OB Rag — Grassroots and Progressive views on local, national and world news

Donna Frye: ‘Take Action Now to Support Legislation to Exempt Mission Bay from the Surplus Land Act’

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 02:04:00 +0200

Mission Bay Park is Not Surplus Land

By Donna Frye A little over nine months ago, the issue of whether three properties in Mission Bay Park would be declared “surplus land” was being discussed at the City Council’s Land Use and Housing Committee. The committee voted to support that declaration and within a week, the public was informed about it by Geoff Page in the OB Rag.The three properties were Marina Village banquet and conference center, Dana Landing Marina and Sportsmen’s Seafood restaurant. The reason cited by the city for the surplus land declaration was the State Surplus Land Act which required the city council to declare the properties “surplus” in order to request proposals for leases for a period longer than 15 years. By declaring the land as surplus, first priority would be given to housing developers who could force the city into negotiations to build housing in Mission Bay Park. The problem is that Mission Bay Park is dedicated public park land and San Diego City Charter Section 55 prohibits housing development in Mission Bay Park. The public opposition to declare Mission Bay Park “surplus land” was instantaneous and unanimous. When the proposal made its way to the full city council for a vote on July 29, the item was continued instead of being approved.

April Happenings Around the Point

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:56:11 +0200

Here's what's happening baby around Point Loma this month of April. Thanks to our friends at Peninsula News for getting it all together

‘What Ever Became of Dutch Flats?’ — by OB Historical Society Thursday, April 16th

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:34:00 +0200

Please join Ocean Beach Historical Society, Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 7:00 pm, for “What Ever Became of Dutch Flats“- an eye-opening excursion into the hidden history of the boggy estuary that once stretched between Old Town and Loma Portal – Dutch Flats.

New Data Show Extent of ICE Arrests in San Diego

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:23:17 +0200

By Alexandra Mendoza and Kristen Taketa / San Diego Union-Tribune / April 7, 2026 Immigration arrests in the San Diego area appear to have decreased in the first two months of this year compared to late last year, though they are still much more frequent than under the Biden administration, recently released data show. The slowdown comes after a year in which arrests increased by over 1,300% from 2024, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement data provided to the Deportation Data Project by the agency in response to a public record request and analyzed by the Union-Tribune. The data now covers more than a year into the second term of the Trump administration, which has been notable for its increased efforts to crack down on immigration. ICE made about 8,300 arrests in the San Diego field office in 2025, up from about 600 the previous year, the data show. The office oversees San Diego and Imperial counties. December alone saw almost 1,500 arrests. Over the past year, Trump administration officials have repeatedly stated that they will target the “worst of the worst,” referring to individuals with serious criminal records. However, from January 2025 through March 10, 2026, data show that approximately 59% of arrests at the San Diego field office were individuals with no pending criminal charges or prior convictions.

Port of San Diego Moves on Environmental Restorations to Harbor Island Park

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:03:29 +0200

The Log Staff / April 9, 2026 The Port of San Diego is continuing to advance its efforts to balance coastal protection with environmental restoration, announcing two new habitat-focused shoreline projects following the success of an earlier pilot program in San Diego Bay. The Board of Port Commissioners approved a $2.9 million construction contract on March 10, 2026, awarding the work to Power Engineering Construction Co. for improvements at Harbor Island Park and along the Chula Vista side of the Sweetwater Channel. Much of San Diego Bay’s shoreline has long been reinforced with traditional infrastructure such as seawalls and riprap, which account for roughly three-quarters of the waterfront. While these methods are effective at preventing erosion, they offer little benefit to marine ecosystems. In response, the Port has been working to introduce nature-based alternatives that enhance habitat while maintaining the structural integrity needed to protect the coastline.

Stories You May Have Missed …

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 18:25:25 +0200

California sues Trump over order to open oil pipeline on Santa Barbara coast

California sued the Trump administration Monday to block what it says is an unprecedented power grab: using emergency authority to force the restart of an offshore oil operation shut down more than a decade ago. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in San Francisco, argues a March 13 order by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright oversteps his authority under the Defense Production Act, a Cold War-era law.

Toronto real estate giant was funder behind killing height limit - 2020's "Yes on E"

Brookfield Properties supplied Over $400K

A secretive, Canada-based global development giant, backed by cash from Qatar among other shadowy investors, is the primary backer of San Diego's Measure E, a proposal on next month's ballot to lift building height limits in proximity to the city-owned sports arena, potentially providing the firm with a multi-billion-dollar windfall.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently requested information on all of San Diego County’s land parcels.

