends more than 400 square miles and moves roughly 172 million gallons per day. Included in that area is 49 water pumping stations, 29 treated water storage facilities, three water treatment plants and more than 3,300 miles of pipelines. The city hopes to have all the cast iron distribution lines replaced by 2018-19. The goal is to have all the larger cast iron transmission mains replaced by 2023. Some of the cast iron pipes are nearly 100 years old.

The following numbers were provided to 10News by the Public Utilities Department and list the number of breaks over the last six years. 10News

2012: 102
2013: 95
2014: 74
2015: 63
2016: 85
2017: 81 (as of October 20)
2018: 29 (as of August 5)

One Injured in Hit-and-Run Roll Over Crash in OB

One person suffered minor injuries early Thursday morning, Aug. 8 in a suspected hit-and-run rollover crash in Ocean Beach. Dispatchers received reports of a crash involving a Ford Taurus and a green pickup truck around 1:45 a.m. at the intersection of Voltaire Street and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard, San Diego Police Sgt. Michael Stirk said. Officers arrived and found the Ford sedan on its roof near a Shell gas station, Stirk said. One person from the Ford was transported to UCSD Medical Center with minor injuries, Stirk said. No other injuries were reported. No details about the pickup truck driver or the victim were immediately available. Officers were investigating the incident. Times of San Diego

Local Historian Whitewashes Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo

Other than setting one part of the record straight, that Juan was born in Palma del Rio in Andalusia, Spain, local historian Iris Engstrand, PhD, in the August issue of  San Diego Magazine keeps other myths about San Diego’s most famous/ infamous explorer going. You know, that he was basically a nice guy and settled down in Guatemala with a nice Spanish wife, after fighting for the Spanish empire earlier in his life. Dr. Engstrand does let out one clue in this: Juan “continued to manage his estates in Guatemala until he was commissioned by its governor, Pedro de Alvarado, to build 13 vessels …” the ones that sailed up north, one of them coming into San Diego Bay and landing at Ballast Point. This is all part and parcel of establishment San Diego continuing to glorify the Spanish conquest of local indigenous peoples and San Diego’s connections to all of that.

But, remember, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was one of those conquistadors who took part in the domination and dehumanization of Indian nations and peoples. Juan was a slaveholder and described by a biographer as having “a real taste for slaughter”. As an earlier post on the OB Rag stated: “Cabrillo acquired that “taste” by slaughtering Indians as a crossbowman while participating in the genocidal onslaught against Mexico and Guatemala.”

ArtWalk @ Liberty Station

The 13th Annual Fine Arts Festival, ArtWalk @ Liberty Station will return to Ingram Plaza on Saturday, Aug. 11 and Sunday, Aug. 12 in the Arts District at Liberty Station. The free event’s 2018 theme “Connecting Creative Communities” embodies ArtWalk’s mission to bring San Diego together to enjoy art and cultural expression all weekend long. In addition to thousands of works of art, attendees can also expect food, wine and beer, live entertainment and interactive art projects. Visit artwalksandiego.org /libertystation

Assoc of Cannabis Professionals Meet at Liberty Station – Aug. 15

The August General Meeting of Assoc of Cannabis Professionals will be held at Stone Brewing Liberty Station, 2816 Historic Decatur Rd, San Diego, CA 92106, on Wednesday, August 15th, 6:30-8:30pm. Andrew Hard, of CMW Media, will be speaking on media and communications strategy for businesses in the cannabis industry. And Colin Parent, Councilman for the City of La Mesa, who has been a strong voice in support of the legalization process there, will be our guest speaker. Colin will be discussing the challenges facing the burgeoning cannabis industry in La Mesa. More info here.

