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Todd Gloria gets cash from McDonald's franchise owners
Phil's BBQ owner for Larry Turner
Todd Gloria remains the major beneficiary of the San Diegans for Fairness committee, which spent $500,000 for a pro-Gloria television buy on October 17.
Supersized campaign cash
A developer-backed independent campaign committee being used to rescue the mayoral bid of incumbent Democrat Todd Gloria is also trying to beat back a California rent control measure. The group, officially titled San Diegans for Fairness Supporting Todd Gloria for Mayor & Stephen Whitburn for Council 2024, came up with $7500 on October 17 for a mail piece on behalf of the No on Prop 33 campaign opposing expansion of rent control by cities. Gloria remains the major beneficiary of the San Diegans for Fairness committee, which spent $500,000 for a pro-Gloria television buy on October 17.
Gloria has also benefiting from a $100,000 billboard buy on October 14 by a newly-formed independent expenditure committee calling itself A Better San Diego, sponsored by the California Alliance of Family Owned Businesses. The Sacramento-based outfit, described in an October 23 Politico post as funded by fast food franchisees across California, came up with $350,000 — the San Diego committee’s sole donation — on September 20.
Fans of fairness favor Stephen Whitburn
In addition to its pro-Gloria campaign, Better San Diego has bankrolled $129,986 worth of hit pieces against Democratic county supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and $43,328 in favorable mail for her Republican opponent, ex-San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer. “The group, which is funded mostly by McDonald’s franchise owners in California, started a PAC in January after what some felt was a disappointing compromise with state Democrats over wages and working conditions last year,” reports Politico. “The PACs could wield significant influence as the fast food fights continue to play out at the local level — and they already have some labor groups prickling.
The Bay Area PAC is also targeting Betty Duong, the former head of Santa Clara County’s Office of Labor Standards Enforcement who is running for the board of supervisors.” The fast food giants are also spending their money in San Francisco and Orange County, notes Politico. “One of the new PACs, ‘A Better California,’ pitched in $350,000 last month in support of Nathan Hochman’s campaign to oust progressive Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, citing the safety of their restaurants’ customers and employees. Another committee, ‘A Better Orange County,’ has spent nearly $170,000 supporting a candidate for Anaheim City Council and a candidate for Orange County supervisor.”
While the hamburger mavens are backing Gloria, a committee calling itself Turn San Diego Around in Support of Larry Turner for Mayor 2024 sponsored by The Lincoln Club Business League is favoring his opponent. By October 19, the largely GOP club had sunk $900,000 into the pro-Turner committee, with the source of the cash widely reported to be a $1 million donation by Point Loma spam lawyer Steve Richter. Phil’s BBQ owner Charles Pace came up with $3000 on October 14, and JKL Desserts gave $1000 the same day.
Musical reporters
Are big changes in store for the Union-Tribune? Yes and no. Back on August 20, Media News Group, the chain that bought the paper from Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong a year ago in July, advertised for a new watchdog reporter, saying it was “seeking an ambitious, accomplished and tenacious reporter to join its Watchdog team and hold power to account in California’s second-largest city and beyond.” It turns out the paper didn’t look far, and will shift longtime education writer Kristen Taketa into the watchdog slot. “Haven’t been on X much lately, but some news: I’m leaving the education beat and becoming @sdut’s new watchdog reporter alongside the esteemed @SDUTmcdonald,” writes Taketa in an October 22 post, referring to watchdog veteran Jeff McDonald. “I’m grateful to everyone who has entrusted me with their stories and followed my schools coverage throughout the years.”
A public safety reporting position advertised for about the same time also appears to have been filled. “Some news: Monday was my first day as the San Diego Police and Public Safety reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune,” says a LinkedIn post earlier this month by Christian Martinez. “Extremely excited with my new role.” Nine months ago, he posted: “Hello everyone, unfortunately I was laid off last week from the Los Angeles Times after 2+ years. I am immensely proud of the work I did helping to build the successful Fast Break desk. Looking forward to what comes next. Please feel free to reach out with any job leads.”
Christian Martinez: making the move from LA to San Diego.