Land parcels are defined as specific pieces of property recognized as a distinct unit for the sake of legal ownership, land use and tax purposes. The San Francisco Chronicle first reported that CBP asked for information on every land parcel in San Diego County, including who owns each one. This information is managed by the San Diego Geographic Information Source, also known as SanGIS.

"The Blunt" Staff Re-Union -- Dissident Newspaper at Point Loma Nazarene University Celebrated

Former student journalists and supporters of The Blunt, a newspaper that was formed after The Point was shut down by the university in 1976, reunited at Point Loma Nazarene University to celebrate its 50th anniversary on Feb. 20, during Homecoming.

Democrats Running in the 48th Face a New Math

Democrats running in California’s 48th District Congressional race jumped into the field with the aim of unseating high-profile Republican incumbent Rep. Darrell Issa. At the last minute, he dropped out of the race last month and left a wide-open field that suddenly needed to recalibrate its strategy.

Developers Pay to Play and Taxpayers Foot the Bill — Just Look at Midway Rising and the Bias Against CEQA

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:14:43 +0200

By Deborah Boss It was disappointing learning about Akilah Weber Pierson’s Senate Bill 958 focused on a workaround to eliminate CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) review for Midway Rising. It’s slated to be one of the largest developments of affordable housing for the State of California. Do people understand why CEQA was formed and why developers can’t just go around these protections? Stan Kroenke certainly doesn’t understand. He finds ways to work around it when he creates his multi-million dollar stadiums. Midway Rising is a different kind of development because most of it will be housing and when homes sink into the ground, they have sewage problems or floods someone has to pay. But, should it be the citizens of San Diego? How many times should Save Our Access have to go to court to force the City to accept CEQA review? The California Appellate Court has ruled twice and the California Supreme Court has denied hearing which is why Akilah Weber Pierson’s Bill 978 is coming to fruition in the legislature. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was established in 1970 to require state and local agencies to identify, disclose, and mitigate the environmental impacts of public and private development projects. It was enacted to promote transparency, public participation, and environmental protection in land-use decisions. It is the state’s most important environmental law.

City Planners Knew Upzoning Raises Land Prices. They Did It Anyway.

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:32:51 +0200

Inflated land prices aren’t an unintended consequence. They were the expected outcome.

By Lisa Sinclair San Diego’s housing strategy is built on a simple premise: rezone large swaths of the city to increase the housing supply until everyone can live where they want, and pay a rent they want to pay. It’s a simplistic version of supply and demand that ignores the one factor that matters most— land value. When governments increase the number of units that can be built on a property, they increase the value of that land. That is basic economics that everyone can understand. In fact, during the implementation of the 2005–2006 Downtown Community Plan, officials warned that increasing density would drive up land prices, decreasing affordability.

District 2 Candidate Richard Bailey Issued Formal Warning by Fair Political Practices Comm. for Failing to Disclose Stock Investments

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:07:16 +0200

By Jeff McDonald / San Diego Union-Tribune / April 8, 2026 State election regulators have issued a formal warning to former Coronado mayor and current San Diego City Council candidate Richard Bailey after he failed to properly disclose personal investments in multiple stocks over three years. The decision from the California Fair Political Practices Commission, which enforces the state Political Reform Act, came in the wake of a sworn complaint filed against Bailey.

“Your actions violated the Act by failing to timely disclose stocks on your 2020, 2021 and 2022 annual SEIs,” or statements of economic interest, the FPPC said in its March 16 decision letter to Bailey.

Regulators said Bailey was issued a warning rather than a monetary fine because he cooperated with state investigators and quickly amended the filings in question.

The Black Has Re-Opened

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 19:45:30 +0200

OB's legendary head shop, The Black, has re-opened. April 6 was their "soft opening" and the place appears to be the same, although by the looks of it, there are more beachy products - paddle boards, towels, etc.

Judge Rules Against City’s Attempt to Throw Out Legal Challenge to San Diego’s Trash Fee

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 19:35:00 +0200

A taxpayers' effort to overturn San Diego's trash fee has -- at least for now -- survived a legal challenge, the case appears headed for trial or a settlement that could significantly reduce the controversial monthly fee. In a tentative ruling issued Wednesday, April 8, Judge Euketa Oliver rejected the City's argument that the evidence overwhelmingly shows that it is not charging taxpayers more than the actually cost of the trash collection.

