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City leaders don’t mention “convention center”
Football isn't going away just because there's no stadium in Mission Valley. The Aztec program, like it or not, is still popular and probably more so since the Chargers decamped. They'll find some place to play. Trust me.— August 9, 2018 4:02 p.m.
City leaders don’t mention “convention center”
A ballot proposal to raise the TOT by half of what this proposal would have done, and to spend the money on homelessness, road and infrastructural repair, and spiffing up some of the tourist areas would probably pass handily. It would only be fair that the tourists get a little something for the added levy.— August 9, 2018 4 p.m.
City leaders don’t mention “convention center”
The Airbnb crowd is now out gathering signatures, using professional canvassers. Let it be true that San Diegans will not fall for that campaign either. Are the city residents finally awakening to how they keep getting screwed? It would be so nice to think so.— August 9, 2018 3:57 p.m.
Tijuana’s most violent month in all its history
TJ had many attractions for many visitors. Unlike you, some were attracted by its dark side, implicit danger, and illicit offerings. But on the whole, if you wanted to experience a foreign country, it was just a few miles away. For a number of years I would also head to Tecate to hit the "supermercado" , score a litre of Cuervo Gold, get a bag of wonderful stuff from Mejor Pan, and so forth. Now, forget it. There are still reviews of gourmet restaurants, shows, and cultural affairs there and they might give the impression that TJ is nothing more than a neighboring city. It isn't that, and hasn't been for far too long. It is a foreign war zone, and innocent USA citizens who are foolish enough to pay visits there can find themselves in nasty situations. Worse yet, you could end up dead, having wanted nothing more than an exotic shopping experience. Ain't worth it, folks.— August 8, 2018 8:18 p.m.
Julie Harper gets another chance
It's as if this case will just not go away. But the court ruling doesn't say the judge has to change, i.e. reduce, the sentence he passed. A new sentencing hearing has to be held, and I suppose the judge has to listen to some old and retreaded comments. But will he hold any new opinions on the testimony? There's a good chance he will reaffirm the 25-to-life firearm enhancement. If not, he can still have an enhancement, but could shorten it. Or he could drop it completely. That 15-to-life she got for murder doesn't say 15 years. That "to life" part can mean that parole or release might never be granted. And given her approach to dealing with questions and her testimony could keep her in stir for far longer. At this point nobody knows what will happen, and so we wait and see.— August 7, 2018 7:33 p.m.
Zapf's legal defense gambit
Alex, the term might make some sense if a politician or administrator allowed a loophole that ran counter to the law. And that can happen easily when laws and ordinances and codes are written vaguely. Someone can find a strange interpretation of the law and try to make it work. That's what courts are for, to spot such violations and stop them. In this case, I agree with your statement.— August 7, 2018 5:19 p.m.
Swerved into Oceanside bike lane with stolen Honda
When those four years are up, who knows what will be going on with deportations. So, he may or may not be deported, depending upon a whole set of factors.— August 7, 2018 8:46 a.m.
Airport noise — from La Mesa to La Jolla
There are two factors that work against noise control. First is that the airport is located in the wrong sort of area. That's been known for, oh, sixty years, but that hasn't kept it from being expanded to near saturation, and there are now plans afoot to replace Terminal 1 with a new facility (which is sorely needed) that will be far larger than now. So, every time there is new construction it makes a move elsewhere less likely. The location makes it impossible to really separate air traffic from the densest parts of the city. Then there's the fact that the airport is too small, with only one runway. There are airports with multiple runways that only handle a fraction of the traffic going into and out of SAN. Unless the Marine Corps is willing go give up its MCRD, there's no place to put another runway, and hence all the traffic funnels through that single runway. There is no prospect for fewer flights as long as San Diego remains a major tourist destination. Add in an arrogant and uncommunicative federal agency, the FAA, and you have the recipe for noise, frustration, and angry residents. I really do feel for you guys!— August 6, 2018 9:58 a.m.
Panini plan has to work
Thanks. See you soon.— August 4, 2018 9:57 p.m.
Bridgepoint stock soars
On Wednesday, while visiting the VA Clinic, I was reading a copy of Army Times. That's a publication full of news of intense interest to all Army personnel, and to many reservists. This particular issue had an article about the Tuition Assistance program. Active duty personnel can avail themselves of fairly generous payouts for college-level study, probably quite similar to the benefits provided to veterans. The piece listed the largest recipients of such tuition by Army personnel, and at the head of the list was the University of Maryland. There's a reason for that. The U of M has "followed" the Army all round the world since the end of WWII. They had education centers at most Army installations, employing local people and sometimes other soldiers as instructors. It wasn't the most rigorous of educations, but perfectly legitimate. Many former soldiers have degrees from Maryland that they completed while they were on active duty, and not just a few never visited the campus. But high on the list, below the U of Maryland was Ashford University. Not only is it still milking the veterans and their VA educational benefits, it is also tapping the DOD for many millions. Makes me sick, and gives higher education another black eye.— August 4, 2018 5:08 p.m.