Now it’s on to filling the spot vacated by Taketa. Last week, a U-T help wanted ad posted by Media News Group sought “an experienced, tenacious and enterprising Education Reporter to cover K-12 education and youth in San Diego County. The ideal candidate will have a deep interest in the beat and a strong track record of holding institutions accountable. This reporter will cover the human-level impacts of everything from education policy decisions, budget woes and political fights to the disparities facing families, the efforts to reduce them and the deeper inequities that exacerbate them. They’ll explore young people’s experiences in and beyond the classroom — the impacts of trauma and discipline, how kids are (and aren’t) getting to school or learning to read, and how schools are (and aren’t) serving students with disabilities, language barriers and other needs. They’ll write about everything from the scandals engulfing education leaders to the unique ways local youth and schools serve their communities. This is a key reporting role in our award-winning newsroom, one that touches on many of the region’s biggest issues, from homelessness to immigration to affordability. And it’s a great opportunity to produce impactful enterprise journalism and people-centered features alike, while reporting on the county’s hundreds of thousands of youth and its several dozen public school districts (including the state’s second-largest), charter schools and more.”
But will the paper’s shrinking budget allow such grandiose-sounding dreams to become reality? Hourly pay for the gig ranges between a modest $28.85 to $31.25. Meanwhile, the paper has began promoting AVP, a professional volleyball league run by Media News Group’s controversial owner Heath Freeman of Alden Global Capital. “AVP volleyball standout April Ross competes during Saturday’s event at the new Frontwave Arena in Oceanside,” says the caption on an October 20 photo in the sports section. “The AVP event continues at 1 pm today, with Ross and partner Alix Klineman set to play at 3 pm.”
In other bottom-feeding Alden news, the firm is set to acquire part interest in bankrupt rubber utilities maker Tupperware, after snapping up distressed debt of the company to be converted into equity. “The transaction is contemplated to be structured as a private sale of all intellectual property needed to create and market Tupperware’s brand and award-winning products, plus operating assets in the United States and other foreign subsidiaries,” says an October 22 release by Tupperware. “It is envisioned that The New Tupperware Company will be rebuilt with a start-up mentality using an agile methodology in dynamic phases.”
— Matt Potter
The Reader offers $25 for news tips published in this column. Call our voice mail at 619-235-3000, ext. 440, or sandiegoreader.com/staff/matt-potter/contact/.
Here's something you might be interested in.
Todd Gloria gets cash from McDonald's franchise owners
Phil's BBQ owner for Larry Turner
Todd Gloria gets cash from McDonald's franchise owners
Phil's BBQ owner for Larry Turner
Todd Gloria remains the major beneficiary of the San Diegans for Fairness committee, which spent $500,000 for a pro-Gloria television buy on October 17.
Supersized campaign cash
A developer-backed independent campaign committee being used to rescue the mayoral bid of incumbent Democrat Todd Gloria is also trying to beat back a California rent control measure. The group, officially titled San Diegans for Fairness Supporting Todd Gloria for Mayor & Stephen Whitburn for Council 2024, came up with $7500 on October 17 for a mail piece on behalf of the No on Prop 33 campaign opposing expansion of rent control by cities. Gloria remains the major beneficiary of the San Diegans for Fairness committee, which spent $500,000 for a pro-Gloria television buy on October 17.
Gloria has also benefiting from a $100,000 billboard buy on October 14 by a newly-formed independent expenditure committee calling itself A Better San Diego, sponsored by the California Alliance of Family Owned Businesses. The Sacramento-based outfit, described in an October 23 Politico post as funded by fast food franchisees across California, came up with $350,000 — the San Diego committee’s sole donation — on September 20.
Fans of fairness favor Stephen Whitburn
In addition to its pro-Gloria campaign, Better San Diego has bankrolled $129,986 worth of hit pieces against Democratic county supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and $43,328 in favorable mail for her Republican opponent, ex-San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer. “The group, which is funded mostly by McDonald’s franchise owners in California, started a PAC in January after what some felt was a disappointing compromise with state Democrats over wages and working conditions last year,” reports Politico. “The PACs could wield significant influence as the fast food fights continue to play out at the local level — and they already have some labor groups prickling.
The Bay Area PAC is also targeting Betty Duong, the former head of Santa Clara County’s Office of Labor Standards Enforcement who is running for the board of supervisors.” The fast food giants are also spending their money in San Francisco and Orange County, notes Politico. “One of the new PACs, ‘A Better California,’ pitched in $350,000 last month in support of Nathan Hochman’s campaign to oust progressive Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, citing the safety of their restaurants’ customers and employees. Another committee, ‘A Better Orange County,’ has spent nearly $170,000 supporting a candidate for Anaheim City Council and a candidate for Orange County supervisor.”