‘I Stand With 81% of San Diegans Who Strongly Oppose Paid Parking in Balboa Park’

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 19:22:31 +0200

Editordude: Paul Krueger testified before the City Council on Monday, April 6, about his experiences collecting signatures for a “Repeal the Fees” November ballot measure. This essay is based on his remarks to the council. By Paul Krueger I stand with the 81 percent of San Diegans who strongly oppose paid parking in Balboa Park. Last Saturday, during the "Repeal The Fees" ballot measure rally at the Organ Pavilion, I stood by the parking payment kiosk behind the pavilion to gather signatures for the initiative. And I talked with locals and tourists as they waited in line to pay. What I heard – and saw – was both enlightening and infuriating. The line at the kiosk stretched as long as 20 yards. It moved painfully slow. There is no display of instructions at that kiosk, so many visitors couldn’t begin to figure out how to pay. Some didn't know they needed their license plate number to process their payment. If they had to go back to their car to get that information, they lost their place. Others didn't know if they needed to return to their vehicle to put their payment receipt on their dashboards (they don’t). When the wait hit 10 minutes or longer, some visitors worried they'd get a citation before they could pay. This was a legitimate concern; I saw at least one parking enforcement officer checking plates. Others were upset they might miss performances at the Houses of Hospitality or Balboa Park Club which brought them to the park.

SeaWorld Seeking Coastal Development Permit for Pilot Program to Conduct Drone Shows

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:50:43 +0200

No Fireworks on Nights of Drone Shows -- California Coastal Commission Meeting is April 15

By Donna Frye Sea World San Diego is seeking a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) from the California Coastal Commission to conduct up to 110 aerial drone shows, that would be approximately 15 minutes in length and “include up to 1,000 illuminated drones above the waters of Mission Bay for a pilot period of one year from the date of CDP issuance.” The Coastal Commission meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 15 to hear the request; it is Item Number 10b on the agenda. The Coastal Commission staff report states in part:

“SeaWorld San Diego has traditionally ended many of its park days with a nighttime fireworks show. However, in response to growing concerns related to the impact of fireworks on coastal resources, as well as improvements in drone entertainment technology, SeaWorld is proposing a pilot period of one year for aerial drone shows.The drone shows would involve up to 1,000 illuminated aerial drones that would be programmed to autonomously take off, perform an up to 15-minute show up to 660 feet above Mission Bay, and then return to land. The shows would involve the drones following pre-programmed routes that depict various shapes formed by their onboard colored lights, accompanied by music played at ground level for patrons within SeaWorld.”

What Did City’s $100M Favor to San Diego Unified Get It? A Stab in the Back

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:50:36 +0200

By Hal Valderhaug / Union-Tribune Commentary / April 5, 2026 On Oct. 8, 2021, with the support of Mayor Todd Gloria, the City Council voted unanimously to lease 34 acres of Balboa Park, conservatively valued at $100 million or more, for a term of 99 years to the San Diego Unified School District in exchange for two district parcels — an 11.73-acre site in Tierrasanta and a 0.39-acre site already in use by the city for the Logan Memorial Pool. This was an enormous favor to the school district, considering the prime parkland location. Current members Joe LaCava, Jennifer Campbell, Stephen Whitburn, Marni von Wilpert, Raul Campillo, Vivian Moreno and Sean Elo-Rivera all voted to allow the district to continue using the site for San Diego High School and Balboa Stadium on the most favorable terms possible. I was a deputy city attorney for 25 years who advised the city property department, which oversees more than 500 leases. In all that time, not once was I asked to approve a deal this outrageous. As I wrote in 2019 when it was being negotiated, “No competent real estate lawyer would advise the owner of land to lease it for such a long term. Conditions change over time, and no knowledgeable person would give up control of a parcel of extremely valuable property for 99 years.”

Bill Would Create ‘State Surfing Reserves’ in California

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:10:34 +0200

By Save the Waves / April 7, 2026 For several months, Save The Waves has been working hand-in-hand with Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-42 District) to introduce and pass a bill that would help establish ‘Surfing Reserves’ along the California coastline. The goal is to provide a framework that will advocate for and help protect California’s 300-plus surf breaks and surf ecosystems. “California has led the way in ocean conservation, but we need to do more to protect our iconic surf breaks. Saves The Waves has done tremendous work to elevate the importance of surf reserves, and I am excited to bring these designations to the state-level,” said Irwin.