San Diego BayFair Coming to Mission Bay

The Mission Bay Area will host San Diego Bayfair, which has been taking place since 1964 and has grown to one of the most anticipated events of the year. Festivities kick off on Sept. 14 and continue through Sept. 16. Bill Muncey, one of the great Unlimited hydroplane competitors, was a supporter of building the racecourse so the event could be held. Eventually, the 2.5-mile racecourse that had been designed was named after Muncey. It is also the longest and fastest racecourse on the H1 Unlimited hydroplace circuit, according to San Diego Bayfair’s official website. The Log

Shelter Island Boat Launch Still Closed

Construction of the Shelter Island Boat Launch Facility continues to make progress. Unfortunately, the launch ramp is expected to remain closed to the public throughout August. The Port of San Diego recognizes that this extended closure impacts boaters during the busy summer season, but due to unforeseen concrete obstructions and other materials that were recently discovered during construction, it is necessary to keep the ramp closed at this time. The contractor is actively working on opening a lane as soon as construction allows. sdnews.com

OB Part of National Night Out: Solar Lights Coming to Ebers Street Park

Each year, National Night Out is held on the first Tuesday in August. This was the first year in a while Ocean Beach has had a National Night Out. National Night Out allows police, city leaders and residents to come together and promote crime prevention and strengthen relations and security. “We need more police officers on foot in this community [Ocean Beach] like it used to be,” said Wayne Simard, an Ocean Beach resident. Ocean Beach will have two solar lights installed at the park on Saratoga and Ebers. Simard is a volunteer crossing guard at Ocean Beach Elementary. He said he has had to shoo-off transients and has had to pick up hypodermic needles, liquor bottles before children arrive at the park. “To keep them out and having it lit up, I have been wanting this for years. It’s going to keep a lot of people away from the area.” CBS8

Local Businesses in the News

• Royale on Voltaire: “Everyone talks about their burgers, and rightfully so. But tuna melts are underappreciated, especially at Royale. It’s like a 1970s casserole that mom made between toasted bread. And since San Diego was the tuna fishing capital of the world for decades, it’s a classic San Diego dish, too. No better place to get one than here, where it’s assaulted with a tarp of melted cheddar and put on buttered, toasted sourdough.” SD Mag.
• Supannee House of Thai (2907 Shelter Island Drive) in Point Loma, the staff won’t just tell you about how its sausages are made—one can find pictures of every step of the process on its social media accounts from hand-picking the herbs to serving up delicious nam kao tod, a crispy rice dish with bits of sausage mixed into it. Since opening in 2011, the restaurant has grown as many of its own ingredients as possible at its own half-acre farm in El Cajon and garden in Point Loma. San Diego City Beat
• Plant Power – The team at Plant Power believes that there is a better way to enjoy fast food. They work diligently to provide consumers with burgers, fries, shakes, and salads, without animal products and GMO’s or artificial ingredients that are served up in biodegradable materials. One Green Planet
• Mr. Moto Pizza House Expands to Point Loma – The rumors are true! Mr. Moto Pizza House is launching a third location in the heart of Point Loma’s peninsular enclave at Rosecrans and Shelter Island Drive. Opening Friday, August 10, this will be the third outpost of the growing brand, whose two other locations include Pacific Beach and North Park. The new Point Loma location is 1250 sq. ft. and will share the same menu as the other locations.

Trade War Affects Local Business Says Point Loma Expert, Like Price of Beer Cans

“The war is definitely ramping up,” said Lynn Reaser, chief economist at Point Loma Nazarene University. “And this is causing a lot of consternation on the part of businesses in particular.” Reaser says most of the tariffs are on parts of products that Americans buy. For example, a 10 percent tariff on aluminum could marginally increase the price of a can of soup or soda. The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce reports that San Diego’s craft beer industry has faced order cancellations, and that costs are rising for local infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, a lumber tariff is adding to home prices.

Paola Avila, the chamber’s vice president of international business affairs, added that there are impacts on shipbuilding, public infrastructure projects, industrial and commercial building. Reaser said that the list of products the U.S. plans to impose tariffs on doesn’t include popular consumer items like toys, pharmaceuticals, apparel, and cellular phones. She also says a stronger dollar is helping American consumers with more buying power when it comes to mitigating price increases. Other countries, such as China, are now imposing tariffs on U.S. exports such as soybeans and pork. Reaser said that’s making it hard for farmers who make those products to break into those foreign markets. It could lead to a higher supply here in the U.S., meaning there could be some price decreases for American consumers. 10News