While the hamburger mavens are backing Gloria, a committee calling itself Turn San Diego Around in Support of Larry Turner for Mayor 2024 sponsored by The Lincoln Club Business League is favoring his opponent. By October 19, the largely GOP club had sunk $900,000 into the pro-Turner committee, with the source of the cash widely reported to be a $1 million donation by Point Loma spam lawyer Steve Richter. Phil’s BBQ owner Charles Pace came up with $3000 on October 14, and JKL Desserts gave $1000 the same day.
Musical reporters
Are big changes in store for the Union-Tribune? Yes and no. Back on August 20, Media News Group, the chain that bought the paper from Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong a year ago in July, advertised for a new watchdog reporter, saying it was “seeking an ambitious, accomplished and tenacious reporter to join its Watchdog team and hold power to account in California’s second-largest city and beyond.” It turns out the paper didn’t look far, and will shift longtime education writer Kristen Taketa into the watchdog slot. “Haven’t been on X much lately, but some news: I’m leaving the education beat and becoming @sdut’s new watchdog reporter alongside the esteemed @SDUTmcdonald,” writes Taketa in an October 22 post, referring to watchdog veteran Jeff McDonald. “I’m grateful to everyone who has entrusted me with their stories and followed my schools coverage throughout the years.”
A public safety reporting position advertised for about the same time also appears to have been filled. “Some news: Monday was my first day as the San Diego Police and Public Safety reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune,” says a LinkedIn post earlier this month by Christian Martinez. “Extremely excited with my new role.” Nine months ago, he posted: “Hello everyone, unfortunately I was laid off last week from the Los Angeles Times after 2+ years. I am immensely proud of the work I did helping to build the successful Fast Break desk. Looking forward to what comes next. Please feel free to reach out with any job leads.”
Christian Martinez: making the move from LA to San Diego.
Now it’s on to filling the spot vacated by Taketa. Last week, a U-T help wanted ad posted by Media News Group sought “an experienced, tenacious and enterprising Education Reporter to cover K-12 education and youth in San Diego County. The ideal candidate will have a deep interest in the beat and a strong track record of holding institutions accountable. This reporter will cover the human-level impacts of everything from education policy decisions, budget woes and political fights to the disparities facing families, the efforts to reduce them and the deeper inequities that exacerbate them. They’ll explore young people’s experiences in and beyond the classroom — the impacts of trauma and discipline, how kids are (and aren’t) getting to school or learning to read, and how schools are (and aren’t) serving students with disabilities, language barriers and other needs. They’ll write about everything from the scandals engulfing education leaders to the unique ways local youth and schools serve their communities. This is a key reporting role in our award-winning newsroom, one that touches on many of the region’s biggest issues, from homelessness to immigration to affordability. And it’s a great opportunity to produce impactful enterprise journalism and people-centered features alike, while reporting on the county’s hundreds of thousands of youth and its several dozen public school districts (including the state’s second-largest), charter schools and more.”
But will the paper’s shrinking budget allow such grandiose-sounding dreams to become reality? Hourly pay for the gig ranges between a modest $28.85 to $31.25. Meanwhile, the paper has began promoting AVP, a professional volleyball league run by Media News Group’s controversial owner Heath Freeman of Alden Global Capital. “AVP volleyball standout April Ross competes during Saturday’s event at the new Frontwave Arena in Oceanside,” says the caption on an October 20 photo in the sports section. “The AVP event continues at 1 pm today, with Ross and partner Alix Klineman set to play at 3 pm.”
In other bottom-feeding Alden news, the firm is set to acquire part interest in bankrupt rubber utilities maker Tupperware, after snapping up distressed debt of the company to be converted into equity. “The transaction is contemplated to be structured as a private sale of all intellectual property needed to create and market Tupperware’s brand and award-winning products, plus operating assets in the United States and other foreign subsidiaries,” says an October 22 release by Tupperware. “It is envisioned that The New Tupperware Company will be rebuilt with a start-up mentality using an agile methodology in dynamic phases.”
— Matt Potter
The Reader offers $25 for news tips published in this column. Call our voice mail at 619-235-3000, ext. 440, or sandiegoreader.com/staff/matt-potter/contact/.
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