Loop-de-Loo Kids’ Clothing Resale Shop Opens Along Voltaire in Point Loma Heights

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:30:06 +0200

By Dave Schwab / Peninsula Beacon / March 31, 2026 Named for a family sing-along, Loop-de-Loo’s children’s resale shop off Voltaire Street in Point Loma offers exceptional deals on gently used clothing at affordable prices. With a healthcare background as a nurse, Lindsay Rutherford, the daughter of one of the principals in HGW Architecture in Ocean Beach on Bacon Street, has embarked on a new career as proprietor of the newly opened children’s resale shop. Needing resale children’s clothing herself is one reason Rutherford opened Loop-de-Loo’s at 4030 Wabaska Drive in Point Loma Heights, which carries children’s clothing and shoes, sizes newborn to 14, along with toys, books, and some baby gear. With three children of her own, Rutherford knows just how fast they grow and how keeping them clothed is a constant challenge.

30th Street Bike Lane Data: Who Do You Trust?

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 22:14:06 +0200

By Kate Callen / April 7, 2026 The 1933 movie Duck Soup added a wicked line to the comedy lexicon when a sly Chico Marx asked a flummoxed Margaret Dumont, “Who ya gonna believe, me or your own eyes?” That quip, used by comics ever since, has become a running joke in North Park since the 30th Street Bike Lanes were installed in 2021 as part of a $30-million pipeline project. For five years now, North Park residents have ridiculed the empty bike lanes. When my friends and I have coffee at a 30th Street sidewalk cafe, and an occasional cyclist whizzes by, we nudge one another and say, “Hey, look, there’s a bike in the bike lane!” We live in a city where elected officials sell out neighborhoods to serve the interests of developer-backed “climate action” lobbyists. So we expect politicians and their cronies to treat us with insolence. But sometimes their con jobs cross the line from absurdity into all-out farce.

Opponents of "Empty Homes Tax” Point to SF Court Loss

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:15:44 +0200

By Cody Delaney / inewsource / April 6, 2026 Opponents of San Diego’s proposed empty homes tax are sounding the alarms, warning that the ballot measure is nearly identical to a tax that was struck down and ruled unconstitutional not long ago. They’re referring to a case in San Francisco, where voters passed a similar initiative by a narrow margin in 2022. Officials there stopped collecting the tax two years later as they appeal the court’s decision. But that hasn’t stopped San Diego officials from bringing the question to voters in June: Should property owners who intentionally keep homes empty and off the market during a housing shortage be required to pay an additional tax worth thousands of dollars a year? It’s a question that has divided San Diegans in recent months, from renters to property owners and businesses to union representatives. And it comes at a time when limited housing supply has kept rents high for years — in a region where more people fall into homelessness for the first time than leave the streets for housing.

The Surreal Mural on the Template in Ocean Beach

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:10:50 +0200

The surreal mural on the east side of the Template in OB has gotten some attention. Richard Schulte runs a photo-dominant blog called cool san diego sights and recently shared a series of pics of the mural.

Signatures by the artists appear to be MURALIS, ART BY SOUP, EATHDUST, HAILYBROUS, JORDINDAVID, and SOURCE!

Here are Shulte's pics, including details:

City of San Diego: ‘You Want Your Sidewalk Repaired? Got 8 Years?’ Backlog for Repairs Grows

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 17:38:44 +0200

By David Garrick / San Diego Union-Tribune / March 28, 2026 San Diego’s budget crisis is expanding already-long backlogs for streetlight repairs, sidewalk fixes, graffiti removal and requests for stop signs and speed bumps — and things are expected to get even worse. The backlogs have been sharply on the rise because budget cuts last July limited overtime hours in the Transportation Department and filling vacancies with new hires has been essentially prohibited since December. And a $120 million deficit the city faces in the new budget for fiscal 2027 is expected to require across-the-board cuts instead of the $55 million funding increase transportation officials say is needed to shrink the backlogs. The quality of city roads is also in jeopardy. Transportation officials say $248 million per year is needed to get city roads up to national standards, but San Diego now spends about one-third of that with no increases likely.